| Author: Carrot Sauce | Original Source: SFACG | Word Count: 3389 characters |
| Translator: Aoi | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 1790 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Lily and Ayaka were on the verge of descending the stairs when they chanced upon a disturbance at the staircase. “I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t go up,” said a pair of attendants, kindly blocking a man’s way.
“What? Why can’t I go upstairs? I’ll have you know that I’m damn wealthy!” a portly merchant shouted, his face flushed with anger, several samurai standing menacingly behind him as he tried to force his way to the top floor.
“I’m really sorry, sir, but the rooms on the top floor have already been reserved. We can arrange the best room on the fourth floor for you, though,” the maid explained, her voice filled with patient persuasion.
“Already booked, my foot. I can clearly see that they are still vacant. Who do you think you’re lying to? Do you think I can’t afford it, huh?” he spat, his eyes narrowing.
“No, sir. It’s just that the rooms on the top floor…” The attendant hesitated, then under the merchant’s relentless questioning, revealed, “have all been reserved by a few ladies.”
“Oh? Who are they? I’m the owner of a magatama mine in Shisa! Even buying this entire ship isn’t impossible for me, you know! This is perfect. I might as well go up and have a chat with these lovely ladies! Hahaha!”
“Please don’t do that, sir! I beg you!” the attendant pleaded, her voice trembling.
“Move!” A tall samurai pushed the attendant down the stairs, and she tumbled with a scream, “Aah!” and crashed into a wooden table downstairs. Fortunately, she was an Awakened, so her life wasn’t in danger, but the commotion caused chaos on the lower floor.
“Mr. Riku, what should we do about this?” Riku’s assistant asked him, his voice filled with concern.
“Don’t worry about it. Just let them go up if they want to go up so much,” Riku replied, his smile cold.
Lily and Ayaka, still dressed in their previous outfits, felt a sense of bafflement as they watched the obese merchant march up the stairs with his samurai, aggression in his eyes. The moment he saw the pair, his eyes opened wide in astonishment. “Are they the ladies who reserved the rooms? I never expected them to be so beautiful…” he said, walking forward with a swagger, spittle flying from his mouth. “Ladies. I’m Otomo Inuyasu, a liege lord from the land of Shisa in Iyo. May I know your names and where you hail from?”
Lily looked at Inuyasu and couldn’t help but think that he resembled a dog from Shisa. The similarity was so strong that she suspected he might even be a kobold, but she refrained from mentioning this to avoid trouble on a friend’s ship. “We’re busy. Please move aside.”
The samurai behind Inuyasu exchanged glances, then surrounded Lily and Ayaka instead of giving way. Inuyasu’s gaze shifted between Lily and Ayaka before he flared his nostrils, saying, “As expected of the Fuyutsuki. I’ve never seen such pretty fairies even in Shisa. Princess Asuka is probably the only one who could compete with you two in terms of beauty. Hehehe. I’m a crude person, so I’ll get straight to the point. I’m wealthy enough to treat both of you to food as well as drinks and promise you a lifetime of glory as long as you come with me!”
Lily’s eyes quickly assessed the strength of the group. Though Inuyasu’s power was only at the early-stage Spirit Jade level, she noticed three Permanence level experts and a Throned General among the samurai he had brought with him.
It might be said that this newcomer from Iyo had enlisted the assistance of some considerably strong muscles.
“Have you ever laid eyes on the princess of Asuka?” inquired Lily.
Inuyasu chuckled and drooled as he replied, “Hehehehe. Of course, I have.” Though Lily had never ventured to Shisa, she had encountered numerous dogs from that region in the residences of certain nobles in Heian-kyo. She recalled that they drooled in a manner quite like Inuyasu.
“What can you tell me about her personality?” she asked.
“Princess Asuka?” Inuyasu’s eyes glinted with reverence as he enthusiastically answered, “She’s a remarkable woman! She has not only mastered martial arts at an astonishingly young age but is also proficient in politics, fortification, and military affairs. As for her appearance, she could aptly be described as a tall and sensual ice queen! Regrettably, she’s never been mine. I arrived here for amusement and never expected to encounter two beauties rivaling her. I assure you, your loveliness is in no way inferior to our princess! But I doubt you possess her strength. Hmph.”
Lily paid no heed to Inuyasu’s final words, pondering the accuracy of his portrayal of Princess Asuka. If she was indeed as he described, it would indicate a formidable individual, making Lily curious to meet her upon reaching Iyo.
“Oh yes, Mr. Shisa, can you inform me where I might encounter this princess?” Lily said with a smile.
“Mr. Shisa?” Inuyasu appeared baffled.
“Ah, I apologize. I meant to say Mr. Otomo.”
“Princess Asuka resides in the kingdom’s capital, though she frequently embarks on expeditions to the frontlines with her forces, even venturing deep into the demon realm to ambush demons. A truly incredible woman. Even I question my ability to tame her should she ever become mine! But let’s forget about her for now. Come, let us enjoy ourselves.”
Inuyasu flaunted two magatama, swinging them before Lily and Ayaka. Lily felt a sense of helplessness and saw no purpose in prolonging the conversation, although she wished to avoid harming Riku’s client.
An ink clone of an underworld evil spirit, nearly touching the ceiling in height, came into being with a gesture from Lily’s hand, its imposing visage and sharpened horns radiating a bone-chilling aura. This evil spirit, a Throned Monarch-level entity, was summoned at Lily’s whim.
“I have matters to attend to. Entertain these gentlemen, Ki,” Lily directed, taking Ayaka’s hand and breezing past a stunned Inuyasu.
“J-Just who is this woman? Though not overtly powerful, I’d never anticipated her possessing such a fearsome familiar as a bodyguard. No wonder she managed to reserve all the rooms…” Otomo’s voice trembled, the evil spirit’s appearance terrifying him. As a criminal lord, he realized he had overstepped, facing two women with formidable support and intentions he could not manipulate.
Lily and Ayaka made their way to the fifth floor where a hostess greeted them. “Please follow me,” she beckoned, leading them down a dark corridor into a room.
“The client is in the next room. Rest assured, no sound will pass through the sliding door unless opened. The client demands the Night Queen, yet we’re clueless of her whereabouts, only hearing rumors of her occasional appearance in Fuyutsuki near Heian-kyo,” the hostess explained, worry in her eyes. “Our hands are tied.”
“Night Queen?” Lily questioned, puzzled.
“Alright. You can leave now,” Ayaka calmly told the hostess.
Handing over the responsibility, the hostess retreated. Lily’s eyes settled on Ayaka, sensing the latter knew something. “Sister Ayaka, who do you think the Night Queen is?”
“Lily, keep an eye on the room. I need to move freely,” Ayaka said, confidence in her voice.
“Huh?”
“What are you planning, Sister Ayaka?” Lily asked after a brief silence.
Ayaka glanced left and right, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Turn around, Lily. I’m going to change.”
Lily obeyed, and soon the sound of rustling clothes filled the room. “All right. You can look now,” Ayaka called out.
Turning, Lily’s eyes widened at the sight of Ayaka, now adorned in a glossy, provocative leather outfit, her hair loose, an icy look in her eye.
“The Night Queen?” Lily cried out in surprise. She remembered catching a glimpse of the Night Queen’s back when she first boarded the Fuyutsuki, and a thought struck her that it might be Ayaka1. But she quickly dismissed the idea as unlikely. As the chief advisor, Ayaka’s face was too well-known, and her appearance on the Fuyutsuki would surely attract everyone’s notice. However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the aura surrounding Ayaka was strikingly similar to that of the Night Queen.
Ayaka’s gaze, unlike ever before, fell on Lily. “Everyone has a side they hide, Lily. You know that after witnessing my nightmare.” Her voice turned icy and shrill. “For now, I am the Night Queen.”
“Huh? Seriously, Sister Ayaka? A-Are you the Night Queen?”
Ayaka broke into laughter. “Hahaha. Convincing, wasn’t I2?”
“Eh?” Lily’s face twisted in confusion. “You’re not…?”
Shaking her head, Ayaka’s eyes sparkled. “The Night Queen is the real owner of Fuyutsuki.”
Lily was aware that Ayaka had lost all her valuable possessions, and the appearance of the outfit puzzled her momentarily. But understanding soon dawned on her.
“I must be more mindful since Riku has placed his trust in us with this task. Just relax and witness my brilliant act, Lily.” With that, Ayaka sashayed toward the next room, her black leather panties almost vanishing into her backside’s crevice.
When she reached the door, she cracked her whip, causing the candle lights to extinguish and plunging the room into darkness. Forcefully, she pulled the door open and entered, using her free hand to close it behind her but leaving a small gap, almost as if tempting Lily to peek through.
Lily’s eyes widened as she spotted a girl in a provocative maroon kunoichi outfit seated inside the brightly lit room, doubt coloring her voice as she asked, “Is she the important client?”
Ayaka’s deliberate steps carried her forward, positioning her leg to obstruct the woman’s view of Lily through the gap in the door. The woman, Reika, remained in her seat, casting a sidelong glance at Ayaka.
“I heard you were looking for me?” Ayaka inquired, her voice cold as she tossed her hair back.
“Although you somewhat resemble her…” Reika’s voice trailed off, skepticism in her eyes. “How do I know that you’re the real Night Queen?”
With a deliberate slowness, Ayaka circled Reika, the tip of her whip caressing the latter’s face, neck, and cleavage, making her shudder in discomfort. “In my opinion, you don’t seem like you’re from a wealthy family either,” Ayaka remarked, her tone icy.
“Put the whip away and don’t touch me again! I have no interest in such games,” Reika snapped.
“Oh? Then why were you seeking me?” Ayaka asked, her whip raised to her lips in a teasing gesture.
“Looking for you?” A surge of energy radiated from Reika as she sprang up, brandishing her dagger at Ayaka. “You’re not the Night Queen!”
“A Throned Saint!” The realization struck Lily, who was still peeping through the gap, and she felt a surge of alarm.
