"You're such an unfair man..." Lucy smiled slightly with a faint blush. "Allen... how did you get those keys?"
Allen took Kurumi's key and looked at it for a moment. "I didn't get them. They found me."
"What does that mean?" Lucy tilted her head in confusion.
"Exactly what it sounds like. As you've probably noticed, my main magic is more hand-to-hand combat. But throughout my journey, these girls appeared in my life one by one. At first, it was a hassle... but it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me."
Lucy's lips parted slightly with a gasp. She could feel just how much affection and value Allen held for his spirits. Her eyes watered. The only person she had ever seen love spirits that much was her mother. Of course, she didn't know Allen's "love" went far beyond master and spirit—but those were details she probably shouldn't know just yet.
"I'm sorry," Lucy lowered her head.
"What for?" Allen didn't understand why she was apologizing.
"Now I get what you meant when you said not even all the money in the world could buy your spirits..." Lucy smiled. "Allen, I think I like you even more now."
"…"
"…"
The carriage fell into silence as they stared at each other. Lucy's face turned bright red at what she had just said.
"I don't mean like like, but like your personality!"
Allen laughed. "Oh, really now?"
"Yes! Don't mock me!"
The mood between them improved a lot, and Allen, to give Lucy a breather, introduced her to Timcampy—a lazy golem who might've been the reincarnation of a pig. It only woke up to eat mountains of food and then slept again for days—sometimes even weeks.
Lucy was speechless at such a bizarre creature…
After that, the trip was peaceful, and they finally arrived at Shirotsume Town. The city had a more rustic feel compared to Magnolia, with fewer buildings, more greenery, and several dirt roads. Allen felt more like he was in a fantasy world here than he ever had in the port city of Magnolia, which was a large city.
Once they got off, they went to a café before meeting the person who had posted the request, just to learn more about the mission.
There, they were greeted and led into a room where a thin man in a suit with a mustache was waiting for them.
"Good morning, I'm the client—Kaly Melon…"
"I'm Allen Walker. This is Lucy, Mr. Melon… quite the name you've got there."
"Hey, Allen!"
"Haha, I get that a lot."
The man didn't seem offended—in fact, he laughed. Allen sank into a couch while Lucy sat down, a bit embarrassed. Allen may have seemed calm, but he never treated anyone with more respect than necessary. Lucy realized that, to him, there was no authority figure worthy of humbling himself.
"Mr. Melon, why are you paying so much for a book?" Allen narrowed his eyes.
Lucy tried to stop him for a moment, but when she heard the question, she fell silent. Come to think of it… it was very strange.
"It's because of who owns it," the man leaned forward from the other couch. "My request is to destroy a book called Day Break. It's in the possession of Count Everloo…"
"He's a noble? Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. In fact, Fairy Tail isn't the only guild I requested this from—but others failed. The Duke is a mage and employs several strong maids, plus I believe he hired a few mercenaries."
"I see. But going up against a duke at the risk of being labeled criminals, a mage with his own personal army—sounds more dangerous than just 200,000 Jewels is worth…"
"You're right. I was actually planning to increase the reward to two million in a few days, but you two arrived early."
"Two million?!" Lucy gasped.
"That's right. That book must be destroyed… no matter what."
Lucy snapped out of her shock and furrowed her brow. Kaly Melon? Where have I heard that name before...?
Allen stood up and walked to the door. "Don't worry, Mr. Melon…"
"Thank you, Mr. Walker."
"Wait for me!"
…
(Half an hour later)
Allen stopped at a park to take a break while waiting for Lucy, who said she had something to do. After a while, Lucy showed up—dressed as a maid with twin tails.
"How do I look, master?~" Lucy struck a seductive pose and winked—or at least, she thought she did. But like before, it came off forced and awkward.
"What are you doing?" Allen asked seriously, and Lucy flinched.
"Well, I…" Lucy had read the request where it mentioned that Duke Everloo was a pervert who liked blonde maids.
Allen stood from the bench and cornered Lucy against a tree.
"Tell me, what were you planning to do?"
Lucy lowered her head, regretting her choice. "I'm sorry… I wasn't thinking clearly."
Allen lifted her chin. "I won't deny you look cute—but you're too careless. What if the Duke really was a pervert?"
"I..." Lucy pouted. "I thought you'd protect me if he tried anything…"
Allen smirked and leaned in. "And what if I was the one who tried something?"
Lucy blushed as her eyes started spinning. "S-sorry!"
"You're way too naive, Lucy." Allen laughed and let her go. Lucy collapsed to the ground.
"Damn it! Don't play with a maiden's heart!!" she shouted, flustered.
[Imagine if she saw your face without the illusion. She'd probably die of a heart attack~]