Secret Society 'Black Cat'

The society was called 'Black Cat'.

Their main business was cargo transportation. Like a black cat, they moved swiftly, weaving through gaps, earning trust by delivering goods to every country.

Though they should be called a trading company rather than a society, they were still referred to as a society because there were many mysteries surrounding their leadership.

While the contents of their business were wholesome, the company president very rarely appeared in public. The whereabouts of their executives were also often unknown.

Above all, their activities in gathering intelligence from across the continent were highly suspicious.

Six such top executives were gathered at the society's headquarters, located in the capital of Lemdria, a major power in the southeastern part of the continent.

"Alright then, the 3496th top executive meeting! Let's begi～n!"

The one who shouted brightly with an almost exasperated energy was a girl with scarlet hair that extended down to her waist.

"First, from me. The magic used to destroy the Imperial Capital is still unknown. Investigation continues. Also, the current generation's Hero-kun has been taken in by that idiot Zeke! The end!"

"Siegfried did? The hero is a man again this time, right? Why would that womanizer take him in?"

A giant of a man leaning against the wall asked the question.

"Under investigation. However, it seems the group is heading toward Istria."

"Then I guess I'm next. It looks like Istria is finally settling things with a victory for the prince's faction. However, since the elder princess is being held hostage, they seem to be lacking that final push."

The one who spoke was a mage with an ordinary face. Though ordinary, he had a mature atmosphere about him and held a large, intricately-shaped staff.

Eyes turned to the dark-skinned young man who was in charge of the region near Istria.

"The demon territory is peaceful. Still no signs of invasion. However, I believe they're steadily building up their strength."

Everyone let out a sigh. Then the giant raised his hand and spoke.

"The southwest is already done for. Luabra is on its last legs."

That had been brought up in the previous meeting as well. With the empire gone, Luabra now had nothing but the authority of its bloodline remaining.

Fortunately, there was a country rising rapidly in power, so the policy had been established to leave that region to them. They would simply support them from the shadows.

"As for the northwest, Cordova continues its movement to establish control. I casually tried to recruit the Dragonslayer, but was flatly refused."

A serious-looking girl dressed as a man gave her report.

Then the five turned their gazes toward the man seated at the round table.

The leader of the secret society Black Cat.

He opened his solemn mouth.

"King Hollyn has halted his eastern invasion and intends to advance toward the continent's center."

Lemdria's King Ryuke Hollyn. A great figure of his generation who had expanded the major power of Lemdria into a superpower during his reign.

His territorial ambition had been directed at the seven-city alliance to the east for many years, but there had been a major shift in that policy.

The ambition—or perhaps one should call it aspiration—to carve out territory from the empire that had lost its Imperial Capital.

Now that the humans had lost the empire as their keystone, they needed an existence to take the lead and carry them through the Millennium.

Everyone here acknowledged that Lemdria's King Hollyn certainly had the capacity for that.

The only problems were his advanced age and the succession issue that came with it.

The crown prince was already participating in governmental affairs and demonstrating his abilities. In terms of practical skills, he was even evaluated as surpassing his heroic father.

The problem lay with the youngest prince.

If he were incompetent and tyrannical, the matter would be simple.

The problem was that he was capable—excessively so.

He had broken through the fortress protecting the seven-city alliance that even his father the king hadn't been able to penetrate for many years, and invaded their territory.

In a panic, the alliance sued for peace, and the king accepted it. He judged that with logistical issues, completely conquering the alliance was impossible.

A capable crown prince and a capable youngest prince. The two of them were on good terms, but if King Hollyn were to die, what would happen? Just thinking about it gave one a headache.

"We will continue to observe Lemdria."

The company president continued.

His voice was weak despite his youth, as though his soul had been worn down.

Just when it seemed the discussion was ending, the girl dressed as a man raised her hand.

"It appears someone has conquered the Dark Labyrinth. Should we investigate?"

She was young. Among these members, she was by far the youngest. To be precise, she was the only one whose appearance matched her actual age.

Because of that, her interest in things that caught her attention was also high. Reaching out to the dragonslayer had been her own decision.

Setting aside Black Cat's organizational power, one could say she was the most eager to obtain talented individuals with exceptional abilities.

"There's no particular need. If they become connected to Cordova, then it will be necessary to investigate their movements."

The president made his judgment. However, this difference in sensitivity to information would prove to be a decisive gap between him and the Demon King.

The meeting ended. Not a single cup of tea had been served during the meeting, but that was how it always was.

"Well then, with that."

The dark-skinned young man, the Great Sage Azelford, vanished.

"Until next time."

The mage with the ordinary appearance also casually used a teleportation spell with a formula not found on this continent.

"What a pain. See you later then."

The scarlet-haired girl also departed via teleportation magic.

"Then, President, please take care of yourself."

Bowing her head earnestly, the girl dressed as a man also vanished.

Remaining were the giant man and the president, who had his elbows on the table, covering his mouth with his clasped hands.

"Hey, Yamato."

The giant called out to the president.

"Could you quit that pose?"

"Why? You're the one who told me that important people take poses like this."

Yes, he was the one who had said that.

It had been foolish. It had been youthful indiscretion.

"Well then, I'll be going too."

"Why don't you learn teleportation magic already?"

"Don't wanna. Cut me some slack on that much."

Waving his hand, the giant walked out the door.

Left behind was Black Cat's president, Yamato, alone.

"Heave-ho."

He muttered like an old man as he stood up.

In truth, he was old. Not his body, but his spirit. It was nearing its limit. However, he couldn't abandon his duty.

He looked up at the sky through the glass window. In one corner, the form of a massive royal castle could be seen.

A warhammer and a katana clashed.

Amidst the intensity, there was an elegance hidden in their offense and defense.

With a particularly intense collision, both parties flew apart.

"Muu…"

Setting down his warhammer with a thud, the Ogre King groaned.

"Your power itself is greater than before. But, how should I put it, your technique lacks sharpness."

It was difficult to explain. But he felt that way somehow.

For her part, Ria felt that was enough. It was something sensory.

Having departed from Labyrinth City, Ria's group was currently at the ogre village.

At the Ogre King's summons, the chiefs of the various ogre villages were being gathered. They were currently waiting for that.

Ria was using this time to continue training with the Ogre King. If it were just clashing weapons, Irina would make a good opponent, but when it came to fights that made full use of technique, she was clearly lacking.

"It may be troublesome, but I'd like you to continue being my sparring partner."

"Well, I don't mind."

Ogres were a race that loved to fight.

The other members of the party were also spending their free time training and such.

They were waiting for the ogres, as well as for contact from the demon tribe.

That night—

Asuka, a high-ranking member of the demon tribe, suddenly appeared before Ria's group without any prior consultation.

Before she could say anything unnecessary, Rei sealed her mouth with a choke sleeper, and only those who knew the details of the situation talked.

Namely, the four of them: Ria, Serge, Rei, and Asuka.

"Before that, Asuka-san."

Serge looked up and asked.

"I permit you to speak, boy."

"Thank you. By any chance, were you and Rei-san's names decided by Maou-sama?"

"You figured that out, huh."

"It's just, they're names of characters from a story from the world Maou-sama originally came from."

"Right! That's exactly it!"

Asuka suddenly fit right in on the spot.

Apparently, the demon territory had not just printing technology but even manga.

Upon hearing this, Serge quite seriously considered moving to the demon territory, but that's merely a digression.

… Maou-sama, please keep the cultural contamination in moderation.

"In other words, you'll provide us with information about Cordova?"

At Ria's question, Asuka nodded grandly. She also looked at Rei to confirm, and she nodded lightly as well.

The reason was simple—the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

For the demon tribe, human society was the enemy, but individual humans were not. There were humans living in demon territory, after all.

What the demon tribe considered enemies were those who sought to exterminate or expel the demon tribe.

Specifically speaking, that meant Cordova, the human supremacist nation.

If Ria's group was hostile to Cordova, they were willing to lend their strength.

"With my magic, it's easy to have conversations over long distances too."

Since Asuka was blabbering about her abilities far too much, Rei frequently silenced her.

Isn't this girl way too easy to get along with?

Disrespectfully, Serge thought.

"While we're at it, I have a request…"

The discussion had settled surprisingly quickly, and just as they were about to part ways.

Asuka looked at Ria with feverish eyes and spoke.

"Would you let me suck your blood?"

"I refuse."

"Don't say that. Just a little would be fine. Just the tip."

In this case, she meant just lightly piercing with the tip of her fangs.

"I'm good at sucking, you know. Everyone says I'm skilled."

"If I get sucked, won't I become a thrall?"

"Ah, it's fine, it's fine. That only happens to people without charm resistance or disease resistance. Besides, as long as I don't suck with that intention, it's okay."

"If that's the case… how about as a success reward?"

"Oho."

The talk was settled in the direction of giving her a little blood if she brought back useful information.

Listening to this conversation, Rei held her head in her hands, while Serge was practically dying from how cute it was.