Chapter 9: Request

Chapter 9: Request

So Kanaki, is that all there is to it for your visit today, really?

Xenia spoke up again, despite Matthias having pointed this out earlier.

And what do you mean?

Well, with all due respect to Eto, this house is in a poor location, plus it rained today. Why would Kanaki, who doesnt carry an umbrella, come all the way here just to look at the wanted posters?

Well, thats true, but

Xenia didnt seem to be watching others, but she was surprisingly acute in her scrutiny of others.

Sighing inwardly, I didnt want her to hear this, I straightened my posture toward Matthias.

What is it?

Its a job request.

The atmosphere around us shifted.

Matthias eyes were narrowed, the edge of Xenias lips were visibly lifted, and Etos gaze was downcast.

Eto, you go back to your room.

No, thats all right, Teacher. Please dont mind me.

Eto strained herself to smile, but the act of watching it simply made her cheeks hurt more I have always wondered why she would want to take over her fathers business in the future.

Eto generally maintained a soft-spoken demeanor, but it was universally acknowledged that she was stubborn to a fault.

I opted not to focus on Eto at this point.

So youre requesting me huh? Its been a long time.

Well, this time its a bit exceptional. The target this time is not that strong, but the circumstances are a little complicated.

What is it? Did you decide which of the two you mentioned last week youre going to choose!?

As Xenia approached me with a gleam in her eye, I almost clicked my tongue.

The case this time was really irrelevant to Xenia. Every now and then she would pull off something preposterous on a caprice, and if possible, I wouldnt want to create a factor that could become an operational irregularity in a spot like this

Dont give me such a blatantly annoyed look. No worries, Ill only listen to what you have to say.

No, I dont like that because you are not trustworthy.

Kanaki. The conversation is not going anywhere. Let me hear the rest of it.

Excuse me.

I continued the subject.

So, I am sorry to make this request, but I am planning that students escort will be done by me. In other words

You want to show off your good side in front of that girl, right, Kanaki?

If you put it that straightforwardly, even I feel like that well, youre not wrong.

Xenia laughed wickedly. I scratched my head.

Mr. Matthias, I am aware that you dislike requests of this nature. Please, nevertheless, do me a favor. If a half-hearted assassin cant finish the job, theyll merely wind up retaliating, and more than anything, even the slightest exposure will become a national-level issue, and she wont be able to attend the school anymore.

If Mr. Matthias cant help you, you can request me to do it, you know? Even when it comes to the Princess, I wouldnt encounter any problems.

You would absolutely overdo and kill them both before me, Ms. Xenia. And then you would be saying something like you wanted to see the look of despair on my face.

Oh, my, you understand me perfectly.

Ill kill you by then, too, Ms. Xenia.

Hahaha, you say that. Youre a third-class.

Do it somewhere else if you two are planning on killing each other, Matthias said, seemingly exasperated.

I turned to Matthias and lowered my head.

Please do me a favor. I will pay you more. Will you accept my request?

A long, silence descended on us. All eyes, those of Xenia, Eto, and myself, were glued to Matthias, who was gazing in wonderment.

Eventually, Matthias slowly opened his eyes, and his voice was as plain as ever.

There will be three magic crystals of your own creation. I will accept your request with these. However, there is a condition.

What is it?

I dont mind being part of your entertainment. However, I had a major job that came to my plate just the other day. Its the largest job Ive ever had in my life. Youll have to lend a hand with it for me.

A large job?

Yeah. After finishing it, I am considering going into retirement.

I rolled my eyes. Even Xenia looked at Matthias with an expression of disbelief. The job was so significant that it could be the last job before this ogre would retire. Furthermore, it was the first time he had ever asked us to cooperate with him on a job. We couldnt be disinterested in this.

Eto had been lying face down since a few minutes ago. She must have known the contents of the job.

Suppressing my impulse, I asked Matthias.

What kind of work does that entail?

Assassination of First Princess Karen Ortesia, and Rain Aldar, commander of the Security Forces Kaguya.