Chapter 29

This lady. She was pretty fast on her feet, being a Right Foot and all.

She hadn’t erased her presence, and I could feel that she was approaching.

However, I had been sure that she wouldn’t arrive in time. But she surprised me and did just that.

While she didn’t seem very strong in combat, this was an impressive skill as well. Really.

“She is one of us, after all. Can you put away that sword?”

She was talking calmly as if to not anger me. Maybe this was how she usually acted?

If anything, the mysterious person I met previously seemed less natural.

“Look here, I was attacked during a mission. I suppose you’re the type who thinks we should sit down and have a talk?”

“I’m the type who would run away at full speed.”

“So you understand, then? I’m Her Majesty’s Right Hand, and I won’t show any mercy to those who interfere with my mission.”

“You are not wrong. However, you did give them one chance, earlier. Why don’t you show her a little of that mercy now?”

She had been far away, but she knew? This one was dangerous.

“If she doesn’t want to die, she should have fallen to the ground and asked for forgiveness when she had the chance. I’m not so merciful as to give people multiple opportunities.”

Besides, she would hold a grudge against me. It was safer to kill her now.

“Well, I will have to report this to Her Majesty.”

“Go ahead. I mean, of course you are. It’s a report.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

It was unthinkable to not make a report.

“It’s settled then. And I must warn you, but if you get in my way, your head will fly too.”

I said as I turned back to Foul Eater.

She must have understood, because she kept very still. Or maybe she just couldn’t move.

I had every intention of cutting her throat open at the merest suggestion of movement.

“Very well. What about this? How about we start again?”

“Start again?”

What did she mean? I didn’t understand.

“It’s evident that there is a difference in strength here. However, with the current situation, my report will say that you murdered a defenseless person.”

“But, you saw that they were attacking me.”

“Oh, I was very, very far away, you know. Besides, you are someone that Her Majesty offered complete absolution. Surely you are strong enough to win again? Am I wrong?”

“…”

What was she trying to do?

Even if we fought again, this Foul Eater didn’t have a chance of winning.

“What do you say, ‘Shadow Crosser’?”

“Fine. The results won’t change though.”

I withdrew my sword and took a few steps back.

I already knew Foul Eater’s fighting style.

It didn’t matter if she had some hidden trick. I could deal with it.

As I watched, Foul Eater got up on unstable feet.

She looked at me and then the lady.

“Well, then. Begin.”

The fight started. My right hand tightly gripped my sword. But…

“…”

Before I knew it, Foul Eater was bowing with her head on the ground.

What did this mean?

“Apparently, there will be no rematch.”

“You’re joking…”

“And so you win by default, Shadow Crosser.”

“You tricked me.”

“No. I just suggested a rematch, that’s all.”

Then she asked me if I was really going to attack a defenseless comrade who was bowing on the ground.

Of course, it was no concern of hers if I did or not, but she would have to report it.

I didn’t care anymore.

I put the sword away.

While I felt like I’d been had, it wasn’t too much of a problem as long as she didn’t hold a grudge.

The lady was a Right Foot, and she was not likely to tell this Foul Eater any information about me…

“What are you doing?”

I tore away Foul Eater’s face mask. Hmm. So that’s what she looked like.

“I know your face now. If you ever come close to me again, whether knowingly or not, I will kill you without question. And I won’t be showing any mercy.”

Foul Eater remained on the ground and nodded.

That threat should be enough.

Still, this Foul Eater was quite young.

Maybe around twenty.

While I was one to talk, life would be hard if you earned an alias so early.

“Anyway, can I ask you to deal with these bodies?”

“Very well. Now, can you tell me? Was the mission a success?”

“That one over there is Through. And the one next to him is called Double. They were both magicians. And while they seemed confident, they were incredibly weak. It was after I killed them that Thousand Needles and Foul Eater showed up.”

“I understand. I am sorry to ask this, but would you mind repeating that before Her Majesty?”

“…Why?”

It was her job to relay information.

If it was absolutely necessary, I wasn’t too lazy to write up a report. But going directly to the queen was practically unheard of.

“Well, it’s because of Thousand Needles, obviously. That wasn’t part of the order, and I did not witness it. Therefore, you must do it.”

“You’re just splitting hairs now, aren’t you?”

“It must be done this way.”

“But it’s so much trouble. Getting in there.”

It was back-breaking work getting through each obstacle.

“But you have complete absolution. Just go directly?”

“Huh? Really?”

In that case, I will.

“No one can stop you, Shadow Crosser.”

“You’re actually right. Complete absolution is great.”

Things would be much easier.

“So you will go then? Thank you.”

“Ah. But, it will have to be tomorrow night.”

“Why is that?”

Her eyebrows narrowed.

“I’m busy tomorrow morning. In fact, I have to go now and get some sleep.”

“Tomorrow morning…”

She seemed to have guessed what it was.

The opening ceremony for the Dragon Academy.

Of course, I was going to help at the bakery before that.

In fact, the bakery was my main motivation for wanting to get up early.

“Very well. You have complete absolution anyway. Even if the others complain about it, it’s not like they can do anything.”

Yes, I was starting to see how convenient it was.

Maybe I should wear it on my back. ‘I have complete absolution.’

Of course, that was too embarrassing to do.

“Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you then.”

I said. And then melted into the shadows.