Episode 7
“I thought it had been quiet these past few days.”
It was close to midnight. As always, I woke up because I sensed someone’s presence.
Ever since I started cleaning the tower, Freddy had been quiet. I thought he had given up.
Then again, if he really had given up, maybe he would have quit altogether.
“Sigh.”
I pulled on my mask and wrapped my red hair tightly so it would not show, then melted into the darkness.
This is getting annoying. Maybe I should just put sleeping medicine in his tea at dinner.
I was watching Freddy head toward a room when—
From the far end of the quiet hallway, I sensed another presence.
I slipped deeper into the shadows and looked.
Careful movements. Trying to make as little noise as possible.
Veronica.
I raised an eyebrow.
There was only one reason to move like that at this hour.
So Veronica is a hero too.
More work for me.
Now I had the responsibility of sending Veronica into deep sleep as well.
More importantly, I could not let Freddy and Veronica discover each other’s identities.
Humans with the same goal tend to join forces.
The huge reward might be tempting, but unless they are complete idiots, they must know it is nearly impossible to defeat the Demon King alone.
If two small nuisances join together, they become one big nuisance.
Not a huge crisis. But troublesome.
So I had to separate them before that happened.
Until I complete my mission, they must remain separate.
As the two of them slowly got closer while sneaking around the castle, I knocked Veronica out first.
Dragged her to her room and tossed her in.
Then I knocked Freddy out and left him somewhere as well.
Peace returned to the castle once again.
The next morning, both Veronica and Freddy looked refreshed.
Proof of good sleep.
Thanks to my excellent knockout skills.
“You all look well rested. I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I keep dreaming about green animal-like things…”
Aren’t those the monster-trees you made?
“I’m so tired from not sleeping.”
I glanced at Estelle, who was rubbing her temples.
She only had the ability to create those strange tree-monsters.
Nothing suspicious so far.
But…
Is she really just an ordinary servant?
“Hmm? What is it, Illy?”
I looked away.
“Nothing.”
“Do you sleep well?”
I nodded.
She kept talking about how jealous she was.
I answered normally. Socializing just enough.
Interaction for the mission.
No more. No less.
“Ah, Peter. I’m thinking of going to the market tomorrow.”
Freddy said.
“We need ingredients. And maybe some new plates…”
That makes sense. He had just broken two plates Peter treasured.
Peter flinched slightly but did not mention it.
“Then… Miss Illy, would you like to come? I can organize what we need to buy.”
“…Alright.”
Good. I can contact Leo while I’m out.
After dinner, I went to the tower as usual.
“So I won’t be coming tomorrow.”
“…What?”
I dusted the walls even though there was no dust left.
“I have to go to the market tomorrow. There’s nothing left to clean here anyway, so I think I’ll reduce my visits.”
Unlike the tower, the castle still had many rooms to clean.
Besides, until the next Day of Harmony, there was nothing new to plan for escape.
I had already confirmed he was safe and healthy.
“I’ll discuss it with Peter. For today, I’ll leave now.”
Recht stayed silent as I left.
***
The next day, Peter handed me a heavy pouch of money.
“Be careful. There are many pickpockets at the market.”
“Yes.”
“Freddy. Be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
That was not reassuring.
Peter looked at me, as if asking me to watch Freddy.
Sorry, but if something happens, I will abandon Freddy first.
We got into a carriage and headed to the market.
“The demon market is different from the human world. You have to be careful.”
Who is worrying about who?
Freddy kept giving me advice.
I barely listened.
The demon world did not look that different.
The carriage stopped at the market entrance.
Freddy went to park the carriage. I walked ahead alone.
Soon he ran up to me.
“Illy! It’s dangerous to go alone!”
“It’s faster to split up. If we stay together, we won’t finish today.”
“But… this is the demon world. And you’re weak…”
“…I’m weak? Based on what?”
“Well… your arms are thin. And you’re small…”
That’s because I’m an assassin.
An assassin with a bulky body would die quickly.
But I could not say that.
“I just look like this. My muscles are compact.”
It was ridiculous that Freddy of all people looked down on me.
“But you don’t look like you can even hold a sword. Are you really okay alone?”
“Freddy. Unless you want to kill me with a headache, let’s stop.”
“Huh? Does your head hurt?”
“Yes. Let’s meet here in three hours.”
“…Alright. Please be careful!”
Should I kill him?
For a moment, I seriously considered it.
I calmed down and first looked for the post office.
I needed to send a letter to Leo.
“Where do I send mail?”
“Over there…”
The demon looked startled but answered kindly.
When I arrived—
“Sorry. Nothing can be sent to the Kingdom of Akordo.”
“No way?”
“If it’s urgent, hire a messenger demon. But I don’t know if anyone will take that job…”
“Where do I hire one?”
“At the guild.”
“Where?”
“Go down the alley, then at the third corner turn to the main road.”
“Thank you.”
I followed the directions.
“Third alley…”
Just as I turned—
“Help me!”
A child ran out of the alley and grabbed my skirt.
“What.”
“That little rat.”
Three demons appeared from the shadows.
“Hand the kid over.”
“If you do, we’ll spare you.”
“…Hmm.”
I looked between the demons and the child holding my skirt.
I did not really care about the details.
“I don’t feel like protecting him.”
“What?”
“Kid. Go.”
Both the demons and the child stared at me in shock.
“Are you really going to hand me over?”
“Yes.”
“You won’t save me?”
“Why would I?”
“I’m in danger!”
“And?”
“Fine. Come here.”
One demon waved the child over with a fake pitying look.
Why do they look sorry? Now I look like the villain.
The child slowly let go of my clothes.
Maybe I should at least ask.
“Why are they chasing you?”
“He stole from us.”
“So the kid’s the bad one.”
“No! This belonged to my grandmother!”
“Your grandmother owed us money. We took it as payment.”
“But this brooch is worth way more!”
The child pulled out a brooch with a clear purple gem.
It looked expensive.
“My grandma only borrowed 5,000 Libra!”
That’s not a small amount.
“Hmm. That brooch is worth at least 10,000.”
“It’s interest!”
“Who charges 5,000 in interest?”
“You little brat!”
“Wait.”
“Enough talking! If you interfere, we’ll kill you too!”
The impatient demons rushed forward.
I sighed.
What a hassle.
