Chapter 293

Chapter 296: Accidentally Caused a Big Incident~

It was a dog-person girl, carrying a common mid-sized satchel. However, her usually wheat-toned skin was now as pale as that of a sick person.

She stood alone amidst the bustling crowd, looking extremely out of place. Her widened eyes were fixed in shock on the center of the Twin Crystal Plaza, staring at the blood-stained armor and trembling with fear.

Trembling, she took a few steps back, then turned and ran. Taking advantage of the temporary confusion in the scene, she quickly fled the plaza.

Following Izay’s line of sight, Ais also noticed the fleeing dog-person girl. She then looked at Izay, “….Should we chase her?”

“Hmm, definitely,” Izay gave a firm reply.

That girl, Ais didn’t know her, but Izay certainly did.

Not only did he know her, they had fought side by side before.

And this time, something crucial was in her possession; it would be unthinkable to just let her get killed by whoever’s behind all this, right?

When this is over, Hermes will owe him a favor. Then he’ll have Asfi help repay it!

With his internal calculations ringing clearly, Izay swiftly chased after her. Ais didn’t hesitate, quickening her pace to follow closely behind him.

Their companions nearby were all caught up in unexpected situations and didn’t notice their departure at first.

When they finally realized, there wasn’t much concern either.

After all, both were Level 5, Tier 1 adventurers, and Izay possessed an exceptional combat ability. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Now, the day was gradually turning into night.

The countless white crystals growing from the ceiling stopped glowing, and the surrounding blue crystals dimmed their light. The entire floor began to darken.

In a corner of the district near the northwest wall, centered around Rivira Town’s Crystal Plaza.

The fleeing dog-person girl sprinted up slopes and stairs with the agility unique to beastfolk, kicking off rocky patches of ground and swaying her backpack slung over her right shoulder as she continuously accelerated.

As a Level 3, Tier 2 adventurer, and specifically a canine variant known for speed, the dog-person girl’s velocity was nothing short of impressive, especially since she had focused her training on agility.

In no time, she darted into the alleys of the northwest city district.

However, the unexpected happened suddenly.

Just as she entered the narrow pathway in panic, a figure materialized right in front of her.

“——Eek!!”

Startled by the sudden appearance, the girl instinctively slammed on the brakes.

Her feet carved two interrupted grooves into the ground as she gradually made out the familiar face before her. Losing balance, she stumbled forward.

With a “clunk,” the dog-person girl landed on her knees. Simultaneously, her arms shot forward to protect her head reflexively.

An impeccable kneeling pose, one that Izay couldn’t find fault with, appeared out of nowhere.

“Uh… Lulune, I think you don’t need to do this. There’s no need to kneel when you see me.”

You— If the other party wasn’t still in a state of disarray, those words would have slipped out directly, followed by a familiar addition of Izay’s name.

“I-I-Ize!? How are you here!?”

“My name doesn’t repeat like that; please enunciate properly.”

Sighing, Izay casually responded to Lulune, who had recovered slightly and got up nervously with a look of alarm, then shifted his focus to the adventurer’s bag lying on the ground.

The bag had fallen when Lulune knelt down earlier.

“Let me see. This should contain what the murderer wants, right? Where did you get it from, Lulune? From Hasana?”

“!! How did you know, Izay!?”

“You’re too obvious.” Using an offhand excuse, Izay spoke the truth.

Until Izay showed up, Lulune seemed to be in a state of panic.

Perhaps “fleeing blindly” would be more apt.

Only after Izay appeared did the situation improve somewhat.

“You must protect me, Izay! For the sake of our past battles together!”

After regaining some composure, the dog-person girl clung to his arm with both hands, leaning her weight onto Izay, showing every sign of wanting to cling to him.

“Huh? Past battles!? When did that happen, and why don’t I know about it?”

“You can’t be so heartless, Izay! At least take care of a friend’s life safety! Fine, I’ll help you win over Asfi later! Oh… You already have Goddess Artemis, isn’t that kind of inappropriate…?”

“Hehe, no worries, men are fickle, just like how Lord Hermes always goes to the Pleasure Quarter to fool around. It’s fine for you to have another Asfi, Izay!”

Lulune continued whispering temptations to Izay.

“—!?” Ais subtly furrowed her eyebrows, her gaze becoming increasingly complex.

Did something noteworthy slip into that statement?

What exactly did she say just now!?

“Cough cough, Lulune, let go! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Whoa! Is this person toxic or what? Trying to reverse-engineer Ais’ good impression of him right here?

In front of one wing, mentioning the other wing is not wise, right?

I really thank you for that!!

Izay displayed a hint of disdain, hastily prying Lulune’s hands off and flinging her aside.

“Izay, who is she?” Ais’s expression slightly soured as she tugged at Izay’s sleeve.

“Lulune Louis, a member of Hermes’ faction, Level 3 strength. I met her during a mission in the Great Forest. We’re sort of friends.”

“And who is Asfi?”

“…Don’t mind those details, Ais. I don’t interact much with them. We should focus on the murderer now. This bag contains what the murderer wants.”

“…”

For a moment, Ais’s cheeks puffed cutely.

A fleeting resentful expression.

But ultimately, the young girl chose to trust Izay’s words, cooperating with his blatant attempt to change the subject.

At this point, Lulune finally swallowed hard, realizing the danger she had inadvertently placed herself in.

My goodness, what have I done!

Although it was driven by survival instincts,

these instincts seem to have pushed her straight into trouble!

Thankfully, the sword maiden is kind-hearted!

—Lulune’s Goodwill towards Sword Maiden Increased～