It was luxurious enough that a girl like me hesitated to step inside.
With the fancy decor, you knew this place was built for local lords, wealthy merchants, and royalty to do business and confer. Even a single cup of coffee would cost so much, you could easily buy two or three beef bowls instead.
I strode through that fancy-pants foyer with a notebook in my hand. Naturally, I had an appointment; this was my second visit here, so things went smoothly at the counter.
A bellboy appeared and led me from the lobby to the lounge.
“Wish I could have seen him working here,” I muttered.
“Yo, Asako!” a hearty voice called.
It belonged to a former Azami royal guard with a shiny head—Coba.
“Been a while,” said the leader of the local lords, Allan’s father—Threonine.
And—
“Glad you’re doing well.”
Another local lord, Selen’s father—Robin.
A certain incident had brought the three of them together, and they now met up once a month. They’d chat about their kids, recent events, the latest deals they’d made—trading information, basically.
So why was I here? To inquire further about the incident in question.
“Thanks for having me. You’re sure you don’t mind me prying further?”
“Not at all! Happy to share Lloyd’s exploits. How far did we get?”
“To where my fool of a son passed out in the sauna.”
“I remember that. He’d just overheated, but you were sure it was a treant…”
They began eagerly sharing.
“That’s when Threonine’s secretary went wild. Everyone was in a panic.”
I was scribbling in my notebook.
Eventually, Threonine glanced at the clock. “Hmm, it’s about that time.”
“Oh? Got somewhere to be?” Robin asked.
“Not really.” Threonine chuckled. “The secretary in question is due to join us shortly— Ah.”
“Speak of the devil.”
As Threonine stroked his ’stache, an old man entered the lounge.
“Oh dear, sorry to keep you waiting, sir. Coba, Robin—oh, and might you be Asako?”
Threonine’s former secretary, Minoxi, bowed repeatedly on his way over.
Why “former”? Well, Minoxi got possessed by the treant demon lord, went a little nuts, and trashed the hotel before Lloyd beat him.
After that, he left the secretarial line, serving time in Hell’s Lock. I had not expected him to appear here, and I bowed my head.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Asako Ishikura.”
“Oh, I’ve heard all about you. My name’s Minoxi, former secretary to Lord Threonine, but these days…”
He handed me a card. It said, HELL’S LOCK, ASSOCIATE WARDEN.
“Associate warden?”
“Yes, the incident here resulted in my incarceration, but…one thing led to another, and now I’ve taken a job there.”
Apparently, he’d helped stop Warden Urgd’s rampage with Lloyd and the other prisoners while Hell’s Lock was still doing human experiments.
That success and his own character had led the new warden to offer him a job, putting his experience as an inmate to use in helping rehabilitate the current crop of prisoners.
“I would have happily taken you back as my secretary. That offer still stands!”
“You honor me, sir! Ta-ha-ha!” Minoxi seemed tickled pink by Threonine’s warm words.
Robin adjusted his glasses, adding to the praise.
“I’ve heard you’re turning criminals into productive members of society. Impressive work, indeed. It can’t be easy working out there with some of the toughest cases around.”
“Not at all. No matter how tough they are, share a few of Lloyd’s exploits and they soon fall in line.”
He gave another small laugh. He wasn’t nearly as servile as the rumors suggested—he just seemed nice. Perhaps his new job had helped him, too.
“Robin,” Coba said, curious. “You sure know a lot about Hell’s Lock.”
Robin took a long time to answer that. “………………Uh, well, my daughter…might have to avail herself of those facilities, so…I thought it prudent to inform myself. You know, one of those late-night fears.”
“““Ohh…”””
Robin’s daughter might be part of the Azami City Guard, but she was also on their blacklist as the city’s scariest stalker. She was likely hired so they could keep a close eye on her.
He phrased the idea like it was a remote possibility, but clearly he was pretty sure she’d wind up in Minoxi’s care.
“Minoxi,” he said, bowing his head. “As associate warden, if my daughter winds up in your care, I hope you’ll provide her a cell with some sunlight.”
“Oh, no. I’m afraid I know little about women’s prisons.”
Not many people attempted to place reservations on prison cells…but no one else here dared breathe a word.
“How you doing on time, Asako?” Threonine said.
“Oh, good point,” I said, getting up.
“More interviews?” Coba asked. “You certainly are working hard.”
Putting my notebook away, I nodded.
“Yes, I’m off to the Ascorbic Domain next.”
Threonine smiled and stroked his ’stache. “Ah, Allan and Renge are over there. Say hi for me.”
“Got it. They’re still home for the delivery?”
“Yes. Tell them photos aren’t enough, and we’re eager to meet the child in person. My wife has spoken of little else.”
Clearly, they were going to be doting grandparents.
“Will do. Well…”
“So to reserve this cell… How large a donation…?”
“I’d say it’s best to prevent crimes from taking place at all.”
Minoxi was as lost as Robin was desperate. I hovered, unsure if I should interrupt, but Coba waved me off.
“Go,” he said. “They’ll be at this awhile.”
I bowed quietly and teleported away—
Pssht.
—to the Ascorbic Domain.
Bamboo forests and snow-capped peaks, like the landscapes depicted in ink wash paintings. No matter how many times I visit, I have to stop and stare.
This is the holy land of training, and the clans here are constantly competing. It’s become quite a tourist attraction.
I was visiting the manor of the leader of the sword clan’s domain.
A woman in training garb led me inside.
The screens opened, and the room smelled of plum blossoms and tatami.
Lady Anzu sat cross-legged on a raised section.
“Been far too long, Asako,” she said, ever the generous soul.
I sat down on my knees, and she said, “Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you,” I said, adjusting to a more comfortable position.
“How are you doing?”
“Much better. Hard at work learning to control the power itself.”
“Always good to train regularly.” Anzu grinned. “Always keep an eye on your physical needs.”
Exactly the sort of advice you would hear in this place. She didn’t rule the domain for nothing.
“Yes, I’ll do my— Oh?”
I’d spotted a futon through the screens in back.
“She’s sleeping in here?”
“Yeah, it’s plum season. Figured she could smell them even with her eyes closed.”
There was an old lady slumbering there—President Eva/Eve Profen.
She’d remained fast asleep since the day she had rapidly aged; unable to leave her be, Anzu was taking care of her.
“…After her last words, I couldn’t bring myself to cut her loose.”
Her last words— She’d asked Anzu to be kind to people like her. And Anzu had taken that to heart.
“What’s that smile for?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Eve had spent a lot of time with Anzu in my body; I might not remember it, but I knew just how warm her heart was. I couldn’t help smiling.
And I knew Eve was genuinely grateful to her.
Anzu scratched her head. “I’m talking to Rinko and Chief Alka about what we do with her long term. Gonna let her rest until we make up our minds…but that ain’t why you’re here, is it?”
“No. I’m still chasing Lloyd’s miracles.” I took out my notebook to start the interview.
“Anzu!” someone shouted. “You ain’t fooling me! I know yer in there!”
“Pipe down!” Anzu scowled, visibly tired already.
I turned to find Renge and Allan heading in.
“Heya, Anzy! Oh? How ya been, Asako?”
“It’s been a while, Renge.”
“Oh, Asako! You’re visiting?”
“I sure am, Allan. And—” I stood up to get a better look at the baby in Renge’s arms.
“……Goo?” A plump-cheeked baby gave me a look of wonder.
This was Allan and Renge’s child—Leila.
“She’s so cute! How long’s it been?”
“Three months,” Anzu answered for them.
“Oh?” Renge raised a brow. “You seem to know a lot about Leila.”
“Yeah, ’cause you bring her over every day.”
Allan bobbed his head. “Sorry! But our daughter loves you, Anzu.”
“Goo…”
“And that’s why I can’t say no! There, there.” Anzu was making faces.
Renge was just that pleased by this and constantly coming to show off her daughter…but this just made Anzu go full auntie mode.
“Asako, are you here doing interviews?”
“Yes. I’m visiting Anzu and fleshing out what Lloyd did here. Oh, and Threonine said they’re eager to meet their grandkid. Photos aren’t enough!”
“Dads!” Anzu said, shaking her head.
“Ha-ha-ha, tell ’em it won’t be much longer.”
Surtr popped his turtle head over Allan’s brow.
“Whoops, nodded off there… Yo, Asako! Whazzzup?”
“Tony… Oh, Surtr, right? Glad you’re doing well.”
“Same to you. I knew you when you were just a sickly little thing! It brings a tear to my eye.”
✦ ✦ ✦
