26 - side story

Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! side story 26

Shinigami’s secret maneuvers – Continuation

“Ooh. Isn’t she totally in love”

Sitting on a suitable tree I watched over Princess.

Thanks to last night’s investigation the map of the castle is in my head.

I waited near the Transfer Gate, expecting a transfer, and it seems to be a bullseye.

“Hee, amazing”

It’s my first time seeing a transfer gate of this size activate, it really is spectacular.

Thousands of people transferring all at once is really something else.

Compared to other countries, this Transfer Gate’s size is abnormal.

The fact that the head of the magic division operates it alone is also astounding.

The head of the magic division must be this skilled, along with the Crown Prince they make this country not to be trifled with.

“Well, we’re on the same side now, so it’s fine”

Rather, I’m relieved this country’s power exceeds my expectations. I would be worried if it couldn’t protect Princess if something happened.

In any case, my master will become the queen of this country in a near future.

“That’s the Crown Prince, huh…”

The Crown Prince who’s evaluated ‘Flawless’ in rumors. It’s the first time I see him, his strength is obvious even from the distance.

From the way he walks I understand he’s considerably trained. He’s completely a soldier.

But, what is the most amazing.

“… Amazing magical power”

I can’t help but feel surprised at the amount of magical power Crown Prince has.

The magical power oozing from his body is concentrated to its utmost limits, I’m convinced he really could take on ten thousand men.

His magical power is of a different nature from the man’s next to him who appears to be the head of the magic division.

After all, it must be because he’s royalty, huh.

Because I get a similar impression from the king near him, it’s perhaps characteristic of the royalty of this country.

While deducing various thing, I continued observing the two.

He hugged my master who’s his fiancée, and even from the distance I could tell how happy Crown Prince’s face was.

In response, Princess wrapped her arms around this Crown Prince’s back.

Just looking at them I understood how fortunate this engagement is.

“Well, that’s right. There’s no way my Princess would be engaged to a man she doesn’t like…”

With my master following her heart like this, it’s improbable that her getting married is simply giving in.

Looking at her blushing in delight as she buried her face into Crown Prince’s chest, I immediately understood that.

“If Princess was forced to marry against her wishes, I could have brought her out, but”

Yup. It’s okay if she’s like this.

Princess said it was different, but nobles’ marriages are like that everywhere.

Usually, the partner is decided by parents disregarding one’s wishes.

There’s no room for the wishes of the person in question.

Even this Princess’s engagement was decided by her parents.

So, if seeing these two I could tell Princess doesn’t wish for it, I considered forcibly taking her away.

“I didn’t need to worry, huh”

With a wry smile I looked at those two flirt without minding attention.

I couldn’t quite grasp what Princess thinks of Crown Prince from her story, but it’s easy to understand looking at them. They unmistakably love each other.

And in that case, it’s not my place to do anything.

It’s okay as long as Princess can smile.

“The hindrances dispersed, didn’t they”

I saw off Princess who was led away by the Crown Prince and stood up with heave ho .

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen royalty’s quarters yet”

I was reminded of that seeing where Princess was going.

―――― Might as well go investigate.

It’s bad I don’t have a grasp on where master is going.

Thinking so, I stealthily chased after Princess.

◇◇◇

I safely invaded royalty’s quarters and as usual moved lurking above the ceiling.

Princess and the Crown Prince disappeared into a doorway. I realized it’s his room right away.

I have no intention of watching them flirt in this room.

That’s why I thought of checking on them and returning.

“… Tch!?”

The moment they entered the room, in panic I jumped away from the invoked barrier.

Erected was a firm barrier that covered the whole room and blocked everything.

“What’s this…”

I was dumbfounded by the dreadfully firm barrier that seemed to say nothing will slip past me .

The web-patterned barrier shining gold was not something to approach.

The instant it was touched there’s no doubt the user would feel it.

Moreover, since I don’t know what sort of effect the barrier has, I can’t carelessly get close to it.

“… Dangerous”

Cold sweat flowed.

Were I a little less vigilant I’d get caught in that net. Although I avoided the barrier the instant I saw it erected, if I didn’t I’d surely get discovered.

“This was unmistakably erected by Crown Prince… I’m glad I didn’t receive an assassination mission for him…”

I spontaneously said.

After all, with my skills I received requests to assassinate royalty.

In fact, I fulfilled some of them.

However, no matter how much I was asked, I wouldn’t want to accept assassinating this man.

It’s out of question when I can’t even get close to his room.

The basic rule for assassins is to aim at the moment when the target is the most vulnerable.

Of course, there are ways to attack outside of the room, I don’t think I’d lose with just that.

But, I don’t think I could win against that Crown Prince directly.

It’s foolish to fight Crown Prince who could defeat ten thousand man directly.

Assassins’ strong point is the art of setting the stage. That’s an inviolable rule.

If that’s impossible, not undertaking the task is the only choice.

We’re professional assassins. What’s wrong with putting our lives first.

“… Well, like this it’s fine even without seeing the situation”

Making sure not to get caught in the Crown Prince’s barrier I quietly left the spot.

Nobody will approach them when there’s such a barrier.

“It’d be boorish to interfere with their flirting”

At any rate, today’s the victory celebration party.

Since they’ll come out at that time, it’s fine to somehow kill time before.

Thinking good grief , I returned to the general area.

I smoothly disappeared into the crowd and erased my presence.

Since I was able to confirm Princess’s safety, my strength left me. Only for a moment.

“!?”

I felt bloodlust prick me. Familiar bloodlust. Characteristic of assassins.

Reflexively I looked back.

However, there’s no suspicious people there.

The bloodlust I should’ve felt for just a moment already disappeared completely.

“Is it my imagination…?”

I understood that’s not the case while saying that.

Cold sweat flowed… Still is. I’m certain.

It was a considerably skilled assassin that disappeared.

“… Tch”

I clicked my tongue and once again focused on my surroundings.

It’s not the time to be absentminded. I must quickly find and deal with him.

I don’t know who he may be targeting.

While carefully surveying the surroundings with impatience, I heard a noise of metal falling on the floor.

When I understood the noble-looking man who walked right past me dropped it, I instinctively shifted my attention to the floor.

“!?”

I opened my eyes wide in astonishment.

What fell on the floor was a rosary with a cross made of silver.

It wasn’t just a cross… It was an inverted cross.

I know only one person who would do that.

“A… postate”

While muttering I followed the man who just passed by with my eyes. I felt he gave me a glimpse.

“… Tch… Shit”

In a hurry I picked up the rosary from the floor and chased after the man.

There’s no doubt this man is the ‘Black Apostate’.

The ‘Black’ whose lot I saw last night.

And when I was approached without noticing, he presented his characteristic item.

Everything points to that man being the ‘Black Apostate’.

“What are you planning…”

And why are you here.

I ground my teeth at his attitude saying to follow him.

It might be a trap. But, I have no choice but to go.

“Do you know why I have that nickname. I’ll make you spit out everything”

He should definitely be aware of what happened last night.

And of me. Otherwise he wouldn’t act like this.

I flipped my switch and muttered in a lowered voice.

“… No matter what, I won’t let him touch Princess”

◇◇◇

A place devoid of people behind the castle. In the place where trees grow thick, that guy turned around.

The man with baby face, cat eyes, was dressed in clothes of an ordinary low-rank noble.

Straight bluish black hair reached his shoulders.

From his appearance he looks like an average effeminate man. But, I understand.

That guy is strong. It’s not strength like Crown Prince’s, it’s the same as mine.

“… You are the ‘Black Apostate’?”

As I asked full of confidence, the man’s eyes turned round and he spoke.

“Huh? I thought I haven’t introduced myself yet, still you understood?”

His false-sounding act made me livid.

If he’s seriously saying that, he’s looking down on me a great deal.

“You had the nerve to drop a rosary with an inverted cross. There’s no way I wouldn’t notice”

“Unlike you I’m famous for my work clothes. I thought I wouldn’t be recognized without them”

With those words I remembered his work clothes. Certainly, they were black priest clothes.

I imagined how the man in front of me would look in them.

A kind Father loved by everyone. I felt nauseous.

“I’ve become quite famous, haven’t I. So have you, ‘Red Shinigami’. The cursed red-eyed shinigami. I’ve heard you couldn’t see in one eye, but after all rumors can’t be trusted. I thought you’d drop dead from the ‘Curse of Sahaja’, yet you’re alive”

As he pointed at my red eyes characteristic to my clan, I grimaced.

I have nothing to say to this guy.

But, I have to listen to his story.

“… Why do you know about the curse”

As I questioned Apostate, he said of course I’d know while exaggeratedly spreading his arms.

Each and every of his gestures is intentional.

“Hearing ‘Red’ has been destroyed, a great number of people went to the site. Of course, many people would see ‘Red’ Gill’s body among them… It’s also said his cause of death was heart rupture. His body was the evidence that he used the curse. And you were the only one whose corpse wasn’t there. Anybody could guess that”

“Aah, I see”

You can tell when the ‘Curse of Sahaja’ was used. Because there’s an obvious peculiarity in the corpse.

And I was the only whose corpse wasn’t there… Well, of course he could tell.

“But why did you survive? That hexcraft is absolute. It’s impossible to survive. Or were you cursed from the start, so at this point the curse of death does nothing, I wonder… If that’s the case, should I say as expected of a shinigami “

“Hell if I know. Feel free to think so. What are you doing in such a place”

Cursed red eyes. Hearing these words for the first time in a while I raised my eyebrows.

But now’s not the time to worry about that. I must learn his aim.

“Even if you ask me that. I’m an assassin, right? What do you think I could be doing here other than assassination?”

There’s no way I wouldn’t get irritated at the man who tilted his head saying I don’t know why you’d even ask .

“… Who did you come to kill”

“I don’t need to tell you that”

I clicked my tongue at those words. Certainly, he’s right.

“Ah, but I’ll tell you one thing. I don’t know what you’re worried about, but my work has already ended. All that’s left is to return to my country… Mom is waiting”

I felt indescribable disgust at the man who ecstatically muttered with dreamy eyes.

“Ended?”

“Yes. The target was dealt with. Being here is well, something like an afterthought”

At heart I felt relieved as the man readily nodded. His work is over. That means his target wasn’t Princess. Then that’s fine.

When I relaxed a little, the man clapped his hands as if he remembered something.

“Ah, right, I want to make one thing sure, the one who got my guild’s guys the last night was you, right?”

“… Yeah”

My eyebrows twitched at his words.

Why lie when I’ve been found out anyway. Thinking so I agreed, but the man flapped his arms with it’s different, different .

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t really care about those guys. Rather, you could say they got cleaned up”

“What’s with that.  Or rather, you’ve finished the job. Then what did they come for?”

As I asked what was on my mind, with displeasure he sighed that’s right, isn’t it .

“Really, I wonder what the hell did they come for. I haven’t heard anything. They came on their own and tried killing you, it makes me want to laugh”

Saying serves them right he laughed from the bottom of his throat.

“I wanted to kill them before they caused me trouble, but my rule is to not kill people other than the target. So, I’m grateful to you. ‘Red Shinigami’ who kills everything his eyes can see. Your technique was truly wonderful. It’s been a long time since I was impressed by the work of somebody else”

“… Didn’t you not do it because it’d be troublesome gathering the heads”

When I recalled this man’s way of doing things and pointed it out, he said you know after all? with his eyes sparkling.

“That’s right. That’s why I was curious. Who was it that killed those guys instead of me. Then I came across you. I was happy. That famous ‘Red Shinigami’ thought to be dead carefreely walked in front of me. I doubted my eyes. I may be called apostate, but at that time I thought I may once again believe in God”

Saying although that was a lie , the corners of his mouth warped.

“Why did you have me notice you”

“Of course it’s because I wanted to try talking to you. I never would’ve thought I’d meet a celebrity of my country in a foreign place like this. It’s not strange I wondered what you were doing after losing Red’s backing, right?”

Ah right, you didn’t deal with the corpses , the man continued as if recalling.

“It’s because you killed them. I had to deal with them so that the guild doesn’t do the same to me. It’d be troublesome to catch the eye of the people of this country”

“Apostate, you don’t look like the type to open a cleaning shop. How capricious”

As I spat that out, the apostate nodded you said it well .

“Whatever. After all I’m treated like a tumor or eccentric. I don’t care about others’ words”

I could understand his words a little.

Tumor, eccentric… A loathed existence. Knowing the man in front of me is like this too, somehow I felt like I was looking at my past self.

That’s why I asked.

“Isn’t it painful”

“It’s got nothing to do with you. So? Are you coming back to Sahaja?”

I bitterly smiled at the uncalled-for question he returned in a flash, and similarly replied immediately.

“Who would return”

That place is neither my country nor where I belong. The word return itself is wrong.

When I answered, the man in front of me curiously tilted his head.

“With your skills you’d be welcome in any guild though? Or are you in this place because you’re working for this country’s king?”

“Hah, who would”

Apart from Princess who’s my master, I fundamentally detest powerful people like royalty.

When I scowled at him with stop joking , Apostate smiled in relief.

This smile is really like a cat’s.

“That’s right. I’m glad. Well, if you want to return, come back anytime”

“How could I brazenly come back after destroying ‘Red'”

Rather, am I not on the wanted list.

I thought so, but the man in front of me said no way with a deliberately surprised behavior.

“It’s absolute not like that. You alone are ‘Red’. As long as you’re there, ‘Red’ can be rebuilt… Surely the King thinks so”

“!”

My shoulders twitched hearing the word ‘King’.

My clan’s enemy. It’s absolutely impossible to serve him.

“Well, you’re thought of as dead. Isn’t it fine to do as you like? I haven’t received orders regarding you”

Saying so, Apostate relaxedly stretched out.

“Then I’ll be going soon. I have to give Mom a souvenir. Ah yes, that rosary I entrusted you… could you give it back. It’s very, very important”

Being stared at by his dead fish eyes I felt chills on my back.

Honestly, I musn’t let him go home. I understand that, but he told me his work is over.

Then it shouldn’t be my concern what he does next. Even ignoring that, I didn’t think of fighting him.

He’s strong. Fighting him without a meaning is too risky.

“… Then don’t drop it”

Black cat-like eyes are fixedly staring at me. He seemed to enjoy seeing my pondering, as they got even creepier.

Averting my eyes, I tossed him the rosary with an inverted cross.

The man who safely received it smiled in relief.

“No, you’re exactly as they say. I thought it’s the quickest way to make myself understood, but now I’m reflecting on it. I was thinking what to do if you hadn’t returned it”

“… What’d you do”

Since he’s a man who doesn’t kill people other than his targets, when I asked him that the corners of his mouth lifted.

“Who knows? What would I do I wonder”

After carefully stroking the rosary, he hung it on his neck.

“Well, it came back safely in the end, so I’ll calmly return to my country. See you, ‘Red Shinigami’. Let’s meet again, okay?”

“Go back quickly. And I’m not Shinigami. I’m Cain”

When I said I’ve had it enough being repeatedly called ‘Shinigami’ ‘Shinigami’, his steps stopped.

“What?”

“…. Err, can I call you by name?”

“Ah? Yeah, anything except Shinigami is fine”

“I see”

I answered despite confusion, to which Apostate looked back.

And he said.

“Then me too… Could you call me Scheat?”

“Scheat?”

As I returned that, Scheat smiled with a surprisingly innocent face.

“My name… Yup. See you later, Cain”

“Don’t come ever again”

I seriously don’t want to be involved with him.

“Haha. It depends on the client”

I made a displeased face, and yet Scheat nodded happily.

And this time turned around for good.

Realizing it’s the end of our talk, I also turned around.

Still, until Scheat’s presence completely vanished, I didn’t move a step.