The cobblestones of Seyaette were slick with the night's dampness, reflecting the slivers of moonlight like scattered tears. Footsteps echoed in the narrow street, quiet but steady – mine. Most girls wouldn't walk alone at this hour. Most people, for that matter, knew better than to wander the shadows where unsavory types might lurk, looking for easy prey. But I wasn't most girls. I wasn't most people.
My hand rested idly on the hilt of my newly purchased dagger, the steel cool and familiar beneath my fingertips. Let them come. Let the bandits, the thugs, the fools who thought a woman alone at night was an invitation, try their luck. They'd find themselves staring into the cold, hard reality of level 55 (and climbing) with zero patience for interruptions. They'd be lucky if I left enough pieces behind for a proper burial. Alone was more than enough. I was enough.
Unless… unless my opponent was him. Naofumi. The thought flickered, bringing with it that familiar knot of frustration and something else entirely. Would he ever? Ever look at me that way? Ever try to make a move? He was so damn dense sometimes. So focused on his shield, on his trauma, on his ridiculous noble quest. But if he did… I wouldn't fight him. Not really. I'd let him. I'd welcome it. Just for once, I wanted him to be the one to seize what he wanted.
But that wasn't tonight's mission. Tonight's mission was complete. Almost. Motoyasu Kitamura, the idiotic Spear Hero, had swallowed my story hook, line, and sinker. Removing Myne from his party? Done. He'd do it tomorrow. A simple request, really. Though it took entirely too much effort. And ugh.
The thought of him made my stomach clench. That look he gave me when he asked if I liked him. As if the sun revolved around his stupid, handsome face. And then! Then he touched my cheek! My hand had flown to my dagger hilt before I even consciously thought about it. Instinct. Years of training screaming threat! eliminate!. But I couldn't. Naofumi would be mad. 'Couldn't even complete such a simple task,' he'd say. 'Got distracted. Made a mess.'
Simple? It wasn't simple to pretend to swoon over that... that overgrown puppy! To manufacture tears and vulnerability! To act impressed by his platitudes and puffed-up chest! To stand there and let him look at me with that simpering, self-satisfied expression! It took energy. It took control. It took every ounce of willpower not to break his fingers when he reached for my face. Ugh. The memory was enough to make me feel like puking right here in the street. Let's just... not think about him. Ever again, if I can help it. He really crossed the line with that touch. But Naofumi... always Naofumi. He was the only reason I didn't gut that idiot right there on the balcony.
Bad memories. Forget them. Focus. Focus on the future. Our future. Mine and Naofumi's.
Tomorrow, the task would be complete. Motoyasu would dump Myne. Naofumi would see that I had done what he asked, fulfilled his 'insane conditions' in the most effective way possible (even if he didn't understand why I chose this way). And then... then came the reward. He promised. 'Anything you said.' 'Any request for a day.'
And I knew exactly what my request was.
He wouldn't like it. He'd try to refuse. He'd bring up his trauma, his 'priorities,' his ridiculous notion of 'not wanting to take advantage.' He'd try to use his Air Strike Shield again, float away into the night sky like some kind of perverted, non-committal Mary Poppins.
But not tonight. Tonight, I wasn't asking. Tonight, I was claiming.
I wouldn't listen to a single appeal. Not one. I had worked too hard for this. Endured too much. Waited too long.
Tonight was my night.
I wouldn't let him rest. Not until I was satisfied. Not until he was exhausted, weak, completely at my mercy. I'd worked him to the bone training the girls, worked myself to the bone dealing with Motoyasu. Now it was his turn to work... for me.
And it wouldn't be just tonight. No. Why settle for one night when I could have every night? Raphtalia and Rifana were a pain in the ass, yes, cute and useful and surprisingly perceptive sometimes, but ultimately obstacles to my plans. They liked him too much. They were too clingy. They didn't understand. But a simple sleeping spell... they'd never know. Every night, after the girls were asleep... it would be our time. My time.
Goodbye virgin life. Welcome love life.
A small, triumphant smile played on my lips. The inn was just ahead. A window on the second floor... yes, that was their room. Easy access for a level 55 adventurer. No need for doors.
I reached the side of the building, a shadow melting into the deeper shadows. A quick, silent climb up the wall, practiced and effortless. The window latch gave way with a soft click.