It was too much.
Roland shook his head, pushing the distracting thoughts from his mind, and then looked at the mission request on the dining table.
"Subjugate dark guild members and protect the client on their way to the Royal Capital's merchant association?"
This type of mission, rather than subjugation... was more aptly called an escort request.
"How about it? I picked it out carefully!" Cana sat down beside him with ease and then wrapped her arm around his shoulder with a grin. "The person who posted this request is said to be the boss of a large Konzern. The reward is as high as three million seven hundred thousand!"
A reward of nearly four million was a lot for an escort-type mission—from this, it was clear that the identity and status of the target this time were not simple.
At the very least, they were an important figure in the Konzern.
"I have no problem with it, but I don't know..."
Roland slowly retracted his gaze, his expression feigning hesitation.
"Why are you making such a conflicted face? I didn't say you couldn't go on a mission with Cana, but—"
Halfway through her sentence, Levy's tone suddenly changed, and her eyes narrowed sharply.
"You must take me with you on this mission!"
There was no need to say more about this unfaithful guy Roland, but the main thing was that Cana also had a lot of goodwill toward him.
She had even issued a date invitation in a drunken state when they first met—the two of them teaming up for a mission, if something didn't happen, she absolutely wouldn't believe it.
Especially with the precedent of Mirajane before her.
Just three days, to be able to get Mirajane in such a short time... just how much charm does this guy have with women!
Levy couldn't help but grit her teeth secretly.
"Of course you can."
Cana didn't even think about it and nodded directly with a smile.
Right now, her mind was full of being promoted to an S-Class Mage, and then telling that man her identity.
"In that case, let's set the departure time for tomorrow morning."
Seeing that the matter was settled, a smile appeared on Roland's lips as he softly announced.
As night approached.
The guild was still noisy. Makao and Gray were drinking, while Natsu and Happy were standing in front of the request board, choosing tomorrow's mission.
"Little Mira, another four beers, please!"
Wakaba's drunken voice came.
But after waiting for a long time, there was no response from behind the bar.
"Hmm? Are Mira and Roland not here?"
Makao poked his head out to look. Noticing the empty bar, he couldn't help but scratch his head.
That's strange. They were just here a moment ago...
"Mirajane and Roland have both gone home. If you have a request, you can just call those ninjas. Also, I'm getting off work now."
Laki pushed up her reflective glasses, and after leaving a sentence, she walked straight toward the guild's main gate.
"...Hey, what time is it now?"
Watching her figure disappear into the night, Gray put down the mug that had been frozen with a layer of frost and couldn't help but ask.
Is it closing time so soon? I haven't had enough to drink yet.
"It's only around seven-thirty. It's still early before the guild closes."
"Then why..."
Suddenly, a ninja in black clothes, holding a tray, passed by in front of him, causing Gray to swallow the rest of his words.
He suddenly understood what Laki meant.
No way—that Roland guy's magic is so useful.
At the same time, on the streets of Magnolia.
Perhaps because it was night, the usually crowded streets were now sparsely populated.
"Then I'll head back first. You two, don't forget about the mission tomorrow morning!"
At the fork in the road, Cana waved at them, then walked into her rented house with a smile.
Just like Mirajane, she had not chosen to live in the Fairy Hills girls' dormitory, but lived alone outside.
After all, Cana usually drank late before going home, and the girls' dormitory with its closing time was clearly not suitable for her.
With her departure, the team heading home returned to the familiar three.
Roland, Levy, and Mirajane.
As for Knightwalker—that woman had been staying at home until now. He didn't know what she was up to.
Lisanna, because she was looking for someone to do a mission with, had found Bisca in the afternoon. The two of them had immediately set off for the neighboring town.
He estimated that they would only be back tomorrow.
...
By the time they reached his doorstep, Mirajane had also said her goodbyes first, leaving only Roland and Levy in the quiet night.
"What a pity. I originally thought we could sleep together..." Roland sighed with some disappointment. "Looks like I'll have to work harder."
Hearing this, Levy rolled her eyes and said in an annoyed tone, "Stop dreaming, you pervert!"
No matter how hard this guy tries, she won't sleep with Mirajane—not even if she dies!
After walking into the room, Roland quickly found Knightwalker sitting on the sofa, lost in thought.
Across from her was Little Doraemon.
What are they doing?
Roland couldn't help but be a little curious. As he slowly walked over, he saw a chessboard on the table.
King, queen... the pieces listed on it were no different from the chess he was familiar with, and even the rules were the same.
Considering that the entertainment center in Magnolia even had things like a pool table, Roland didn't think much of it.
After all, there were too many mixed things in this world. The South Gate Park across from his house was filled with cherry blossom trees.
Levy, who was following behind him, poked her head out curiously. Seeing the chess game in front of the two, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Both of them are so good. Knightwalker too—I didn't expect Little Doraemon to be able to play chess, and he looks so... at ease?
Levy looked at Knightwalker, whose expression was gradually becoming solemn, then turned to look at Little Doraemon, who was eating snacks, and couldn't help but feel a little strange.
The chess game, not surprisingly, ended with Knightwalker's loss.
"Tsk..."
Seeing that there was no chance of winning, Knightwalker didn't waste any more time and decisively chose to admit defeat.
"Dorara~"
Little Doraemon jumped onto the table, his hands digging into his pocket, and quickly took out a dorayaki and handed it to her.
"...Is this for me?"
Knightwalker was stunned, her heart a little touched. After a moment of hesitation, she was about to reach out and take it.
However, before she could get her hands on it, Roland snatched it first, then slowly enjoyed it, giving a review along the way:
"Tastes pretty good. The red bean paste inside is a little too sweet, which affects the texture a bit..."
"—!?"
Knightwalker's gaze instantly turned fierce. Her long fingers clenched into a fist, wanting to give this vile guy a punch.
But due to the so-called Slave Contract, she couldn't make a move at all and could only watch as the dorayaki was eaten bit by bit.
"Really, you always have to bully Knightwalker!"
Levy stood with her hands on her hips, her brown eyes narrowing slightly as she stared with dissatisfaction.
"...I won't do it next time."
Roland replied nonchalantly.
What a joke. He had worked so hard to get a maid. If he didn't bully her, what was the point?
Was he just going to keep her as a vase to look at?
Seeing that Knightwalker was ignoring him, Roland shrugged, then spread the Gourmet Tablecloth on the table and let her eat something.
After making the arrangements, he headed to the second floor, preparing to take a shower and then read some entertainment magazines.
But—
"Bro, you smell so good... can I hug you?"
"Get lost! Who's your bro!"
Just as he came out of the bathroom, he heard this, and Levy covered her chest in mortification, then rammed her head into his embrace.
I'll crush this unfaithful turnip!
"..."
Hearing the increasingly strange sounds from the second floor, Knightwalker expressionlessly bit into a sandwich and ate her dinner on her own.
Really, I've gotten used to it in the past two days.
The next morning.
At the Magnolia station.
A hazy mist gradually rose, mixed with the lingering fragrance of flowers and plants that drifted in the air. The waiting area was now filled with many people.
"Are those two not here yet?"
Cana, wearing a light white coat, bit her lower lip slightly, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed as she muttered under her breath.
It was already seven in the morning. If they continued to delay, they might not be able to arrive within the specified time.
After all, the client had said to meet in Hargeon before noon.
At that moment, a gentle voice came from behind.
"Sorry, I had something to do last night, so I slept a little late." Roland walked over quickly, his tone apologetic. "I've really kept you waiting."
"Ah... no, actually, I haven't been waiting that long."
Seeing him, Cana scratched her cheek with her fingertip and said with a light laugh.
But... noticing that the familiar blue-haired girl was not following behind him, Cana couldn't help but ask, "Um, is Levy not here?"
"Yes, it seems she has a fever and is currently sleeping at home."
Roland shrugged and explained.
He knew that Levy definitely wouldn't be able to get up this morning—because ever since the two of them started living together, the girl had basically been getting out of bed at noon every day like clockwork.
After all, going to bed at four in the morning and being thoroughly played with, it was impossible for her to be full of energy to go on a mission after sleeping for only three hours.
"That's really bad luck. Then it looks like... it'll just be the two of us. The reward, split in half, will be enough for me to drink for a while!"
"If you can, you should drink less, Cana. It's not a good habit for a girl to smell of alcohol all the time."
"...Hmph, I know."
Unexpectedly, Cana didn't refute, her face flushing slightly as she nodded almost imperceptibly.
After getting on the train, Cana also began to share the known information about this mission.
"First, the employer's identity is the boss of the Heartfilia Konzern. The reason for this mission is that he himself has been targeted by a dark guild, and he wants us to escort him to the merchant association and back."
"During this time, we will encounter dark guild members—if possible, please take care of them all. Those are Mr. Heartfilia's exact words."
Cana crossed her long legs and said unhurriedly.
"Heartfilia... and a dark guild?"
Roland couldn't help but repeat.
No, why does that Konzern name sound so familiar?
"Ah, according to the employer, it seems he's been targeted by the guild master of Eisenwald." Cana leisurely lit a cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke. "That Shinigami Erigor."
"...Isn't that right?"
Hearing such a strange mission, Roland couldn't help but fall into deep thought.