Volume 3 Chapter 61: As expected of Artemis‑san, huh…【Assassination Organization Arc】

“How nostalgic, nya. The past is so worthless that I’ve mostly forgotten it all—but I do remember that Master gave me my name.”

“I see.”

At Artemis’s words, I frowned.
I really wish I could wipe that memory away entirely.
It’s worthless anyway—an embarrassing dark chapter.
Attracting an assassin who was after me—are you out of your mind?
Well, your high combat ability means you’ve been a fairly useful bodyguard so far, so I can’t complain.
I suppose, in the end, it all worked out, huh.

“Even for someone rescued by Master, nya, I think you should stop accepting just anyone—Master won’t be able to handle it, nya.”

I know.
That’s why you’re not trying to hire more maids, right?
Even though we’re already severely short-staffed, it seems I have a knack for attracting nothing but useless types.
I really wish I could get a proper human shield, seriously…

“But because of that, I was able to help you, so I don’t think you have a bad nature.”

“…Sukekomashi!”

There’s no benefit in winning you over.
I want to find a woman to whom I can entrust my lands as soon as possible…
And also, I want to be a kept man…
But I haven’t had any luck finding one lately.
Rebellions break out on my lands, I’ve nearly been killed by the four great nobles, and I’m being targeted by the underworld…
…Am I just incredibly unlucky?

“Honestly, I can see why someone would so easily be swayed by a woman with tanned breasts and white hair, nya. The more complicated one’s past, the more they’re drawn to Master—and can’t break away, nya. You bad man, nya.”

Wagging her tail with a heavy thud, Artemis said,
“I wonder if I have a tendency to attract troublesome women?”

I seriously need to fix that.
I wish someone would do something about it.

As I was thinking that, Artemis started rustling around quietly…

“Alright, today we’re drinking, nya!”
“Oh, that’s great!”

Seeing Artemis pull out a bottle, I couldn’t help but cheer.
I meant every word.
In the Apophis domain, thanks to Ashvin’s interference, we can hardly drink at all.
The only one here is the silly Artemis.
She’s a slacker—definitely not what you’d expect from a maid—so we really click.
No, but she mustn’t slack off, though. That privilege is granted to me alone.

“Want to use some matatabi too?”
“N‑no, I’ll pass on that, nya. If I use it by myself, I’d be downright embarrassed, nya.”

Matatabi, which has an extraordinary effect on cat beastmen, apparently works like an outrageously potent drug in the underworld.
It seems to strip away inhibitions, making even the most stubborn become obedient in an instant.
Even Artemis, with her hedonistic tendencies, would hold back in the face of it.

…Someday, I’ll definitely let you have a whiff.
That could be useful leverage.

Putting that aside, we clink our glasses.

“Alright, cheers!”
“Nya!”

For a while, we drank together in a friendly, cheerful atmosphere.
Of course, we didn’t fully reveal our true selves, but we were quite relaxed.
As we drank more, our inhibitions dropped and we started having a great time.
Artemis, before me, had her cheeks flushed.
I’m probably the same.
After all, alcohol is really something.

“Let’s get into some love talk, nya! Love talk, nya!”
“Eh, what should I do, I wonder!”

After several hours of drinking, Artemis said that.
Normally, I’d just snort and laugh it off, but feeling good, I smiled broadly.
Love talk, huh? Love talk indeed!

“Master, don’t you have someone you love? Even if you don’t now, there must have been someone before, right?”
“No, I don’t.”
“You’re serious!?”

For a moment, I felt my drunken haze lift.
After all, I still haven’t found a woman who can support me.
I realized once again that I’m in no condition for love talk.
Actually, it’s probably typical for nobles to rarely experience a beautiful romance.
That would make her my first love—the one I cling to.
How romantic.
Wonderful!

“Just kidding. I love you all!”

In my drunken fervor, I wrapped my arms tightly around Artemis, thinking of her as a tool I could use without hesitation—as a shield or decoy when needed.
The feel of her supple, soft body—normally, human touch would be nauseating, but now it feels incredibly comforting.
Alcohol is really something.

“Hmph… I’m not particularly fond of you, nya!”
“Your ears are twitching like crazy.”
“And your tail is flailing around wildly.”
“Ah… but since I haven’t had a drink in a while, I’m starting to feel sleepy.”

Even though I’m usually a night owl, I was feeling extremely drowsy—so mellow and dozy.
If I sleep right now, it would feel absolutely wonderful…

“Isn’t it fine if you just nod off? There’s no work, nya.”

That’s just like Artemis‑san, huh…
Sure enough, this isn’t the Apophis domain, and there’s no work to be done.
In other words, getting drunk and just falling asleep is absolutely fine.
Yeah, yeah—no problem at all.

I lie down on the bed and start nodding off.
“Artemis, turn off the lights and get out of here already.”
“Ah, you’re right. I guess I’ll let you take a rest for a bit…”
“Mm, goodnight. I’ll leave the rest to you, nya.”

Feeling as if my head were being gently patted, I lost consciousness.

◆

Once Balor had fallen asleep, Artemis stood up smoothly.
There was no redness on her face.
She had been faking her drunkenness.
After all, she’s a lightweight.
If given matatabi, she naturally gets intoxicated due to her species, but aside from that, her tolerance for alcohol is exceptionally high.

“Do you think that simply saying ‘I love you’ would make you blush, nya? Master, I’m not some easy woman, nya.”

She gave my cheek a series of playful prods.
Balor grimaced and growled in genuine disgust.
Even that very expression was endearing to Artemis.
Her tail stood erect.

“That’s why I love alcohol—it lets me see Master’s true colors.”
There’s a certain shadow there.
Not entirely, perhaps, but Artemis knew that Balor hadn’t revealed everything.
Unlike Ashvin or Izun, who blindly believe, she—possessing a somewhat detached perspective—understood.
That said, she still couldn’t fully grasp that his true nature was even more atrocious than sludge.
Balor’s skill at dodging that was, as always, remarkable.

“Alright then, I’m off, nya.”

After giving Balor’s head a few gentle pats, Artemis opened the window and stepped outside.
That gentle expression was something she reserved solely for Balor—and only when he wasn’t fully aware.

A fall from a considerable height? But for Artemis, it was no problem at all.
Landing without a sound, she began running down the dark street.
There wasn’t a single person on the streets.
Given the sketchy security, any sensible person would never be out at this hour.
Those who are out are either in a hurry for some urgent business or complete no‑gooders.

The night sky was illuminated by a full moon.
Even the back alleys devoid of streetlights were brightly lit.

Artemis passed by silently in an instant, moving through the space where those who can’t live under a roof huddled together.
There were some people aimlessly wandering the alleys.
Seeing them, Artemis dashed up a building and onto the roof.
There, no one was around.
Her leaps from roof to roof were as agile as a cat’s.
And then, she arrived.
She landed in front of her target.

“I had arranged for guards with due caution, but it seems you posed no obstacle whatsoever. As expected, you’re the finest assassin.”
“I used to be, nya—Boss Gorilla.”

Standing across from her was Lubucera, her former boss.
At him, Artemis gave a light, frivolous smile.

“Now I’m Master’s devoted, sexy, and cute cat‑eared maid, nya.”