Chapter 11: If You Don't Answer, Will You Do It?

Chapter 11: If You Don't Answer, Will You Do It?

Many often overlook the story, but prosperous cities dont just attract the wealthy.

In fact, those who are lacking are more likely to be drawn to affluent areas, hoping to make a life for themselves there.

This was clearly the case in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where I lived; even the high demand for cramped attics and closets evidenced it.

No matter how little one possesses, simply being in such a city allows access to its infrastructure, markets, and job opportunities, even without a fortune.

Thus, the slums on the outskirts of the empire became a bustling hub for those drawn by such prospects.

As these places attracted people, rules, and morals diminished, and due to poor governance, no forces like guards were deployed to maintain order.

In other words, this area was essentially lawless, with only remnants of civilization.

In some respects, it might even be considered more fraught with evil than the lands overrun by demon armies.

Its starting to rain.

Was it a sign that I shouldnt take Vivian to such a place?

Despite it being broad daylight, dark clouds gathered, and the cold rain began soaking through the hood I was wearing.

Fortunately, I had prepared sturdy, waterproof materials for our long journey, but only I reaped the benefits.

Vivian, having been rushed to leave, had only her usual home pajamas on.

Are you okay?

Uh, yeah. Im fine.

Despite her claim, Vivian hugged herself, pretending to be unaffected.

Her wet clothes, clinging to her skin, must have chilled her, but her shivers were likely not solely from the cold.

If its to see my mother, I can endure this. The housekeeper said that I have to do this to meet her again

Mother.

For some reason, she had begun research with the Mage Towers support.

I had brought her here to help her reclaim what she cherished so much.

If I hadnt provided a satisfactory answer back then, my life might have been in jeopardy.

Here, wear this.

But aside from that, I couldnt bear to leave this vulnerable-looking woman alone.

Especially since I had succeeded in suppressing a madness that could devastate the city by making her simply remember my existence.

Are you okay?

Yes, I have an extra one for emergencies.

I handed her the hood I was wearing and wrapped myself in a cloak from my portable kit.

This one wasnt waterproof, so it would get quite wet, but it was better than nothing.

Hehe. Its warm.

Trying to appear fine, she wrapped the cloth around herself and smiled, holding the hood in her hand.

She even brought her face close to its surface, as if feeling its texture.

I can feel Mr. Housekeepers warmth.

Is that so?

Mm-hmm. Its warm and nice.

Did she feel better, enjoying that warmth?

It was a bit uncomfortable that she felt my warmth without hesitation, but it was fortunate that she felt better.

Were almost there, so please be ready.

Hiding those feelings, I led the way to a shabby alleyway.

Beyond it lay a conspicuously large building, probably where the criminal organization we were targeting was located.

There was no need to inquire further.

This slum was a place even the empire had given up on managing, to the extent that even large criminal organizations could operate without hindrance.

Is this the place where the criminals are?

Yes, this is where the Blood River is.

The question was whether the person behind me could handle such an organization.

Even though she was a scholar from the Mage Tower, where the empires best mages gathered, the opponent was a criminal group that even the empire had given up controlling.

Even if she were strong, the sheer number of their members, including the lower ranks, would rival a considerable army.

Miss Vivian.

And I was not one to pretend or boast, even falsely.

I had seen too many people attempt things they couldnt handle and cross irrevocable rivers since I came to this world.

Im unfortunately not good at fighting. The most I can do is guide you

Its its okay.

Despite my self-reproach, she didnt mind and reassured me, clutching the hood I had given her.

Housekeeper, ah, you dont have to do anything. Just tell me one thing.

Her voice trembled, but she displayed a disconnect, feeling no hesitation.

What do you mean?

Who who should I take care of?

Ah, right.

She had no ethical boundaries either, considering she was also from the Mage Tower.

Can can I ask you?

Vivian looked up at me, her eyes brimming with anxious vulnerability.

Confronted with her pitiable gaze, I began to feel tempted.

Perhaps because of my ability, she was showing dependence on me as she slipped into madness.

Another head disappeared.

And another blood fountain followed.

Thud.

The lifeless bodies began to convulse, as if they didnt realize they were dead, their nerves and hearts still proving they were alive.

Heh.

She stood behind me, observing the carnage.

Hehe, killed them.

The mage, who had slain two with a mere gesture, began to chuckle softly in my ear.

What just happened?

Shouldnt there be visible distortions or some noise before casting a spell? Was that truly magic?

Is she even a mage?

N-now that the nuisances are dealt with, shall we proceed?

She gripped me from behind and whispered into my ear.

Housekeeper, answer me. Can we can we move on?

In that instant, she, who had claimed their lives through an unfathomable act, was whispering to me, urging me to respond.

In an instant, she took two lives.

And now shes urging me to respond.

If I dont, I might end up like those two men, my head disappearing suddenly

I dont want to end up just a twitching body in the rain.

There was just a commotion here!

Before I could answer, screams were heard, and people from outside the alley started to converge here.

They were probably members of the organization stationed nearby. All armed with menacing weapons, they began to grimace upon seeing the emblem of their organization on the two fallen bodies.

Did you kill these guys!?

Be prepared

Before their warning could finish, their bodies slump.

The heads of those next to them vanished before their eyes, and blood spurted out, leaving them with dumbfounded expressions.

They couldnt comprehend this phenomenon of heads disappearing without a trace.

Annoying, ah.

But she didnt give them a chance to understand.

Dealing with them is annoying.

Simply because they hindered her sole objective of completing her mission and returning.

Snap.

As she expressed that emotion with a snap of her fingers, the eye levels of those around us uniformly dropped.

They didnt bend their knees or bow their heads.

The ground where they had been standing disappeared.

And along with it were their legs that had been standing on that ground.

Aaaahhh!

The moment when all the legs disappeared at once, and blood spurted from the void, cries of agony echoed through the rain.

Ah, aah! What, what! Where are my legs?

Shut up.

Snap!

Again, her finger snapped, and the screams disappeared.

As if she were reaping and discarding sheaves of rice with a sickle.

The heads of all those who were raising their heads in pain where the ground had disappeared vanished along a single line.

Splash! Whoosh!

Jets of blood spurted where the screams had ceased.

All of it was washed away in the rain, dyeing the earth below.

In the puddles filled with bloodied mud, the headless, legless corpses began to twitch with post-mortem spasms.

Um, um, Housekeeper.

In the midst of a scene swarming with the horror of death, she showed no interest.

Her gaze had already moved from them to the large building beyond

The headquarters of the criminal organization we had originally targeted loomed in her sight.

Th-this is taking too long. I-I dont think its good Can I do it?

A soft voice spoke just as I became aware of it.

But the situation was unfolding so quickly that I couldnt grasp her words.

What did she mean by Do it?

I couldnt understand what had happened up to that point; what was she planning to do now?



If you dont answer, Ill do it

Seeming to take my silence as consent amid the confusion, she snapped her fingers again.

That was enough.

Both the people and the building in the place she targeted were gone.

Everything that had existed there was erased without a trace from this world.