Lynch suddenly felt that this world was not as wonderful as he had imagined. It was filled with suffering, pain, and danger lurking in every corner.
He was sitting on the sofa in the living room on the first floor. Mrs. Maggie, who had just returned from buying groceries, was busy in the kitchen, while little Martha had hidden back in her bedroom, leaving the living room to the three of them.
He had just invited Miss Valente into the room, and perhaps sensing some form of invisible pressure, Officer Natalie, who had been resting upstairs, had come down as well.
And so, a pair of sharp, upright eyes met a pair of gentle, tranquil, water-like pupils in the first-floor apartment.
It was a silent exchange, but in that moment, Lynch felt his scalp tingle. He had the illusion that over forty evil gods were holding hands and circling around him.
The funeral bell seemed to toll in his ears.
Neighbor, I offer my faith to you now. Can you guide me into the kingdom of the other shore to sleep? I am tired.
【Avoidance cannot solve problems, Lynch. And unfortunately, we usually only accept the faith of complete humanoid beings, not their scraps.】
Tch, why are you insulting someone to their face? What kind of ghosts have you seen in my memories?
Fortunately, the terrible things he had imagined did not happen. The two ladies politely introduced themselves to each other, then entered the living room, sat opposite each other on the sofa, and chatted happily.
No, it was not good at all. Something even more terrifying than he had imagined was already happening: the two ladies were actually chatting happily.
They tacitly began to share their recent experiences, leaving absolutely no room for technical adjustments for Lynch, who sat on the sofa between them. The seemingly ordinary words and gestures made Lynch feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.
"I see. Accompanying a companion to charge into a sleeping ancient city, facing an evil god head-on to protect a girl who was to become a sacrifice—this person is truly a model of courage and order. No wonder they suddenly left a letter and vanished, only to return with a broken leg. I thought you had gone off to do something unspeakable. This is a good deed, protecting order and the people; there is nothing to hide, is there, Lynch? Such things should be encouraged, heh heh heh."
Can't I do a good deed without leaving my name? And Natalie, the tone you are using does not sound encouraging at all! Also, why are you squinting your eyes into slits when you look at me? It reminds me of the look Lord Guan gave to those he deemed dead men walking. Look if you must, but why are you staring at my neck? I am cold.
"So that is how it is. Clearly just an ordinary person with no combat ability, yet you charged into the nest of the cold spiders without hesitation, blocking the way for a delicate lady and using your own body to endure the claws and fangs of the evil god. You are worthy of being a detective, your actions are so romantic. To sacrifice yourself for... a lady you had only known for a day, it is truly an admirable chivalric spirit, heh."
Hiss, Diana, what is wrong with you? Your smile is so standard, it looks like it was measured with a ruler. And you meant to say other women, didn't you? You changed your words on the spot. We are comrades-in-arms, a simple relationship between comrades, really! Believe me, you must have misunderstood.
"Truly moving deeds. To actually resort to self-mutilation to seize the final opportunity—we have faced so many crises together, yet I have never seen Lynch show such heroism. Right, Lynch? Hiding your virtues is not the behavior of a Lande gentleman. You should show them boldly. We are comrades who have bathed in blood together, and I will be proud of you."
No, do you have to touch your sword hilt whenever you are proud? What do you do when you are not proud? Do you just draw your sword and start hacking people? If you want to praise me, just do it, but why is your smile even more sinister than when you were hacking pirates earlier? Your so-called bathing in blood does not mean you were hacking me until I was covered in blood, does it? Didn't we just fight side-by-side? Aren't we comrades? Calm down.
"Indeed. To persist even after the corruption had already begun, connecting yourself to the corrupted person and using your own soul to awaken the victim—the detective truly has the air of an ancient sage. It is truly enviable; if only someone were so persistent and devoted to me as well, wouldn't you agree, detective?"
I will not say a word. That fan of yours is terrifying, and it has been pointed at my head the whole time! And you are still waving it? Are you carrying a real fan or a shotgun today? Tell me clearly, or I will perform the act of wetting my pants right here.
Stared at by two smiling ladies, one on each side, Lynch was on the verge of tears.
Boohoo, women are truly terrifying.
Having spent this time day and night with these two ladies, it would be a lie to say Lynch had no thoughts at all.
As an otaku, he was merely dull, not mentally deficient. During their daily interactions, he naturally sensed some very subtle changes, and as a man, he quite enjoyed the feeling.
It was not that he had not considered how to handle these happy troubles, but in some aspects, an otaku might be even less capable than a fool. After thinking it over, he could not come up with any result other than smiling foolishly. His final decision was to follow his own heart.
That is right, my heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror; everything I do is holy. This is a divine oracle approved by my neighbor.
【I am not, I did not, do not try to associate me with this. There were no scumbags in my previous church.】
In short, Lynch's decision was to do his own job. After all, this world looks glamorous on the surface, but in private, things like knights, noblewomen, wives, and mistresses are quite messy. His little affair was not worth making a fuss over. So, he would follow his heart, let nature take its course, and leave it to time to decide.
The problem was that this was far too natural, so natural that the butcher's knife was about to fall. Especially when those two gazes—different in meaning but equally sinister—shot onto his face at the same time, he instinctively covered his neck, as if seeing a familiar severed head beckoning to him from afar.
"Pfft."
As if by prior agreement, seeing Lynch covered in cold sweat, the two ladies simultaneously averted their gazes and shared a meaningful look, each smiling. Although the content of their conversation had not changed, Lynch could clearly feel that the hair-trigger atmosphere had quietly eased.
Phew, it seems I have survived. Lynch let out a long breath. These two girls still had some sense of proportion and had let him off for now. How things would go in the future was uncertain, but at least for now, his head would not have to part ways with his body.
Revealing a relieved smile, Lynch wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at the two ladies who were truly chatting happily. Just as he was about to say something, a click sounded as the bedroom door opened. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed doll, little Martha, ran out and came straight to Lynch.
"Uncle Lynch, Mommy says you should leave your underwear on the bed; she will take it to be washed before she goes back to her room tonight."
After speaking, the little one acted as if nothing was wrong, turned around, and trotted away.
Wait, how did your mother in the kitchen bypass us to notify you in the bedroom of such a thing? And why did you delete several keywords to make this sentence so ambiguous?
Before Lynch could react, swish—two gazes that had just eased up shot back onto his face simultaneously.
???
Damn it, you annoying brat! We have no grievances from the past and no enmity in the present, why are you trying to sabotage me?
No, the enmity is already deep as the sea. You just wait, your butt is going to be beaten to a pulp.
Blehhh.
The little one completely ignored Lynch's murderous glare, turned back to make a face, then happily closed the bedroom door, leaving a tiny eye peeking through the crack to watch the good show outside.
You just wait. I will introduce you to the Swelling Daughter later. You are two of a kind; you will surely have plenty to talk about.
"Heh, heh, heh. Um, let me explain... listen to me explain, things are not what you think."
"Detective, I heard that Princess Chloe has already sent the invitation for the night after tomorrow to you. For the sake of the plan, you must attend." Unfortunately, opportunities only come once, and once missed, they are lost forever. Someone had no intention of giving him a chance to explain, and with a reserved smile, she said, "It would be too risky to let you attend alone. Besides, according to etiquette, with your current status, you can bring a female companion. So, who do you intend to bring?"
"Indeed, Lynch. This concerns your life and safety, so think carefully before you decide."
Looking at the two faces, different in style but equally young and beautiful, and looking at the two meaningful smiles, the cold sweat that had just receded from Lynch broke out again.
Can I just not go? You two... hmm?
A flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind. Lynch's eyes lit up, and he slapped the table:
"I have it."
The two ladies leaned forward slightly, subconsciously.
"You both go together."
The two ladies—one holding her sword, the other holding her folding fan—moved with perfect synchronization.
"No, no, that is not what I meant. It is about the plan. No, I did not say you are not important. I meant the other important matter."
Lynch had already slapped himself dozens of times in his heart. After a few dry coughs, he lowered his voice and said:
"I have thought of a plan. We will do it like this... and like that..."
Rate on N.U.
