Lowee's Guild Hall is a Pagoda.

No matter how you say it, it's a Pagoda with rich decoration and extravagant furniture that can only be found as the property of a royalty or a fighting game last boss's hideout. The name T*kken comes to mind, but someone out there already copyrighted that as her name so let's not dwell ourselves in royalty issues.

At any rate, once again, Lowee has a Pagoda as a Guild Hall.

The design is charming and although the current date signifies another day in the age of globalization, the Land of White Serenity sticks with old-fashioned cultures and customs. It's a sight to behold if you are from Planeptune or Lastation, but the people from Leanbox usually have a way in handling simple issues like culture shock.

It might be related to the relationship between Lady White Heart and Lady Green Heart, but please don't tell anyone about this coming out of my mouth. I don't want to anger the landlady too much.

"Ummm… excuse me sir." The voice of a young woman in clerk outfit brings my attention back to reality. "Are you done monologuing? The line is stretching."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure. So…" I stares at the paper in my hand and meet the Guild receptionist's troubled gaze. "Hm, what was it again? Did I come here to take a mission or have I cleared it up?"

"Actually, you just cleared it. So this is your reward."

After thanking the clerk, I walk off with a pouch of credits. Nice reward for a job well done and it makes me remember that my fridge has been yearning to be refilled with actual food ingredients instead of convenience store's instant food.

"...Hmm," I mutter as I walk down a cobbled path pitted between a row of cherry blossom trees and a river. "Now, what should I do? Should I eat, or…"

When I look up to the highest place in Lowee, I didn't expect a strange line of thought to cross my mind. The weather is clear, it's close to afternoon, and I'm quite sure that this isn't the time to stand idly like an idiot. As such, I slowly but surely lower my shoulders.

"...Yeah," I sigh. "Gotta pay my debt, huh?"

For almost thirty minutes, I navigate myself to the country's basilicom. The place is pretty much a landmark, what with the entire building being a huge castle with fortification and an artificial waterway that encircles it. It is also the most famous place Lady White Heart's loyal followers would recommend to visit if you ever ask them to be your tour guide.

Now, it's not like I'm dissing their taste or anything. I just like explaining things up and talking in my head sounds better than talking to myself in public. It also doesn't waste my breath, so it's a win-win for everyone.

"Halt." When I approached the basilicom's entrance which is a huge iron gate, a guard in red with a helmet that covers every inch of his head excepting his mouth raise a hand to my direction. "Identify yourself and state your business."

I scratch my cheek. Nonetheless, the guard is asking politely and it's the standard modus operandi of any security system, so I lend them my citizen card and wait as the guard proceed to read the data out of the multi-purpose card.

"Let's see… Your last visit was six months ago. And it is for business purpose." The guard send me a once over from the control panel installed on the wall next to the gate. "Is this a routine for you?"

Oh. Judging from the tone of his voice and how he does the procedure, this particular guard must be newly enlisted. I realize that the other guard is looking at him too but I can get that. Really, I do. Security-related job tends to be stressful, dull and strict. It's also tough in various ways.

"Yeah, well." I retrieve the card back and insert it back into the inner pocket of my jacket. "I have quite a busy life, so I tend to be away from the country."

"A wandering freelancer, huh? So you're not a native Loweean?"

"Kind of." I shrug. "But I was indebted to Lady White Heart–still is at the moment, by the way–and have taken citizenship several years ago."

I didn't say I converted because I'm not sure if I should place my faith so easily.

Each of the Four Nations is unique in their own ways and the ruling CPUs are all quirky nice women with unbelievable charms. Lowee in particular is managed by Lady White Heart who has recovered her momentum from the heist that happened between Lowee and Lastation, so her name has been quite a hot topic.

Despite that, I can't exactly devote myself to follow her.

It's not that I like being alone or something, but considering the CPUs are seen as living goddesses, and the fact that Lady White Heart is technically the oldest CPU in Gamindustri…

Well, I'll explain that another day.

"We just received a message." The gate open up and the guard throw a nudge with a flick of his chin. "It seems Lady White Heart has been waiting for you, so please go straight to her office."

The guard paused as if wondering if he should say something more but decided to go through the manual anyway.

"ASAP, by the way."

…Oh, wow.

…...So Blanc is still holding a grudge…

"Perfect." So said I, the person who is definitely going to be chased down if he suddenly turns back after reaching this point. "...Just… perfect."

I glance at the CCTV and I glance at the guards who are regarding me with newfound intensity. However, while one is genuinely curious, the other snorts and looks away.

Damn it...! How dare you! Why are you smiling all satisfied like that!? I'm definitely going to get back at you after I'm done with my personal business!! I'll chug a liter of Nepbull into your throat with a hose while pinning a headset playing Lady Iris Heart's nightmare-fuel quotes in your ears!!

I swear it! In the name of iron and blood of a clone… I, Eisen Zwei, am going to survive this!!

Author's Note

This stupidity is brought by a lack of sleep, high dose of caffeine, and some expired orange juice mixed with carbonated drinks. Yes, this is a SI story depicting the everyday lives of everyone in the Gamindustri. You have been warned.