episode_0006

I finally caught Mirnan, who had been running away for a while, and explained the situation.

While I was teaching Edith magic, her mana ran wild.

Mirnan, who was listening to the explanation, questioned it.

“…I felt demon energy (Magi), what was that?”

“Demon energy (Magi)?”

Explaining up to the point where Edith’s magic was about to explode was possible, but… I hadn’t thought of this.

It was understandable, as the situation was too sudden, and I hadn’t even thought about someone coming to find me…

It’s time to improvise.

“…You didn’t feel it?”

“I have a guess.”

Honestly, I can’t even call it a guess.

That demon energy (Magi) is solely because of me.

But can I say that with my own mouth?

There are also the things the demon worshipers have been doing all this time.

The very existence of demon energy (Magi) is a heresy rejected everywhere.

…Thanks to that, only good-hearted me had to suffer greatly and hide.

Just like this situation where I have to stutter and explain myself to Mirnan.

“What the hell is going on?”

“If I tell you, Mirnan, you’ll be in danger.”

If explanation is impossible and clarification is impossible, it is desirable to be as vague as possible.

Seeing Mirnan look at me with a truly worried expression, guilt tightened my chest.

But-

‘Demon energy (Magi)? Actually, it’s because of me? Haha.’

I can’t say that, can I?

I’m sorry to Mirnan, but… I have to lie.

“Forget what you saw today. I’m saying this for Mirnan’s safety.”

“…Could the dangerous thing… be related to you?”

“No? It’s not related to me at all?”

Mirnan looked at me with eyes where worry and suspicion intersected, then let out a deep sigh.

“Huu… Alright, for now.”

Done.

Someday I’ll have to explain it properly, but now is too early.

Since I couldn’t continue the conversation on this topic, I changed the subject.

“By the way, Mirnan. What brings you here? I was planning to call you, but you came first? Wouldn’t you say we’re bound by destiny? Haha.”

“…Bullshit.”

At my words, Mirnan’s face flushed slightly.

Is the phrase ‘bound by destiny’ uncomfortable?

I should be careful from now on.

After cooling down for a moment, Mirnan spoke in a low voice.

“The leader of Jackal has called the other leaders together.”

“Ah-ha.”

As soon as I heard those words, I realized how things were unfolding.

“It seems they’ve found out about the Wax Doll Collector incident?”

“What. You know?”

“I thought they’d figure it out by now.”

By the way, it is strange.

The leader of Jackal wouldn’t be able to gather the other leaders.

Excluding the influential Mirnan, I’m not sure how he called the other two.

Or… perhaps they are being swayed.

“The meeting place and time?”

“The Fox’s Cup. Five AM.”

“Alright.”

I can’t possibly miss a place like this.

It’s a place where they’ll be talking behind my back without me knowing.

“Let’s go.”

“? Are you coming too?”

“I have to attend as Mirnan’s companion.”

At meetings conducted by the leaders gathering, one companion can be brought in.

Since Mirnan doesn’t particularly have someone to accompany her, it would be better if I went.

I should also see some familiar faces while I’m at it.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a date, Mirnan~”

“…Be quiet.”

Mirnan’s face turned red like a beet.

…How angry must she be to be like that.

I should be careful.

***

The day feels too long.

It’s only natural, moving busily from evening until the late hours of dawn.

But-

“Why do I have to wear a mask?”

“That… shouldn’t you know that by now?”

I think I’m pretty decent looking, but it seems I hear more complaints about my appearance than before I was transmigrated here.

For now, I put it on without complaint.

I have to put up with this much since I’m attending as Mirnan’s companion.

As I followed behind Mirnan like that, a crowd filling the narrow alley came into view.

“Are they going to war or something?”

Mirnan clicked her tongue and walked into it without hesitation.

At the end of the alley, a luxurious door leading to the meeting hall and two groups standing in confrontation nearby were visible.

“Tsk.”

“What are you looking at?”

The guys wearing vests and mohawks are all members of Jackal.

No one else would have the dog tattoo on their right arm.

These guys who usually speak roughly and act freely are quite meek today.

“……”

“……”

Besides the Jackal members, there was one more group dressed uniformly.

They were wearing neat suits and all had swords at their waists.

Looking like they were imitating a knight order, keeping their distance from each other and exuding a sharp aura.

‘Oliver must be here already.’

Another major power in the back alleys, Bank.

It’s the place where Money Ghost Oliver is the leader.

“Hmm…”

Looking at them, I wonder if I should have made my organization members wear such clothes.

I also wonder if he has an excessive obsession with suits.

Of course, I didn’t say anything since I was also wearing a similar suit.

-Stomp -Stomp

While heading towards the end of the alley, which was the meeting place.

“Mirnan-nim.”

One of Bank’s members approached us.

He looked at Mirnan’s face for a moment, then bowed.

“Krok and Oliver-nim are waiting. Is the person wearing the mask a retinue member?”

“Yeah.”

“Those with unclear identities are not allowed entry-”

“He’s just shy about showing his face. Don’t mind him.”

I’m not shy. I’ve lived my life with a clear conscience, without an ounce of shyness.

When I was about to say something, Mirnan poked me with her elbow and glared at me.

‘Please don’t say anything.’

Seeing her mouthing words, I decided to just stay silent.

Seriously, how could she be so unfair?

While thinking that, I heard the footsteps of someone else approaching us.

“Hey!!”

One of Jackal’s members, who had been confronting the other side. He pointed a finger at Bank’s member and approached.

“How dare you call our boss’s name so casually?”

“There’s no courtesy to show to someone who sells people.”

“What?!”

The atmosphere instantly turned hostile.

Jackal’s members took a stance as if they were ready to charge at any moment, and Bank’s members silently put their hands on their waists.

A tense situation that seemed like they would clash at any moment.

“Stop it.”

The door opened and an old man with slightly gray hair came out.

He mediated the situation as if it was familiar.

“Oliver.”

“It’s been a while, Mirnan.”

When he appeared, Bank’s members returned their hands from their waists to their original positions.

One of the members who had been questioning my identity approached him.

“Oliver-nim.”

“What is it?”

“…Mirnan’s companion-”

“It’s alright.”

Commonly known as Money Ghost.

Most of the money flowing in the back alleys spreads through him.

His resourcefulness is so great that his assets are comparable to those of the empire’s great merchants.

Such an Oliver looked at Mirnan and me and continued speaking.

“If it’s someone Mirnan brought, it will be alright.”

“Yes, understood.”

As the situation seemed resolved, Oliver smiled and said gently to Mirnan.

“Now, let’s go then.”

Following Oliver down the spiral staircase, a neat circular marble table came into view.

A total of four chairs were placed facing East, West, South, and North, and one person was already seated in one of them.

“Hey Mirnan. Aren’t you too late?”

Krok, the leader of Jackal.

This is the first time I’ve seen him in person.

There was no contact, and it hasn’t been that long since I came here.

‘That bastard is the one who sold Edith.’

I wanted to see his face once.

What kind of bastard he looked like.

What kind of thoughts that bastard had.

His appearance wasn’t particularly unique.

A slender physique and a long scar near his eye.

He didn’t deviate much from the image I had thought of.

The leader of Jackal gestured to Mirnan with a sly smile.

“Sit next to me. It’s been a while, let me take in that pretty face of yours.”

“Shut your mouth. It’s disgusting.”

“Hehe… You’re still foul-mouthed.”

Mirnan looked at Krok with genuine disgust, but he didn’t seem to mind at all.

Is he good-natured, or does he have ulterior motives for Mirnan?

Looking at his sly eyes, it’s definitely the latter.

Oliver, who had been looking back and forth between Mirnan and Krok, laughed heartily and sat next to Krok.

Krok’s expression soured.

“What. I clearly told Mirnan to sit there?”

“The seat doesn’t particularly matter, does it? Please understand.”

“Tsk…”

Krok showed a look of displeasure, but he didn’t raise his voice further.

Mirnan, with a shield between them, quickly sat down next to Oliver.

“Thanks, Oliver.”

-Rustle

As Mirnan also sat down, a shadow flickered behind Oliver, and a human form emerged.

Judging by the suit, it seemed to be Oliver’s companion.

Looking around with a mask on, the companions were standing behind their chairs.

I quickly moved behind Mirnan as well.

Then-

“…Ugh!”

A woman standing behind Krok let out a painful groan.

Judging by her physique and appearance, she didn’t look like someone capable of combat.

-Massage -Massage

She was groaning in embarrassment, perhaps because Krok was massaging her leg.

Feeling that everyone’s eyes were on her, she tried to change her posture, but-

“Where are you moving, you bitch.”

-CRACK!

“Kyaak!!”

Krok violently pulled the iron collar around her neck.

Perhaps because he used strong force momentarily, her body collapsed.

-Thud

“Huh? Not getting up? You want to get beaten to death today, don’t you?”

Even though she collapsed because of him, there was no mercy.

As Krok raised his hand-

“Stop-”

Oliver cut in with a deep voice.

Although the words were short, the weight contained within them was considerable.

He was frowning, looking displeased.

“Making such a scene here where everyone is gathered is… not a good look.”

“If that’s the case, then.”

Krok lowered his hand without complaint.

It seemed the commotion was subsiding.

“Haha.”

An irrepressible scoff escaped.

The sight of him treating a person like an object.

Thinking that he had treated Edith that way made my head go cold.

Mirnan looked at me and quickly mouthed words in a hurry.

‘Hey! Don’t do it!’

Mirnan was trying to restrain me, but I had to say this much.

“Why are you suddenly smirking?”

“It’s nothing. Perhaps it’s just that you look pathetic?”

“What?”

“The way you treat a person like an object. Wow~”

It’s fortunate that my expression isn’t revealed since I’m wearing a mask.

“It made me think that you’re no different from a beast. Haha.”

“………We’re screwed.”

Mirnan sighed, sounding resigned.

And Krok, whose forehead was bulging with veins.

“Take off your mask, you son of a bitch.”

Completely enraged, he rolled up his sleeves and approached me.