Candlelight, Rabbits, and a Banquet · Chapter 9
On the Brink
Annah
So... could you tell me why you were causing a disturbance in front of this shop?
Asherah
This shop is... uh... well...
Luna
This shop was up to something it shouldn't have been!
Smile
Taboo. Forbidden. Line crossed.
Annah
Something it should not have been doing?
Luna
That's right! Did you know about this, town guard?
Inside this shop...
There is a secret passage that leads further inside!
Annah
...!
I didn't know...
I had no idea at all!
Luna
Right?!
Annah
But building a secret passage inside a shop...
That doesn't really seem like something forbidden.
Luna
...Ah.
Asherah
R-right...?
Annah
It isn't illegal either.
Luna
Then how about this!
That secret passage leads to a secret casino!
Annah
...!
A... a secret casino! That is definitely...!
Luna
Definitely suspicious, right?!
Annah
That's quite an exciting location choice.
Luna
Huh.
Annah
Operating a casino isn't illegal in NOA.
Of course, an unlicensed private casino would be illegal...
...Is that so?
Luna
Uh... did they get a license...?
Asherah
It's a secret casino run by an underworld kingpin!
There's no way they got a license, right?
Annah
What's the name of the casino?
Asherah
[Deep Field]...
Annah
Deep Field, Deep Field...
Ah, here it is.
A members-only casino for nobles and the elite, built around a secret theme.
It's a fully licensed establishment.
Asherah
...
Why would an underworld boss bother getting a license?
Smile
...Limits of irrational logic encountered.
More exhausted than ever...
Luna
Tch... Then how about this!
Inside that secret casino beyond the passage...
My friend has been kidnapped and detained!
Annah
That's illegal!!
As soon as Annah finished speaking, she pulled out a pair of handcuffs and raised them into the air.
Annah
Reinforcements!!
At that signal, town guards appeared from somewhere and gathered around Annah.
Annah
Surround them!!
With a gesture pointing at the shop, the town guards immediately surrounded it.
Shop Owner
D-damn it! Things were just about to calm down...!
Don't let a single one of them get inside!
Guard
Y-yes, understood!
Annah
Ah! You have chosen to challenge public authority!
I had my doubts, but now I am certain.
Town Guard!
Move in!
Guard
Stop them!
Asherah
Is this... getting out of hand?
W-wait! Don't push! No, wait, maybe we can talk this out!
Luna
It's too late for that now!
Now's our chance! Let's get inside!
Asherah
Inside?
Smile
It's been two hours since the infiltration team entered.
Thirty minutes past the expected return time under normal conditions.
Luna
Something must have gone wrong, and they might not be able to contact us.
With the Town Guard here, this is actually a good opportunity!
Asherah
Hmm...!
All right, let's go in and bring them out ourselves!
Luna
Okay, into the shop!
Asherah
Hey! There's a door over there!
Luna
All right, let's move in through there.
Shop Owner
N-no! Damn it!
Headquarters! Headquarters! The gate is about to be breached!
Reinforcements! Send more reinforcements!
Luna
There are more reinforcements?
All right, I have an idea.
We wait here by the door and take them down one by one!
Smile
Agreed. A rational tactic.
Asherah
...! I hear footsteps coming up the stairs!
Luna
They're coming! Move, Asherah!
Asherah
Luna, wait!
Luna
Here I go! Take this!
...Ah.
Luna
...Oh.
Asherah
Umm...
C-Captain...?
Smile
...Luna's full swing landed squarely on his head.
We... are back...
Claire
Captain!?
Bell
Wh-what the? What's going on here?
Luna
...
Smile
...Luna, hiding the weapon behind you is pointless.
Luna
Shh!
Smile
If a witness is needed, please contact me.
After a moment of chaos, things settled down.
Since the supposedly kidnapped person walked out unharmed, both Deep Field's security and the Town Guard agreed to stand down without further conflict.
Judging that staying would result in being held responsible for causing the disturbance, Luna quickly decided we should all head back to Candle Square.
Lisa
Goodness, is everyone all right?
We heard there was a disturbance in the city and came as quickly as we could.
Asherah
Haha... Things were a bit chaotic...
But... I suppose it was resolved well enough.
Lisa
Hmm, everyone seems all right, which is a relief...
But we will likely need to report what happened to NOA later.
And as for Claire and Scarlet...
You are... unharmed, correct?
Claire
...We're fine.
Lisa
But the outfits...
Claire
...We are fine!
I'm not sure this counts as a clean resolution...
But since Ms. Bell returned safely, it is safe to say the matter has been settled for now.
Scarlet
This is all your fault! Hurry up and bow and apologize!
Bell
I...
I'm sorry...
Scarlet
Louder!
Bell
...I'm sorry.
Claire
To think Ms. Bell would say she's sorry...
It seems she's aware that she caused quite a serious incident.
Asherah
It's fine, it's fine. I'm just glad nothing bad happened.
Luna
Hmm, so in the end, it was all a misunderstanding and a mix-up?
It still feels like something's still unresolved...
Bell
...
Luna
Well, it's fine!
At least we discovered the location of that secret casino!
Smile
Forgetting that it is a members only establishment would be unwise.
Also, there's a 97.5% chance they'll move the entrance after this.
Luna
Seriously, Smile, way to kill the vibe.
Smile
Mmph, mmph!
Claire
In any case, it is all thanks to everyone here.
The Voyager Savior Party, and Captain.
On behalf of everyone at Candle Square, thank you.
We are the ones who are always indebted.
I am glad we could help.
Claire
Of course.
By the way, regarding the Captain's welcome banquet...
We should discuss when to reschedule it—
Luna
Why not just do it now?
Claire
...Now?
Luna
Yeah, everyone's already here!
Asherah
Ah, now that you mention it.
...Everyone?
Scarlet
Lisa is here too, perfect!
Claire
I suppose so. However, the commemorative cake has not been prepared.
We don't need a cake.
How about a meal instead?
Claire
The meal's no problem. We can have it ready in about 30 minutes.
Asherah
I wasn't even thinking about it...
But now I'm suddenly starving.
Luna
Me too!
Smile
Agreed.
At that moment, I suddenly had an idea.
Since everyone seems hungry...
Let's just do it now while we're at it.
Claire
Understood.
Since it's your welcome banquet, we'll follow your lead, Captain.
Then Scarlet and I will get changed—
W-wow, I'm starving!
I want to eat as soon as possible!
Luna
...
...Ahem☆
I see... that's it, Captain!
All right! I'll help too!
Asherah
Huh? H-help with what?
Luna
Wow! I am really hungry. Really hungry!
Claire, can you hurry it up? Please?
Claire
W-wait, we need to change first...
Luna
It's fine! I'll help with the meal prep!
Where was the kitchen again? Here? Or over there?
Claire
Ah, it's over there... Luna! Wait! Let's go together!
Not giving them a chance to change, Luna dragged Claire and Scarlet out, then glanced back and gave me a firm nod.
I nodded back at Luna...
Expressing my deep gratitude.
Story and illustrations © Studio B-Side. An unofficial reading archive — for questions or requests, see the About page.