Nothing But Requiem

Chapter Six: [The Pieces of the World] #2

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The house already felt larger and quieter than usual without Ario and Seere there. Leila sat absentmindedly until she noticed an unfamiliar burlap bag on the long table. She picked it up and was startled by the weight of it. 

Hurriedly checking the contents, she found ten large gold coins with the king's portrait engraved on them. It was an amount of money that wasn't often seen in the favela. There was also a note:

Thank you for your hospitality. Concert and lodging fees.

After reading the short sentence, Leila clutched the letter and ran out of the house. 

If I leave Vinea after Ario and Seere now... The thought flashed through her mind. However, within a few steps, Leila had second thoughts. I'm sure Don Nicolas would be on me in no time and everyone in the favela would be in danger. 

Leila convinced herself and went back to the house. It was just as Seere had said—Leila had abandoned her own thinking.

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"So? What are we going to do?" Seere asked as he sat on a wooden bench, his legs bobbing. 

There was no sign of any stage coach coming to the stop. There was no schedule or timetable.

"...Just shut up and let me think for a minute."

"I don't really care either way. But if we miss this chance to get these pieces of the world, who knows when we'll get another—"

"I said shut up!" Ario's eyes were lethal as she shot a deadly glare at Seere.

Seere looked surprised for a moment; eventually the smile vanished from his face. 

"It's true, isn't it? Even if Leila, who has now become your friend, was there, you wouldn't hesitate if she got in the way of your goal. That's the Ario I know. Suffering between kindness and cruelty really suits you. That's exactly why you became the owner of the magic gun that symbolizes despair, Blutgang!" Seere snapped his fingers like a gunshot.

Suddenly with the clattering of wheels, a carriage appeared out of nowhere. The rider was well-built and wore a heavy raincoat, even though it was the middle of summer and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Atop his head was a silk hat that covered his eyes so much it was impossible to gauge his expression.

"Hello, Agares," Seere said in a friendly voice.

"Well, well, if it isn't young Seere. You seem to be in good spirits." Agares took off his hat and bowed his head deeply. He was an elderly man with wrinkles etched into his deeply carved face. "Is this the human you were talking about?"

"That's right!" Seere turned to face Ario as he answered. The gleeful expression on his face was making him look particularly devilish. "Come on, Ario! Decide if you want the pieces of the world or if you want to give up and get in this carriage!" 

Demons always pressed people to make a decision in the form of a contract. He laughed innocently, but right now, Seere was the devil himself.

"You know I don't have a choice..." Ario stood immediately upright. Blutgang materialized in her hand.

"Hoh... You can summon your weapon from another space even though you're a human? How interesting..." Agares let out a voice of admiration. He showed no sign of faltering at the sight of the gun.

"What are you doing, Ario? You're being rude." Seere pushed away the gun, causing it to vanish from Ario's hand. "Well, Agares, I guess that's just the way it is. Sorry to call you all the way out here for nothing, but can you please leave?" he said bluntly without a trace of guilt.

"Whatever you ask, young man. It is a pleasure to see you in such good health."

"Thank you, Agares. Please tell your mother and father I said hello."

"Of course." Agares pulled the reins and the carriage moved forward. The farther away it went, the more uncertain its existence became, like a mirage; it continued to waver until it disappeared. 

Seere turned and faced Ario. "Come on, Ario. We're heading to Neo Casablanca!"