The Lady in Red

The criminal lay flat on the floor, motionless.

"I guess we have a winner!" announced the commentator but the crowd was not as excited.

"Jeez, I thought there will be a bloodbath."

But the girl watching the scene was smiling and her eyes were glued to the man wearing in black standing in the middle of the ring.

James who realized he has overdone it felt disappointed.

"I was planning to break every single part of your body before ending this match."

James kicked the body. The dude was foaming at his mouth.

The sleazy man came and measured the criminal's pulse.

"The person is dead," said him. "I am gonna make sure I will not end up in your bad side, by the way, what is your name, hero?"

"James Charter."

"Pleasure to meet you, James. My name is Rodriguez Smith. Pleasure to be your acquaintances."

"Mr Smith. So can I meet the girl now?"

"Oh, surely, let us wait at the waiting room."

They both sat down in the waiting room.

"As a winner of the match, you will be granted exemption of your crimes and a gift from the leader of the city. Since you are not a criminal, I believe the first one does not apply to you. May I ask what gift do you desire?"

"Hmm, I never really think about it. What do you think I should ask for a gift?"

"Let see," Mr Smith gave James a quick scan from top to bottom.

"Well, since this is the Red City, most men would ask to be gifted the city's most prized girls or to be showered with fortunes. But I doubt you are not interested in that, are you?"

"No, not interested."

"As expected. I do notice that you carry two peculiar blades around your waist. Is it safe to assume that perhaps you are an expert in killing monsters?"

"Yes, you are correct."

"Ah, I see. Then I believe the most suitable prize you should ask for from the leader will be a firearm."

"A firearm?"

"Yes, a firearm. It's a ranged weapon that could shoot projectiles at a high speed. It's the kingdom's most recent innovations. And it is effective in dealing with monsters."

"I think I will go for that."

The room opened and Mr Smith stood up.

"And here is the girl you are waiting for," said Mr Smith.

"Allow me to introduce to you, Mr James. This is Lady Mary."

Lady Mary bowed politely as she was introduced.

"Lady Mary, this is James Charter."

James bowed.

"I am the leader's envoy. Tell me what you seek and I will relay it to the leader."

James took a few steps closer towards Mary and looked her deep into her eyes.

A pair of scarlet eyes.

Mary shifted backward from James' daring approach.

"I heard deeply within you a desperate cry for help. Are you in any trouble, young lady?" said James.

"Wh-What," Mary's face blushes into a bright tomato.

Mr Smith was laughing at the back but covered his mouth to not appear rude.

James' gaze was stern and unmoving. It caught Mary off guard.

Mary quickly retreated back from James.

"Excuse me, James, I have no idea what you are talking about. Now, if you may, could you please state your wish."

"Hmm, my wish will be—" James though for a while. "A firearm."

"That's a rather simple wish. But it's not something we cannot do. But are you sure this is what you desire? Why not ask for something better, like a woman to satisfy your needs or money."

"Woman can't help me slay demons nor money do. I believe a firearm will be best for it. Besides, I am interested to see this new weaponry."

Mary was pouting.

"Is that all you want? Are you sure that is what you want?" said Mary.

"Yes, I wish for a firearm and I hope that the leader could provide me with one if he is generous enough."

"Are you sure you don't want information about the demon lords?"

Her statement caught James' attention.

"I guess that caught your attention, fellow exorcist. I recognized that blade you are carrying with you. The leader only grants one request, so which one do you want, James?"

"Hmm…." thought James for a moment. James cast a look at Mr Smith but Mr Smith looked away and avoided eye contact.

"Should have known this won't be as easy as it seems. This place reeks of shadiness after all," thought James.

But James could hear the subtle cry for help coming within Mary's soul. James rubbed his chin and scan Mary from top to bottom.

Appearance-wise, Mary is definitely a good looking woman. She has the looks and the figures and her eyes were charming. She can be categorized as an enchantress. And she has this sort of innocent look around her.

James was thinking again.

Mary recognized the blade I was carrying and she deliberately told me that I could ask for information about the demon lords. Which could probably mean that in the past, exorcists had come to this city before searching for it. Or perhaps….this city is in cahoots with one of the demon lords. Or else, why would Mary throw out this information to me in the first place. But if I think about it, could it be that Mary is in deep trouble. I could hear a cry for help from within her soul. Is she hiding something? Is she leading me to ask about the demon lord? Or maybe she is bind by some sort of curse that made her a puppet for the demon lord. But that would not make sense. Demon lord will prefer to keep their identity as secretive as possible. So is this a trap? Is this her way of asking me to help?

All kinds of thought ran inside James' head.

James sighed.

"You are the leader's envoy correct."

I guess in order to help this girl, this is the only way to do it.

"Yes," answered Mary.

"Then my request will be to ask you to be mine," said James blatantly.

"Wh—What!"

"Oh my, oh my," said Mr Smith who was in the back witnessing this strange turn of event.