CH 58

“Kuku, you’re late.”

“…I’m sorry about that, yes.”

Luke opened the window and two people wearing turbans entered the room.

They immediately removed their turbans, took off their coats, and kneeled down with their heads bowed.

“Let me introduce myself again, Luke-sama. But before that…”

“Why are there beastmen here? Do you understand where you are?”

Alice’s eyes showed a hint of contempt.

The fact that they were “beastmen” was itself a reason for disdain, a common value in the Kingdom of Myrstia.

“Ignore her. She is—”

“Luke’s wife.”

“…”

For a moment, Luke hesitated.

He didn’t deny it because it wasn’t entirely wrong, and explaining it was too much of a hassle.

Therefore—

“Well, that’s fine.”

” ──!”

“Ugh, c-cant breathe…”

As a result of Luke’s statement, Alice experienced the most embarrassing moment of her life.

Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on Dia who she was currently holding and so Dia let out a groan.

Fortunately, Luke didn’t turn around.

“So, who are you guys?”

Without caring about such things, Luke asked very simply, who they were. What they were, to be exact.

(The technique I saw at that time was truly amazing. It wasn’t the movement of adventurers or knights. If that’s the case…)

“Um, yes… we are members of the Beast Kingdom’s clandestine organization.”

“We are.”

“… Kuku.”

Luke chuckled at the generally predictable answer.

(The Regario Beast Kingdom… I know it as knowledge, but to be this incompetent. What’s the point of sending in beast assassins from a beastmen country? Didn’t they consider the possibility of failure?)

“My real name is Doggul.”

“I’m Nekoma.”

“As you can see, we’re not related by blood, but well, we’re like siblings.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for your time today.”

“Thank you.”

Canis and Ferris, now known as Doggul and Nekoma, bowed their heads once again.

Alice watched quietly and listened to their conversation.

Dia tried to interrupt, but Alice gently restrained her, saying “Don’t interfere.”

“I see, so it was you guys who attacked Aslan?”

“No-no, it wasn’t us. It was probably the Holy Kingdom’s doing.”

“The Holy Kingdom?”

“Yes. In recent years, the Holy Kingdom seems to be up to something. They even asked for an alliance with the Beast Kingdom.”

The word “Holy Kingdom,” which he should have heard for the first time, gave Luke a strong sense of discomfort.

He couldn’t explain why, but it bothered him.

What it meant was…

“It means it’s deeply connected to the original story…”

“Hmm, what did you say?”

“Never mind. So why are you guys talking so freely? I can tell by listening to you that you’re the enemy.”

“N-no, not at all!!! We don’t have any intention of being hostile!!!”

“No, we’re not. We’re scared.”

The dark magic power overflowing from Luke crept along the ground, causing the hair on Doggul and Nekoma’s entire bodies to stand on end.

“We have absolutely no intention of being hostile. We came here today to convey that… yes.”

“Not hostile. Not even a little bit.”

“Hmm…”

Luke pondered as he looked again at the two people in front of him.

(These two also seem slightly suspicious. I’m not interested in what they were originally supposed to be involved in. However, I do know that the current situation is not following the original story… It feels like trouble. Tsk, If only Zach was here…)

“If possible, we’d like to be your allies, Luke-sama.”

“No need.”

“Huh? Why…”

“Sad.”

“…”

Doggul clearly showed his disappointment, but Nekoma remained expressionless.

However, Luke’s decision remained unwavering.

He didn’t need people who would easily switch sides.

While using contract magic would prevent betrayal, the drawbacks were far greater. Just obtaining two pawns would lead to an increase in enemies. It would also create more trouble.

There was something to be said for the technique and movements he had seen that completely concealed their presence at the time. However, for Luke, it was something that he could reproduce once he had seen it.

“…We’ve researched quite a bit. This country relies on magic, and the majority of people are unaware of the existence of ‘Skills’. I’ll say it bluntly. But Myrstia is left behind in this era.”

“What are you trying to say…?”

“The origin of ‘Skills’ is a few decades ago. Although it is relatively new, it has already been recognized in most countries, and it is becoming common for warriors to acquire Skills.”

Luke had never heard the word ‘Skills’ in his life. Indeed, he thought that this country might be even more behind than he had anticipated.

“Numerous experts spent unimaginable years honing their techniques and finally established the special art called ‘Skill’.”

Doggul lifted his head and looked straight at Luke.

“It’s hard to imagine that Luke-sama alone… acquired it without knowing anything about skills. I trust my instincts. It would be foolish to make an enemy of Luke-sama, more than making an enemy of the Beast Kingdom… So please, please allow us to serve you, Luke-sama! I beg of you!”

“I beg of you. We will follow.”

Looking at the two people bowing again, Luke thought to himself, “unnecessary.”

Luke’s intention had not changed.

At the moment, he did not need the shadow organization, nor was he planning to need it right now.

Above all, he only had a feeling that it would only bring more trouble.

Therefore, he thought about refusing them.

It would be easy to turn them away.

However, because these two people had a strange intensity, there was a possibility that they would persistently follow him in the future.

A slight silence enveloped the room.

“Kuku… I have an idea.”

Luke spoke up.

He had an impulsive thought.

“I don’t feel the need for just you two. Bring back all the members of the Beast Kingdom’s clandestine organization and make them my pawns. Then I’ll accept you.”

“…”

There was no deep thought or strategy in his words. It was just a passing thought to drive away these two beast people who didn’t seem to bring anything good if he got involved with them.

Doggul closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.

“…Can you promise to provide at least a humane living for us?”

After a while, he quietly asked Luke.

“Ah, of course. I have no interest in using pawns and discarding them. I could even make a contract with you, if you want. However, such a thing is impossible for you to—”

“Understood.”

“…Huh?”

He thought they would give up and leave.

After all, he was aware that he was imposing impossible demands on them.

But as he looked at Doggul, his eyes were filled with determination and resolve.

“No, wait. You two—”

“We will definitely bring all of our brethren. …With that, we will excuse ourselves.”

The figures of Doggul and Nekoma disappeared.

“…”

Surrounded by emptiness, Luke thought to himself.

Why does this always happen? Why does it never go exactly as planned?

However, even with Luke’s incredibly advanced intellect, he couldn’t find the answer.

“As expected of you, Luke. You’ve gained more pawns.”

“As expected of my lord, Luke-sama!”

“…”

It was foolish to think about things that couldn’t be changed.

“…I’ll go to sleep.”

He would leave any future troubles to his future self. Luke fell asleep, avoiding everything.

Thinking about tomorrow’s party.

§

“Haa… haa… think, think. In times like this, if it were Luke-kun—”

In the world of darkness where even plants and trees sleep,

Abel quietly grips his sword.

To protect something important.