Chapter 13. RED

"Quite impressive library you have here." I looked around Blanc's study. I had already been in the Basilicom for three days; however, it was the first time I actually entered her personal workplace. "It is nothing amazing. You should see our national one." She humbly replied. Nonetheless, it didn't change my opinion as I had never seen so many books in one room. On the side note, I liked to read myself, so I definitely felt comfortable in such surrounding.

Considering that my recovery had been steadily progressing, during this meeting we were about to discuss my next move. As the matter of fact, I couldn't stay here forever. "How is your eye?" She asked while shifting position on her chair. "Still sticks out a bit. Though if I am focused, I can make it seemingly normal." "That is good news. I doubt having flashy red one next to a normal brown eye is convenient." Well, I couldn't disagree. People would gaze at me suspiciously on every corner.

"Lady Blanc, do you write?" I noticed a small pile of fully covered in handwriting pages behind one of the boxes on the floor. "What do you mean?" "Like novels, short stories, etc." "Yeah, I do, from time to time as a hobby. How did you know?" "Lately I can see more than I used to." I grinned pointing on my special eye. "Anyway, good luck with that. Once you make it big, I'll buy your work for su…"

"What is it?" Blanc's brow rose when I suddenly stopped midsentence and rapidly turned over in the direction of entrance. "Somebody's at the door." I announced. Thanks to Sherlieta's ghost sealed inside of my eyeball, all of my senses became superhumanly sharp and frankly, I hadn't got used to it yet. "Ah, it is got to be our tea. Right in time."

"Good morning Lady Blanc, Michael. I'm sorry I'm late." A girl wearing maid outfit warmly beamed at us, pushing a trolley with a teapot in. "It's okay. Your shift has not even officially begun." "Hey, Financier." I nodded to her. Financier – chamberlain of Lowee Basilicom was pretty much the closest employee of Blanc. More or less, she was nearly on the same post as I did in Planeptune, so it could have been one of the reasons why we got along. "Hello." While facing me the power of her smile increased and a slight blush appeared on her face. For some reason she would always behave this way when I was around and I couldn't grasp why. It seemed that my detective vision wasn't as perfect as I thought…

After pouring the tea into cups and handing them to us, Financier had backed off to the side, allowing us to continue the discussion. "Back on the track. I think I should finally inform you what happened to others." Blanc took a sip. Mimicking her, I did so too, but once the liquid met with my tongue, I nearly spat it all out. So sweet! I didn't pay much attention to Financier while she was putting sugar in, so she must have overdone it again. Every time she was preparing anything for me there was something wrong with proportions of ingredients. To avoid hurting her feelings, I pretended to enjoy the taste anyway. "I talked to Neptune and the only complain she had was that hot spring trip failed. Since I explained the situation she does not blame you, but she said that no matter what you are up to next, you have to apologize to Noire beforehand. Otherwise she will punch you on sight, she promised." So, that was her being mad. Still, a tiny relieve… "About the latter?" "Well, here lays the main problem. It seems that after the incident they returned straight to Lastation. Moreover, Noire does not answer any calls to this day. Nonetheless, I was lucky enough to get in touch with Uni. Putting what I learnt from her in simple words, for a while you should stay as far from them as it is only possible." I should have been expecting that. "Then I'm in quite a deadlock, aren't I?" I couldn't come back to Planeptune until I made up with Noire and doing it was temporarily impossible. "I agree it is not entirely your fault but I can somehow understand how they feel..." Though her statement could be interpreted as an act of sympathy, Blanc shot me a you-should-reap-what-you-sow look and gazed upon a small clock on her desk.

"My goodness. She should arrive soon. Financier, open the window, please." "This one?" "No, the larger one on your left. Recently we had too much shattered glass…" Just what the hell was going on? Who was she and why a window was needed to be open? Noticing how clueless I was, Blanc decided to reveal a part of the secret. "I hope you are aware of the fact I cannot let you remain in my household forever. For various reasons…" Was I imagining it or did she glance over to Financier as she said that? "Yeah, probably. Officially I'm still affiliated with a different nation and stuff." "Of course, I am able to organize different lodging for you outside of the Basilicom, however, that would not change much. Neither would sending you over to Leanbox. That is why I came out with this idea. Until those issues settle, Michael Runcorn has to disappear from the radar."

"Disappear?" "Please refrain from looking at me like if I was planning to have you assassinated. I only meant that you should become an adventurer. I can easily tell that besides your notable magic skills, you are not exactly the weakest. With a proper companion you can develop even more and gain valuable field experience while on it." Yes, hearing all of that flattery felt nice. "But with whom I could travel though?" "You will see soon." She announced with a perfect timing as a high-pitched shriek from outside reached our ears.

"YAHOOOOOOOOO!" I should have already deducted it. The special guest had flown into the room through the open window and with a series of backflips, eventually landed on the desk with a pirouette. "When a wifey calls for help, I'll be right at her side. As fast as the wind, I am the vengeance, I am the wifey protector, I am RED."

… Three dots were all I could muster to comment this introduction. Not knowing how to react to this peculiar individual, I scratched my head. If this person was supposed to be my new teacher, I began to consider politely rejecting the offer.

Even though this RED was more or less as tall as Blanc, the first easy to detect difference between them was the size of hidden under her dark vest chest area. Underneath the vest she wore a sleeveless red dress decorated with cherry petals pattern. Anyhow, the most unusual part of her outfit had to be the golden dragon ornament wrapped around her waist.

"Good morning RED. Thank you for joining us today." The goddess courteously welcomed the visitor. "Hiya, Blanc. So where is it that person you wanted me to meet?" "He sits right here. RED this is Michael Runcorn. Michael, meet RED." "Hi…?" I was completely ignored… Instead of replying, RED intensively peered into my face.

"What are you doing?" The girl seemed oblivious of my attempts to make contact and proceeded with a careful inspection of my head. I had to admit, it was a bit uncomfortable since the distance between us was so small that her bright hair was nearly falling into my eyes. "A husbando, huh?" Certainly, without a question I was a guy, if that was what you were wondering…

"So, what didya want me to do with him, honey?" Finally, she backed off. "You checked him out and what do you think?" "Hmmm… Could be worse. I think he's quite strong and with such a pretty boy face I bet a lot of wifeys would flock around him." Don't talk about me like if I wasn't here, I nearly yelled at them. "Do you think he would be of any help during your adventures, RED?" "I dunno. Probably. With some training…" "In other words, will you take him with you if he asks to?" "Husbandos of my wifeys are also my husbandos, so I guess?" "I see. Then the decision is only yours Michael."

A proud smirk appeared on Blanc's face. I was getting an impression she had preplanned everything to see that in the end, I would leave alongside RED. If I were to say no, the girl could feel offended, so knowing my recent trauma and my terribly exaggerated 'nice guy' trait, she assumed I wouldn't dare to refuse. Damn, she had everything perfectly calculated…

Nonetheless, I intended to play along. Blanc's arguments convinced me that it was the best course of actions. In order to apologize to those I hurt, I needed strengthen my heart and soul. No matter what, I had to overcome my powerlessness. "I'm in your care RED. Please let me join your party."

"Yay! Then it's settled! All wifeys will be ours. Let's head out at once!" Somehow, she seemed rather happy because of that. Though she had a slight lone wolf vibe to her, I guessed she was looking forward to have a companion. "Sure. Give me a sec to pack my things first. I don't have much on me, but it's still worth taking." "I brought everything for you." Financier cheerfully informed, handing me bag with my entire equipment in it. Distracted by what was going on here, I didn't even notice when she had taken care of that. "Thanks a bunch." I quickly put the armor on and donned the sheath of my sword. Immediately, my mood had entered adventuring mode. "Alright. I'm ready." I lightheartedly saluted. "Wait! Hold on a moment. I forgot about the most important part!"

"What do you mean RED?" "The pledge. I can't go out with you until you say it." As long as she wouldn't make me vow anything stupid… "What do you want me to do?" "Repeat after me. I do hereby solemnly swear to protect my wifey with my lifey." Acceptable, at least for now. "I do hereby solemnly swear to protect my wifey with my lifey." "The end." "The e… That's all?" I didn't know what I expected but fortunately, the oath finished with just one line. "Yup. Okeydokey. We're done here!" Satisfied, RED jumped down from the desk and grabbed my collar. Her grasp was surprisingly strong and since she was much lower than me, I was forced to the floor. "Hey, I can walk myself, you know?" "Don't sweat it. This way is faster." And definitely bringing my pride to a minus value. Just let me down, would ya? Yet, she ignored my protests and proceeded to move towards the window she jumped through. "Blanny my dear wifey, let's go on a date someday!" "Good fortunes to both on you. Please take care of him for me." "I will." Hello darkness, my old friend… At this rate I was going to become depressed before we even left, as my person became itemized. And by the way, was she really planning to jump down like that? It was a freaking second floor! Desperately searching for help, I turned to Financier. "Please come and visit us any time. I'll look forward to that." Her angelic smile would make my heart skip a beat in any normal circumstances. Interestingly enough, those girls who weren't even aware of their charm could act the cutest. However, before I had a chance to reply, I already found myself falling down.

And they were already gone… Blanc sighed with relieve. Truth to be told, she was a bit scared that it was their last meeting. "Could you close the window? It is getting cold." She reminded Financier, who blankly stared into the distance. "Oh, I'm sorry." Hiding her embarrassed face, the chamberlain did what she was asked to.

Now the Basilicom would return to its normal quiet self. Having this guy stay for a few days, Blanc noticed how refreshing it was to have a new tenant. Rom and Ram seemed to like him too. And so did Financier, who seemed to be enjoying company of someone her age the most.

However, with Michael gone Blanc had one regret. In the end, she hadn't asked him about it. When she went to pick up his stuff, she met with paramedics who were in that ambulance. According to them, Michael's heart stopped on the way to hospital. She didn't understand why, but well, it must have been connected to that ghost… Time to go back to work.