Chapter 2: The Silent Listener

◇Houghtow City◇

Once every several days, Flio and Rys would leave their house outside the city walls to head into town together. Today was one such day. Their main errand was to sell the gear and magic items Flio had made at specialty stores in the city. After that was finished, the pair would find a restaurant for lunch.

“Good morning, Mister Flio!” The fresh-faced guard gave them an easygoing greeting at the city gate. “Here for some business again?”

“Good morning Mister Orwe, you have the right of it!” Flio smiled and waved. He and Rys were both known to the guards and were able to enter the city simply on the basis of their faces. As they passed through the gate and into the city, Flio turned to Rys, who had pressed herself close to his left side. “What are you in the mood to eat today, Rys?”

Rys pressed a finger to her lips, giving it some thought. “Well, let me think,” she said. “You know, there’s a new restaurant that just opened on the corner of Sucana Avenue. I’ve been curious to try it. How does that sound, my love?”

“Oh, you’re right! They’re still in the middle of their grand opening, aren’t they?” said Flio. “That sounds good to me! Is that where you want to go?”

“Yes!” Rys smiled and wrapped her arms around her husband. Flio couldn’t help but smile himself at her affections.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. “Hm?”

“What’s the matter, my husband?” Flio looked confused. Rys followed his line of sight to see where he had been looking. It was a general store to the side of where they were walking. However, the store had no signpost, and through the windows they could see that the counters were bare.

“That was Pauldi’s shop, wasn’t it?” Flio asked.

“Yes,” mused Rys. “I believe you’re right. They were doing business just last week...”

“New shops open, and old shops close,” he said with a sigh. “It’s a little sad, somehow.”

The two left the shop behind them and began to move on when a voice hailed them from outside the Adventurers’ Association. “Lord Flio, Lady Rys!” It was Balirossa. She had just stepped out of the building and ran up to the two of them, smiling.

“Hey, Balirossa! You’re in town today?”

“Yes!” she said. “I came here to claim bounties for the Magic Beasts I slew in the forest.” She cheerfully held up the sack containing her freshly earned coin. She was grinning widely. “Of course, my skills still have me far behind the two of you, but I am still proud to have reached the point where I can earn bounties like this on my own prowess. I truly owe you a great debt for your tutelage, my lord and lady.”

Flio smiled at his student. “I’m glad to hear that too, and I can’t wait to see how much stronger you get!”

“Thank you! I’ll do my best!” Balirossa bowed her head. “Might I ask what brings you into town today?”

“I’m just off to sell some magic gems I made to a general store, and then the two of us are planning on grabbing lunch.”

“Splendid!” Balirossa chirruped. “I was about to get lunch myself! Perhaps I could treat the two of you? Only if I’m not intruding, of course.” Once again she held up her bag of coins. “I owe my current prowess to your discipline, after all. Without you I would never be able to earn bounties like this. I know it isn’t an adequate thanks for your generosity, but I would be very happy if you would allow me to do this.”

Flio found himself charmed by Balirossa’s cheery mood. “I’m fine with it. Rys?”

“Oh?” Rys said, “Um, I mean, m-me?!” Rys had been staring down at the road, muttering like she was casting a spell, “She’s intruding on my lunch with my husband... Intruding on my lunch with my husband...” Flio had startled her out of her thoughts. “Y-Y-Y-Yes...if my lord husband says so, I’m... I’m fine with it...”

Flio smirked knowingly and pressed his lips up against her ear and whispered, “Rys, let’s get lunch again tomorrow. Just the two of us.”

Rys’s face flushed. “All right, let’s go!” she said, suddenly in high spirits. “Three-person lunch today!”

Flio and Balirossa shared a look.

◇ ◇ ◇

The three walked down the streets, towards Flio’s usual general store. Rys gently held her husband’s hand, sticking close but matching his steps and minding her position to not get in the way of his walking.

“Your love is truly wonderful,” said Balirossa. She was walking a little ways behind them, her cheeks slightly reddened. I would like to be like that one day with my own splendid partner... Balirossa imagined a knight on a white horse carrying her in his arms. Yes... Just like that... In her mind, she went to embrace the knight, their eyes meeting as their faces grew close enough for her to see him clearly.

It was Gholl, the Dark One.

“Ah!” Balirossa cried out loudly before quickly covering her mouth with both hands. Why?! Why would I imagine the Dark One of all people?! She opened her eyes and was again caught off guard. Flio, who had been ahead of her, had gone off to investigate a small crowd that had been forming on the street.

“What’s going on?” he asked, craning his neck as he approached.

“You son of a bitch...you think you can just walk away after plowing into us like that?!”

“It hurts! It hurts, bro!”

In the middle of the crowd was a rough-looking man. Next to him was a frail and slender man collapsed on the ground, lying on his side. In front of them was a figure that looked like a small woman, her whole body hidden by a dark cloak.

“I apologized for hitting your shoulder, didn’t I?” She looked deeply frustrated, her voice full of anger.

The rough man screwed up his face and began to gesture wildly with his arms. “You think saying sorry is enough after how bad you hurt my bro?! His bones have gotta be broken! You think we’ll forget it just like that? Let bygones be bygones? Huh?! The way I see it, you owe us somethin’!” He grabbed the woman’s cloak near her chest with his left hand and held up his right in front of her. A crude smile was on his face.

The woman glared back, quietly clicking her tongue. “Extortionists. The lowest of the low. How fitting for an inferior life-form like yourself.” She clenched her fists as she spoke, and an unnaturally dark shadow began to well up behind her.

“Wh-What is that?!” The man fearfully let go, taking two, then three steps back as black shadows continued to jet out from his mark.

Suddenly, Flio cut his way through the crowd, interrupting the commotion. “All right you two, that’s quite enough.”

“M-Master Flio!” The rough man, seeming to recognize Flio, quickly labored to put a pleasant smile on his face. These men had been pulling their con a month ago too, singling out the newcomer Flio as a target. It probably doesn’t need to be said that he effortlessly saw through the scheme and delivered a nasty punishment for their trouble.

Flio sighed deeply at the rough man smiling performatively and rubbing his hands together in front of him. “Ataliera, didn’t you promise me you would stop conning people? Khoui, you had better cut it out too.”

Ataliera, the rough man, began to sweat furiously, still maintaining his extremely false smile. “Oh, oh no,” he said. “I’m not connin’ no one! Never done a con in my life! H-Hey, Khoui! How long you gonna lie there? Get up!”

“Aww...” Khoui, the frail-looking man lying on the ground, stood up like nothing had happened, dusting sand off his body. “All right, I guess we’ll take off...”

“Excuse me, Master Flio...” The two bowed again and again before taking off in the other direction, looking for all the world like they were fleeing.

Right, that takes care of that pair, but what about... Flio turned his attention away from the departing con artists and towards their mark, the woman. The black shadows that had surrounded her body a second ago had vanished.

“I suppose I should thank you,” she said, giving Flio a shallow bow. “You have my gratitude.”

Flio smiled back and returned her bow. “There’s no need to thank me,” he said. “I was just doing what anyone would. There’s a few scumbags like that, but otherwise this city is full of good people. I hope this doesn’t spoil your visit.”

“I see,” she said. “I’ll try not to let it get to me.”

Here Flio drew closer to whisper in the woman’s ear. “You should be careful about using your demon powers where people can see. If the humans knew a demon was in their city, it might cause a panic.” He patted her gently on the shoulder and walked away. Rys followed closely behind him.

The woman stood stock-still, staring after Flio as he left.

◇ ◇ ◇

Rys pouted as Flio got back, folding her arms. “My lord, you drew far too close to that girl.” It seemed she was angry that Flio had pressed so close to her ear.

“Sorry,” he said, hugging his wife. “It won’t happen again.”

“Is that a promise?” Rys pressed close to Flio’s chest and looked up at him with big puppy-dog eyes.

“Yes,” he said, kissing Rys gently on the forehead. “I promise.”

Balirossa was looking in the direction that Ataliera and Khoui fled in. “Ataliera and Khoui...” she muttered. “I could have handled the likes of them, my lord.” She crossed her arms. But Flio and Rys both guffawed at once.

“Balirossa,” said Flio, as Rys kept her lips closed tight in a futile attempt to suppress her sniggering laughter. “Didn’t they trick you last time? I seem to remember you were about to give them every coin you had!”

Balirossa went bright red. “O-Oh! That... That was... I-I was just worried I had hurt them! I just meant...they won’t fool me again! Or something...” she stammered out an incoherent explanation as Flio and Rys struggled and failed to hide their laughter. “And that’s... That’s why, Lord Flio...”

“All right, all right, I get it,” he said, gently patting Balirossa on the shoulder. “Let’s hurry up and take care of business, and then let’s get lunch.” He continued on down the street. After a while, Balirossa jogged up after him, beet red.

◇ ◇ ◇

After Flio finished selling his magic stones at the Hysui General Store, Rys and Balirossa joined him and together headed for Sucana Avenue. They then went into the newly opened restaurant on the corner to eat lunch. They finished their meal and set off down the city streets, chatting amiably.

“Thank you for treating us, Balirossa,” said Rys.

Balirossa smiled and thumped her chest. “Think nothing of it! The food was delicious, and furthermore I got a chance to spend time with the two of you! I find myself quite satisfied.”

“Then, shall we take the bill next time?” asked Flio, but Balirossa shook her head.

“Don’t even think of it!” she objected. “Lady Rys prepares food for us every single day! The least I can do is—” Suddenly, she cut herself off. There was a woman blocking the path—the same woman Flio had saved earlier from Ataliera and Khoui.

“Do you have a moment?” she asked, taking a step towards Flio.

Flio smiled. “If it’s about earlier, there’s really no need for thanks,” he said. “Like I said, I just did what anyone would.”

“Well, I am grateful for your help...” she began. “But I actually have some questions for you.” Her eyes were fixed on Flio as she spoke. “The truth is, I’ve been asked to look for someone. Have you ever heard of a man called ‘Banaza’ or his followers? I’ve heard rumors that someone using that name came to this town recently...” She paused. “Or rumors that you are Sir Banaza...”

It was plain to see that she was monitoring Flio and Rys closely for their reactions, but both of them gave her none. They continued to stand nonplussed on the spot, seeming perfectly unperturbed. “I’m afraid I don’t know anything about him,” said Rys. “May I ask what you want with this man?”

“I don’t know how much I can tell you...” she said. “But basically I was asked to find him.” She bowed lightly, not taking her eyes off of Flio and Rys. “I guess it’s a little late for introductions, but my name is Greanyl. I’m gonna be staying at that inn just ahead for a few days. If you learn anything, I’d really appreciate your help.”

“I see,” said Rys. “If I hear anything about this person, I will be sure to tell you.”

“Thanks...”

Flio, Rys and Balirossa all bowed, and Greanyl took her leave. Once she was completely out of sight, Balirossa, who had been hanging behind, ran up in front of them. “L-Lord Flio, what does this mean?” she said. “That woman asked for Banaza! Wasn’t that your former na—?” Flio quickly covered Balirossa’s mouth with his hand, silencing her. He put a cautioning finger to his own lips. Balirossa nodded, and Flio drew close to whisper.

“It doesn’t look like she has any ties to the Magical Kingdom of Klyrode,” he said quietly. “I think we had best be careful here.” Balirossa nodded.

“My lord,” said Rys, “would you like me to keep a discreet eye on her while she’s in the city?”

“Yes...” Flio muttered. “I had that thought too...”

The two spoke quietly, Flio’s hand still on Balirossa’s mouth. After conversing some more in this vein, the two left and headed back for their home.

◇Flio’s House—The Following Day◇

Balirossa was running her daily laps around Flio’s house. This was part of the training regimen she had set for herself: ten laps around the house every day.

“Another good day for running,” she said as she caught her breath. She looked up at the sky, enjoying the sensation of the outdoors and her exertion. Then, careful not to step out of the barrier, she got ready to return to running. “Hm?” In front of her, she could see a single woman walking down the road. “What’s a lone woman doing in a place like this?”

She left the barrier and started towards the girl who, she noticed, looked somewhat pained. “Excuse me!” she cried out. “Might I ask what you’re doing in a place like this?”

Suddenly, the woman vanished from Balirossa’s sight, and someone tackled her from behind, pinning her arms and forcing her to the ground. Craning her head to look over her shoulder, Balirossa saw that it was Greanyl. “S-Ser Greanyl!” she cried. “What treachery is this? Don’t think... Don’t think you’ll get away with...”

Greanyl’s words were cold. “What do you know about Banaza?” Balirossa’s eyes went wide, and Greanyl nodded, somehow satisfied. “I knew it. The others didn’t respond at all when I mentioned his name, but you did. Don’t think I didn’t notice you hiding behind the others.”

“You...” Still pinned to the ground, Balirossa stiffened her lips. “I don’t know! Do you hear me? I don’t know! I don’t know anything!” She shut her eyes tight.

But Greanyl drew a short blade and held it against Balirossa’s neck. “Be a good girl and cooperate,” she said, “or I’ll kill you.”

“But I told you! I don’t know! Killing me won’t change that!”

“Stubborn one, aren’t you...” Greanyl grabbed the back of Balirossa’s head by the hair like a bird of prey. “Maybe a taste of pain will—”

“Aaall right, that’s quite enough.” Suddenly they were interrupted by a man’s voice. At the same time, something struck Greanyl in the back of her neck. She fell unconscious. Flio had teleported behind them and struck her with the blade of his hand. Checking to make sure she was unconscious, he pulled her off of Balirossa. “You okay, Balirossa?”

“Lord Flio, I’m so sorry!” she said. “I was careless and caused you trouble...” She began to bow over and over again, not even bothering to wipe the dirt off her clothes.

Flio sighed with relief. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad to see you’re unharmed.”

“Lord Flio...” She seemed truly moved by his concern.

Flio turned his attention to Greanyl, lying unconscious on the ground. He cast Analysis to take a look at her status. Most of it was hidden by concealment magics, but Flio could see through them easily. A window told him that she was a shadow demon. She made it through the barrier around the city, Flio mused. She must be quite something.

◇ ◇ ◇

Before long, Greanyl opened her eyes. “Nnh...” she mumbled. Then she realized that her hands were tied behind her back. “Ahh, crap!” She struggled for all she was worth, trying to rip the ropes apart with brute strength.

“There’s no use in struggling like that,” said Flio. “Those ropes are made with the highest level of magic. You won’t be able to burst out of them with your level of power.”

Greanyl plopped down and let out a “crap.” She was in Flio’s living room. It seemed they had laid her out on the sofa. She sat up and crossed her legs as she took stock of her situation. Surrounding her were Flio, Rys, Balirossa, Blossom, Byleri, and Belano. She had been captured. “I see,” she said, closing her eyes. “So there’s no way to escape. I won’t shame myself by kicking and screaming. Do what you will.”

A wry smile came over Flio’s face. “I wasn’t exactly planning on holding you captive or anything,” he said. “It’s just, after you suddenly attacked Balirossa like that, I was worried you might be violent when you woke up.” He extended his arm towards Greanyl, and a magic circle appeared in front of his hand. The ropes binding Greanyl suddenly vanished.

Greanyl held her hands in front of her face, astonished to have been given her freedom as Flio continued on. “Would you mind telling us what’s going on? I might be able to help you,” he said.

Greanyl just glared at him. “I refuse,” she said adamantly. “Just kill me. A shadow dies without leaving a corpse.” She huffed and turned the other way. And then, suddenly, Hiya appeared next to her. For a while Hiya just stared at her, and then they pressed their finger against Greanyl’s forehead.

“You...” said Greanyl. “What are you—”

“Was it not you yourself who told us to do what we will?” said Hiya. Greanyl was at a loss for words in the face of Hiya’s impeccable logic. Meanwhile, their finger still against the shadow demon’s forehead, Hiya stared deep into Greanyl’s eyes.

“Are you trying to read my mind...?” She asked, smirking fiendishly. “You won’t be able to.”

“Indeed, that seems to be the case. Your Concealment skill is very advanced. Even I, the djinn who commands the origin of light and darkness, cannot see clearly into your mind.” Hiya crossed their arms in thought.

Flio spoke up. “So all we need to do is disable her skill?” he extended his hand, and once more a magic circle appeared.

“That is true, Exalted One,” Hiya began. “However, her skill is quite powerful. Even you could not—” CLINK! Hiya’s words were drowned out by the harsh sound of magic being neutralized. Hiya almost jumped in surprise. “What? Impossible... Already?!”

“What?!” Greanyl looked aghast. “N-No way! You broke my skill?!”

Flio’s lips curled into a cunning smile. “That was pretty tough,” he said. “I had a bit of trouble breaking that one.”

Hiya’s smile was cold. “Exalted One,” they said, “you say it gave you trouble...but I only recall two seconds passing after your magic circle appeared.”

◇ ◇ ◇

“Fine, I’ll speak. I’ll tell you.” With her Concealment skill broken, Greanyl seemed utterly resigned. With a bitter voice, she began. “My name is Greanyl. I’m one of the Silent Listeners—a spy for the Dark Army.”

“I see,” said Rys. “Then you’re one of Uliminas’s subordinates?”

“Yes, exactly. The Silent Listeners answer directly to Lady Ulimi—wait, how do you know that?!” She gasped. “The Silent Listeners’ very existence is top secret, even in the Dark Army!”

“Oh, I was once with the Dark Army, for a time. But please, do go on.”

“Wha— You were with the Dark Army?!”

“Oh don’t mind me. Just continue your story, please!”

“O-Okay...” Greanyl didn’t seem at all satisfied, but she continued as Rys urged. “My orders from the Dark One Gholl himself were to find the man known as Banaza, then to capture and bring them before the Dark One I’ve traveled all over on this mission, trying to get information...” She sighed deeply.

Across from her, Flio and Hiya both looked shocked. “Hiya,” said Flio, “what do you make of this?”

“It’s peculiar, O Exalted One, no matter how I look at it.”

Greanyl watched Flio and Hiya whisper to each other, confused. “Hm?” she asked. “What’s up?”

“Miss Greanyl,” said Flio, hesitating. “Just to confirm, your orders were to capture the man called Banaza and bring him to the Dark One Gholl?”

“Yes, exactly.” She answered Flio’s baffled question without hesitation. Once again, Flio turned to face Hiya, and the two of them both tilted their heads in mirrored puzzlement. They started whispering again for a while, and then they turned back to the shadow demon.

“All right,” said Flio. “How about this, Miss Greanyl? We’ll let you go this time, and you’ll go straight to the Dark Citadel to confirm your orders with Uliminas. Is that acceptable?”

“Wait, hold on!” Greanyl started to her feet. “Wh-What’s the meaning of this? You captured me, even forced me to reveal my mission! After all that, you want me to believe you’re taking pity on me?” She scoffed. “Just kill me! Do it now! If you won’t, I’ll do it myself!”

Flio grabbed Greanyl’s shoulders, holding them firmly. This wasn’t his ordinary gentle embrace—he was pushing her down with force. With Flio’s unbelievable strength bearing down on her body, Greanyl was forced back onto the couch. Flio fixed her with a steady gaze. “Are our terms acceptable?”

Before Flio’s domineering aura, Greanyl could only mutely nod her head. It didn’t seem that refusing was an option.

◇ ◇ ◇

Rys gave Flio a strange look after Greanyl had left. “My love, why did you tell Greanyl to confirm her mission with Uliminas?”

Flio and Hiya shared a knowing smirk. “We had a look at her mission in her mind after breaking through her defenses,” said Flio, smiling wryly.

“Yes,” said Hiya. They knit their brows. “It seems that our spy has made a mistake.”

“What?” Rys’s eyes opened in surprise.

◇Silent Listeners HQ, the Dark Citadel—Several Days Later◇

“Meowt did mew just say?!” Greanyl had just returned, and had asked a question that startled Uliminas.

“Yes, ma’am,” she said. “I was just wondering...if I could double-check my orders from you?” She looked somehow dubious.

“And I’m telling you to repeat your meowrders.”

“Yes, ma’am! I believe they were: ‘Find the man known as Banaza. The Dark One desires his arrest. Bring him to the Dark Citadel.’” Orders for the Silent Listeners were handed down to them in the form of encoded letters. When an agent had memorized its contents, they were to burn it to remove any proof that an order had been given.

“Um, Greanyl?” Uliminas sounded disappointed.

“Yes, Lady Uliminas?”

“Did mew actually read your meowrders?”

“Yes! Very carefully!”

Uliminas held up a slip of paper and handed it over to her subordinate. “Here. These are your meowrders. Please look them over again.” As Greanyl looked it over, she very obviously began to sweat with nerves. “Greanyl...what does it say?”

“Oh, um, well...”

“Read it purroperly!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am! ‘Find Flio, the man formerly known as Banaza. The Dark One desires his address. Bring word of him to the Dark Citadel.’” She gave a stiff smile as she finished reading.

Uliminas was glaring at her, her fur standing on end. “Arrest?” She was trembling with barely suppressed anger. “Bring him?!” Greanyl’s cold sweat was like a waterfall. “Mew’re always jumping to conclusions. And meow many times have I told mew to be careful with your meowrders? Huh?!” Uliminas stepped towards Greanyl, her sharp claws at the ready.

“F-Forgive me! Forgive meee!” Greanyl sunk to the floor and prostrated herself before the vengeful hellcat.

“Mewseless idiot!” she cried. “At least tell me mew remember your other meowrder.” Uliminas was making no effort at all to hide her rage.

“My...other order?” Greanyl slowly looked up, tilting her head in confusion. It really seemed like she had no recollection at all. “Um, Lady Uliminas... Was there something else I was supposed to do?”

“Meoooow!” Uliminas brought her razor-sharp claws, harder than steel, to bear against her. Before long, the Dark Citadel was filled with the sound of Greanyl’s screams.

◇Flio’s House—Days Later◇

On her second visit to Flio’s house, Greanyl was the very picture of contrition. “It was entirely my error.” She bowed her head over and over as she spoke. “I seem to have remembered my orders wrong...” Uliminas had been terribly angry with her. Even now her hair was shredded messily and her body was covered in painful scars.

Flio regarded her with an unreadable expression. She’s serious and diligent, this Greanyl, he thought. But I think she’s a little too hasty for her own good. He extended his hand to cast magic, and Greanyl’s hair and body were both instantly healed. Greanyl herself, however, was too busy apologizing to notice. Her head was almost fixed to the floor.

“If you hadn’t told me to confirm my orders with Lady Uliminas, I would have made a terrible mistake...” She actually pressed her head to the ground at this.

Balirossa, who had been watching, held Greanyl by her armpits and pulled her to her feet. “You’ve apologized enough, I think,” she said. “Everyone makes mistakes, you know.”

“I’ve been terribly discourteous to you especially. Will you forgive me?”

“I’m not upset in the slightest. Shall we let bygones be, Ser Greanyl?”

“Thank you so much...” Now on her feet, Greanyl bowed again. Her eyes were flooded with tears. Balirossa gently patted her on the shoulder.

◇ ◇ ◇

Flio sat Greanyl down on the sofa and waited for her to calm down. When she was ready, they gathered together everyone in the house to tell them what had happened. Although Greanyl was a Silent Listener, a spy working for Uliminas...

“I’ve been taken off of any important missions for some time, because of my habit of rushing ahead,” she explained, mortified. However, every single Silent Listener had been dispatched to the Magical Kingdom of Klyrode on this search mission, Greanyl included. “It had been so long since I’d been given a mission... I think I was too focused on earning some merit that I got sloppy. I’m really sorry.” Greanyl sighed deeply.

She left soon after, saying that she wanted to do some more investigations in the area of Houghtow. A thin smile came to Flio’s face as he watched her leave. Greanyl had only just confirmed with Uliminas that the man they were searching for was “Flio, the man formerly known as Banaza,” but it seemed that she had somehow failed to realize that this Flio was the Flio mentioned in her orders. She had left without ever bringing it up. “I think she was so fixated on apologizing that she hasn’t arrived there yet,” Flio said.

Rys snickered out loud. “Well, she is a Silent Listener,” she said. “Eventually she’ll figure it out.”

“Perhaps.” Flio nodded.

Balirossa was standing behind them. It looked like she had a number of conflicting feelings about Greanyl. “But I feel a tiny bit sorry for her, not knowing...” she said. After comforting her earlier, Balirossa had become somewhat fond of the shadow demon.

Blossom poked Balirossa in the side. “You get it, right, Balirossa? If she finds out about Lord Flio, she’s gonna tell the Dark One where we are.”

Byleri looked up at the ceiling, her index finger resting on her cheek. “Will it, like, be like the old place? Is Mister Gholl the Dark One gonna pretend to be a human and come hang out again?”

“He’s after Balirossa,” added Belano, looking straight at her. “For sure.”

“Wh-Whaaat?!” Balirossa, at a loss for words beyond that, grabbed her head in her hands. Her eyelids twitched. Her mouth flapped open and closed like a fish. Droplets of cold sweat trickled down her forehead.

Blossom and the rest closed in all around her. “He’s really fond of our Balirossa, that Dark One, huh!”

“Yeah, but that’s good, right?” said Byleri. “You should, like, totally go for it! It’ll be like, the Dark One getting along with humans, y’know?”

Belano gave a rather intense thumbs up, but said nothing.

It took some time for the words to sink into Balirossa’s head, but when they did, she collapsed on the floor. Sybe came snuffling up to her in its unicorn rabbit form and poked at her repeatedly. It seemed to be trying to offer some kind of comfort.

Flio’s smile was strained as he regarded the scene. “They’ll find out at some point,” he said. “Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

◇Dark Citadel—Throne Room◇

“Hrm...” The Dark One Gholl sat reading official documents on his throne. To his side stood Uliminas, waiting. Gholl raised his head and looked over at her. “So we still do not know the cause of the strange fluctuation I felt in the west of Klyrode?”

“R-Right,” she said, bowing deeply. “It seems my agents have made a number of...mewstakes. I apologize purrfusely.” The fluctuation had in fact been caused by Damalynas’s appearance in Houghtow and her subsequent battle with Hiya some months back. Naturally, neither the Dark One Gholl nor Uliminas knew anything about that, but Gholl could clearly sense the powerful energy even as far away as his throne. Thinking it best not to overlook, he ordered Uliminas to discover what had happened.

“I told Greanyl to look into that,” she muttered under her breath, “but that idiot went and forgot her meowrders... Purrfectly hopeless, that girl...” She could still clearly remember losing herself and savaging Greanyl.

Gholl stared at Uliminas, wondering about her behavior. “Well,” he said at last, “that’s that, then. But I cannot leave things as they are...”

The Dark One slowly rose from his throne.

◇Houghtow City, Days Later◇

“Thank you, Master Flio! I look forward to your next visit!”

“Of course, Mister Elcion. Thank you for doing business.”

Flio exchanged some light pleasantries with the shopkeeper Elcion as he took the bag containing his payment for the dragonscale gear he had made himself. When he left, Rys was standing by the entrance, waiting for him. She ran up as soon as she noticed him leaving the shop. “Hello, my love,” she said. “I trust it went well?”

“It did. Sorry to keep you waiting, Rys.”

“Is your work finished for the day?”

“Yes, this is the last of the sales talks I had planned. We should be good!”

Rys smiled happily at her husband’s words, and took hold of his arm, pressing close.

“Then shall we do lunch? Where would you like to go today?”

Flio glanced around the area. As he did, he used the spell Search. He was looking for Balirossa and Byleri, who had accompanied them into town today. “It looks like Balirossa and Byleri are still shopping. We should see if they have any input since we brought them along and all.”

“Yes, I suppose,” said Rys. “Then, my husband, shall we rest together on that bench over there?”

“All right, let’s do that.” The pair began towards a bench in the shade of a nearby tree, when suddenly Flio stopped. “Hm?”

“What’s the matter, my lord?” Rys looked up at Flio, puzzled. But Flio just pressed his index finger against his forehead, absorbed in the display of his Search spell inside his brain. He could see a three-dimensional map of the entire city of Houghtow, and all its many shops. Ordinary people were displayed in blue, with Flio’s companions displayed in green. However, there was one person on the map who appeared in a third color.

Purple... A demon.

Flio’s first thought was that it must be Greanyl. But when he looked, he found that Greanyl was in an entirely different part of the map. So who would this demon be? Flio tilted his head in curiosity as he continued to look through the map. The demon was headed straight for his position.

As he looked, Hiya appeared behind him. “Exalted One, you must stay back. I can sense the presence of a demon of considerable power coming towards you.” As they spoke, they stepped in front of Flio and Rys, holding their right arm out to cover the two. An enormous magic circle appeared around their feet as they prepared their maximum firepower to cast a spell.

“Hiya, wait just a moment.” Rys stared ahead, squinting her eyes. “My lord, is that...?” Whoever it was she saw, they brought a wry smile to her face.

“Ah,” said Flio, looking in the direction Rys was squinting. “I was wondering who that was.” It looked like he recognized the demon. Like Rys, he began to smirk.

A demon-like man was walking towards them, looking restlessly around at his surroundings. He seemed to notice the spell Hiya was casting, and began to gather a great amount of magic in his right hand. But then he saw Flio and Rys and smiled happily. “Well, if it isn’t Mister Flio!”

Flio smiled back. “Mister Ghozal,” he said. “It’s been too long!”

The demon—the Dark One Gholl, in his disguise as the human man Ghozal—strode up to Flio and took his hand firmly in his own. Gholl had come here to investigate the source of the mysterious energy fluctuation he had felt. Strictly speaking, this wasn’t the kind of work the Dark One should take on personally, but between the thus-far fruitless search for Flio, the stalemate with the Magical Kingdom of Klyrode, and unrest within the ranks of the Dark Army, he had built up a considerable deal of stress. He had come here as much for the sake of relaxation as for the search itself. Naturally enough, Uliminas had been strongly opposed to this, but in the end Gholl had insisted rather forcefully.

Overjoyed at meeting Flio right on arriving in Houghtow, Gholl grinned happily and shook Flio’s hand with considerable vigor. “I can’t believe it! I never expected to meet again in a place like this.”

“It’s good to see you looking so well, Ghozal!” The two looked joyful and greeted each other as old friends.

Hiya’s mouth was agape. “Of course,” they said. “I should have expected the Exalted One and the Dark One to be on good terms. But, my! I thought my admiration could grow no further!” They bowed deeply to Flio.

Rys chuckled. “Yes, that’s right,” she said. “I suppose Hiya did join us after the move. They don’t know about Ghozal.”

Ghozal, for his part, was glancing at Hiya out of the corner of his eye. Hiya, was it? The magic circle they cast was incredible. I suppose Flio has continued to recruit people like them. This is the man who tamed Rys, after all...

◇ ◇ ◇

Flio and Ghozal had been enjoying a friendly chat when Balirossa appeared from a side road, carrying the fruits of today’s shopping trip. “My apologies for the delay!” she said. “I have finished my shopping.” She hadn’t yet noticed that the man chatting with Flio was Ghozal.

The Dark One looked up sharply. “That voice! Ser Balirossa?!”

Balirossa froze in place, her happy smile unnaturally still. It was a while before she opened her mouth. “Ah? M-Mister Ghozal? Wh-Wh-What brings you here?” Her body was shaking despite her stiffness.

Balirossa was of course fully aware that Ghozal was in fact the Dark One Gholl. She was also aware that he had been quite determined to meet her. In her mind she thought this was because he was seeking revenge for having pointed a sword at him on their first meeting. The truth was that the Dark One had been captivated by her dignified bearing and chivalric conduct. Gholl thought that by forging a friendship with Flio, he might be able to start a romantic relationship with Balirossa, but it seemed that Balirossa still had no idea.

Ghozal watched Balirossa shake, and then he gasped with emotion. I see... She makes it look like she’s shaking, but that is actually a precise fighting stance. In actuality, she is prepared for any kind of attack. Incredible, Ser Balirossa...

Balirossa was really only just shaking, but Ghozal continued to stare in confused admiration.

“Hi hi,” said Byleri, walking up to them with a smile. “Like, sorry for the holdup?”

“Are you done with your business in town, Byleri?” asked Flio.

“Yeah!” she said. “There’s a really good bookseller in town, y’know?”

“Books!” exclaimed Flio. “What kind of book did you get?”

“Oh...” Byleri said, blushing slightly for some reason as she hid her bag behind her. “L-Like, y’know? But uhh, how come Ghozal’s here?”

“Ah, we just had a chance encounter...” Flio explained what had happened to Byleri as she nodded her head, relieved that the topic had shifted away from her book. “And that’s how he found me!” Flio finished and turned back to Ghozal. “Hey Ghozal,” he said, “since we ran into each other, would you like to come back with us to my place and have some tea?”

“Hrm.” Ghozal nodded. “I would like that. Just like old times.”

“Hweh?!” Balirossa made an indescribable noise and once more froze on the spot. This was all very much contrary to her desires for this encounter.

“Everyone’s back together, so shall we get going?” Flio began to walk, with Rys, Hiya, Byleri, and Ghozal following. Balirossa was left behind, clutching her head. Then, suddenly it seemed like she had some sort of idea.

“Ah, huh? Oh, w-wait for me!” Balirossa dashed after the group.

◇Klyrode Castle—Throne Room◇

“No...” The Princess crumbled at the report, sliding off her throne to land on her knees and pressing both of her hands against her forehead. “That can’t be...”

All of the near disasters that had transpired since she had taken up her role as regent: The incident with the djinn who commands the origin of light and darkness. The incident with the Grand Magus of Midnight. The fight against the Dark Army’s small-scale guerrilla attacks. All of those had been dealt with by one man—Flio. The Princess was determined to make Flio the Hero for his contributions to the Kingdom of Klyrode. She had asked all of her aides and subordinates to help her find some way to achieve this.

And then, a mage came to report to her, his face blue. Some time ago, he said, a person by the name of Banaza had been summoned as a hero candidate. At the time, he had been deemed utterly lacking the blessing of the Celestial Plane and unfit to be Hero. However, there was a terrible mistake on the part of Klyrode and Banaza was not returned to his own world. In an attempt to engineer Banaza’s death, King Klyrode had sent him into exile near a forest inhabited by fearsome monsters along with a magic item bearing a monster-attracting curse.

“I knew that man was sent to the Delaveza Forest, but I had no idea my father had gone so far,” said the Princess, downcast. “How did you learn this?”

“You recall, Your Highness, that a part of the city was destroyed by Damalynas, the Grand Magus of Midnight. At the time, Lord Flio provided much of the funds used to finance the city’s repair.” He paused. “Among them we found many of the same coins that were given to Banaza.”

The Princess covered her face with her hands. “A monster-attracting curse...” she said. “Lord Flio would have seen through it easily. And of course he would understand what it meant. Of course he doesn’t want to be our Hero. We treated him so badly...”

The Princess shook her head, still holding her hands to her face. She felt like she finally understood why Flio had so adamantly refused to accept the title of Hero. “But...” she started. “But we must apologize to him! Perhaps he will yet forgive us!” She shot to her feet. “I will depart for the city of Houghtow at once! Summon everyone in the castle who can cast Teleport!”

“Yes, Your Highness! Straightaway!” The people who had gathered in the throne room dashed off.

“Lord Flio, I will see you soon,” she muttered quietly to herself, clasping her hands together in prayer. “Please, find it in your heart to listen...”

◇Meanwhile, in Flio’s House◇

“Hm?” Ghozal had just taken his leave when Flio made a curious noise.

“What is it, my lord?”

“Oh, nothing. Nothing important, anyway. I just have a feeling we’ll be having more guests soon.”

“A feeling?” said Rys, just a little surprised by her husband’s words.