Chapter 93
"Everyone worked hard today. Go home now. Don't stop anywhere else on your way."
"Yes—!"
As it was late, Sheriff Jett ordered the deputies to go home as soon as they moved Joe and Liese's bodies to the office.
As soon as the deputies scattered, Jett took out money from a corner of the office.
It was the bounty to be paid to me for catching Zodiac.
The original bounty for Zodiac was $12,000.
With his atrocities in Justice Town added, at least $1,000 more should be added.
But...
"I'm sorry, it's such a large sum... Even combining all the money left in the office, it's only $2,000."
"..."
The cash Jett handed me right now was only about $2,000.
Of course, a small town sheriff's office wouldn't have an enormous amount of $12,000 in cash.
Having anticipated this on the way, I rubbed my sleepy eyes and said to Jett, "Give me a promissory note, then."
A sheriff could issue promissory notes in case they run out of money to give to bounty hunters.
But judging by Jett's expression, even that didn't seem feasible.
"...The thing is, I can only write promissory notes up to $5,000 at a time."
"..."
"I'm sorry, then I'll write you a $5,000 promissory note for now and pay the rest gradually whenever the circuit judge comes in the future."
So it would take about 3 to 5 months to receive all the money.
Not bad.
I was about to nod at this, but...
— ...Kuu family.... I have to take care of my family... family...
Suddenly recalling Jo's last words, my mind changed a little.
"...When you pay the rest of the money, please set aside $2,000 separately and give it to Joe's family."
"...!"
Jett seemed surprised that I said something unexpected.
It was understandable to be surprised when I, who usually lived obsessed with money, gave up as much as $2,000 to others.
"Are you sure about that? Of course I'm worried about Joe's remaining family too, but this is clearly your money.... No one would blame you even if you took it all for yourself."
"It's fine, just give some to Joe's family when the money comes out later."
"...Alright."
As far as I knew, there was no one in Joe's family who could properly earn money right now.
$2,000 should be enough for Joe's remaining family to maintain their livelihood.
"Then is that all? I'll be going now."
Having finished all business at the sheriff's office, I immediately turned to go home.
But...
"...Wait, Kid."
"...?"
Sheriff Jett stopped me for a moment as I turned.
And after looking at my face for a long time...
"...I see, you were human too."
He uttered incomprehensible words.
Person, human.
I was very sensitive to those words.
Especially, I didn't like NPCs mentioning person or human to me.
When I frowned at this, Jett came closer and patted my shoulder as if comforting me.
"It's absolutely not your fault that Joe ended up like that. So don't worry about it anymore."
"...Who said I was worried?"
"Hm? Wasn't that it? Your face seemed full of sadness, unlike usual."
"What are you talking about?"
Full of sadness my ass.
I was just sleepy.
"Joe was a good guy... But I'm not sad or anything because he died. You know what kind of person I am."
"...I see."
At my words that I didn't care, Jett let go of my shoulder.
Nevertheless, his face still contained worry for me.
Finding Jett's face somewhat unfamiliar, I opened the office door to leave quickly.
Then Jett left me with final words:
"Kid. Among people who say they're fine with their own mouths, there aren't many who are really fine."
"..."
"Sorry for nagging. You look really tired right now. Go home quickly and rest."
"...Yeah~"
I waved my hand at Jett like that and went outside.
It was cold outside, and now it was even snowing.
Looking at the falling snow, I said, "...Ah, I should have just said I'd give $1,000."
How much was left until I could go home, for me to say I'd give $2,000...
I regretted it, $1,000 would have been enough for Joe's family to live well.
"...No, maybe even $500 would have been fine."
So I considered going back into the office to correct the amount to give Joe's family, but...
"...Ah, whatever. Why lose face like that."
Soon I rubbed my eyes and got on No Name.
"No Name. I'm too sleepy. I'll close my eyes for a bit, so go to the office on your own."
"Neigh."
No Name was indeed a smart one.
As if understanding my words, No Name started off before I even grabbed the reins.
Clop clop.
I closed my eyes on No Name, who was running on her own.
Though the position was uncomfortable, I was so sleepy that I planned to try to sleep anyway.
But...
Whoosh—
The biting cold wind and snow piling up on my shoulders prevented me from falling completely asleep.
I was too sleepy to be fully conscious, but external disturbances kept me from properly falling asleep...
A state where I couldn't do this or that, just building up frustration.
"...It's cold."
I was wearing an outer coat, but it was too cold.
This cold wasn't something that could be dispelled simply by wearing lots of fur clothes and sitting by a fire.
It felt like there was a hole in my chest and cold wind was whistling through it.
"...It's too cold."
...I want to go home soon.
The home I was talking about wasn't my office.
...My real home that I could go to after collecting $1 million.
It felt like only going to that home could dispel this cold.
That was when it happened.
Stop.
"...?"
With my eyes closed, I instinctively knew that No Name had stopped walking.
There was no way No Name would stop for no reason, and...
"..."
"..."
Someone was blocking No Name's path.
"...Ah, really."
Wanting to lie down in bed as soon as possible, I opened my eyes feeling intense irritation.
I felt like I couldn't contain my anger no matter who was blocking No Name's path.
But...
Flash.
"...Who are you blocking the... Oh."
"..."
When I opened my eyes and confirmed who was blocking the path, strangely I didn't feel angry.
The one blocking No Name was Emma.
Come to think of it, I had completely forgotten about Emma, leaving her at the Deaf Man's Bar until now.
Feeling sorry about this first, I got off No Name's back with an awkward smile and said, "...Ah, Emma. I'm sorry. I completely forgot."
"..."
"But how did you know to come find me? I told you to stay put at the Deaf Man's Bar because it was dangerous due to Zodiac."
"...Deputy Walter told everything at the Deaf Man's Bar. That Liese was Zodiac and you fought together with Joe, and Joe died."
...Jett told them not to stop anywhere and just go home, but I guess one guy went to drink and blabbed everything.
Those loose-lipped bastards.
"And I also heard that Zodiac, Liese, was a TKK member."
"..."
"...Is it all true?"
At Emma's question demanding the truth, I hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
"Yeah, it's all true."
"Ah..."
Right now, I was too tired to be fully conscious.
...Actually, I wasn't planning to tell Emma about Joe being Zodiac either.
"Let's talk in detail later. I'm too tired, so I need to go home and sleep quickly. You go home too, Emma."
So I brushed off Emma with vague words and grabbed the saddle to get back on No Name's back.
And it would have ended if I had just left, but my mouth was careless.
"Ah, right. Congratulations, Emma. Joe said you're the most beautiful woman in this town."
It was just a joking remark I made to lighten the mood since Emma had a serious expression.
"...The most beautiful woman…? Ah."
But at my last words, spoken half-asleep, Emma froze in place.
I immediately sensed that I had made a mistake seeing her like that.
The most beautiful woman in this town.
That was Zodiac's target this time.
Emma seemed to have realized the hidden truth as soon as she heard those words from me.
Ah.
I should have thought a bit more before speaking... I said unnecessary things because I was extremely tired.
Surprised at this, I turned my body to try to clean up the mess belatedly, that was when it happened.
"...Emma, what I just said is..."
Squeeze.
"..."
Instead of asking me more, Emma hugged me.
And she just whispered:
"...It's not your fault, Boss."
"..."
It was the system that made the innocent Joe into a serial killer.
Liese was an executioner who came to kill me on the organization's orders.
Of course it wasn't my fault for killing those two people.
I killed the two people to survive, and that was a reasonable choice.
But...
"..."
"..."
...Was it because Emma's embrace was so warm?
I couldn't let go of my hands holding Emma.
After entrusting myself to Emma's embrace for a long time like that...
"...Let go."
Belatedly coming to my senses, I pushed Emma away.
It wasn't because Emma's embrace had become cold over time.
...It was too warm.
Somehow missing that warmth...
Afraid that if I stayed like this any longer, I would become addicted and rather not let her go...
"Let go, Emma."
"..."
I had no choice but to let go now.
After forcibly detaching Emma like that, I got on No Name's back as if escaping.
"...I'm going, you hurry back too."
"...Yes."
I pulled the reins without looking back at Emma.
Clop clop, clop clop.
As No Name ran quickly, the cold wind blew again, making me cold.
The warmth of Emma's embrace she shared with me quickly escaped.
***
Holding the reins myself and riding No Name, I soon arrived near the office.
But perhaps because I moved my body directly, the fatigue that was already severe doubled.
...I really feel like I'm going to die now.
I want to jump into bed right away and sleep like I was dead.
Like a beast ruled by instinct... I ran madly to the office just to sleep.
But...
"...Huh?"
Just as I was approaching, I saw something in front of my office through my excellent eyesight.
Focusing on what that uninvited guest was...
"...Ah shit, what is this?"
Sophia, who had left angrily earlier, and her horse were standing in front of my office.
Still not having cooled down, she was still frowning.
I was angry too.
"Haa... I'm tired."
It was strange.
I wasn't angry at all when Emma stopped me earlier... but seeing Sophia camped in front of my office, I couldn't help but feel my blood boil.
...I need to be careful not to make any mistakes here.
I rode my horse while firmly sealing my hands to avoid accidentally drawing my gun.
When I arrived, Sophia glared at me with eyes full of discontent.
...That expression was quite displeasing.
To the point where I felt like doing something to her.