I was asked for a permit to pass, but I didn’t have one, so I was taken away.
This is why I’m confined in this charming cell.
“Hey Piyo, don’t lick the bars. You’ll have to pay if you break them.”
“Mmm, but they’re tasty.”
Do I have to wait here until that captain returns? It’s boring, but it’s quiet here thanks to the absence of residents. I let out a big yawn. Two guards are staring at me intently in front of the cell.
“Um, I’d like to ask, were there any other intruders besides us?”
“Yes, there were. One is right there.”
One of them pointed to the adjacent cell. By the way, since there are a lot of us, we’re being held separately. But there’s no one I know to my right. That means it’s someone else. It must be one of Auroa’s subordinates. Piyo stopped licking and looked at the adjacent wall.
“Hey, who are you?”
I can’t see into the next cell from here, so I don’t know who’s inside. Is the voice male or female?
“–Hey, we meet again.”
Again? The voice that replied was male. He sounds young, but not a child. Have I met him before?
“Hey Sharin.”
“No way… That’s impossible…”
Sharin covered his mouth, trembling slightly. What’s wrong? Was the opponent that shocking? Am I the only one who hasn’t met this person?
“Who are you? State your name.”
“Have you forgotten me? It’s Anakura.”
Anakura? That can’t be right. He was, at that time…
“Who are you? He’s supposed to be dead.”
“Yes, he died once.”
Am I talking to a ghost now? Is this the new assassin’s strategy? Appearing as the dead to confuse the opponent. It could be some kind of hallucination. It’s even more unsettling since I can’t see his form from here.
“Um, could you tell me what the person next door looks like?”
“Hmm, he’s a big Naga, maybe a man? But he has wings.”
The guard standing in front of the cell answered like that. He’s not lying. A winged Naga, that matches. I want to see his form. That’s it! I handed Nina’s hand mirror to the guard.
“Could you hold this for me? A little more to the left, no, the opposite way, yes, there.”
A glimpse of black wings reflected in the mirror. Impossible. There’s no way he could have survived in that situation.
“Actually, I was saved after that. Just barely. When I woke up, I was in the hospital.”
So that’s what happened. I thought he was dead, but he was actually saved. And now he’s working as Auroa’s subordinate. If that’s the case, Auroa must still be nearby. Various speculations raced through my mind.
“Oh, I see. You were joking about being dead. Well, I’m glad you’re alive. By the way, where is Auroa?”
“You’re so cold despite our reunion. I don’t know. I was just brought here.”
If only this wall wasn’t here, I could have beaten it out of him and made him spit it out. No, this guy wouldn’t give up information that easily. Just then, the captain, who had gone somewhere, returned with a Melon Cake. He stood in front of our cell and cleared his throat with a “cough.”
“Your permits have been confirmed. You may leave.”
The captain opened the cell where we were being held. I immediately checked the adjacent room. There stood Anakura, exactly as he appeared when I met him that time. Black Dark Harpy wings, a Naga’s lower body. And a gap-toothed smile without canine teeth.
“Hey, that’s…”
“Where is Auroa? Answer me.”
A downpour, muddy ground, roaring thunder. It all flashed back in my mind. He really almost killed me.
“Calm down a little. Shall I read your fortune?”
“Don’t joke. Pull out even one card, and I’ll kill you again.”
Anakura smiled wryly. I won’t let him do that again. Someone then placed a hand on my shoulder.
Who?! Stop bothering me!!
“Ah, no…”
The captain took a step back when he saw my face. I gripped the dagger in my right hand tightly. Sharin gently held my hand.
“Arisugawa, calm down. Put down your weapon.”
“…Sorry.”
Before I knew it, I had drawn the dagger. The marks of my nails were clearly visible on my palm. I took a deep breath and turned back to Anakura.
“Why are you here? Where did you part ways with Auroa? What is he doing?”
“I really don’t know. My consciousness was hazy the whole time. When I realized it, I was here.”
That’s impossible. He’s definitely lying. While he was unleashing this guy on us, he must have been targeting the White Rose.
“Excuse me, but could you let him out too?”
“That is not permitted.”
“Is that so? In that case, I will directly obtain permission with the higher-ups. Please negotiate with them.”
The captain sighed and told me to follow him.
“Lord Nephilim has specifically requested your presence. This is extremely rare, so please act accordingly.”
