Chapter 15
ON THE SECOND FLOOR of the Epicurean Excess, in the lounge of the restaurant-lined dining hall, they found Cyril and Asval conversing on a couch.
“We brought a special guest!” Zef called out, leading the gang to them.
Cyril and Asval turned and smiled with surprise when they saw Mira. Quite a few strangers looked over too.
“Well, this is quite a coincidence.”
“Ooh! Of all people!”
“You all seem well.” Mira smiled back at them. “I never expected we’d meet in a place like this.”
Asval looked a lot like a ruffian with his short red hair, but he had been there during the trip to Nebrapolis as well. Écarlate Carillon’s leader, Cyril, stood out with his delicate features and long red hair. Like Mira, he was a former player.
“I’m surprised, too,” he said. “But this city does draw crowds, so maybe such coincidences aren’t so uncommon.”
“You may be right. Where opportunity gathers, people follow. And the dungeons nearby are bountiful, as well,” Mira agreed, surveying the different sorts of customers gathered in the dining hall.
As a nation of commerce, Sentopoli drew people and products from all over the continent. And there existed many dungeons around the city. It was the ideal intersection of means and opportunity; to adventurers, it might as well be perfect.
“So, what brings you all the way out here, Mira? Is it related to those dates you asked us to look into?” Cyril said. He knew Mira had been given clues to follow the trails of the Nine Wise Men.
He didn’t know that her current mission was to work with the Isuzu Alliance to defeat Chimera Clausen—a messy situation, frankly, but necessary to return Isuzu’s leader, Wise Man Kagura, back to their homeland.
“Hrmm… You’re not entirely wrong,” Mira finally answered after turning the question around in her mind for a while. “Ah, right,” she added as she produced the date-filled memo that she’d once shown Cyril. “One of them, 2132 June 18, has been dealt with. You can ignore that one for now.”
That was the date on which Kagura the Seven Stars—also known as Isuzu’s leader Uzume—had returned to this now-real world. For better or for worse, people with the power of Wise Men tended to cause large disturbances in the world when they arrived, which meant that the dates themselves were useful clues.
“That so? Understood.” Cyril took his own copy of the memo from his pocket and drew a line through that item.
“Now, as for why I’ve come to Sentopoli. I’m not entirely sure if this is something we should discuss here…” Mira looked around and stood up. “It’s your decision,” she said to Cyril, then leaned in and whispered to him what the Skyfolk man had told her: Chimera Clausen’s headquarters were somewhere in Sentopoli.
Cyril’s expression became grave.
“I see. We don’t know where they might have eyes or ears, so I say we shouldn’t talk about it here. But it’s incredible news. I’d love to hear more details.”
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Cyril stood up to leave. Though it wasn’t publicized, national authorities and the Guild Union considered Chimera Clausen to be a major threat. If they continued to harm spirits, it might provoke the spirits to take revenge against all humanity.
Worse, no nation was able to catch Chimera Clausen. It was like grasping at mist. Yet now, Mira claimed to know their whereabouts. That information lit a fire of conviction in Cyril, who loved spirits just as much as he loved humanity.
“Hrmm, very well.”
It could take ages for her and Aaron alone to find Chimera’s secret base with only the vague knowledge that it was somewhere in this country. And now that Chimera had begun taking direct action, time was of the essence.
Fortunately, Cyril and his guild were trustworthy. She could safely request their aid, and Cyril understood her implicit hopes.
The group of six began to make their way up to Cyril’s room in order to continue their secret discussion. As they went up, they happened to run into Aaron, who had just returned, near the stairway. He was on his way to the second floor, and he looked exhausted.
“Ooh, Little Miss Mira. Back already?” he asked.
“Hrmm, perfect timing. Could you come with us?” Mira pointed up the stairs, smiling at the coincidence. Aaron had been gathering information on Chimera Clausen’s base, so Mira figured this would be a good opportunity to introduce him to Cyril’s party.
“Hm? Uh, yeah, sure.” Aaron glanced at the people tagging along with Mira and assented with a sigh. He’d been looking forward to a well-deserved meal.
The group sat around the table in Cyril’s room on the fifth floor. It was large enough to fit seven people with space to spare, even if the room’s furnishings were fairly plain.
Once Emella had fetched tea for everyone, Mira spoke. “Let me introduce Aaron. He and I are working together on this mission.”
All eyes gathered on him.
Aaron looked them each in the eye one by one as he introduced himself. “Hi, nice to meet you all.”
“Now, these folk are—”
Before Mira could introduce Cyril’s party, Aaron interrupted, “The guild Écarlate Carillon. Cyril and his subordinates, I presume?”
“Oh? Do you already know them?”
“They’re famous. What really surprises me is that you know them personally, little miss,” Aaron leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He was amazed by Mira’s connections, which even included the poorly disguised King Solomon.
“We’ve run into each other a few times,” Mira said. “Now, my apologies for acting without consulting you first, but I would like to tell them about Chimera’s headquarters. If all goes well, I would also like to ask for their help. What do you think?”
Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission was her usual style. She should have consulted Aaron before sharing any information about the mission, but she had already told Cyril some of it.
Aaron shrugged off her worries and answered, “Sounds like a damn good idea to me.”
Écarlate Carillon was an extremely popular guild among adventurers and well-known for their righteousness. Cyril attracted like minds. The Isuzu Alliance would see them as welcome sympathizers in the battle against Chimera—Mira had valuable connections indeed.
With their many members, they could also search larger areas. Aaron was exhausted from a full day of walking and more than willing to accept their aid.
“How about I start things off?” Aaron wearily explained everything—including Isuzu—hoping to earn their help.
***
The instant Aaron had finished speaking, Flicker exclaimed, “I’d love to help!” As a mage, she loved spirits more than the average person, and Chimera’s deeds enraged her.
“Yeah. I’ll help, too,” Emella said. She was the kind of person who had once joined two kids on a trip to a dungeon for free. Her kindness extended to spirits as well.
“I guess it’s my time to shine,” Zef added.
“I wouldn’t be a man if I sat by,” Asval muttered.
“There you have it,” Cyril said. Écarlate Carillon was of one mind. “We’ll do everything in our power to support Isuzu’s efforts.”
Freed from searching around by his lonesome for days on end, Aaron heaved a sigh of relief. “Wow, really? Thank you all so much.”
The Isuzu-Écarlate Carillon partnership was sealed, and they began discussing strategy. They went over how and where they would search in order to keep Chimera’s prying eyes off of them.
They ate dinner together in the middle of the meeting, then continued it late into the night.
***
With the meeting and meal complete, Zef stood up and said, “Well, we’ve got a new friend. How about we get better acquainted in the tub? It ought to be open at this time of night.”
It was a bit past ten now, but since the inn’s bath was open at all hours, it was easier to relax during the late-night off times.
“Good idea.” Asval stood up in agreement. “We’ll be fighting together soon enough.”
“Agreed. What do you think, Aaron?” Cyril chimed in.
They could get to know their new comrade while soaking in the big bath. It was more or less a common practice among adventurers to rub shoulders like this.
“Sounds fun. Let’s do it,” Aaron agreed and headed to the bath with the other men.
Flicker saw them off with a hungry grin. It was common etiquette for adventurers to bathe together…and she hadn’t bathed with Mira yet!
“Well. Why don’t we relax as fellow adventurers, too?” she suggested, a little too casually. Her eyes betrayed her true intent as she looked at Mira.
A few moments later, Flicker found herself tied to her chair with a sturdy rope, thanks to Emella’s brilliant handiwork.
After making sure the rope had no give, Emella said, “All right. How about that bath?”
“Mm, I suppose. Shall we?” Mira slowly stood, making sure to hide the gleam in her own eye.
Flicker had telegraphed her intent like an amateur. Despite keeping her speech calm, she wore the excited look of a girl about to go to an amusement park.
“Please wait! I swear I won’t touch you for the rest of my life! Please, I’m begging yooou!” Flicker wailed as the two got up to leave. She struggled violently in her chair until it fell over, yet she kept pleading as she scooted along the ground after them. Even Mira found it pitiful. Emella visibly cringed.
“What if we had mercy? Can we trust her?” Mira wondered, unable to bear the sight.
Emella heaved a big sigh and untied Flicker’s restraints, grumbling, “Fine. I guess. Do you swear?”
“On all the gods of heaven and earth!” Flicker kneeled like a knight and swore, her face more sincere than ever.
***
Mira, Emella, and the subdued Flicker returned to the inn’s first floor. The space between the entrance and the bath was free of the crowd at this time of day. Sparse customers in plain clothes dotted the lobby.
It felt a little dreary now that the souvenir shops on this floor were mostly closed. But still, there was something thrilling about the late-night trip.
The bath was split into men’s and women’s sides. While some male customers cast longing glances toward the women’s entrance, Mira unabashedly opened the door and stepped into paradise. It was a line that men could never cross, yet that rule no longer applied to her.
Mira smirked back at the sidelong glances from her male counterparts.
As she stripped in the changing room, Mira stole glances at Emella and Flicker. When she did, Flicker’s eyes almost always locked with hers for an instant. It was so fleeting that she almost wondered if she’d imagined it. Knowing Flicker, though, it was no coincidence—even now, she had her eyes peeled for an opening.
Regardless, Mira had long since shed her embarrassment at being seen nude, and Flicker’s ogling did not bother her. In fact, it might have even excited her somewhat.
It was the savage groping she could do without.
After she’d finished shedding her clothes, Mira got a good look at Emella and Flicker before walking leisurely off to the bath. It seemed that Flicker was the type who used clothes to conceal her assets—now that she was naked, her bosom was overwhelming compared to Emella’s.
The baths were nothing particularly special; they were simply furnished, in keeping with the rest of the hotel architecture. In the back was a large stone bath with a mural of a field of flowers in a forest clearing. The near side featured washbasins. To the left were the sauna and cold plunge. This bath couldn’t be described as luxurious, but it was a calming place of respite.
And it was large, accommodating nearly thirty people at once. But at this time of night, fewer than ten people were taking advantage of the facilities.
“I love baths…” Mira stretched out and relaxed in the water.
“Riiight?” Emella expressed her agreement languidly.
Flicker sat across from Mira and obediently soaked, sitting stock-still in the water. Emella had confiscated her glasses before they’d entered the bath, and she had tears in her eyes.
“Y’know, Mira, it really took me by surprise when I saw you were with Aaron the Unfaltering,” Emella said.
“Oh? Is he a big deal?” Mira made her surprise and respect evident.
It seemed Aaron was rather famous among adventurers. His stalwart strength and years of real experience were acknowledged by many nations. They had tried to hire him for government service quite a few times.
She heard his voice from the other side of the wall. “Not as big a deal as you, Little Miss Mira.”
This bath was much like a public bath, complete with a slight opening at the top of the barrier between the men’s and women’s sides.
Mira stood up from the bath and yelled over to the men’s side, “Whatever could you mean? I’m only a humble adventurer.”
Aaron’s voice, tinged with laughter, returned. “Sure. Have it your way.”
After that short conversation, Mira grabbed a bath stool and a bucket to head off to the washbasins. Suddenly feeling eyes on her, she looked up to the top of the wall and saw Zef’s face peeking down. Seeing that he’d been caught, he hid the lust on his face and stared into Mira’s eyes gravely.
“Peeking? Oh, the indiscretions of youth.” Mira put down the stool and bucket and smirked fearlessly up at Zef. She was honestly impressed at his juvenile stunt.
“Ah…larger than I expected…ma’am.” Zef suddenly looked serious and spoke politely, like a man interviewing a prospective bride.
“You like them on the bigger side, as I recall?” With a provocative grin, Mira pushed her breasts together.
“Yes, ma’am. I like it when they’re too big to fit in my hands.” Zef responded truthfully.
Mira honestly supported Zef’s position on that. Feeling a sense of superiority now that she got to be in the forbidden paradise, she warned, “Well, you’d best make sure nobody sees you.”
“I appreciate your consideration,” Zef thanked her as eloquently. Then his face froze in horror. Wielding a bucket and clearly furious, Emella had him in her crosshairs.
A hollow thud echoed through the bath, followed by a groan of pain.
I hope it was worth it. Mira silently saluted Zef, who had disappeared beyond the wall.
As Mira sat at the washbasin, Emella approached as if nothing had happened. “Mira! Leave it to me!”
Emella washed Mira, Flicker washed Emella, then Mira washed Flicker—who nearly fainted from pure bliss. Thus, the girls developed their friendship.
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