My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 516: Chapter 176: Rescuing Sazanoko! (Part 2)

Aoto and his team watched Nakamura Chouhachirou all day, nearly without interruption.

The early summer sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Silently overlooking Aoto and the others busy with surveillance.

Silently overlooking the busy people weaving through the streets of the town.

Silently overlooking... an Edo where all, including Aoto, have yet to notice the turbulent undercurrents.

...

...

Man’en 1 (1860), May 20——

Edo, Foreigner Residence Area——

”Miss Leroy, the hem of this dress seems a bit too long.”

”Hmm... it does seem a bit long, let’s change it.”

With that said, Leroy turned back to the wardrobe, pulled out an incredibly new and exquisitely styled white puffy dress.

With Leroy’s help, Elodie put on the new puffy dress, bounced to a large floor mirror, blinked, and upon seeing her beautifully dressed self in the mirror, she smiled joyfully and spun around excitedly, admiring the hem that lightly flared up with her turns.

Knock, knock, knock, knock...

At this moment, a knocking sound rang from outside the room.

”Elodie, have you changed your clothes?”

”Mm! Just changed, Grandpa, you can come in!”

Upon receiving Elodie’s permission to enter, Anthony turned the doorknob and entered.

”Oh, oh! Elodie, this dress suits you well!”

Elodie beamed at Anthony’s compliment and spun around a few more times.

Seeing Elodie’s cheerful demeanor, Anthony’s face relaxed and his lips followed suit.

Today is the 60th birthday of the Edo Residence’s elder: Mr. Bright.

To celebrate this rare festive day, Mr. Bright, who loves dancing, is hosting a grand party at his mansion tonight.

Being very well-liked, he invited nearly half of the Residence’s residents to partake, and most of the invitees accepted—Angoulême’s family included.

At this moment, Elodie is trying on the dress she will wear at tonight’s ball.

Rarely does she get to attend such lively large-scale outdoor activities... this makes Elodie, who can’t play with peers her age because of few playmates in the Residence, very happy.

Though she can’t dance, and surely no one will dance with a kid her age at tonight’s ball... but does it matter?

For a child bored at home every day, just to experience the bustling atmosphere of these lively events is joy enough.

Elodie has been anticipating tonight’s party for several days.

Even though there are still hours before the ball starts, judging by her current expression... this child’s mind has already flown to the dance party at Mr. Bright’s mansion.

Seeing Elodie’s joyful face now, Anthony’s relaxed mouth finally unfolded into a gentle smile.

—Rarely does such entertainment come along... tonight must be spent indulging with Elodie in enjoyment.

This affectionate grandfather was resolutely determined in his heart for his precious granddaughter, who had suffered much since childhood.

...

...

At the same time——

Edo, a junction between the Residence and the outer world——

A middle-aged man pointed to a donkey cart parked not far behind, simultaneously loudly speaking in rather clumsy English to two blond, blue-eyed guards carrying flintlock guns:

”These are sake purchased by Mr. Bright from Mr. Nakamura Chouhachirou. All of these are Mr. Bright’s favorite sake, intended for drinking at tonight’s party!”

The donkey cart he pointed at was towing a small carriage.

Inside the carriage were numerous wooden boxes, all containing expensive sake.

Mr. Bright, very fond of Japanese sake, wouldn’t rest until he drank seven or eight bottles daily.

Tonight, a grand party in celebration of his 60th birthday is to be held... such an event can’t lack his beloved sake.

Hence, two months ago, Bright had already ordered a batch of premium sake from his old business partner, Nakamura Chouhachirou.

At this very moment, the two guards busy negotiating the usual ”goods clearance” procedure failed to notice—the driver of the cart loaded with high-end sake from Nakamura Chouhachirou... bore a peculiar, intriguing smile.

...

...

Edo, a dark alley outside the Nakamura family——

”Ahhh...”

Aoto heard the adorable yawn of Mukiwa beside him.

”Miss Kinoshita, do you want to rest a bit?”

After glancing at Mukiwa rubbing the tears out of the corner of her eyes, Aoto looked up at the sky above him.

A thick black curtain had covered the sky more than half an hour ago.

The current time... is approximately around 8 pm.

In the 21st-century modern age, this would merely be the time before nightlife starts.

However, in this current era, this is when only stray dogs wander the streets.

Despite the fine weather during the day today, the sky was azure and cloudless.

But after nightfall, somehow, the weather turned foul.

The night is shrouded in dense clouds, deep as ink, with only a sliver of light from gaps in the clouds.

The thick cloud layer engulfing the earth and sky makes tonight’s light exceptionally dim, with a very poor visibility.

For instance, in the dark alley where Aoto and Mukiwa are hiding, the surroundings are immersed in darkness. The pervasive gloom appears ready to birth some monster at any moment.

”I’m not very tired yet, so I don’t need to rest.”

Mukiwa quickly wiped away the tears that formed due to her yawn and lifted her little head, giving Aoto a smile signaling ”I’m fine, don’t worry”.

”...You should take a rest now after all.” Aoto paused, giving Mukiwa a helpless smile, ”The secret to ’surveillance’ is knowing how to take breaks, you know.”

”While my energy is still up, hurry and take a break.”

”Lest we both get worn out later.”

Those experienced know that ”surveillance” is exhausting work.

Staring at someone or someplace for long periods doesn’t deplete physical strength but imposes a considerable mental burden.

Upon hearing Aoto’s words, Mukiwa was momentarily stunned, blinking deliberately a few times as she hesitated, then she nodded lightly:

”You’re right... Let me take a little break now. Mr. Tachibana, monitoring the Nakamura family is temporarily up to you.”

With that, Mukiwa leaned back, resting against the alley wall behind her, closed her eyes, and began to relax.

Today is May 20th, which, when converted into a modern solar calendar, is already June.

This year’s climate has been exceptionally odd. As early as the beginning of May, the temperatures were high enough that one didn’t feel uncomfortable wearing only a single layer.

In Japanese terms... tonight is a veritable ”tropical night.”

The temperature is at least 26 degrees, rendering the air sticky and stifling.

The muggy weather causes Aoto to sweat profusely, while his mood involuntarily turns irritable.

For some unknown reason... since dawn today, a bizarre unease has lingered in Aoto’s heart.

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Today a bomb update of 11,000 words!

Writing raunchy stuff truly is the first productivity driver, in order to quickly let Aoto show off in front of Sazanoko, the Author binge-wrote yesterday and successfully churned out 11,000 words.

Today’s grand update is to compensate for owing Chapters to the Silver Alliance [Handsome is Me]. I still owe this book friend 10 grand updates.

The Author now owes 12 grand Chapters.

Today’s Chapter, so full of effort, is copious in content as well, with the plot unfolding in a raging wind. If you don’t vote for your monthly ticket, it’s just unreasonable (crying leopard head.jpg).

The Author continues working hard today! Striving for another 10,000+ tomorrow! I want Aoto to start showing off in front of Sazanoko as quickly as you do.

Today I’m shamelessly asking for monthly votes, it’s not too much right (crying leopard head.jpg)?