Herogasm: My SSS-Ranked Maids Can Do Everything!

--Chapter 21--

Title: Queen of shadows

The journey back to the manor was far quieter than the crowd they left behind at the plaza.

A pair of Church knights walked several paces ahead while another two followed behind, creating just enough distance to discourage curious civilians from getting too close.

Whether they were escorting Takeshi as a hero or just discreetly escorting the man who controlled the three so-called abominations...?

Takeshi couldn’t place his finger and which side of the coin they were on.

And honestly he couldn’t care less what they were trying to pull. The arrangement suited him and only that matters.

The fewer eyes lingering on Nyxara and the others before the maid uniforms were ready, the less ammunition Valeria would have if she decided to change the rules later or tried to play a fast one.

When it came down to it, politics wasn’t about trusting people. it was about never handing them a weapon they could point at you at anytime.

Takeshi adjusted the newly acquired shortsword hanging against his waist. Every now and then his fingers brushed against the leather-wrapped hilt, more out of a growing habit than affection.

It was a good weapon at close inspection. Probably better than anything he would’ve been able to afford for quite some time.

Unfortunately...he couldn’t use a sword for shit. Basically he hadn’t gotten an opportunity to.

His lips curled into a faint smile. ’Maybe I’ll sell the damn thing. Or...’

"You’ve been making that face for the last five minutes," Nyxara’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"What face?" Takeshi raised an eyebrow.

"The one where you’re pretending to think when you’re actually plotting something."

"Plotting?...You make me sound like a villain."

She looked at him as though he’d asked the stupidest question imaginable. "Aren’t you?"

Takeshi nearly laughed openly. "I wasn’t planning on becoming one. I am was summoned as a hero after all."

"But?"

"...The kingdom keeps making a convincing argument."

Nyxara snorted loudly enough that one of the knights ahead glanced over his shoulder before immediately pretending he hadn’t heard anything.

She noticed the quick reaction by the guards, her lips curled up into an arch.

"So jumpy."

"They’re doing their job," Takeshi rolled his eyes.

"Babysitting us?"

"They’re protecting the kingdom from a calamitous incident."

Nyxara looked genuinely offended. "I would’ve only punched one priest."

"Tell me you’re not willing to burn down half the plaza?"

"Maybe, but I will be negotiating."

Takeshi shook his head, unable to stop himself from laughing this time.

Somehow, the Demoness had convinced herself that every threat she made counted as diplomacy.

The secluded district soon came into view.

Unlike the crowded streets surrounding the Tower, this part of the capital was almost unnaturally quiet. Large estates stood behind high stone walls, broken only by the occasional patrol making its rounds through the district.

The Church knights stopped outside the manor gates.

One of them stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.

"We shall take our leave here, Hero Deva."

Takeshi nodded politely.

"You have my thanks," The knight hesitated for the briefest moment before speaking again.

"The High Priestess requests that the agreement regarding your companions be honoured as soon as possible."

Takeshi didn’t even pretend to misunderstand. "I’ll consider it."

The knight bowed once more before signalling the others to leave.

Only after their footsteps had completely disappeared did Nyxara let out an exaggerated sigh.

"...Finally."

She stretched both arms above her head, her tail swaying lazily behind her.

"I swear humans spend half their lives worrying about appearances."

"We do," Takeshi chuckled, "And the other half?"

"Worrying about what other people think," She paused. "..That’s depressing."

"It is."

Before either of them could continue, the shadow cast by the manor wall rippled gently.

A slender figure stepped out from the darkness with the same effortless grace as always.

Lana brushed an invisible speck of dust from one sleeve before inclining her head.

"Welcome home, Master."

Takeshi smiled. "You’ve been busy?"

"I have."

Nyxara folded her arms. "You’ve been lurking again."

"Its observing little one," Lana smiled deceptively.

"It’s lurking."

"It depends who’s telling the story," the corner of Takeshi’s mouth twitched.

He’d stopped trying to decide which of the two was more difficult to deal with.

"Lana..."

Her crimson eyes met his immediately.

"I have something to report," the playful atmosphere disappeared almost instantly.

Takeshi gave a small nod. "Walk with us."

The three of them entered the manor grounds together.

Only after the heavy gates closed behind them did Lana begin speaking.

"During the confusion at the Tower plaza, I claimed the bald knight’s shadow."

Takeshi slowed his pace. ’..Claimed?"

"Yes," her answer was as calm as ever.

"My authority over shadows allows me to leave a fragment of my own within another’s."

She continued. "The connection is permanent. And it cannot be detected by ordinary means."

Nyxara raised an eyebrow. "So... you’re stalking him."

Lana considered the wording for a moment.

"No, his shadow is stalking him."

Nyxara burst into laughter. "Be proud of your job." She slammed a hand on her chest like a soldier.

Takeshi shook his head slightly and ignored the exchange. "So what’s have you learned?"

Lana closed her eyes for only half a second. When she opened them again, her voice remained just as composed and elegant

"His name is Garrick.He serves as a Mid-Rank Knight under the Second Royal Order."

Takeshi bit his lower lips. "And?"

"He is married with two children. He has a gambling habit he hides from his family."

She paused for a moment, hand rested on her waist.

"He drinks at the Iron Mug near the eastern barracks every third evening."

She paused briefly with a devious smile on her face. "..He’s there now."

Takeshi stopped walking altogether. "...Now?"

Lana nodded. "My shadow is touching his, i can sense his location."

"And if I concentrate..."a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"...Fragments of the conversations surrounding him."

Even Nyxara’s amusement disappeared. "...That’s terrifying."

"It is efficient," Lana corrected gently playing with her surprisingly well polished nails.

Then she looked back towards Takeshi.

"When the time comes...I will know exactly where to find him."

Silence lingered between them for several moments.

And finally Takeshi smiled.

"...Excellent work Lana"

And for the first time since they’d met...Lana’s elegant expression softened ever so slightly.

The smile lasted only a heartbeat.

But it was there on her face and in her cold heart.

--End of Chapter--

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