Character Story 3: Entrusted with High Status

Scene: In front of the imperial palace.

Kyaru
Sigh... This isn't going well at all.

Kyaru
The real objective is keeping track of Tiana... No -- Pecorine. If the order came down, I'd send monsters to take care of them all.

Kyaru
But right now, my assignment is to keep observing them. Am I really that bad at tailing people?

Kyaru
Not only do I always get found out so easily... But now, somehow, I've ended up spending every day and every night having meals with them.

Kyaru
No, no, but this is also a part of the plan.

Kyaru
If I become close with them, I can get even more information than I would from afar. Let's think positive -- this isn't a mistake at all.

Kyaru
But, well.... I'm not sure that Her Highness would take this as an explanation. Maybe I won't tell her about this just yet.

Kyaru
You never know when you might step on a land mine with Her Highness... Sometimes she just suddenly becomes angry...

Kyaru
Thinking about it, I'm also a little like that. It makes me wonder if we're related.

Kyaru
I've got to be careful... If I accidentally incur her wrath, she'll call me useless and toss me aside.

Kyaru
I have to carry all my duties out every time. If I get close to that group, I'll get the information that Her Highness wants, and things will turn out well.

Kyaru
And in that case, I'll pass without any problems! No matter what the situation, results are the most important thing! Right!

Royal Knight
He's running that way! Arrest him!

Kyaru
Eep...? W=What? What are you talking about?

Royal Knight
Ah, Lady Kyaru, good work! Did you see anybody running that way? We saw a suspicious person loitering around the palace grounds!

Kyaru
Ah, no, sorry... I've only just come out of the palace, so I don't know. Wouldn't he have already gotten past here and run off?

Royal Knight
You may be right... Understood. If you see anybody like this suspicious person, shout it out at once! We'll come to apprehend him immediately!

Kyaru
Ah, yes, all right! Thanks for your hard work...?

Kyaru
......

Kyaru
Hey, you? Those guys are gone, now, see? You can come out now.

Kyaru
Sigh... It was you after all. I covered for you, but what are you even doing here? Don't you realize how suspicious you look, hiding in the bushes like that?

Yuuki
1. "I was on a walk."
2. "What are you doing, Kyaru?"

Option 1.

Kyaru
Sigh... How about you pick a better place to walk next time. This is the national seat of government -- the imperial palace. Security is really tight here.

Kyaru
If you just loiter around here like before, you'll be arrested by someone like that... Someone from the guild, Nightmare, that manages the palace's security.

Option 2.

Kyaru
On a first-name basis already? You sure are casual about it... ^[1] Not that I really care.

End of branches.

Kyaru
Well, whatever. First off, let's not stand around here and talk. I should first get you out of here.

Kyaru
Here, come with me. I know some routes to and from the palace where nobody can see you. Don't dawdle.

Kyaru
Act like you're my servant. Only nobles are supposed to be allowed in the palace grounds.

Kyaru
If you follow this narrow path, you'll come out the other end on one of Landsol's streets. I'll take you that far. Honestly... You shouldn't have to rely on me for everything.

Kyaru
If you had been discovered by one of Nightmare's members, you would be in real trouble. Though, if that were to happen, I could use my position to get you released.

Kyaru
Even though Nightmare is said to be under the direct control of the imperial palace, recently, their loyalty to the palace has been wearing thin. In truth, they've become more of a band of rogues and hoodlums.

Kyaru
If they catch you, they'll do terrible things to you. So be careful.

Kyaru
What, you're worried about me? Disputes like these that happen around the workplace are just a minor annoyance to me.

Kyaru
Right, I serve in this palace. You might even say that I have a court rank.

Kyaru
So I can enter the palace grounds. It's like I'm an aristocrat. Be envious, O commoner!

Kyaru
Well, in order for me to run errands for Her Highness, it's more convenient for me to be able to come and go freely. I wouldn't say that my status is fake, but it's pretty shallow.

Kyaru
W-Wait, I shouldn't be telling you this! What am I doing, just giving you all this information? This is totally the opposite of how it should be! Why can't I do this right?

Kyaru
... Huh? What are you doing? Could you not pat my head so casually?

Kyaru
'I don't really get it, but cheer up' ...? I'm not asking you to comfort me! And anyway, don't act so chummy with me.

Kyaru
If you get too close to me, you'll only end up hurt.

Kyaru
... Nothing, I'm just talking to myself.

Kyaru
More importantly, are you free after this? I just helped you out a lot, so you should return the favor with a meal. I'm in the mood to eat a lot of tasty food.

Kyaru
I couldn't do anything right today, and it ended up being a total waste. But if I have some nice food, I'll feel happy anyway, you know?