“Yeah, that’s right. There’s no morality in this area.”

I understand that our relationship was not good because it started out badly, but it was hard to bear this kind of truth.

“Just don’t touch me.”

I chose my words carefully even if I was right anyway.

“You’re ugly.”

I am an aestheticist.

In other words, I love and care for all beauties, exclusively.

I’m not obsessed with looks, but I believe in condemnation for humans with foul personalities only, and I believe that personality is reflected on their face.

“Hey, are you really that slow?”

“… What?”

“Your subordinates are making a fuss. Your face is terrible.”

Heimdahl was handsome, so I treated him. But this guy is out of my jurisdiction.

“Huh, let go, let go! I’ll kill you!”

“C-Captain. You have to stop. It’s time for Black Night to come out!”

“Urgh—”

When I heard the name, I smiled bitterly.

Black Night, that’s the sister who takes care of me. The first sister I saved.

I waved my hand like I was fanning the firehouse.

“Yeah. Go ahead. Don’t mind the blood.”

“…You!!!”

“Or would you like to have a hard time with my ‘support’ that you’re so afraid of?”

This time again. When I added, Thorce, who was looking at me, flinched.

“… Tsk. Don’t think that your arrogant behaviour will be tolerated forever! I’ll cut up that pretty face of yours and sell it to District 5!”

“I hope that’s possible before I die.”

Soon Thorce turned his back, dropping a killing look.

However, because of Heimdahl, his hands were in so much pain that he could not use his arms and had to be supported by his subordinates.

It was just me and Heimdahl left in the back alley when Thorce was dragged away.

Heimdahl, who had been silent all along, slowly turned his head.

“Miss,”

The dagger swung from his hand. It was an acrobatic performance close to a stunt.

“You were pretty cool.”

Heimdahl’s gentle voice rang out like the calm before a fierce storm.

The dark back alley was still empty when I glanced over.

Even if anyone was available, they wouldn’t have heard the scream and come out.

That’s just how it was around here.

“Miss, I don’t know what was going on here, but what’s your relationship with that guy?”

“Well… it’s like trying not to dwell on an unpleasant first meeting but it failed?”

By then, I was an established illegal jeweler, but it hadn’t always been such smooth sailing.

When I first settled in the back alleys of this city, there were a lot of annoying flies that tried to approach my business.

Thorce was one of the more aggressive people.

“He tried to swindle you but failed, huh?”

“In short, I suppose.”

Chills ran down my spine, but I continued to speak calmly.

The reason I couldn’t relax was because Heimdahl did not lower the sword at all.

It was too close to my neck.

‘I guess you don’t remember waking up from when we first met.’

He doesn’t know that I stepped on his hand.

‘That’s a relief.’

Although he wasn’t a perfect villain yet, he still seemed to be quite independent.

I knew very well that the guy in front of me was a dangerous man who’d wield his sword first, and only ask questions later; unfazed.

“How lovely. I’m afraid to say I’ll be putting myself in a similar position, then.”

“… A similar position?”

Heimdahl took a step closer.

Too sudden. Startled, I stepped back, but he narrowed the distance just as quickly.

“Why are you trying to run away? I’m talking to you.”

Heimdahl towered over me. As he leaned over, I could feel his breath on my ear.

“… What is it you want to discuss?”

I was nervous in this sort of uncomfortable position; it was too different from the kind of tension I was accustomed to.

“If you try to swindle me and fail…”

“…”

“It will be very painful.”

He murmured in that low, threatening voice.

The tension, which made me break out in a cold sweat, was heightened by his sword. It seemed to say, ‘If you make a mistake, I will behead you.’

“Let’s go inside and talk. I wonder why you seem so familiar with me.”

There was no warmth in his playful whisper.

No. It seemed to hold a hint of madness.

“Actually, I’m living in hiding right now, so where did I meet someone like you?”

“…”

“I want to hear what you know about me.”

There wasn’t much of a choice when there’s a sword pressed against your neck.

******