Nocturnal Alliances

During the night in the slum, there's only one moving vehicle inside the slum, which belongs to Rosseaulyn. Meanwhile, the mysterious assassin, perched on the highest point of a building, uses a monocular to discreetly observe the movements of Rosseaulyn's car until it comes to a stop at the building where Carmella resides.

"Let me see… Who is visiting my guest… A military officer?! Hahaha, interesting! I knew it! I knew that they are all not ordinary ones!" The assassin chuckled while observing from afar.

Vermilion notices Rosseaulyn's car from the window and excitedly informs Carmella. However, Ayukawa, who senses an unwelcome presence, swiftly comes to the window and closes it, drawing the curtains as well.

"Something feels off, Ayukawa?" Vermilion inquires.

"I sense someone spying on us—a rather unpleasant feeling since just now!" Ayukawa explained.

"Spying!? Sounds scary… You must be right since your sixth sense is exceptional and distinct from us… I am getting goosebumps after hearing what you said."

"Is the tall monster coming to visit her beloved sister again?"

"Yeah, I saw Rosseaulyn's car down there just now."

"Beloved sister? Excuse me! You're definitely wrong about that! She must be here to discuss Geena and Cathie's safety. Want to bet?" Carmella proposed.

"Sure, I'm in! I bet she must be concerned about you!" Vermilion accepted the wager.

"Don't count me in! I'm not interested!" Ayukawa coldly refused.

"Knock! Knock! Carmella! Open sesame door!" Rosseaulyn knocked on the door and said.

"What an idiot!" Carmella sighed and opening the door for her.

"Good to see you still alive! How are Geena and Cathie?"

"Over there, and they're both fine. Vermilion! I won the bet!"

"Heh!? How come..."

"As a result, let me think about it... Oh right! You have to cook dinner for me next week!"

"Cooking?! I'm no expert like you!"

"Stop lying! I've taught you before, and you've shown me how good you are at it!"

"Fine..."

"What are you two talking about? What bet?"

"Nothing! Are you here to take them away?"

"If their health conditions allow, I'm considering moving them to a safer place."

"Yes, you may! Their conditions are stable, so they can be discharged from my 'hospital.'" Carmella replied with a little unhappy tone.

"Why do you sound like you're trying to dig at me again? Please don't do that; I've been through enough since last night..."

"Am I? You must be thinking too much!"

"I do hope so… By the way, do you have drinking water for me? I was so thirsty after having a stair climbing training just now."

"Hmm… No! We don't. I only have boiled the water that is sufficient for the household members. But we do have fresh tap water from the sink! Do you want to try the fresh water from the slum? It's clean and safe!" Carmella said, maintaining a forced smile on her face while deep down, she was angered.

"All right… At least I know I am not thinking too much… I will leave as soon as possible."

"Rosseaulyn! You can have my water! Carmella, why are you so mean to her?" Vermilion interjected.

"You don't have to know about it. You just need to know how good I treated you."

"Okay…"

"Oh, Ms Yeleona, thank you so much!"

"Sis Carmella! Are we going to be left with Sis Rosse?" Cathie came out from the bedroom and asked.

"Yes… Judging the safety and the current situation, you and your Mama should leave with Rosse… No worry, Rosse will find a better place for you!"

"But I like to stay with you and Sis Vermilion… I don't want to leave from you…"

"Thanks Cathie… But this place is really dangerous for you too… If we are free, we will visit you again. Be a good girl, just follow Rosse's advice, okay?"

"Okay…"

"Good! Hey, Rosse! Where are you planning to keep them?"

"My place, that should be the safest place in Luthernza."

"Indeed… Where are you staying?"

"Very near my office."

"You rent a unit?"

"Nope, it's provided by the government and it's free!"

"Even the utilities?!"

"Yes! That's why I worked smart to climb up the military rank that fast and to get the free unit! Guess what, it's a luxury apartment unit!"

"So nice…"

"Carmella… Do you want to move out here and stay with me…?"

"No! I don't want to trouble you. Thanks for your invitation."

"Don't reject my invite that fast… At least think about it first…"

"Luxury apartment does sound attractive to me, but I already got used to staying in this broken place, so I don't think I will move out from here."

"Could you give me a second thought before you confirm?"

"Well… I…"

"If you don't like to stay with me, you can stay in other places! As long as you move away far from this slum!"

"Why do you want me to move out suddenly?"

"I just saw this slum area is getting more and more chaotic! You might put your life in danger if you keep staying in this place!"

"I agree with you on the current situation here, but…"

"Oh Carmella! Please!"

"Well… I think I will just stay here…"

"Sorry to interrupt you two, but Carmella, I think she's right!" Ayukawa said.

"Huh? Why are you on her side, Ayukawa?!"

"Carmella, this is not about choosing a side! I'm just sharing my reasonably thought on this!"

"Ms Ayukawa, thanks for helping me to persuade her!"

"I'm not trying to persuade but just expressing my own thought. Anyway, Carmella… Your purpose to stay here is to stay away from the military, but right now if you move to your sister's place then you will no longer need to worry about this."

"Ayukawa, I am well aware of this as well… But it's not only about staying away from the military…"

"Even if you have other reasons, I don't think any of them is more important than your own safety. I am also aware of how dangerous this area has become since I came. Mark my words, you will lose your life here one day…"

"So, Carmella… Ms Ayukawa has already explained in detail to you… You have seen many corpses around here as well, haven't you?"

"Well, let me have a second thought on this then… But if I agree, Vermilion must also stay with me!"

"Yeah, sure!"

"Ermm… Carmella… Rosseaulyn… Can I ask Ayukawa to…" Vermilion was trying to ask but got interrupted by Ayukawa instantly.

"Vermilion! Don't count me in!" Ayukawa said seriously.

"Wait, what…? I thought we have just made the promise?"

"Officer, are you willing to let your beloved family stay with a maniac murderer?!" Ayukawa turned around and asked Rosseaulyn.

"No… Not willing at all…"

"So, is that clear enough for you, Vermilion?!"

"Why… Rosseaulyn! I thought you should have known Ayukawa is not a murderer! She even saved our lives numerous times!"

"I knew, but I just respect the decision of Ms Ayukawa."

"Thanks, Officer."

"Ayukawa! If you are not coming with us, then where are you going to stay?!"

"I'm just going to stay here! This chaotic and messy place, full of thugs and killers, is the only place that suits me. It's where I belong!"

"No… Carmella! You will take Ayukawa with us, right?"

"Sorry Vermilion… I also choose to respect the decision of Ayukawa…"

"Hey! Just calm yourself down, will you?! You stay at your new place while I just keep staying at this place, what's wrong with that?"

"That means we are going to be separated…"

"We are just separating, but not saying farewell to each other forever though… What the hell are you been thinking?!"

"I don't know… I just got a feeling that I don't want to…"

"You promised to help me find my sister, so you are not going anywhere until we find my sister. Got it?!"

"Ye… Yes!" Vermilion answered, and her face turned from sad to excited.

"Two of you. I haven't confirmed that I will move out yet, so… You don't have to worry that much first." Carmella mocked.

"Yeah… You are right… I guess we supposed to bid farewell to Geena and Cathie first. I was just getting a little upset after knowing that we have to separate from Ayukawa…"

"Two of you must have some sort of 'connection' for sure… Ayukawa, why are you still showing such a cold-blooded face? Don't you feel a little touched after hearing what Vermilion said?"

"I don't know what to say or express…"

"Nevermind! Let's have our dinner with Geena and Cathie first! Shall we?"

"Alright! Rosse, I have prepared your portion as well, just come and join us."

"Wow… I am touched! That's my sister!"

"Enough!"

As everyone sat down at the dining table, Ayukawa suddenly sensed something outside of their house, and her eyes sharpened again. She patted Rosseaulyn on the shoulder, seeming to want to tell her something.

"Yes, Ms Ayukawa?"

"Would you mind going inside the room for a while? I need to talk to you about something!"

"Okay… You all just enjoy your delicacies first! I need to talk to Ms Ayukawa!"

"Oh! Ok!"

'Strange… Why would Ayukawa suddenly want to talk to Rosse in person?' Vermilion thought curiously.

Ayukawa brought Rosseaulyn into her bedroom and immediately closed her door. She used a serious tone and started to explain something to Rosseaulyn.

"I have been feeling that someone is spying on us. I guess, probably the assassin!"

"The assassin?! You mean the one who wounded your leg and confronted with our Captain?!"

"Yes."

"Why is he here again?!"

"I didn't intend to hide it from you just now; it just slipped my mind. He seems to want to challenge me to another duel."

"What a maniac… I will take him down for sure! When do you..."

"I'm not intending to accept or respond to his silly and childish provocation!"

"Huh? I thought you were going to seek your revenge…"

"Maybe someday… But definitely not now! Not in the mood…"

"I was thinking you were going to duel with him. Then I'm going to take him down if I have the chance!"

"Hey, it's not that I am doubting on you, but I'm afraid that with your combat ability, you wouldn't be able to deal with him at all!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"I can't prove it, but trust me, you wouldn't want to mess with him, and it's not necessary too!"

"I think you are right… He even escaped right in front of the Captain before…"

"My main concern is the safety of those innocent ladies outside there! The assassin may break into this house and harm them, although his target is me."

"I see… No wonder you helped me to persuade them to move out earlier on…"

"That could be just one of the reasons. I'm not sure what the assassin will do if I didn't show up on time."

"So, you want them to stay at my place…"

"Yes, at least for tonight."

"Alright, then how about you…?"

"You don't have to worry about me; I am an outsider after all. I don't want to drag anyone into the chaos I created."

"To me… You're not an outsider… At least, we have fought together before. So, are you just going to stay here tonight by yourself? Have you ever wondered how those ladies outside would feel if they saw your dead corpse when they return?"

"As you said, if I'm already dead, then I don't have to care about it anymore!"

"Even an individual like you also has no confidence against him?"

"It's not about confidence... People always lose their lives easily no matter who they are or what they are… Like your Captain too."

"I think you are right… But I'm a person who likes to avoid risk and minimize it. So… I will just hand over my pistol to you, what do you think?"

"How about…"

"An army knife, am I right? Here you go. I knew you are good at it! I just don't know why you dislike guns."

"Just preference, nothing special. Thanks for this!"

"I got it, and let me handle their safety. Let's quickly have our dinner."

"Okay!"

After they finished their talks, they went back to have their dinner. Carmella and Vermilion were curious and asked them what they had been discussing inside the room, but they refused to answer. After finishing their dinner, Ayukawa gave Rosseaulyn a signal.

"Carmella! Vermilion!" Rosseaulyn called.

"Yep?"

"How about this? Two of you just come over to my place to stay for a night together with Ms. Geena and Cathie later on and see whether my place suits you or not!"

"Hmm… Carmella, what do you think? I think it sounds good though…" Vermilion asked and her eyes were full of excitement.

"Well…"

"Come on! Just give it a try, and I won't force you afterward!" Rosseaulyn tried to persuade Carmella.

"Okay! I will stay at your place just for tonight!"

"Great! Prepare yourself, and we will leave at once."