Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"Sealing Designation" is a "special honor" that can only be enjoyed by magicians recognized by the Magic Association as having extremely rare talents.

In order to preserve that miracle forever, the hunting dogs responsible for capturing them are a group of people known as the "Executors".

“The designated executor of the seal…you?” Shirou frowned.

“What, is that not allowed?” Natalia retorted.

Shirou said, "You don't seem like the type to be content with your job."

"Ha! You're quite perceptive indeed."

Natalia took a pleasant drag of her cigarette: "I'm not actually affiliated with the Mage's Association, it's just for convenience..."

Or perhaps it's to save face for the Clock Tower that they operate under the grand title of "sealing the designated executor."

Shirou said thoughtfully, "So that's how it is."

This guy is a member of Lion's Robbery's gang, a bounty hunter who does business with the association.

Unlike Lionclaw, who would do anything for a living and seek death on the battlefield, Natalia was motivated by reward.

Her real method of operation is probably to snatch her prey before the association's dedicated executors and then resell them at a high price.

Despite bearing the prestigious title of "Designated Seal Executor," genuine designated seals are extremely rare, and an executor might only have one such opportunity once every ten years.

Moreover, freelance magicians who accept outsourcing jobs and want to make a living from this are, in fact, just unorthodox magicians who have escaped the norms of magic.

"...They actually said I was just an outsourced executor?"

Natalia muttered irritably, "It's not your place to talk, you part-time agent! Kid, you should focus on your studies!"

Nearly 10,000 kilometers away from their hometown, a migrant worker "agent" and an outsourced "executor" have a wonderful encounter.

This was a bizarre experience that Shirou would never have during a school session, he thought.

The two then chatted for a while longer.

"Since you're the designated executor of the seal, you must be very strong, right?"

Shirou asked curiously, "After all, aren't all the sealing targets dangerous guys like Aozaki Touko?"

He would rather fight those beings called the "Twenty-Seven Ancestors" than make an enemy of Orange, no matter how much money he was offered.

"No, I'm far inferior to the strongest among the Executors."

Natalia took a drag of her cigarette and said, "Those Gods Holders who have honed both physical skills and magic to the extreme, those are the real monsters."

"Mmm...mmm...ah, I slept so well..."

A cute, girlish voice, as if she were being coquettish, came from the side—Karen had finally woken up.

She first looked around sleepily, then was surprised to find that she was only wearing underwear.

"!!"

Kallen Asashirou gave him a look as if he were trash: "So you've finally set your sights on minors, you lustful demon."

Why do you think I attacked you?

So what's the situation now?

Karen watched the other person in the room warily—Natalia was also observing her with great interest:

Kids these days are so calm. Can they stay composed even if they're kidnapped?

Shirou thought it would be too troublesome to explain from the beginning, so he simply said, "She is Natalia Kaminski."

Just as Shirou had expected, the clever and capable Kallen immediately understood the situation as soon as she mentioned the other person's name.

This also shows that Natalia Kaminski is indeed a very famous figure in the industry, and her fame has even reached the ears of the church.

“Why did you attack us, Natalia?” Karen demanded.

The female hunter innocently raised her hands: "This is a misunderstanding. You trespassed on my territory. I thought you were spies sent by the enemy."

Natalia appears to have been posing as the hotel owner here for over a week.

"You think putting drugs in someone else's tea is your method of self-defense?"

Karen's attitude was aggressive.

Although she didn't show it, she must have been furious about being drugged while on a mission.

Unlike Shirou, who willingly offered himself up to lure the enemy, Kallen simply fell into someone else's trap due to a lack of vigilance.

If Natalia were an enemy and Shirou wasn't with her, she would probably be in grave danger by now.

"This situation is indeed quite special..."

Natalia shrugged.

"How about this, as an apology, let me share information with you and get through this difficult time together."

Karen frowned suspiciously and asked, "You want to cooperate with us?"

Natalia glanced at Shirou, then nodded.

In principle, this battle-hardened huntress would not cooperate with someone she had just met.

The current situation is serious, and Shirou has indeed piqued her interest.

"I refuse! We will not cooperate with you!"

Karen rejected Natalia's overtures without hesitation.

"May I ask why? Is it because you feel that the freelance magician cannot be trusted?"

Karen replied matter-of-factly, "Of course it's because I want to keep all the bounty for myself... cough, cough cough, that's right, I just can't trust you, Natalia."

Od Bolzac's head is valuable, and she has no intention of sharing it with the magician.

The confidence that supports the girl's idea stems from her absolute trust in Shirou's abilities.

Kallen moved closer to Shirou, a smirk playing on her lips, and said, "My companions are the strongest, you know. They don't need the help of a dubious magician."

"Why are you so proud?" Shirou wondered.

Natalia was also aware that although the red-haired boy was young, his strength was extraordinary.

She blinked: "But... this isn't a place where you get to call the shots, is it?"

"Ugh...!"

Karen looked embarrassed.

Normally, the decision-making power for Shirou and Kallen's partnership is made by her as the logistics person, but once they enter the battlefield, the decision-making power automatically shifts to Shirou.

Natalia stared at the red-haired boy's face and asked, "Kid, what are you thinking? Do you want to cooperate with me?"

I admit you're strong, but this world isn't a place where strength alone can get you anywhere... You should understand that very well.

"..."

Shirou didn't think for long before giving his answer: "Natalia, I don't plan to cooperate with you for the time being."

"Shirou???"

Karen wore a victor's expression.

Natalia subtly curled the corners of her lips: "...For now?"

And so it happened—the negotiations broke down, and they went their separate ways.

Shirou and Karen retrieved their clothes and weapons that had been taken from them while they were unconscious, and were then roughly kicked out of the inn.

When the two returned to the street, it was already 10 p.m.

For small towns far from big cities, it was already the dead of night, and all was quiet.

"There's a hotel over there, let's settle down there for tonight."

Shirou nodded and followed Karen toward another inn in town.

As Shirou walked through the deserted streets, he noticed several pairs of eyes staring at him.

There was no murderous intent, but he was observing.

As Karen walked, she said, "I still don't understand how that magician managed to make us fall into a deep sleep."

It's not surprising that she would have this thought.

Although he's only half-baked, he's still a reserve for the role of the agent.

Karen also underwent rigorous training and practice, which can be described as asceticism, and she was particularly adept at guarding against suggestive magic or drugs.

No matter how skilled a magician is, it's impossible to drug her so easily.

"Oh, I didn't know that..."

"Do not know what is this?"

Shirou glanced back at the hunters' hideout shrouded in night fog and said:

“That woman… Natalia is a descendant of a succubus and a human.”

……

……

Natalia: "Hey kid... when did you realize I wasn't a resident of this town?"

Shirou: "From the very beginning."

Natalia: "From the very beginning?"

The female hunter opened her mouth slightly in surprise, and the boy nodded.

"I could tell something was off about you at first glance. You have a similar aura to someone I know."

Hearing him say that, Natalia asked with great interest, "Hmm~ Let me guess, that person...could it be your master?"

"Well, more or less..."

Shirou replied casually, "She is—a woman who is both my teacher and, in a way, my mother."

……

……

Shirou and Karen entered the inn, and the owner behind the counter gave them a cursory glance.

We need to stay at a hotel.

"Eighty euros a night."

"Forty euros is already a lot."

"Eighty euros a night."

"Do not make jokes!"

Just as Karen excitedly rolled up her sleeves, about to argue with the other party—

"Give him the money quickly," Shirou said, looking towards the inn's entrance.

Karen wore a mournful expression as if it were the end of the world, and took out banknotes from her wallet.

"Is one room enough?" the hotel owner asked.

"Otherwise what? Can't you tell we're a couple?" Karen said through gritted teeth.

The room was located at the very back of the second floor, with a dilapidated door.

"Why would we need a key?"

Karen muttered as she opened the door.

The environment inside was terrible, covered in thick dust, but the girl was no longer in the mood to complain.

"Shirou, what should we do? Do we really have to stay at an inn?"

"If the people in town allow it."

With that, Shirou began to perform projection magic.

While one needs to be discreet in the city, there's no such concern in a small town late at night—Shirou directly projected "Chaos Blade".

"Is it really necessary to bring out something so dangerous?" Karen asked, looking troubled.