Chapter 40 (2/2)
Hmph Ludmilla said as she averted her gaze.
Whether or not her words were true, it had started to enter autumn. Certainly the nights had become colder. Even more so for Ludmilla who was just wearing underwear directly below her suit. According to her, she didn't like layered clothes because the static electricity hurt her skin.
That being said, even with her purple demon eyes' side effect, Ludmilla's body temperature was difficult to raise compared to a normal person. It wasn't good for the body to cool so much, so s.h.i.+zuru took off his jacket and placed it on her.
”Here, you should wear this. It might be best to prepare a coat soon.”
”Ahaha. You're welcome.”
s.h.i.+zuru gently laughed with his hand on her chin. Even for Ludmilla, who was in the same workplace as him, she couldn't believe that he was still a killer[2] despite looking like this. That's why it was terrifying. She got a s.h.i.+vers down her spine from another reason besides being cold.
”Hah…… That child, I wonder if she is alright……”
” …… Don't cling to me. Also, don't touch my hair. And why did you start braiding it?”
”I just thought it would fit you.”
Mainly, it was to lessen her worry and nervousness. s.h.i.+zuru abruptly started braiding Ludmilla's beautiful blue hair. And even though her mouth had said no, she only ended up frowning a bit and didn't brush him aside.
Ludmilla had become an official member of the a.s.sa.s.sin group Black Maria, for a while. Before she knew it ―― she was moved by his kindness, greatly.
” …… Good, I can go any time.”
In the end Ludmilla let her braided hair blow in the wind, and muttered quietly while letting out a soft sigh. Far away in her line of sight, the targets were sleeping with alcohol and sleeping pills. Looking at their body temperature, which was visualized by her demon eye, it seemed they wouldn't wake up for a while.
”Well, even if guys at that level were still awake, I don't think they would pose a hindrance for our work.”
”That's……”
Unconcerned with Ludmilla's half-hearted reply, s.h.i.+zuru took dog whistle from his neck, and blew it three times.
It was the signal to carry out the break in plan. After a few seconds, as soon as she started waiting, Ludmilla confirmed from the window that a small silhouette invaded inside.
And after that, it quickly became anticlimactic.
”―― Target's elimination confirmed. With this the request has been completed.”
”I see. Then let's go to the meeting point. Do you see any guards in the area?”
Ludmilla started surveying their surroundings slowly, in accordance to s.h.i.+zuru's words. Although the curfew had already been lifted 1 week ago, the guards who patrolled the eastern district still had a stronger sense of alertness than in peacetime. Therefore, it was better to add more precautions than end up sorry.
”Let's see…… I don't see any at this range.”
”Roger.”
s.h.i.+zuru walked to the nearby stairs leading down and he picked up the bag he left there.
”How about we go?”
” ……”
When s.h.i.+zuru turned back to urge Ludmilla, somehow she was grimacing. It was hard to see it under the greenish moonlight, but her face had become much paler compared to before.
”Ludmilla, what's wrong? If you aren't feeling well, I could treat you.”
He anxiously asked her, but Ludmilla didn't answer, and was silent for a while. She stared at the point in the target's house direction, and finally muttered towards the wind with a trembling voice.
” …… That child…… Scattered the corpses……”[3]
Footnotes:
1. ED: Shaft head tilt.↩
3. PR: Basically cutting up the corpses beyond recognition.↩
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