Ah... I kind of liked talking to my friends, but here I am, back in the mansion. It's kind of lonely here, but I can't visit the village today. Well, more like there'd be no need to. Apparently, they're preparing for a festival in the village which happens in two weeks or so.
They called it the Lord's Festival. Saxon told me that it was to celebrate the Lord's 2nd anniversary in Paragon Village. I wonder why they have to two weeks early. Well, I guess the Lord makes the calls in the village and Avera.
I can't even chill in the village though. I'd just be annoying the workers and civilians. Why do these things happen when I'm here, always leaving me with things to do? Must be [Harbinger of Adversity]. Ah, speaking of bad luck.
'Where's Ros?'
I looked and looked around my room but couldn't find anything. I couldn't find Python, meaning that I couldn't find Ros. Running out, I checked every room but I couldn't find Ros. Then I started to look for Avera.
With Internal Compass, I was able to remember the location of Avera's bedroom. Opening the door without hesitation, I shouted.
'Avera! When you found me, did you find me with a kat–eh?'
I walked into Avera, in sleeping garments, trying to pull the sword from its sheath. The sword was, indeed, Python. Shaking, my hand pointed at the katana in her hands.
'That's my katana...'
'Eh?'
Avera looked at the sword in her hand and nervously laughed while scratching her head. I held my hand out, and Python shot itself into my hand. I caught it. Avera looked like she was ready to cry.
'What's wrong with your katana?! With my strength, I should be able to pull it out with ease, but I can't! I've been trying it for a full week now! Nothing has happened!'
She smashed the window and wall next to her with her fists.
[Maaa–haaaaa–sterr! You're hereeeeee!]
(Ros, are you perhaps... crying?)
The spirit of Ros flew out of the sword; she started to shake me while crying tears.
[This woman! She's a devil! No, a monster! My rear hurts so much, I don't think I can be used in battle!]
That's good since there are no battles for now, so she can rest up. But damn, I feel weird now, knowing that whenever I'm going to fight with Python, I'm holding Ros' ass.
'So, Tatsuya, tell me why I couldn't unsheathe your sword! Please!'
Why is she so desperate? Well, it wouldn't hurt to tell her.
'This is a cursed sword. Meaning that–'
I unsheathed Python and shadows came off of the black blade similar to smoke.
'–only I can unsheathe the blade. So, don't go trying to pull Ouroboros out of her sheath!'
'A cursed sword? That's not fair! Ah, oi, listen to me, damn it!'
For better or for worse, I hope she wouldn't, but her expression told me that she would one day. Oh well, I got what I came for so it's fine, I guess. And so, I walked out trying to avoid Avera's pointless bickering.
◈◈◈
Meanwhile, Saxon stood in front of the mansion. The reason why was because she was told to stand there by her master, Avera. She still doesn't understand the reason, not until she saw them. Four people walked directly to the mansion.
'They certainly are not villagers.'
Saxon said to herself. She could tell from the clothes alone. Saxon thought to herself who they might be and she came to the correct conclusion almost instantly.
(They're assassins.)
She thought. It took her 0.432 seconds to figure it out. Despite her looks and complexion, Saxon is a combat-trained maid, meaning that she is trained for combat in any and every situation. Every and any situation. As long as the opponent isn't stronger than her, then she can deal with them many times over. Though, as much as she wanted to deal with all of them, she was ordered to take care of two.
'You are assassins, so why did you decide to take the front door?'
Saxon asked out of curiosity.
The next instant, three of the four assassins disappeared, leaving only the man, Eisan, visible. Saxon reached out her arm–she caught the snow-white haired girl with a lariat.
'You are not going anywhere.'
'Gck!'
With strength alone, she tossed the girl out in front of her. She landed next to Eisan. Glaring at her, she massaged her throat with her hand. Eisan took out his gun, while the girl summoned a magic dagger.
The maid didn't do anything other than stand in her usual position. She held two back and let two past her.
'Oi, girl, you better do what I command, otherwise, you'll die.'
The girl nodded, but with hesitation to do so in the start. Saxon could infer from this.
'Now, go get her.'
(I do not need to kill that girl.)
Of course, she was given orders to kill but to only kill one. Avera knew that this situation would happen and only ordered for only one to be killed. The first one to attack the snow-white haired girl. She dashed behind Saxon, ready to slash her.
(She is fast for one with that weight.)
Saxon was talking about her bust. It was bigger than Saxon's. Saxon, herself, found it hard to fight with hers but it was bearable.
She flipped over the girl, kicking her on the back. As soon as Saxon landed, she equipped herself with kunai. She wouldn't lose.
◈◈◈
'Gah, why're all of these halls so similar!'
Risk started shouting, not caring about her surroundings. Xander attempted to calm her down. Risk had this possibility in mind, however, there was an unexpected change in their plans. The white-haired girl was supposed to go along with Risk and Xander, but the maid had stopped her.
Now, finding the black-haired boy and Scarlet girl would be hard.
'Oh, who may you two be?'
A voice said quizzically. They both turned around. There she was. Their main target.
Avera Scarlet.
Even if they had originally planned to kill her, they couldn't kill her when she looked like this. She was beautiful, that was the simplest way to describe her. Her skin was incredibly pale, snow-white, and her hair was a fair yellow while her eyes were scarlet-red. She wore a black dress with a fur coat, which barely reached her waist.
The blonde girl seemed to be thinking for a second, then it looked like she had an idea. She beamed and said.
'Ah, you two are the visitors I've been expecting! Please, follow me to my chambers!'
Avera went into the east corridor and started skipping while humming. Following the rhythm of their conversation, Risk and Xander followed on instinct. Xander moved closer to Risk.
'Are you sure we should be doing this, boss? We should just kill her.'
He whispered into her ear.
'If she's inviting us to her room, then we can steal more things for ourselves. She looks spoilt, doesn't she? I've heard that her parents died, meaning that she owns everything here. We can steal more and live rich. Sure, thirty platinum Ørn is good for this job, but if we steal from here, we'll be rich for a while.'
Risk snickered while Xander looked at the skipping Avera.
'That's good and all, but I can't help to think that this is a mistake. This whole mission.'
'Stop overthinking it!'
It wouldn't be until later that Risk would understand what Xander's bad feeling was about. But at that time, it would already be too late.