Candlelight, Rabbits, and a Banquet · Chapter 2
Emergency Code
???
...Hey.
Hey, courier!
Vera
H-huh? Were you calling me?
Bell
Shh! Don't answer while looking this way!
...No questions... Just deliver this to Candle Square.
Express delivery, on the double!
Guard Captain
Hey, what do you think you're doing?
Stop messing around and follow quietly.
Otherwise... you'll regret it.
Bell
Messing around? I don't know what you mean.
I was actually curious who your boss is anyway.
Hurry up and lead the way.
Vera
...Ah.
...They're gone.
Something tells me I just got mixed up in something dangerous...
Hmm...! F-first, I should focus on completing the delivery I was entrusted with!
[Code 35. Deep Field. Bell]
The note Claire passed to me contained only three words.
What is Code 35? And Deep Field?
Claire
*...Sigh*
We did not want to burden you with unnecessary concerns on a day meant to welcome you, Captain...
But since you already know, we'll explain.
First, [Code 35]... It is an emergency code used when something urgent occurs at Candle Square.
It means that the person who sent the message is currently in danger.
So you're saying Bell's in danger right now?
Claire
Considering the testimony from Ms. Vera who delivered the note, that is highly likely.
We can't say for certain, but it wouldn't be inappropriate to describe it as a kidnapping.
A kidnapping?
Claire
More importantly, Ms. Bell is...
...
...Not that I can call her a diligent maid!
But she's not someone who'd send something like this as a joke.
Scarlet
...Wh-what! Why are you looking at me?
I've never sent Code 35 as a joke either!
Claire
You did send Codes 28 and 16.
Scarlet
Uh... Uhh... I did apologize for those...
...I was curious what Codes 28 and 16 meant, but now was not the time.
Then... what is Deep Field?
Claire
That... is something I have only heard about through rumors.
Club Deep Field.
A secret social club run strictly on a members-only basis for NOA's wealthy and elite.
Claire
The club runs various businesses...
But according to what we confirmed from the courier, the place where Bell disappeared was the casino sector.
Luna
Wait! Hold on! A casino?!
That's impossible. There are no casinos in NOA that I don't know about!
Don't take pride in something so pointless...
Claire
As I mentioned earlier, it's operated strictly on a members-only basis.
There were only rumors that such a place existed... It is not common knowledge.
Only those with an official invitation from Deep Field can enter.
How do you know so much, Claire?
Claire
We dispatched Emily to gather more information.
Scarlet
Emily is quite skilled at infiltration, you see. Hmm!
Claire
In less than an hour, she reported back with the location and internal goings on of the Deep Field casino.
She said the entrance is disguised as a general goods stall in an alley in the city.
The actual facility appears to be underground, accessible through the shop.
That's... impressive.
Claire
We could report this to the Town Guard of the Public Security...
But considering the reputation of Deep Field, there's no guarantee they would act on it.
Since we received Code 35, we judged that entering ourselves would be the fastest option.
Scarlet
So! We're currently preparing to rescue Bell!
According to Emily's intel, we need to wear outfits like these to infiltrate without arousing any suspicion.
I don't understand human tastes...
But judging by your reaction, it seems it was a good choice!
...I'm saying anything.
I am certain that one wrong answer here would send my social standing into a freefall.
Claire
I'm not exactly thrilled either, but we have no choice. It's an emergency...
Still, this should be sufficient for infiltration—
Luna
No, no, that is not it.
Claire
Luna?
Luna
Claire, Scarlet, both of you...
You're not real [bunny girls] yet!
What do you mean?
Luna
Look at Claire's stiff posture!
What kind of bunny girl stands like that?
Claire
Th-that's...! W-we haven't infiltrated yet!
And proper posture and composure are basic virtues of a Candle Square maid...
Luna
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
At this rate, you'll just stand there stiffly inside too.
Claire
Th-that...
Eek?!
Luna
Chest out!
Twist your waist like this!
Relax your legs and form a curve!
Claire
L-Luna? If you touch me there...
Aagh!
Luna
Still not enough! Come stand next to the Captain.
Like this, lean in a bit more! Closer to the Captain!
Luna
Wrap your legs around him like this...
As Luna's coaching continues, Claire gradually wraps herself around me.
If I turn my head even slightly, I can feel Claire's warm breath right next to me.
Claire
I-I don't think I can walk in this position...
Luna
It's about mindset.
If your body and mind are not perfectly that of a bunny girl, you'll be exposed immediately.
Asherah
Ugh...!
Smile
Asherah, your expression is stiff.
Luna
And Scarlet!
Scarlet
M-me...?
Luna
Yes. If Claire's problem is being too stiff, yours is being too spirited!
It's like dressing a mischievous little boy in a bunny outfit...
You should go for something cuter instead.
Scarlet
Wh-what?! Wh-what!
Luna
Now raise your hands above your head, shift your hips to the side...
Bunny bunny bunny bunny...
Scarlet
B-bunny bunny?
Bunny...
...Th-this is kind of embarrassing!
Why must a Dragon like me imitate a rabbit...
Eek!
Luna
It would be better to turn your tail this way a bit more...
Hm? What's wrong, Scarlet?
Scarlet
M-my tail... don't touch my tail so carelessly... Eek!
Luna
Ah, perfect! That's it, Scarlet! That mix of cuteness and embarrassment!
Hold that face and come stand next to the Captain as well...
Luna
Hmm! Now this is presentable.
Asherah
Ughhh...!!!
Smile
Asherah, your expression...
Asherah
Excuse me! Do you happen to have one more bunny outfit?
Claire
We do not!
Phew... Luna. Thank you for everything.
Now that we have perfected the mindset of a bunny girl, we will depart.
We will inform you of the rescheduled welcome banquet once the situation is resolved...
...Yes?
Y-you want to come with us?
That won't be necessary. This is Candle Square's responsibility...
Asherah
We feel the same as the Captain.
Candle Square has always helped us a lot.
Luna
Right. If we leave the Captain surrounded by bunny girls, Asherah won't be able to sleep tonight.
Asherah
I-it's not like that!
Luna
And you might need my coaching again like earlier.
Smile
Agreed. This cat can lend a paw.
With a member of Candle Square potentially in danger, we can't simply say good luck and walk away.
Everyone gathered here expressed their resolve as one.
Scarlet
Claire, did you not just mutter will we be okay on our own earlier!
Claire
Th-that was...
...
*Sigh* Then I suppose we will have to impose on you.
Since we don't know the identity or motive of the enemy, you'll surely be a great help if any unexpected situations arise.
All right, it's settled then?
Well then... let's go!
We ducked into an alley one block away from the general goods stall and held our final strategy briefing.
Claire
Then, as we discussed earlier...
Asherah, Luna, Smile. Please cause as much of a disturbance as possible.
Enough to draw out the guards or personnel.
I'll blend in as a club guest and join the infiltration team.
The setup is that Claire and Scarlet, dressed as bunny girls, will escort me as a guest.
...This should work. Probably.
Claire
The club guards can't possibly know the faces of every single member.
And even if... just in case something happens...
They wouldn't dare lay a hand on the Journey Captain backed by Alicia.
In other words, I'm essentially their insurance policy.
Claire
Please don't worry too much.
We at Candle Square will protect you so nothing like that happens.
It's okay. I'm glad I can help too.
Scarlet
We'll infiltrate through this manhole here!
Scarlet stomped on the manhole cover at her feet.
Scarlet
And now, Captain, change into this outfit!
The outfit Scarlet handed me was a black men's tailcoat.
The collar and sleeves were embroidered with overly flashy dragon patterns.
Scarlet
It looked too plain for party attire, so I decorated it myself!
Originally, true style would be to cover the entire outfit in these dragon patterns.
...No, this is more than enough.
I moved to a nearby alley and changed into the outfit.
Asherah
Wow, it really suits you! You look great, Captain!
Luna
Hahahaha! Strike a pose that matches the outfit, Captain!
Like this, with bunny girls on both sides.
Don't laugh!
Smile
A classic tailcoat boldly mismatched with flashy dragon embroidery.
Don't add this to your humor notebook!
After finishing the final preparations, we lifted the manhole cover.
Instead of a dark sewer, a ladder lined with dim lights stretched down underground.
It was a secret passage to the club.
All right, let's go!
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