Light leaked out from the windows of the buildings and shone from the street lamps. The nights in the imperial capital were always bright. The darkness grew thicker upon entering the back alleys, but it still wasn't completely dark and people could recognize the face of someone standing in front of them.
The person standing in front of me was Loki. I was just receiving an investigative report on Hugo, which I had requested using owl mail.
When the deal was done and I was about to leave, Loki spoke unexpectedly.
「You seem to have been targeted by the Gambino family」
「Huh? What do you mean?」
That was a bolt from the blue. I tilted my head at the news that I could not make heads or tails of.
「Why do I have to be targeted by the Gambino family?」
「I don't know the details, but it's related to the incident at Mintz village」
「Mintz village?」
「The village chief there appeared to have complained about some half-truths directly to the Don, Albert. That's why he's targeting you」
「That's absurd」
What an absurd story. The village chief of Mintz village certainly did mention the name of the Gambino family, but he should only have been just a debtor to them.
He had most probably brought up my name as an excuse for not being able to repay the loan. Or maybe he had even meant for it to bring vengeance down on me.
Either way, they were the lying words of an idiot. The Gambino family and I have no involvement with one another. It's far too unreasonable for my life to be targeted irregardless of that.
「Did the Gambino Family believe the excuses of that crazy village chief? There's also the matter with the stimulants, what is going on with them?」
「There's no point in trying to figure out their motives. Albert, the Don of the Gambino Family is a true madman」
「A madman, huh. What a nuisance」
「The previous Don was a good person though」
「Is that so?」
「You probably don't know about him because he died before you came to the imperial capital, but he was actually very well-regarded as a person of character. He was also a chivalrous thief who fought against evil and helped the weak」
「And the son of such a respectable person is a madman? It seems that he had no talent in raising children」
When I spat those words out, Loki shook his head.
「No, the previous Don didn't raise him. Albert was his illegitimate child and was already an adult by the time he was brought into the Family to be the heir」
「So there were such circumstances...... Hmm? Then--」
I swallowed the words that were about to come out of my mouth.
I had heard footsteps. The footsteps of one person in a dark alley where no one should be passing by at night. Moreover, there was a soft jangle of metal bumping against metal. Someone who was armed was approaching. There was still a distance till that person would run into us, but he wasn't that far away.
As I was focusing my attention on the footsteps, I looked at Loki and noticed that the distance between us had opened up before I had realized. In that case, the situation was clear.
「Loki, you...... sold me out, didn't you?」
The timing was too perfect. The plan was probably to delay me here so that he could hand me over to the assassin on a silver platter. That was the only thing that made sense.
「I'm sorry, Noel. I also cannot go against Albert」
「For an information broker to set his client up, you're a failure as a professional. Do you understand what that means?」
「I understand it very well. However, not in exchange for my life. Besides, I've even received a lot of money from Albert. I intend to use that money to migrate to another country and work hard at getting a fresh start there」
「I see, that's not a bad plan. But you left out just one thing. And that is that I have no reason to let you live」
I drew Silver-chan and aimed it at Loki.
「It's a shame, I didn't hate you though」
「What a strange coincidence. I also didn't hate you, boss. You're so pure(pretty) after all. ......But well, I guess there's no helping it. Although Faceless will die a shabby death, I can accept being killed at your hand」
I had been sure that he would resist, but let alone escaping, Loki relaxed his strength and closed his eyes. It was almost as if he was saying, 『Please kill me』.
「Don't you value your life?」
「Yes, I do. ......But after committing the biggest taboo of an information broker in exchange for my life, I realized it for the first time. That I, who had lost my pride, no longer had any value......」
「I see...... I can understand that feeling......」
I put my finger on Silver-chan's trigger. I started to squeeze it, but then I stopped.
「Go. I'll forget about what happened today」
Loki opened his eyelids and his eyes became as wide as saucers.
「I'm...... forgiven?」
「No, you're not. But, it isn't something worth killing you for」
「......boss......」
「Also, there's no need to leave the imperial capital. Because I'm going to crush the Gambino Family. Stay here and reclaim back the pride you lost」
At my declaration, Loki stood motionless with his eyes still wide open. And then, he laughed out loud. He held his stomach as he continued laughing, and when he finally stopped, his eyes were filled with tears.
「......Haa, haa, I laughed so hard that I thought I was going to die. ......Boss, are you serious? You'll be going up against the Gambino Family, the direct affiliate of the Luciano Family, you know?」
「So?」
「No, even if you say that......」
「I'm in need of money at the moment. My problem will be solved if I crush them and take their money. If I look at it in this way, crushing them is just a small bonus」
「......Boss, you're not right in the head after all」
「You've said it, idiot」
The conversation was gradually turning into a light banter. The assassin's footsteps were already pretty close. I pointed to the exit of the alley in the opposite direction of the footsteps.
「Hurry up and get lost. You'll get in the way during the fight」
There was no way to escape without fighting from the start. Rather than trying to escape and giving up my back, I would stand a much better chance taking the fight on from the front.
「......Boss, is there anything I can do?」
「Not here. But I'll need your abilities afterwards. Lend me your strength then. Of course, it'll be for free. Then we'll be even」
「Heh, understood. ......Good bye, and good luck」
Loki left like the wind.
I took a combat stimulant from my waist pouch and drank it. It was a drug that stimulated brain activity and improved concentration and strength. Its effects would last for 10 minutes. The rebound afterwards would be large, but my fighting ability would almost double while it lasted.
The effects of the combat stimulant appeared in an instant. I felt calmer and felt as if my world had expanded. I could clearly see into every corner of this dark alley. It was so quiet. I could no longer hear any background noises. In exchange, I could pick up all sounds accurately and perfectly, be it the type or nature of the sound.
The footsteps belonged to a man. Height was in the late 170s range. Slim but had plenty of muscles. Age was young and probably in the late teens. From the rhythm of his footsteps, he was likely a vanguard. Two swords as weapons. Could be a dual-sword user. He was wearing armor.
It was enough if I could figure that much out. This alley was narrow. Even a master of the sword would find it difficult to utilize his full strength here.
Eventually, I saw a human figure.
The assassin's appearance that was revealed by the faint light was exactly what I had predicted. A young slim man with a height in the late 170s. He was equipped with Far Eastern armor and two swords.
But I hadn't expected that face at all.
He was an Oriental. With a lightly chiseled face and good-looking features, he could definitely be considered handsome. His cool-looking eyes especially stood out.
I remembered this face. Of course, it had been black with mud and dirt at the time. If my memory served me right, this guy--
「Y, you're Noel Stollen?」
The Oriental had recognized me and asked in a surprised voice.
It seemed that I wasn't wrong after all.
「Yes, I'm Noel Stollen. Long time no see, Kouga」
†
†
Unlike our previous confrontation, Kouga was not only perfectly equipped, but also looked physically fit. He was not yet in his battle state, but the pressure I felt was already incomparable to before.
「I hadn't expected you to be the Gambino Family's assassin. You've changed jobs from being a gladiator to being a bullet for the Yakuza. Congratulations, you've really gone up in the world」
As I clapped my hands provocatively, Kouga wrinkled his brow.
「Isn't it none of your business?」
「What happened to the middle-aged Halfling? Did Albert kill him?」
「......I don't know. He disappeared off somewhere immediately after handing over ownership of me」
「Hmm~, I see. Which means that you're now Albert's doggie」
「......Say whatever you wish」
「What, you're no fun to tease. Hmpt, never mind. I take it you're the assassin sent here to take my life, right? Then draw your sword. We'll continue right where we left off last time」
I pointed Silver-chan at Kouga, but he remained motionless.
「Hmm? Why aren't you taking up your stance?」
「......This is a battle without any righteousness」
「What are you talking about?」
「To tell the truth, I don't want to fight you. You may be a disagreeable person, but I still owe you a debt for that large silver coin」
I couldn't help laughing at his out-of-place words.
「What debt are you talking about? You simply picked up money that I had dropped」
「I can't understand such roundabout words because I'm an idiot. But once I thought about it carefully, it's just too strange that you would just happen to drop your money right in front of me」
「And? Are you saying that you're going to let me go because of your obligation of just one large silver coin? Are you allowed such freedom despite being a slave?」
「It's as you said. I'm not allowed such freedom. When I'm told to kill, no matter who the opponent is, I've no choice but to kill. But even I have my pride」
Kouga took a deep breath and raised his voice.
「My name is Kouga Tsukishima!! My Job is Bladesman! Rank is C! Trait is the ability to manipulate slashes! That's my ability, remember it well!!」
Divulging your own abilities? So you're saying that you want to have a fair fight? You idiot. You're just a bought slave under the Yakuza, don't show such worthless pride.
But--
「Hmpt, it's only polite to return the favor when the opponent has introduced himself. I'll introduce myself again. I'm the Talker, Noel Stollen. My Job trait is that I can use skills without consuming magic power. And I'm the one who has inherited the blood, will and techniques of the great hero, Over Death」
「Talker, Noel Stollen, I'll never forget that name」
「Is that so? Well, even if you remembered it, it's meaningless since you're going to die」
「Haha, stop joking! The one who will win is me!」
「The fun chat is over. Let's get started, shall we?」
「Yeah! --Well then, let's go!」
Sometimes, having a battle like this isn't bad at all--
Loki x Noel!!?? Mary would be happy but then again, Loki can shape-shift into a woman so maybe not?
Anyone else getting serious shonen vibes here? Nothing shouts “Friendship, Effort, Victory” quite as well as a great frenemy. But, like Noel said, it really isn’t bad sometimes. Next chapter is obviously Noel vs Kouga II. You won’t want to miss it.
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