The alleys of the city are dark. Things that cannot be traded in the light are dealt with nonchalantly here, and anything can be purchased if one pays the right price.
Whether it’s a body or anything else. Alterra was frowning as she watched such transactions take place. She made no attempt to hide her discomfort, even going so far as to shoo away those who approached her by swinging her tail at them.
“Move aside, old hag! Have you forgotten how to count your age? Do you want me to tell you how old you are? Hey, move! I have no intention of working at your shop!”
Young Akashi seemed accustomed to this scene; despite making jokes, he managed to shake off all the persistent vendors. Ah, it would be nice if someone could also shake off the person beside me.
That outfit was less risqué and more awkwardly revealing. Akashi quickly called the attendant “auntie” and chased her away with sharp wit.
“Auntie, an incubus would be horrified and run away at the sight of that outfit! Go away before I expose your age and promiscuity to the whole neighborhood.”
Not a joke but a serious statement. Unable to endure Akashi’s antics, people scattered hastily, clearing out of his way. Akashi may be small, but he is still Akashi. I began to question my own safety once again.
“…Is it really safe?”
“At least while you’re near me? Beyond that, I can’t guarantee anything. But if that liar’s words were true, then you’re probably safe. On the other hand, you won’t get a splendid invisible cloak!”
With what we already have, isn’t it enough? Do we really need a cloak? Despite my doubts, I continued to follow out of genuine curiosity.
I also wanted to give Alterra some equipment, at least something better than the cloak that always gets torn during every encounter. I wished to replace it with something sturdy for her sake.
“…If humans live here, there’s bound to be none of these disgusting things, like brothels, drugs…”
Alterra seemed to slip back into her disdain for humanity. While it’s true that darkness inevitably exists where humans dwell, it might be hard to make her understand that.
…But how does she know about such things? Typically, the darkness of the city is thoroughly hidden unless sought after.
And she is a kind of existence whose identity cannot be concealed. Once she appears, everyone will likely flee for their lives. Thus, it’s unlikely anyone would approach her for business.
Golsamet is also the place where she suffered a severe blow.
How does she know about the dark dealings and places? Was it because the village tried to sell her drugs, or perhaps attempted to trick her at least once…
I decided not to ask, fearing it might relate to some unpleasant memories.
Thinking that I should treat her with a bit more care moving forward, I followed little Akashi. The workshop of his master must be quite deep within the city.
Indeed, it was deep. Beneath the shadow of buildings haphazardly stacked together like canopies lay a place so dark and eerie that one could k*ll someone and leave them there unnoticed.
…Are we really safe? Alterra seemed slightly uneasy too, as her horns faintly glowed with pre-emptive magic.
“Hey! You senile old man! Wake up! Today, I’ll prove my skills, so watch carefully with those cloudy eyes of yours!”
The sound of a girl’s voice coming from Akashi created quite the dissonance.
“What proof? You’ll mess it up again today… Ow. Is that a guest? Then go away. I’m not in the mood for business today.”
The elderly figure looked somewhat like a Dwarf, though upon closer inspection, he was rather thin for a Dwarf and had a short beard.
“…Is he human? He seems too… strange to be either. What is he?”
Even Alterra was confused whether he was human or Dwarf.
“You old man, he’s not your customer but mine! And look closely—because I’m going to create an invisibility cloak using the Dalocos core! You’ll spill all the secrets you’ve kept from me!”
“Kid, are you crazy? Do you even know how much that costs? Listen, young man. No matter what sweet talk got you here, trusting this goblin-like woman will only lead to regret. Come back another time. If I feel like doing business then, I’ll make it properly for you.”
“Huh, it’s already too late! And my client is over here! Alright, interpreter! Quickly relay this customer’s requirements! We can do anything!”
Not everything, of course. As Akashi spoke, he pulled out paper and a pen from somewhere, seemingly ready to jot down Alterra’s demands.
The old man stared at the diminutive Akashi with disbelief.
“…Tell me how Akashi plans to make the invisibility cloak. Any special requests or conditions?”
“Make it magnificent… and durable. It shouldn’t break easily.”
Her request was concise: beautiful and resilient. When conveyed to Akashi, he scoffed at the simplicity and held out both hands, asking for the core.
Though hesitant, Alterra handed over the core.
“Are you really going to snap his wrist?”
Clearly, following the old man’s logic, there’s something amiss with this Akashi, and failure seems inevitable.
“If he doesn’t repent, yes.”
It’d be great if he succeeds. Saying this, I prayed for a bit more decorum from this Akashi.
Akashi is Akashi, but Alterra doesn’t back down once she decides on something.
– – – –
“‘It’s done! Now, you can marvel at it! Though it’s just a fragment of a Great Wizard… Still, it’s a piece of a Great Wizard’s work!’”
Though the light was dim and it was unclear how much time had passed, not long after the old man and Myungho stopped talking, the cloak appeared.
At the very least, it’s impressive. The decoration is neither excessive nor lacking, and its insect-wing-like patterns are quite appealing.
Now, let’s test its durability. Sharpening my nails, I swiped toward Akashi’s torso, where he proudly held the cloak, intending to split him diagonally.
The action happened so fast that neither Akashi nor Myungho had time to react. Fortunately, Akashi wasn’t bisected.
The cloak remained intact without a single thread broken.
“Uh, am I still alive…? Yeah, that’s right! This is the masterpiece of a Great Wizard… Huff.”
Akashi was visibly shaken, sweating profusely and hiccupping. Well, if it’s this sturdy, it won’t break easily.
“…It’s beautiful and strong. Now, let’s see if the invisibility function works. Myungho, ask how to use it.”
Myungho, still dazed from what just happened, mechanically asked Akashi how to use it.
“Umm, channel magic power into it… But, you weren’t really trying to k*ll me… Right? I’m just a kid…”
“He says to channel magic power into it… Are you really going to do it, Alterra?”
Channeling magic power into it, huh. Let’s try. After removing the old cloak and attaching the new one beneath the fur, I channeled my magic power.
As on the day we raided the palace, a concealment field flowed from the cloak and enveloped my body. Like steam swirling around me, obscuring clear vision, it was indeed the same concealment field I knew.
So, can they not see me now? To confirm, I approached Akashi from behind.
Then I grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.
“Keh… cough, wait… it’s working fine, so why…!”
Since he couldn’t sense me until I grabbed him, it’s clear they can’t see me. After cutting off the flow of magic and revealing myself, I set Akashi down.
Though she looks like a girl, since the soul inside is Akashi, it’s hard to treat her kindly. Blame the Akashi nearby instead of me.
Releasing my grip, I dropped Akashi and stroked the cloak.
“…This should suffice. Relax, your wrist is safe now.”
Upon reflection, perhaps I was too harsh. Even though it’s Akashi, he does seem diligent. Maybe I should’ve been a bit kinder.
“Hmph, but… it’s a failed product… since it can only hide one person… Huff.”
“Just stay quiet and consider yourself lucky to be alive. Anyway, thank you. It seems Alterra is quite satisfied.”
Myungho pushed me along, and we hurriedly left the spot. After passing through several alleys, we heard a girl crying and an old man fussing from afar, but whatever.
We’ve obtained the cloak, so there’s nothing more to see here.
After wandering for quite some time, it finally took us a while to emerge back into the sunlight. I never thought normal people could feel so refreshing.
That is, normal people—not the ones lurking in the shadows. Those living in the light.
Considering that oppressive atmosphere, maybe I encountered the darker side of society too soon.
When we returned to the inn, the drunkards didn’t feel as welcoming. They were still as annoying as ever, making me want to wipe them all out immediately.
Turning away from them and retreating to our room, I found big Akashi alone, carefully examining a map.
“Where have you been? You said you were going to settle accounts—did you eat a proper meal? Anyway, thanks to you, I spent the time alone like an old man holed up in a room, studying maps. Come here. I’ll show you where we’re heading next.”
