71 – Agilrem (6)
Looking at the familiar face, Bella felt the excitement that had been lingering within her dissipate.
“It’s rare to see your face these days. Did you finally grow some manliness?”
“…Mind your own business.”
“You’re still as prickly as ever.”
At Bella’s sharp response, the man burst into a chuckle.
But that laughter vanished completely the next moment.
“They’re looking for you upstairs.”
“….”
It was about time.
She had already spent close to a month in Agilrem without any assignments.
It was inevitable that they would come looking for her from above.
And to that extent, Bella had anticipated it well.
Even so, the reason she had stayed like that was because she needed to take care of Wade.
“…I was thinking of taking a break.”
“A break? You?”
The man exaggeratedly widened his eyes at Bella’s response.
“Surprising. The ‘Moonshade’ taking a break. Industry folks would be shocked if they heard.”
Bella couldn’t muster a response to his playful remark.
Indeed, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Since she started in this line of work, unless she was injured or something similar, she had never taken an extended break.
But now, talking about resting, it wouldn’t be a joke; some would be quite surprised to hear that news.
“…I’m human too.”
“Well, that’s true. Even the renowned Moonshade is human. But….”
The man tilted his head with a smiling face.
“It seems like upstairs wouldn’t agree to that. You know. Just how many clients are specifically looking for you.”
“….”
At his following words, Bella unconsciously bit her lip.
It was true.
In this industry, she was quite… no, very well-known, to the extent that there was a queue of clients willing to entrust tasks to her.
In fact, the group she belonged to was operated, to a considerable extent, with the profits she brought in.
For someone like her, the higher-ups would never leave her be.
“If you really don’t like it, we can’t force you, but… in that case, probably even the higher-ups will start to pay attention, right?”
Chuckling, the man smiled.
“Seriously, what’s causing this change in attitude in you?”
“……”
Bella absentmindedly gnashed her teeth.
‘…Did he catch a scent?’
He caught a scent from the higher-ups.
If he knew the truth, he would have contacted the Empire long ago, so that’s probably not it. Up to now, he might have just sensed something was off.
However.
If he starts delving into it seriously from the higher-ups…
He’ll be in danger.
“Well then, I’ll be waiting for good news.”
With a smiling face, the man waved his hand, about to leave… but suddenly stopped.
“Oh, right.”
Then, he left a quiet remark.
“‘They’ are looking for you.”
“……”
Bella’s brow furrowed.
“Well then.”
This time, the man left, and Bella just silently glared at his departing figure.
***
“I might have to leave the house empty for a while tomorrow.”
During the usual dinner time that had become routine, Bell suddenly brought up that statement.
While doing so, she placed an object on the table.
It was a necklace in a subtle design, made of silver.
“What’s this…?”
“It’s a necklace enchanted with a disguise spell. It changes the color of your eyes and hair. Just in case, from now on, always wear this.”
“…Thank you.”
I accepted the necklace without refusing.
There was no room for refusal.
I can’t stay locked up in here forever, and someone might come looking for this house.
Therefore, thinking ahead, this necklace was an essential item for me.
“Even just changing the color of your eyes and hair, people won’t recognize you right away. Still, it’s best to be cautious.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Listening to her explanation, I put on the necklace.
As I did, a faint wave of magic emanated from the necklace, seeping into my body.
I didn’t see it with my own eyes, but I realized the necklace was functioning properly.
“Hmm. Brown isn’t bad either. Maybe it’s because of the gemstone?”
“……”
I casually brushed off her playful remark.
It had been quite some time since I started living with her, and I had grown accustomed to her jokes.
I could handle this kind of light teasing gracefully.
“Ignoring me? I did give you a compliment, you know.”
“Thank you.”
“Hmm…”
Observing my reaction, Belle stared at me with a bored expression.
However, that demeanor didn’t last long.
Soon, she straightened her face and said, “Also, it seems like I’ll be leaving the house for longer periods in the future. Maybe even for a few days at a time.”
I hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“…I see.”
I had expected a day like this to come.
She couldn’t stay here watching over me forever.
And I had a rough idea why she was leaving the house.
“…Feels strangely refreshing, doesn’t it?”
“I thought Belle wouldn’t stay here forever. I had a feeling a day like this might come.”
“I see. But that’s not what I meant. I feel like you don’t even have a hint of regret.”
“Oh.”
“Was it so great for you that I’m leaving? That’s disappointing. I thought we had gotten quite close…”
Saying this, Belle truly looked disappointed, her eyes welling up.
“…Of course, I’m a bit disappointed.”
“Really? You don’t seem like it at all…”
“No, I am. Disappointed. A lot. Really.”
I hurriedly explained.
Honestly, I wasn’t that disappointed, but laying it out like that could lead to something, and even I could easily predict what might happen.
So, I explained fervently.
“…I see.”
Belle, who seemed on the verge of tears just moments ago, quickly wiped away her tears and put on a smile.
“Is it so sad for you when I’m not around? Hmm~ I didn’t know Wade would feel that way.”
“…”
“I’m sorry. But I can’t help it. Can you bear with the loneliness a bit?”
Belle teased me with a smile on her face.
I had anticipated this flow of events.
But, there was nothing I could do.
Even knowing it was an act, I couldn’t ignore Belle’s teary expression.
Truly, with a face that seemed like it could burst into tears at any moment.
I did feel a tinge of injustice at how things turned out.
“…This is how it is.”
Yes. This is how it is.
Although the likelihood was low, being the subject of jokes was much better than seeing her sad.
So, this was how it was going to be.
I muttered to myself inwardly like that.
***
“I’ll be back then.”
“Please do.”
Receiving Wade’s farewell, Bella left the house.
Up until then, the youthful smile on her face had disappeared without a trace as she walked a few steps away from home.
Remaining expressionless.
She walked endlessly along the streets of Agilram.
Leaving the residential area where her house was located, she entered the commercial area that could be considered the heart of Agilram, but her steps did not falter.
Passing by grand buildings, numerous people bustling on the main street, and carriages, she simply walked past the elongated commercial area.
Eventually, she entered the entertainment district.
Although the entertainment district of Agilram, with its extravagantly decorated buildings and even the roads, was not as crowded as the commercial area since it was not yet midnight, there were still a considerable number of people due to the guests aiming for gambling.
Bella walked past the lively crowd, entering further into the entertainment district.
Deeper and deeper.
Passing through buildings that were incredibly glamorous, heading towards even more extravagant ones.
Finally, she reached a place where her steps came to a halt, a building that was not an exaggeration to call the largest and most extravagant in the entertainment district of Agilram, which was already known for its grandeur.
Located at the innermost part of the Agilram entertainment district, a massive building that could easily catch one’s eye.
The building was crowded with a considerable number of people, which was not surprising.
Because this building was none other than the top casino in Agilram and the entire continent.
Amidst the crowd engulfed in excitement, Bella slipped into the building.
Even though there were so many people entering, perhaps due to the immense size of the building, there was plenty of space inside.
Entering, she walked past tables set up with magical tools and dealers designed for gambling, and a variety of gambling games that could easily number in the dozens.
Quietly, Bella walked through them.
Eventually, she entered further inside and climbed the stairs.
The second floor, the third floor, still had many people.
There were different types of gambling or games on each floor.
And Bella passed those as well.
As she ascended the floors, the number of people gradually decreased, until at some point, ordinary customers were no longer visible.
From then on, employees were waiting at the entrance of each floor, but none of them stopped Bella.
She climbed the stairs for a while.
Finally, Bella reached the top floor of the building.
Upon reaching the top floor, what she saw was a door that was so huge and extravagantly decorated, it could be mistaken for a palace.
Anyone who saw that door would be impressed, but Bella, with a stoic gaze, walked towards the door.
Upon reaching the door, Bella pushed it open.
Creak—
With a grand sound befitting its scale, the massive door swung open.
And inside.
In that vast space that could accommodate a whole house with ease.
At first glance, a man draped in expensive clothes and jewelry, suitable for an emperor, lounged on a chair made of gold, waiting for Bella.
“Oh, you’re here.”
The “king” of this city.