Nero's body tensed as he carefully stood up. With a slow movement, he turned toward the voice.
A young woman in a gold dress, wearing a hat of the same color, appeared before him.
"Guard, what are you doing with that mask?"
Nero nodded calmly, though inside he was unsettled.
"This mask is to hide a scar… it's personal." He ran a hand through his hair.
"I, like Miss Roxane, demand that you fetch me some hot tea. I'll be waiting behind that door."
She pointed to the door behind him.
Do guards really fetch tea for their superiors?
Maybe... In this house, authority didn't come from dignity, but from obedience.
Nero sighed, said nothing, and walked away.
He wandered through the mansion, slightly disoriented.
Spotting a woman who looked to be around thirty or thirty-five years old, he approached her. He softened his voice, though the mask still seemed to frighten her.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but could you tell me where the fresh tea is?"
I'm only doing this so I can stay close to Roxane…
"L-Left hallway. At the intersection, go down the stairs and turn right."
Nero nodded, thinking the house was absurdly large.
He walked down the long wooden hallway; it took him several minutes to reach the intersection.
Every hallway looked the same, as if the mansion was designed to confuse intruders.
He descended the stairs, an emerald carpet stretching beneath his feet, and turned right upon reaching the first floor.
"Hey, stop right there!" a boy's voice called out.
Nero turned to see a young man dressed in black, wearing a hat and holding a sharp white sword with a black tip.
"Identify yourself," the boy said respectfully.
"Tsk... I'm a friend of Roxane's. She asked me to bring her some hot tea, but… I thought someone else could get it for me."
God, I am a liar.
"I don't believe you," the boy said, suspicion in his eyes and his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Nero only had to glare at him to silence the young man.
The boy nodded, left, and returned a few minutes later with a tray holding two cups of tea.
The uniform gave him authority, even if the task was humiliating.
Nero took the tray and walked carefully. He retraced his steps to the tea room and knocked on the door.
Roxane opened the door with a wide smile.
"Two cups?" she asked.
I have an idea...
"Yes, miss. I want to share something important with you." Nero smiled mischievously.
Roxane invited him to sit in one of the plush chairs. There was a very modern table and a type of ceiling that matched the mansion.
They both sat down after Nero placed the tray on the table.
Roxane took the cup and drank a small amount of tea.
She began to savor it, and a radiant smile appeared on her face.
"Mmm... my favorite," she murmured happily.
Nero, having finalized his strategy, began to speak:
"Miss Roxane. I am someone sent by Lord Digadel Miltron to protect you."
Roxane raised an eyebrow and sighed in boredom.
"You? Tsk... you don't seem like someone powerful enough to protect me."
Nero remained silent for a second, letting the silence speak for itself.
In an artificially low and dangerous voice, he said:
"I may not seem like much… but people tend to underestimate how fast things can end."
Nero's expression remained serious, but inside he was dying of laughter.
She started laughing nervously, Roxane looked at Nero with something akin to fear or dread.
"W-What's your name?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Nero thought for about three seconds before answering.
"I don't have a name... you can call me 'Nameless,' if you like, miss."
"Nameless..." Roxane repeated.
"Listen, I have to go out and buy some clothes." Roxane seemed a little embarrassed.
She lowered her head and blushed slightly. "If you don't want the tea, can I drink it?"
They call her a tea fanatic...
"Of course, miss, no problem."
"Okay! Wait here for me, please." Roxane got up and ran off, stumbling several times.
A tired sigh escaped Nero's lips.
Work is work... he thought, bringing a hand to his face.
Nero waited for about 10 minutes, refining his plan and strategy.
"The carriage is ready, sir," said a guard who had appeared almost suddenly.
Sir... I like the sound of that.
...
Entrance of the Viligan mansion.
Nero was leaning against one of the walls, waiting for the carriage to arrive.
"What are you thinking about?" he heard Roxane's voice beside him.
Nero just shook his head.
They both heard two horses galloping toward the entrance.
"Finally," Roxane murmured.
A luxurious black carriage pulled up in front of them; it was clear that this type of carriage wasn't very fast.
The handler who broke the horses waved to them.
Roxane invited Nero to get in.
He walked somewhat timidly and entered the carriage. He helped poor Roxane in, as her dress was very tight.
Once inside, Nero felt like he was in paradise.
The cushions were comfortable, and the air was mild and calm.
The two sat side by side.
Nero closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he saw the same guard he had encountered earlier.
The carriage began to move toward the buying and selling area in the western part of town.
"Roxane, why do they still use horse-drawn carriages and not one with a motor?"
That question had been on Nero's mind for some time...
"Appearances," Roxane said, leaning back in her seat. "Appearances, along with information, are paramount among the nobility."
"Horse-drawn carriages are clearly more like carriages than motorized ones, Nameless."
Nero could only nod and gaze at the scenery through the window.
I can't get attached to her... my mission is to uncover her deepest secrets.
They were almost there; Nero could already see the beautiful shops.
Nero glanced over at Roxane, who was half asleep.
For a moment, as he looked at Roxane, he forgot why he was there.
Nero tensed suddenly.
In an instant, all his muscles activated, his senses sharpened, and he involuntarily activated Zero Stage.
He felt like he could see time half as fast.
Bang!
A bullet was headed for Roxane.
Nero could see the bullet whizz past, the confusion on the guard's face and the boredom on Roxane's face shifting to absolute horror.
Nero managed to push Roxane out of the way just in time, causing the bullet to only graze her shoulder.
I'm sorry, but this is the only way I can save you.
A scream of pure pain came from Roxane, followed by sobs.
"Nameless, help me!" Roxane screamed again with barely contained pain.
Two more shots rang out without pause, this time hitting the horses.
The horses fell to the ground, causing the carriage to crash to the ground with a thud.
The carriage rolled about two meters from the road.
Nero felt his head hit a seat. The guard was hit hard, lying unconscious and bleeding.
Roxane was struck in the stomach by the guard's sword sheath.
"My baby! My baby!"
Nero could only see black...