Revenge (4)

As I was setting out to walk to Matap after a long time, I suddenly felt a tingling sensation on my back, causing me to pause.

‘What’s this?’

There were times when I felt such sensations.

A nagging feeling of having left the gas on at home, or having forgotten something there.

But after a brief consideration, it seemed inconsequential.

After all, Freugne was guarding the house, and even if I got into a minor mishap in Matap, it was not a position that would get me fired.

‘What could this be?’

This was something to ponder later.

Rather, the street seemed a bit rowdy, so I peeked out, wondering if someone was picking a fight this early in the morning.

“I’ve finally found you……”!

“Huh?”

And from the noisy alley, a car suddenly burst out, screeching its engine and leaving skid marks as it came to a stop right in front of me.

Inside was a familiar face that brightened upon seeing me.

“You haven’t been home until just a while ago, right?”

“I’ll explain later, just get in for now!”

There was no one who could refuse such a request.

I immediately hopped into the seat beside her, and the car took off at full throttle even before the door closed.

As the car sharply turned back the way it had come, Sif spoke to me as I caught my breath:

“I, I didn’t startle you, did I? Freugne sent me.”

“A little. But judging from the interior, this is an organization vehicle? Did something happen?”

For them to summon me so urgently, did the war restart, requiring me to issue orders?

No, if that were the case, they would have simply relayed the situation to me and left it to Freugne, no need to fetch me directly like this.

Or did they get caught up in some administrative mess when sending supplies to the front line? But I had been assured there would be no repercussions from that.

Embezzling the budget was not an issue either. It was not for any personal gain, I merely diverted the funds for good purposes.

Without waiting for my speculation, Sif opened his mouth.

“What I’m about to say may be hard to believe, but it’s all the truth. Really.”

“Okay.”

What could be so grand that he was acting like this?

“Then, don’t be surprised, and just listen.”

“Okay.”

“You know how there were reports that the Demon Sovereign went missing.”

“Yes, I’ve confirmed it multiple times, so I’m well aware. That’s why the negotiations went more smoothly.”

“That very Demon Sovereign has come to Londinium.”

“…?”

Ah, there it was.

That grand matter.

---

Although Edan had thought he was accustomed to Freugne’s frequent use of phrases like “Don’t ask why, just accept it,” even he could not help but be stunned to receive such news on a weekday morning.

“…Understood.”

However, the vibe of having assisted Freugne in running the organization all this time was not lost on him.

Even if he did not comprehend it, Edan was at least programmed to nod his head first.

-Creak!-

“We’re here.”

“Good work. Now just go far away. And drive slowly to avoid suspicion.”

“Yes, sir.”

Edan got out of the car back in front of his house.

After quickly changing into a new outfit from a nearby store, he asked Sif, who had also changed clothes:

“Freugne?”

“You know the route she usually takes when shopping and strolling? She said she’ll keep walking that path.”

“And we’ll follow behind, keeping an eye out for any suspicious individuals. I see.”

Edan recalled some classified government data he had glimpsed and said:

“The Demon Sovereign is quite old. So he will likely appear as an elderly man. Assuming he is not in disguise, that is.”

“And he’ll probably have wings and horns, which he’s covering up by wearing thick clothing.”

As Edan muttered and advanced down the street, he stopped and pointed ahead.

“Over there.”

Up ahead was Freugne.

---

After her own calculations, Freugne had chosen to be alone.

First of all, the Demon Sovereign did not intend to openly rampage and burn Londinium to the ground. If that were the case, instead of sneakily observing, he would have started right upon arriving in the city.

‘I don’t know his exact purpose, but at least he doesn’t want to cause a major commotion.’

So for now, she blended into the crowded areas.

And Sif’s reason for later running around calling for the Demon Sovereign could be interpreted as the Demon Sovereign having failed at committing the perfect crime.

Rather than needlessly trying to find another way out, it seemed better to proceed as planned before glimpsing the future, in order to lure him into making a mistake.

‘No suspicious individuals…’

She scanned her surroundings with sidelong glances, but could not yet see anyone following her.

Of course, since she was crossing through the bustling streets, it would be difficult to notice if he was secretly observing while mingling with the crowd.

However, openly looking around could provoke him. And he might have brought Demons with him, not coming alone to this city.

Even if the opponent was a fellow human, she could not let her guard down, as the Demon Sovereign might be controlling them with mind control.

“I’ll take this and that, and also a bundle of onions, please.”

“Yes, just a moment, please.”

“Ah, the eggs are cheap today too. I’ll take ten of those as well.”

And then.

“Excuse me, miss.”

“Yes?”

“I just arrived in this city today, so if you don’t mind, could you please tell me how to get to this address?”

Just as she was about to leave, Freugne turned her head at the voice of a young girl.

Her face was unmistakably that of a country bumpkin. She had even included the narrative of asking her, a fellow young woman, for directions.

If she had been unaware of the situation, she might have shown kindness by sketching out directions.

Perhaps she might have even walked with her for a bit to guide her way, so she could later tell Edan about this evening’s encounter.

But knowing the underlying circumstances, there could be no more blatant strategy than this.

“Do you see that bakery with the red sign? Go right from there, and keep going until you reach the river. Then turn right again and-“

“I, I’m so sorry. I tend to get lost easily……. Truly sorry to trouble you on our first meeting, but could I ask you to guide me a little ways?”

“Uh……”

The girl was now welling up with tears.

And here she was, merely standing there, yet it gave her an inexplicable feeling of being human trash. Tugging at her emotions like this made it impossible not to help.

Under normal circumstances, that is.

“I can’t really go to that street myself, but I’ll call someone who can help you better than me!”

“Huh?”

“Officer, over here!”

“What’s the matter?”

“This girl came up from the countryside and got lost. You know, with the festivals and such, the streets are confusing, and everyone’s busy. So could you lend her a hand?”

“I just got off my shift, and I don’t have anything urgent either. Alright, I got it.”

Eek, aaah. The girl, who had been letting out small screams, was thus led away by the kindly police officer into the distance.

But if it was going to be one or two prods and done, she would not have started in the first place.

“Waaah, sister! My cat that I’ve had for over 5 years has gone missing! I have to find it……”

“Oh dear, I seem to have lost my ring. You there, young man. Could you perhaps help me?”

“Could you deliver this letter on my behalf? It’s really urgent. I’ll be sure to reward you later – no. Take this money. Just please deliver it for me! Please?”

Every means except outright threats was employed.

Attempts at bribery, outrageously unbelievable date proposals under the pretext of love at first sight, even sob stories about ill parents.

And by this point, she was convinced.

‘He must have caught on by now.’

The Demon Sovereign would have surely realized by now that she was filled with suspicion.

If he had intended to wait for a later opportunity, he would have made his move much earlier. Initially, she had expected the Demon Sovereign to act that way.

But the fact that he persisted so doggedly meant he clearly intended to finish things today.

As expected, her head gradually grew dizzy.

Her eyelids felt heavy, and she had the immediate premonition that if she closed her eyes now, she would not be able to open them for a while.

Just in case he used mind control magic, she had placed a protective charm inside her hat.

But seeing how even that was useless against the Demon Sovereign, she became certain that holing up at home would not have yielded a better outcome than this.

And as her consciousness slowly faded away, in the corner of her vision.

‘…He’s here.’

In the distance, she saw Edan watching her.

Now she had to leave it to him. At least she was not alone, which was a relief.

Freugne took one last deep breath, and immediately after, her consciousness went out like a light.

---

Edan, hiding his face behind a newspaper, whispered:

“Found him.”

“Hm?”

“A suspicious individual.”

Freugne, who had bowed her head deeply only to quickly raise it again, seemed entranced by something, taking a path different from her usual.

And behind her, an elderly man could also be seen following.