The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 121

Now then, I suppose I oughta stop at the inn for a bit first before I start crushing 【Owl's Fangs】 .

Ah! I forgot to ask about any of the food's effects .

Well, whatever . I can just ask Eva tomorrow; unless, of course, I forget it again .

I look up at the sky while firmly stepping on the wooden boardwalk .

I don't believe it's noon just yet, right?

However, it's starting to get cloudy . It looks like it's gonna rain .

This place is close to the Heim River . A shopping district located at the port .

A scent that's similar to the one wafting in the vicinity of the seaside spreads throughout my nose and makes me experience a somewhat nostalgic feeling .

When the rain started to fall, Helme appeared in my field of vision while dancing as if celebrating the rain .

『— Your Excellency, Eva will become your subordinate, right?』 (Helme)

『She won't . But, in the future, she might inherit my blood . 』 (Shuuya)

『Truly!? I'm happy . For you to finally increase your bloodkin…』 (Helme)

Helme makes the blue, leafy skin sway in a wavy motion across her entire body, while her small figure appears really delighted .

『You are that happy about it, Helme?』 (Shuuya)

『Yes! For me, it's equal to gaining one of my own . I can't inherit Your Excellency's blood, but I'm a household spirit that shares the attributes of water and darkness, and who accomplished the union with Your Excellency's magic sourcecontract . There's no significant difference between blood and water, but for me, it means something equal to family . 』 (Helme)

I see .

Suddenly, I sense a magic source approaching me from behind .

I look back to see what it is .

Delightfully waving her hand as she runs over in a lovely manner…

Huh? The person running over is Lily?

She amasses mana in both her legs, and kicks the ground with much force .

Fast . It seems to be no surprise that she served at a former Baron household, looking at her capability .

Lily uses both her feet like brakes, suddenly halting right in front of my eyes .

"— Shuuya-sama! There's something we need to talk about . " (Lily)

Despite having ran so fast, her breathing isn't disturbed in the slightest .

"Yo, it's been a short parting . So, talk about what?" (Shuuya)

"It's regarding ojou-sama . " (Lily)

"Regarding Eva, eh…?" (Shuuya)

Lily-san's mood instantly changes upon hearing my words .

She looks at me with a sharp gaze .

"Yes . Thank you very much for saving ojou-sama . But, for there to be a dark guild that's hostile towards you, Shuuya-sama… is that the truth?" (Lily)

"It is . " (Shuuya)

"I see . How regrettable . Shuuya-sama, can I have you possibly disappear from ojou-sama's life, given that there's a possibility of harm spreading towards ojou-sama, if things were to go on as is?" (Lily)

Telling me to disappear all of a sudden?

『… She has a cheeky mouth . A disrespectful attitude towards the tolerant you… should I train her butt while scolding her at the same time?』 (Helme)

『You don't have to train her butt . And I can handle this myself . 』 (Shuuya)

『Understood . 』 (Helme)

I'm assuming she came without talking to Eva about this beforehand, hasn't she?

"Lily-san, previously, you were delighted with tears in your eyes, weren't you?" (Shuuya)

"As the saying goes, That was then, this is now . " (Lily)

Her gestures are cute .

But, anyways… riiight?

"You are acting on your own devices right now, aren't you?" (Shuuya)

"… Yes . Is that not allowed?" (Lily)

"Though it seems that Eva would get angry if she heard what you said just now…" (Shuuya)

"It doesn't matter . So, will you please withdraw from your promise with ojou-sama?" (Lily)

The waitress Lily displays her willingness to battle .

"Nya?"

As if asking "Are you going to fight?", Rollo descends to the ground from my shoulder, and transforms into the black beast .

"Rollo, wait . It'll be better if you fall back . " (Shuuya)

Naturally, I can't allow an unarmed opponent to suffer any serious injuries .

"Nyao . "

Once Rollo turns around to give me a reply similar to 『Got it nya』, she proceeds to retreat to the back .

"Lily-san, I won't accept such demands . " (Shuuya)

"…" (Lily)

Lily-san stays silent .

However, after suddenly gathering mana in her feet and kicking the ground, she dashes at me .

She came to hit me with her bare hands .

Seems like she can't use Magic Observation .

She probably has her reasons for acting like this, but nevertheless, I don't have any intention to let her hit me just like that .

I receive her attack with my bare hands .

Dodging her right hook with a sway, I lightly parry her left fist with my right hand and, immediately after that, I grab her left hand, proceed to swiftly shorten the distance, and make her fall down by tripping her with a shallow foot sweep .

"Guhoo—" (Lily)

Lily-san falls over onto her back, without being able to perform ukemi .

"I will stay silent about this . But, for you to come attacking me…" (Shuuya)

"I-If it goes on like this, guhee—" (Lily)

It's punishment time, since it looks like she doesn't understand her position yet .

I climb atop the fallen her, and move into a mounting position .

Pinning down her arms, I try to seize Lily's eyes with mine .

"Now listen, I do understand that you want to protect your ojou-sama . But you know, it's wrong to attack the benefactor of your ojou-sama, even if you don't trust them, alright? Also, it's no good that you tried to deal with the problem impromptu, by hitting me at such a level of clumsiness where you can't even measure my true strength afterwards . " (Shuuya)

"Guoo, get off me! Do you intend to preach to me!?" (Lily)

Geeze, her showing her canine teeth is cute, but she's quite stubborn, isn't she?

Though, going by the size of her chest, I guess she's still a young girl?

Should I threaten her a bit?

"Cut it out!" (Shuuya)

I leak a bit of my mana, roughen up my voice, and glare at her .

"…"

Lily's expression freezes, her dog ears collapsing in an easily understandable manner .

"Alright, Lily . I wonder whether you understand that it's impossible, no matter how badly you desire it?" (Shuuya)

"… I-I do . " (Lily)

"That's great, I suppose you finally get it . Incidentally, do you, by chance, always clean up Eva's surroundings by doing something like this?" (Shuuya)

"… Umm, sometimes . " (Lily)

So this isn't her first time doing this kind of thing…

That just makes it even harder for Eva to find any party members .

"Why are you doing something like this?" (Shuuya)

"It's pretty obvious that I'm doing it for ojou-sama, don't you think?" (Lily)

"Hey, drop the conceit . Some time ago, even you saw that ojou-sama had shed tears because of this issue, didn't you?" (Shuuya)

"… Ye…s . " (Lily)

Oh, she suddenly became meek .

I wonder whether it will be alright to release her now?

I stand up and help Lily get up too .

"— Lily, that means you had a reason compelling you to act like this, didn't you?" (Shuuya)

"Yes, that's right . In the past, when ojou-sama was still fresh as adventurer, she was betrayed by adventurers she considered as her friends and was about to be killed . " (Lily)

Due to that? But, you know…

"Just because of that, you think badly of me and try to hit me? I don't have any intention at all to betray her like that . " (Shuuya)

"Yes, sorry for my explanation being insufficient and acting as if I'm testing you, Shuuya-sama . " (Lily)

She tested me in her own way after all, didn't she?

Lily bows her head deeply .

In reality, she's probably worrying about the matter with the dark guild, but…

I guess I'll tell her a bit what I'm planning to do next .

"Lily, I think that it will be fine with the dark guild you are so worried about . After all, I plan to crush them soon . " (Shuuya)

"Eh?" (Lily)

Lily's ears immediately rise up, her eyes opening widely in surprise .

I guess I should say it one more time, just in case she didn't hear me right .

"I plan to crush the headquarters of the dark guild . " (Shuuya)

"Shuuya-sama, you are saying that you are capable of that?" (Lily)

"I hope so? But, you should have been able to catch a glimpse of my power, albeit only a small part of it . " (Shuuya)

Lily nods lightly .

"Certainly, me being so easily thrown to the ground hasn't occurred even once, until now I mean . " (Lily)

"Right? However, even if I crush the dark guild, some harm might spread due to the aftermath of my actions . That's why you have to protect that restaurant and Eva, okay? Though it looks like Eva hates that . " (Shuuya)

"Yes, although I always tell ojou-sama that I will go into the labyrinth with her, she never allows me to do so . " (Lily)

Does this child also have the qualifications of an adventurer?

"That's because Eva is strong . I guess she can't approve of it . Either way, that's a problem between you and Eva . It has nothing to do with me . Well then, I'm gonna go back . Rollo is waiting . " (Shuuya)

Rollo is loitering around in the vicinity of me and Lily .

"Ah, okay . Shuuya-sama, I'm truly sorry . " (Lily)

"… I told you it's fine . It looks like you can believe in me as well, Lily? Give my regards to Eva then . " (Shuuya)

After showing a smile, I leave Lily and walk towards Rollo .

Rollo comes to my side and transforms into her Horse Lion Mode .

It's slightly bigger than the usual size .

Is it possible for her to change her appearance subtlety?

Given that she didn't have her tentacles wrap around my waist, I thinks she's telling me "Feel free to get on, if you like?"

The streamlined, black lion face has become somewhat lovely .

At this size, it looks as though the bridge of her nose has extended a bit .

Speaking of loveliness, I suppose it gives the impression of a grown-up Rollo?

Once I straddle atop the mature, smart-looking Rollo, two tentacles are set up in front of me, as usual .

Upon grabbing those reins, she gains speed, and starts dashing through the alley .

Since I believe that this is the south-eastern area of Pelneet, I guess we'll head towards the south-west while inspecting the city .

We advance, moving swiftly over a hill .

Thereupon, a huge arena-like venue enters my view .

No doubt that it's a magnificent building that vividly reminds one of ancient Rome .

The closer I get to that colosseum-like arena, the higher the number of slave traders and people seeming to be combat slaves appear .

The slave companies among the shops in the vicinity have increased in number, too .

However, the buildings on the other side had relatively few slave companies, being replaced with many gates that put up sign boards having Ruler's Spear Style, Strong Spear Style, Wind Spear Style, Flying Sword Style, Peerless Sword Style and Ruler's Sword Style written on them .

The ones with the largest presences are the Ruler's Spear Style and the Ruler's Sword Style .

I'm pretty sure that there's a place similar to a martial arts district on that side of the road .

In the other direction, slaves are led through a nearby street .

Rough, destroyer-like humans that were tied together by chains at their feet .

Snake women that were tied together with chains at their wrists .

A leopard-faced muscle man wearing a tank top .

If I remember correctly, he should be from a leopard man race called the Sebarka .

Those slaves all share the common feature of having a mark, that looks like a black ring tattoo, on their chests .

I wonder, are those slaves going to be forced to fight in the arena, perchance?

The number of ordinary people heading to the arena on the main street is much higher than that of the slave traders leading those slaves .

The vicinity of the arena was crowded . Even right now, cheers continue to resound from the venue, and a chain of voices, similar to a small earthquake, reverberates to the outside .

My curiosity has been slightly peaked .

Will there be gladiators such as Spartacus present?

Will they cause a revolt just like in ancient times?

Though a rebellion or uprising is probably impossible, seeing that a slave system has been put in place .

I wonder whether there are gladiator troupes owned by entertainer-like slave traders?

It seems that the martial arts district is close-by as well, so I imagine there are likely gladiator training facilities, too . I want to watch battles between gladiators where they put their lives on the line .

There might be unique swordsmanship and spearmanship styles used by gladiators and secutores, who had attained the rank of the strongest gladiators, such as gladiators renown as rudiarius 1, or who worked as swordsmanship instructors . I slowly proceed through the vicinity of the arena while imagining their battles .

"Rollo, it's alright now . Let's go directly to the inn . " (Shuuya)

"Nya . "

Purring once, the horse lion sized Rollo raises her speed .

She makes a detour in order to avoid the crowded places .

We escape the area by passing through alleys and main streets .

Crossing the First Ring Road quickly, we were able to return to the Second Ring Road .

I think we went a distance of several hours by foot in just a few dozen minutes?

As usual, she's super-fast .

Her being able to run so fast is natural, but Rollo also being able to advance by jumping and climbing on the walls of houses surprises me .

Well, for Rollo it might be simple since she can also fly once she transforms into her huge form, though .

As I'm thinking about such things, we arrive at the circular inn, shaped like that of a full moon, where I'm staying at .

I open the entrance door of the inn and step inside .

The voices of the guests can be heard alongside the wafting scent of food .

It seems to be lunch time right now .

There weren't that many people present at lunch time in Hekatrail, but it seems to be different here . There are quite a few guests .

I climb the stairs to the second floor with a sidelong glance at the dining room, advance through the hallway, and head towards my room, located at the far end of the passage .

I open the artistic, moon-shaped door and enter .

Now then, I guess I'll refresh myself with a nice bath .

"Rollo, we are going to take a bath~ . " (Shuuya)

"Nn!"

Rollo replies with nothing more but a throaty purr .

It doesn't look like she's overly eager to enter a bath . Does she want to enjoy jumping around on the bed? She's started to play around by hopping with a tip-tap .

I don't pay any attention to Rollo, remove the leather strap on my chest, and put it on the side .

Next, I take off the overcloak, undo the metal fittings of the Ancient Dragon Armor, and remove Dragon King Baldok's armor .

Stark naked, I move to the bucket located next to the veranda, soap in hand .

After opening the wooden bay window and making sure that I can see the roof and sky, I conjure up some hot water .

I pour the steamy water into the bucket .

While I'm at it, I'll also wash my body . As I'm cleaning my body, Rollo presses a paw against the edge of the bucket and starts to peer at the surface of the wavy hot water .

Fufu, guess she came for a visit .

She's right on time .

"— Rollo, I'll wash you . " (Shuuya)

"Nnn, nya!"

She withdraws her head and tries to escape, but I'm faster .

As I grab Rollo by the nape of her neck, her paws, befitting of a cat, dangle loosely .

Haha, she's loosely hanging in midair as I hold her in my hand, aww so cute .

While kissing the back of the captured alien's small head with a smoochie, I enjoy erotically massaging the undersides of both her forepaws, as if prying open the spaces between her paws' claws, which had a mix of pink and black colors, with my thumbs .

Furthemore, I play around with her by making her lower body sway left and right at the same time .

Applying soapy water from the belly to the back of the cute Rollo, I wash her thoroughly .

Both of us now sparkling clean, we submerge ourselves in the hot bath, filled to the brim with warm water .

"Phew~, what a nice bath . " (Shuuya)

I release a strange humming alongside rough nasal breathing .

"Nn, nya, nya, nyao . "

Even Rollo purrs while matching my weird nasal sounds .

Once I stop humming, she stretches her neck and places her chin on the bucket's rim, seemingly tired of purring, and opens and shuts her eyelids slowly while obviously feeling nice and comfortable .

It's an eye contact of relaxation .

In return, I also open and close my eyelids .

As Rollo and me are spending a laid-back time in an atmosphere that requires no words, I sense a magic source response approaching .

From outside, huh?

Eh? An elven upside-down face from the open window…

Isn't that a bizarre phenomenon!?

Ah, once I look properly, that face belongs to Benett, with her characteristic chin .

"Yo, did you enter the bath?"

Benett says while looking at my nude body .

"Yeah, just as you can see . " (Shuuya)

I respond while leaninging my back against the bucket's edge .

"Can I enter the room?" (Benett)

Given that she's hanging down from the bay window, her point of view should be inverted .

She let her gaze wander just like that, as if surveying the inside of my room .

The chain of a necklace is dangling from below her long and narrow neck .

And her posture allows me to peek at her soft-looking, moderately-sized breasts .

"… Sure . " (Shuuya)

"Okay—" (Benett)

Benett makes one splendid rotation from atop the bay window and lands inside the room .

Without stopping, she briskly walks into the room .

"Quite agile, aren't you?" (Shuuya)

"Guess so . So, about the reason I came here now…" (Benett)

Benett turns around to face me .

"What is it?" (Shuuya)

"Shuuya, you make too many enemies . The other day, when you were introduced to everyone in the basement here, there were several pursuers, who had been chasing you, loitering around outside . Did you know that?" (Benett)

At that time, huh? If I remember correctly, I entered the inn while ignoring them, although I sensed them .

Even if I were to lie here, it'd be pointless .

"I knew . " (Shuuya)

"I see . So you did know . That makes things easy . Shuuya, it's fine for me to believe that you formed a cooperative alliance with us, just like we discussed the other day, right?" (Benett)

"Cooperation? It's alright for you to think of my stance just as I explained the other day . However, if you turn your blades at me, I will fight back, okay?" (Shuuya)

"I know . It's a talk based on that . Won't you exchange information with me?" (Benett)

"Let's exchange information", huh?

In ooother words, I guess she's telling me to hand over the information I know of?

Benett doesn't seem to trust me overly much . Well, you might say that's only natural though .

However, it might be just the right moment to obtain information about this city .

I still haven't gotten acquainted with the thief guilds of this city, so if it's Benett, who's saying that she will cooperate, it's probably not a lie .

In that case, listening to her story is an easy matter .

That means, I will take this opportunity to try to ask her various things .

"… Very well . So, what information are you going to exchange?" (Shuuya)

"About the group that chased you . " (Benett)

Hoo, I was shadowed by someone other than 【Owl's Fangs】?

"What should I offer you in exchange?" (Shuuya)

"Trust . — No, well, that's a joke . First off, whether the case in Holkerbaum is completely true or not, and if it's information regarding 【Owl's Fangs】, which you are aware of, Shuuya, anything will work . " (Benett)

I thought she already knew about the matter in Holkerbaum though?

Well, she might be following the logic of directly asking the person himself, I guess?

If that's the case, I might as well tell her the truth .

However I won't tell her things such as the codewords of 【Owl's Fangs】 and where their headquarters is located within the noble's quarter . She might know those, but I will still keep quiet about it .

After all I will be the one to crush 【Owl's Fangs】 .

I don't need any uncalled-for nuisances .

As far as that's concerned… I'd like to hold back on contacting Mia who might want to avenge her comrades, but that's unreasonable, isn't it?

Oh, I suppose there's also the option of trying to ask Benett about that matter .

First is,

"… As for me, I don't know what kind of information is available on the market, but the matter in 【Holkerbaum】 is the truth . I fought against the soldiers and leaders of 【Owl's Fangs】 and annihilated all of them . Also, as for information regarding 【Owl's Fangs】, I know the names of the president and leaders, and where their headquarters in this city is . I think that's about it . " (Shuuya)

"… Hmm, so it was the truth . " (Benett)

A doubtful look . For some reason, she's staring at my nether region .

That's slightly embarrassing .

"If you like, wanna try giving it a go?" (Shuuya)

I glare at her in a playful manner and release some of my source's mana in an easily understandable way while while moving my hips .

"— Hii, what! I-I'm not delicious!" (Benett)

Benett retreats swiftly .

She moved next to the room's exit door .

Not delicious, eh? Did she think that I'm going to suck her blood?

"Haha, it's a joke . " (Shuuya)

At that point, I stop releasing my mana while laughing .

"Wh-! Humph! Do you really only have that much information regarding 【Owl's Fangs】?" (Benett)

"That's right . " (Shuuya)

"Right… makes sense . " (Benett)

Benett nods, showing an expression of apparently agreeing .

"Nyao . "

At that moment, Rollo goes to the window and meows .

"Nyaa . "

Mmh? It's a different cat voice entering through the window .

A white cat was there . It apparently came to peek in from the roof .

If I remember correctly, that cat's name is Magit, isn't it?

Thereupon Rollo jumps out of the bath and leaps on the edge of the bay window where the white cat is .

She goes across the roof . Does she plan to greet the white cat? Shaking her wet body like a dog, she makes the water splash into the surroundings .

The white cat that got hit by the water hits Rollo with her forepaw, seemingly angry .

In return, Rollo delivers a similar cat punch .

The white cat uses a right straight .

Rollo receives the punch with her cheek head on, and hits the white cat's cheek with a left hook in return .

They look like boxers wearing gloves, er, rather like kangaroo boxers as they are frolicking around while showing footwork that capitalises on their hind legs .

The theme song of the bouts of Ro○y plays in my mind . (T/N: Hint - theme song is "Gonna Fly Now")

I take my gaze away from those playing cats and look back at Benett .

… Well then, apart from crushing 【Owl's Fangs】, I guess I should probe a bit for information about Mia .

She's probably changed her name by now, but just in case she hasn't .

"— Benett, rather than information about the group that chased me, I think I'd like you to search for a person . Is that possible?" (Shuuya)

"Search for a person?" (Benett)

"I think her name is Mia . Long, black hair . A magician that should have started out as adventurer . " (Shuuya)

"If it's an adventurer, go to the adventurer's guild instead of coming to me . You can get help at the reception . " (Benett)

Ah, indeed . That's true, isn't it?

Not only Mia, Rubia has probably become an adventurer as well, so in that case, if I ask at the guild, I suppose I'll also find some information about the dwarven brothers taking care of Rubia?

"… The guild, huh? You are saying they can tell me the whereabouts of adventurers, if I ask at the reception?" (Shuuya)

Isn't that a bit too easy?

"Yes . " (Benett)

"They hand over the information that simply? It looks like the thief guild's work is easy, doesn't it?" (Shuuya)

"That's probably because it's easy to obtain rough information about adventurer clans and parties . However, it's a fact that there's information you can't obtain unless you do it through a thief guild . After all there's plenty searchable information such as the individual's detailed appearance, their hobbies, their preferences, their preferred weapons, what attributes they possess, the power relationships in the background, etc . , you know?" (Benett)

Certainly, Melissa seems to have worked hard to obtain information .

"I suppose that's true as well . Well, then forget it . " (Shuuya)

"W-Wait a moment, you don't want the information about your pursuers?" (Benett)

Benett questions me in panic .

Certainly, I guess I might as well listen, if Benett faced off against them .

"Mmh, alright, what kind of fellows were they?" (Shuuya)

"A group that wore fox masks, 【Owl's Fangs】, and scouts of a thief guild . " (Benett)

Fox masks? I don't have any such acquaintances .

"Masks, you say? It's a group I don't know . I can understand 【Owl's Fangs】 and a thief guild though . " (Shuuya)

I clearly told her that I don't know them .

"So they are an unknown group to you . I wonder why they chased you?" (Benett)

Speaking of masks, Yui's group wore white masks, too .

But, as expected that's very likely a different group .

"Who knows . Speaking of contacts with dark guilds besides 【Owl's Fangs】… aah, I remember . I did meet with 【Eyes of Twilight】's Mad Knight . " (Shuuya)

I recall the fight between the hairy beastman and Mad Knight .

"W-What was that? You even got in contact with 【Eyes of Twilight】? Ah, but that place is a den of church dropouts… alright, I see . Is there a reason for 【Eyes of Twilight】 to be hostile with you?" (Benett)

After Benett grasped it by herself, she asked me while pouting .

Going by the attitude, speech and actions of Mad Knight, he seems determined to be involved with me as long as he's alive .

I guess the possibility that he will search for me with that magic tool, which looks like a demon detector, is high .

"… Well, you could say so . The pursuers might be those guys . " (Shuuya)

The others are… the place of that diviner, Kazane?

I detected several magic sources, albeit for an instant, inside that mysterious room .

Besides, she said something about divination, but she had those strange magic tools that released mana .

Although I resisted it, it was mind magic .

Even at the time of me leaving, her attitude was suspicious, so the 【Asura Religious Organization】, the old hag Kazane mentioned, might have started to meddle with me .

"… Haa, my work will increase… Oh well, I suppose I should say that we are also in a hostile relation with 【Eyes of Twilight】 . However, they are Vero-chi's natural enemies . They are the only opponents who were able to injure that girl . Once she hears the name of that Mad Knight, she will probably throw a fit . " (Benett)

So she's saying that Veronica has already fought with the Mad Knight .

A vampire vs . a former templar?

As her compatibility with him is likely the worst, I think Veronica did well to survive…

"… I bet . " (Shuuya)

"Shuuya, aren't you bad with them either? You are a vampire, no? Or are you not?" (Benett)

"Something close to that . Well then, can you please leave soon as I'm going to step out of the bath?" (Shuuya)

"… Yeah, yeah . Got it . See ya . " (Benett)

Benett accepts after rising the corners of her mouth into a smirk .

Having heard various new pieces of information, she opens the door in a good mood and leaves .

Even so, 【Owl's Fangs】, eh?

When I first came to this city, I formed a party with Rebecca and had her guide me to a shop, but there's the possibility that 【Owl's Fangs】 has learned of Rebecca's existence, isn't there?

However, at that time I didn't sense any signs of being tailed from behind .

Either way, seeing that there's the possibility of them causing her troubles, I think I have to crush them as soon as possible .

After searching for information on Rubia and Mia in the adventurer's guild for a bit, I will march into the headquarters of 【Owl's Fangs】 and annihilate their leaders .

For now though, I'm gonna firstly get my equipment ready before heading over .

Time to get out of the bucket .

Magit and Rollo are still playing around on top of the roof .