﻿\setgamedatatitle("Sapphire_03")

\text
Sapphire was taken in by the Demon Lord's army, and several
days passed.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire was hired as a servant, taking care of Caym's daily
needs.
\endtext

\text
Today, as always, Sapphire gathered up the clothes Caym had
tossed aside and put them in the laundry basket.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
I never thought the day would come when I'd be doing
laundry.
\endtext

\text
With a slight sigh, Sapphire grumbled.
\endtext

\text
Caym wasn't here at the moment.
\endtext

\text
He'd just said he was going to see Tiela and left, with
Sapphire seeing him off.
\endtext

\text("Fio")
Honestly, I'm more surprised you can do cleaning, laundry,
and even cook.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Well, it's just an old skill I picked up. Back when I was at
the brothel, they drilled everything into us, from manners
to every little thing.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
At the time, I didn't really get why I had to learn all
that...
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
But thanks to that, it's helped me deal with nobles, so you
never know what'll come in handy in this world.

\endtext

\text("Fio")
But the important part is, he still hasn't laid a hand on
you. Maybe he doesn't even see you as a woman?

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Ugh... shut up. He probably just had other plans, that's
all.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Even today, he promised ages ago to go see the former queen.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Besides, I could tell by his eyes―he was definitely eyeing
me up.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire remembers the first time he met Caym.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
(That's right. Back then, he was totally eyeing up my body.)

\endtext

\text("Fio")
Still, if he hasn't touched you, you can't use your usual
tricks.
\endtext

\text("Fio")
So, are you gonna use that other method?
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
...Well, that's why I had them gather people for me.

\endtext

\text
After picking up the clothes, Sapphire changes the sheets on
the bed.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
There was a woman here again last night.
\endtext

\text
There are stains here and there on the sheets.
\endtext

\text
Looking at those marks―evidence of a wild night―Sapphire
doesn't even bat an eye.
\endtext

\text
If it were Risbell, she'd probably be blushing and flustered
right now.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Still, every single night it's a different woman. He really
goes at it.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
At this point, he's just a total sex maniac. Seriously, what
an idiot.
\endtext

\text("Fio")
What, are you pissed because the guy everyone's talking
about won't give you the time of day?
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
That's not it. Actually, after seeing the city
post-occupation, I started to think a little better of Caym.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
There's no looting, women aren't being sold off. The poor
get food rations, and life is actually getting easier for
people.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
But in reality... all that stuff is just being done on the
orders of Caym's strategist, that woman Risbell, right?

\endtext

\text("Fio")
Yeah, seems like it.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
The Caym everyone talks about just holes up with a different
woman every day, playing around. That's all he does.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
I'm so disillusioned. Well... maybe that's just how
so-called heroes really are.

\endtext

\text
After changing the sheets, Sapphire let out a big sigh.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
So, tonight's the night. I'm doing it.
\endtext

\text("Fio")
You're really going to kill him?
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
I've lost all interest. Once I'm done observing, I'll just
kill him like always.

\endtext

\text
His expression was as emotionless as if he were talking
about tomorrow's weather.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire picked up the laundry basket and left the room.
\endtext

\text
....................
\endtext

\text
............
\endtext

\text
That night.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire slipped past the guards and brought assassins into
the labyrinth.
\endtext

\text
Even a labyrinth famed for its unparalleled security is easy
to infiltrate if you have an insider helping you.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
(I'll check inside. You guys wait outside the room.)

\endtext

\text
Sapphire used hand signals common among assassins to give
instructions to his comrades.
\endtext

\text
Without a sound, Sapphire unlocked the door and entered the
room.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
...Zzz, zzz...
\endtext

\text
There was Demon Lord Caym, sprawled out on the bed.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
(He's alone tonight, for once. If there'd been a woman here,
I'd have had to kill her too, so this is easier.)

\endtext

\text
Like a cat, Sapphire silenced his footsteps and approached
the bed.
\endtext

\text
Then, he looked down at him.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
(...He's sleeping soundly. I bet no one's ever gotten this
far in before. He probably never even considered it could
happen.)
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
(And what a stupid sleeping face. I probably don't even need
to use my men for this.)
\endtext

\text
Sapphire reached for the dagger at his waist.

\endtext

\text
At that moment.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
...Hm?
\endtext

\text
Caym woke up.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
(Finally awake? But it's already too late.)
\endtext

\text("Caym")
You... Sapphire? What are you doing here?

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Well, you see―
\endtext

\text
Sapphire tried to draw his dagger.
\endtext

\text
But Caym moved even faster.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Who the hell are you people?!
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Huh?
\endtext

\text
Caym shot up and pulled Sapphire close.

\endtext

\text
Then, grabbing the sword at his side, he drew it and pointed
the tip at the figures standing by the door.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Sapphire, hide!
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Kya!
\endtext

\text
He shoved Sapphire toward the bed and spread his arms to
protect her.
\endtext

\text
The assassins lunged at Caym.
\endtext

\text("Assassin A")
Haa!
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Kuh!
\endtext

\text
Caym knocked aside the dagger with his sword.
\endtext

\text("Assassin B")
Overwhelm him with numbers. He shouldn't be used to handling
a sword.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Ngh, damn... I don't have time to use magic...
\endtext

\text
Caym deflected and dodged the skilled blades with sword and
martial arts.
\endtext

\text
But he was outnumbered.
\endtext

\text
Though he avoided fatal wounds, more and more cuts appeared
on his body as time passed.

\endtext

\text
Caym's special ability, 'Mana Monopolization,' only shows
its true power in one-on-one combat.
\endtext

\text
Because of that, it's hard to activate in a situation like
this, facing multiple opponents at once.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Huff, huff... Those outfits... Vexation assassins, huh? I'm
impressed you made it this far in.

\endtext

\text
Caym, out of breath, saw through the assassins' identities.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
But my head... I won't let anyone take it yet. There's
still―gah... still things I have to do...

\endtext

\text("Caym")
L-listen, Sapphire. Don't you dare come out from there.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
It's okay. I swear... I'll protect you... no matter what...

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
...
\endtext

\text
Maybe from blood loss, Caym gripped his sword with trembling
arms.
\endtext

\text
He didn't suspect for a second that the one he was trying to
protect was actually after his life.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Guh, aaaaagh!! What's wrong?! Is that all you've got? You
can't take me down with that!!

\endtext

\text("Assassin B")
...This bastard's tough.
\endtext

\text("Assassin A")
Well, he is the commander, even if he's seen better days.
\endtext

\text
A minute had passed since the swordfight began.
\endtext

\text
From beyond the door, multiple footsteps and voices could be
heard.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Heh heh heh, too bad, time's up. If you don't run now, my
men will be swarming in here any second.

\endtext

\text("Assassin B")
...This is bad.
\endtext

\text("Assassin A")
What are you doing? Kill him, now!

\endtext

\text
One of the assassins shouted that.
\endtext

\text
To Caym, it probably sounded like a command to the fellow
assassin beside him.
\endtext

\text
But... there was one more assassin.
\endtext

\text
Right behind Caym.
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Yeah, I know. You don't have to tell me.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire stood up and, in a single leap, closed in behind
Caym.
\endtext

\text
The perfect killing range.
\endtext

\text
No matter how skilled you are, you can't block the next
strike.
\endtext

\text
With Caym's lack of swordsmanship, there was no way he could
dodge it.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
W-what?
\endtext

\text
Caym turned around.
\endtext

\text
For just a moment, Caym and Sapphire's eyes met.

\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Well, that's how it is.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire spoke with boredom, and at the same time, stabbed
Caym in the stomach as he turned.
\endtext

\text
The sharp dagger plunged into Caym's unguarded belly,
drawing blood.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Ngh, ah...
\endtext

\text("Sapphire")
Well then, goodbye... hero.
\endtext

\text
Caym collapsed to his knees.
\endtext

\text
The strength left his hands, and his sword clattered to the
floor.
\endtext

\text
Sapphire glanced back once at Caym, who had fallen into a
pool of blood, but quickly fled the room with his comrades.

\endtext

\text
A few seconds later.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Caym-sama!?
\endtext

\text
Risbell burst into the bedroom with soldiers in tow, just as
the others left.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
O-oh... Risbell, is that you...?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Please don't move!! Y-your stomach... a dagger? How did this
happen, w-who could have done this!?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
To think... I let my guard down... I got taken out.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Never thought Sapphire would be part of the assassins...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Sapphire!? The boy you brought here, Caym-sama?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
It seems... he helped the assassins from the inside... Haha,
they say every beautiful flower has its thorns...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
The wound is too deep... but... it missed the vital organs?
I-I think we can manage...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Excuse me! Someone, go get Tiela-san right away!!

\endtext

\text
Risbell gave the order to her subordinates, then began
chanting a spell to stop the bleeding herself.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
If Tiela-san and I treat you right away, there's still... a
chance.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Come to think of it, you're not as prickly as usual.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...I could just let you die right here, you know.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Actually, could you please be quiet for a bit!? Caym-sama,
you're about to die, you know that!? Do you get it!?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Heh, so the thorns are still there. S-such a cute one... you
are...
\endtext

\text
Caym said that with a laugh, then slumped backward, his head
drooping.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
He's not... dead. Good, just keep quiet like that.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Honestly, geez... You always make me worry so much!

\endtext

\text
After that, Caym received devoted treatment from Risbell and
Tiela, and somehow managed to survive.

\endtext

\text
From that day on, security inside the labyrinth was further
strengthened.
\endtext