Shirou's clones number 30 million

"Um...do you know that woman we were talking about?"

“I don’t know her.” Shirou shook his head slightly. “It’s just that with the characteristics you’ve described, it’s probably difficult for anyone other than acquaintances to know who she is. And even acquaintances aren’t really sure.”

"I knew it."

Ieyas sighed deeply and whispered to his companion:

"Saya, I told you it wouldn't work. Let's think of another way."

“Is there any other way?” Sayo remained silent.

"Your money is probably gone for good. Money is essential to living in a place like the capital."

As they spoke, Shirou took out some money and slowly handed it over:

"Consider these a loan from me. You can pay me back when you have the money."

"Huh...? Thank you so much!"

Iyeas looked tempted and was about to agree when Sayo suddenly pulled him aside.

"Wait a minute, Iyeas!"

"What's wrong, Sayo?"

"Don't speak yet."

Sayo glared at her fellow villager, then turned to Shirou and said seriously:

"Thank you for your kindness, but we cannot accept this money. If you really want to help us, could you please help us find a job?"

"oh…?"

Shirou looked surprised. The amount of money he had given was not small; it was enough for the two of them to live in the capital for three to five months.

People who can refuse cash and clearly understand the principle that it's better to teach someone how to fish than to give them a fish are truly rare.

Clearly, she was smarter than her companions.

In just a moment, Shirou envisioned more than a dozen jobs that she could be suited for.

Compared to her, her companion Ieyas didn't seem very bright and was only suited for manual labor.

"In that case, go to Ernest's house and find Ernest. Give him my name, Adris, and he will surely offer you a suitable job."

"Thank you!"

Sayo nudged Iyeas, and the two bowed in thanks simultaneously.

"Don't mention it. The Ernest family home is in that direction. Just go straight down this road, turn right at the second intersection, and walk about two hundred steps further. There's a very impressive house there; that's the Ernest family home."

"Thank you very much. We will definitely treat you to a meal when we have earned enough money to show our gratitude."

"You're welcome. Did you write down the route? If not, I'll repeat it again."

“I’ve already noted it down. Go straight, turn right at the second intersection, and walk about two hundred steps forward.”

"Very good. I wish you both success in finding your place in the capital. I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Adris!"

Shirou, who had already walked several meters away, turned his back to the two of them, waved twice, and walked further and further away, soon disappearing from their sight.

“Iyeas, let’s go. Hopefully we can find work before dark.”

"Hmm... We really met some kind people this time. I knew it! The capital city isn't that dangerous; there are definitely more good people than bad here."

In the distance, Chelsea, the kitten perched on Shirou's shoulder, turned her head nervously to look at him, unconsciously thinking:

Did he even guess that the two people were talking about Leone? Her features are so obvious, it's hard not to guess, isn't it?

But he didn't say anything just now, as if he knew nothing at all.

No, we can't be sure. Maybe he's planning to cause trouble for Leone.

If that's the case, what should I do?

Pretend I don't know and continue being a cat? But that guy Leone might betray me.

I transformed back into human form to slow him down and let Leone escape, but he was too strong. Even if I held him off, Leone couldn't possibly get away.

Moreover, sacrificing myself for Leone always feels like a huge loss.

To be honest, I'm not very familiar with her; I can only call her by name.

While he was troubled, Shirou had already returned home.

As she watched him walk step by step toward the backyard, Chelsea the kitten's heart raced faster and faster.

'What should I do? What should I do next?'

……

Someone's coming! It's Adris's footsteps.

Realizing this, Leone quickly got up and ran to the tree by the courtyard, where she began practicing swordsmanship, pretending to be hypnotized.

In reality, no acting skills are required. Just keep a blank expression and avoid focusing your gaze on any one point.

The footsteps drew closer and then stopped beside them.

This situation caused Leone to feel a little panicked.

'What's he doing? Why is he staring at me? Has he finally discovered my charm?'

Or did he discover that I wasn't actually hypnotized?

'Don't keep staring at me...'

Just then, a male voice, tinged with laughter, suddenly came from the side:

"I can't believe I didn't realize you were already free. How negligent of me."

"However, there's nothing we can do about it. After all, who would have thought that after you regained your freedom, you wouldn't take the opportunity to slip away, but instead continue to pretend to be under control?"

“Miss Leone, aren’t you going to say something?”

This tone clearly indicates that the speaker has realized they have lost control.

Leone hesitated for a few seconds between continuing to feign and confronting the truth, then threw away the sword in his hand and laughed:

"Oh dear... you found out, what a pity."

When did you recover?

Shirou glanced at the other three people training in the distance and thought to himself:

It seems that she's the only one who's out of control.

"The day after you brought me back to the capital, wasn't it?" Leone said with a light laugh.

At the same time, she glanced discreetly at the kitten on his shoulder.

The fact that this question was asked means that it wasn't Chelsea who leaked the information.

"Can I find out how I was exposed?"

"On my way back just now, I ran into a young couple who had just arrived in the capital. They claimed that they had been swindled out of all their money and were asking around the streets looking for the swindler."

Shirou paused for a moment, then chuckled and said:

"The conman they described looks and has the exact same personality as you."

"So it was them!"

Leone was speechless, never expecting to be exposed here.

Are they still looking for me?

“That’s all. I gave them Ernest’s address and told them to go to Ernest to get a job.”

Chapter 126 Why Not Consider Me?

Chapter 126, Section 127: Why Not Consider Me?

"Hey...!? That infamous minister! Aren't you pushing them into a fire pit?"

Leone looked surprised and doubtful, and a hint of worry appeared on her face.

"You're a liar, do you even care about the fate of your victims?" Shirou chuckled.

"It's different! I'm just teaching them what they need to live in the capital using my own methods. And that money is tuition. But who knows what Ernest, that source of all evil, will do with them."

"Is that so? Tuition fees? I never thought that scammers could be so righteous these days."

Shirou chuckled, then asked:

"Speaking of which, since you weren't being controlled, why didn't you sneak away? Instead, you've been staying here and pretending to be controlled?"

“Because life here is very comfortable,” Leone said subconsciously. “The meals are delicious every day, and we don’t need to do anything special. We just need to pretend to train when you come to inspect us.”

"Besides, you don't come here often, only once every two or three days on average. Even if I'm not here when you come, you've never noticed."

It turned out to be the case.

Shirou was silent for a few seconds, then sighed:

"Then...don't you hate me?"

"Why?" Leone asked, puzzled, not understanding what he meant.

"The revolutionary army was annihilated by me, and the number of dead and wounded was countless."

"This has nothing to do with me. Although I follow the BOSS, Najenda, and am nominally a subordinate of the Revolutionary Army, I have never been to the Revolutionary Army headquarters."

At this point, Leone turned to look at Akame and the others who were training not far away and asked:

"You plan to keep them training here forever? Ten years, twenty years, until they die?"

“No, it won’t take that long.” Shirou shook his head slightly. “Releasing them now will only cause me trouble. I will release them when I’m sure they won’t cause me any more trouble.”

"With your strength, even if all of us attacked together, we wouldn't be able to cause you any trouble, right?"

"No, you will steal my prey."

Seeing her confused expression, Shirou smiled slightly and explained: