What the hell was that?

　In a shady corner of the town.
　In a different building than the one where the organization's handlers were having a secret chat the other day, a man with a shaved head shouts in frustration.

　Three men and women hear his voice.
　They are the ten survivors of the attack on the duke's daughter.

　Only three of them, including the red osprey who hadn't participated in the battle as a witness, and the lurking swallow who was part of the raiding team, are all that managed to make it out alive after the assault on the duke's mansion, a total of four.

''Don't make a fuss,''

　The tall man who was directed at the shaved-headed irritation returns the words with annoyance.

'I certainly didn't expect it to be like that, but...'

　The tall man who had survived confronting a thousand sword sorcerers as well as the shaved head sighed as he remembered the competence of the opponent who had caused the attack to fail.

''This isn't even remotely unexpected!　Ten skilled men creeping around, setting up the invasion, and with no guards by their side, we spent more than thirty of those stupidly priced magical stones, and attacked a place where the opponent didn't even have a weapon, and yet this is what happened!　That wizard!　How can you cut down a human with a training wooden sword!

　The words of the shaved head shouting for an answer are a question that all of us here have in common.
　But of course there is no one who can give a definite answer to it.

　What we do know is the fact that that mercenary known as the 'Magician of a Thousand Swords' is a monster that cannot be measured by our common sense.

''There's no point in saying too much,''

'Yes. Complaining about it won't bring a dead man back to life.

　The red osprey and the tall man chide the shaved head.
　That's what makes the shaved head even more uncomfortable.

"So we're just going to crash into death again?　You guys are good at that!　Hey, diving swallow. You should say something too!

I'm...

I can't hear myself.

　Just as the swallow was about to open its mouth when the shaved head spoke up, another man appeared in the room with the four men.

'There's no one around here who'd snitch on the guards, but that's the height of carelessness.

　A small man dressed like a day laborer walked into the room.
　The little man closes the door as he walks in and moves to an empty space with four eyes on him and announces one-sidedly.

''Well, let's hear the report, shall we?''

You're a pigeon, aren't you?

　Despite the shaved head swearing, the red osprey tells the little man about the information he saw and heard.

　It is a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you are looking for.
　Before leaving the room, he said, "I'm going to wait until the next group of people gather," which made the shaved head's mood even worse.

'f*ck you!　You're asking me to attack that bastard again!

　It's not a strange story.
　The attack failed, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the client and the top brass of the organization are going to be convinced.
　Of course, since this sorcerer has proven to be far more powerful than expected, the organization would not be foolish to take on the next attack.

The top is not stupid. They'll avoid the next one.

"Humph, we don't have a choice!　Godd*mn it!

　The sorcerer of a thousand swords is the duchess's instructor, not her bodyguard.
　If that's the case, just aim for the time when the sorcerer isn't on the Duchess' side.

　Of course, the Duchess's protection will be much tighter than it was before the attack.
　Moreover, at that time, you'll have to deal with an even less capable group than this time.
　It is natural that curse words would come out of the mouth of the shaved head.

　The tall man left the room as if his business was done, followed by the shaved head, spreading anger with his entire body.

　A hand is placed on his shoulder as if to hold back the red osprey that tried to follow him.

'What?'

　When the red osprey turned around, it was a diving swallow.
　As expected of a lurking swallow, it has few words to say to this situation where six out of ten people did not make it back alive due to the failure of the mission.
　It's not the cheerful expression it usually shows, but rather it is quiet, as if its emotions have been sucked out of it by the agitated shaved head.

''The red osprey ....... What that guy said, what do you think?

　Such a diving swallow asks quietly to the red osprey.
　Even if he doesn't say it, the diving swallow must be feeling the same resentment as the shaved head.

'As I said before. There's no point in saying what's past.'

　Where had the usual air of aloofness gone, the diving swallow's expression was serious.

"We're used like tools all the time," he said, "and even if we're lucky enough to survive, we'll soon be on our way to another mission. Are we going to stay like this until we die?

Yes. That's what it's all about.

I don't want to be a part of this. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of being a pawn.

...... Yeah.

　The red osprey replies to the question the diving swallow throws at him in a matter-of-fact manner.

"Hey, red osprey. Don't you think this is a good opportunity?

Of what?

It's a chance to get out of the system and escape.

　An easy idea, thought the red osprey as he listened to it.

I'm sure the top brass is in a panic right now after the unexpected blow. After all, six of the skilled workers in the capital were killed. Moreover, the request is still unfulfilled. In order to make up for this failure, the organization will do its best to prepare for the next attack. If this is the right time, they won't be able to get as many people to follow us now that we've disappeared.

If you want to get out, why don't you just go ahead and do it?

　It doesn't matter to the red osprey.
　I had no intention of stopping him or telling the organization.

'......'

Are you done?

　The red osprey was still held back as he brushed away the silent diving swallow's hand and tried to leave.

'Wait,'

What?

　The red osprey asked back with a blank expression, and an unexpected word was thrown at him.

'...... would you like to come with me?'

What?

　A rare distortion of the red osprey's face occurs.

You know that, don't you?　I don't know how many more years you'll have left to live at this rate. Then you'd better come with me at .......

I told you to do what you want. I didn't say I'd help you.

That's not what I'm talking about. I'm not asking for help.

　With more than words on his face, the diving swallow shook his head in denial.

'Even you would rather be ...... than stay in the organization like this. Because I know you're ......, no, I'd rather be with you--

No need. I'm not unhappy with my situation.

　The red osprey turned to the stumbling lurking swallow and rejected it in a clear tone of voice.

That's because you don't know the outside world. That's because you only live in the cage of the organization. Once you see the rest of the world, the 'outside', you will see how unreasonable we are treated.

　It is true that the world of the Red Osprey is small.

　Unlike the lurking swallows, which usually come in contact with many humans in the guise of a merchant and expand their range of activities beyond the king's capital, the Red Osprey never leaves the king's capital and has only so many people it usually comes into contact with that can be counted on two hands.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us. If you feel up to it, come to the inn near the west gate at twenty-five o'clock at the "Mebuki-tei" of the two-wheeled grass. I'll be waiting for you in the room at the far end of the second floor.

I'm not going to .......

　To the red osprey, who still uttered a clear refusal, the diving swallow left the room with words as if pleading with him.

'Think. Don't turn away from the question. We don't have much time. If you ever want to get out of this cage, you must come to me tonight. I'll get you out of this cell.

　That was the last thing the diving swallow and the red osprey said to each other.





　Early the next morning.
　A man's body is found floating in a fountain in a park near the West Gate of the royal city.

"Wasn't he bonded?

　The little man who came suddenly to the red osprey's roost said at the opening.

'What are you talking about?'

　The little man, dressed like a day laborer, smiled at the blubbering red osprey.
　He was the little man who had come to the four survivors of the attack on the Duchess the day before, the red osprey, to play the role of a messenger pigeon.

'Well, no one thought you'd be able to sneak up on the swallows.

　The organization knew from the beginning what the swallow would do.

　The fact that the man found early in the morning was a swallow was something the little man didn't bother to mention.

　Where the information leaked from, even the red osprey doesn't know.
　But after all, the eyes and ears of an organization cannot be underestimated.
　No matter how struck by the failed assault on the Duchess, it's a piece of cake to get rid of one of the assassins who showed suspicious activity.

"You're a fool, you sneaky swallow. They should have left the capital in the middle of the night, but they were hanging around near the west gate until dawn, asking to be dealt with.

　Only the red osprey's eyes reacted slightly to the little man's cynical smile.

'What's up?　Do you have something to say to me?

...... separately.

　At the curt red osprey's reply, the little man threw a small amulet he took from his pocket.

''What's this?''

　The red osprey took it in one hand as it flew by and asked the little man, watching him quizzically.

It's a memento of a diving swallow. You've seen that guy on a chain and hanging it from his waistband, right?

A memento?

　The red osprey stares at the amulet in his hand.

　The circular shape, about three centimeters in diameter, is made up of a body carved out of a piece of wood and leather covering it.
　It does not shine like metal, nor is it as colorful as a jewel.
　Its simple form, composed of only shades of brown, is probably an uncharacteristic decoration for a diving swallow that likes to look fashionable.

　However, the red osprey had seen this amulet swinging on the waist of a diving swallow on several occasions.
　In addition, if the little man claims it is his memento, then it must belong to the diving swallow.

"Why did you give it to me?

Are you kidding me?　Or do you really not understand?

　As if he couldn't guess, the little man turned his sharp gaze to the red osprey, but he quickly switched his expression and ducked, raising one hand lightly in a throwing motion.

'Well, it doesn't matter either way. You can throw it away, sell it, or cherish it for the rest of your life, do what you want.

　That's it for this one, the little man says, and disappears from the red osprey's roost.
　For some time after the little man left, the red osprey stared at the small amulet in his one hand with emotionless eyes.