Tears

"Was that the right choice?"

"Yeah." 

Phoenix looked at me with an uncharacteristically serious expression.

"It's fine like that." 

"Is that so?"

A non-conversation conversation. But Phoenix and I go way back. 

Not that long time-wise, but we've been through a lot together.

We probably understand each other's thoughts well enough.

"I... wasn't good."

"Hm?"

His earlier seriousness was gone, replaced by a bizarre expression now.

How to put it... Like his face might explode.

Let me reorganize this situation.

We're currently flying. Below us was the sinking town.

While the vanishing town invokes some melancholy, our altitude's steadily dropping as time passes.

"Hey! The forest is close! Don't crash!"

Should've had two or three carry me instead.

He insisted Engy alone was plenty, but that was just showing off to the others, right!?

Moreover, that rare serious face back there was because you'd hit your limit, wasn't it!?

Flying barely above the lake, a voice called out from somewhere.

"You mortal again!"

"Crap, it's her..."

The lake spirit rapidly approached us.

What's there to get angry over? It's good for you. More living space with the town swallowed. 

"I didn't do anything! Go home and do bust enhancement exercises or something!"

"Ugh! Said it again! And only you'd do this!"

Hey, the lake would've collapsed soon anyway. I just delivered the final blow.

But doesn't seem like she'll listen. And she probably has other grudges against me.

"Hurry it up! We're screwed if caught!"

"Ggguuuuuuuuu!!!"

Just before reaching the forest, the spirit had closed in right below us. 

To capture us flying low, she leapt from the water surface.

"Whoops."

The instant she jumped up to grab us, I swiftly folded my legs.

My feet slipped right through as she swung her arms, in prime position to squeeze my torso between her chest.

"Woah haha! If your chest was just a bit bigger, you might've caught me! Damn washboard!" 

"Gaaah! Unforgivable! I'll remember this!"

And so, we successfully evaded the spirit and slipped away into the forest. 

Her enraged screams echoed for a while from the sinking town, but with no other issues, we arrived at the forest exit. 

Taking a quick break just outside, a female voice came from the trees.

"Impressive, impressive!"

"It's you..."

The blindfolded girl was there. Why's she here? No, more importantly.

Her vibe was different than usual. I never fully understood her, but what's her aim?

I heightened my wariness to a level unprecedented since starting this job.

Her aura simply felt off.

But the blindfolded girl smiled smugly and reverted to her usual stupid atmosphere. 

"Yup, still good. You're amazing!" 

What's with her? What?

"Smart and seem pretty capable in combat... Yeah! I really like you!"

Removing her blindfold, the girl's magic power surged.

Tch... So she was hiding something after all. But this is...

"That thing you—"

"Oh! So you really could see through my blindfold! I wondered if that was it! So cold to a beauty like me!"

Looking at the blindfold, she nodded Ah, so that's how it was.

No, you're wrong. Well partly, but I'm more concerned about the magic.

"Oh! It has magic suppression and cognitive interference functions! Cool, right! The townspeople probably only remember me vaguely. But! You had some skill to see through this blindfold!"

So that's why she kept her eye on me...

Thanks to the magic sight from Roots I suppose, rather than a skill.

"Just who are you?"

"Me? I'm An Chain's Stray! You're with An Chain too, right? Nice to meet you!" 

The weirdo was a colleague, even a direct coworker. 

Her explanation makes sense.

I'd heard some requests are handled by multiple people, but there was another person on this job too? Still, this time...

"I'm the one who stole it this time. For the reward... I can give you five percent."

She helped a bit I guess. Just a tiny bit. That should be fair.

Hearing that, Stray grinned smugly. 

The eyes I hadn't seen until now were also grinning. Creepy even without the blindfold.

"Nope nope! Non non! You get a zero, Engy dear!"

Can I punch her?

"Let's see, your score this time is thirty points! But but! Since I love you, I'll give a seventy point bonus!"

Cut it out.

No, the bonus points are higher than the actual score.

"Our rules at An Chain are - the one who produces results gets the full reward for a request, except those accepted by multiple members from the start!"

Ugh... I'll admit I was naive this time. However.

As I grit my teeth, Stray made an I've got it! expression.

"Buuut! I'll think about it if you come live with me! How 'bout it~?"

"Well, it's late so I'll be going now."

Faced with an extremely difficult choice, I gave up on the reward.

That's how this world is, nothing for it. Why is she so fixated on me anyway?

"Geez geez! Struggle more! I even took off the blindfold! Living together is no biggie! Just one year, 'kay~"

It's morning too! Ignoring her noisy pestering as I retrieved Phoenix oozing drool while buried in the ground.

Is he... alive or dead?

"See ya."

"Mm~! I won't give up, got it! I'll make you mine real soon!"

Hearing that dangerous remark, I hurried away from there at full speed.

"...Hehe, Engy. I've got high hopes for you—"

...

As the sun rose and the water's momentum weakened, the people began calming down and noticed the missing God Stone. 

There was also a report of some bird monsters carrying a large object.

Connecting the dots was simple, yet no one complained.

Because they interpreted it as the birds sent by God taking it as compensation for saving lives.

With no instigation, the people believed the story.

What was lie and truth? 

Rumors spread, no one knew the facts, but a painting drawn later by a skilled artist who could recreate memories apparently depicted a small red-brown crow grasping human-like figures in its talons.

"A tour? Welcome! While lacking in bust, we have a lovely spirit here! It's said this lake, made from the tears of that spirit who sorrowed over her small chest, resides here. Also! Though just folklore, throwing money in the lake seems to grant bountiful breasts in the future! Please, take your time!"

The town where God once lived, Prescott. 

Now, the sunken town was a lonely yet beautiful lake.