Chapter 89

"Did you... fly through the sky...?"

"Yeah."

"Um... Does that mean your job is something like a 'magician'?"

She looked taken aback, then timidly asked.

"No, I'm 'unemployed.'"

"No, no, no, 'unemployed' can't fly through the sky, right!?"

"Sure they can. If they try hard enough."

It seemed she was getting a bit flustered.

It was time to head back upstairs.

◇ ◇ ◇

After the young man left the bath.

"What... what's going on...?"

She was still in the bathtub, confused.

"But, he did say he's 'unemployed,' so he must be, right...? I don't see any reason for him to lie..."

On the contrary, it might be a lie that he flew through the sky to get here.

No, it must be.

There must be some special method, and he just said something random to hide it.

"I have to report this to Lady Kaede!"

She immediately contacted someone.

"Okay, noted. Good job."

"Thank you very much!"

"I'll head over there right away."

"Wait? Lady Kaede herself?"

"Of course. I don't want to be outdone by anyone else."

◇ ◇ ◇

"Thank you for your stay!"

The next morning, I left the inn, escorted by the young signboard girl.

Just outside the inn, a girl was standing as if waiting for me.

She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen.

She was petite, typical of an Easterner, with black hair.

Her expression was blank, and her two eyes, devoid of emotion, stared at me intently.

Hmm.

She's not just anyone.

After all, she has no openings at all.

"I am Kaede. One of the Eight Generals of the Imperial Kingdom. Are you the 'unemployed' Areru?"

"Yeah, that's me."

She nodded and said matter-of-factly,

"By order of the Empress. Follow me."

It was stated as if it were a fait accompli, but unfortunately, I have no business with this Empress.

"I refuse."

First, I've never met her, and I don't even know who or where she is.

"That's not an option. The Empress's orders are absolute."

"Then who is this Empress?"

"My lord. The founder of the Imperial Kingdom. The one who will eventually rule the entire world. A goddess."

I don't understand, but I can tell she's a troublesome person.

Come to think of it, I've heard of the Imperial Kingdom somewhere...

Then I remember the innkeeper's words.

"Just a few years ago, a country was formed, and now it's rapidly expanding, dominating various regions. In this country, even the most unfortunate jobs are treated equally, and they even receive generous protection. It's like a dream come true for my daughter."

I see.

So this is the Imperial Kingdom.

"What does the leader of such a country want with me?"

"I don't know. But it's a top priority mission. The Empress has been searching for the 'unemployed' Areru for a long time."

"I see."

"Will you come with me?"

"But I refuse. I'm about to head back home."

"...I see."

The girl nodded slightly,

"If you won't come willingly, I'll take you by force."

In the next instant, she vanished, leaving those words behind.

Hmm, the 'Teleport' skill.

She circled around to my back and aimed a hand strike at my neck to knock me out.

"Huh?"

But I was no longer there.

I had circled around to her back.

"If you're going to get serious, I won't hold back either. I don't let fire fall on me."

My kick sent her flying.

She crashed into the ground about ten meters away and rolled a few more times.

"Kaede-sama!"

I heard a small scream from somewhere.

"Instead of hiding, why don't you come out?"

"..."

When I called out, I could feel the people hiding take a breath.

"I knew from the start."

They immediately appeared from the shadows of the house's roof and walls.

There were about ten of them.

All were dressed in black and had their faces covered.

"...How did you know? We are all 'ninja.' We should have hidden our presence with the 'Stealth' skill..."

One of them asked.

"No matter how well you hide your presence, you can't hide the fact that someone is there. In other words, the 'Stealth' skill isn't perfect. And when there are ten of you, the small inconsistencies add up, making it easier to detect."

"Such... such a thing..."

"Also, you've been watching me since yesterday, right?"

"!?"

"You were selling apples at the city entrance, then followed me to the inn, and even joined me in the bath as a guest."

"How... how did you know!? I was perfectly disguised..."

"By observing your way of speaking, your voice, and your mannerisms, it was easy to tell."

When I explained, she took a step or two back, looking shocked.

"I... I thought I was good at disguising myself... Could it be that I was the only one who thought that..."

She seemed to be quite shaken.

"...Sakura. Focus on the capture now."

"! Kaede-sama! You're alright!?"

The girl I had kicked away returned as if nothing had happened.

Her protection hadn't decreased much.

She must have taken a defensive stance, so she probably didn't take any damage.

"The opponent isn't just 'unemployed.' Everyone, attack together."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Immediately, they all leaped at me at once.