7 Chapter 2 - The Woman Named Shredica (1)

The capital city of Milham's Kingdom housed the majestic castle of Milham, the residence of the royal family.

Concealed beneath my hood and enveloped in a dark cloak that shrouded my entire form, a sinister smile adorned my face, illuminated only by the moonlight.

I inhaled deeply, arms outstretched, taking in the familiar air of a place I hadn't seen in two months. Nostalgia enveloped me as I gazed upon the city once more.

Once, I called this place home, dwelling here for a year alongside Amon. Half our time was spent scheming to conquer the world, and the other half indulging in carnal pleasures. Vivid in my memory is the image of Amon walking the streets like a submissive dog, a leash around her neck. I also recall the location where I had her urinate like a docile pet. Ah, those were the days.

I leaped off the rooftop where I had been perched and activated Levitation—a magic spell born from the skill Magic Spell Creation, a power I gained from dominating Amon.

This particular magic combined elements of wind and gravity, allowing me to float in the air. Draped in a cloak that billowed like a cape in the wind, I hung in the air momentarily before deactivating Levitation. As I began my descent, my cloak trailed behind, creating an imposing silhouette against the night sky until my feet gently met the pavement.

Swiftly, I cast illusion magic, concealing my presence as I moved. I couldn't afford to attract attention; someone adorned in this peculiar attire strolling the streets at night would surely prompt a call to the magic knights. While navigating the shadows, I noticed someone in an alley just across the street.

"Give everything you have to me," I overheard, thanks to my heightened senses. It seemed a mugging was unfolding.

Back in my world, such occurrences were relegated to dramas and mangas, spectacles I'd only witnessed on screens. If I were still on Earth and stumbled upon such a scene, I'd likely scamper away with my tail between my legs. However, in this new realm, armed with magic and skills for self-defense, I approached without hesitation.

Closing in for an intervention, I was poised to strike the mugger when, unexpectedly, the assailant's head soared through the air. It created a gruesome arch before it thudded onto the concrete.

I came to an abrupt halt. That was exceptionally macabre. Witnessing a decapitation unfold in such a cathartic manner was a first for me.

I endeavored to identify the perpetrator of the beheading and soon laid eyes on a woman, precisely my age. She brandished a blade, stained with lingering traces of blood, the crimson droplets descending onto the concrete. Her icy gaze fixed on the head at her feet as she picked it up by the hair. The decapitated man's eyes were wide with wickedness, his lips twisted in a sinister smirk. It was evident that the man had no inkling of his demise or what had brought it about.

The woman maintained her cold stare at the gruesome spectacle before turning her attention to a paper affixed to the nearby wall. The poster depicted the same man, mirroring the expression he wore in death—wide-eyed with a malevolent smirk. What were the chances of being dispatched by a bounty hunter with the exact facial expression featured on your wanted poster?

However, my focus wasn't fixated on that peculiar coincidence. Instead, my attention honed in on the woman herself. I recognized her, someone I had been with just earlier. She was a classmate, a formidable presence atop the bronze class hierarchy—Shredica.

What was Shredica doing here, engaging in such shady activities like bounty hunting?

Students of Milham's Magic Knight Academy were explicitly prohibited from engaging in bounty hunting, given the notorious reputation attached to that profession. Although not all bounty hunters were inherently malevolent, the Milham Kingdom classified them as vigilantes, or in other cases, outlaws. If Shredica were to be caught partaking in these illicit activities, the consequences could range from expulsion from the Academy to banishment from the country. In the worst-case scenario, she might even face execution.

Lost in contemplation, I observed as she gracefully navigated the dark alleyway, her silhouette discernible even in the subdued light. She maintained her grip on the severed head, blood dripping and staining the concrete a deep crimson.

Abruptly, she stopped and turned around, as if sensing something. Could she see or feel me? I had illusion magic active, but it seemed as if her gaze pierced straight through it.

"Must be my imagination," she muttered before resuming her journey.

I followed her more cautiously this time, growing increasingly intrigued by the woman who held the top position in our class—a woman devoid of any skill, relying solely on her sword and magic. Why was she drawn to bounty hunting under the cloak of midnight? What secrets was she harboring?

Honestly, this marked my first time feeling intrigued by her. Initially disinterested due to her lack of a skill that I could replicate, despite her standing at the top of our class, the events of this night piqued my curiosity.

As the alleyway reached its conclusion, she halted at a dead end. Then, she muttered something under her breath. Despite my heightened senses, the words eluded me. What could it be?

As I pondered this, a door camouflaged as a wall suddenly swung open, and she swiftly entered. In that moment, I attempted to dash towards it at top speed, but before I could make my move, the door slammed shut. Damn.

   ***

I gleaned no information about Shredica during that encounter. Subsequently, I didn't make any further attempts to enter through that entrance. It likely had a secret code for access. I supposed it was best to stick to our original agenda.

Moving from rooftop to rooftop, I leaped effortlessly from one to the next. This was something I had always desired to do, but as a non-superhuman on Earth, attempting it had resulted in a broken leg. It wasn't worth the risk, so I abandoned that aspiration. However, in this world of swords and magic, sustaining injuries like a broken leg seemed trivial. If I were to slip as I traversed the roofs, I could easily heal it with magic.

After indulging in rooftop acrobatics for a while, I entered a house through an open second-floor window. Upon landing, a person promptly greeted me.

"Welcome back, Master."

She was adorned in a maid outfit—Victorian-style. Despite the outfit concealing most of her body, her allure was undeniably present. While everyone in my previous world seemed to have a soft spot for maids, I wasn't captivated solely by the outfit; rather, it was this woman embodying its elegance.

With long brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a charming smile, she looked at me warmly. Being met with those gentle eyes after enduring two months of judgment felt incredibly reassuring.

Ah, how nostalgic.

Even her scent triggered a surge of sentimentality. I had truly missed her.

"Yeah. I'm back Amon."

Approaching her, she immediately discerned the purpose behind my advance, and her smile widened as she spread her arms wide in anticipation.

As I drew near, I allowed myself to descend onto her, my head making a satisfying thump against her ample bosom. Her arms encircled my head, pressing me further into the embrace of those voluptuous breasts. The urge to fuck her right there and then surged within me. It had been a while since I'd indulged in Amon, and the desire to ravish her was strong. However, there were pressing matters I needed to address first.

"How's the situation here, Amon?" I inquired, my voice muffled by my face buried between her cleavage.

"The magic knights are scouring and investigating the entire city, Master. They're on high alert, anticipating your next move. Furthermore, the king has dispatched his executioner to oversee the magic knights' investigation and hunt for you, effectively serving as their commander. Regarding the king himself, his health is deteriorating with each passing day. I estimate it won't be long before he draws his last breath. I've confirmed that the first prince will succeed him. His coronation will coincide with his wedding to the duke's daughter, who is set to become the future queen of the kingdom."

"I see."

"Also, there's additional intel that might pique your interest."

"Go on."

"There's a palpable movement in this city."

"Movement, you say?" I looked up at her, with half of my face still ensconced in her bosom.

"Yes," she gazed down at me with warm eyes, "A revolutionary force is gathering and fortifying its presence here. Though currently outmatched by the magic knights, their numbers are burgeoning. While their exact motives remain unclear, it appears to be a concerted effort to topple the monarchs. Hence, the magic knights are not just keeping an eye on you; they're also vigilant about the growing revolutionary threat."

"Interesting."

I had sensed a palpable tension in the air upon my return, and now it made sense. A revolutionary army was taking shape here.

"Also," Amon divulged. Was there more? If it wasn't something that would captivate my interest, then I supposed I should initiate my "own movement" now. My hands found their place on her voluptuous buttocks. Her ass, now notably fuller, evoked a sense of nostalgia as my fingers traced its contours. While I indulged in the tactile sensation, she continued speaking, "Our business is accumulating more and more wealth. At this juncture, we'll have the capacity to establish branches across this kingdom."

"Huh?" I abruptly ceased the motion of my hands. "B-Business? Amon, what do you mean by business?"

"Smartphone business."

What the heck happened while I was gone?!