*
"...Hey, I said I had business, right? Why're you following?"
I asked Fuka, trailing behind me.
"Just felt like it. Ignore me."
No way I can ignore...
But no matter what I say, she's dead set on following—chasing her off would take effort.
Plus, what comes next is unpredictable. If her ability helps—fine by me.
...If she'll use it.
"Sigh... Fine. But what you see/hear here—tell no one. Swear that, and you can come."
"Okay. Swear."
"On what?"
"On what...? ...Then—my sword."
She manifested her curved blade—sheathed.
Fuka's sword—called "katana"—specialized for slashing, common in the east.
Even sheathed—clearly masterful. Unique aura hard to describe.
Many swordsmen value their blade as life. Kyokutou especially reveres objects.
Unsure if Fuka fits—but this oath seems trustworthy.
Why insist on secrecy?
What I'm about to do—society would call wrong.
If word spreads—might trouble "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky".
But if Fuka stays silent—won't spread.
◇
[Marking] wasn't on the pickpocket.
That theft distracted eyes from the real crime.
Pickpocket glanced around before acting—fixated on one spot.
Victim also looked that way right before.
While theft happened—others kidnapped a child there.
I marked the kidnapper.
Arriving at marking's source—Flockheart Trading Company's main branch.
"...Hoped I was wrong... Guess confirmed..."
"Business at Flockheart?"
"Yeah."
Flockheart ranks top five in Nohitant Kingdom.
Tsutorail share—undoubtedly first.
Also—Luna's family home.
Following kidnapper's route—reached back entrance.
Carrying kid in sack—no front entry.
Tried doorknob—unlocked. Opened easily.
(Rushed? Big crime—yet careless...)
"Don't make noise from here."
Closed door—told Fuka.
She nodded. Reopened—entered.
(First time entering from back.)
Immediate stairs down.
Kidnappers went underground.
Descending—men's voices.
"—Good job anyway. Like usual—Marquis'll bail the caught one."
"Yeah—thanks. Lately lotsa kid requests, huh? Pay's insane—no complaints."
"Marquis's orders. I don't know details."
"Don't know...? At least know why."
Heard—couldn't help retorting.
Seriously—committing major crimes without knowing purpose? Pathetic.
Room: five men. One girl—kidnapped.
One—Pascal Flockheart. Company head. Luna's stepfather.
Other four—twenties-ish, varied ages.
Clearly underworld types.
Girl asleep—bed. Handcuffed to pillar—no escape.
Rough treatment—none visible.
"Who!?"
"Long time, Pascal-san."
Casual—like bumping into acquaintance on street.
"...Orun. What do you want?"
"Pickpocketing happened in front of me—wanted details. Investigation led here."
"I see. Can't let you leave alive. Jeffrey—extra job. Kill this kid."
(Instant decision...? Makes sense seeing this—but unlike him.)
Not wrong judgment—but not like known Pascal.
"Yes sir. Sorry—no grudge. Client request."
Four readied.
"Pascal-san—misunderstanding. No intent to fight."
Raised hands—showed no hostility.
"Who'd believe? Even without— you'd threaten us. Can't trouble Marquis. Die here."
Really didn't plan fight—but unavoidable.
"...Fuka—their next moves?"
Asked Fuka—testing [Future Sight].
More info on her ability—always welcome.
"Split—two each. Attack us."
Answered casually.
Huge advantage.
"Then—two on you okay? I'll handle two."
"Okay."
"Buffs?"
"No need."
Talked—two rushed me.
Room too small for swings—activated [Status Up][Triple]—simultaneously [Air Shock] at their faces.
Two charging—suddenly air burst ahead—faltered.
Closed in—punched one's solar plexus.
Other kicked—I swept pivot leg. Off-balance.
Grabbed face—slammed ground.
One down.
Solar plexus guy hunched—easy kick target.
Jaw kick—concussion.
Two down.
Fuka already finished hers.
(Fast too. Got to see her fight—harvest.)
"W-Why...? Why can you—kicked out weakling—beat them!?"
Pascal panicked seeing four down fast.
...He was calmer usually. This dissonance...
"...Kicked out for lack of ability—true. But weak? Misconception. Frankly—top-tier among explorers."
"Even if you turn me in—Marquis behind me! Covered up quick! Pointless capturing me!"
...What's this called?
Ah—"fox borrowing tiger's might."
Petty.
"...Told you—misunderstanding. No intent to report."
Obviously—child kidnapping—crime.
Potentially death penalty.
But no intent to report.
Reasons—many. Main: public—chaos hard to contain.
Flockheart—Marquis—long dark rumors.
Sure of crimes.
No proof before.
This exposed—might unravel more.
Lord and company vanish simultaneously.
City has Great Labyrinth.
Not expert—but without it—harder governance imaginable.
Marquis's balance sense—innate talent.
His skill developed this city—undeniable.
No successor yet—sudden absence—city might collapse.
No one now matches his governance.
Pity those harassed—but necessary evil exists.
Marquis tied to underworld confirmed—chaos inconveniences me.
Most would call wrong—but unrelated strangers' fate—not my concern.
I barely protect my reach.
Unless malice toward me/mine—different.
No such now.
Thus—no report.
Marquis'll cover up.
Fine by me.
"What? Then why here?"
"Like said—confirming details. Nothing more—nothing less—"
"Orun—someone coming. Military look."
Pascal talk—Fuka interrupted.
"Military?"
Footsteps—multiple.
"And lord."
"...Huh?"
(Lord—Marquis Forgas—with military? Why now?)
"...Provincial army?"
"No. Central."
Fuka shook head—denied.
(Marquis's own army—not—with kingdom's central? More confusing. What?)
Confused—Marquis Forgas appeared with five central army armored soldiers.