The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Once we return to our room, Rollo immediately leaps to the bed.

She starts playing by jumping up and down as usual.

Viine stores her luggage, which had been placed close to her bed, into her knapsack.

While at it, she takes out a cloth from within, brings the beautiful jade-green snake bow, which she carried on her back, in front of her chest, and polishes it with the cloth cherishingly.

I feel like she still hasn’t properly used that special bow. But well, I guess she wants to treasure it.

At this moment, the 24-faceted orbTrapezohedron disconnected from the gate of the Paredes Mirror and came back.

Once again, it’s revolving around me like a small fairy.

I grab it and put it into my pocket. I also lift up the Paredes Mirror and store it in my item box.

Ooh, having finished the bow’s maintenance, Viine takes off her thick, vermilion leather garment.

Seeing her finish with the task, I address her at that point.

“You’re going to enter the bath?” (Shuuya)

“No, not yet. I will change into these clothes for now.” (Viine)

“Got it.” (Shuuya)

I appreciate Viine’s changing of dress.

The silver, short-sleeved shirt suits her really well, accentuating her figure.

I thoroughly enjoy looking at the bluish-white, pretty skin of her back.

Aaah, so she’s going to wear a black dress.

She doesn’t retort at my lewd staring, but a faint sound becomes audible from behind the wooden window, breaking my concentration.

Turning around, I look in the direction of the sound.

The white cat… Magit was over there.

I think she has some business with Rollo?

“What’s wrong, Magit?” (Shuuya)

“Nyao.”

Magit purrs once as if showing off her collar with something like a round, emerald gem attached to it and moves to the bed where Rollodeen is playing.

“Rollo, stop playing. You've a guest.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, nyaa.”

Once Rollo notices the white cat, she gets off the bed and approaches Magit gracefully.

Rollo and Magit touch each others' noses, obviously greeting each other.

Once that’s done, both of them sit down, arranging their hind paws like dolls.

The black and the white cat gaze at the other party.

It’s a mysterious scene.

Nevertheless, I’m certainly curious about Magit’s collar.

What’s with that mana?

『Your Excellency, I examined that collar before, but it’s strange.』 (Helme)

Sitting in a corner of my visual field, Helme talked to me telepathically.

『Yeah.』 (Shuuya)

I can’t sense such a huge magic source from Magit herself. Instead, I feel some sinister magic source from that collar.

“Rollo, what are you doing?” (Shuuya)

“Nya.”

She turns her round, red eyes my way and purrs. Then, she immediately returns onto my shoulder.

“N, nya.”

The white cat purrs while releasing a throaty voice and rubs her head against my foot after coming over.

“Magit, you're a cutie as well, aren’t you?” (Shuuya)

Once I lightly caress Magit’s head,

“Master…” (Viine)

“What’s up?” (Shuuya)

Viine reveals an expression as if she is hesitating to speak up while her left cheek blushes.

The face, which is hidden by the silver mask, seems to have become red as a tomato as well.

“…I want to go to the toilet.” (Viine)

Was she enduring it this whole time?

“Sorry for not having noticed. But, you don’t have to ask for permission each and every single time, you know? Just go and pee as much as you want!” (Shuuya)

“Haua, yes!” (Viine)

“Nyaoo.”

She leaves the room in a sprint after I give my consent.

Rollo jumps off my shoulder and chases after her…

Once I go out to the corridor after wasting some time by playing with Magit on the bed a bit, Viine and Rollo return after finishing their business.

“Maaaster! Rollo came to pee together with me!” (Viine)

“Nyaon.”

Standing on the handrail, Rollo purred as if saying 『That’s correct, nya.』

“I-I see. Is that something so delightful?” (Shuuya)

“Yes, it reminded me of my time when I frolicked around with my younger sisters.” (Viine)

“I see, a kind of mutual trust, you mean? Well then, let’s go downstairs and inform Mel. We are slightly indebted not only to the inn, but also to the dark guild 【Remains of the MoonMoon Remnants】.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Viine)

Descending the stairway, we head to the dining hall on the first floor.

There are quite a few guests present, but the dining hall remains quiet.

Gazing around, I can’t see the owner of that beautiful singing voice.

If I remember correctly, she was called Shana, wasn’t she?

Really weird… usually she should be singing at dinner time.

Once I look through the dining hall,

“Shuuya-san, you're back.” (Mel)

I was addressed by Mel.

“Yeah. I have something to talk about in regards to that, but is everything alright at the moment?” (Shuuya)

“Yeah, don’t worry.” (Mel)

“I bought a house, so I’m planning to leave the inn now.” (Shuuya)

“Eeeh! No one told me anything about that!” (Mel)

Mel raises a loud and angry voice.

All the looks of the guests gather on her at once, and the silent room becomes eerily peaceful.

“Ah, sorry for shouting. Let’s go over there.” (Mel)

While still angry, Mel moves to the door located on the right inner side of the dining hall.

I guess she’s telling me to come to the basement located ahead once again.

…It can’t be helped, now can it?

“Only for a bit.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Mel)

Following Mel, I descend the spiral staircase on the other side of the door.

She moves the moon object on the big door of the basement’s room, and we enter after her.

Without proceeding to the central depression with the table, Mel chats me up from in front.

“For you to have bought a house, where is it located?” (Mel)

“The southern Martial Arts district.” (Shuuya)

“Over there, huh? I see. But it’s still quite abrupt to be honest.” (Mel)

“I just went with the flow.” (Shuuya)

Once I tell her that indifferently, Mel frowns, and her face becomes gloomy, producing a somewhat sad expression.

“…You don’t have to say it so bluntly. We are considering you our comrade, after all.” (Mel)

A slightly timid attitude. A one-eighty shift from her previous mood.

Comrade, huh?

“I’m sorry, but I already told you a few times that I’m an adventurer, didn’t I?” (Shuuya)

“I’m well aware of that fact, but you and your familiar, who are called 【Lancer and Black Cat】 in some parts of the underworld, are considered special.” (Mel)

“Special…” (Shuuya)

“Yes, we think so as well. The other day, an official message about getting in touch with you arrived from a subordinate of Diviner Kazane of the 【Asura Religious Organization】. Well, that might also be taken as an apology for having invaded our turf though. …It seems like they want to want to get in contact with you, no matter what. I casually told them that I'll inform you about it once I see you and that doing it right away is impossible.” (Mel)

Those guys, eh? Do they intend to try that mind magic again?

To be honest, I really don’t feel like meeting them a second time.

“Kazane, huh…?” (Shuuya)

“In short, it means that the other dark guilds already believe that you are a part of 【Remains of the Moon】 or have applied to join us at the very least, Shuuya-san.” (Mel)

Whoa, is she saying that it’s already an established fact?

Even though it was nicely peaceful after I crushed 【Owl’s Fangs】, I couldn’t sense the usual presences tailing me either.

Ah, I guess that’s because no one can keep up with Rollo as Horse Lion.

“…Got it. So, it’s better if I meet the 【Asura Religious Organization】 as part of 【Remains of the Moon】 ?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. that’s indeed so. Behind the scenes, they're connected with 【Assembly of Stars】. My personal opinion is that they are moving towards a new 【Eight Lights】 selection since one of them was crushed.” (Mel)

Just choose whoever you want. Why bother me?

Is what I thought, but I didn’t voice it out.

“Honestly, something like that doesn’t matter to me…” (Shuuya)

“Jeez. Care about it, at least a bit. If the other dark guilds hear about that information, it’s possible that they will get in contact with you, okay?” (Mel)

Get in contact, eh…?

“Is that jargon for killing each other?” (Shuuya)

“No, it’s different. The turf battles have already come to an end for now. Therefore, it means they'll approach you for a normal meeting. However, since it’s difficult to get in touch with you, they might get a bit forcible.” (Mel)

So there’s a bit of jargon in there after all.

I won’t retort on that, though.

“Well, I don’t really mind at all even if it’s killing each other. If they are up to some mischief, I'll just finish them off.” (Shuuya)

Somehow…

The words of a famous pro wrestler with a long chin pop up in my mind, but I didn’t speak them out.

“…If you say that while grinning, it’s scary.” (Mel)

Mel is misunderstanding my intentions here.

“So, as for meeting Kazane, where is that going to take place? Meeting her a second time in that damp and shady fortune-telling room is out of the question.” (Shuuya)

“Eh!? You already met with her once? I haven’t heard anything about that from Benett…” (Mel)

“I didn’t tell you about it? I went to investigate Kazane’s dubious fortune-telling store once before.” (Shuuya)

“Really? Ah, so that’s why the War Foxes of Asura invaded our turf while tailing you, Shuuya-san.” (Mel)

Come to think of it, I remember Benett having mentioned that before.

That means, albeit unaware of it, I caused troubles to 【Remains of the Moon】? I believe this means that I owe them a favor.

I guess I will answer their request to make us even.

“…As long as it’s just meeting them. Where should it take place?” (Shuuya)

“All right. If you like, this place will work.” (Mel)

“Understood. So, since I will head into the labyrinth for a few days starting tomorrow, it will be impossible for a little while, okay?” (Shuuya)

Mel places a finger on her slender, triangular chin and ponders on my answer.

“…Do you know the exact date when you’re going to return?” (Mel)

As expected, I can’t predict that. It’s a magic treasure map on the fifth floor, after all.

It might end quickly or take some time. Nothing is set in stone.

“I really don’t know. Just give them a message from me.” (Shuuya)

“…Got it.” (Mel)

“Please tell them not to use “mind magic-like spells” and that Marumi-chan, if I notice any weird presences, I won’t show you any mercy, even if you might be a person who knows about Japan.” (Shuuya)

“…Okay. I won’t probe for the reason and will make sure to convey them those exact words.” (Mel)

“Please take care of it. Well then, I'll come to meet you after finishing my business in the labyrinth.” (Shuuya)

“Sure.” (Mel)

At that point, I shift my eyes towards Viine, who was silently watching our exchange like a diligent secretary.

“Let’s go.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Viine)

“Nya.”

Rollo purrs in reply, too.

Without sleeping for a change, she is motionlessly sitting on my shoulder.

“I'll come upstairs with you.” (Mel)

It looks like Mel will also go back to the dining hall.

After lightly caressing Rollo’s head for being a good child that stayed still on my shoulder, I leave the basement together with Viine and ascend the stairs.

We come out to the relatively quiet dining hall.

After all, with that songstress not being here… it’s too lonely.

I initially planned to take a meal while listening to the soothing songs of hers, but let’s not.

I guess I will try asking about that matter to settle my mind.

“Mel, what happened to that elf who always sung in the dining hall?” (Shuuya)

“That’s what I want to know, too. Even though I've been waiting for her for a while now, she still hasn’t arrived. I wonder whether something happened to her…” (Mel)

She hasn’t come although she’s supposed to? Is she alright?

Well, even though I’m curious about it, I will go back home for now.

“I see. Well, we are off then.” (Shuuya)

“Yeees. Please do your best in the labyrinth.” (Mel)

“Aye.” (Shuuya)

I reply while lightly raising an arm.

I walk through the dining hall, where a nice scent hangs in the air, and open the entrance door, exiting Lodging Moon of the Labyrinth.

Even though it’s already night, the cicadas are still audible, their shrill sound breaking the tranquil atmosphere.

I advance through the alley while brightening it up with a light source from my ring.

At the same time, I address Viine who’s next to me.

“We could have had a meal in the inn just now, but today, we'll eat at home, I guess.” (Shuuya)

“Okay. Shall I prepare it?” (Viine)

So Viine is capable of cooking as well. What a wonderful surprise.

“I can cook. Thus, I'll be the one to prepare it today.” (Shuuya)

“Understood.” (Viine)

As we walk through the small alleys towards the south while continuing such light chatter,

“Kyaaa~”

A woman’s scream interrupts us.

“Let’s go there right away.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Viine)

“Nya.”

Viine and I start running in the direction of the yell.

At the same time, Rollo jumps off my shoulder towards the front.

While transforming into a Black Panther with a poof in midair, she stably lands with her limbs on the ground.

This place here is a crossroad of narrow alleys, limiting the area available to maneuver.

That’s why Rollo chose the Black Panther size instead of the Horse Lion one. Light, seemingly coming from many sources, leaks out from the end where the crossroads are bending to the left and from where we had heard the sound.

I can also make out the laughing voices of men from there.

We briskly head in that direction.

A single elven woman is fighting against several men around the corner at the end of a narrow alley.

Isn’t that Shana, the elven songstress?

“What’s this! Ganging up on me!?” (Shana)

“Who knows? Ask the man behind you!”

The one who appeared from behind alongside a magic light was a male troubadour wearing a flashy doublet, which stands out due to the contrast of its black and yellow colors, and a hat with a feather attached to it.

“Who are you?” (Shana)

After lightly playing a flute upon Shana’s question,

“…Hmph, you, you ask? How impudent of you, the reason why I was fired from a job with a good pay.”

The guy who performed in Lodging Moon of the Labyrinth in the beginning, huh?

“I remember now! You’re the guy who was the inn’s singer before I took over.” (Shana)

“That’s right! Law, cut her up just like before. Besides, you're free to mess up this woman as you like~. Lululu, lalala~. But, make sure to kill her at the end.”

The male troubadour orders while playing his flute, treating this as a mere show.

"Even though I might look like this, I’m still an adventurer, you know?” (Shana)

Shana says confidently and draws a slender rapier with a sharp look on her face.

5 vs. 1, huh?

Shana holds a weapon in front and gives off a mighty aura, as if she’s capable of standing up to them.

According to the information I heard from Mel, she’s indeed an adventurer with singing as a side job.

After making sense of the whole scene, I look at Viine’s face.

“Should we observe the situation for a bit?” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Viine)

The leader of the men facing off against Shana was called Law, wasn’t he?

He has reddish brown hair and a rectangle face.

The end of his protruding chin has the characteristic of being splendidly divided into two.

After scratching the hair on his head, he moves his thick lips in a smirk, starting to talk while revealing his dirty teeth.

“Kakakaka, what a high-spirited woman. You guys, let’s have some fun with her.” (Law)

Once ordered by Law with a hoarse voice, the four men surrounding Shana assault her simultaneously.

However, Shana leads the men by the nose by magnificently staying on the move while shifting to the left and right as if weaving her way through.

She swiftly dodges the threatening swords of the men effortlessly.

“Kuu.”

“Quick!”

The blonde elf continues shifting nimbly with her hair fluttering in the wind.

Revealing a bewitching smile or displaying her composure on her face, she wields her slender sword without breaking a sweat.

With a sharp sword thrust by extending her willowy arm holding the rapier, she deeply stabs into the belly of a man on her left.

Subsequently, she grabs that impaled man with her left hand, using him as a shield and skillfully defending against two concurrent, diagonal slashes.

Even when completely bathed in the blood scattered by the man she used as shield, she confronts the third man without screaming.

Good going! Was the previous scream just a fake?

At least, it should have been her scream.

“You cheeky woman—”

She defends with the bloodstained flesh shield against the sideways sword slash of the man, who assails her while spitting out those mocking words, aiming for her neck.

While at it, she kicks the corpse towards the attacking man, throwing him off balance.

Shana’s rapier then pierces the throat of the man who’s trying to move the corpse out of the way. She's dancing like the wind among these guys. What a pretty, bloody sight!

“Guee, kefuu.”

He collapsed, letting out a sound of air escaping from his throat.

Even while being surrounded, Shana steadily kills her opponents one by one.

She handles her rapier unbelievably well for someone who sings such soothing songs. She has a ruthless side to her as well, it seems.

“Hee, aren’t you quite the skilled one? Just as before, I've to deal with you after all, huh? Hey, you guys, fall back; I'll take care of her.” (Law)

————– End of Part 1 ————–

Once the man called Law says that while waving his hand towards the two remaining comrades of his, he draws what seems to be a broad sword from his waist.

“Come, long-eared elf!” (Law)

Shana squints without her calm expression falling apart.

“It won’t go as before!” (Shana)

She takes a forward-bent posture and shouts loudly, as if raising her spirit, making her pretty blonde hair flutter in the wind, and then dashes towards Law.

As she gets closer, she thrusts her rapier at the opposite party.

However, Law slightly lifts the upper part of his broad sword and parries the strike with ease.

Even Shana’s second follow-up thrust is easily repelled by Law with him having the point of his sword draw an 8.

I guess this makes it obvious that his swordsmanship is above Shana’s.

As if emphasizing his split chin, Law pushed his face out towards Shana.

“Kakakaka, what’s wrong, elven woman!?” (Law)

Apparently feeling shaken by his successive deflects, Shana twists her beautiful face.

“Kuu…” (Shana)

She wields her rapier rapidly, evidently becoming impatient.

“Next is my turn to attack.” (Law)

Law freely and quickly displays his skillful movements of changing around the sword between his hands.

I don’t know whether it’s a unique swordsmanship for armored soldiers, but Shana is bewildered by the quirky actions.

She ends up thrusting at empty air with her rapier…

Law shortens the distance to Shana in one go and deliberately cuts the skin of Shana’s left arm shallowly with the sword in his left hand.

“Kyaa, ouc—”

Using the gap of Shana's flinching, Law hits her arm that holds the weapon with his right hand, causing the rapier to fall to the ground.

Even after having dropped her sole weapon, Shana’s expression doesn’t change, maintaining her composure.

Rather, her look has become even sharper.

Does she have some secret trump card?

Eh? Her mouth?

The instant Shana opened her mouth, the blue gem at her throat shines with a brilliant light.

Immediately following that, it feels as if the air is trembling and the ground is shaking due to an impact.

A shock wave reverberates in the alley, as though causing some kind of resonance.

Including Law, the shock wave directly hits the men around her.

Law goes down on his knees by the blow, blood spilling out of his ears.

The other men also collapsed, obviously having fainted, and twitched.

『Your Excellency, are you alright?』 (Helme)

Helme appears in my sight while plugging her ears.

『Yeah, it’s no problem.』 (Shuuya)

『That magic gem at her necklace contained quite a lot of mana. Still, a sound-based attack is quite rare.』 (Helme)

A sound-based “shock wave” attack, huh? With this, the ears are…

The intense shock wave reached even us who are watching from a distance.

Viine plugs both her ears hurriedly.

Even RolloBlack Panther has dented in her ears and is hiding behind me.

However, judging from the state of Law and his men, the attack seems to have a certain extent of directionality.

“It could be even heard over here? Law! Are you okay? I have paid you a lot of money, so don’t get done in like this, okay?”

The male troubadour, who’s also covering his ears, says with a flustered expression.

“…Yeah, yeah, shit, my ears are fucked. Well, I guess it will be fine as I can still hear a little bit. However, don’t attack me with such fuckin’ weird magic. I didn’t intend to kill you at first, but I've changed my mind now.” (Law)

“Don’t tell me… it didn’t work?” (Shana)

Law blabbered and shook his head while standing up.

Swiftly manipulating his mana and charging it into his feet, he draws closer to the surprised Shana in an instant… and delivers a strong kick to her belly.

Shana crashes into the wall behind her, screaming with a high-pitched voice.

Smiling vulgarly while walking over slowly, Law approaches Shana.

She doesn’t move, though, as she has apparently fainted.

I guess I have observed enough. Time to save her now.

“…What!? Damn, she has friggin’ transformed!?” (Law)

Eh? What’s up with that? It’s understandable for him to be surprised, however.

I don’t know whether she lost her magic control after fainting, but suddenly, her lower body half turns into that of a fish tail while being wrapped up in a cocoon of water; yeah, she has become a mermaid.

As expected, remaining a spectator stops at this point.

“You lot, that’s how far you go!”

I declare with a slightly strengthened tone, aiming to intimidate the rogues.

Once Law heard my voice, he turns around while acting as if he’s shaking his head and looks at me.

“…Tsk, reinforcements? What strange guys! Hey, Aylan the Troubadour, was it? That money is only for killing the woman, right? If you don’t fork out more, I won’t deal with that man and his companion, okay?” (Law)

Upon Law’s protest, Aylan reveals a panicked expression.

“What? G-Got it! I'll give you everything I own. Therefore, even if it’s just her, finish off the woman!” (Aylan)

Law glares at us with a feeling of it being inevitable.

Slightly later, he moves his line of sight and stares at the woman who has turned into a mermaid.

“My work increased unnecessarily. I had planned to enjoy tormenting the woman, but a mermaid, eh? She will certainly turn into big money if I secure her here…” (Law)

“That woman might be a mermaid, but the promise was to kill her…” (Aylan)

Aylan warns Law with a low voice, trying to keep him in check.

“Tsk, roooger.” (Law)

I ignore their back and forth, swiftly move with Magic Combat Step, pass Law, and approach the location of Shana, the former elf and now mermaid whose water cocoon has melted away.

“…Master?” (Viine)

“Viine, you catch that troubadour and the remaining man so that they can’t get away.” (Shuuya)

“Yes!” (Viine)

Viine quickly immobilizes the troubadour at my behest.

Once I turn my eyes back to Shana, I see Rollo already standing there.

She has brought her nose close to Shana’s lower body part, the fishy part.

First, she sniffs its scent and licks its scales, then she hits the scales with one paw and starts with cat punches next.

“Rollo, that’s no food, got it? Make sure to protect her well.” (Shuuya)

“Nya.”

Rollo raises her tail and purrs as if saying 『Roger, nya』.

Alright, I will get rid of that guy, eh?

I swivel to face Law, the ringleader.

“Now then, you should curse the gods that you were found by me, Cleft Chin.” (Shuuya)

I instantaneously summon the Magic Halberd into my right hand. Then, I rush at him in a forward-bent posture.

Law reacts by jabbing out his sword, but he’s too slow to launch an effective strike.

After holding the Magic Halberd, which I drew an arc with, at a low angle, I repel Law’s sword thrust by raising the Halberd a bit. Next, I change the angle of the lifted Magic Halberd towards diagonally lower right and swing it down without a break.

My target is Law’s leg, the inner thigh to be precise.

The red axe blade digs into Law’s inner thigh, severing his leg sideways with a crooked sound.

“Eh? Gyaaaa! My leg, my leg iiiss…” (Law)

Just like that, Law falls down, as if breaking apart.

While screaming and making his protruding chin point upward, the whites of his eyes show, and he loses consciousness.

After finishing Law, the fainted men and the troubadour in the back have been gathered in one place by Viine.

I run up to the troubadour when I see the matter diffused.

“P-Please. If it’s money, I'll pay… can’t you turn a blind eye on me?” (Aylan)

Aylan quivers like a frightened dog, begging for my forgiveness.

“That’s what he says, but what do you think?” (Shuuya)

I tried asking Viine, seeking her opinion.

“I think it’s fine to execute him.” (Viine)

That’s also what I thought.

“Hiii, I'll hand over all of my belongings to you… please, at least my life…” (Aylan)

Aylan is scared, revealing an uneasy expression upon Viine’s words.

“…I guess I'll spare you because you’re begging for your life, but I'll receive that instrument, alright? Also, never come close to this city ever again. If I see you here one more time, I'll kill you, without listening to any of your nonsense. Disappear to some far away place, got it? Leave all your belongings here. Come on! Take off your clothes right away.” (Shuuya)

“Y-Yes!” (Aylan)

Even as his voice is trembling, Aylan becomes naked at once and escapes from the alley.

The remaining men, who are likely Law’s comrades, are still unconscious, huh?

For starters, I will strip them off all their possessions, too.

“What a gentle judgment.” (Viine)

『I agree with Viine. You should have stabbed their butts.』 (Helme)

I know that Helme is an S, so I ignore her.

“…It’s just on a whim. Viine, collect only the money.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Shuuya)

Taking only their riches from the fainted men without killing them, we leave them then and there.

Now, what should I do about that former elf, the mermaid Shana?

She’s still unconscious, lying there without any defense.

It’s just the time to go back home, so I guess I will take her there with me. I don't want her to be targeted by some other group of vile fellows.

Picking Shana up, I give her a princess carry.

She’s light, barely having any weight.

“Viine, since we can’t leave Shana out here like that, I plan to carry her to our home.” (Shuuya)

“Okay. But a mermaid is sure rare.” (Viine)

“So they are unusual, as expected.” (Shuuya)

“Yes, of course. Though it looks as if they aren’t as uncommon in the eastern 【Sarmalia】.” (Viine)

【Sarmalia Kingdom】, Yui’s home country, huh?

It’s a country at the western edge of the South Mahaheim area, facing an ocean called Lodelia Ocean.

The 【Leften Kingdom】 is at its lower right and 【Oseberia Kingdom】 on its right side, right?

“…Hee. Ah, Viine, pick up the instrument lying over there and take it with you.” (Shuuya)

“Yes!” (Viine)

Viine picks up the guitar-like lute of the previous singer of the inn and comes back.

“Well then, let’s hurry home.” (Shuuya)

I start walking while carrying Shana in my arms.

I hide the fish part a bit, but well, even if it’s found out, people will probably think that I’m going to eat fish tonight.

“Nya.”

At that point, Rollo jumps on my shoulder, peeking at the sleeping face of Shana from above.

Seemingly interested, Rollo stretches out a forepaw and plays around with Shana’s wet blonde hair.

I advance through the alley while warmly watching over her cute behavior.

And then, at the moment we leave the alley, entering the main street close to my house…

A commotion takes place in the middle of the street.

Once I try to catch a view, wondering what it might be…

The nude corpse of the escaped Aylan is lying there for everyone to see.

Whoa, for real?

Once I approach and check the corpse, the traces of a carriage are distinctly left behind on the corpse.

“For him to have such a fate even though I let him go.” (Shuuya)

…A person’s life is as fleeting as morning dew.

“…”

Viine’s expression remained unchanged, however.

She looks at the body as if watching garbage or trash, not minding it in the least.

Scary… n-now then, time to forget the unpleasant things and go back home.

We go back by walking along the main street.

Once we enter the Martial Arts District's area, the appearance of the traveling people changes a bit, marking the start of a gung-ho atmosphere.

Every single one of them is clad in a dangerous aura…

There are various races, but it’s only fellows apparently possessing swordsman, lancer, axe user, shield bearer, and adjoining combat occupations.

As I'm noticing others, I also garner the attention of everyone since I am carrying a pretty woman in my arms.

While being flooded by their inquisitive stares, I finally reach home.

For the time being, I hide her face.

The front gate was opened by Viine.

Once we step in, the tiger beastman and the tiny beastman, who were sweeping the courtyard, run up to us.

“”Welcome back!””

“Aye. No need to be so formal.” (Shuuya)

“Yes!”

“Okay.”

They turn their eyes on the sleeping Shana and have a curious expression floating on their faces, but they don’t ask anything in particular, keeping themselves in their boundaries.

Well, I guess that’s only natural.

I enter the main building together with Viine and Shana in my arms.

Now then, we've indeed come back, but…

I wonder whether it would be better to place Shana-san close to water rather than putting her normally into a bed.

Let’s try asking Viine just in case.

“Viine, about Shana-san, is a place with water better for her?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. I think that’s preferable.” (Viine)

Viine is still holding the musical instrument in her hands.

Alright, I immediately head to the bath in the tower on the second floor.

Using life magic while holding Shana-san, I fill the bathtub with hot water.

When a bit of water has accumulated, I stop the life magic and gently lower Shana-san on the floor tiles.

Next, it takes the strange shape of me undressing her leather clothes, as well as her underwear.

It ends up turning into a somewhat lewd atmosphere.

Her waist is slender, but it can’t be helped that my eyes are drawn to her big boobs.

With her being naked above the waist, I place her fishy lower half into the bathtub, moistening it.

For some reason, Rollo enters together with her. She is licking the ends of her scales for dear life, but…

Once she does, Shana-san wakes up.

“Hea… au, that tickles. This place… ah…” (Shana)

“Yo, you woke up? You are Shana-san, who sang in 【Lodging Moon of the Labyrinth】, aren’t you? My name is Shuuya Kagari, an adventurer.”

Shana-san blinks her pretty, green eyes in surprise, seemingly confused at the sudden reversal of her situation.

She brushes her wet, golden, long hair behind her ears and examines the vicinity.

And then, she checks her own appearance.

“Eh? I returned to being a mermaid… kyaa? Kyaaaa, hentai!” (Shana)

Shana-san shouts loudly.

“No, I’m not really a hentai, am I?” (Shuuya)

Viine swiftly replies to my question,

“Yes, you're no hentai… but Rebecca said that you're too much of a lecher.” (Viine)

She says calmly, but her cheeks turn red as a peach.

I unintentionally blink in surprise at her comment.

I am indeed a hentai, so that’s fine, but you know, the nuance of a lecher somehow bothers me.

“…Well, either way is fine. So, Shana-san, you were saved by us after fainting from Law’s attack.” (Shuuya)

“Eh? T-Thank you very much… but, do you plan to eat me?” (Shana)

Mmh? Eat her?

“Why?” (Shuuya)

“Eh!? You’re not going to eat me? This mermaid me? Your body will be rejuvenated, no?” (Shana)

Oh, I remember. I heard about it from a waitress while simply drinking booze in 【Hekatrail】. Back then, I considered it to be a disgusting story, nothing more.

“…We won’t eat you.” (Shuuya)

After all, I’m immortal as a new vampire species, so I don't need to feel revitalized.

Let’s shift the talk to Viine, who’s also a woman.

“Viine, do you know something about mermaids? Shana-san is scared that she will be eaten or something of the sort, but what’s that about…?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. I'll explain. It seems that there’s a long tradition of hunting mermaids on the surface. Even in the underground world, which I know well, there are huge underground lakes. Therefore, there are also areas where disputes over the underground lake’s territory take place between mermaids, gnomes, and dark elves. I was told that one will be able to obtain a recommendation to a Sorcery Noble if they catch a mermaid. Although the effects are weak, they seem to be raw materials for various, precious secret medicines. The story about the rejuvenation appears to be true, as well.” (Viine)

Viine explains with a stabbing look, and my plan completely backfired.

Shana’s body twitches in fear at each sentence of Viine, and she touches the necklace at her throat.

『Your Excellency, shall I turn her into a fish butt specimen by turning her into ice?』 (Helme)

『No, no need.』 (Shuuya)

Seemingly getting irritated by Shana’s behavior, Helme appears in my visual field with puffed-up cheeks.

For some reason, she’s turning the syringe in her hands in Shana’s direction.

『It will be fine, so just watch from the side.』 (Shuuya)

『Y-Yes.』 (Helme)

Helme looks crestfallen and vanishes while twirling around.

“…Can I have you stop with that shock wave-like attack? We won’t do anything to you; I assure you.” (Shuuya)

“…Really?” (Shana)

Shana glares at us.

“Yes. The one who made that drawn-out speech just now is my servant Viine. As long as I don’t order her, she won’t eat you or even touch a strand of your hair.” (Shuuya)

“I-Is that so? Ah, you have actually thrown me off guard… you’re planning to sell me somewhere, right? If it’s me, you might easily get more than 30 platinum coins… but, I'll still honestly thank you for having saved my life. Thank you.” (Shana)

“Umm, can you not get on with the story by yourself? I don’t have any intention to sell you, either. In the first place, why did a mermaid come to a human city?” (Shuuya)

Once I say that, Shana lifts her head, says “It’s this!” and for an instant, emphasizes the necklace at her neck while making her boobs wobble.

“…! Hauu, aah. I’m nude… Where are you looking! …Kyaaaaaa, hentai!” (Shana)

At once, she hides her drooping berries, which are jiggling around, with both arms and makes her fishy lower half wriggle.

The water in the tub stirred and spilled to the outside by her sudden actions.

She showed her chest on her own accord, didn’t she? Is her head still alright?

A warm, gentle, and natural airhead sure is cute, but you know…

It’s different from my first impression of her.

“…It’s fine already, so please return the image of the soothing, beautiful songstress to me…” (Shuuya)

Even while being startled by the wavy water, Rollo swims with splashing sounds.

I continued the talk by complaining a bit.

“You were naked since a while ago, right…?” (Shuuya)

“Haha, that’s right, isn’t it? Ah, black cat-chan, are you okay?” (Shana)

Once Shana notices Rollo playing around in her bathtub, she extends her hand, trying to touch Rollo’s head, but she pulls back again, hides her breast, and glares at me.

There’s nothing I can retort towards her anymore.

Well, I’m the minister of boob art, so I appreciate big boobs as a work of art. A genuine natural masterpiece.

“So, I guess the gem at your neck is special, Shana?” (Shuuya)

Turning my lecherous gaze from her boobs to her neck, I talk to Shana.

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Translation Notes: