Making Contact with the Cult (1)
The sunlight felt so warm it was like a cozy blanket wrapping around my eyelids. It wasn't just late morning—I'd slept clean through to lunchtime. But I didn't have to worry about rushing to work. Today was the start of my dream vacation!
I hauled my rumpled body out of bed. Sleeping too long all at once had left my head heavy and foggy.
—Chirp chirp!
"Nngh... h-hi..."
Philo was probably perched by the window, chirping away, so I mumbled a half-dead greeting in response.
A ferocious hunger clawed at me. I needed to fill my stomach before washing up. Stumbling toward the kitchen for breakfast-slash-lunch, my swollen eyes made it hard to see ahead.
I finally reached the table and plopped down for a breather, only to realize the wooden chair felt suspiciously cushy.
"...Good morning, Vivi."
"Slept well? Vivaldi-nim."
"Mm... y-yeah..."
I'd landed right on Natalia's lap. She and Haru greeted me as casually as if they'd always been there. I had no memory of letting them in. So Philo's chirps weren't a hello—they were an intruder alert.
"I've prepared a meal. Mind if I clear off the stuff on the table for a bit?"
Haru's words jolted me awake like a splash of cold water, my vision clearing in an instant.
"I-I-I-I'll get it!"
I swept the maps off the table in a panic and shoved them into the drawer. Traces of last night's frantic plotting for a midnight escape using my vacation time.
"But Vivaldi-nim, why were the maps out like that?"
"W-well, you see...!"
If I admitted I was planning to run away, Natalia might actually kill me. I needed a plausible excuse, but fresh out of bed, my brain was too sluggish to come up with one.
"...Vacation plans, maybe a little trip?"
"Y-yeah!"
"I see."
I latched onto Natalia's suggestion like a lifeline, and Haru just nodded without suspicion.
Haru had whipped up lamb steaks. Those two were from meat-loving races, and it was lunchtime, so something hearty made sense. But for me, just waking up, it felt a bit heavy... Groooowl— ...My stomach's rumble said otherwise; it was craving that greasy protein slab.
"Dig in."
"Thanks for the meal..."
"...I'll eat well."
We three tucked in, mouths slick with grease as we sliced into the lamb.
Outside the guild, Haru wasn't bothering with her male disguise. Without hearing her voice first, I might not have recognized her—she looked like a sultry lady.
"Oh my, why are you staring like that?"
"...Haru-ssi, why are you in my house...?"
"Guildmaster sent me. You're a key figure in our guild now, Vivaldi-nim. Even on vacation, you need protection."
Sending a guild errand boy—and vice-guildmaster proxy—as a bodyguard? The guildmaster must know Haru's true identity too.
"And you, Natalia-nim...?"
"...Same reason."
One of them should've been enough, but sending both? Monster protection society activity had died down lately anyway, and they weren't threatening me anymore.
"...Vivi. Decided where to travel?"
"Uh, um..."
"Vivaldi-nim's from the Elaithe Empire, right? Heading home?"
"...Wasn't planning on going home, but... how'd you know that's my hometown...?"
"Oh, that's a secret."
Haru flashed an innocent smile, but a chill ran down my spine. I hadn't blabbed, so they must've checked my guild personnel file. Info a mere errand boy shouldn't access. Better abandon any escape fantasies.
Even if I ran, my only destination was home—and the guild knew that, they'd track me down.
"...Speaking of, Helen gave me this."
Natalia set something on the table.
"...A lodging voucher. Inn at a resort not far from Labyrinth City. Mallif Kingdom territory."
Mallif Kingdom was home to "Alfs" like Helen, with their pointed ears. Plant-loving folk, their lands blanketed in trees. Fresh air made it famous for resorts.
"...No set plans? How about we all go together?"
Natalia asked flatly, but her eyes burned with intensity. Had she sniffed out my suspicions? No choice but to nod—refusing might raise flags.
We arrived at the resort and strolled a path through dense woods. It really did refresh the mind. Lush green filled my vision, crisp forest scent clearing my head with every breath.
"Hehe. Nice walking with you, Vivaldi-nim. Kinda... annoyed Marie hogging you all the time."
Haru hooked her arm through mine, emphasizing "annoyed" just enough to unsettle me. If she flexed even a little, Marie's feathers would go up in flames... right?
"Haa... haa..."
"Vivaldi-nim, you okay?"
"J-just... not used to exercising."
My breathing grew ragged, sweat beading. But the two of them looked fine. Superior races, superior gender—par for the course.
"...Let's rest up ahead."
"Sure."
A pavilion sat where Natalia pointed. Others were already lounging there, taking a break from their walks.
"Oh, Tragodia's star receptionist, Vivaldi. Long time no see."
"Eep."
She waved cheerfully—a familiar face. Mask without a single hole, wrapped head to toe in blue cloth, zero skin showing. Hildegaard, Siantia guildmaster and Labyrinth City council chair.
"Here to relax too?"
"Y-yes, Hildegaard-nim, th-this is—"
"Both familiar faces. Long time no see."
"Ah, I see..."
I'd meant to introduce them, but they already knew each other. How did she know our guild's errand boy and secret assassin?
The two didn't seem wary of Hildegaard, but it felt off. Natalia nodded at the person beside her.
"...Hildegaard. Who's that next to you?"
"Ah, not an old acquaintance—just met here. Told some interesting tales."
"...Tales?"
A figure in black robes sat beside Hildegaard. She doffed her hood, revealing pointed ears—definitely Alf—but skin dark as earth. Alfs were usually pale.
"Are you all interested in the words of Jimo?"
"...What?"
Natalia scowled, clearly displeased. Haru clutched my arm tight, eyes sharp with caution.
"Jimo has left our side, yet still speaks to us."
Anyone could tell: classic cult zealot spiel. What even was Jimo? Never heard of it.
"Ho ho, no need to be so guarded. It's no dull tale."
"...Not interested. You listen."
Natalia recoiled despite Hildegaard's urging. Never pegged her for the gullible type.
"Tragodia's master strategist, Vivaldi-nim. I've heard the name. Wanted to meet you."
The Alf smiled serenely at me. Sounded like she'd heard some exaggerated tales.
"If you're willing, shall we share insights? It'd benefit us both."
"Ignore her, Vivaldi-nim."
Haru tugged me away, but I shook my head and pried her off.
"Vivaldi-nim...?"
"I'm dying to hear what she has to say!"
"...Vivi, rethink it. Waste of time."
Obviously a waste. That's why I wanted to hear it. Anything to spread bad rumors about me.
Act like I was buying into cult nonsense—wouldn't everyone think poorly of me? Rival guildmaster, our vice-guildmasters, errand boy. Word would spread: Vivaldi's a pathetic cult mark. Up and down the guild.
Might not do much this time, but pile it on... eventually it'd snowball, get me booted.
"Just listening. What's the harm?"
"...If Vivi insists. With Haru and Hildegaard here, shouldn't be dangerous."
"Exactly. Trust me a little."
The dark-skinned Alf clapped delightedly, beaming.
"Thrilled to chat with the famous Vivaldi-nim. Shall we move somewhere quieter?"
