"?"
After hearing that the other party's target was himself, and that she seemed completely unconcerned about having drawn him into the situation, a question mark appeared above Shirou's head.
Was there something wrong with him, or was there something wrong with people nowadays?
They were not supposed to know each other, right? Then why would they have no other thoughts about dragging a stranger into something like this?
However, Shirou did not have time to dwell on these questions. The people chasing them from behind would not give him time to think.
Fortunately, none of the pursuers seemed to include Arts users or snipers, so if they wanted to attack Shirou and the somewhat oddly speaking Lupo, they would have to engage in close combat.
However, they seemed quite wary of the Lupo with long silver-white hair, maintaining distance from her while gradually encircling the group.
Shirou did not act rashly in response. He had just come out of a shop and was planning to return. This area was close to a market, and there were many pedestrians there.
If the battle were to be moved, it would be dangerous for those civilians.
Mainly, he was concerned that these people might damage the area.
"Um… so, what is your situation with them?"
Seeing that he had also been treated as an accomplice and surrounded, Shirou shook the short blade in his hand and asked the person beside him.
"It is nothing. I just asked them a few questions and then they simply wanted to keep me there. Also, you can call me Lappland."
The Lupo beside him, or rather Lappland, casually explained after hearing Shirou's question, also briefly introducing herself.
It was a perfectly normal exchange, if only Lappland's expression were not so strange.
"…I understand the general situation."
Looking at her, Shirou felt that she was the type of person he was not good at dealing with.
However, at a time like this, saying he was just passing by would probably not be believed anyway. The main issue was that he had been dragged into this by Lappland.
Moreover, she had just said she was here looking for him. Based on Shirou's assessment of this type of person, even if he tried to leave directly, she would probably find a way to follow him.
It would be better to resolve the situation here first. At least the nearby civilians had already retreated to a safe distance to watch the commotion.
Thinking of this, Shirou felt it necessary to say something.
Lungmen citizens really loved watching excitement too much. This was a fight. A very serious matter. Were they not afraid of being caught in it?
Once or twice was one thing, but Shirou noticed it was like this almost every time. Only when uncontrollable Infected were involved would they slightly retreat.
Even then, some people would still watch from a safe distance until they were driven away by the Lungmen Guard Department.
"Heh? You still have not told me your name? I have many questions I want to ask. Do not try to slip away."
Hearing Shirou's somewhat helpless tone, Lappland seemed very used to this kind of attitude and continued speaking with a smile.
At the same time, she drew the two large swords at her waist and assumed a very casual stance, as if she were not about to enter a battle, but posing for a photograph.
"Ah this…"
Shirou originally intended to slip away in the chaos, but when she mentioned having questions, her gaze was mostly fixed on the short blade in his hand.
Moreover, she was a Lupo… a friend of Texas?
Although he wanted to ask directly, Shirou had not forgotten the current situation.
As the first stone thrown by the encircling group was shattered by Shirou, a fight broke out.
Rather than calling it a battle, it was more like two people suppressing dozens.
Although Shirou only held an ordinary short blade, likely of standard quality, and despite being maintained, it was somewhat dull and far inferior to the Noble Phantasms he usually used, he still made full use of it in his hands.
A slightly dull edge did not matter. Shirou used the short blade mainly to block attacks, then used fists and kicks to knock the opponents unconscious.
It was not clear if it was an illusion, but Shirou felt that the number of enemies on his side was increasing.
A glance to the other side confirmed the reason.
Lappland's twin greatswords were already stained with fresh blood again. Combined with her wild fighting style, the wounds on those who engaged her looked rather horrifying.
The wounds were large but not fatal. It was as if they were being toyed with by Lappland.
Meanwhile, Shirou's side would be knocked unconscious within two or three moves and collapse on the ground, so naturally more enemies were drawn toward his side.
It is better to be knocked unconscious. Better than facing that terrifying woman.
Knock us out quickly so we can report back.
As if noticing the expressions on their faces, Shirou very politely knocked them all unconscious and piled them to the side.
"Nice skills. Shall we take care of the rest together?"
Noticing that Shirou had finished on his side, Lappland casually handed the remaining opponents to him.
In Lungmen, she had to follow Lungmen's rules. Someone had already reminded her of that when she first arrived.
She originally did not intend to comply, but considering she still had business in Lungmen, Lappland had no choice but to accept it.
Now it seemed her decision was correct. She had found the person she was looking for here, and she would likely stay in Lungmen for quite some time.
"You have gone too far."
After stepping forward to briefly check the condition of the unconscious individuals Shirou used their clothing to perform basic bandaging.
Although the wounds looked large, they were actually not deep, so simple first aid was enough.
That said, if the bleeding continued at this rate, they would probably be sent to a funeral home within an hour.
"I did not turn them into mille-feuille, which is already good enough. Let me make this clear, they were the ones who kept chasing me."
Lappland did not stop Shirou from bandaging them. After all, they were not mortal enemies. These people had only pursued her because of her questioning.
By the way, when she asked her questions, she did so by knocking on the door with a brick. The quality of that door really was not great; it was smashed apart in one hit.
She got the information she wanted, dealt with the people involved, and even ran into an unexpected bonus. Lappland felt her luck had been pretty good today.
"I am not blaming you. It is just that this kind of behavior easily scares people. Most of the residents here are ordinary civilians."
Shirou did not understand what "mille-feuille" meant, but he could understand the latter part of her words.
As for why those people were chasing Lappland, he did not ask. The only conscious party involved was Lappland now anyway, so what was the point of expecting the truth from her?
"Scared? You mean those rather excited ordinary residents?"
Hearing Shirou's words, Lappland casually picked up the cloth Shirou had torn for bandaging and used it to wipe her two swords.
At the same time, she turned her gaze toward the people hiding not far away.
If she was not mistaken, these people were not afraid at all. In fact, they looked somewhat excited.
"..."
Hearing Lappland's comment, Shirou sped up his work slightly and quickly finished bandaging all the wounds.
It was somewhat rough, but he could not be too demanding in this situation.
Doctors would not come into the slums to treat injuries. He could only hope these people would make it to a hospital.
"Are we leaving?"
Seeing Shirou stand up, Lappland also sheathed her swords.
She still had many questions to ask him, and she would not let him slip away so easily.
"Yeah. You are… an Infected, right? Have you registered in Lungmen?"
Shirou stood up, wiped his hands with a tissue, and quickly scanned Lappland from head to toe.
She was dressed rather casually, wearing a coat and shorts. The shorts even looked somewhat torn.
There was a clearly visible Originium crystal on her thigh, and she did not seem to intend to hide it at all. Even wearing knee-length pants would have covered it.
But this was not something Shirou had to consider. The reason he was asking about her situation was simply to find a place where she could properly ask her questions.
If she had not registered in Lungmen, then anywhere outside the slums would be impossible.
Having worked in the Lungmen Guard Department for a while, Shirou's way of thinking was gradually becoming more like theirs.
"Nope. I was not planning to wander around those flashy places anyway. If anything, this kind of place suits me better."
Lappland naturally knew that Infected individuals needed to be registered to move around Lungmen's city area.
However, her original range of activity had never extended beyond the slums. Even if she did go elsewhere, she would only move in secret. Registering would only expose her.
"I see. Then let us change location. I remember there should be a restaurant nearby."
Hearing Lappland casually joke about her Infected status in a dark manner, Shirou could not bring himself to laugh.
Some things could only be said lightly by the person themselves. Once someone else laughed or commented, it became different.
Shirou did not know whether she was that kind of person. Even if she truly did not care, he would not laugh at such self-deprecating remarks.
"Boring. Anyway, you still have not told me your name. How should I address you?"
Seeing that Shirou's expression did not change at all, Lappland found it somewhat dull.
She enjoyed making dark jokes and observing people's reactions.
Some would find it cruel, some would laugh after understanding, and others like the man in front of her would remain expressionless, even making her stop the topic entirely.
After thinking for a moment, she finally remembered that he had never told her his name, so she asked again.
Her tone was particularly strange.
"Shirou. Just call me Shirou. You said you had questions to ask. What do you want to know?"
Walking ahead of Lappland, Shirou intended to take her to a nearby restaurant while letting her ask her questions.
Although it was strange for a stranger to suddenly have questions for him, Shirou did not refuse requests from others easily.
As long as the questions were not too intrusive, he could answer them to some extent.
"Hmm… you know Texas, right?"
After getting the answer she wanted, Lappland placed her hands behind her head and followed behind Shirou in a relaxed manner.
As for where he was taking her, she did not particularly care. What mattered was that he did not seem to have any strong opinion about her, only the intention to answer her questions.
A good person. That was Lappland's impression of Shirou.
He did not complain or reprimand her for causing trouble, yet still chose to help her.
Even after everything, when she made a request, he accepted it without resistance.
There were only two possibilities for a person like this: either he was truly a good person willing to help anyone, or he was pretending to be an entirely fake person.
As for which one it was, Lappland had not yet figured it out.
"I do not know Texas."
Hearing her words, Shirou frowned slightly but did not immediately agree.
He had heard from Exusiai about Texas before. It seemed she had lingering feelings about her past and was even somewhat resistant to anything related to it.
Shirou did not know whether Lappland was part of that past Texas wanted to avoid. If he casually admitted his connection to Texas here, it would be irresponsible toward her.
"Stop pretending. Your lying skills are too poor. Your scent and that short blade have already betrayed you. Texas really does have a good friend, huh?"
Although she acted indifferent, Lappland's attention had been mostly on Shirou the entire time.
The moment she mentioned the name "Texas," his expression changed slightly. Combined with his stiff reaction, it was obvious to her he was lying.
"…Is it that obvious?"
Hearing her expose his lie, Shirou's first reaction was not to continue covering it up, but to feel a bit hurt.
Recently, he had been hearing similar remarks more and more often. Lappland's words felt like the final straw.
As for why he did not continue lying, it was mainly because it was already exposed so clearly that forcing it would only be awkward.
At most, he would simply avoid mentioning anything related to Texas. As Yith had once said, changing the topic was the best way to prevent information from leaking.
Although Yith originally meant that staying silent was the best method.
"Yes, it is extremely obvious. Your facial expression, tone, and small body movements all gave you away. I suggest you train them more."
In response to Shirou's question, Lappland nodded and pointed out all the signs she had noticed earlier.
"I will work on that."
Hearing her words, Shirou sighed. This was practically an issue across the board; he would have to start from the beginning.
However, unlike Yith who only gave general advice, Lappland at least directly pointed out his problems.