Manuke FPS

Chapter 74

There are only two escorts allowed in the Royal castle and the banquet

Duke Franklin Barga had said this. In other words, I and a woman would be escorting Lapritrica-sama.

Ive been waiting for you, Shaft-san. Ashley-san, hes the other escort. Shaft-san.

Lapitricia-sama introduced me to Ashley-san. I closed the parlors door behind me quietly. Somehow, I felt like escaping as I closed it. Ashley-san got up from her hair and walked towards me. The morning like caught the mithril chair and the ruby that hung around her neck in the morning light. And her hair swayed with each step she took.

I felt fascinated by her beauty from behind my mask, and I wasnt able to take a step; until she stood before my very eyes.

Nice to meet you, Im Ashley Zepanell. Ill be escorting her along with you for about a month. Lets get along, Shaft -?

Upon saying so, her head tilted sideways as she looked me in the eyes. Her expression changed in a flash. She was clearly doubting something, because she knitted her thin, even eyebrows.

Schwartz-san, what are you doing hiding yourself with a mask?

There was quite some distance from the parlors entrance and where Lapitricia-sama was. So even though Ashley-san said that with a loud voice, it seems that I didnt need to be concerned with Lapitrica-sama hearing it. Wait, thats not the problem here! Why was I found out?! I havent said anything yet! Im wearing the kevlar mask and had the zombie face below it! Ive never wore this kind of cloths in any combination before!

Im shaft. Did you perhaps confuse me with someone else?

For some reason, I also replied in a loud voice. I dont think my voice was shaking.

Ive heard that the other person whos to escort with me is the Black Masked Shaft. If you dont mind, would you please show me whats under the mask?

She said that, in an equally loud voice. Our distance closed as she brought her face closer and forcefully peered into my eyes, which were covered with the mask.

If I showed my face, shed have no choice but to see I was not Schwartz.

I put my hands on the mask, and slowly took it off. I could see Lapitricia-sama flinch slightly as I did so. Ashley-sans eyes didnt part from mine, even when I showed the zombie face.

Ahh, Schwartz, whats with this face

Ashley-san refused to avert her gaze from my face. But what showed in her eyes were tears which reflected the morning sun. Tears that looked like theyd overflow soon glitering

Her right hand approached my face, but didnt touch it. Though, I immediately understood that she avoided doing so because she was concerned and mustve thought, would it hurt if I touch it? 

I put my mask out and called out to the person behind Ashley-san.

Lapitricia-sama, would you mind waiting for little bit?

Eh? Ehm, I dont mind

I took Ashley-san lightly by her right hand, and took her out of the parlor. The guards who stood a bit away from the door shifted their attention to us. Suddenly appearing, they checked if everything was alright. I continued to pull Ashley-san and walked a bit down the passage. Taking her to a place were people wouldnt hear us.

Ashley-san, here should be fine, right?

Schwartz-san, whats the meaning of this?

Ill talk about the details later. To put it short, Im living a double life as both Schwartz and Shaft in various ways. As for now, Id appreciate it if you could address me as Shaft.

I couldnt say for sure if Ashley-san, who stared at me, truly understood what I was saying.

I understand. But is your face alright?

Dont worry, this is just a disguise. Theres nothing to be worried about.

Is that so- Im glad

Lets return, shall we? Lapitricia-sama is waiting for us, after all.

Have you two finished talking?

Im sorry to keep you waiting. Im glad to be Lapitricia-samas escort from here on.

I declared, but truthfully speaking, my heart wasnt in the situation. I wasnt sure how, but Ashley-san had figured out I was Schwartz with one look. I still didnt know where I was lacking that she could recognize me immediately; Ill ask her later. If my disguise could be revised, then I should do so.

After that, I must talk about Shaft to Ashley-san too. But thats the same as informing her about me as the Shaft that caused that commotion in the Royal Capital. And he was a murderer who slaughtered people there.

Given that, I felt that it would much harder to tell her about that than the power of VMB