The name Parrot (1)

There was a secret space in the Royal Palace tavern. Even within the Freeman organization, only Falkoa can enter.

It was the Loop Manufacturing Plant.

"Insolent brats! Do you think it'll end like this?"

Jiss's heart was pounding as he stood beside Falkoa. He had witnessed Falkoa's eccentricities for a long time, but the current situation was far from normal.

'What the hell is he going to do? Why did he suddenly bring me here?'

As usual, Jiss, returning from his job as a vendor at the port, was captured by Falkoa's subordinates and brought here.

It had been a day since Shirone and the others left the tavern in the midst of an uproar, but Falkoa's anger seemed far from subsiding.

"Kukuku, just watch. I won't let it go like this."

Falkoa chuckled grotesquely, tearing at the corners of his mouth. In his mind, he could already see the faces of the detested Shirone and his group.

Among them, he particularly despised Amy.

Falkoa nearly drew his sword immediately as he poured the liquor mixed with Loop Falkoa had given him and revealed his red eyes as if to gaze at it.

Jiss glanced sideways at Falkoa, terrified.

What Falkoa was playing with at that moment was the device that turned Loop into powder.

The Loop root is pressed to extract the juice and then ground until all moisture is removed, leaving only a fine powder.

But could this be called a drug?

Originally, Loop was chewed along with saliva to neutralize its effects. However, the current substance was nothing but a highly toxic chemical with intensified efficacy.

"Jiss, I need you to go back."

"T-To where?"

"To talk to that girl, Amy. Since we managed it once, we can do it again this time. Don't say you can't. If you also have eyes, you'll know what my condition is."

Jiss swallowed hard. He thought Falkoa would seek revenge, of course, but it was unexpected that Falkoa would go this far.

Jiss had realized that Amy was a descendant of a powerful family. If he dared to harm her, it would only be a matter of time before Galliant was razed to the ground.

"Are you... planning to drug her?"

"Drug her? Stupid brat. That girl will never become addicted. Don't you understand? If someone as prestigious as the Red-Eyed bearer, who has made his name known across the continent, becomes addicted to this weak Loop, what's the point?"

"Is that so?"

"Then there's no need for this, right? It will only cause trouble."

Jiss tried to reason with Falkoa with a ray of hope.

However, it seemed Falkoa had already stopped listening to anyone.

"What an idiot. Can't you think properly? I never thought this plan would succeed because she wouldn't become addicted."

Falkoa placed the refined Loop powder on blotting paper. He then poured it all into a cup of water he had prepared.

Jiss stopped breathing.

He knew how Loop was used, although he rarely used it himself.

Usually, one root was enough to chew for about two hours, and there was still some leftover. But the amount of Falkoa's Loop that he put in the water was three times greater.

Moreover, as it was in liquid form, the drug's effect, which normally took 6 hours, should be received all at once.

"D-Don't tell me..."

"Yes, it's true. I'm going to make her ingest this. That girl will definitely accept and drink it with confidence. But with so much Loop, she'll die without even being able to move. Do you understand what I mean?"

"W-Why are you doing this? If she dies, you won't be able to sell her."

"Hahaha, it doesn't matter. Bring her body back, even if it's a corpse."

Falkoa poured the Loop substance into a glass bottle. As the substance mixed with the drink that was already inside, it gleamed with a beautiful jade-like color, similar to a cocktail.

"Here, take it. Drink it. It's a simple task. Invite her to talk, give her this to drink, and then bring her back in the carriage. Can you do it?"

Jiss stared at the glass bottle with bloodshot eyes. His body trembled with fear.

Amy wouldn't refuse. And if she took a sip, it would be the end.

"What's wrong? Won't you take it? Or do you want to drink it yourself?"

Falkoa's murderous intent pressured Jiss. The killing intent seemed to form a hand, squeezing and grabbing his throat.

"Enough, scum."

"What?"

Falkoa hesitated at his words.

Was there still a trace of the Loop's effect? No, thanks to not removing Loop from his mouth even for a moment, even the medicinal effect of Loop was now dull.

"What did you just say? Say it again."

There are times when a person is rather calm when experiencing something too absurd. Falkoa was like that now.

Getting angry might come later. First, it was important to check once more if the words of this young man, whose head hadn't yet dried from the blood, were true.

Jiss couldn't get the words out of his throat.

Perhaps this was his last chance. If he admitted his mistake now and begged Falkoa, he might survive, albeit barely.

'But....'

Jiss couldn't bear to bow his head to Falkoa.

["I don't dislike guys like you."]

That phrase, spoken with a smile by Amy in the carriage, left Jiss speechless.

Why was that? He could admit his weakness.

But the moment he thought about apologizing to Falkoa, he felt that Amy would become a liar, so even if he wanted to take back his words, they wouldn't come out of his mouth.

"Enough, disgusting brat. Someone like you isn't even human. A child so drugged that he can't even think straight! Calling trash like you is a compliment!"

Dizziness struck Jiss. While pleasure and fear mixed, his consciousness drifted away unable to control his mind.

But he let go.

Like Shirone. Like a person whose future doesn't exist.

Falkoa's fist struck Jiss's anguished face like lightning.

"Wow!"

In the darkness enveloping his vision, he finally realized reality. What awaited Jiss was a miserable future that could only be described as hell.

"Crazy bastard! What's wrong with your head!"

Falkoa finally showed his true colors and began to beat Jiss.

It wasn't just a beating to intimidate. He was kicking Jiss's body as if he were truly going to kill him.

If Schema had been used, Jiss's body would have been crushed like meat hanging in a butcher shop.

"Die, die, die!"

Jiss couldn't even scream.

He felt as if his whole body had been crushed for a while, but now he couldn't feel anything. Only the shock that surpassed any pain reached him.

"Hah, yeah. It's not fun killing someone like you."

Falkoa regained composure. However, it was an indication that Jiss would suffer an even greater misfortune.

"Punch! Punch!"

Falkoa grabbed Jiss by the hair and lifted him. It seemed like his neck would break, but Jiss's condition was so complicated that he couldn't even worry about that.

"Alright, then I have an idea."

If Jiss doesn't step forward, Amy will fall into the trap, but Falkoa got tired of considering the small situation.

"I'm touched, Jiss. A coward like you showing so much courage. It seems you've fallen for that girl, but don't worry, she won't be touched as you wish. How do you feel, happy?"

"P-Please... Just please listen to me."

Jiss shed tears. He already knew what Falkoa was thinking.

"Yuna, right? Your little sister's name, right? You'll regret the decision you made today for the rest of your life."

"No, please... At least spare Yuna... Ugh!"

Falkoa slammed Jiss's head to the ground. It bounced like a ball, his face hit the ground with a thud, and slumped down. With that single blow, Jiss lost consciousness.

"Kukuku, anyway, it turned out to be fun."

Of course, he had no intention of forgiving Amy just because his target had switched to Jiss's sister. He planned to take Yuna to the hideout and torment her, then use her life as a threat to manipulate Jiss. When he threatens to risk his sister's life, he knew that Jiss would have no choice but to comply.

"Take Yuna to the hideout right now!"

Giving orders in a fit of anger to his subordinates, Falkoa chewed on the entire Loop root.

"When Shirone and the others arrived at the village, it was already close to midnight. The distance had been considerable, and they had stopped halfway to fix things and return by night.

Although they didn't get the desired results in the Achievement and Sacrifice room, they gained a lot.

The conversation among the four never ceased, and as a result, they ended up sharing stories that they had hidden in their hearts.

"Oh, do you want to become a soldier?"

Hearing Amy's hopes for the future, Tess opened her eyes wide in surprise. She hadn't expected that Amy would aspire to become a soldier.

Certainly, as a Fire System mage who had honed her sniper mode, she would be perfect for a battle mage.

However, the Amy that Tess knew was a kind-hearted person, contrary to her appearance. She couldn't imagine how Amy would fare on the battlefield, defeating countless enemies.

"To be honest, I'm worried. I thought a more feminine profession would suit you better, Amy."

"Really? A feminine profession for me? I've never heard of such a thing in the academy."

Tess could guess how lively Amy's school life was. However, as someone who could read people's true feelings well, Tess knew the real Amy.

"Hehe, I have experience in espionage operations. A girl like Amy is actually very delicate and feminine."

Amy gave a subtle smile. She had never considered herself feminine, but she couldn't completely deny it.

Even if she had a strong personality, she wasn't sure if she could adapt well to the male-dominated military world.

"Actually, I'm not sure. Because the Long-Range Type is Fire System, I chose it. As a result, I had no choice but to choose the most advantageous job in my specialization. Of course, I have a positive view of becoming a soldier. After all, not all soldiers are just for fighting on the battlefield."

"That's right. There are supply officers, and if you enter the headquarters, your future looks bright. Oh, right! How about something like this?"

Tess clapped as if suddenly remembering something, and Amy asked with curiosity in her eyes.

"Eh? Like what?"

Tess stretched out her index and middle fingers, pretending to point at someone walking on the white sandy beach at night.

"I mean becoming a spy. Amy's thinking ability is excellent, and besides, long-range attacks are your specialty. Plus, you possess the most important weapon for espionage operations."

"The most important weapon? What is that?"

Amy's eyes sparkled. From her perspective as someone considering her future, she couldn't help but get excited about the fact that she had another unknown advantage.

"A pretty face. For spies, beauty is essential. Because no man in the world dislikes a beautiful woman."

Tess said mischievously with a smile, and Amy turned her head with a pout.

"Hey, what's that? I got my hopes up for no reason."

"Hehe, sorry. But I wasn't just kidding. Having an impressive appearance is a priority when recruiting national spies. In professions involving dealing with people, Amy's presence would definitely leave a strong impression. So, think about it seriously. I'll give you a strong recommendation within our family."

"I-I'm fine. I'll just rely on my magical skills."

Amy's face turned red. Although she acted indifferent, she didn't dislike the compliment that she was pretty.

'Oh, how nice. Look, how feminine is she?'

For Tess, Amy was a friend who was fun to tease. Tess, who was thinking about how to tease her more, suddenly remembered something she was very curious about.

"By the way, what will happen when you graduate?"

"Eh? Of course, I'll take the official exam and find a job."

"No, I mean Shirone."

"Shirone? Why Shirone?"