The Laughing Swordsman

Willow's eyes narrowed when she saw the strange state Hex was in. After a second of hesitation, she dashed over with the help of her wings.

She got in between Hex and the other two. She pointed her sword towards Hex threateningly.

Layla tilted her head so that she could peek over from Willow's side.

"Friend? Why are you blocking the way?"

Apollo looked up at Willow.

"What are you doing, Willow?"

As for Willow, she trembled.

"...Stay back."

Hex's body had stopped a meter or so from Willow's front. He awkwardly stood there, making one wonder what he would do next.

Willow's eyes narrowed while her grip on her sword tightened.

Then... Hex moved.

A gleam passed through Willow's eyes as battle intent raged within her.

...Then it disappeared like a puff of smoke.

A black claw had appeared from Hex's side. It waved enthusiastically, almost like a little kid greeting a close friend.

Apollo and Layla went around Willow, stepping in front of her.

Layla waved back with similar enthusiasm.

"Hi, friend!"

It seemed like she had already forgotten the unrelenting fear Hex gave her just moments ago.

Apollo giggled.

"Hi, Hex!"

Another black claw appeared from Hex's other side. The two black claws gave a thumbs-up to Apollo and Layla.

Apollo scratched the side of his head.

"Why aren't you talking, Hex?"

The black claws froze for a moment to think. After they finished, one black claw pointed towards Hex.

Apollo rubbed his chin.

"You?"

The black claws gave Apollo a thumbs up. Then, they clasped together like a praying gesture before tilting to the side. Hex's head awkwardly moved on top of the black claws as though they were pillows.

He looked like he was sleeping.

Apollo gasped.

"You're sleeping?"

The black shadow flashed another thumbs-up.

Layla tilted her head to the side.

"Then how is friend moving?"

The black shadow scratched Hex's head with one finger. After a few moments, it raised its forefinger in the air as though it came up with an idea.

Hex's body was slowly lowered to the ground, face-up. A black shadow emerged from his body, with glowing blue eyes and a smile.

It was Blackie.

Blackie pointed to himself, indicating that he was the one controlling Hex's body. However, Layla did not understand.

Her tail shot upwards.

"Huh? Who are you? Another friend?"

Apollo scratched the side of his head.

"Ah, that must be it!"

Blackie shook his hands, trying to indicate that they were wrong. Layla giggled.

"I was right!"

Apollo gasped.

"Wow, you're so smart, Layla!"

Willow sighed.

"I think the shadow is trying to say that it's controlling Hex while he's asleep."

Blackie gave a thumbs-up.

Apollo and Layla blinked a few times. Layla raised her hands in the air.

"Wah! So two friends in one!"

Apollo nodded.

"Yes, yes!"

Blackie merged with Hex once again before willing Hex's body up.

Willow's face twitched.

The situation was still quite overwhelming for her. After all, she was a relatively normal person. She couldn't just forget what happened, like Apollo, brush it off like Layla, or just not care like Hex's shadow.

But... it was a reality that Willow just had to accept.

So she did.

Willow rubbed her forehead with frustration.

"It appears our plan to take this stealthily has failed..."

Apollo scratched the side of his head.

"Huh?"

Layla turned to Willow with a curious expression.

"But we played with all the people that saw! They won't tell, I trust them!"

Willow sighed.

"The problem doesn't stem from the people we killed, but how loud our fight was. It would be a miracle if someone didn't notice that a battle had taken place."

Apollo blinked a few times.

"Do they know it was us?"

Willow slowly shook her head.

"No, but people will be aware that there are some intruders attacking the city. If we wish to enter the empire, we must blend in well. If not, we will be suspected, then caught soon after."

Apollo scratched the side of his head.

"So... just pretend that I live in the empire?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders.

"That's the gist of it. Though, we need disguises. The way we look now is far from normal."

She turned to look over her shoulder.

"Hm... these things are a little conspicuous."

Willow's wings twitched awkwardly for a couple of moments. After a couple of failed attempts, she was able to retract the wings back into her body.

Willow sighed.

"Thankfully I won't have to find a way to hide those."

She cleared her throat.

"Anyways, we have to get disguises for all of us."

Blackie, Apollo, and Layla all turned to look at Willow.

...

Layla pouted.

"I don't like it, I don't like it, I don't like it!"

Blackie used a finger to scratch the top of its head.

It seemed confused.

Apollo muttered with dissatisfaction.

"Does it really have to be this?"

Willow clicked her tongue.

"There is hardly anything for us to work with in the first place! Stop complaining so much."

She had a long dark green gown and a sleeveless tunic. It matched what most commoners would wear. She got a dark brown purse from somewhere and filled it with rocks.

Willow essentially looked like a stereotypical mother.

As for Layla, there was a need to cover her cat ears and hide her tail. As such, she was wearing a cap that maids would normally wear and had a fairly large black apron on. The clothes were a little too big for her, making her look a little strange.

She was supposed to be a maid.

Hex was wrapped in countless bandages, only letting his face just barely poke out. Blackie was still able to extend himself from outside the bandages. Willow carried him with both arms.

He was supposed to be a baby.

Apollo was wearing a set of clothes that were far too small for him, stretching against his body tightly.

He was supposed to be Hex's 'older brother'.

Together, they made a dysfunctional family.