Chapter 109
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Prep Work (3)
Meursault territory's central forest that had sprung up.
Even the harsh northern cold wave couldn't cool this place.
The heart of the forest, where a warm heat lingered.
"......"
Queenbits was soaking her body in the clear lake water, only her upper body sprawled out on the grassy bank.
Inside the crystal orb she was peering into, Federback was swinging his sword.
Crack!
The massive neck of the highest-ranking demon, 'Blood-Soaked Tentacle Cluster,' was severed in one strike.
"Hya—how'd he do that?"
Queenbits replayed Federback's movements from moments ago several times.
The demon's blood droplets scattering in the air.
Federback's white hair fluttering amid them.
Even the chilling gaze that seemed to pierce right through her from beyond the crystal orb.
"You're making me keep rewinding this."
Queenbits stuck out her tongue as she stared at Federback in the crystal orb.
Sometimes rubbing the surface with her finger to zoom in.
"Ha, one more time? Just one more replay. It's all for research, after all."
......It didn't look like research from any angle.
But since this was a restricted area off-limits to outsiders, Queenbits could slack off without worry.
"What are you doing?"
"Kyaaah!?"
As long as Federback didn't show up for a surprise inspection like this every now and then.
Queenbits flinched in shock and dunked her upper body into the water.
But Federback approached her without a care, striding forward.
"I told you to do research, and here you are splashing around? What were you watching in the crystal orb..."
"Kill me if you're gonna catch me!"
Queenbits swung her hand, sending a massive water pillar flying straight into Federback's face.
"......"
Federback, drenched, narrowed his eyes.
Queenbits floundered in the water.
"S-sorry... No, but how can you just barge into a lady's private spot like this without any tact!?"
"Does busting slackers require tact?"
"I wasn't slacking! You don't even know what I was doing or why!"
"What were you doing, and why?"
"......A secret."
At that, Federback's eyes narrowed further.
Before he could open his mouth, Queenbits cut in first.
"Th-that reminds me, I finished everything you asked for last time!"
"The familiar magic?"
"That's right!"
Queenbits nodded vigorously.
With a wave of her hand, small bubbles rose from the lakeside.
Plop!
A small crayfish crawled onto land.
Federback's eyes lit up.
"This it?"
It was unmistakably Queenbits's voice.
Federback shifted his gaze back to her.
At some point, she had emerged from the water and donned her robe.
Peck-peck—
As Queenbits worked her mouth with a mischievous smile,
The crayfish continued sending thought waves.
Federback asked the crayfish.
"Can you send it as far as the capital?"
"Got it."
Federback nodded at the answer he wanted and turned to leave.
Queenbits hurriedly released the familiar magic.
"A-already leaving?"
"I came to check the familiar magic's completion. Inspection's done, so I'm going."
"What about my main research!? Aren't you checking the Carmelda Equation?"
"It's nowhere near done anyway, right? No progress since you got Shedioldis and the lower half as specimens?"
"W-well, yeah, but..."
Queenbits averted her eyes, feeling guilty.
Aside from when she received Shedioldis and the lower half as test subjects, there hadn't been much success.
That was probably why she kept veering into side paths like the druid ring or familiar magic.
Federback, well aware of that, continued.
"I get it. To complete the Carmelda Equation, you need more black magic byproducts as research materials. I'm looking into sourcing them, so don't get too anxious."
"Thanks..."
Queenbits replied in a faintly trembling voice.
But Federback's response was as curt and dry as ever.
"No need to thank me. Our interests align perfectly."
"......"
Words that would usually sound reassuring now felt stinging. Why?
Federback left the forest, and Queenbits's long ears drooped limply downward.
The capital's outskirts, inside a mid-sized merchant guild's meeting room.
Firewood crackled in the corner amid cost-effective furniture.
The merchants discussing trade routes burned hotter than the heat from the stone hearth at the wall's base.
The goat-bearded guildmaster finally nodded.
"Good. Let's make the deal. Send the advance payment."
"Yes, sir!"
The junior merchants replied in unison.
Soon, the meeting ended.
After everyone left, the guildmaster leaned back in his chair.
"Phew..."
Everything in the room came into his view.
From arriving in the capital to reaching his current position, nothing here lacked his touch.
......The hearth glowing crimson.
......The soot-stained gray stone walls.
......Darkness congealed between bricks like dripping resin.
......The plain, undecorated table.
......Bronze and silver candlesticks.
......Parchments strewn messily on the table.
"Heh—heh, all this, built by my own hands."
Guildmaster Sancho.
He stroked his goatee with a pleased smile.
Since coming to the capital, his business had boomed, now owning a solid mid-sized guild with 50 employees.
Recalling past hardships, Sancho laughed heartily.
"Me, Sancho—where will I climb to? My talent, potential, luck... it's almost scary now."
Backlit by the dark window, Sancho raised a glass of wine.
Wetting his lips with blood-red vintage, he let out a deep chuckle.
"Heh heh heh—my talent was real. All this by my own power. I'm a born winner. Nothing else comes to mind on a night like this."
"Hey now—that capital's multiplied how many times over? Don't say that."
"Don't freak out when you hear. At least tenfold... Hic!?"
The one telling him not to freak out jumped in shock himself.
He whipped around, head swiveling wildly.
"Wh-what? Who's there? Who’s talking to me...?"
The voice came from the window he'd been eyeing dramatically moments ago.
Recognizing the familiar tone, Sancho broke into a cold sweat and turned.
"!?"
There, atop the sill, sat a small white lump like a rice cake.
"......?"
Looking closer, it was a cluster of soft white feathers.
A white-headed titmouse.
The bird with feathers all white stared at Sancho from the window.
Quick on the uptake as ever, Sancho asked in a trembling voice.
"L-Lord Federback... is that you?"
"How did such a tiny bird make it here..."
"N-no, none... Hearing your voice like this is wonderful, yes, yes—"
"Of course not! Everything I've built is yours, Lord Federback!"
The white-headed titmouse fluttered to the hearth and warmed itself.
'What's this? Why's he here? Guild's running fine. Did I mess up?'
As Sancho stared anxiously at the bird's white head,
Swish—
The titmouse's head spun 180 degrees backward to face him.
"Kyaaak!?"
Sancho yelped again, falling on his butt.
"I-I did nothing wrong, Lord Federback! Hic! Truly no ill intentions, hic! Embezzlement? Never even thought of it, hic!"
Shocked into cold sweats and hiccups.
Undeterred, the titmouse got to business.
"Pardon? The monster girl? N-no idea. Haven't seen her since witnessing that incident by chance..."
"B-but she's terrifying... That woman... tears people apart alive. Fiercer than a bear. Wanted posters went up everywhere after, but no trace. If I approach rashly..."
Sancho blabbered excuses.
The titmouse narrowed its eyes at him.
"Y-yes? With that monster? Didn't you say to avoid her if possible?"
The titmouse spoke in a low, eerie tone.
"She's scary! Not even sure if she's human...!"
As Sancho resisted, the titmouse's gaze sharpened.
"......No?"
"......Yes."
Tears streamed from Sancho's eyes.