——Hall Continent——
——Tiakra Empire——
——Rista Kingdom——
In a lively atmosphere, all the people of the Kingdom of Rista were celebrating Glory Day, the day on which the first emperor of the Tiakra Empire was crowned.
The market was crowded: mothers and grandmothers buying groceries, accompanied by children running and playing around the square. Laughter filled the air, along with the cries of seagulls that added a charming beauty to the place. In addition, the gentle sound of waves could be heard, as the fish market was bustling thanks to the abundance of seafood wealth.
Friends enjoying the day, happy families, children playing—laughter everywhere. Everyone was happy in this atmosphere.
Amidst all this, one person wearing a black cloak moved through the noisy crowd of the market, as if trying to escape the place as quickly as possible. After leaving the market, the person headed straight toward a house in the outskirts—a quiet area near the seashore, mostly inhabited by elderly people and fishermen.
The house was a single-story stone building, old enough that anyone who saw it would not think someone actually lived there.
As the door was opened, the person heard a sound coming from inside the house. Immediately, they drew a weapon—a small silver dagger—ready for any sudden attack. Moving in small, silent steps, they wandered through the house toward the source of the sound, which was coming from the kitchen.
They reached the doorway and stepped back slightly, noticing that the door was open. Taking a quick glance, they saw someone inside—a girl in her twenties with silver hair, pale skin, and a slender figure. They couldn't see her face and did not try to. Instead, they rushed toward her, threw her to the ground, and pressed the dagger to her neck—only to freeze the moment they saw her face.
The girl struggled, screamed, and tried to push the attacker away.
——Girl——
Aaaah! Who are you?! Get away from me!
——???——
Calm down! It's me! Narohime!
Narohime removed her hood, revealing her face and confirming her words.
——Girl——
For heaven's sake! You really scared me! I thought someone had broken into the house!
——Narohime——
Look who's talking! I'm the one who should be asking you—what are you doing here, Lara?!
——Lara——
Well… it just happened that I was on a mission nearby, so I wanted to visit you. Is it wrong to visit a friend?!
Narohime sighed, stood up, and helped Lara to her feet.
——Narohime——
I never said it was wrong to visit me! But don't you think it's rude to enter your friend's house while they're away?!
Lara frowned, turned her face away from Narohime, and spoke in a low voice.
——Lara——
I was really thirsty, so I went in to drink some water… it's not like I did anything… s-sorry.
Narohime laughed at Lara's state.
——Narohime——
Oh? What did you say? Say that last word again—I didn't hear it~
Lara's face turned red as she got even angrier.
——Lara——
I said… s-sorry… ahhh… damn you, Narohime! I'm leaving!
Narohime laughed and stopped Lara from leaving.
——Narohime——
Alright, alright. I know you didn't do anything! And yes, I heard your apology. But it's rare for you to be sent on a mission—was it really that serious?!
Lara stopped and looked at Narohime for a moment before frowning again.
Narohime sighed and walked away, leaving behind the sulking Lara. In truth, Lara felt like crying—this was the first time Narohime had ever scolded her.
Narohime then returned and placed something on the table. Lara couldn't see it because she had turned her face away.
——Narohime——
What delicious cake! Looks like I'll eat a lot today!
Yes—it was cake, Lara's favorite food. Lara tried to keep sulking, but she couldn't resist the smell and really wanted to eat. After a while, she turned toward Narohime and found her sitting there eating cake with milk, exactly the way Lara liked it. She felt neglected and angry.
——Lara——
…N-Narohime… y-you… you're really heartless!
——Narohime——
What? You haven't left yet?! I thought you were gone, Miss Grumpy!
Narohime tried to hide her laughter. Lara got angry, her face turned red, and she began sobbing.
——Lara——
You… you really are heartless!
Narohime felt guilty, stopped teasing her, stood up, walked toward Lara, and handed her a tissue to wipe her tears.
——Narohime——
Alright, alright, let's stop this. You know I don't like cake enough to eat it at night—it's obvious I bought it for you.
Lara didn't stop crying. She wiped her tears, looked at the cake, then looked at Narohime.
——Lara——
You're not mad? You don't hate me now?
——Narohime——
Honestly, Lara, since when have I ever been mad at you—hated you?! What nonsense are you talking about? I was just surprised and wanted to teach you that you shouldn't enter someone else's house like that.
——Lara——
Really? You don't hate me?!
——Narohime——
I really don't hate you. That would be impossible.
Lara stopped crying, looked at Narohime, and smiled. Narohime smiled back.
——Narohime——
Ah… I wonder what I'll do with all this cake now~
——Lara——
What are you talking about? I'm here—I'll eat it!
Lara rushed to the table and began eating greedily, while Narohime watched her and laughed. Then Narohime left her to finish eating and went to wash and hang the clothes.
After Lara finished eating, she washed the dishes, then went to Narohime, who was sitting in the living room sharpening her dagger. Lara sat beside her, watching how she sharpened it. Narohime noticed and pointed the dagger toward her.
——Narohime——
Want to try?
Lara was startled and nervous.
——Lara——
Uh… no… I mean, I don't know how.
——Narohime——
It's fine, I'll teach you!
——Lara——
I really don't want to bother you… thank you.
Narohime returned to sharpening her dagger. She was focused, yet her mind was clearly elsewhere, lost in her own thoughts.
——Narohime——
Anyway… did you like the cake?
——Lara——
Yes, it was amazing. Thank you!
Narohime smiled, though she remained absent-minded, weighed down by thoughts only she could feel.
——Narohime——
Really? I'm glad you liked it.
Lara smiled while watching Narohime, whom she admired like an older sister, impressed by her precise work. The scene continued for half an hour. By the time Narohime finished sharpening the dagger, night had already fallen.
——Narohime——
So, let's get back to our topic. It's not normal for you to go out—has the boss finally lost his mind?!
Lara felt nervous and tried to avoid the question, looking out the window.
——Lara——
It's already night, huh…
Narohime persisted in trying to find out why Lara was there. Ever since she saw her, she had suspected that the organization might be doubting her.
——Narohime——
You said you were on a mission, but this area is assigned to me. Does the boss not trust me, or is there a problem I can't handle—even though I haven't noticed anything unusual?!
Lara realized she couldn't avoid the question this time.
——Lara——
Alright, alright! I'll tell you! …Actually… I ran away! I'm really sorry… but that place is scary… just four walls surrounding me… darkness and lots of books… I only go out when there's an urgent mission. Please don't tell anyone, Sister Narohime… I promise I'll go back tomorrow at dawn. I just wanted to see you! I'm… I'm really sorry… I don't want to cause you trouble!
Narohime was shocked. This was the first time Lara had ever dared to disobey the boss's orders. After a moment of silence, Narohime sighed, stood up, and gently patted Lara's head with a smile.
——Narohime——
Even though I'm against the idea of you running away, I can't really stop you. Don't worry—I understand you. You'll stay with me tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you back and explain everything to the boss.
Lara was overjoyed and jumped forward to hug Narohime.
——Lara——
Really?! Thank you, Narohime! You're the best sister in the world—I love you!!
——Narohime——
Alright now, I know you're happy. Come on, let's prepare your bed!
Time passed quickly, and morning came. Lara helped Narohime prepare breakfast: rice balls, fish, homemade sauce, scrambled eggs, and milk—everything Lara loved.
After breakfast, Narohime and Lara put on cloaks and left the house, walking through the narrow alleys of the old district toward the city. Once there, Narohime stopped a carriage to take them to Lahond Street, where the organization's secret location was. They both climbed in.
Upon arrival, they headed to the organization, whose front appeared to be a magic items and weapons shop. A woman greeted them with a smile.
——Woman——
Welcome! I'm Ciella, the shop owner. We sell magical items such as potions and recipes, clothes, and energy-infused weapons. What exactly are you looking for?
——Narohime——
A sword that doesn't cut, and armor that doesn't protect.
——Ciella——
May I see your identifications, please?
Narohime handed over her ID. Lara merely lifted her hood slightly so Ciella could recognize her. Ciella immediately panicked, returned Narohime's card, and guided them to a secret passage leading to an elevator that descended several floors underground. When they arrived, they found a large reception hall filled with luxurious seats, many artworks, and magical relics.
——Ciella——
Please forgive my rudeness. I didn't know Lady Lara was coming today! What do you need? I'm here to help.
——Narohime——
We want to see the boss.
——Ciella——
Alright, please wait a moment. I'll ask him first.
Ciella contacted the boss, then returned and said he was waiting for them in his office. Since the place was vast and full of corridors where anyone could get lost, she guided them personally. Upon reaching the office, Ciella waited outside while Lara and Narohime entered.
——???——
I've been expecting you.
Inside, the office was dimly lit. The shelves were filled with books and magical archives. On the other side was a desk covered in scattered papers. Behind it sat the boss, his chair turned toward the wall. Lara and Narohime bowed and greeted him. Then he turned around to face them.
——Boss——
Stand up. Let's hear what excuses you have.
They stood. Narohime looked at the boss—an elderly man with a pale face, white hair, and ash-gray eyes. He looked angry, as if he had no intention of listening to excuses.
——Narohime——
Greetings, Mr. Boss. First of all, I apologize—I'll explain everything—
——Lara——
It was me who ran away! Narohime has nothing to do with it! If you're going to punish someone, punish me!
——Narohime——
Lara, what are you saying? Calm down!
——Boss——
Silence!
The boss shouted angrily, and silence filled the room.
——Boss——
I already know everything. I know that you're the one who ran away and that Narohime had nothing to do with it. What I want to know is why. Why did you do it, Lara?
——Lara——
I… I'm really sorry. I couldn't stand staying in that room for so long. I wanted to go out… and I hadn't seen my sister Narohime in a while. I really missed her!
Silence filled the room again. Narohime and Lara felt tense as the boss remained quiet.
——Boss——
You wanted to go out, huh? Fine. From now on, you won't complain about anything, Lara. Narohime—there's a mission.
Both Narohime and Lara were shocked. Neither of them expected this. They looked at each other, then straightened up, raised their heads, and stood at attention, ready to listen to the mission orders.
——Narohime & Lara——
At your command!
———————