Volume 3 Chapter 49: I’m in Trouble【Assassination Organization Arc】

I dashed out of the Silthia Estate as though fleeing and walked through the royal capital.

I also met Artemis, who hadn’t yet entered the room.

First off, walking outside is a non-starter.

After all, being a shut-in is simply supreme.

I mean, if you knew I was being targeted by the underworld, why the hell did you call me out?!

In the first place, why do I have to be the one who gets targeted…?

“You’re so popular, Master. Could you sign this document? It’ll make you even more popular.”

Nanashi gracefully extended the document.

It looks like it’s labeled as a last will, though?

“…………？”

Nanashi tilted her head slightly.

You’re downright terrible at covering things up.

Stop assuming that I’m definitely going to be crushed by the underworld.

“By the way, Master, may I go buy a book?”

I wonder what kind of book it could be?

Since it’s something Nanashi wants, it’s probably nothing good…

Well, if it’s your money, I have no complaints—my own pockets won’t suffer at all.

“Tch, you’re such a cheapskate.”

Y–you… clicking your tongue at your master…

Alright, I’m heading ahead then.

“Yes”

“Huh? Where did Nanashi go?”

As Nanashi briskly strode off, Artemis tilted her head in curiosity.

Hmm… if I said I was going to a bookstore, she would probably pester me to take her along.

All right then, I’ve got a clever excuse… Done!

“It’s apparently wild shit.”

“Uh…?”

◆

“…I just got incredibly pissed off—what’s the matter?”

Nanashi suddenly looked up at the sky.

Blue sky and white clouds.

Then, Balor’s beaming smile appeared, and Nanashi blatantly clicked her tongue and averted her gaze.

She had deliberately distanced herself from Balor by going out on her own to get this item.

It was, precisely, a book.

Nanashi recognized it as a marvelous thing filled with all sorts of knowledge and information.

Surely, the answer she was pursuing is hidden somewhere within.

But a book is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

One rarely comes across the fated one she truly desires.

This time, beneath her iron mask, Nanashi’s heart raced as she wondered if it was truly the one.

“Well then, here it is. I’ll take this one, please.”

And so, she found it— the one that might become the book of destiny.

Although she hadn’t seen its contents, its title was captivating enough.

She presented the book to the clerk.

“Yes…”

“What’s the matter?”

The clerk responded in a mumbling, half-hearted tone.

Not that it would really upset her, but it was indeed strange.

When she inquired, he replied timidly.

“W-well, aside from that, I never expected this book to actually sell.”

“Please have confidence. There’s demand for it here.”

“Uh, yes…”

Nanashi handed over the money and left with an air of triumph.

It was rare to see such a stingy girl spend money so cheerfully.

She must have been that happy.

The book 『Complete Manual for Appropriating Wealth From Seizure to Escape』.

“…I wonder what kind of life that person leads.”

Of course, no one was there to answer the clerk’s question.

“Well, well, I must hurry home. Master must be lonely.”

Nanashi was happily on her way home.

She was even considering Balor—something she would never normally take into account.

She must promptly scrutinize the contents of the book and put its instructions into action.

And besides…

“…It really looks like he’s just going to leave me behind, doesn’t it? I have to cling on, so I should get back quickly.”

If she took her time, it was entirely conceivable that Balor and his cronies would return to their territory as empty husks—and that would be a case of the master abandoning his maid.

Normally, one wouldn’t even think of it, but that man could very well do it.

Because she doubted his loyalty, Nanashi quickened her pace.

Instead of taking the main street, she slipped into an alley as a shortcut.

“I never expected you to voluntarily go to a place where no one would see you. You really have no sense of danger.”

“This is perfect. Let’s kidnap her quickly. Apparently, they’re planning to use her to threaten Balor.”

“If we mess up, we’ll get killed. Let’s wrap this up quickly.”

There were those who had been following her.

The underworld.

Having been briefed by Silthia, they had already begun moving to approach Balor.

He is reputed to be an incredibly kind feudal lord.

And they knew that, with someone like him, attacking those around him was far more effective than attacking him directly.

“Oh? And you all are…?”

They blocked the alley.

Of course, it was an ambush.

Rugged men flanked her from both sides, and Nanashi simply tilted her head with an impassive expression.

There was no reason for her to be targeted—Balor aside.

“Sorry, I have no grudge against you, but you need to come with us quietly.”

“If you don’t resist, you won’t have to suffer any unnecessary pain.”

“And forgive me if my hands end up in the wrong place.”

To them, this was a remarkably gentlemanly approach.

They would have preferred to simply use force—punch and kidnap without a word, which suited them far better, and they had done it many times before.

But if they were too rough, Nanashi was so fragile that she might lose her life in an instant.

They made a point of adopting an unfamiliar 【gentlemanly】 approach.

Nanashi stared at them for a moment…

“Haa…”

She sighed.

It was out of place, but they probably wouldn’t have reacted at all.

Even if only slightly, it was her eyes that unnerved them.

Her dark, pitch-black eyes, like pure darkness, froze them in place.

Jet-black, devoid of any light.

Her eyes—of a kind even those who had seen hell in the slums would never show—unconsciously frightened them.

“Are you after ransom? I can’t let anything diminish what will eventually become my fortune…”

“Aren’t you concerned about your master…?”

They were confused.

But, in the first place, to Balor, she wasn’t valuable as a hostage.

He would likely abandon her with a smile.

“I’ll run with all my might.”

Knowing this, Nanashi opted to escape.

After all, if she were taken hostage by Balor, she would be abandoned without hesitation.

That is precisely why she took matters into her own hands—to protect herself, she had no choice but to rely on her own abilities.

“I told you that if you stay quiet, we won’t hurt you. But if you try to run, we’ll break your legs.”

However, they wouldn’t let her escape here—if she got away, they themselves would be killed.

They absolutely could not let her escape.

Besides, rather than acting uncharacteristically gentle, it was far more reliable to stick to their usual methods.

If you resist, we’ll welcome it.

“Well, this is quite troublesome.”

Nanashi spoke those words as they slowly closed in.

“———Yes, it’s troublesome.”

◆

“Phew. It took longer than I expected. Since it was aimed at Master, it’s essentially Master’s fault. I suppose I’ll need a special bonus.”

Nanashi wiped her dry forehead.

Her decision to go alone to buy the book had already been overlooked.

She set off down the narrow alley, 【Without Anyone Getting in Her Way】.

“Well then, let’s go home.”

After Nanashi left, the alley fell silent.

The silent, lifeless bodies of men lay there.