Shu raised an eyebrow in surprise. This was the first time he'd heard of such a thing. He didn't even know people could do that.
"Someone specifically requested me? Who? What's the mission?" He asked. The red eyed commander shook his head.
"I won't be telling you that. Here, take this and meet the client at the appointed time." Aiden gave him a small note. Upon reading it, the young samurai nodded.
"...Mnn." He grunted.
The lazy swordsman rose to his feet. His battle armor was inside his room. Rin also got up to follow before the captain stopped her.
"Rin, you won't be joining him. It's a classified mission. Besides, you will be teaming up with Stark for a different one."
"Tch." She clicked her tongue. Shu gave an apologetic smile while walking away. The commander and the snow demon left to find Stark.
Time passed as he got ready. Rin's debriefing eventually ended and she burst into his room. The sleepy man had to endure her pitiful stare the entire time. Shu didn't ask what her mission was, even though there was no doubt she'd tell him.
"...Stupid Shu. You better hurry back here. Don't disappear for months again." She calmly demanded.
"But of course. If I disappear for a long time past the mission period, I'll get kicked off the team." He revealed. The yokai's eyes widened. A frown quickly appeared as if she realized something.
"If you quit the team, I'll find you and kill you." Rin declared.
"Yes, yes. I believe you." He casually responded as he finished putting on his uniform.
All that was left was the mana breather. Before he could put it on, she grabbed him by the collar. The lazy swordsman could see the suspicion on her face. She didn't believe him for a second.
"I'm serious, you…you…idiot Shu!" She yelled. It was the first time he'd ever seen her break her calmness. A warm smile adorned his face.
"Don't worry so much. How can I make you believe me? Once you think of something, it's hard to change your mind." He answered.
Rin thought for a moment. Eventually, her face lit up with an idea. All of the previous times he did weird things to her popped into her mind. A slight grin rose on her lips.
"Hmph. You must eat my mouth one hundred times. Then you have to let me bite you for as long as I want, wherever I want." She exclaimed. The young samurai couldn't help but suppress a chuckle.
"Rin, that is called a kiss. And biting for as long as you want will take too long. And it's painful. I'll give you five minutes."
"Fifteen, and I will bite softly."
"Ten."
"...Fine." She relented. Her eyes were beaming though. Biting must mean a lot to her. He'd have to show her what his bite felt like soon.
"This is still going to take a while." He muttered.
"Then you better get started."
Shu yawned before sitting on a chair. He then pulled her onto his lap. His fingers wandered under her clothes and traced her petite curves. Her apple shaped bottom was kneaded in his palm. Rin jumped slightly at the touch. Her cute face was upturned, waiting for his assault. He licked his lips before leaning in.
…
…
…
A good time later, the young samurai could be found in the capital once more. It was the main area that the Golden Order resided in. There were light bite marks from his abs all the way to his neck, hidden by his dark outfit and bandages. Night had fallen, and the moon shone down on the ocean, causing it to shimmer.
He was perched on the top of a building near the meeting point. It was actually outside of Streline, the Institute of Magic. Shu waited for his client to arrive.
Eventually, a cloaked figure could be seen sneaking through a side alley nearby. The person soon reached the meeting point and looked in every direction. After deeming this person the client, the sleepy man vanished from his position and appeared beside the figure like a ghost.
"...What can I do for you?" His distorted voice rang out.
"Eeek!" A feminine cry escaped the figure's lips as she jumped in fright. Her hood fell off from the action, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"Princess? Pardon my rude entrance." He quickly bowed. His voice was still grating to her ears, due to the mask.
"Stop that! Turn it off!" She demanded. Sophia didn't appreciate the jumpscare at all. Shu's mana breather retracted, revealing his wry smile.
"...Better?" His smooth voice resounded.
The princess heaved a sigh of relief and focused on his features. This was the first time seeing him without the mask. She quickly realized why it was needed. His features were too eye-catching! How could one look like that? Sophia raised her hand while looking the other way. A slight bit of crimson could be seen on her cheeks.
Shu looked at the hand for a moment before raising it to his lips and kissing it. The royal daughter nodded at the acceptable greeting. Once the performative gestures were over, she finally spoke.
"Sword Demon Shu. Let me explain the mission for you."
"....."
"Have you heard of starvanium?" She asked. He nodded in response.
Starvanium was a celestial ore, fashioned from the wreckage of a Starfall. It was said to be unbreakable. In the right hands, it could be forged into god level weapons.
"Valsir has come to an agreement with Jarheim. The dwarves have returned from Nekrom, the land of the fallen, and are really close by. Your job is to meet them and protect their cargo of starvanium until they reach the borders of their nation."
Nekrom was the famous wreckage of the first Starfall. An entire nation had been wiped off the map when the star initially hit the ground. The land was drenched in unique radiation known as aurim. It was harmful to living beings, but for monsters, it was a paradise.
The land of the fallen had become a no man's land. Many people have tried to explore the ruined kingdom, never to return. If there was one place that had the highest chance of housing Legendary monsters, it would be there. Rumors also stated that a sacred item existed in the heart of the area. It was known as the iridescent lotus, and was said to grant a single wish to any that found it.
"...I understand." He said.
"They are waiting near our borders. Here are the coordinates."
Sophia pulled out her holopad and tapped it a few times. Shu took out his own holopad from his space pocket and acknowledged the information. He now had the Princess' contact as well as Rin's and Captain Aiden's. There was no way he'd be allowed without one now. The red eyed commander wouldn't allow the wandering swordsman to have no way to be contacted.
"Then if you'll excuse me princess, I'll get going." He said. The black haired beauty nodded.
"I've looked you up, Shu. You are extremely fast when you want to be. Meet with them by the end of the night. I know the border is far, but it should be an easy task for you." She finished. After a quick nod, he disappeared in a small flash of light.
DING
The chime of a bell was the only sound to signify his exit.