Volume 3 Chapter 60: Won’t You Stay by My Side?【Assassination Organization Arc】

“Ah… I’m beat.”

She staggers along.

The usual Number 2 would never walk so unsteadily.

Even if it were a rough path—or even a roof that isn’t really a path—she could confidently stroll along without a care.

She had that kind of physical prowess.

Even in a back alley, her inability to walk properly on a well-maintained road was due to the injuries covering her body.

Her body oozed blood; she was a complete wreck.

Each step left a trail of blood, making it obvious how grievously injured she was.

“Really, it’s ridiculous. But maybe that’s just how it goes… cough, cough.”

Even Number 2 herself didn’t understand what was so ridiculous about it.

With a slight cough, blood trickled from her mouth.

Apparently, even her internal organs had taken a hit.

“That gorilla, I’m seriously gonna curse him, nyaa… Because turning a cat into a vengeful spirit is terrifying…”

It was a wound inflicted during the battle with Lubucera.

As expected of the boss who built and led a massive assassination organization in the underworld.

His combat prowess was enough to force Number 2 into a narrow escape.

Of course, she wasn’t taken down without a fight; she did put up a fair fight.

She’s the type of woman who fights back when beaten.

Nonetheless, the mere fact that she managed to escape from a Lubucera who was seriously intent on killing her testified to her formidable ability.

Any ordinary person would have easily ended up as a corpse in his presence.

Muttering curses under her breath, Number 2 finally came to a stop and slumped down with her back against the wall.

“Well, I’ve lived life my own way, so it’s only fitting, right? I suppose this is what a stray cat’s death looks like.”

The amount of blood smeared on the wall was substantial.

She was likely to die alone, with no one there to see her off.

However, regret was not on her mind.

It wasn’t a strong or overwhelming feeling, but she certainly felt a small sense of satisfaction.

“It was pretty… fun… I guess it’s alright, nyaa…”

With those words as her final utterance, Number 2 fell into a deep sleep.

At this rate, she was going to die.

She could die from her injuries—or some heartless person might take advantage of her unconscious state.

Yet, ironically, she did not die.

“Oh, I’ve picked up something nice. It was just lying here, so it’s fine if I take it, right?”

That was when a certain feudal lord caught me making that outrageous, scum-like remark in an excited tone.

◆

Regarding the case of encountering a stray cat that stole my money and time while I was aimlessly wandering around the city to shirk work.

I’ll have you repay that debt from back then…!

You’ll end up being my lifelong substitute!

I, in high spirits, took her home.

…Well, there’s no way I could have managed the herculean task of carrying a completely limp person all by myself.

I ended up calling Ashvin along the way to help carry her.

Man, this stray cat is heavy.

I might have dragged her if it were allowed, but she was far too unsightly.

Moreover, it seemed she was badly injured.

There I was, dragging a bleeding woman along.

—That would tarnish my reputation!

I would definitely get a terrible reputation!

Ashvin, however, was calmly lugging that blood-soaked woman.

She’s unbelievably composed…

“By the way, why were you injured in the first place?”

I muttered quietly while looking at the woman lying in one of the rooms of my mansion.

…Just karma, I guess.

Even after I expended my valuable time and money on her, she didn’t repay the favor and simply ran off—divine retribution, no doubt.

I am the man loved by both God and the world.

“This is…”

While I was thinking that, the woman’s eyes slowly opened.

“Thanks for that typical line.”

There wasn’t even a shred of novelty—it’s incredibly boring.

…I mean, if you start saying something too outlandish, that’s a problem.

“This is my mansion. It’s not that large, but you’ll have to make do.”

“If you’re going to welcome me, it better be on a palace level, nyaa…”

What the hell is with her…?

After being rescued by me, what’s with that way of talking?

Or rather, you think too highly of yourself.

You’re not worth that much.

If you’re going to receive me, even a palace is the bare minimum.

“So, why exactly are you here?”

“That’s the question I should be asking. In such a tattered state, how did you end up in my territory?”

“…I ain’t got any obligation to tell you, nyaa.”

Heh…

I could feel the blue veins bulging on my forehead.

Well, I’m not really interested anyway.

I’m only interested in your performance as a human shield—not your life story.

“I see. Well, I never expected that after parting ways like that, we’d meet again like this.”

“…You sure have a lot to say.”

“Only you.”

“I’m not happy about it, nyaa.”

“That’s a lie.”

The one I’m most harsh on is Nanashi.

After all, she openly declared that she’d snatch every last bit of the Apophis family’s fortune.
No wonder she’s treated poorly.

I want her to at least be grateful that she wasn’t executed.

“After suffering such injuries, you came here as if you were fleeing. You think you’ve lost your home… So, what are you planning to do from now on?”
“Who knows? But I’ll just live freely. I’ve always lived that way, nyaa. Now that I’m free from the organization’s chains, I can live even more freely. Not bad… although if I get found out, I’ll be hunted down, and that’s a pain.”
“So, you don’t have anywhere to go?”
“That’s right…”

The cat looked at me suspiciously.
Heh… if you claimed you had somewhere to go now, I’d have kicked you out on the spot.

The injuries haven’t healed, but that doesn’t matter.
Tucking away that possible future deep within my heart, I looked into her eyes and said sincerely:

“Then you should stay with me.”
“…Huh?”
“I’m not saying you have to stay forever. Just until your wounds heal; then, until you decide on a destination; and finally, until you’ve saved enough to travel. How about it? I think it’s a pretty good offer…”

For me, that was a surprisingly timid proposal.
But if I really let her go, she’d just scamper off and I’d never be able to catch her again.

I know she’s strong.
I learned it firsthand when I saved that brat before—having only Ashvin able to fight is dangerous.

We really need more numbers.
…Izun aside, what are we going to do about Nanashi?

She’s been putting effort into housework lately, so I’ll keep an eye on her for a while.
Anyway, this stray cat has to make up for the time and money I lost that day.

Of course, my time isn’t worth the same as hers.
They differ by hundreds of times, so she’ll have to keep working for that difference.

“Are you out of your mind? You know what kind of being ‘Myah’ is, right?”

I don’t know, though.
I’ve always thought you talk as if you understand me, yet I can’t figure you out at all.

You never say anything about yourself—how am I supposed to understand you?
Well, you’re just a stray cat, after all.
You don’t have any impressive background…

“Myah is an assassin. Moreover, she’s a murderer who targeted you. And because she betrayed the organization, even the gorillas are after her. Just by letting her into your heart, you’re putting yourself in danger, too!”

Wha—she betrayed me…!
You’ve betrayed my pure feelings… my sincere, untainted desire to add to my pawns and human shields!

Assassin—what does that even mean?!
I knew you weren’t ordinary when you casually cut people down back then, but an assassin is on another level…
…Huh?

Wait, didn’t you say you were after me?
Was my life in danger?

This is bad. I really want to get away from her.
B-but… after saying all this, I can’t back out now!

“So, what is it? I said I wanted you by my side. I don’t care about your background or your past.”
“…Hmph.”

Those words were completely devoid of heart.
Even though she knew it herself, for some reason the cat faltered in her reply.

My words clearly reached her.
S-stop!

You’re not the type to do that, are you?!

“Won’t you stay by my side?”

Refuse, refuse, refuse—just go ahead and refuse!
If you refuse it yourself, it’ll be smooth sailing!

Let’s both forget about today!
Now, refuseeeee!

“…You’re really an idiot, nyaa.”

At those words, my face lit up.
I felt hope.

Being called an idiot is a capital offense—one that should drive me to the depths of hell and inflict endless torment—but I forgive you.
I really do.

I’ve been saved…

“Then I’ll stay here until myyaa gets bored, nyaa.”

Waaaaahhhh!
I haven’t been saved at all!

At the sight of the cat wearing a faint smile, my expression must have frozen.
Figure it out!

Figure out my expression and aura! I already look super disgusted, don’t I!

“Nice to meet you, Master.”

Oh, geez…
I couldn’t help but look up to the heavens.

Well, I can’t see the sky inside the room, but I just wanted to fly away somewhere.
…Ah, no, that’s out of the question.

After all, I wouldn’t be able to live freely on the Apophis family’s fortune then.

“By the way, I need to change my name, nyaa. Master, don’t you have a good name?”

Somehow the cat was talking to me, but in my shattered state, nothing she said really registered.
Honestly, I couldn’t care less about what she’s saying.

After all, she isn’t saying anything important.
More than that, I’m just deeply depressed.

What a mistake…
A complete mistake on my part…

“…Mistake.”

I couldn’t help but say it aloud. Everyone makes mistakes.

We should learn from them and never repeat them.
…Even though that makes sense logically, it just doesn’t sit right with me…

“Mist? Mist… I’ll call you Artemis, nyaa.”
“Huh?”
What the heck are you suddenly saying so happily, you idiot? Artemis? What are you talking about?

“Master, you’ll also be my namesake.”
“…Huh?”
Huh?