Chapter 3: Intruder

“Hmm?”

A clear, feminine voice rang out from the raven’s beak.

“What do you mean the target’s been caught, Loki?”

“Just what it sounds like. She’s already on her way to prison.”

Sensing the confusion in the other’s words, Loki squinted his eyes in a good mood, letting the night breeze—tinged with a mix of alcohol and perfume—brush past as he admired the chaotic yet alluring street view of Caesania.

He was currently communicating remotely with a woman through his familiar.

That woman was Christine.

She was the one who had dragged Loki out of the ruins—a lifesaver, and also his partner. A woman who… could probably be called a just knight.

Compared to the Steel Saintess who had appeared earlier, she was even somewhat notorious—rumor had it, she’d gone on killing sprees more than once, all under the excuse of having her soul sea corrupted.

Rather than her real name, most people preferred to call her “Black Sword.”

Thinking back, it was practically a miracle that she hadn’t just finished Loki off with one stroke back then, but had instead forced him into partnership.

She’d never done anything like that before.

Ha, could it be she took a liking to me?

Loki had once wondered, but quickly gave up on that thought because it made his head itch.

Honestly, it was more believable that she just wanted to squeeze every last bit of value out of him before killing him.

“…Are you saying you, with just fifth-tier strength, managed to subdue an assassin skilled in stealth and assassination, and who’s even been modified by ‘Hand of Truth’?”

Loki could almost see Christine’s elegantly arched brows raise high.

Actually, Miss Knight was quite the beauty herself, but her personality was… well, to put it mildly, pretty terrible, which was probably why she’d never had a single suitor.

After all, she was the kind of woman who’d stab you to death at the slightest disagreement. Compared to her, the true face of Celu might as well be an angel sent to earth.

Loki replied half-jokingly.

“Surprised? Actually, I’ve always been hiding my true strength.”

Christine only let out a cold laugh, then fired back mercilessly.

“Bragging again, huh? I know your body better than you do. Fifth-tier strength is only good enough for dealing with bandits and thugs. Idiot, if I don’t get word that the target’s in jail within three minutes, you can just wait to die.”

“I wouldn’t joke with you about something like this.”

“…Hmph, I almost wish you were joking.”

The lady knight muttered under her breath.

“Who would’ve thought you actually pulled it off back then… If I hadn’t been feeling merciful and dragged you out of that pile of corpses, you’d probably be starting elementary school by now.”

“Yes, yes, it’s all thanks to the beautiful and kind Lady Christine that I’m standing here safe and sound, enjoying the breeze.”

“As long as you know. You can spend the rest of your life repaying this debt… Wait, I just got a message from the knight order.”

Christine’s tone suddenly turned odd.

“No wonder you didn’t use the thing I gave you. Give me an explanation, Loki. What’s with the Steel Saintess? You cast out bait for a fish, but managed to hook one of the church’s big shots instead?”

“I’m not really sure either. But if I said she came here specifically for me…”

“I believe you.”

Christine replied calmly.

“I’m just curious why she didn’t kill you. You know, when you were running errands for the bad guys, you almost turned the whole world upside down… Logically, the Holy Church should hate you to the bone.”

“It’s a long story. I’m just as confused as you.”

“Is that so? I still feel like something’s off.”

Christine said bluntly.

“Whatever, as usual, let’s talk details when we meet tomorrow morning. I can’t believe the rumors were true—after all these years, the Hand of Truth actually dares to meddle in Caesania again. They’ve got some guts.”

The raven swallowed the coin, then spread its wings and flew out the window, vanishing into the night.

At the same time, Christine’s last words echoed in the young man’s ears.

“Get some rest, Loki. We’re going to be busy from now on.”

“I will.”

After a quick wash-up, Loki lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

He’d paid for a night’s rent, after all—couldn’t let it go to waste.

The next morning, after paying the inn for the broken window glass and curtains, he took the tram back to his place.

It was a plain, unremarkable studio apartment—nothing special, nothing lacking. There were countless similar mass-produced units in Caesania, perfectly matching Loki’s current middle-of-the-road strength.

His first half of life had been extraordinary enough; for the second half, it was better to keep things simple.

Loki had no lofty ambitions, nor any vulgar hobbies. The reason he agreed to work with Christine and volunteered to act as bait to lure out the rats was, mainly, for money.

He’d wanted to refuse—after all, freedom was worth more—but Christine had offered a condition he couldn’t turn down.

Protecting Loki’s life.

There wasn’t another job in the world that paid this well, was so exciting, and yet wasn’t truly dangerous.

The little gadget Christine gave Loki was a spatial beacon. Once activated, it would instantly teleport the lady knight to his side.

With that ace up his sleeve, even fifth-tier strength was enough to swagger around most places. Even if he ran into those from the Order faction who wanted to tear him to pieces, he wouldn’t need to back down.

Thinking about it, maybe being a lackey somewhere else wasn’t so bad after all.

Especially when the boss was a feast for the eyes, and not some crazed old geezer.

“Meow.”

At his doorstep, Loki saw a black cat.

Because the apartment was old, there weren’t many rules. It wasn’t unusual to see neighbors’ pets wandering the halls and stairwells, so a cat showing up wasn’t anything strange.

But this black cat, for some reason, just stared at Loki with its odd red-and-blue eyes, unmoving, for a long time.

Only when Loki took out his keys did it meow softly, wave its tail, and walk away.

At the same moment, the door suddenly opened.

“Welcome home~”

With a voice like silver bells, a silver-haired, violet-eyed girl appeared naturally at the entryway.

She blinked playfully, face full of the “So, are you surprised?” expression. She wore a simple set of loungewear, brimming with youthful energy, radiating the vibrancy of a young girl.

Her small feet, wrapped in white tights, stepped into slippers. Like a gourmet dish prepared by a master chef, every detail was perfect—the pearl-like toes curled slightly, stretching the elastic fabric just a bit.

“So? Doesn’t this look totally like a girlfriend’s outfit?”

Celu puffed out her chest.

The peaks on her chest, wildly disproportionate to her height, immediately began a violent tectonic shift, distorting the pattern on her shirt.

…Wait.

“Isn’t that my shirt you’re wearing?”

Loki asked with a blank expression.

Compared to that, the fact that she was in his home at all seemed trivial.

“Yup.”

She cheerfully pulled the collar up to her nose, inhaling deeply with an intoxicated look. “Huff huff huff,” she breathed, not caring at all about Loki’s strange stare.

“I didn’t mean to do it, but before I knew it, I’d already changed into it. To make it up to you, you can boldly sniff my underwear if you want.”

Pervert.

Wait, this isn’t the time to appreciate that.

“You… didn’t you say you’d respect my wishes? I clearly refused—”

“I respect your wishes ≠ your refusal is effective.”

Celu put one hand on her hip, striking a victor’s pose as she declared shamelessly.

“I told you from the start, I’m just informing you what I’m going to do… If you have a problem, feel free to file a complaint with the Church, okay?”

It was basically, “If you have the guts, go tell my mom.”

Loki was furious but didn’t dare speak up.

He hadn’t expected even his tiny bit of private space would be so brazenly invaded. Suddenly, he kind of understood how the poor saps in those NTR stories felt.

…

But what could he do?

Nothing, unless he wanted to be beaten to his knees.

Given the circumstances, he might as well go inside.

Even moving wouldn’t help—judging by this woman’s attitude, she was dead set on chasing him to the ends of the earth.

He decided to compromise for now, to see just what she was up to.

“You… didn’t rummage through my stuff, did you?”

“Relax, I just checked the wardrobe. I’m not interested in anything else, just wanted to see if any girls’ things were left in there or something. Oh, and I took a nap hugging your used pillow.”

Celu definitely emphasized “your used” on purpose.

What, do I look like some hormone-crazed teenager?

Don’t think you can corrupt my thoughts with such dirty tricks!

Loki thought indignantly, though his eyes never strayed from the girl’s curves.

He couldn’t be blamed—after all, the saintess’s petite yet voluptuous figure was just too tempting. Her face, both youthful and dazzling, was like melting honey, effortlessly stirring the desires in Loki’s heart.

If he made some excessive request now, would Celu satisfy him without a word, or would she pull out a knife?

Best not to test that in person.

Women… especially beautiful, powerful ones who keep sending you ambiguous signals, are truly terrifying.

If he hadn’t seen too much already, Loki might have fallen right then and there.

“Do you have some unrealistic fantasies about a single nobleman who’s lived alone for years?”

Even with his mind in chaos, Loki had to keep up the act of a gentleman.

But the girl’s retort made it hard to keep a straight face.

“Oh? But you went to that kind of place last night, didn’t you?”

“There was a reason. Also, I don’t like the taste of cheap makeup and booze, and I don’t like women who’ll sleep with you for money.”

Loki said.

“Even if I did want to do something, it’s none of your business.”

“From today, it is my business.”

Celu narrowed her eyes and let out a scornful laugh, clearly not taking Loki’s stubbornness seriously, then turned and headed for the kitchen.

What do you mean, your business…

What, are you going to control me too?

After closing the door, Loki went to the living room and flopped down on the sofa.

He had to admit, with an over-spec beauty in the house, even the lighting seemed better, and the apartment felt decades younger.

The familiar surroundings, the same old furniture, the coffee table still stacked with newspapers days out of date, the umbrella from the other day quietly leaning in the corner, the sofa beneath him rough with age.

Only the saintess shone, her presence as striking as a brand-new TV just moved in.

He took the plate of sandwiches and cup of black tea Celu handed him.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome~”

…

Wait.

Have I gotten used to this already?

Loki stared blankly at the sandwich in his hand, not sure when he’d grabbed it, lost in thought.