Volume 3 Chapter 67: Crop Crusher【Assassination Organization Arc】

“…This time was unexpected as well, wasn’t it?”
“Aren’t there plenty of unexpected things?”

A soft murmur was uttered, and Izun reacted.
For someone as naturally innocent as she was, her words were tinged with venom.

However, this is generally how one speaks to a fellow maid, so Ashvin did not show a strong reaction.
Though she was somewhat irritated.

“There was no way anyone could have foreseen the royal capital’s underworld stepping into the open—or that they would target Master as a stepping stone. There were no omens whatsoever.”

“Isn’t that just an excuse, nya? Shouldn’t we protect Master from all hardships?”

It was Artemis, laughing gaily as she goaded.
By nature, she enjoyed prodding others with barbs.

Ashvin’s irritation only grew, but she spoke up, unwilling to be held responsible.

“…In the first place, I had planned to expand our influence in the noble council, but crushing one of the four major nobles was completely unforeseen. Izun, you’re at fault.”

“That’s right, nya.”

“Izun⁉️”

When the target of blame shifted, Artemis joined in.
Fundamentally, these three shared little sense of camaraderie.
Even if any existed, it was minimal.
Therefore, if anyone other than them was being attacked, it was customary for an Apophis household maid to side with the victim.

“But thanks to Lord Balor and Izun, everything turned out fine… I have no business being lectured by two who did nothing! Besides, it was Artemis who dragged Lord Balor into old entanglements!”

“Indeed. You’re the one most at fault.”

This time, the blame was directed at Artemis.
It was as if each were pointing a sword at the other.

In an effort to break the deadlock, Artemis spoke up.

“I ended up sleeping next to Master.”

Artemis tittered, teehee.
It was a provocation.
It was an unparalleled taunt.

“…………”
“…………”

“Whoa. I seriously feel like I’m gonna get killed. I shouldn’t have said that in front of a zealot, nya.”

It seemed that the attempt to shift the topic with a major shock had been too overwhelming.
Ashvin and Izun looked on with deadpan expressions, causing a slight shudder.

“However, with this, Master now wields a tremendous influence in the royal capital. Even the four major nobles can no longer ignore Master.”

“What are you trying to turn Master into?”

Artemis furrowed her brows in puzzlement.
From her perspective, Balor being at the top of the Apophis territory was enough.
To serve someone like him until death—what more could one ask for?

However, both Ashvin and Izun held slightly different views.

“I want Lord Balor to be at the very top!”

“Is it wrong for a maid to believe that Master, who is fit to reign at the pinnacle, should be the ruler of this world?”

“Yeah, it’s wrong.”

Artemis dismissed Izun and Ashvin’s words without a second thought.
Even under their stares, Artemis did not change her opinion.

“Master, I don’t think he desires something like that. What would you do if you handed him a gift on your own and he disliked it? It’d just become an unwelcome nuisance, wouldn’t it?”

“More or less, people possess ambitions for success and dominance. If one could seize the world in their grasp, wouldn’t they be delighted?”

It was merely speculation.
In response, Artemis became overtly irritated.
Her tail began to sway back and forth.

“Hey, you know, the world… There are those stronger than Myah and the others, and in any case, we simply don’t have enough manpower. That’s why Master got hurt this time, isn’t it?”

“That’s because you weren’t providing proper protection.”

“…Hmph. So that’s what you say.”

Golden eyes glared sharply at Ashvin, while blue eyes fixed their glare on Artemis.
The clashing murderous intent was hardly something one would expect from maids.
If Balor were here, he’d undoubtedly be rendered unconscious.

“Well, do as you please. Myah will do as she pleases, too.”

It was Artemis who broke the eye contact first.
Though Ashvin and her group’s plan hardly seemed likely to succeed, if it failed, so be it.
If push came to shove, the two of them would flee with Balor—and thus begin a decadent, messy life.

“…However, there is some truth to your claim about our lack of manpower. Therefore, we cannot keep that 【Cursed Child】 playing around forever.”

“Ugh! You don’t really intend to let her out, do you?”

“Izun, you’re not fond of that child, huh…”

At Ashvin’s words, both Artemis and Izun contorted their faces in clear disapproval.
Moreover, even Ashvin herself appeared displeased by her own proposal.

“Since there are so few people, it can’t be helped. Besides, we can’t keep Crop Crusher around forever.”

Sigh. That shut-in—despite not doing any maid work at all—has made herself at home in this mansion.

“Let’s have Konoha help us, too.”

◆

“Fuuun, fufuuun. Mmm, mmm, mmm…”

A room sealed off by curtains. Not a single ray of light entered; the only illumination came from a solitary candle.

A woman sat there, swaying her head gently as she stared intently at it.
She hummed to herself, though it wasn’t out of high spirits.

“It’s about time, isn’t it? Ah, again, again, again, again…”

She continued muttering under her breath.
Though no one answered, she wasn’t really expecting anyone to.

“I hate this. I’m exhausted. I’m so tired.”

She exuded a negative aura—a foul atmosphere that seemed bound to affect everyone nearby.
If it were Balor, he’d catch a glimpse and keep his distance entirely.
Well, he treated even street thugs the same way.

“But I have to do my best. I’m the only one here, after all.”

In the dim room, her eyes gleamed sharply.

“Balor. So, I’m going to you――――――”

Except for herself, no one was there to hear those words.