Chapter 98

Chapter 98 – (hidden)

I arrive at 【Sole Fortress】 .

I headed to the adventurer’s guild to get my reward .

Today is the first day of summer .

Tomorrow is the day I will be introduced to the leaders of a major company in the main office of 【Belgart】 in the 【Demonic Steel City Holkerbaum】 .

It was great that I took requests from the guild for a number of days .

This place is north of Holkerbaum . There’s no time difference either . Thus it’s exactly tomorrow .

While pondering about that, I finish reporting the completion of the requests to the guild .

There are four requests . I toss the bags with the gold coins I received as reward into my item box .

And, after talking with the receptionist non-committally, I left the adventurer’s guild .

While looking at my adventurer’s card, I go outside the adventurer’s guild .

Name: Shuuya Kagari

Age: 22

t.i.tle: Dragonslayer

Race: Human

Occupation: Rank C Adventurer

Affiliation: None

Combat Occupation: Spear Warrior – Chain User

Completed Requests: 16

The number of completed requests is 16 .

Once it becomes 30, I will challenge Rank B .

Well then, I will return to 【Holkerbaum】…

The fact that I can use a gate is not something I want to show off . I think it’s best to not let too many people see it .

As for a place with little pedestrian traffic, I might as well go outside the fortress I guess?

Leaving the fortress, I headed towards the forest .

Checking with Grasping Perception, there are no signs of magic sources behind and in the vicinity .

At that time I talked to Rollo sitting on my shoulder .

“All right . Around here’s fine, I suppose . Let’s go back, huh? Rollo, if we successfully restore the withered large tree, I might be able to fulfill the agreed promise . ” (Shuuya)

“Nyanyaan . ”

Rollo makes a spoilt voice . She seems to be happy .

“Haha, you are happy, aren’t you?” (Shuuya)

While laughing, I take out the 24-faceted Trapezohedron on the spot .

The symbol of the third gate… ah, the third was the mirror located in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the church .

The one located in the inn is the first .

After turning the 24-faceted orb to make the first symbol appear above, I trace the mysterious symbol of the first gate with my finger as the input .

The gate activates .

Mmh? Was that wrong after all? But, this is my room, isn’t it?

Someone’s in the room . A trespa.s.ser?

It’s a red-haired, slender trespa.s.ser . They have their back turned on me .

I wonder who it is…

Oh well, fine, let’s step through and take it out on them .

“Prepare for battle after pa.s.sing through the gate . Helme, you are on standby in my eye . Be ready to come outside at any time . ” (Shuuya)

『Yes . 』 (Helme)

“Nya . ” (Rollo)

Spreading out my overcoat, I pa.s.s through the gate and come out from the mirror .

I returned to the room I was staying in at Holkerbaum’s high-cla.s.s inn .

I immediately summon the Magic Halberd in my right hand .

Rollo moves from my shoulder and walks to the left .

The red-haired trespa.s.ser is on the other side of the bed .

They are still facing me with their back .

Oh? The red hair’s body reacted with a twitch .

While moving their arms, the red hair turns their face this way .

— Eh? Fran?

It’s the freckled face of the B-ranked female adventurer Fran .

However, the transparent falcon, usually riding on her shoulder that can be called her trademark, isn’t here .

Instead, she’s holding out her palms towards me as if releasing magic with a transparent left arm that gathered eyeb.a.l.l.s .

What’s that? A hole in the transparent palm?

As a round hole with a vortex swirling within opens right in the middle of the transparent palm, the multiple things similar to living human eyeb.a.l.l.s are squirming in the hole’s surroundings .

It feels like a beam will be released from that gross hole?

Or will the transparent arm be sent flying to perform an iron man-like rocket punch?

Or will it be a mysterious light of the ray system by the eyeb.a.l.l.s to put a curse on me with a skill?

Or mind interrogation by violating my brain through memory extraction or such?

… Even the point of the one-handed longsword, she’s grasping in her right hand, has been turned towards me .

It’s a peculiar stance that makes one feel as if it belongs to some kind of school .

Contrary to her stance, I could feel impatience from Fran’s expression .

『Your Excellency, that left arm needs special attention . Mana is strongly circulating within it . 』 (Helme)

I received a warning from Helme .

『Yeah, you can tell from just looking at it . 』 (Shuuya)

For the time being I will try to talk to her .

“… Fran, what were you searching for in my room?” (Shuuya)

“From where did you appear?” (Fran)

Without answering my question, that d.a.m.n Fran asked one in reverse .

I can’t feel any hostility from her, but her att.i.tude is bad . In that case I have to spank her .

Let’s get started .

“The one doing the asking here is me though? Why are you in my room? Being ready with that transparent arm and the sword, it’s a situation where you couldn’t complain even if you were killed by me, but—” (Shuuya)

While stating that, I swing the Magic Halberd at Fran’s feet .

“Kuh, wait—” (Fran)

Fran reacts immediately .

She stabs the longsword in her right hand into the floor and nimbly lifts her body up into the air while using the longsword as support . She avoided my Magic Halberd by repelling it easily with the longsword .

Just like that, she lands on both feet on the ground with a *thump*, pulls out the longsword and sheaths it on her back .

At the same time she also hides the transparent arm of her left arm .

Bah, she easily evaded the sweeping stroke of my magic spear .

Her light movements had not a single wasteful motion . I understand from her technique just now . She has remarkable ability .

… At the time of the attack during the previous escort request, she must have observed me without showing her true abilities .

However, from the fact that no counter-attack followed, I judge that she has no intention to fight .

I will try to negotiate with her .

“… Then, can I have you answer my question?” (Shuuya)

“Got it . The reason for trespa.s.sing into this room is, of course, to look for your whereabouts Shuuya . ” (Fran)

Fran’s expression remains still and stiff .

“Hoo… but, what for?” (Shuuya)

“I have business with you, Shuuya . ” (Fran)

Lifting the corners of her mouth, she reveals a smile .

She’s trying to deceive me…

The slight movements of her pupils and cheeks are unnatural .

Should I try nudging her here by bringing up the topic about the transparent falcon who was on her left shoulder?

Before that, I will ask her normally first .

“Fran, can’t you honestly tell me the whole story?” (Shuuya)

“About what?” (Fran)

The one who tailed me for a long time is definitely her, I think .

Do I have to give it to her bluntly?

“Everything . You have tailed me since quite a long time ago, right? Besides, although it’s not currently there, there was a “transparent falcon” on your left shoulder, wasn’t there?” (Shuuya)

“Wh-, you noticed after all…?” (Fran)

Fran opens her reddish brown eyes wide and raises her eyebrows .

Even her mouth opened slightly .

The surprise shows on her face .

As expected, she has followed me since 【Hekatrail】 .

“I did . I don’t have any intention of letting you get away if you don’t tell me everything, you know? Rollo!” (Shuuya)

“Nya,… Gaooh . ” (Rollo)

Rollo changes her form into that of the black panther and climbs on the bed .

She threatened Fran by baring her fangs .

RollodeenBlack Panther adopts a stance allowing her to attack Fran from the side at any time .

“Hii, g-got it . I will explain everything . I don’t have any intention to fight against you two . ” (Fran)

Her lower eyelids stiffen and her mouth has a cramp .

One could call that an expression of dread .

“Well then, starting from you affiliations, ah, even if you are a double agent or such, everything, okay?” (Shuuya)

In addition I tried asking a leading question .

“Wh-!? E-Eh, even this far… Shuuya, just who are you…?” (Fran)

As her eyebrows are lifted once again, her reddish brown pupils sway while shrinking .

She got caught by my words . It seems to be a bingo . The bluff succeeded .

Well, mostly it’s according to my predictions though .

“Don’t mind it and speak . ” (Shuuya)

I said with a threatening tone .

“Y-Yes . I’m an adventurer, a member of the thief guild 【Gate of the Calm Demon】 and also a spy for 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears of the White Whale】 and 【Nine White Great KnightsWhite Nine】 . ” (Fran)

Uwaah, a triple-agent?

If you add adventurer to it, then quadruple?

She was no mere B-ranked adventurer after all .

Moreover, 【Nine White Great KnightsWhite Nine】, isn’t that a state agency?

“… Such triple-spying Fran, no, I guess your name is doubtful as well, did you gather information about me?” (Shuuya)

“Right…” (Fran)

“Who requested it first?” (Shuuya)

“…” (Fran)

She stayed silent . Shall I threaten her a bit?

As it looks like she has expressly been giving my information away, I will show her, though it might be a bit nasty .

Just in case, I will deceive her by chanting…

“I see, then I have to punish you . Oh, Light G.o.d Lulodis, representing the beam of light which serves as light of my judgement, materialize the punis.h.i.+ng spear of light— s.h.i.+ning Chain Lance!” (Shuuya)

— .

Matching it with a false chant while remembering the face of Claude, I activate the skill .

A light spear was created . The lightning-like light spear clashes with the one-handed sword Fran is grasping in her right hand .

“Kuh—” (Fran)

The one-handed sword is immediately driven backwards .

The light net, which was generated from the light spear, wrapped up the sword like a spider web and Fran had no other choice but to let it go .

The light spear carries the one-handed sword to the wall behind while surrounding it with the net . The one-handed sword, which was st.i.tched to the wall by the net of the light spear, became a decoration .

Aah, d.a.m.n it!

Won’t the costs of the room’s repairs go to me?

— I reflect a little .

“Even light magic…” (Fran)

As expected, her mask apparently cracked after a sudden magic-like skill .

“… Are you in any position to show such a face? It doesn’t change the fact that it was you who trespa.s.sed into this room, Fran . I think not getting killed is more preferable . Besides, I told you to tell me everything . I don’t plan to allow you to stay silent . ” (Shuuya)

I consciously show a s.a.d.i.s.tic, cold expression while making a smiling face in the shape of a crescent moon .

『Your Excellency, her b.u.t.t…』 (Helme)

The dangerous, s.a.d.i.s.tic girl that dwells in my left eye ends up reacting, but I lock out the dangerous conversation from my mind .

“… Understood… At first it began with me receiving a direct request from Clydosuss who is a leader of the 【Hekatrail】 branch of 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears of the White Whale】 . The content was to probe for information by slipping into the adventurer Shuuya’s proximity . And, if he’s a bad influence towards 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears】, to kill him . Those were the orders I received . ” (Fran)

Fran talks reluctantly as if she has given up .

Not Marquis Chardonnay, but Clydosuss of 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears of the White Whale】, huh?

I have met her once in 【Hekatrail】 .

At the time when I was invited by a dark guild .

I refused by telling them that I have no interest, but…

Clydosuss .

That apparently wicked b.i.t.c.h even ordered to kill me if I’m a bad influence…

Don’t give such orders . Good grief, what an annoyance .

“… I see . That fellow was the one who requested it, eh? How are the other two, 【Gate of the Calm Demon】 and 【White Nine】 related to me?” (Shuuya)

“Those two are nothing special . All that they wanted me to do was to simply report about the mysterious spear user . Using Rino several times, I contacted 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears of the White Whale】 . Do you need to know the details of those communications as well?” (Fran)

“Obviously!” (Shuuya)

I say while roughing up the end of the word a bit .

“Got it . Being attacked by bandits during an escort request, Shuuya repelled them . The true ident.i.ty of the guys who attacked was 【Owl’s Fangs】 . Furthermore, the dispute between fellow dark guilds in 【Holkerbaum】 intensified . 【Owl’s Fangs】 and 【Scales of Gaia】 clashed completely . Both sides’ leaders were annihilated and a large amount of soldiers died . After I investigated the events related to that, it was connected to Shuuya . And, you disappeared from the inn here . That’s what I told them . ” (Fran)

I see…

I guess she didn’t obtain definite proof of me finis.h.i.+ng off the leaders of 【Owl’s Fangs】 .

Fran’s expression hasn’t changed much .

There’s no unnatural mannerism either . I judge it not to be a lie .

I think that she’s predicting that I have been the one to defeat them to some extent, but she didn’t point that out .

“… Okay . Understood . Is that everything?” (Shuuya)

“Yeah, that’s all . ” (Fran)

“So, what’s that left arm? Fran, you are no human?” (Shuuya)

“I’m half human and half ghost . A part of my left body half changes into ghost by birth . And, the name of the transparent falcon is Rino . He is my familiar from a skill . He is useful for reconnaissance and regular communications . ” (Fran)

Hee, a half between human and ghost, huh?

Ghostifying a part of her left body, how interesting .

That transparent falcon Rino is a skill .

You might say it’s the perfect skill for scouting and transmitting information .

“… A half, huh? No wonder that you masked your left arm . Where have you sent Rino now?” (Shuuya)

“He’s been dispatched to the base of 【Gate of the Calm Demon】 for the regular report . ” (Fran)

Hmm, I see .

I guess I have heard to some degree what I wanted to hear .

“So, will you kill me according to the order you received from Clydosuss of 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears】?” (Shuuya)

“No, far from it! If you can turn a blind eye on me, Shuuya, I will have them allow me to withdraw from this matter . ” (Fran)

“I see . Rollo, you can release the mode already . I don’t mind if you relax some, too, Fran . ” (Shuuya)

“Nya . ” (Rollo)

Rollo changes back into her original cat form and returns on my shoulder .

“Roger…” (Fran)

Fran collapses on the floor with her b.u.t.t and thighs on the ground .

It was a slightly cute, girl-like behaviour .

She was apparently nervous and at her wits’ end .

“Even so, can you please not distribute my information readily? Ah, for you it’s your job, Fran . Well then, just as before, please only circulate that I’m a normal adventurer and a mysterious spear user . No blatant following me after this either . Can you give information to 【b.l.o.o.d.y Long Ears of the White Whale】 with such an undertone as well?” (Shuuya)

“Understood . ” (Fran)

“If you lied and distribute different information about me by using intermediaries, I will definitely search for you after spilling the information about you to all thief guilds and hunt you down, Fran . ” (Shuuya)

“… I understand . I will keep my promises . ” (Fran)

Although I said so, I don’t have any particular intention to take Fran’s life .

I don’t know whether she will really circulate the information as I told her to do it, but even if she lied, I will forgive her since she’s a beauty .

Besides, she’s an excellent spy . She might be useful in the distant future .

“Then, since I got business, see you again?” (Shuuya)

I leave Fran behind in the inn room and go outside .

I have to hand in the requested items I collected to the priestess .

Should I go to the adventurer guild or the priestess’ house?

Wait, before that I should take a quick look at Popob.u.mu who stayed behind in the stable .

I call out to Popob.u.mu .

Although it’s been a long time, Popob.u.mu was full of energy .

“Nnnn, nya . ” (Rollo)

While giving off a throaty voice, Rollo climbs on Popob.u.mu’s head right away .

“Will you not mount Popob.u.mu now?” (Shuuya)

I grab Rollo at the scruff of her neck and return her on my shoulder .

I left the stable after lightly stroking Popob.u.mu’s body .

The priestess’ home is that way . I leave the inn’s grounds and walk on the main street .

I head towards the temple that looks like a run-down house on the first glance and where the priestess lives by going across the plaza with the withered Large Tree of Holker .

When I entered the temple, the priestess was holding a broom and sweeping .

As usual, the bonsai altar, located in the middle, is beautiful as it was illuminated by the light from the ceiling .

“Yo, Priestess Marin . ” (Shuuya)

I call out to her with a light tone from behind .

“Ah, Shuuya-san! You came back . That means…” (Marin)

The face of Marin, who turned around, immediately bloomed with a smile .

“Yes, that’s right . I gathered all the requested items . ” (Shuuya)

“Oooooohhhh!! Really? In such short time… that’s far too amazing . As expected of you, Shuuya-san . ” (Marin)

The priestess jumps up and down in excitement .

She runs up to me with her Buddha statue-like earlobes shaking .

Her swelling b.r.e.a.s.t.s shook as well .

Surprisingly she does have b.r.e.a.s.t.s .

I didn’t know since she was wearing a loose, tattered robe that was making slos.h.i.+ng sounds .

“So, won’t you come together with me to the adventurer’s guild? It’s because I accepted a request, you know . Please receive the raw materials there . ” (Shuuya)

“Sure, I will go right away!” (Marin)

I headed towards the guild at a trot together with the priestess .

The guild’s formalities are finished smoothly .

The request that took a long time is complete with this .

The two items, which I handed in from my item box, were pa.s.sed into the hands of the priestess .

“With this it will be finally possible to revive it . Let’s immediately go to the Large Tree of Holker!!!” (Marin)

“Yeah, let’s . ” (Shuuya)

“Nyanya~n . ” (Rollo)