Broken Wings <Side: Francis Wing?>
Wings that once soared over the vast desert were stitched with threads named contract and broken in the end.
Cross Moon - Day 27 (Lunch)
"Captain Francis! Over here!"
After the mass disappearance incident, the patrol routes and personnel assignments for the guard unit had changed significantly. The most notable was my own patrol path.
The position of guard captain wasn't leisurely enough for routine patrols. Thanks to the role of leading an entire unit, there were endless tasks: drafting reports for superiors, managing subordinates, assigning personnel based on patrol zones, and more.
Typically, the captain didn't join patrols but stayed in the office receiving reports or moved on orders from Lady Anidia or Lord Edward. But to take responsibility for that incident, I stepped up personally.
Of course, that event was on a different track from the other disappearances. We'd manipulated perceptions to eliminate eyes on the back alleys, brought in a priest to set up a thorough divine barrier blocking all sounds from escaping. Even after finding the missing people one way or another, we failed to catch the ringleader, and the matter fizzled out.
Still, someone had to take the blame, so for "negligence in management and inadequate public safety," I got saddled with extra duties.
It made sense—I was the only one who could fly purely on physical ability without magic anyway.
"Good work. Status report?"
"No issues at present. No injuries among main street or back alley residents beyond minor scuffles or arguments."
The usual routine report. Normally it'd come in writing, but since I was patrolling personally in this sector, I took it verbally. Easier that way.
"But Captain, are you sure you're okay? Those old fogeys already keep you swamped, and now you're out here patrolling yourself."
"No need to worry about me. Just do your job well—that's all. And ease up on calling them 'old fogeys.' Eyes and ears aren't just attached to people's bodies, you know."
"Ah, yes, sir! Got it!"
"Appreciate the concern. Report received—I'll be off."
Old fogeys... So the subordinates thought that too. They meant Lord Edward's retainers—the advisors whispering in his ear.
From what I knew, Lord Edward wasn't born nobility; he'd earned the territory through major feats. But the scale of those feats—and receiving a domain this large—was unusual.
Aside from not being noble, his background was murky. One day he appeared, ripping monsters apart like wolf fangs, dyeing the earth with their blood under the full moon. The king praised his efforts and granted the land.
Handing prime territory to an unverified monster hunter caused uproar—even high nobles rarely got such holdings. Ignoring the controversy, the king sent advisors to help the novice lord manage the domain. Those advisors—stubborn old men the subordinates dubbed "old fogeys."
They meddled constantly, spewing belittling "advice" without a care. Deep down, jealousy and envy toward the lord who'd claimed this vast land, slyly waiting for a scandal to pounce like foxes.
Naturally, I—taken in by Lady Anidia, the lord's wife, and elevated to captain—faced their scrutiny too.
Back when I'd contracted with Lady Anidia and served as her bodyguard. One day, she declared she'd make me guard captain.
Lord Edward was absent. Present were a rasping old voice, me with my head bowed, and Lady Anidia standing tall, unfazed.
"No, Lady Anidiaht! Do you have any sense!? Promoting your personal retainer to captain—does that make any sense!?"
"And that's not all. Do you know what the townsfolk say about you? That you're a harlot squandering their taxes on your collections for debauchery."
"Cut the pointless spending, consider your position as the lord's wife..."
Lady Anidia clashed verbally with the retainers. This was routine, but today she was fiercer. They spat, prioritizing their advisor roles, and she eyed them pitifully before speaking.
"Says the one lecturing about positions... Off to the capital picking fresh young flowers. Quite the hobby. If you'd at least used your own money for the bouquets, I wouldn't complain—but where'd that cash come from~?"
"Wh-what!?"
Fresh young flowers, bouquets... The stammering, pale-faced retainer had bedded a child prostitute. Disgusting.
"And you, advisor... Pfft. Indiscriminate with your blooms. You stick to mature ones... Such variety."
She didn't stop; each revelation left them sweating and flustered. Pathetic.
"Ahem...! Seems you have time for digging into private lives. But privacy aside, how do you justify your extravagance? That Join tribeswoman bodyguard—isn't she part of it?"
"Exactly! Strange relics from who-knows-where, grotesque plants and beasts. What about those!?"
One retainer led the pack, others swarming like wild dogs. Lady Anidia responded without flinching.
"Oh, that? Sadly, I didn't touch a single coin of the townsfolk's taxes for my collections. Savings from my adventuring days and favors from connections. Unlike some, it's a hobby funded by my own purse~"
"Proof...! No proof!"
"Do our advisors need reasons for every trinket? Be honest: no chance to sabotage my husband, the king's favorite, so you're nitpicking me instead."
"Outrageous...! That's why adventurers are barbarians..."
"Want to know real barbarism? Hoo... Whatever. Out. No more to discuss. Francis starts as captain this month. Approved by my husband the lord. I tried persuading humanely at first, but..."
Victory tilted her way. The once-blustery retainers just smacked their lips.
"Keep yapping, and the townsfolk will finger the harlot as you—lecherous old perverts bedding anyone in brothels. Got it? Out."
"Grh...! Lady Anidiaht, you'll regret this!"
"Sure~ Hope I do~"
She brushed off their parting insults coolly, ignoring them as they left the office. Only then could I speak.
"Lady Anidia... You sure? Making more enemies over me...?"
"They're enemies anyway. No need to worry, Fran... Francis. We have the contract. Just watch my back. Find my brother... and you and your tribe are free."
"...Understood. Overstepped."
"No... Thanks for worrying. You're dismissed."
Mention of her brother always darkened her mood. I left on her order, ignoring her sorrowful sobs beyond the door...
After some chit-chat beyond the report, as I prepared to fly off again—
"Oh, right. Heard about that, Captain?"
"What? Can't waste time—unless it's critical, put it in the report later..."
"Priestess Muse returned to the church today. Figured you'd want to know, given she's key to the incident."
I'd been spreading my wings when I heard Priestess Muse had been discharged. She'd contributed massively to uncovering the disappearance plot but was soon assaulted. She'd only recently regained consciousness post-treatment.
"...She's vital. Tell the church patrol units to watch closely. Report any signs to me or Lady Anidia immediately."
"Yes, sir! Safe patrols, Captain Francis!"
Encouraged, I took to the skies. Duty called: scan from above for threats, preempt incidents...
Cross Moon - Day 27 (Evening)
I circled the territory skies until night fell, eyes fixed on plazas, back alleys, everywhere.
I prided myself on vision sharp enough to spot distant oases in the desert once.
"Hm...?"
Would that it ended smoothly. But no—a strange flying object caught my eye, dashing hopes.
Unauthorized flight over territory airspace was banned. Stopping lawbreakers was our job.
I shouted from above. "Halt! Flying without permit is prohibited! Stop—stop now! Uh...!?"
Something was off. The closer I got to intercept, a tickling sweet scent stung my nose.
Not just nose—intense body odor flooded my airways, body heating, mind fogging the instant it hit.
"Some odd sorcery...?"
Body reacting this easily... Definitely magic or a magitech tool. Flying with purpose, no doubt sinister.
"...?"
Closing in questioningly, the object's outline sharpened—shocking enough to stun.
"Blue skin... Bat wings. Demonkin?"
Glossy blue skin gleaming in the dark sky, massive bat-like membranes. Fierce horns piercing back from her head. Long tail rippling in wind.
Only one match: humanity's enemy. Demonkin.
I'd heard spies infiltrated human ranks sowing discord. No way... inside the territory?
"Not just one oddity...!"
Unnatural skin, impossible features—that alone wouldn't panic me. But her "clothes": tight black leather barely covering ample breasts and hips. Breasts like overinflated balloons visible even from behind.
And most... "That's...? A penis?"
Lower gaze: monstrous, rigidly erect phallus rivaling a horse's, with matching balls.
Demonkin... hermaphrodites? Never heard that.
While I observed, stunned, she kept distance, flying on—no sign of stopping, aware or not.
Then—pink hair and a pair of legs peeking from behind her snagged my mind.
Carrying someone?
"Pink hair... Only two in territory I know: ...No way, Priestess Muse!?"
Distinct vivid pink. Guild master Heri Tetrahedron, grand magus. And Priestess Muse Symphony, just discharged today.
Heri kidnapped? Unlikely. That left one: Muse, prior assault victim.
So... disappearances orchestrated by demonkin?
Theories swirled. My job: rescue Priestess Muse from the demon.
Decision made, I accelerated. "If you don't stop, I'll force you..."
Bewitchment didn't end. Mind-dizzying scent, plus dilemma post-demon realization:
1. Call reinforcements?
2. Subdue now?
Resolved to save her, yet hesitated. But no more delay—rescue first...
"Wh-what...!"
Body shuddered. Cold. Why...? I endured night winds easily...
Chilling intensely, unnaturally.
"C-cold...!! Why won't I fly...!"
Not just that—the gap I'd closed was widening? No... I'm slowing!
Demon trick? Fading further... falling behind?
"Ugh...♡"
Cold, heavy... Wings won't spread—this magic. One possibility in mind, cold faded, body suddenly fevered.
Crotch dampening, hot breaths heaving.
"Lady Anidia... Victoria...!"
--Thud...!!
Crashed to ground. Prayed someone found me before she did, mind clouding. At least that demon stays away... chanting precious names...
Ah... Found.
Please... let them be an ally... Someone kind to mend my broken wings...
