Light leaking out of building windows and street lights. Imperial nights are always bright. If you put it in the alley, the darkness will thicken, but still you can recognize the face of those who stand in the front, not the complete darkness.
The person in front of you is Loki. I just received an investigation report on Hugo relations, which I was requesting using an owl flight.
Loki says out when the deal is over and about to leave.
"Looks like you're being targeted by the Gambino family."
"Huh? What do you mean?
Water in your sleeping ear is this. I tilt my neck to something I don't remember at all.
"Why do I have to be targeted by the Gambino family?"
"I don't know the details, but it's caused by one of the Mintz Villages"
"The village of Mintz?
"It seems that the village chief there directly complained that it had never been in Albert, the leader (Don). That's why he's after you."
"Ridiculous"
What a ridiculous story. Indeed, the mayor of the village of Mintz uttered the name of the Gambino group (family), but it should have just been a relationship where he owed money.
Daimyo, I guess you gave my name for that excuse because you can no longer repay your debts. Or maybe it meant vengeance.
Either way, it's a delusion of a great idiot. Me and the Gambino group (family) don't have any cause or effect. Yet it's too unreasonable to be targeted for life.
"Did the Gambino group (family) believe what the crazy village chief said? It's called a wake-up call. What's going on with them?
"It's no use thinking about motives. Albert, the head of the Gambino group, is a real lunatic."
"Madman, right. It's annoying."
My predecessors were decent.
"Really?
"You don't know Noel because he died before he came to the Imperial Capital, but he was more of a reputable person. He was also a thief who helped the evil and the weak."
"Such a personable son is a madman? Well, you didn't have the talent to raise a child."
Loki shook her head when I told her to throw up.
"No, my predecessors didn't raise Albert. Albert was a first-born bastard, and he was already an adult when he came in to mark it."
"Is that the situation?...... yeah? That's..."
Swallow the words you tried to continue.
Footsteps. Footsteps for one in the alley where no one comes in the middle of the night. Moreover, it also makes the sound of metal rubbing. Someone armed is approaching. There's a distance until you encounter it, but it's not that far either.
I was concentrating on my footsteps. When I saw Loki, the distance between them was open at some point. When this happens, things are obvious.
"Loki, you... you sold me?
The timing is too good. I guess we should stop here and hand it over to the assassin. I can't think of anything else.
"Sorry, Noel. I can't stand Albert either."
"It's unprofessional for an informant to put up a client. You know what that means?
"I know. But I can't replace my life. Besides, Albert's getting a lot of money. I'm going to go to another country with this money, and I'm going to try my best there."
"I see, it's not a bad plan. But one thing is missing. There's no reason why I wouldn't kill you."
I'll pull Silver out and aim for Loki.
"Too bad I didn't hate you."
"That's an odd encounter. I didn't hate the Admiral either. You're beautiful.... but, well, I can't help it. It's a terrible time to change, but if you're going to kill me, I'm convinced."
I thought I was going to resist, but Loki was weak and closed her eyes instead of running. It's like, go ahead and kill me, just saying.
"Didn't life matter?
"Importance.... but for the first time I've ever figured out that I offended my contraindications as an informer for sparing my life. I've lost my pride and I'm worthless..."
"Well... it's an understandable emotion..."
Hang your finger on Silver's trigger. I tried to squeeze it, but I stopped it.
"Go. I'll forget about today"
Loki opened her lid and rounded her eyes.
"You forgive me...?
"I won't allow it. But it's not enough to kill."
"Admiral..."
"And you don't have to leave the Empire City. I'll crush the Gambinos. Get your lost pride back here again."
I assure you, Loki stayed still with her eyes open. And laugh out loud. I held my belly and kept laughing, and when the laughter subsided, there were tears in my eyes.
"... haha, I thought I'd die laughing too much.... Admiral, are you serious? The other guy's a direct from the Luciano group, the Gambino group, right?
"So?"
"No, that's why..."
"I was just in for it. If we crush them and get the money, we'll solve that problem too. That's a little bonus to think about."
"... Admiral, you're crazy."
"Say it, fool."
The conversation is getting lighter and lighter. The assassin's footsteps are already quite close. I point to the exit in the alley opposite the footsteps.
"Just lose it. Out of the way of battle."
There is no way to escape without fighting. As long as they run away and take the back, it's better to intercept them directly from the front because they have a much higher chance of winning.
"... General, is there anything I can do?
"Not on this occasion. But I need your help later. Give me some help then. Sure, for free. So you owe me nothing."
"Heh, roger.... Well, good luck with that."
Loki left like the wind.
I took a combat reminder out of my hip pouch and drank it. It is a medicine that activates brain activity and improves concentration and muscle strength. Sufficient duration. The recoil is huge but roughly doubles the fighting power.
The effect of the medicine appeared in an instant. I feel the spirit calm and the world expand. I can clearly see every corner of the dark alley. Quiet. I can't hear a noise at all. Instead, I can pick up all of the sound accurately. Perfect to its type and nature.
Footsteps belong to men. He is a hundred and seventy second half tall. Skinny but has a lot of muscle strength. Are you a young person or a late teenager? That's an avant-garde position from the rhythm of footsteps. The weapon has two swords. Could be a duplicitous user. He also wears armor.
That's enough to know. This alley is narrow. Even if you were a master of swords, it would be difficult to make full use of that power.
Eventually, I saw a shadow.
The style of assassins revealed in the pale light was what I expected. A young skinny man of one hundred and seventies tall. Equipped with Far Eastern armor and two knives.
But the face was completely unexpected.
Oriental. The sculpture is shallow but the nose stands out well and I can appreciate it for its brilliant eyebrows. Especially with cool eyes.
I remember this face. Although it was black with mud and dirt at that time. If I remember correctly, this man...
"Oh, which one of you, Noel Stolen?
An Orientalist who admitted to my appearance asks in surprise.
Again, it seems for sure.
"Yes, I'm Noel Stolen. Long time no see, Kouga."
†
†
Unlike the last time, the confronting Kouga is not only perfectly equipped, but also fully equipped. I'm not in a state of collision yet, but that pressure is already not comparable to the last one.
"No way, you're the Gambino assassin. Transfer from swordsmen to gangsters (Yakuza)? Congratulations."
When I provoke with applause, Kouga wrinkles between his brows.
"None of your business."
"What happened to the halfling old man? Did Albert kill you?
"... I don't know. It disappeared right after I transferred ownership of the eagle."
"Huh, I see. So now you're Albert's Wang?"
"... say anything"
"Oh, my God, you're not a tease worthless guy. Yeah, okay. You're the assassin to me, aren't you? Then pull out the sword. Let's go on then."
I turn Silver to Kouga. But I won't let Kouga be slight.
"Am I? Why don't you mind?
"... this is a battle without righteousness."
"What are you talking about?
"Honestly, I don't fight any of you. I don't like you guys, but I owe you one big silver coin."
I had no choice but to laugh at those misplaced words.
"I owe you one. You just picked up the money I dropped."
"I don't know that kind of far-fetched word because I'm an idiot. But if you think about it, it's strange to drop money in front of a weasel on purpose."
"So? Then you're just a big silver coin in law and you're telling me you're gonna miss me? You think the habit of slavery allows such freedom?
"Which one of you is right. I'm not allowed that freedom. Slash, if you say so, the only way for the other person to slash anyone. But I'm also proud of you."
Kouga inhales loudly and sticks up his voice.
"My name is Kouga Tuxima!! Function (Job) is Swordsman! Rank C! Characteristics are manipulation of slaughter! Remember, this is my ability!!
You think I'm a talent rat? So, you're saying we make it a fair fight? Stupid. The slavery bought by the gang (Yakuza) makes such a boring point.
But...
"Hmm, it's polite to call me back when you're named. Let's name it again. I'm Noel Stolen, the magician. Functional (Job) characteristics are the ability to use skills without magic consumption. And he also inherits the blood, will and moves of the great hero, the immortal devil (Overdeath)"
"Speaker Noel Stolen, I'll never forget that name"
"Right. Well, I just remembered, there's no point in dying."
"Ha, let it out! Winning is not winning!
"We're done having fun chatting. Shall we get started?"
"Respond! - Come on, come on!
Sometimes, these fights aren't bad...