Wing Joint

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<Side : Francis Wing?>

Once, the wings that soared over the vast desert were stitched and broken by the thread called contract.

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『Month of the Cross – 27th (Lunch)』

“Captain Francis! This way!”

Since the large-scale disappearance, the patrol area and personnel arrangement of the Garrison have changed considerably. The most representative of these is my patrol route.

The position of Garrison Commander is not so leisurely as to be able to patrol normally. Rather, thanks to the position of commander of a unit, there are many things to take care of, such as writing reports to be submitted to the higher-ups, commanding subordinate unit members, and deploying unit members according to patrol areas.

For this reason, the Garrison Commander was generally not put into patrols, but was a special position that moved according to reports from the office or orders from Annie or the Lord… I had to step up to take responsibility for the disappearance.

Of course, the incident was different from other disappearances. The gaze towards the back alleys was removed by manipulating perception, and a Divine Power Barrier was installed to block the sound from leaking out, requiring a Priest to be accompanied for a thorough investigation.

Even though the missing people were found somehow, the mastermind was not caught and the matter ended vaguely. Nevertheless, someone had to take responsibility, so I was given additional work for negligence in management and insufficient security work.

In the first place, I am the only one who can fly in the sky with pure physical ability without using Magic.

“You’ve worked hard. What’s the situation?”

“As of now, there are no abnormalities. There are no injuries among the residents of the main street or the residents of the back alleys, except for minor disputes or arguments.”

The usual regular report. Originally, it was a report that should have been received in writing, but in the area where I go on patrol, I decided to listen directly. It’s easier that way.

“But are you okay, Captain? You’re already busy because of those old fogeys, but you’re going on patrol yourself like this.”

“There’s no need to worry about me. You just need to do your part well. And it’s better to refrain from using the expression ‘old fogeys’. Eyes and ears are not only attached to people’s bodies.”

“Ah, yes, sir! I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Thanks for your concern. Then, since I’ve received the report, I’ll be on my way again.”

Old fogeys… Do my subordinates think so too? The old fogeys my subordinates are talking about are the Lord’s vassals. In other words, the Aides who advise him.

As far as I know, the Lord was appointed as the Lord not because he was originally a noble, but because he was granted the Territory due to various great achievements. However, apart from the size of the achievements, the fact that he received a Territory of this size was unusual.

Except for the fact that the Lord is not a noble, his origins are said to be unclear. One day, he appeared, biting and tearing apart Monsters like a wolf’s fangs, and on the night of the full moon, the earth was stained with the blood of Monsters.

The King also praised this hard work and gave him the Territory. However, because the size of this Territory was so large, there was a lot of commotion that land that was difficult for even high-ranking nobles to receive was given to a Monster hunter with an uncertain identity.

The King, unaware of these difficulties, sent several Aides to the Territory for the Lord, who was new to Territory management, and those Aides and vassals are stubborn old men who are called ‘old fogeys’ by the subordinates.

They interfere in everything and spit out insulting words in the name of advice without any hesitation. Deep down, they are jealous and envious of the Lord who received this huge Territory, and they are like sly foxes waiting for the chance to catch the Lord making a mistake.

Naturally, I, who was taken in by the Lord’s wife, Annie, and rose to the position of Garrison Commander, have also been subjected to their checks.

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It was when I made a ‘contract’ with Annie and was by her side as a guard. One day, Annie said that she would make me the commander of the Garrison. The Lord was not there, and there was only me, who bowed my head at the sound of scraping rust, and Annie, who stood tall, not caring about such sounds.

“No. Lady Anniidart! Do you have any sense!? Do you think it makes sense to raise your own private soldier to the position of Garrison Commander!”

“Not only that, Lady Anniidart. Do you know how much the Territory residents are cursing you? They call you a femme fatale who indulges in luxury with the taxes collected from them for various collectibles.”

“Reduce that unnecessary expenditure and consider your position as the Lord’s wife…”

Annie arguing with the vassals. This was the same as usual, but today it was especially fierce. Annie, who looked at them pitifully, telling them to think about their position as Aides first, spitting as they argued, opened her mouth only after listening to all the complaints.

“The people who tell me to think about my position… went all the way to the kingdom to pluck a young flower, and you’re doing a great job. I wouldn’t say anything if you paid for it with your own money, but where did that money come from~”

“Wh, what!?”

A young flower, payment… What can be guessed from those words is that the man who is stuttering with a pale face played with a young prostitute. Unpleasant…

“The Aide over there… Pfft. Doesn’t discriminate when it comes to plucking flowers. That one only likes mature flowers… You’re all doing all sorts of things.”

It didn’t end there, and the vassals were flustered and sweating every time she said a word. There was nothing more unsightly.

“Hmph…! It seems that the Lady has enough time to investigate others. But leaving aside personal life, how do you plan to explain the Lady’s extravagance? Isn’t the Avian race guard you have by your side part of that extravagance?”

“Th, that’s right! Strange relics brought from who knows where on the continent, and even grotesque-looking plants and animals. What about this!”

Then, Annie responded without changing her expression to the vassals who jumped in like wild dogs, riding on the words of one of the vassals.

“Ah… Is that what you’re talking about? Unfortunately, I didn’t spend a single penny of the precious Territory residents’ taxes to collect my collectibles. I’ve been collecting them with the savings I made during my adventurer days and with connections. Unlike some people who live somewhere, it’s a hobby that I pay for with my own money~”

“Evidence…! There’s no evidence!”

“Does our Aide need a reason to collect every single item? And now, let’s be honest. You’re slandering me by making up reasons because there’s no way to directly check my husband, who is favored by the King.”

“What nonsense…! That’s why adventurers are barbaric…”

“Do you want me to tell you what’s really barbaric? Haa… Never mind. Anyway, get out. There’s nothing more to talk about, and Francis will officially take on the position of Garrison Commander from this month. My husband… The Lord has also approved it, and I tried to persuade you in a humane way at first…”

The victory of the argument was almost leaning towards Annie. The vassals, who had been confidently spouting out words until just now, were now just moving their lips.

“If you make more fuss, you’ll be the femme fatales who are beaten by the Territory residents, not me. You’ll be shameless old men who embrace both men and women in brothels. If you understand, get out now.”

“Ku, kuuugh…! Lady Anniidart. You will definitely regret this!”

“Yes, yes~ I hope I regret it too~”

Annie nonchalantly accepted the vassals’ words of contempt until the end, and didn’t even glance at the vassals leaving the office. Only after everything was over could I finally open my mouth.

“Annie… Are you really okay? Won’t you be making more enemies just because of me?”

“Those people are enemies anyway. Francis… There’s no need for Francis to worry. And there’s a ‘contract’. You just have to watch by my side. Once I find my sister… You and your tribe will be free.”

“……I understand. I overstepped my bounds.”

“No… Thanks for your concern. You can go now.”

Annie always becomes depressed when she mentions her sister. I received the order to leave and went out the door. Ignoring Annie’s sad cries coming from beyond…

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After sharing a little more small talk than the report, just as I was about to fly away again, my subordinate’s voice called me again.

“Ah, come to think of it. Did you hear that, Captain?”

“What is it? I can’t waste any more time now, so if it’s not important, tell me in a report later…”

“Muse Priest has returned to the Church today. This is the most important figure in the case, so I thought it would be good to let you know.”

At that moment when I was about to spread my wings, I heard that Muse Priest had been discharged from the hospital. Muse Priest, who made a great contribution to uncovering the mastermind behind the disappearance, was attacked by someone not long after. It was only recently that she regained consciousness after the treatment.

“……That person is an important figure. Tell the members patrolling around the Church to carefully examine her condition. Don’t forget to let me or Annie know immediately if there are any signs.”

“I understand! Then have a good patrol, Captain Francis!”

I received the encouragement of the members and now I flew up. It’s time to do my duty.

My job is to monitor from the sky to prevent subversive elements and to block the signs of another incident in advance, including the square and back alleys…

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『Month of the Cross – 27th (Evening)』

I circled around the sky above the Territory until the moon cast its shadow and night came, paying close attention to various places including the square and back alleys. I thought I had pride in my eyesight, enough to find oases far away in the desert.

“Hmm…?”

But it would have been great if things had gone smoothly. A strange flying object caught my eye, betraying those expectations. It was forbidden to fly over the Territory without prior permission.

It is also the duty of the Garrison to stop such lawbreakers. I shouted loudly and yelled at the person floating in the sky.

“Wait! Flying in the sky without permission is prohibited! Stop, stop! Ugh………!?”

Something was wrong. The closer I got to stop it, the more I smelled a sweet scent that tickled my nose. Not only my nose. A strong body odor flowed into my body through my nasal cavity. From the moment I inhaled it, my body felt hot and my head felt dizzy.

“Is he a person who uses strange Magic…”

My body is easily heated up with just this much… He must be using some kind of Magic or Magic Tool. In other words, the reason he’s flying in the sky might be because he has some intention. It’s certain that the intention is not good.

“……?”

As I narrowed the distance with questions, the outline of the strange flying object gradually began to appear… and the sight was enough to cause shock.

“Blue skin… Bat-like wings. Demonkin?”

Blue skin that shines even in the dark blue night sky, huge membranes and wings like bats. Horns that pierced fiercely from the back of the head. A long tail swaying in the wind.

There is only one being that can be inferred from those body parts. The enemy of mankind. Demonkin. I’ve heard that there are Demonkin who sneak into the gaps in humanity and play the role of spies who cause discord. Could it be… that the Demonkin is inside the Territory?

“There’s more than one strange thing…!”

Unusual skin, body parts that shouldn’t be there. If that was all, I wouldn’t be this flustered.

The only clothes were a black leather suit that barely covered and tightened her voluptuous breasts and buttocks. The breasts, which were clearly visible from behind, were like balloons with too much air in them. Most of all…

“That is…? Male genitals?”

When I shifted my gaze towards the lower body, there was a part that looked like a monstrously large male genital that was proudly and straightly extended… The Testicles, comparable to that of a horse, were also together. Demonkin… were they hermaphroditic beings? I’ve never heard of that.

But even while I was observing the appearance and lost in thought for a moment, the Demonkin was still flying, keeping its distance from me. Whether it knew I was behind it or not, it showed no signs of stopping at all.

And… what caught my mind, which had been bewildered, was the drooping pink hair and a pair of legs sticking out from behind the Demonkin. Is it flying while holding someone?

“Pink hair… As far as I know, the only people in the Territory with pink hair are……! Could it be Muse Priest?”

Distinctive, clear pink hair. As far as I know, there are only two people in the Territory. One is Heri Tetrahedron, who is called the Guild Master and Archmage. The other is… Muse Symphony Priest, who I heard had been discharged from the hospital and returned to the Church today.

There was no way that Heri would be kidnapped. If I exclude that option, there is only one thing left. Muse Priest, who was previously targeted and attacked by a stranger. In that case… is the mastermind behind the disappearance a Demonkin?

All sorts of assumptions come and go. First of all, what I have to do is only… to save Muse Priest, who is being held by the Demonkin. I increase my speed based on the conclusion I drew in a short time.

“If you don’t stop, I’ll force you to……”

The temptation didn’t stop there. In addition to the body odor that still confused my head, the moment I recognized that the opponent was a Demonkin, a dilemma flickered.

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Should I call for reinforcements?

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Should I suppress it right away?

Even though I had already decided to save Muse Priest, I flinched for a moment at this thought. But… now that I’ve decided to save Muse Priest, I can’t hesitate any longer. Saving the person in front of me right now is the priority…

“Wh, what…!”

My body felt cold. It was cold. Why…? I can easily withstand the cold night wind of the moonlit night… I shuddered at the unusually strong chill.

“Wa, wait…!! Why aren’t you flying……!”

Not only that. The distance I had managed to create is getting further and further away…? No. I’m getting slower! Is this also the Demonkin’s trick? Getting further and further away… Am I falling?

“Ugh……♡”

It becomes cold and heavy… This Magic that doesn’t even allow me to spread my wings. With one possibility in my heart, the cold disappeared and my body suddenly became hot. My lower body is getting wet, and hot breaths are coming and going.

“Annie…… Victoria…!”

–Thud…!!

Eventually, I fall to the ground, and I strongly hope that someone will find me, but soon my mind begins to become confused.

At least, I earnestly pray that only that Demonkin will not come to me, repeating the names of two precious people…

[Hmm…? What is this…?]

Ah… I’ve been found. Please… I hope that person is on our side… I hope it’s a kind person who will spread my broken wing bones…

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