"Is that allowed?" Shun frowned a bit.
"M-maybe?" For a second, Akira thought she had made a mistake before remembering something. "No, it is certainly allowed."
Shun pinched his chin for a second. "Do the citizens have tolerance for other beliefs?"
"I'm not sure about the details. It is Alden who offers the location, and he'll handle everything as long as I pay."
He's unexpectedly kind?! Shun thought to himself, and Alden's image as a capitalistic believer blurred slightly.
"Did he ask for something in return?"
"Not yet."
Shun grunted in acknowledgement, thinking, Right, that should be obvious.
He then fell into deep thought, digesting everything he'd gained from her.
Working with Alden might be the best way to earn money, but I should explore other options before deciding on one. Building a temple inside the city is also possible.
"Is there anything else I need to know about Alden?"
Akira pondered for a few seconds before responding, "I'm not certain if this will help, but his goal is to marry a princess of the neighboring kingdom, Helena.
"Master Al—" she coughed awkwardly and corrected herself, "Alden wants to prevent a marriage between her and the eldest son of the Yomnoire family. To do so, he must prove that he is worthy of her."
What is this novel-like scenario? Shun couldn't help but comment.
"How is he going to do that?"
"Gaining massive wealth."
I'm not sure if money will solve the problem, Shun thought to himself, but it is none of my concern. I just have to focus on building a temple.
"Thanks for answering my questions."
"No problem," she said as she devoured the last piece of meat.
Following that, Shun cleaned the scene, snuffed out the fire, and continued reading the book he hadn't finished.
The book was about the Yomnoire family's history and their achievements over the years.
As Shun was reading, Akira approached Micchan.
"Wassup?" Micchan asked.
"I won't be able to leave if I don't kill you, correct?"
"Un."
"Then."
Akira quickly drew her pistol and fired. The bullet pierced through the air, producing a loud bang.
Micchan casually tilted her head to the side, and the bullet grazed her cheek.
The barrel exuded white smoke.
"I'll be the one killing you," Akira declared with cold eyes and a deep voice.
Micchan's cheek slowly healed. Her expression shifted to surprise, before the corners of her lips curved into a smile.
"Can you?"
Akira signaled her resolve by aiming the gun at her and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Micchan jolted to the side, dodging the bullet at the last minute and her hair lunged at Akira.
She moved her body with inhumane agility as she jumped backward and twisted her body midair. When this occured, the hair was about to wrap her, but retracted upon the sudden movement and instead greeted by her kick.
The hair knocked to the side and hit the ground, leaving a web-like crack.
Akira landed and looked at Micchan, "Yeah. I will kill you."
Micchan scoffed as she retract her hair, "Then I'll be waiting."
"First time I've heard of someone waiting for their death."
"Well, there's nothing much I can do. My purpose in this world is as clear as the sun that exists for heat, or a cow for food."
"Don't you want to be more than this?"
"No," Micchan replied without hesitation. "I'm not human, you see. I don't have free will."
"I see. Do as you wish." Akira then turned around and walked away.
"I will."
But with a quick turn, Akira shot her continuously. Micchan dodged with abnormal flexibility and within seconds, she reached before Akira and kicked her abdomen.
She was sent flying across the field, but managed to stand on her ground, digging two ditch and leave a trail of dust.
Not giving Akira a chance to take a breath, Micchan dashed, leaving after images and kick Akira's legs with a spin. The latter fell with butt first.
Micchan got on top of her and her right arm immediately turned into a scythe. She swung it down but stopped just before it make contact with Akira's throat.
"On where you currently stands. You can't possibly kill me."
"Then why did you stop?" She asked with the cold barrel against Micchan's forehead.
"Impressive." Micchan couldn't help but commend, "But not quick enough."
Akira didn't think much of her words and pulled the trigger, yet despite the hammer snapped forward, nothing come out. She instinctively frown and looked at the barrel with one eye, which she is aware to be a dangerous thing to do.
Her barrel is blocked by something. Upon closer look it's revealed to be a squirming blob of flesh.
"What the?" She retracted her gaze for a moment, shocked and puzzled, before eying the barrel once more.
She narrowed her glabella and take a good look. Indeed, she wasn't hallucinating.
"Get that thing out of my gun."
"Sure." Micchan agreed without hesitation and talked to the gun, "come out."
But only silence, or that was what Akira thought when red, flexible muscles ooze from the barrel and drip to the ground
This thing then slither away and after a few seconds, it stretched up to one and a half meters in length.
Finaly, after a few more breaths, the last part of its body snapped out of the barrel. Different from the rest, however, this has the face of an old man and wearing a mini suit of a gentleman complete with the top hat.
He lifted his hat slightly as a salute before slithering away.
"Bye-bye." Micchan waved her hand in delight.
Akira has her mouth agape the entire process and realized. She shut her jaw off and turned her head to Micchan.
"Can you get off of me?"
"No."
"Why?" She frowned, feeling something bad is going to happen.
"It feels warm." Micchan then embraced Akira like she's a pillow. She has a satisfied grin on her face.
"Get off of me!" Akira pushed Micchan's body away, yet it was futile. Her muscles were heavier than if a slab of earth fell on Akira. Lifting it seemed like lifting a truck.
"Nooo~"
After a few struggle, Micchan finally released Akira. The latter is panting heavily and rested on her bed.
Now as the above transpired, Shun could only watch until the end.
He closed the book and approached Akira. "You alright? What was that? I thought I agreed to help you out. I will dispose of her as soon as we are about to complete the temple."
"I know, I'm sorry. It's just… I don't want to rely on you too much. You've made the food, built facilities, and taken care of me.
"I don't want to be a burden to you, and after some thinking, Micchan is my issue that I must solve on my own, not you.
"Let me handle her, Shun."
"... Alright." He paused for a moment before speaking.
"Thank you." She bowed slightly.