I'll put this in the beginning.
Please understand. I AM Mimulus.
If you didn't already realize, Mimulus is a flower.
Part 1
What do the angels see?
What do the angels see?
Peeking from Heaven~
Do they seek me?
What do the angels feel?
Hearts of courageous steel~
Parting the ravens~
What could it mean?
A beautiful voice was echoing in the night.
Without noticing, I followed this enchanting sound.
I had recently left the "Royal Crown," a high-class hotel where a party for a certain couple's engagement party was held.
After finishing up the business I had there, I left the hotel after drinking and chatting a little bit to avoid suspicion.
I left through the front door, after all. Of course, there was no way people would notice the gun hidden under my coat.
I think.
I weaved through the seemingly endless alleys.
Homeless people were warming up their hands through a fire and stray animals rummaged through trashbins looking for food.
A normal sight around these areas.
With such a blank thought, I kept on moving.
Moving.
Moving.
Until finally... I found its source.
She had long, flowing hair that reached down to her waist.
For some reason, it had a peculiar color of silver. It wasn't uncomfortable to look at, too.
Was it natural?
Weird, that's impossible, right?
She looks Caucasian, I think?
I can't really tell with her back facing me.
As she continued to sing, her soft and pristine hands turned along with her wrists bending as she reached for a high note, executing it perfectly.
Seeming to have reached the final chorus, she went for a crescendo and her beautiful white dress fluttered as she twirled once, letting me have a peek at her beautiful, pearl-like purple eyes and flawless pink lips.
She stopped singing as she saw me.
With wide eyes, she took a step back and let a light "Ah..." leak from her mouth.
"~~!"
With a nervous smile, she looked towards me.
Unfortunately, my current state is similar to that of a man in a drunken stupor and I reacted a moment late,
"A-Ah. Sorry, the song was truly so wonderful that I couldn't help but be drawn here."
I answered honestly as I looked straight at the girl.
Hearing my uncovered praise, the girl frowned in a cute way as she looked downwards,
"..."
At this moment, I felt I had been instantly blown away.
Even though she had nothing to say.
T-This girl is too adorable!
Amazing destructive power!
If I had been an ordinary man, perhaps I would have fallen for her looks.
But not me-- for I am different from other men!
Ohoho... That is correct!
I, Dylon, am special!
Her looks have no effect on me!
For I...
I have fallen for her voice!
Yeeees!
It was precisely that!
Love at first hear, I say!
W-What?
Pervert?
What are you talking about?!
More important than that, I didn't understand a single word that song contained.
Divine, truly, but could it be that she's a foreigner?
Oh? Maybe she looked down and didn't respond because she can't understand a word I'm saying.
Ah, well.
First, I'll introduce myself.
"I am Dylon Milodius. Can you understand me?"
I put my hand on my chest and bowed lightly with my head.
After making sure she understood that it was a greeting, I pointed to myself as I said my name.
"Ah!" she gasped as she understood.
She curtsied with a small smile, too.
That's good, she understood my introduction.
She ignored the rest, though.
So we must not speak the same language.
"Alice. Alice Icelance."
She must've understood at least my introduction as she only spoke of her name.
But Icelance, huh?
A pseudonym?
Most likely, I have never heard of a name such as "Icelance" before.
Maybe she's a writer?
How troublesome, she seems a bit lost.
No, it's correct to say she is lost.
She doesn't seem to understand a single word of what I say.
Icelance... Icelance... Could she be... Could she be that?
They say that children with exceedingly strong imaginations begin to be illusioned that they are the fated heroes of the world or other such stories of grandiose odyssey.
What a waste.
If anything, she's the prettiest girl I have ever met.
She seems only about 2 years younger than me, too.(I'm eighteen this year.) 5th grade syndrome?
I'm pretty sure I saw a story about one like that in one of those comic books named after a fruit... Where was it from again?
China or Japan?
Well whatever.
"Pariyo?" Alice called out to me with a wondering expression as she tilted her head slightly to the side.
Urgh! I can't deny, though.
This girl is truly adorable.
Pariyo? Pariyo?! What does it mean?!
It seems I have worried her as I had suddenly sunken into a contemplative silence when she introduced herself.
Ah, my bad habits are showing.
Alright, if she's lost, I can at least take her to the police station.
Yep, I've decided.
I walk towards her, nonchalantly grab her hand and head out of this maze-like alley.
I seem to have caught her unprepared as she flinched at first, but I told her,
"Don't worry, I'll help you since you're lost."
She didn't understand me, but she must've figured I'm not that kind of person, since she didn't really resist and followed along.
"...! Ah... Wah..."
For some strange reason, Alice was red in the face.
Whoops.
I think I probably still smell of alcohol.
Maybe that's the case, she's covering her face with her free hand.
Sorry, sorry.
I must stink like hell, huh?
Part 2
As we passed the dark alleys, we soon reached a more populated area.
I was going to bring her to the police station via car, but she seemed to dislike the idea as she silently pulled me away from it, whispering, "Asurova'l! Asurova'l...!" before we even reached it.
Is she perhaps car sick?
Oh well, alright then, let's take the long way.
I left my gun behind, tossing it inside the car before locking it and leaving.
I won't need it~
They'll probably search me for one in the station anyway, so just to be safe...
We left my car and went on our way.
Alice looked on with curiosity towards the fully lit paved road as if it was the first time for her to see it.
Maybe she lived in a slighty more dirty country?
Well, we do take pride in our clean city, but her reaction seems a little bit strange.
"Dude. Look at that. That girl... isn't she cute?"
"Yeah, but look. She's got a guy already."
"Maybe they're just friends? C'mooon, you might as well introduce yourself..."
"Oh~ Is that girl one of those? A cosplayer...? Wow, she's pretty cute. I've never seen that character before, though."
"Eh. White haired characters are quite generic these days."
-Rest omitted-
Other people traded glances before leaving.
Hmm... Looks like I'll be busy later.
Oh god, I should've picked a less populated area.
How annoying.
I found her first!
No, wait... that's wrong.
Alice's gaze was filled with curiosity, her eyes darted left and right, looking at all of the lights and tall buildings in the city.
I could clearly hear her murmur something under her breath when cars passed by us.
For obvious reasons, nothing happened because we were on the sidewalk.
"Shirastiva...!" she says nervously. I wonder what it means?
Foreigners sure are weird... She's still cute though so it's not a big deal.
We were already halfway towards the police station, the street we walked on was no longer populated.
...
I immediately stop walking.
Alice walks a few steps further but then notices that I have stopped.
She turned around,
"Daielon?"
It's Dylon. But you're cute, so I'll let it slide.
My eyes narrowed and my eyebrows dropped as I surveyed the surroundings,
"...Daielon? Storeshi?"
I have no idea whatever the heck you're saying, but I'm assuming you don't know what's going on.
Well, to tell you the truth, we're being surrounded right now.
Some people probably saw you in that street earlier, noticed your impossibly beautiful appearance and now decided to take you.
Maybe to sell you, maybe to keep you.
...As if I can say that.
Well, she wouldn't understand me even if I did
Four people?
No, five of them.
No problem, no problem~
How should I deal with this?
I can't do this like usual since Alice is with me.
Ah... I left my gun.
I don't really want her to see me like that anyway.
Hmm... maybe just beat them up?
Ah, but first I have to establish they're bad guys first...
Wouldn't want Alice to think I beat people up on a whim.
As I was thinking of such, a bald man appeared out of the shadows.
Well, this just makes things easier.
He's probably their leader or something, right?
"Goodevening," baldie said in an odd accent.
He looks like he's from the East.
Well, verily, this man is Asian.
I don't really care, though.
"I couldn't help but notice the girl with you.
Well then, good sir. I have a proposition for you."
Baldie talked to me in a rather condescending tone, as if he's already used to this sort of exchange.
It ticked me off, but not to the extent of making me attack him immediately.
Let's hear what he has to say first.
"Gooyiv...Ning...? Akoi?" Ah, yes, dear Alice.
Truly you are adorable but please notice that you are in serious trouble right about now.
Skinhead here wants to kidnap you... I think.
"Hand over the lady and you will live. If you don't, we'll kill you then we'll take her.
Simple, right?
To make it short, beat it."
Oooohhh. Scary. Alright, I've decided.
I turn to look at Alice,
"..."
She was facing a dark alley where one of the other men are hiding, her hands on her chest and her eyebrows furrowed.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Hooh, she's quite sharp.
"Hey, Alice." I tap her shoulder twice.
"Mm...?" she turns to me, tilts her head and smiles with a huge question mark on top of her head.
This girl's... dense after all.
Well, whatever.
Baldie takes one step forward with a disgusting smile on his face.
Ah~ I want to break it~ I want to break it so bad~
"...!"
Feeling threatened, Alice takes a step back with a worried face.
It's good that you finally notice the situation.
That moment, four other men step out from the darkness, completely surrounding Alice and I.
Alice looks around worriedly, with a "W-What's going on? What should I do??" look on her face.
I glance around.
Huh?
Aren't these guys just normal thugs?
Seeing that I'm not leaving, baldie frowns a little as if he's tired, but mixed in his expression is one of admiration, surprised that I didn't leave Alice behind.
Baldie then commanded,
"Take him down and get the girl!"
I smile makes its way to my lips.
Here we go.
I stood in front of Alice as if to protect her from Baldie his goons.
Baldie runs up to me with his fist raised.
I catch his hand easily and with a saint-like smile-- plant my other fist firmly in his face.
Woaaaah.
He flew quite the distance.
Baldie's unexpectedly light, isn't he?
Baldie's goons became vigilant when they saw me send their leader flying.
Part 3, Alice's point of view
W-What is going on?
Mr. Dylon was showing me around the area earlier, but then out of nowhere a group of men showed up.
The first one to show himself was a bald gentleman.
He introduced himself as "Gooyiv Ning".
Do the people here state their name the moment they meet someone they don't know?
What an odd custom.
But this seems strange.
Mr. Gooyiv attacked Mr. Dylon, but Mr. Dylon retaliated without getting hit.
Was that magic just now?
More importantly,
Why are they hurting each other?
Even though I asked, I already realized.
These gentlemen were hoodlums and Mr. Dylon was trying to protect me from them.
Yes, yes.
That must be it.
Can Mr. Dylon deal with all of them?
No, of course not.
There's only one of Mr. Dylon.
I must help him!
B-But... how could I assist Mr. Dylon?
Should I use that against these hoodlums?
I... I don't think I have the courage to.
Five people are charging towards Mr. Dylon at once.
What should I do?!
Just as I was thinking of such things--
He then, while humming, continued to do battle with the other hoodlums.
He jumped and threw punches, occasionally landing kicks, defeating them.
It wasn't that troublesome.
To be perfectly truthful, it ended quite quickly with the four of them on the ground groaning and Mr. Gooyiv the only one among the hoodlums that remained standing.
Truly, it was exciting but I couldn't help but think it was anticlimactic.
It almost felt like I was simply watching a play.
I've never seen a real play, though...
Ah... but it's good it turned out this way, it would be terrible if Mr. Dylon had gotten hurt.
Mr. Dylon sure fights gallantly... ah, but he is a man.
I'm not really compatible with men...
Or perhaps I just lack experience with them?
The only person my age that I've talked to is Mira...
Hmm... I-If he were to propose to me right now, I'd probably say yes.
But would he even understand me if I said "Yes!"?
But of course, I only jest.
There is no way that a gentleman who fights with such spectacular magic is not already married.
Truly, he must have a wife who is waiting for him back home.
M-M-Maybe they've even already... h-held hands...! H,Heavens!
B-But... he held my hand earlier... p-pervert...!?
...W-What am I even saying...?
I sure am o,odd today, thinking such obscene thoughts...
Where am I anyway?
How did I get here?
Maybe I got transported to another continent.
As I was daydreaming by myself, Mr. Gooyiv suddenly took out a strange item.
What is that...?
It was a black colored thing.
I don't really know what it is, but I understand that it's being pointed towards Mr. Dylon.
Mr. Gooyiv then began talking again.
They've been talking all this time, but unfortunately, I do not understand what they are saying so I didn't bother.
"You sh*tty little brat!"
Mr. Gooyiv shouted in anger.
I've never seen such an object, what could it be?
Can Mr. Dylon handle it?
He can, can't he?
Such a small wand couldn't possibly harm him...
Then maybe it's not a wand?
A tool for fighting?
I look at Mr. Dylon.
His back is facing me, protecting me.
He turned his head to look at me once.
He is frowning and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
What is this... strange sensation of foreboding...
As if something terrible is about to happen.
My body was screaming danger at me.
What is it, what is it...?
Mr. Gooyiv smiled cruelly, then he squeezed a part of the black thing with his finger.
Mr. Dylon turned around, pushing me towards the ground while he jumped.
Bang!
The tool roared, as if it was a beast.
For a second, I was too frightened to even move.
Was it that...? Terrifying--!
"Ah! Crap...!"
*Thud*
"Daielon...?"
Mr. Dylon collapsed.
My mind immediately went blank.
Could it be?
Mr. Gooyiv-- no.
This hoodlum, Gooyiv harmed my first male friend?
How could he?
No... How dare he?!
All this time, I thought Mr. Dylon could handle everything.
It was selfish of me, thinking he could do it all.
Deep in my heart, I was still afraid of people like Gooyiv.
My brain was trying to tell me to just run away.
And so, I acted without thinking.
I invoked magic to attack a rovietal.
Part 4
"...It's over, boy."
Baldie said as he looked down at me.
He looks tired. Heh...
Tch... I didn't expect the bastard to pull out a gun.
I shouldn't have left mine in the car... Ah sh*t!
It hurts, dammit...!
I've lost a lot of blood, cold sweat drenched my back and forehead.
I couldn't move neither.
Tch... Unexpectedly, Baldie's got a good aim.
Alice... Where is Alice...?
She was watching the whole time... Hah... Sorry, but...
Looks like I showed you my uncool side, getting injured like this...
Ah... She was behind me... at least... she's unharmed...
"Grahah!"
I clutch my abdomen with a pained face.
I was about to pass out, but I couldn't help but think like this.
She's the kind of beauty that causes such thoughts.
Agh, damn. I've lost too much blood.
Just as my vision was about to melt into the darkness, I saw a beautiful light the color of vermillion.
A beautiful color, the fire of sunset.
Fire...? We...ird...
The next moment, I couldn't see anymore.
Part 5, Alice's point of view
"..."
I... I did it. I cast magic on a man... and took his life.
Manslayer
Such a name entered my thoughts.
Murderer. I'm a murderer.
I took somebody's life.
The life that was gifted to us by the goddess was taken by a mere person.
To me, though that didn't really matter.
But why?
All for the sake of a man I haven't met before tonight.
Dylon, my first friend outside of family.
"Daielon...? Daielon!!"
I screamed.
Was that even his name?
I wasn't so sure.
Maybe I confused his name with one of the words he used to speak with me before, but that didn't matter to me at all.
I shouted the word which I thought to be his name again and again, but he wouldn't wake up.
This gentleman had fought for me, but what did I do?
I just stood there, watched as he protected me.
Watched as he fell by himself.
Why?
Because I hesitated.
Because I was scared.
Even now, I might be misunderstanding this.
Mr. Dylon could've been the bad person and those gentlemen were trying to rescue me from his vile clutches.
It's a possibility.
But such thoughts were immediately discarded.
Sitting down next to him, I held him close to my chest.
His hands were cold, he had lost too much blood.
This is bad... What should I do?
What can I do?!
I'm scared... Please don't die, friend!
As I was thinking hard, my eyes suddenly drifted to Mr. Gooyiv's charred corpse.
"Salrischet!"
I got it!
I have never tried this before in my life.
That is, both the act and the magic, but since Mr. Dylon is my friend,
I have to be willing to do at least this much, right?
T-This is my first time... I wonder if he'll think I'm an easy lady when he wakes up and finds out...
I've never even held hands before... I wonder what his wife will think?
Wait, I don't even know if Mr. Dylon has a wife!
How does the incantation go again?
Ah, this is bad! For the first time in her life, this Alice has been stricken by panic...
Why does healing magic have to be so complicated...?
I hate this...
Oh Lady Shirastiva! Are you testing me?
Is this perhaps a trial to see if this Alice is loyal to you?
Worry not, your highness!
I shall offer up everything to you, for you are the one true goddess!
I got into a kneeling position and placed my hands over my chest, praying to the goddess.
If she wished for Mr. Dylon to be healed, then he shall!
I have to do this!
Resolving myself, I-- my face drew closer to his lips.
I don't know when, but my eyes had already been closed.
...Mr. Dylon smelled of alcohol.
How... charming.
Without another word--
I overlapped my lips with his.