Usually, a Caladrius, laden with a Chasseur, was not capable of the kind of long-range flight necessary to cross international borders. Since Ras was actually using the Vildhjärta’s own flight capabilities, however, he was able to reach Charlgia in just one night. Considering that such a journey would usually take a week by land, the Vildhjärta was quite the time-saver. The border guard’s imprudent remarks did little to damage that fact, but Koko remained furious, growling and baring her canine fangs.
“Grrr… He called it a piece of junk! I’ll pulverize him!”
“I know, I know. Just try to forget about it. I’ll take you to buy some nice sweets afterward if you do.”
“Really?!” Koko’s face lit up. “Can we buy some cake? Fiarca told me Charlgia makes the best cakes in the world!”
“…Did she have to?”
As well as the center of arts and culture, the royal capitol, Barlama, was known for its intricate confectionaries. Ras imagined it wouldn’t be difficult to find a good cake shop if he knew where to look.
All of a sudden, a second woman stepped out behind Koko, wearing a sardonic grin.
“Buying favor with sweets. You never change, do you, Stallion? Even when your target is a little girl.”
With silver hair and violet eyes, the woman was the spitting image of Princess Fiarca, even down to the voice. However, her barbed tone was one Fiarca never used.
She was Elmira Almathe. Personal aide to Crown Prince Auriol, Princess Fiarca’s bodyguard, and now, as circumstances would have it, Ras’s partner on this operation.
“Little girl? Spare me. She’s not even a human being,” Ras rebutted, still holding Koko’s scruff in his grip.
Even though she looked and felt real enough, Koko was made up of aurons. She was nothing more than a communication interface for the Vildhjärta.
“I see,” said Elmira. “So as long as they look feminine enough, you don’t even care if they’re human beings.”
“How did you get that from what I said?!”
“Forget it. I am not here to comment on your personal inclinations.”
“There’s nothing to comment on!”
“By the way,” said Elmira, forcefully changing the subject, “is there a reason we are disguising ourselves as commoners instead of taking advantage of the privileges afforded to your position?”
Certain rights and considerations could be attained by traveling as an emissary of the Argyll Empire. At the very least, it would smooth out the customs process so that it didn’t take half a day. Nonetheless, Ras had chosen to conceal his identity while traveling, a decision that had cost precious time. In Elmira’s mind, that was time that could have been better spent working on their mission.
“Because we’re hunting assassins,” Ras replied. “It’s far easier to do that if we keep a low profile.”
“I cannot fathom what you expect to accomplish fumbling about by yourself.”
“…Have I offended you in some way, Elmira?” asked Ras, giving her a sour look. “You’ve been on my case for a while now.”
“You are a rogue element, Sir Talion. I am simply treating you with the proper distance.”
“I’m not trying to make an enemy of you, you know.”
“Any eyesore clinging to Her Highness is my enemy.”
“Eyesore? What do you mean by that?”
“Student of the Black Blade or no, anyone who would drown their cares at brothels while Her Highness was mourning the loss of her dear brother is nothing but an eyesore. I can scarcely understand what gives you the nerve to return to her as a Guardian of Silver and to even sleep in her room.”
Elmira was glaring daggers at Ras, so her tone, while cold and detached, still had a great weight to it.
“What, are you jealous of me or something?”
“Of course I am. I have worked my entire life to live by Her Highness’s side.”
Elmira’s brazen confession left Ras lost for words, but he could see her point. Elmira was a secret agent, born and bred for the sole purpose of being Fiarca’s double. Even if Fiarca was officially deceased, it was hard to change the habit of a lifetime, so to speak. If anything, the importance of her position had only shot up.
It was only natural that her feelings toward Fiarca would become more than mere loyalty. However, even knowing that, Ras could do little to assuage her fears.
“I see,” he said. “I’m glad Fiarca has someone like you looking out for her.”
“I don’t think I much appreciate the condescending way you said that, boyfriend.”
“Sorry for being her boyfriend, I guess. If you hate me so much, then why did you even come?”
“Would that I had any choice in the matter. Her Highness ordered me to. Circumstances would need to be severely amiss for Her Highness to require my services at this time.”
“I suppose you have a point…”
For Fiarca’s body double, having to work meant covering for her employer’s absence. But if Fiarca sneaked out of the palace while she was supposed to be preparing for important negotiations, there would be chaos. While Fiarca was hard at work within the palace walls, there was nothing for Elmira to do, which meant she couldn’t very well refuse when Fiarca asked her to accompany Ras.
“What’s more,” she said, “you will need my assistance in contacting the agents the empire has established within the kingdom. They will not talk to anyone outside their organization.”
“The Silver Fangs…”
The Silver Fangs was a network of intelligence agents that assisted the emperors and empresses of Argyll. If Ras was able to secure their help, his task would be a much easier one. However, making contact wasn’t a simple affair. That was why Elmira was sent to Ras’s side to facilitate.
“Our agents have already been notified of your arrival,” Elmira explained. “All we need to do is wait for them to initiate contact. It may take some time, though.”
“Right. I guess we have time for a little sightseeing, then.”
“We did not come to Barlama to play, Sir Talion.” Glaring at Ras, Elmira sighed, producing from her pocket a tourism guidebook. She cleared her throat and continued. “…However, it would behoove us to learn the lay of the land. First, we must sample this city’s culinary offerings. I believe the farmers market should be operating in the town square at this time of day.”
“Huh? You mean you’re coming with us?” Ras asked blankly.
“Surely you do not mean to leave me behind?!”
Ras was taken aback. Given her attitude so far, he had half expected Elmira to ditch him of her own volition. Instead, she seemed even more keen on sightseeing than Ras and Koko were.
In that case, Ras figured, she might as well go it alone and save him the trouble, but she probably thought Ras would get up to no good if she wasn’t peering over his shoulder all the time.
“I’m sorry,” said Ras. “I just assumed you didn’t want this eyesore blocking your view.”
“Eyesore or no, I cannot let you out of my sight.”
Elmira stuck to her convictions. It seemed she was keen to keep up the impression she was stuck here against her will.
However, all her efforts were rendered fruitless, as her stomach growled at the very next second. She froze and turned a deeply uncharacteristic shade of red.
Ras tried to contain his laughter, and instead shot her a friendly look.
“…Why don’t we go for lunch, then?”
“Lunchtime!”
Koko’s eyes twinkled, and the ears atop her head wiggled excitedly. Elmira beat her fists against Ras’s back without saying a word.