c3 (1/2)

The great nation of Si Lvain, that held great tracts of land and power, and was said to rule over half the world.

Its capital Rosario posessed of a worthy dignity that didn’t put its fame of being the world’s greatest to shame,

In a corner of the capital’s eastern ward.

A squalid, lawless place even if within the capital, it was also commonly known as the slums

There was a two story building that was right at home in the townscape, blending into the scenery

It was the headquarters of the a.s.sa.s.sin group Black Maria’s Third Squad.

“… hmm”

s.h.i.+zuru, who was sleeping on one side of the room, was roused awake by the morning light s.h.i.+ning through the window and the song of the little birds.

The first thing he felt as he woke up was the touch of soft fur coming from behind his back to the back of his head.

A body hotter than his own, the faint beating, and the up-down rhythm of breathing.

He sat up and turned his head around, there was no need to check, Lady was there.

“— good morning, my dear”

Her voice felt good, clear, like the sound of a musical instrument.

Lady would always wake up befor s.h.i.+zuru did.

It’s not that s.h.i.+zuru was an early riser, just that she was especially early in the mornings.

Yet Lady would always wait for s.h.i.+zuru to wake, just like this.

He wakes early in the mornings, and sleeps late at night.

As his self-proclaimed other half, she would of course think that he should at least get a little more sleep.

And above all, Lady loved the time that she could spend close to s.h.i.+zuru.

“Morning Lady. It’s a nice morning again, today, isn’t it”

“Yes, though I would’ve preferred that the sun doesn’t come up forever”

“Ahahaha. What’s with that”

s.h.i.+zuru smiled wryly as he stretched his hand and stroked Lady.

Her pleased groan resonated with his spine. s.h.i.+zuru then got up.

“Let’s get breakfast ready. I’m going to the market, what about you?”

“In that case I will go”

The great wolf was as tall as an adult man even on all fours.

If she went outside like that, she would be certain to cause an uproar.

“Really? Then, please”

But s.h.i.+zuru didn’t show any unease toward Lady’s offer and nodded.

It was as if this was an everyday happening.

In actual fact, he did entrust Lady with morning shopping everyday.

Not long after s.h.i.+zuru nodded, her shape began to flicker like a heat haze.

Several seconds pa.s.sed, and the black wolf’s form vanished without a trace.

In its place, there was a black-haired woman.

— Not only did the n.o.ble magic beast Lady understand human language, she was also able to use ‘Black’ magic.

Among the eight colors of magic, Black was especially diverse. Something to change one’s own form was only a simple matter.

However, as should be expected, every time s.h.i.+zuru saw that form, he would unconsciously display a strange countenance.

“… can’t you stop modelling yourself on Richelieu already? It’s just that, whenever I see it I get chills down my spine … I can’t calm down”

The suit she was wearing on her was white instead of black.

The color of her hair was dark as night instead of silvery white.

Her long slitted eyes would open instead of close, displaying their golden pupils.

These negative-image-like differences were there, but the shape of Lady’s face and the lines of her body were completely the same as those of their boss Richelieu.