“Where did something like that come from? Don’t you think?”
“…”
At Arkhan’s question, Cheong maintained a quiet silence.
Because he realized that this wasn’t a question asked to hear his particular answer.
Moreover, regrettably, he also had no knowledge of the matter.
All he knew was that the man had recently received an official position, and his first post was at Blackmore.
“He was said to handle some mysterious ability.”
Cheong had already detailed the situation to Arkhan when he had initially invited the man.
He told Arkhan everything, from the invitation at the headquarters, through to a minor scuffle that arose, and how Cheong had been completely subdued without being able to lift a finger.
“Could you not move at all? Not even with mana?”
“Yes, it was not a simple restraint. It felt as though all five senses were paralyzed.”
“…Is that so?”
An ability that halts everything but consciousness—where does such an absurd power exist?
With that, one could surely kill anyone who they set their mind to.
Moreover, Cheong was one of the core members, a cadre, of the Lord’s council.
The fact that even Cheong was left powerless suggested that this was not something to be easily dismissed.
“Indeed, he seemed to have no mana.”
“Could he have concealed his energy?”
“Hmm. That’s not something that’s as simple as concealment. Nor could he have fooled my eyes. And besides…”
Arkhan’s lips tilted up faintly.
“There was no need to confirm anyway.”
Luke Richter.
He was a type of person that she had never encountered before.
Especially when he faced her killing intent with such casual ease, it had genuinely startled her.
Above all, Arkhan was someone who possessed the insight to peer into the inner workings of others.
Because of this knowledge, she understood humans better than anyone else.
She knew the fact that they were a species prone to lies at any time.
For that reason, she never once diverted her gaze from him, from the moment they met to the moment they parted.
“…Haha.”
…There was no falsehood in the words that came out of his mouth.
Neither his claim of having explored a maze labyrinth nor his statement that he had personally killed a true dragon.
There wasn’t a single exception.
Given that he had no knowledge of her insight, she could at least confirm that he did not possess a consistently despicable nature.
“Didn’t you see him earlier? Interfering in my affairs.”
“…I did.”
“Have you ever seen someone like that before? I never have. Could he not be human? Although, it’s impossible for a mere human to kill Arkanthila, who lived for thousands of years.”
Cheong listened silently.
Because this was the first time he had seen his lord express such verbosity.
“Wasn’t her name Rudine?”
“That’s correct if you’re referring to the girl who was standing nearby.”
“That kid was not human.”
“?”
“Ah, technically, she was. But it was more like a human shell… There was some kind of monstrous presence hidden inside.”
As Arkhan’s eyes sparkled with interest, Cheong delicately inquired,
“Shall I keep her under surveillance?”
“What for?”
“…?”
Arkhan responded in an exasperated tone.
“Why spy when I’ve already borrowed someone for five years? Just send someone openly.”
Arkhan sipped her coffee and smiled faintly.
“Send someone chosen carefully. We’ll likely see each other often from now on.”
The deal was successful.
As payment for quickly offloading the troublesome forbidden books, the most lacking manpower issue was resolved.
Moreover, the thorny Dark Shadow Guild issue that had recently caused headaches was also promised to be resolved.
Everything was proceeding smoothly, making it impossible not to feel good.
Returning to the office humming a little tune…
“Luke, the house is a mess.”
“…Indeed.”
Both I and Rudine could only sigh.
What should have been a flat surface was as if a bomb had gone off, with craters everywhere, and the once orderly office was in complete disarray.
I was gone for just a while.
But what exactly happened?
Which bastard did this?
My head was burning with anger.
I was barely controlling my temper when a black figure came running from afar.
“Luke!”
That familiar tail silhouette.
It had to be Adina.
“Huff… Where have you been all this time… leaving me behind…!”
What the hell is this cowardly fox talking about?
“Hey.”
“Huh… what?”
“What’s all this?”
I pointed to where something was with my fingertip.
The traces of a grand battle remained on the ground.
“Haha…”
Suddenly Adina’s tails started to wag.
She looked up, crossed her arms, and spoke.
“I did it.”
“…What?”
“After you disappeared, some suspicious groups started coming by. All of them were looking for Luke Richter.”
“So?”
“So, I killed them all! Haha.”
Sigh.
What a stupid fox.
Did she even know who they were before fighting them?
‘Wait a moment.’
…Didn’t know who?
Anyone who comes looking for me here must belong to one of two types:
Either they bear enmity towards me,
or, perhaps, they have business with me.
If it’s the latter, the range narrows even more.
“Perhaps…”
“Yes?”
“Was it a noble in formal attire?”
Adina shook her head vigorously.
“No. Just some dirty, smelly humans. Ugh… just thinking about it makes me feel like my nose is rotting.”
That answer was entirely unexpected.
Fortunately, it wasn’t someone from the royal court.
“How many were there?”
“Hmm… ten? Fifteen?”
“So you killed them all without knowing who they were?”
!
Again, her triangular ears twitched, and she nodded.
“Yes! Not a single one escaped. Oh, and I found this!”
She pulled something out of her pocket.
A blood-stained paper slip.
It had something faintly written on it.
‘Luke Richter… deal… completion payment…’
“…”
What the hell.
Did someone already place a bounty on me?
What did I do?
“Luke.”
Watching silently, Rudine softly called my name.
“Look up there.”
She pointed to the ceiling with her fingertip.
When I raised my head, I lost my words.
The center of the ceiling was roundly blown out as if a meteor had fallen.
I looked at the sunlight streaming through the hole, and my eyebrows involuntarily twitched.
“Oh, that!”
Watching this, Adina proudly said as she wagged her tail,
“One guy got away and escaped through the roof. Don’t worry, I tracked him and killed him later. How’s this for neat?”
“But why are there two holes?”
“Oh, it was because I misfired the spell…”
Ah,
So it was a mistake.
Thinking about it, it was mind-boggling.
The reason the leader of the Dark Shadow Guild died was because the guy was a true dragon.
— Luke… Richter…
— Forget… I won’t… it…
So he must have muttered my name as he was dying, just like Arkanthila when she died.
And the cause is…
— Luke, huff…! Richter, huff…! What have you…!”
It must be because of Adina calling my name while charging in.
…
I also caused a lot of trouble when I was younger.
I stole chocolates at the mart, and I went to the arcade instead of the cram school.
That’s why I can understand.
Adina never experienced the love of family, so she lacks social skills.
It’s like watching my younger self.
But.
My mother always told me something back then.
Namely,
“Rudine.”
“Yes.”
An eagle is a potent medicine.
Regardless of age, gender, or anything.
“Don’t kill her.”
“Yes.”
“Just educate her properly.”
“What kind of education?”
“Home education.”
“Alright!”
“Wait? What the…”
Before Adina could finish her question, Rudine moved.
A sound tore through the air in an instant—
Punch!
“Ugh!”
Adina’s scream echoed through the office.
A few days later.
After being educated (?) by Rudine, Adina initially voiced her grievances but soon lowered her tail as she was pointed out her wrongdoings one by one.
Especially when she learned that she had unknowingly become some mysterious mastermind in someone’s eyes, she started sweating cold sweat.
And now.
While we worked to clean up the cluttered office, a rather peaceful time continued.
We were spending a period entirely devoid of any inconvenience when—
Creak!
A carriage stopped in front of the office.
No, not just one.
At least five carriages followed it.
‘What is this?’
Could they have come to express their gratitude?
But it wasn’t the time for thanks yet.
While I was wondering, the door of the carriage opened.
A man in formal attire stepped out.
As soon as the man emerged from the carriage, he immediately asked,
“Are you Luke Richter-sir?”
After checking some documents, he exchanged private whispers with the next person who descended.
“Please wait a moment.”
And then, shortly afterward…
“!!!”
The door of the carriages that followed opened, and an absurd amount of gold coins poured out.
Unable to quell my curiosity, I asked,
“What is this?”
“Gold coins.”
“Why are you giving me gold coins?”
“Ah, I see. That’s something I failed to mention.”
He smiled faintly and read from the contents of the documents,
“Kartran, Daykal, Bren, Calix…”
Familiar names pouring out.
The names of the criminals who exploded all at once when the true dragon was killed.
“…until here. These are the criminals you have eliminated, Sir.”
What?
Does that mean these…
“We thank you for your efforts. This is the reward from the royal family, albeit modest.”
“!!!”
