Chapter 43
Hey, slave, bite.
What the hell? Our eyes met, and I froze for a second. Not only had the angel, who usually slept with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them, but she was staring at me with this super weird expression.
What can I say... It felt like she was desperately trying to stop me from going somewhere I absolutely shouldn't. Like she was screaming at me not to head that way. Her movements weren't exaggerated, but it was definitely that vibe.
What the fuck? Why was she acting like this? What was with that reaction? Just as I was completely baffled by the angel's behavior...
"Magic... no, Baron Aviris? What's wrong...?" Aeria asked, looking at me.
"...Ah, nothing."
Should I tell her I could see it? I pondered for a moment and shook my head.
"It's nothing."
If I said I could see it, things would just get more annoying. I was already fed up with having to inject fake holy power into her every time.
First things first. The angel's reaction wasn't important. What mattered to me was the flower shop right in front of us.
It was next to this flower shop. And sure enough, there it was—a building just like the description. Polblanc's Flower Shop. Next to it, an alley. I was just about to head that way when...
"...So, even now."
"I've told you, I'm not going back."
Two people emerged from the flower shop. They looked like customers—
"Huh?"
"Yeah?"
"...Huh?"
I locked eyes with the people coming out and froze. They did the same. Familiar faces.
A man and woman with red hair stared at me in shock. The moment I saw the woman, I blurted out,
"Slave Hi?"
Grit—! The red-haired woman—Red Tower Master Helena Balon—scrunched up her face the instant I mentioned "slave." Her crumpled expression was pretty striking.
And the guy next to her...
"...Slave?"
The young man seemed shocked by the nickname I used for Helena. His name was... What was it again? I knew who he was, but the name escaped me. Maybe it showed on my face, because he introduced himself first.
"...I'm Raikal. Mirai's escort."
"Ahh."
Raikal. Got it. I usually suck at remembering guys' names... Case in point, I'd already forgotten that prosecutor lolicon dude. Something like Alessandro...? Whatever. Point is, not worth remembering.
Anyway.
"So, what brings you two lovebirds out of a flower shop?"
Why would these two show up together? And at a flower shop, no less? I eyed them suspiciously, wondering if it was some secret affair or something.
"...We're just acquaintances—"
"Siblings."
Helena cut in.
"Aha."
Siblings, huh? I nodded. That tomato-headed temper made sense now. Though they looked kinda far apart in age? But siblings shopping at a flower shop together? Seemed unnecessary. In my past life, me and my sister would've never done that.
"You two get along pretty well, huh."
"..."
Raikal scowled at my words. He looked seriously pissed. Yep, definitely the little brother.
"...We'll meet again. I have urgent business."
"Ah, sure."
Raikal brushed past me. At that moment...
"...Raikal...!"
Helena called after him. But he kept walking, clearly not planning to listen.
"That guy's such a..."
She let out a deep sigh and clicked her tongue. Raikal was long gone by now. Only when his angry back vanished from sight did I ask her,
"What's the situation?"
"..."
"Explain."
Helena bit her lip slightly at my command before speaking.
"...Family issues. No need to explain that much..."
"What the hell are you saying, you slave bitch?"
"...!"
She flinched at the blunt term. I could see anger rising, but she didn't do anything about it. That confirmed it.
She's really bound.
Mana oath or vow or whatever—it was legit. Helena couldn't move against me at all. I'd gone a bit overboard with my words, but seeing this changed my mind.
"Do as you're told. What's with the lame excuses? Cut the bullshit and explain."
"...Ruin... that's."
Iris looked horrified by my attitude and tried to intervene, but
"Stay out of it, miss."
I shut her down immediately. Unnecessary meddling. Who asked her to butt in? Right now—
Baron Aviris, age 13, is educating his slave bitch.
Okay, not a normal 13-year-old, but still. Private matter. Not Iris's place.
"Come on, slave. Explain."
"..."
Helena's face twisted in disgust as her lips trembled. She clearly didn't want to say it, but had no choice.
"...Family... circumstances. Our parents' issues made us get along poorly..."
"Mm... okay. That's enough."
I didn't need to hear more. Siblings with a big age gap, bad family vibes. Classic powder keg household.
"So, why the flower shop?"
"...For Mother's grave visit..."
"Got it."
Info gathered. Complicated family drama. No need for more details. Just then,
"...Well then."
Helena tried to leave, her face not hiding her fury, so I grabbed her.
"Ah, hold up."
"...What?"
"Where you going?"
"What do you mea—"
She looked like her business was done, but nope.
"Perfect timing. I need to go somewhere. Come with."
"...Why would I go the—!"
"Hey now."
Still not getting it?
"Does this sound like a request to you?"
"..."
"That'd make you seriously dense."
I flashed a grin. Helena clenched her fists at my words. Heh.
What're you gonna do about it? You lost the bet, so own up. If it bugs you that much, you should've won.
That's just how the world works. As I grinned and spoke, a shadow of regret crossed Helena's face. She was clearly regretting that bet big time. Too late now, though.
"B-Baron Aviris has arr...ived...!"
As we walked the alley, Aeria scattered petals.
Pewf—! Pewf—!
Helena, covering her face with both hands beside her, popped fireworks from her fingers.
"...Mrrfph..."
"Pronounce it right."
I pointed out her mumble, and she let out a "Krrk!"
"Ba...ron... Aviris has arr...ived..."
"Yeah. That's it."
Satisfied. Her voice was still quiet, but that ashamed face was kinda cute. Helena's expression looked like it couldn't crumple any more.
Mumbles of "kill you," "rip in half and burn the stumps," and other murder threats leaked out, but I ignored them. Kinda worried the slave contract might break from all this, but hey, life's short—enjoy it while you can.
"...Is this really okay?"
Iris watched me from behind with some indescribable expression.
And it wasn't just her.
"...Isn't that the Red Tower Master?"
"What? The Tower Master?"
People were recognizing Helena. The narrow alley had a few onlookers.
Tower Masters were apparently celebrities.
"Nah, no way it's the Tower Master."
"Right? Why would a Tower Master shoot fireworks next to some kid? Just a lookalike mage."
"Totally. Not her style to act embarrassed like that."
"Grrk..."
The loud comments crushed Helena's spirit. She couldn't even lift her head. Jeez, so what if she shoots a few sparks?
"Want me to go tell 'em? Nah, I should. 'That's our great Red Tower Master. Watch your mouths or else'—I'll give 'em a piece of my mi—!"
Squeeze—!
Helena grabbed my hand.
"...Please... just... stay quiet..."
Desperate face. Too bad—I could've stirred up a real storm if I wanted, but for my slave's dignity, I'll hold back.
Besides, maybe I've teased her enough. We'd reached our destination anyway. Time to stop messing with Helena.
I turned and eyed one spot.
This seems right. Matched the book's description. Alley next to the flower shop. A street stall in the middle of the booze joints inside. That one.
Men Toria.
I read the sign. Not sure if it was the same back then, but it looked right to me.
Alright, let's go.
I stepped into the stall. Then,
"Ah, you guys stay out. I'll be fine alone."
I stopped my companions. What, can't I go in solo? I mentally listed eight reasons why I had to go alone, but
"Go ahead."
"Come back soon."
"...Can I go now?"
"..."
None of them seemed worried at all. Damn. Aren't you supposed to fret a little in situations like this? This world's colder than I thought.
"...I'll be right back."
I swallowed my hurt feelings and went in.
The inside was cleaner than expected.
Ah, one of those lines I always wanted to say. Finally got to.
"Let's see."
Despite being called a stall, no customers inside. Just like the book.
—The interior was dark and damp.
—No food smell at all, strangely enough.
—Only an unknown candle wax scent lingered.
—A pungent aroma stabbed at the nose.
Should I go deeper? I hesitated. Exact quotes from the original. Really damp and musty. No food smell. The stench hitting my nose now—candle wax, like described? Probably.
Smells are whatever. What mattered was
Where's the owner?
This stall's secret room. To enter, talk to the owner. There was a password. I remembered it. Sounded super cool. Something about a few whiskeys or whatever.
Exciting. Felt badass saying it. Heart pounding.
I scanned for people while thinking that, but
"Why's no one here...?"
Where was everybody? And
"...Why'd you follow me?"
The bob-cut angel had trailed me. Why was the one supposed to stick by Aeria following me again? Weird, but not the only odd thing.
"...Shouldn't that door be closed...?"
A door in the wall stood open. Clearly leading underground—a secret space revealed by the wall parting. Obvious.
Something's off. A chilling sensation brushed right behind my neck.
Seemed like
...Something went down?
Trouble had hit.
◆ You have stepped into the main storyline. ◆
◆ You are just before encountering Ikyeogyo. ◆
