Riot Grasper

2nd Volume, 17th Chapter Logins

When a rolled up paper had been fastened to the bird perched on a mans shoulder, it took off into the moonlit sky.

He had swarthy skin. His body was garbed in a mantle so black it blended into the twilight. However, the mask which should be concealing his face was at the moment not.

Fuee~ I knew putting nothing on would feel refreshingly comfortable.

The manRen, retreated inside the building while carefreely saying so. Under the guidance of dim moonlight, impinging through the crevice in the decayed stone wall, he trod along the pathway.

Captain~ I have contacted with the guys on standby in the village. Tomorrow, they will rendezvous here with the necessary goods, I thinkEh Sis Rei? Wheres the captain?

Where that girl is asleep. By the way, you cant possibly have called every member here, have you?

Of course not. I have instructed a few of them to stay behind.

Ren and Rei were twins with identical features, but it was evident from their conversation that sister Rei held the superior position

Still, since the orphanage will soon have no use, isnt it wasteful to have them [masked men] stay there? If we threaten them [orphanage residents], they will keep quiet until our operation is over, I think.

Its for cautions sake. Even if they spilled the beans, no one would be able to find this place anyway. Also a collar will be needed, so that guy doesnt try anything strange.

Waa, killing would be no good. It would be terrible.

Theres no point in killing the hostage. We can play around, though, cant we?

Uwaa, Sis Rei is the last person to say that~ back when we were attacking, your killing intent was so bare, you even got scolded.

Shut up

No, no. I havent even mentioned the resentment of dropping the candy, have I? Sis Rei has been spiteful since the olden days. Therefore, no matter how much time passesAh, I was of course kidding. Please do without that whip, or my flesh will end up torn.

When Reis hand girthed the whip on her waist, Ren bowed. Diverting the topic, he turned his gaze toward his sister and noticed her fist.

Ah! Your hand has healed already? Thats great.

Because I can use healing magic Its not my forte, though

So true~ Ah, sorry Still, back when we were fighting there was a guy with the same hair color as us Wasnt he too strong? How could he outpush both of us?

I dont know, either. He did seem to be from the same place as us, but the color of his skin was fair. I dont think hes from Togul.

Souven Empires history was imbrued with invading other nations for territory expansion. Togul was originally a small state situated in the east of the Empire. A few decades ago, it had been assimilated into the Empire. Now, it had merely been reduced to one of the places. Ren and Rei were Togul natives. Their features slightly differed from those who lived in and around the Imperial Capital.

I dont want to fight against a compatriot.

Thats irrelevant

N~ and that guy who ambushed him is just too much

While scratching his head, Ren voiced another question.

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That guyThat butler, why has he tagged along? Even though he has no more business.

I have no idea. Because those two guards who were awake had witnessed the crime scene, he could not stay at the lords mansion. Probably thats why? That said, why did he stop me from killing them I dont get it

The captain doesnt talk about him in detail either.

If youre so interested, why dont you ask the captain directly?

Sis Rei Lets ask together

N u here?

Upon sensing incongruity from the corner of her eyes through to her cheeks, Marita, who had woken up, extended her finger.

The stains of dried up tears brought her memories back.

You have woken up, it seems.

Logins

Feeling rather wary than relieved upon the familiar voice, Marita, who was swollen with anger, raised her voice at the person next to her.

He was clad in the usual butler outfit. His gentle gaze wasnt any different from usual either.

I will have you explain everything. Before that Seiji and Lim are safe, right?

Probably. Those two were unaccounted for factors.

Why Why did you do that?

When Marita-sama has been released safe and sound, Ill be gone. ThereforeDidnt you hear what I said? Explain everything.

The screaming voice of the girl, who had her shoulders quivering, echoed inside the room.

Very well Before that, can you promise me one thing?

What?

After you have listened to the story No matter what you think of me, you will allow me to stay by your side until you have been released.

What are you saying?

After contemplating briefly, Marita nodded slightly. Having received the answer, Logins unhurriedly opened his mouth.

Ill start off with the people who attacked the mansion. Theyre specially trained soldiers of a certain nation. Their principal function is espionage in other nations. Assassination and abduction of influential figures are incidental functions. This time, their objective is to disrupt the conclusion of the treaty between Lechelle Kingdom and the Western Archipelago States.

That Ah, Logins, too Someone close to Logins has been taken hostage, too, right? Thats why youre being forced to

I guess The root cause is different, though.

The expression about Logins face indistinctly distorted. It was probably the fear of telling the girl the truth.

Originally, I was a member of that unit.

With Marita unable to understand his words right away, silence pervaded the air.

Eh Has Logins not always been a butler?

Yes, it has been a decade or so. I served in all sincerity nonetheless.

Lie Its a lie Right?

Its not. You should have already guessed as to which nation the unit belongs to, havent you? I had long ago deserted that nation. Before a decade or so

Tell me everything

While sitting, Logins fiddled with the fingers of both his hands. With his head downcast, he started spinning his words.

Marita-sama, I believe you were informed that the death of your mother was accidental.

I did hear so.

The truth is, she was abducted in the same manner as you now, Marita-sama Thereby, she lost her life

Is that true?

That matter was concealed from general public because it could potentially develop into a war between the two nations.

Who did that

At that question, Logins fell silent. His gaze drifted into the air as he murmured.

Phylia-sama was an immensely bright and honest person. Even though she had been abducted, she talked to the people standing guard with a calm face. The orphanage she was raised in, her husband, the infant whom she had just given birth to, and so on. She only brought up the subjects that eased the lingering tension in the air.

Logins, you

Talk with your enemy over shared values to evoke sentiments and draw negligence outI was well aware of such a tactic, yet that person was free from such machinations On the contrary, it extricated the air from malice.

After briefly exhaling, Logins resumed where he left off from.

As you have already guessed, I was part of the unit that executed the abduction of Phylia-sama

Thereafter, Logins narrated the actions which Phylia took on the brink of death.

Contrary to what she was given to understand by her father, her mother had taken her own life. How did Marita receive her mothers actions? She didnt cry out loud; she continued to listen quietly

Even though my past was dyed with far more cruel acts, I was at a loss for what to do. Afterward, I ditched my nation and crossed over to Lechelle KingdomWhether I, being an orphan myself, was attracted to her circumstances, or I was attracted to her nature; I dont understand even now. However, the expression about her face on the verge of death had been etched in my mind. It just wouldnt fade.

With his face covered in his palms, he shook his head.

Even though I fabricated my status and changed my name to work under Albert-sama, the guilt had been committed to my memory; I could think of nothing but that.

Please dont involve my family in this anymore

I dont think theres anything I can do to make up for that, but I want you to believe that the years I spent serving you were not a lie.

Then, why are you doing this?

Does Marita-sama know a woman named Eleanor?

Upon that enquiry, Marita *furufuru* shook her head.

She grew up in the orphanage together with Phylia-sama. She [Phylia] loved her [Eleanor] just like a younger sister. Shes [Eleanor] just like my family is what she [Phylia] said

In order not to get found out, Logins dispatched donations to the orphanage through merchants. However, as luck would have it, he was sniffed out and dragged into this.

Thats karma

What All I have heard is how difficult it has been on you. My mothers dead; Im in this state Dont you think you are the one responsible, Logins?

You Such cowardice against a kid. I dont know my mother in person But I know you, who has been looking after me ever since I was a child, very well. Its not about getting angry or not getting angry

Tears floated up in the corner of Maritas eyes. But she endured, so the tears wouldnt stream down her cheeks.

I thought you would cry and get angry.

Did you think you could just apologize for her death?

Before he could finish his words, dry sound of a cheek being slapped echoed inside the room.

Therefore what? Its natural not to let someone you hold dear die. Father did nothing wrong.

True So true

With her palm trembling, Maritas tears started spilling out.

The butler, howeverkept on looking at her silently.

Later, Marita went back to sleep after having gotten tired of crying.

Upon witnessing her state, Logins let a breath out. From a dark corner of the room, a mans voice resounded.

You, who cannot abandon the guys at the orphanage are plenty soft yourself

Black from head to toe, the man who showed up wasSerdio.

You seem to be diligently following what I taught you.

Use whatever can be used even if its your former teacher Do you want me to respect your wishes? Well then, do your best and quietly babysit the princess, please.

Authors note: Next timeThe Little Courage (tentative)

Dont miss it.

mranon: Guys, Im sorry to announce that I will be on a long break from tomorrow.

After enjoying NEET life for so long, I have found a new job.

I have to move to a different city in relation to the job.

I will need a lot of time to settle to the new city, then to the workplace, then to the work.

I will be away for at least a month. It may (most likely) go beyond that.

Riot Grasper and Science shall Prevail over Magic will be on break, too. I have no intention of dropping the series.

Thats all.

See yall soon!