Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
He Who Spreads Death - (4)

[Dessert City Keffin.]

After saving the Sixth Army from imminent danger, the Autonomous Cavalry Regiment headed to their original destination, and was now inside Keffin Dessert City. Their goal was to replenish food and water supplies, as well as intelligence gathering.

“We have been in Keffin for three days. There's still no sign of the Imperial Army."

Claudia cut the meat on her plate carefully while sighing. The person she was talking to, Olivia, stuffed the meat into her mouth excitedly.

“Remoob yako ~”

Olivia's reply was incomprehensible. Claudia quietly put down her tableware and said slowly:

“Mayor, please talk after you swallow. How many times have I told you?"

Intimidated by Claudia's cold gaze, Olivia nodded and tried to swallow. Ashton who was eating beside them just watched quietly without interrupting.

She had given up on asking Olivia to change her habits.

“By the way, even though it's dinner time, the restaurant is completely empty.”

Restaurant near the city entrance, 《Merida of the Desert》 is a famous upscale restaurant known throughout the city of Keffin. The dishes are mostly seasonal fish and vegetables, and their standards can even match those of top-tier restaurants in the capital. However, there were only a few customers other than Olivia here.

Dessert City Keffin is a trading center with a long history. The road that cuts the city from north to south is nicknamed 《Stardust Street》, and crystals at prices comparable to gems are traded here. It's called 《Star Shards》.

In addition, high-quality crystals were produced between Spring and Summer, and attracted many merchants to the city. When Ashton was young, the rings pinned with Star Shards were well-liked by noblewomen, and his parents were overjoyed by their flourishing business. It was not as popular as it once was, but Star Shards were still a commodity whose demand was more than supply.

The crowd here was smaller than expected, which left Ashton perplexed.

“This place is close to the northern part of the Kingdom, and Imperial troops could have attacked south at any time. Afraid of that, the merchants might have long since escaped. When weighing their money with their lives, it was clear which was more important."

"Oh so."

Claudia dispelled Ashton's doubts after saying that, and ate a piece of meat gracefully. Instead, Olivia who was devouring her food had a fish tail sticking out of her mouth.

Ashton noticed their very different ways of eating, and recalled how the citizens looked relieved when the Cavalry Regiment arrived.

(That's. That's why the guard captain gave us a warm welcome ..)

He knew why this City Guard Captain was so friendly. It was he who recommended this place to the three of them, and even took the cost to pay the Cavalry Regiment during their stay here.

It was obvious that they wanted the Cavalry Regiment to be stationed here for the long term. Ashton felt this was only natural, as there were only 200 Keffin guards. The city was surrounded by walls, but if the Imperial Army were to attack, the guards would be overwhelmed.

And at this time, the Autonomous Cavalry Regiment suddenly appeared. Want how else this city harbors a lot of hope against soldiers who can maintain the security of the city.

However, Ashton and the others could not stay here forever. Their supply is over, and their scouts will be back soon. If they were fast, the Autonomous Cavalry Regiment could head to Fort Emreed City tomorrow.

*******

Night had arrived, and the silvery moonlight illuminated the earth through the scattered clouds.

“Enak once.”

“I never imagined that I could eat fresh fish in the desert.”

"It's okay, but you're eating too much, Olivia."

(By the way, our lodging is also very luxurious. It looks like a hotel reserved for wealthy businessmen ..)

Ashton wants to return to the four-story red building, and suddenly realizes that Olivia has left.

“Hmm? Where did Olivia go? ”

“Ehh? Sigh, gosh, he left without saying anything more.. ”.

Claudia muttered to herself, wondering if the incident about Olivia's surname determination made her likely to flee, as she scanned the area. Ashton did the same, but they saw no signs of Olivia. It took a lot of effort to find it under the moonlight, but ...

“- Never mind, he'll be back when he's hungry.”

“—It's okay, he'll be back when he's hungry.”

Ashton and Claudia said the same thing. They looked at each other and laughed.

*******

- At the same time.

Somewhere in the suburbs, Olivia comes face to face with a man in black.

“To feel our presence from this distance. As expected, you are also aware of it then.”.

Alvin the masked asked. The girl let out a heavy sigh upon hearing that.

“With the way you guys sneaked in, it's hard for me not to notice.”

"... I don't remember our group ever approaching you."

After facing the regiment in the city of Canary, Alvin carefully watched them from afar with a telescope. Alvin had dismissed Leicester's opinion at the time, but he kept his distance. Even so, the girl still noticed Alvin's presence without leaving the restaurant. As he looked at the girl through the telescope, Alvin felt a chill on his back.

“Hmm ~ up. By the way, I also met someone wearing black clothes and masks in Fort Gaul. You're all gutter rats from the same hole, right? "

“Hee ~ You call me, Heat Haze, sewer rat, huh. What if I say we? "

After talking to the girl, Alvin was convinced Zenon had been killed. The reason was simple, Zenon would not leave anyone who saw him alive. Since someone who had seen him was standing here, then there was no doubt that Zenon was dead.

“Well, I'm sick of all of you, so I'll step on all of you. Your numbers are growing now. Geez, gutter rats sure to breed fast, kan~ ”

With that, the girl unsheathed her sword and looked around her — there was no wind, but the leaves were rustling.

"… Do!!"

On Alvin's orders, four Heat Haze agents pounce toward Olivia. The girl bent her knees calmly in response to the attack from above, and jumped.

""-What?""

The four Heat Haze agents were shocked. The girl who had just been on the ground suddenly appeared above them, so it was only natural for them to be surprised.

...****************...

...To Be Continue's...