Volume 3 Chapter 50: … Who?【Assassination Organization Arc】

After returning from Silthia’s place, I spent a while zoning out for no particular reason.

In truth, these moments are pure bliss.

Time is finite and precious.

I truly believe that.

The thrill of wasting something so precious.

This, too, is an incredibly defiant pleasure.

Well, to put it simply, I’m slacking off.

Nanashi, my maid, returns.

Since Artemis has gone to the bath, I can also let my guard down.

She stared at me intently, then spoke.

“I got attacked.”

…Attacked?

You mean, like that sort of thing?

Seriously… it’s that kind of situation, isn’t it?

I let out a long exhale and calmed my mind.

Then, grabbing Nanashi’s slender shoulder, I looked earnestly into her eyes and said:

“Seriously? Then you could probably seduce someone using that body, right? I don’t know if any guy would fall for you, but I’ll fire you, so get lost.”

“That’s not it, and even if it were, Master, you’d be the worst.”

Oops.

It feels like your already jet-black eyes are sinking even deeper into the abyss, huh?

I don’t know. I didn’t see.

“I was attacked by that underworld group that that lady mentioned.”

“Wha—what did you say…?”

I shuddered.

Nanashi being attacked, in itself, doesn’t matter.

That is beside the point.

“Huh?”

I think I heard Nanashi’s terrified voice, but I didn’t turn to look.

Because it was scary.

Anyway, putting that aside.

The problem is that she was attacked simply because she is 【My Maid】.

In other words, their target isn’t this shabby, flat-chested maid, but me—the super hybrid, handsome feudal lord.

This is bad.

If they were targeting Nanashi alone, I could have calmly watched the situation.

But if they’re after me, that’s a whole different story.

I need to get out of here quickly…

“You’re being incredibly self-centered, Master.”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Is she talking about me?

But then, how do I escape?

I can no longer count on the fact that Ashvin has banned me from Apophis territory.

It doesn’t seem to be a coup, and even if I go back, they probably won’t complain too much.

After all, I’m the Master.

Now, the next question is: how do I safely escape from this royal capital…?

The only person who has ever seen my face is Nanashi.

…Alright then.

“I have nothing but a bad feeling about this.”

Nanashi glared at me with a sidelong, disdainful look.

Ha ha ha. What on earth are you talking about, you?

Have you lost your mind?

…You’ve always been a little strange, after all.

“Nanashi. I am bestowing upon you a noble and great mission.”

“…Well, I suppose I’ll listen.”

“Oh…”

“Rejected.”

I was left speechless, my mouth hanging open.

How do you even have the authority to decide that?

Besides, you didn’t even finish what you were saying.

What’s wrong?

Your mission is to serve as a 【Decoy】 for the underworld until I make my escape.

You’re supposed to be able to die for me, you know?

There’s no greater honor for any living being born into this world than this…

“Also, you’ll get a two-rank promotion or something like that.”

“A two-rank promotion for a maid? To become a feudal lord?”

“Are you stupid?”

A maid getting two ranks up to become a feudal lord—just how high do you think you are?

“Funyah… I still really don’t like water, do I…”

Before I could say any more to Nanashi, Artemis, who had been in the bath, returned.

She was wearing a long, apron-style dress.

Is she like this even after a bath? Isn’t it in the way?

However, since she hadn’t properly dried her hair, droplets were falling one by one.

…Well, since it’s not my mansion, I don’t really mind.

Suddenly, her body began to shudder, scattering droplets of water everywhere.

Gwoah!? Don’t go flinging water around near me!

What are you even doing?!

“Come here, I’ll wipe you off.”

With blue veins bulging on my forehead, I smiled broadly and beckoned her.

I’ll wipe your head so painfully…!

I’ll scrub you so hard you’ll go bald…!

That I’m about to serve someone I would never normally serve for the sake of my revenge…

“It’d be easier for me, and that makes me happy… but I don’t think I have the luxury to do that.”

“Huh?”

Artemis looked at me and tilted her head slightly.

What is she even talking about?

“Not feeling relaxed?”
“No, I’ve got plenty of leeway. I don’t have any work—I’m just killing time.”

“Because, you see—”

Artemis smiled broadly. Even though she was talking about something ominous, her smile just didn’t match at all.

Then, immediately afterward:

“Boom, right?”

The entire inn we were in shook violently with a loud crash.
Huh!?

◆

“Whaaaat!? What the hell is going on!?”

I bolted from the exploding inn and couldn’t help but shout. I might have even slightly damaged the cool, composed Balor Apophis statue.
Reflect, reflect. Tee-hee!
…This is no time to be so calm!

Why is it that every inn I stay at gets dragged into trouble?
Well, unlike the Kelphine incident, it seems the inn isn’t out to get us this time. I can even hear screams coming from inside.
Incidentally, there’s not the slightest chance I’ll go back to help.

“Just because you’re being targeted, you don’t have to run away, right?”

Running alongside me, Artemis said that. Apparently, she thinks I bolted because I was being targeted and didn’t want to cause trouble for others.
Well, it’s convenient for me, so I won’t correct her. Does anyone really have that saintly nature?

“It’s an attack. You already screwed up once, so you can’t afford to fuss over every little detail, can you?”
“Is that the underworld or something? You’re quick to act after making a mistake! You’re diligent—you don’t need to show it off here. Shouldn’t you be working instead?”

“I mean, you don’t have to be so shocked. This isn’t the Master’s house, after all.”

Artemis giggled.
…Indeed.

I had mistakenly thought my room had been blown up since I’d been here for a while, but that wasn’t the case. My irritation subsided a bit.
Though, just knowing I’m being targeted makes my hatred for the underworld enormous.
Fuck ’em.

“No, I was thinking about the other people over there. I hope they’re all right…”
I don’t really mean it. But thinking about others instead of just myself always earns more praise. I don’t understand this world—everyone cares only about themselves, yet only noble gestures get praised.

“You’re as ruthless as ever. Others are nothing more than stepping stones for you.”

Artemis laughed heartily. What a coincidence—we really do think alike. After all, Artemis thinks just like me, which puts me at ease. I can’t fully reveal my true self, but I can keep part of it concealed with a smile.

…Huh?
But if she sees others only as stepping stones, then does she see me as just another stepping stone too?
I really hate her!

“Huh? Suddenly, your Master’s look has gotten intense… Did someone find out you were selling my secret stash of liquor?”

“What the hell are you doing, you idiot!”
Come to think of it, I was about to drink, but I couldn’t find it at all—I kept going, “Huh?” while searching!
I’ll burn your secret stash of catnip!

“By the way, what about Nanashi?”

Before I knew it, it was just Artemis and me running. Nanashi was nowhere in sight.
…Dead, maybe.
That outrageous maid—who was also after my fortune—was surprisingly useful with her top-notch housekeeping skills. Go ahead and fall into hell with your head held high.

“We need to pick up Izun.”
Ah.
Artemis’s words finally reminded me. Come to think of it, Izun was in the bath, too. I can’t imagine Nanashi staying behind in a dangerous place for someone else’s sake…

“For now, let’s just run. There’s no sense in purposely fighting.”
Good girl…
I was just thinking, what would I do if you suggested going back to help?
Artemis is quick on her feet, which is a relief. Following her lead, we kept running.
We were already far enough away from the inn that we couldn’t hear any commotion. There, we finally stopped.

“Hey, Artemis.”
“…What?”

I called out, and she answered—clearly ready to talk.
So I asked about something that had been bugging me… something incredibly bugging me.

“Is it just my imagination that we’re surrounded?”

In a narrow, deserted spot, a large group of clearly unsavory men and women stood around us.
Of course, it’s us who are surrounded.
Are they fans?
If it’s for an autograph, I’ll do it once we’re back in Apophis territory—so could you step aside?
Or maybe the scene before me is just a hallucination.

“Alright, Artemis. Say it’s a hallucination.”

“Have your eyes gone bad?”

“Heyyyyy!! What the hell are you doing, you idiot!
If you admit it, then it’s all real!
No way!
I’d rather escape into a world of pleasant delusions than face this harsh reality!”

While I was thinking that, a man emerged from the surrounding group.

“Long time no see. Are you still going by Artemis? Number Two.”

I… no, he was clearly addressing Artemis. I don’t understand this ‘Number Two’ at all.
Well, if I’m not the target, I’ll hold my breath and fade out.

Meanwhile, Artemis—who clearly seems to have a history with him—asked,
“…Who?”
Don’t you know?