At his command, the shadow ninja withdrew with a respectful bow, its figure slowly melting back into the darkness as if it had never been there.
"Is that your magic?"
Erza tapped the shadow on the floor with her boot. It felt no different from usual. She couldn't tell how they slipped into it at all.
"My magic is the Shadow Battalion. I can summon nine different corps, and those were the Ninja Corps."
Roland took a sip of coffee and explained.
"They're weak in direct combat, but perfect as attendants."
He wasn't unwilling to use the other eight corps, but compared to the odder-looking units, the humanoid Ninja Corps were handier for cleaning, serving tea, and the like.
After a lazy afternoon tea, Erza arched her back in a stretch. In an instant, the white sleeveless blouse she wore had shifted back into knight's armor.
"Leisure time ends here. I'm heading to the dorm to sort my luggage. And—"
Her crimson hair stirred in the breeze as she glanced at Roland with a light smile.
"Thanks for the treat today, Roland."
Beyond that bottomless tablecloth that could produce strawberry shortcake, the newcomer's strength had been a delightful surprise. The more powerful comrades the guild had, the better for its name and growth.
"No need to be formal, Miss Erza."
Roland snapped his fingers. The waiting shadow ninja neatly boxed up more strawberry cake and presented it with both hands.
"See you tomorrow."
Erza didn't refuse. Taking the box, she turned toward the doors, a flatbed piled high with luggage trailing behind.
"What do you think? Our guild's Fairy Queen is great, isn't she?"
Leaning on the counter with her chin in her hands, Mirajane smiled. "She looks serious all the time, but her popularity here is sky-high."
"I remember Loke once tried to court Erza and got beaten half to death."
Cradling a warm cup of coffee, Levy said it offhand, her gaze sneaking now and then toward Roland, watching his reaction.
"Half to death is a bit much. She left him with one breath," Mirajane corrected.
"Poor Loke."
Hearing them, Roland fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help sympathizing.
Seeing the look on his face, Mirajane relaxed and hummed a little tune.
Toward evening, the sky dimmed, clouds glowed like fire at the horizon, and seabirds wheeled above the riverside, calling in clear, lilting voices.
After saying goodbye to Mirajane, Roland left the guild with Levy to head home and rest.
Halfway there, Levy suddenly remembered she'd forgotten toiletries and bedding and hurried back to the girls' dorm.
"So quiet out."
Walking along the lip of the riverbank above the road, a cool breeze riffling his dark hair, Roland let out a slow yawn.
A rare moment to simply be alone in peace.
He slowed to take in the rippling light on the water and the scenery around him.
"Hey, kid—careful you don't fall in. It's deep there!"
A wooden skiff glided down the middle of the river. The man on deck called out kindly.
"Thanks for the warning, sir."
Roland nodded with a smile.
This town wasn't just beautiful; even its residents were friendly to outsiders.
Well, except for the Fairy Tail members who kept stirring up trouble.
He was glad he'd stamped his guild emblem on his shoulder instead of the back of his hand.
Following the broad riverside for more than ten minutes, Roland reached the house he was renting.
It was dusk. Across the way in South Gate Park, many people were out for an evening stroll, their lively chatter carrying to his side of the street.
He slid the wooden door open, shrugged off his coat, and headed for the bedroom upstairs.
Creak.
Pushing the door, he saw Mini-Dora sprawled asleep on the bed and shook his head.
He could really sleep.
Home two days, and still snoozing.
Roland flicked the bell on the collar at his neck. It jingled, and the little robot stirred.
"Doraaa..."
Mini-Dora rubbed sleepy eyes, swaying on his feet, still half-asleep.
"All right, wake up a little."
Roland snapped his fingers again.
"Shadow Battalion."
At the cue, a shadow ninja surfaced and handed him a briefcase before dissolving back into smoke.
It was heavy. Judging by the weight, it had been packed tight with cash.
He flicked open the metal clasps. Bundles of fresh green notes lay stacked in rows. There had to be tens of millions of J.
"This pays better than S-Class commissions."
Earlier, he'd sent two shadow ninjas to purchase a gold bar, then used the Enlarging Lamp to magnify it several times, finally selling it to a dark guild at well below market price.
They'd worn cloaks the whole time, and even the haggling had been done using a writing slate.
"So which dark guild did you sell to?"
Sitting back, Roland pinched his chin, curious.
"Eisenwald."
A shadow ninja held up the slate. The word made Roland pause.
So this was his first brush with a dark guild since the story began.
"I'm coming in!"
Levy's lively voice rang from downstairs, quick steps tapping up the stairwell.
She pushed the door open with practiced ease, arms full of books he hadn't seen before.
And one cover looked awfully like Mira.
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