“Being tailed by someone…?”
I instinctively turned to look behind me, but—
“No, Lord Kiwi… it’s in the sky.”
Shes tilted her gaze upward. When I followed her line of sight, I saw a small shadow hovering above us.
“Is that… a magic bird species?”
“It’s approaching. Please be cautious.”
Shes shifted to shield me with her body, her hand resting on the hilt of her holy sword.
At that moment—
“Ah, my apologies. It seems I ended up behaving like a stalker.”
The figure descending from the sky on flapping wings had the head of a heron, marking him as a magical bird-type. Clicking his long, black beak with a smirk, the man introduced himself:
“I am Froud, a researcher at the New Elixir Development Institute.”
“New elixir…?”
“Indeed… I suspected you might find it interesting, Lord Kiwi Alaya , a prominent figure of the Demon Nation.”
Froud twisted his expression into a sly grin, but a cold metallic sound interrupted him.
“So you knew Lord Kiwi was a high-ranking official and still followed him around? Depending on your intentions, I will not hesitate to act…!”
Shes’s holy sword was half-drawn, her piercing gaze fixed on him.
“Y-Yes, I have a purpose, I swear! I bring with me a truly remarkable proposal!”
Froud, desperate and pleading, turned his gaze to me and said,
“Lord Alaya , would you be willing to visit our institute?”
He clasped his hands together in a begging gesture.
“A visit to the institute, you say?”
“I thought you might be curious about the manufacturing process of the new elixir. After all, you’ve been gathering information at pharmacies, haven’t you?”
“…I see.”
To think that someone we were looking for would come to us first.
“But are you sure? Is it wise to confess your involvement so openly?”
“Of course. We have nothing to hide.”
Froud beamed with a full, bright smile.
“We only wish to provide the citizens of the Demon Nation with new, pleasurable experiences. However, some individuals have collapsed from side effects after consuming excessive amounts, like what happened at the club earlier. Therefore—”
Froud paused and leaned in slightly, locking eyes with me.
“We want to resolve these issues. In exchange for sharing the manufacturing process of the new elixir with you, we hope to benefit from your unparalleled medical expertise.”
“Hmm. So, you’re proposing a deal—help improve the elixir to suppress its side effects in exchange for new knowledge.”
“Precisely. However, I understand that a mere verbal exchange like this may not earn your trust. So, I would like to propose an official visit to our institute at a later date. What do you think?”
Froud spread his wings wide as he spoke.
“I’d also be delighted to arrange for our director to provide a thorough explanation.”
“That’s most generous of you.”
Well, well. Being invited to their research institute is a rare opportunity indeed.
As I nodded,
“Kiwi, don’t you think this guy is suspicious?”
Otokai , who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
“I don’t know what he’s planning, and maybe he’s not lying, but he’s definitely scheming something.”
“Me? Scheming? Perish the thought.”
“Are you really okay with sharing such sensitive information? The formula for that elixir, I mean.”
“Of course not. We’re selective about whom we disclose such matters to.”
Even in the face of doubt, Froud maintained his smile, reaching out to clasp my hand.
“We trust you, Lord Alaya , the hero of the Demon Nation. We believe you can take the new elixir to greater heights! So, our doors are always open to you. If the thought strikes you, please don’t hesitate to visit us.”
“Ah, thank you. I’ll gladly take you up on the offer.”
It didn’t take much thought. If there’s a chance to uncover what I seek, I’ll grab it with everything I’ve got—that’s just who I am.
“Really? You will?”
“Yes. The curiosity is keeping me awake at night, after all.”
“Thank you! I’ll make arrangements to send someone to your clinic soon. Please wait for further instructions!”
With that, Froud left, his wings fluttering as he flew away.
“Kiwi! Are you seriously thinking of trusting that guy?”
Back in the main street of the Demon Capital, Otokai raised her voice the moment we settled into a café.
“I’m telling you, he’s not to be trusted! He’s the classic type who talks a good game but has ulterior motives!”
“Is that so?”
“I’m telling you, I can tell! I’m a woman with an eye for men!”
Otokai formed a circle with her fingers, peeking through it, and turned to Shes for agreement.
“Right, Shes? You think he’s sketchy too, don’t you?”
Shes, arms crossed, replied,
“He certainly was unnaturally talkative. And knowing about the incident at the club does raise questions. There’s likely more to him than meets the eye. That said—”
Shes turned to me.
“I’m sure Lord Kiwi has already taken all of this into consideration. Do you have a plan?”
“No, not particularly.”
Shes looked momentarily taken aback, but it was true—I didn’t have any grand scheme in mind.
However,
—A presence suddenly loomed behind me, casting a shadow.
There was only one person I knew who would go out of their way to do something like this.
“Welcome back, Zombie Thief.”
I turned to see the tall figure of a zombie wrapped in bandages, a hood drawn over their head.
“Did you find the location?”
The Zombie Thief nodded silently.
Good, good.
“Lord Kiwi… What exactly did you have the Zombie Thief do?”
“Oh, I had him tail Froud to investigate.”
“W-When did you…!”
“The fact that he’s back means he’s found the institute, or at least what appears to be its base. Now then—”
With my coffee break over, I stood up.
“Lord Kiwi, you’re not planning to go there now, are you…?”
“Of course I am. I don’t want to sit around waiting for their emissary to arrive and risk them hiding anything important.”
It’s only natural.
Now that I know the location, there’s no reason not to go.
“He did say their doors were always open. So there’s no issue, is there?”
I don’t care if they’re plotting something; in fact, I’d prefer it. If they’ve gone through the trouble of setting a trap, it likely means there’s valuable treasure—the truth about the new elixir—worth protecting.
Even if their information is intended to mislead or trap me, I’ll find a way to uncover it. My insatiable curiosity demands nothing less!
“Let’s go, Otokai . How about a covert research institute tour for our next adventure?”
First, I’ll head back to the clinic to change into my formal attire.
If I’m visiting a research institute, a lab coat is a must.
