Looking up at the sky, the glare of the sun seemed brighter than usual. Yet the crowd around me didn't bother seeking shade.
They had gathered along the main road, shouting and pushing forward despite the line of guards holding them back.
"ALL HAIL, THE HERO!"
"ALL HAIL, THE HERO!"
"ALL HAIL, THE HERO!"
They screamed endlessly, as if their voices would never tire.
Flowers rained down upon the caravan, their colors painting beauty into the air. Even the petals seemed happy to be plucked for this occasion.
Looking at this atmosphere, one thing was certain. The day... was happy.
The caravan stretched on with countless carriages and knights in polished armor mounted on proud horses, all radiating glory. But even among all this splendor, one carriage stood out. While important people usually rode in covered carriages, this one was different, more decorated, deliberately open for all to see.
Inside stood the HERO'S PARTY, greeting everyone on the street, soaking in all the glory. The hero himself wore a wreath of flowers upon his head.
All these carriages parading through the street were heading to one destination. The royal castle.
As the caravan passed, the people followed, trailing behind them. All but me.
Basking in the sudden emptiness of the street, I picked up a discarded newspaper.
| The Hero Defeats The Demon King! All Royalty of the Planxs Continent Gather at Lastro Country's Royal Castle to Honor the Heroes' Glory |
Reading the headline, I couldn't help but sigh.
"They get to parade and show off while I'm left behind to do the hellish job."
Furrowing my eyebrows, I clicked my tongue.
"Damn these paperworks."
I grumbled as I disappeared into the darkness of an alley.
---
"Our leader, here in my hand are the FINAL reports of our expedition to defeat the demon lord."
With my knees planted on the ground, the papers I offered floated gently toward the person sitting in the chair before me.
"Hmm, very good. Your reports have always been better than Rinwald's. With these, your job as mentor of the Hero's Party is hereby finished. Good job, Agent Sly. However, you seemed more motivated than usual when handling these reports. What changed?"
I looked up to see a beautiful woman sitting with her legs crossed like the number four. With long black hair and lips painted a rich velvet color, she smiled at me. She wore a black dress with a slit revealing one leg, and the way she sat highlighted her slender yet shapely thighs.
"Well, our leader, this is the FINAL report after all. With this FINAL report, I can finally rest. Oh, how I have suffered for this FINAL report. Hopefully, this FINAL report can earn me some kind of reward. Right? Our leader."
"I see... You haven't changed at all after all those expeditions. The tone of your voice still feels like home." She said as she uncrossed her legs and placed both feet on the ground. "So tell me, what is it that you wish for?"
With arms wide open, as if welcoming an embrace, she stared deeply into my eyes.
Lowering my head, I thought to myself.
Finally! All my life I have been waiting for this exact moment! Ever since I was tricked into joining this organization, my life became a living hell! Missions, reports, missions, reports, my life was trapped in an endless cycle of suffering!!!
So now, after completing a mission she surely can't ignore, I can confidently say...
Wait, I should explain first.
The Phantasm Organization is a secret organization dwelling within the Planxs Continent. With a rich history dating back to the Era of Beasts when humanity was prey, this organization holds more power than any royal family on the continent.
They could overthrow a monarchy with just a thought. Though secret, not a single noble family exists that doesn't know of them.
With countless well-known groups under their name, they've gained power in countless fields, ultimately becoming the most developed organization on the continent.
The Spectre Group - Merchants united as one. With countless companies under their name and immense knowledge, they built an empire where all the continent's gold passes through them. Stores, banks, hotels, stations, real estate, even land. This group is truly the water of the Phantasm Organization.
Next is the Ghost Guild - The adventurer's guild comprising the organization's strongest fighters. Through the guild, the organization exists without fear of violence. If the Spectre Group is water, then the Ghost Guild is rock.
Furthermore, there is the Banshee Mage Corps - Consisting of countless high-class mages, the Corps has developed magical applications so advanced they're contenders to establish their own magic tower. With their innovation, they are considered the wind of the organization.
Then there's the Death Center - Despite the ominous name, it's actually the organization's training facility. Here, new members are constantly produced, fueling the organization's growth. Hence, they are the fire.
Additionally, there is the Spirit Society - a group of faithful who use divine magic to support the organization. Through prayers, they protect and guide us toward greater paths. Also known as the light.
And finally, the one who controls all these elements, the leader herself. Silvia Yrsa Rosalia, known to the group as The Rose Queen. She earned this title through her immense seductive beauty and thorny rule.
As the organization weathered history, countless rises and falls came. Before the Rose Queen was seated, the organization had sunk to the depths. However, after she was chosen, through her strict rule, the organization rose to its current peak. Truly worthy of praise.
Yet even with all her power and prestige, this was the first time she felt completely bewildered.
"I WANT TO QUIT!" ~QUIT ~QUIT ~QUIT
His voice echoed throughout the room after the man screamed at the top of his lungs.
The Rose Queen sat there, still processing. Like a snapping branch, she finally returned to reality.
"HUHHH?!?! I refuse! I won't allow you to quit!"
Hearing this, the man stood up.
"You can't refuse."
"I can't refuse? On what grounds?!"
"This." The man grabbed a paper from his pocket and showed it. "A signed contract between you and me, upholding the condition of granting one wish to Agent Sly, that's me, if I successfully mentored the Hero's Party and helped defeat the demon king."
"See? The contract says so."
"You're using your wish for quitting??? I thought you were going to use it for something else!"
"And that something else would be what, exactly?"
Under the man's unwavering gaze, the Rose Queen turned red... like a rose.
"Give me that!" Grabbing the paper forcefully, she channeled her power into her hands.
-Fwoosh
The paper burned to dust.
"Aha! There's no contract now, is there! Now you can't leave." She smirked triumphantly.
Agent Sly looked at her with dead eyes.
"You do know I have plenty of copies of that contract... right?"
"Ugh."
Seeing the queen suffering. Agent Sly was satisfied.
"With that, I think it's time for me to go... Bye bye!" Agent Sly then slowly dissolved into smoke.
"Wait!!! We can negotiate!!!" The Rose Queen screamed, yearning for him to return.
But all that remained was silence.
With that, the only element of darkness belonging to the queen had disappeared. The other elements have groups, he's alone
She didn't know what was running through his mind. But one thing was for sure, he was thinking of the future.
A business perhaps? Like a nice little inn somewhere quiet.