Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Blue Moon
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The Blue Moon's emergency meeting was being held in Firendel, a city on the outskirts of the Empire.
It was a place where wheat farming took place.
I boarded a train to head to Firendel. I checked my ticket and confirmed my reserved seat.
The seat I'd booked was first class.
It was a spot only for high-ranking nobles or the bourgeoisie. Coach was for the common folk.
This identity is set up as a successful businessman, after all.
Riding first class wasn't particularly strange. As proof, Ceres, who was following behind me, didn't give me any odd looks.
"Th-this is..."
"What's wrong, Ceres?"
"It's... my first time. Riding a train... and first class at that. Isn't it... expensive? Coach would be fine for me..."
I patted Ceres's shoulder and shook my head.
"It's my consideration, so don't worry about it. Besides, first class isn't that pricey. Even you could have afforded it."
It was a lie. First class cost three times the average person's monthly living expenses.
For Ceres, who had been nothing more than an aspiring mercenary, it was absurdly expensive.
She didn't know that and seemed to accept it readily enough.
"I-is that so... It would've been nice if that kid could have ridden this too..."
The people inside the train were all dressed neatly.
No familiar faces among them. Leaving Ceres, who spoke with a hint of regret, I found our seats.
"Here. Ceres, sit on this side. You'll get a better view of the outside from here."
"Y-yes. Thank you."
There was still some time before the train departed. I passed the time chatting idly with Ceres as she gazed at the scenery outside.
That's when I sensed a commotion from the rear cars.
"Look over there."
"It's real. The Sword Saint for real."
"What brings the Sword Saint here...?"
Sword Saint?
My interest piqued. I turned my gaze toward the source of the uproar.
A woman was walking this way. She carried a sword wrapped in cloth on her back.
It was the Sword Saint. One of my former toys.
She's probably still bloodthirsty for my head. I wonder if she's calmed her rage by now.
"U-Uncle. Wh-who is that lady?"
"Arbelia von Carmilla. The Sword Saint of this generation."
"Sh-she's the Sword Saint...!"
Ceres had always admired the Sword Saint. I could see the change in her eyes.
The worry that had clouded her face eased a little.
As Arbelia walked along, scanning her surroundings, our eyes met.
Did she recognize me?
Even so, the odds were low. This was a body Arbelia wouldn't know.
I gave a slight bow in greeting, and Arbelia nodded faintly in return.
She doesn't seem to know.
"Wow..."
But why was the Sword Saint on a train heading to Firendel?
And why had she chosen the rail line closest to my location?
I'm paranoid, sure, but it's not like there's zero connection.
There were plenty of possibilities. If Arbelia was tracking me down to kill me, for instance.
Recalling my cover as a wealthy man seeing the Sword Saint for the first time, I put on an expression of awe before closing my eyes.
"By any chance."
"...?"
"Have we met somewhere before?"
I opened my eyes to find Arbelia right in front of me.
That voice had been hers.
I was startled for a moment but quickly composed myself.
Beastly instincts. Should I call it intuition? Even subtle atmospheres change with a new body.
Poker face. Almost simultaneously, I shook my head while acting the part.
"No, I don't think so. Do you remember seeing me somewhere...?"
In an instant, Arbelia's expression twisted.
A faint killing intent leaked out, chilling the surrounding air.
"No, no. That damn... no, you just have a similar vibe to someone I know, so I spoke without thinking. My apologies."
"I see. Must be a bad connection then."
Kaduk! Arbelia ground her teeth.
"...Yes. Seems like it."
"If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me what happened?"
Arbelia turned serious and refused.
"Nothing happened."
"Oh dear. I'm sorry. I must have touched on something sensitive. Forgive my rudeness."
"...It's fine."
I pulled a business card from my pocket. It was the one for this identity's public activities.
I offered it to Arbelia with both hands.
"I run a modest stock company. Since this feels like fate... please contact me anytime if you need anything. I'd be grateful."
Arbelia started to withdraw her hand as if to refuse, but suddenly changed her mind and took the card.
Her instincts must have kicked in again.
"Ernst... Walther. Yes. I'd like to see you again someday."
Arbelia disappeared into the next car.
Ceres patted her chest in relief and muttered.
"That was... the Sword Saint... The pressure was intense."
"Ceres, I hope this becomes a good connection for you. Meeting the Sword Saint face-to-face isn't common. What did you think? Your impressions of seeing her up close."
"...Sh-she was amazing. I wish I could be like that too. If only I'd had power like the Sword Saint back then..."
"Self-blame isn't good. It only deepens the shadows in your heart. I think you should aim to become like the Sword Saint."
Ceres fell silent, then spoke again.
"What about you, Uncle?"
"My impressions, huh..."
I pondered for a moment.
The reunion with Arbelia had been unexpected, and certainly enjoyable—but
"Disappointing. She still hasn't shed her emotions."
"Y-yes?"
I'd thought Arbelia would have become a vengeful ghost by now, one who didn't care about anything but killing me.
Yet here she was, still pretending to be a good person, picking and choosing her targets.
Arbelia von Carmilla. I know your true nature. I was once your master, after all.
Of course, this wasn't bad. It was entertaining enough.
But if this state persisted, the really fun developments wouldn't come.
Should I give her one more push? Maybe tie her in with the rebels this time.
I shook off the thought. Adding an explanation for Ceres, who was awaiting one,
"She just mistook me for someone else, right? For someone of the Sword Saint's caliber to lose control over a personal grudge like that... it was a bit much."
"Ah... that moment..."
Actually, it's the opposite.
Arbelia needed to become a monster.
A monster who disregarded everything, searching only for me.
The pinnacle of Corruption Play.
I smiled faintly and closed my eyes.
Upon arriving in Firendel, I headed to the house prepared here.
It was a three-story mansion right in the middle of the bustling district.
Ceres's eyes sparkled at the spacious home and the servants.
"U-Uncle. Is all this yours?"
"Yeah. Made a killing in stocks. Feel free to use it as you like. If you need anything, just tell the servants."
I handed my luggage to the servants and gave Ceres a heads-up.
"I have somewhere to go now. You're free to do whatever here. If you need money, the servants will bring it. Do anything you want."
"A-alright..."
"And from now on, speak casually."
I left the mansion and headed to a sparsely populated alley.
Most of my bodies were stored in sub-space. I took out the one I needed and transferred my consciousness into it.
The name was Benches. A sleazy-looking body.
Before moving, I recalled the body's disposition. A sort of concept enforcement.
Essential for maintaining multiple identities. Can't fool those around me without it.
The emergency meeting was held at a high-end tavern. The tavern itself was run by the Blue Moon.
I passed through the pleasure district tempting suckers and made my way to the high-end tavern.
Throwing a casual flirt at a prostitute, I headed up to the 10th floor, the promised spot.
A menacing-looking man stood in front of a massive door.
"Hold it. This area's off-limits."
"Tell them Benches is here."
The man eyed me up and down blatantly.
"...A guest?"
I looked down at my own outfit too. Clothes and pants covered in dirt and dust. Even torn to shreds.
Anyone would see me as a bum. I admit it. These rags didn't suit a high-end tavern.
The man, eyeing me suspiciously, went inside. The door opened less than a minute later.
His expression was grave now, unlike before.
So he basically knows what he's doing.
I patted the man's shoulder and brushed past.
Opening the ornate door, I found about six people seated around a round table.
"You're late."
At the center of the table, in the head seat, sat a stern-faced man.
The leader of the Blue Moon, Ludwig Kreuz.
"Ah, sorry sorry. The damn train was delayed, you know."
"Hold on, Benches. You're too late! That's the third time!"
"This time... we can't let it slide. Benches. What do you think this meeting is?"
"What else? A joke."
"You crazy bastard...!"
"Whoa whoa, everyone calm down. We don't even know why Benches is late this time. You're not gonna say you got into another fight, right?"
I let out an awkward laugh and took an empty seat.
"There were circumstances worth it. As payment, I'll share some good info."