Project: Alternative

Chapter 5: An agent in another world is still an agent (Eru)

She opened the door of the carriage and I found out that we were in a plaza of some sort. There were many people of different races walking around.

"Let's go, Reika", she said as she stepped out. I followed her as we walked around.

I could feel the stares of the crowd piercing through me. It was sort of funny how I was walking around in public wearing my pajamas. If this was my world, I would've buried a hole deep enough to hide myself in.

"Where are we going?" I asked her.

"My purpose for visiting Westa is to take part in a noble's meeting. I can't exactly bring you to a gathering with those unique clothes. So we're going to shop a new outfit for you", she answered.

"You're going to pick clothes for me? Can't you just ask your servants? Also, I don't have any money to buy clothes."

"I am not the kind of noble who would ask a servant to do things that I could do. Besides, the conference will start this evening. It would be boring to wait until then. And don't worry about the money. You are my guest so you are my responsibility."

Normally, I would refuse such an offer but I wasn't in the position to refuse free clothes. It would be better to get shoes and possibly clothes that wouldn't make me stand out.

We entered a clothes shop and Reine began picking out clothes for me. She would give me clothes and wait for me as I dressed up. Most of the outfits she gave me were far too stuffy. They were too formal for my tastes.

"You actually have a decent appearance. You could pass off as a noble with the right clothes", Reine said.

"Thanks? I guess. Although these clothes are too stuffy. Do I really have to wear formal ones?"

"Hmmm... Maybe this one could suit you", she handed me more clothes.

It was similar to a butler's outfit which was a black suit. I've worn suits before since I was a GUILD agent and they felt fine.

"You look handsome", Reine complimented.

"Thanks. Although I look like a butler, I'll be taking this one", I said.

"Got it. I'll pay for your clothes so just wait here", she then headed to the cashier.

I looked outside the window and for a second, I could have sworn that I made eye contact with a guy with brown hair.

His eyes were very cold and gave off the vibes that he had killed someone before. He immediately looked away and left. It was my instinct as an agent that told me that the man was bad news. But judging from how Reine's servants had no problem with killing the bandits that attacked them, I guess they might be common in this world.

"Reika? What's wrong?" Reine asked.

"It's nothing..." I replied.

Hopefully it was just nothing.

###

Turns out, it was something.

The noble's conference would be in a mansion. It was a huge property with a garden and had an exquisite exterior. Even the large iron gates with two lion statues nearby made it look like an impressive place. Reine said that she had a conference with other nobles. She didn't exactly say what it was about but it was probably important.

I was bored in a room with the rest of Reine's men so I decided to walk around. There was no use talking to them since they couldn't understand what I was saying and since I had nothing else to do, I decided to leave the room.

The maids of the mansion didn't bat an eye as I walked around. Thanks to these clothes, I fit right in. Although a butler-like outfit made me feel that I was cosplaying. I harmlessly looked outside the window and that's when I saw him.

A man in a black cloak was crouching behind a plant. He was looking around and I managed to hide at the edge of the window before he saw me. I peered over the window and saw that he sneakily walked towards a next plant.

This was bad... If a guy like that was acting sneakily, it must be an unwanted guest. I should get someone and...

And then what? I couldn't speak their language so I couldn't tell them that someone suspicious was around. If I attack him for no reason, he could lie his way out if the guards come. There was also a chance that I would be defeated. I had no other choice but to apprehend him the moment he did something suspicious.

I ran towards the spot where the suspicious man was and I looked around. There were trails on the grass and I followed it. It then led me to a small tower behind the mansion.

There was a man on the ground and when I went closer, he had his throat slit. Whoever that suspicious man was, he was a seasoned killer. His carotid artery was cut so he must've died from blood loss. It meant that my opponent was someone who was skilled enough to deliver a cut like this while being undetected.

The door of the tower was open and I cautiously moved inside. There were no traces of anyone around but I was still alert. I had no weapons except for my fists while my opponent had a blade of some sort. It would be wise to take him down while he was not alert.

I climbed up the stairs and peeked at the only door in the third floor. A cloaked man shot an arrow with a rope. He then tied the other end of the rope to a pillar and then began to slide down.

When I saw where the man was headed, I felt my blood chill. It was the room where the nobles were gathered. That man was an assassin!

Thinking fast, I took off my suit and used it to slide down the rope too. The man crashed through the window and was about to charge at Reine when I landed a kick on him.

Reine and the other nobles were confused but the man switched his target from Reine to me. He swung his knife but I managed to avoid it. I caught his arm and then disarmed him. Using martial arts, I managed to pin him to the ground and lock his arm. It would hurt him but I made sure that he wouldn't be able to move a muscle. Assassins always had tricks on their sleeves.

"Reika?" that was one word that I understood from Reine.

"Now then... I don't know why you're targeting Reine but you'd better start talking or else, I'm breaking your arm", I threatened him even though I knew that he wouldn't be able to understand a single word that I said.

He then started to spasm and foam formed on his mouth. Don't tell me!!

The man stopped moving and I let go of him. I checked his pulse and he was dead. I should've known that he would take his life if cornered. There were assassins who were loyal to their clients that they would end their lives if they failed. He must be one of those types.

I took off his cloak and he was the same man who I had eye contact with back when we were shopping for clothes. He must have been following us. But why would he attempt to kill Reine?

A strong migraine hit my head and then died down. Reine must have used that translation magic again.

"Reika? What's going on?" she asked.

"This man just tried to assassinate you... I managed to stop him but he killed himself before I could interrogate him", I answered.

The nobles were talking with each other as the doors of the room burst open with guards rushing to their masters' sides.

A noble walked towards Reina and started talking to her.

"Yes... This person is the one I was talking about", Reine replied.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"They are asking if you were the one who was transported to this world."

Wait... Did they somehow know that another world existed?

"It seems that you are part of our problem too", she said.

"What do you mean?"

"We are dealing with a crisis about two worlds after all."

For some reason, I could feel that I was getting dragged into a tiring and troublesome situation.