"Before I go, I have something to ask you. Is there anyone in your company or household, that you expelled?" <Shin>
"Huh?" <Harold Bastorn>
Harold don't know how to reply.
"Why are you asking me that? Of course I have. Maids, butlers, servants, employees. There's numerous people that I had expelled due to their incompetence." <Harold Bastorn>
Shin find that answer too vague. He needed an answer more precise.
"What about someone from your family?" <Shin>
There was someone like that, that Harold had recently expelled. But he didn't want to say it. However, the look Shin gave him shows that he's demanding an honest answer.
"Yes, there was. It's my son, Eric." <Harold Bastorn>
Eric? So that's his name.
Once Shin heard him, Harold was wondering why he wanted to know such information.
"Why do you wanna know? If you're looking to find him, don't bother. He's a useless thing." <Harold Bastorn>
"Why do you say that? And why did you banished him? He's your son, don't you care for him?" <Shin>
"Care? Hah! He's no longer my son! Why would I want a useless thing be my son? I thought he would takeover the company when he grew up, but it turns out he's hopeless. Up till the age of 12, he had shown great potential in marketing. But somehow when he's put into an actual situation, he will always mess up and end in failure. No matter how simple the job was, he ends up failing. After that, I went and banish him! " <Harold Bastorn>
What Shin heard was very interesting to him. It seems abnormal that such thing could happen to him. There must be something going on with his son.
"Do you know why he's like that?" <Shin>
"Why would I care? If he can't do it, then why care. I can't even be bothered to spend money on him for a checkup since he's already invalid. Whatever happened to him, or wherever he is now, is non of my business." <Harold Bastorn>
What a despicable father... To do that to his son, rotten human being...
"Alright, I'm done here. Let's go Iris." <Shin>
Shin stood up from the sofa, grabbed onto Iris's hand and walked out of the room. Stronzo was still laying unconscious outside.
...
"Ahh... It's been awhile since I came here." <???>
This person that just entered the Capital of La-Viena, is none other than Adolf.
"Alright! Time to look for that guy! But... Where should I start?" <Adolf>
Though Adolf knows that that person is in the capital, he doesn't know exactly where he is.
"It's natural that I start with the adventurers guild, right? I mean he should be an adventurer." <Adolf>
Adolf decided to head to the adventurers guild first. Since he's been here before, he knows where it is. The last time he came here was for infiltration and information gathering for his master. Now, he had a different task to accomplish. His master had told him to find Shin, and try to form an alliance with him.
Of course Adolf rejected such idea. He thinks that Shin is a dangerous person. Having faced him in battle, he knows how strong he is. Even more due to the fact that Shin wasn't even going serious at him, despite having to use his secret skill.
But if it's his master's orders, then he has no choice but to obey. What his master wanted from Shin is very daring, but in order for his master to defeat 'her', they need all the help they can get. Considering Shin is strong, the possibility of defeating 'her' finally seems possible.
Finally reaching the adventurers guild, he entered. When he opened the door, there was a girl on the other side. From her gesture, it seems she was about to open the door as well and leave. They made eye contact for a split second, before she walked past him and left. When Adolf saw her, he felt that she seems familiar. However, he couldn't pinpoint exactly who. Trying not to think too much, he continued walking into the adventurers guild. Adolf went to an empty reception counter and spoke to one of the receptionist.
"Excuse me, I would like to ask if there is an adventurer name Shin working here." <Adolf>
"Eh? You're looking for Shin-Sama as well?" <Receptionist>
The receptionist was surprised that another person was asking for Shin.
"As well? Someone was looking for him also?" <Adolf>
"Yes. That person just left." <Receptionist>
Adolf immediately thought of the girl that walked past him just now. Since she was the only person who had recently exited the guild.
"Do you need anything from Shin-Sama?" <Receptionist>
"I wanna know where he is staying. Do you know where?" <Adolf>
"Yes, I know." <Receptionist>
"Great! Now tell me!" <Adolf>
"Ehhh... I can't just give his address like that. You must have a reason or have his consent, if not I can't tell you." <Receptionist>
"I have a reason! I need to speak with him about something important! I'm familiar with him, he should know me. We've fought before." <Adolf>
"Fought!? Uuu~ I don't think Shin-Sama would mind if I tell people, but..." <Receptionist>
The receptionist felt like it's against her job to give such information so easily. But at the same time, she had already told someone else that information. She was cornered fiercely by the girl, and ended up having to tell Shin's address. If there is already one person coming to his house, then there shouldn't be any problem if one more is coming.
"Alright... I give you the address." <Receptionist>
The receptionist gave in. She wrote down his address and the directions on a piece of paper, and gave it to Adolf. Having his address, Adolf immediately left the guild. Leaving the receptionist who was troubled. She didn't know why two people are looking for Shin, but since he's quite an unusual person, it should be normal.
Adolf who followed the directions on the paper perfectly, was already in front of Shin's mansion in no time. However... The girl that he met earlier was also there. She was standing beside him.
"Who are you?" <???>
The girl asked Adolf.
"I also wanna know who you are, but more than that, why are you looking for Shin?" <Adolf>
"Huh? Why do I need to tell you that? It's none of your business, so get lost." <???>
The girl straight up told Adolf to go away. To that, Adolf was annoyed that he was being treated badly by a little girl.
"Listen up, little girl! Shin isn't someone that you can just casually meet, okay? He may look weak, but he's actually strong! So if you know what's good for you, you may leave." <Adolf>
"What did you call me? Little girl? Why don't you listen! I may look like it, but I'm actually way older than you think. In the first place, why is a demon even doing here? Trying to gather information?" <???>
When Adolf heard her say that, he was surprised. How did she manage to uncover his identity so easily. It's like she has the same ability as Shin.
"Wha-!? How!? How did you know!?" <Adolf>
Adolf was on high alert of the girl.
"The moment I saw you, I could already tell. You even gave off an evil aura compared to the humans living here. I'm very perceptive to such things. It's my nature." <???>
"What are you..." <Adolf>
Adolf became curious of her. Suddenly, someone finally came to greet them. It was Iris.
"Oh! Kaguya... San, right? Have you finally decided on your answer?" <Iris>
"In a way, yes. But, I would like to confirm a few things with him. And also... Her." <Kaguya>
"Shana-Sama also? Alright. And..." <Iris>
After done talking to Kagura, Iris turned to look at the other person waiting at the gate. When she realised who it was, she was very surprised.
"W-What are you doing here!? Are you here to fight Shin-Sama again!? If you are then don't bother! Shin-Sama isn't interested to fight a weakling like you! If you're unwilling to leave, I will fight you!" <Iris>
Iris became wary of Adolf.
"I'm not here to fight! I'm here to relay a message from my master. Didn't he tell me to send a message to my master? Then what I'm gonna say is my master's reply." <Adolf>
"Is that so? Alright, but don't dare to try anything here. Shin-Sama won't give you a second chance anymore." <Iris>
"You don't have to tell me that. I'm fully aware of it." <Adolf>
Iris opened the gate and let both Kagura and Adolf in. They then entered the mansion, and Iris brought them to the meeting room on the first floor. Iris then urged them to sit on the sofa first.
"Wait here. I will call Shin-Sama and Shana-Sama here." <Iris>
Iris left the two of them.
"Who are you exactly? From how you conduct yourself, you don't seem to be an ordinary person. You even know I'm a demon. And more than that, you look awfully familiar." <Adolf>
"Familiar? Hah! You must be thinking about my sister. She does resemble me exactly, except for our different colour." <Kaguya>
"Sister...?" <Adolf>
Adolf tried to think hard about her identity from that clue she said.
"You don't mean-!" <Adolf>
Adolf finally manage to remember who she looked like. The person that she closely resembles was the girl that was with Shin when they left the cave. That same girl was the one who wasn't with them when they entered, but suddenly together when they left. Shin then introduced her to be the Legendary Cursed Sword. With that answer alone, he could already guess who this other girl that holds the same appearance. It was non other than the counterpart to the Legendary Cursed Sword. The Legendary Divine Sword.
"Are you saying that you're also Shin's sword!? Have you gotten interested in him just because your sister is with him!?" <Adolf>
To Adolf's cries, Kaguya just gave a blank expression. Showing that she won't tell what her plans is.
"Think whatever you want. I have no reason to tell you. You're not important." <Kaguya>
Adolf felt defeated when he was called unimportant.
"Oh? You two are surprisingly close." <???>
The person that interrupted their conversation was Shin. Behind him was Shana and Iris.
Shin and Iris had returned from their meeting with Fortuneprise. Shin was gonna talk to Layla about why he met with Harold, but when he got home and was told of such news, he got a little mad. For someone to hurt someone that Shin cared, that person really wants to die. Shin regretted that he did not inflict any pain at Harold. He should have thought that Layla was probably protecting someone that he is close with, considering that Layla only recently got to know with people inside the mansion. Shin hated himself for being ignorant. Focusing on the more important matter, he quickly checked on Maya's condition. Luckily it wasn't that serious. She was already fully healed by Shana and was resting. Shin apologised to Misomi for letting her mother get injured, even after he promised to take care of them. Of course Misomi didn't blame Shin, only saying that it was her mother's on fault for being stubborn. Nonetheless, Shin swear that such thing don't happen again.
Walking into the room, Shin sat on the sofa opposite, with Shana and Iris on each side.
"So, Kaguya. What's your answer?" <Shin>
"You more or less can guess what my answer is. But before I tell you, can I talk privately with her?" <Kaguya>
Kaguya looked at Shana as she said that.
"Sure. Shana, bring her to the other room, can you?" <Shin>
"Sure thing. I'm looking forward to whatever you have to discuss with me." <Shana>
Shana lead Kaguya out of the room, and to another room to talk.
"Iris, can you call Layla over? Once you do that, help out Misomi with taking care of Maya-San." <Shin>
Layla? Can't be her...
Adolf erased such thoughts.
"Alright." <Iris>
Iris did not question Shin why he didn't want her being there. She had already guessed that her husband is scheming something. And with her own knowledge, she can already guess that it had something to do with both their origin. Iris left swiftly.
Once Iris left the room, Shin finally focused his attention to the other guest.
"So, what is your master's reply?" <Shin>
Adolf prepared himself before he began relaying his master's words.
"Going straight to the point, master wishes to form an alliance with you."
"Hmm... Interesting..." <Shin>
Shin was very satisfied with that reply. It was what he thought it would be. There was no avoiding the chance to gather strong chess piece. Especially when you know they can gurantee you a checkmate.
Adolf waited in anticipation for Shin's response. But instead of his voice, a different voice was heard.
"Shin...? You called for me?" <???>
The voice of that person was Layla. She slowly opened the door and called to Shin. She did not know why she was suddenly asked to join the meeting with the guest. She should not be acquainted with anyone other than those living inside this mansion. Her interaction with others outside are close to none. So she shouldn't be invited to talk with a guest, since she won't be of much help. But nonetheless, if it was Shin's request, she shouldn't question it.
When she entered, after looking at Shin, she turned her eyes to look at who the guest was. Their eyes met, and both processed their appearance.
"Princess?" <Adolf>
"Eh? Adolf... Kun?" <Layla>
Adolf was in disbelief at who he saw. As for Layla, she was surprised to see a very familiar face.
Author's Notes:
(Hehehe~ Y'all should know what's coming...:)