“Fraus?”
Rory and the girls stood in front of the woman called Fraus.
“I see. Then, Fraus, why were you being hunted by those people in the alley? They even went to the length of using an Animite bullet. They really wanted you dead.”
“That’s because I left the Pink Spiders.”
“Pink Spiders? Who are they?”
“You don’t know the Pink Spiders? Could it be that you’re foreigners?”
Rory nodded.
“But from your reaction I take it that they have to do with these Three Dons I heard about.”
“It’s not just that they have to do with the three dons, they are the official gang of one of the Three Dons, Pearl St. Claire.”
“St. Claire?”
Rory looked like he was reminded of something.
“Does she have something to do with the St. Claires from the Dark Elf Nation of Ensom?”
“Ensom?”
“It’s a country of Dark Elves. It was created by a former elven Beast Emperor. It’s a haven for Dark Elves. As long as they’re there, they don’t need to worry about being enslaved.”
Rory answered Reina.
“If I remember correctly, St. Claire is the family name of one of the royal Clans.”
“I don’t know if Madam Pearl is a part of that family, but she’s indeed a dark elf.”
Fraus added.
“And you left her gang, and now she wants you dead?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmmm…”
Rory didn’t say anything and stared at Fraus for a while. He then shrugged.
“If that’s the story you’re going with, then have it your way.”
He walked over to a cabinet in a corner of the room, and took out a bottle of hard liquor and two glasses.
“You had a rough night, so I’m sure a drink would do you good.”
“You’re not going to ask her anything else? I’m sure she’s lying.”
Amelia protested.
“I know, but I’m too sober to care about all that.”
Rory’s reply confused Fraus, but made Reina and Amelia have a headache.
“I was having a nice little drunken adventure that I’m 100% sure would end with me waking up in a strange woman’s bed. But because of those pink bastards, I was sobered up and came to my senses. It’s such a waste of all the liquor I drank earlier. So I’ll honor them by get drunk again.”
“Your logic already makes you sound like your drunk.”
Reina protested.
“Fraus, if you wish to repay me, be my drinking buddy for the night. These two are too uptight to join me. I’m sure a free spirit like yourself wouldn’t mind.”
“What makes you think I’m a free spirit?”
“I have a good eye for people.”
Rory passed a glass to Fraus, who took it with a smile.
“I see. Then I’ll be your drinking buddy. It’s least the I can do.”
“Thank you. I’m sure your presence will make this drink taste like it was made by the gods.”
Reina and Amelia watched Rory interact with Fraus with complicated expressions. They couldn’t tell if he was being serious or he was just messing around. In the end, they left the room and decided to not think about it too much.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“I’m sure he can handle one woman.”
This was the conclusion that they came to. After being left alone with Rory, Fraus started to feel nervous. She wasn’t nervous because she was alone with a man, she was nervous because of who the man was.
“Heh.”
Rory showed her a gentle smile, but this didn’t make Fraus feel at ease. Her instincts told her that one wrong move will lead to her demise. She had to thread carefully with this man.
‘This guy is trouble.’
The next morning, when Reina and Amelia came down from their rooms and entered the kitchen, they saw Fraus talking happily with the maids.
“Oh, Good morning.”
Fraus greeted the girls.
“You’re still here?”
Amelia asked. She clearly wasn’t as carefree as Rory.
“Yeah. I don’t have anywhere to go, so Aniket said I could stay here for a bit.”
“What?”
The girls were caught off guard by that information.
“Where is that idiot?”
“Lord Aniket said that he’s going out and left early this morning.”
One of the maid, Capri, answered Amelia.
“Tsk. I can’t believe he did that.”
“Don’t worry, Elia. I won’t be staying long. I’ve already started making preparations to leave. I’ll be gone in a few days.”
Said Fraus.
She took up an apple and bit it.
“How about as a show of good faith, I make one of my specialities? I’m sure you’ll love it.”
Without waiting for the girls reply, Fraus started preparing to bake something. Reina and Amelia looked at each other before watching her do as she please.
Meanwhile, Rory had taken a car that was given to him by Jane, and was now driving through the city. He was playing a CD he found in the car. The singer had an energetic and lovable voice. Hearing this voice made one want to dance. Rory had the CD jacket in his hand and glanced at the cover, while driving.
On the cover was an adorable girl dressed in flashy clothing, and had a big smile on her face.
“So she’s the #1 idol in Yamato? Hahaha, her current appearance fit this voice perfectly.”
He threw the case aside and focused on the route the gps was giving him. After driving for a while, he came to a stop. He stopped in front of a tall pink building with a giant spider design covering multiple floors. The spider was made out of tint, so those inside could see through it.
“So this is Pearl St. Claire’s agency. Talk about making a statement.”
He parked his car and came out, immediately attracting the attention of many people. He ignored them and leisurely walked towards the entrance. There he saw a few men in pink and black suits, standing guard. They didn’t stop him, and allowed him to enter.
Once the automatic doors opened and he walked in, Rory’s nose was embraced by an enticing scent. It made one feel like they were a field filled with flowers.
“Not bad.”
He said while looking around the lobby. There were many people walking around or sitting in the waiting area. There was no difference between it and any agency. Pleased, Rory approached one of the assistances at the desk.
“Good morning. Welcome to Spider Banking.”
The assistant greeted him with a lovely smile.
“Hello, my name is Aniket and I’m interested in investing in your business.”
“I see, may I ask how much are you willing to invest?”
Rory took out a silver card and placed it on the counter.
“I want to transfer everything on this card to a new account at this bank.”
The woman took up the card and smiled again.
“Thank you. Please wait here while I go check the card.”
The woman left with the card after that.
“Now then…..Is she here?”
Rory closed his eyes and focused his sense. At that moment, it felt like an invisible pulse was released from Rory’s body. It was like everything in a two mile radius was now covered in a dome, and he could see everything from a Birdseye view. He scanned all of the floors one by one until he came across a massive presence on the floor at the center.
In his head, Rory could see someone ferociously opening their eye as if looking back at him.
“Oh? She was able to discover me? Not bad.”
Rory immediately withdrew his senses and opened his eyes. He was just in time to see the woman hurriedly come back to the counter.
“Sir, our manager wishes to speak with you. Could you please lend him a moment of your time?”
Rory showed a small grin.
“I don’t mind, lead the way.”
The woman led Rory out of the lobby and towards an elevator, which is exclusively used by staff. He hummed a playful tune while standing in the elevator. The female assistant on the other hand looked very nervous.
“Is there something the matter?”
Rory asked.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Really? You look tense. If you like I could give you a massage.”
“Hahaha. I’m fine, sir. Thanks for your concern.”
“I see.”
Rory didn’t speak for the rest of the time he spent in the elevator. After a short time, the elevator stopped and the door opened. When he stepped out he was standing in a huge office with a few furnitures like a desk, a couch, and some chairs. There was a large fish tank with some exotic fish inside. On the rug was a huge spider mark, and the room itself was white.
“Nice place.”
Rory looked around and said.
“Sir, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Alright, thanks.”
The woman nodded and closed the elevator door, leaving Rory alone in the office. He looked around and didn’t see anyone, so he took a seat on the couch to relax himself.
“Sorry for the wait.”
After a while, a short chubby man walked in.
“Hello, Lord Aniket. My name is-”
“Not you.”
Rory cut off the man.
“Pardon?”
“You’re not the one I want to meet. Leave.”
Rory gave the man a sharp look which made the man step back on reflex.
“I’m sorry if I offended you in any way. But I’m-”
*Bam!*
A crack suddenly appeared on the door behind the man. It looked like it was hit with a powerful force.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The man was unable to speak. He simply stood there cowering.
*Kacha!*
That’s when the door opened again and a woman walked in. She had a beautiful face expect for the eyepatch over her right eye, and the scar around that area. She was a dark elf which meant she had dark skin, black hair, gold eye, and a slim figure. Her eyepatch had a pink spider bejeweled on it, and she was dressed in a slit brown dress with floral design near the bottom, and white heels.
“Madame!”
“It’s fine. I’ll handle this.”
The man nodded and left Rory with the woman.
“Sorry if you were insulted with being greeted by a proxy.”
The woman smiled and said.
“I’m Pearl St. Claire. The owner of this establishment.”