Chapter 64 – Black and White

A month had passed since then. Up to now, Tenryu* never did cross Gallia border. It did, however, approach several times. (TL Note: Heavenly Dragon)

Each time, the gluttony skill would awaken and thrash inside of me. I could only hold on desperately until the Tenryu returned to the center of Gallia.

Still, I won’t be able to hold out against the Tenryu. It’s certainly not only about my stats. There is something else missing. I couldn’t help but to think so.

And so, time went by without me realizing.

[Customer, why the long face?]

That being said, Eris approached the counter where I was sitting. Her bluish hair swayed around as she smiled to me.

I, on the other hand, was quite surprised as I pointed to the mask I wore.

[Even with this, you can still tell what kind of expression I have?]

[I wonder about that? I just know.]

Eris put on a sweet face as she sat next to me. Is this okay? Aren’t you still at work? Eris then continued as if to address my thoughts.

[My master is so sweet. He won’t get mad at me even if I idle a lot.]

[The shop will be in trouble if you keep doing that.]

While looking around, I saw an unexpected situation.

The people attracted by Eris’ Lust skill once again packed the shop today. In the background, the master who actually hated hard work was busily moving around

[Your employer will die at this rate.]

[Ahaha. He said it himself that he won’t let me do such a thing….]

I quickly looked away from staring into Eris’ eyes. It was dangerous….I almost got attracted to her. Eris had aimed when I dropped my guard down, and tried to get in.

[Chi, . Look at my eyes properly.]

[No can do. I will get affected.]

[Just a little bit should be alright, right?]

[No is a no! There is no such thing as ‘just a little bit’.]

If I got attracted to her even a little, it would be the end. The Lust skill was simply that powerful. Well, since the attraction is actually the unintended harmful effect of the Lust skill, she couldn’t actually control it in any way.

Eris and I met quite frequently at this bar, since I don’t need to confront her at all just yet. It’s only because she had told me about the impending crisis that will befall Roxy, and that she will only be a bystander in this matter.

I didn’t completely trust her of course. That’s why I’ve been visiting this bar to check on her.

Ignoring my doubtful look, Eris continued to grin at me.

[Even so, Fate keeps coming to my shop so often. That… troubles me.]

[Don’t get me wrong. I come here not just to see you.]

Whilst saying that, I pushed away the approaching Eris. However, she laughed fearlessly,

[Ah, could it be that you are, that so-called a tsundere type?]

[……Ha!? What are you talking about. If anything, it wouldn’t be to you!]

[Aaaaaaa, how awful]

Eris crumpled to the counter feeling shocked that her performance failed.

While burying her face on her arms, she gave me a glance and said in a low voice.

[I wish you were attracted to me…and acted lovey-dovey to me..]

[That’s scary, you know?]

Before I knew it, Eris had actually gone as far as jumping on me. Are you kidding me……while I was trying to fight off the power of her enchantment, someone coughed from behind me.

When I turned around….there was the lord of the fortress city Babylon–Roxy Heart.

As ever, the white armor suits her dignified look well. Meanwhile, I had a girl grinding her cheek on me.

[Enjoying yourself? Mister Mukuro?]

[Ah, about this….]

I peeled off Eris who was boo-ing at me, and pushed her to the side. She seemed to be not liking being pushed like that, so she took my wine and drink it without permission. …..Before it’s Myne, and now Eris. Why do I keep coming across girls that loved to snatch my possessions without my agreement?

Well, whatever. That’s not my concern right now. Anyways, why does Roxy is here?

I turned toward Roxy,

[Alright then, what do you want from me?]

[Ee, quite a lot to be honest. Don’t you know about it already?]

[Not really]

I already know? Nothing really came to mind actually. However, from the way she looked, that didn’t seem to be the case.

As I was twisting my neck and fixing my skull mask positioning, Roxy sighed while receiving a letter from the soldier following behind her.

[56 cases of violence to other warriors, 21 cases of property damage. All those in only one month. Unbelievable.]

Aaaaahh, those things……..it’s become something that regularly happened everyday, that it barely crossed my mind. I even made short work of several warriors before coming here.

[It can’t be helped. They like me so much, they actually attacked me every single day. It’s not like they’d listen if I tried to talk it out with them. Even you understand that, right?]

[Certainly there are a lot of such warriors in Babylon.]

[Un un, that’s right! They attack me like ants finding sugar.]

[However, as I said before, I cannot condone your violence.]

Could it be, you want to put me in jail? Give me a break….. I was having a relaxing drink at the bar, and you want to arrest me just like that?

Smiling under the skull mask, I saw Roxy shaking her head.

[Do you know why the other warriors kept targeting you?]

[Because they like me too much?]

[Wrong! It’s because you don’t belong to any party. For normal people, it’s hard to attack you individually, so naturally they grouped up to make it work. That’s why, rather than working alone, why don’t you join some party?]

[That way, will the unnecessary conflict cease?]

I can understand what Roxy is trying to tell me. There were always at least five warriors coming to attack me at the same time. Never did I have a one-on-one fight.

In other words, it’ll be easier to keep them in check if I belonged to a group instead of doing things by myself.

Roxy continued to talk while nodding.

[So I have a proposal for you.]

She received another letter from the soldier, and handed it to me.

When I spread the letter and read it, I found something unexpected written there.

[This is….]

[Ehm, what do you think? For someone as strong as you are, we can hire you as a mercenary under the king’s army. That way, those pesky warriors will not be able to touch you.]

[Oh~, so you’re trying to buy me]

Hearing that, Roxy cleared her throat, looking troubled.

[I’m just feeling vexed. You were able to completely rout a stampede all by yourself. That has been confirmed by the exchange facility. It’s no doubt that you are a skilled person. At the moment, my priority is to strengthen the fighting force of the king’s army. Moreover, I personally think that it’s best to put a leash on people like you.]

Right, right. Babylon is indeed a bit too wild. Even I am considered as a dangerous person by Roxy. I smiled bitterly under the skull mask.

[I’m not a dog.]

[Right….My apologies. I used the wrong words. The way I see it….you seem to live in a hurry for something.]

Even now Roxy was still thinking about me. However, I won’t live under her protection anymore. I had decided so when I left the Heart family mansion.

And there was also that problem with the holy knight named Norden. If he found out that I joined the king’s army, he’d definitely come up with some trouble. Moreover, since he’d technically be my boss, I wouldn’t be able to do anything to him.

Being able to move freely is the best after all.

[Thank you for your concern, but I do not belong anywhere.]

Roxy thought about something for a short while upon hearing my answer, but smoothly accepted it.

[Understood. Somehow, I had expected that kind of answer. Then, would you mind going out with me for a while?]

Roxy pointed outside as she said so. Did she mean to get out?

This…..she didn’t need to explain what that meant. I could somewhat tell since the air around her had changed.

[What if I refuse?]

[Then you’ll reflect on your past deeds in the district prison. That would be no good for you, right? I myself, am a little curious about your prowess, warrior Mukuro.]

Roxy walked out of the bar. Well, well, I wanted to avoid this if possible, but I guess it’s impossible now.

Why did I have to cross swords with Roxy? That said, Eris was waving at me.

[It has become interesting somehow. I can only cheer, but do your best.]

[You are drunk, aren’t you?]

[I’m just a bystander, remember?]

She’s right. That’s why she didn’t butt in when I was talking with Roxy. She just stayed there grinning and smiling…..what a nice personality.

And so, I put my hand on the black sword’s handle.

『This has become interesting, Fate!』

[Even you say the same thing!]

『Hahahahaha, this me is a bystander too. I’m just a weapon, after all. Now go quickly. Otherwise Roxy will be in a bad mood, and you’ll end up spending the night in jail』

Don’t joke around like that! I followed Roxy out of the bar. It would be a bit unreasonable if it’s just for a simple bout. I don’t care, but I have to do it anyways.

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