An Extra’s POV

'Is that… Esme?'

Standing behind him was an entity covered entirely in dark armor.

They wore a hooded cape, but beneath all of that was a thin-layered full-plated armor.

It even had a helmet and everything.

"You are…?" Rey asked, tilting his head to the side a little.

"It's Es… I mean, you know who I am already!"

Of course, he did! Rey could easily recognize her voice. Plus, he had also confirmed by using [Absolute Appraisal].

It really was Esme, locked in a fully armored attire.

'I mean, I told them to focus more on defense and concealing her identity when it came to her appearance, but to think they'd go this far…'

The entire armor was made from Orichalcum, though certain areas were lined with Mythril in order to ensure that her Mana Flow wasn't too disturbed.

"The inner regions that directly touch her body were designed to be very comfortable. I can assure you that your partner is not in any discomfort." Rebal finally spoke up, adding more context to the black armor that Esme donned.

"Really? Did she confirm that?" Rey shifted his gaze to Rebal.

"N-no. Actually… this is the first time we've heard her speak."

'A-ah…!' Rey's thoughts snapped as he remembered how Esme was usually silent around these people.

He wondered why she decided to speak.

'Is it because I'm here with them? Or because it could be unavoidable to communicate due to the nature of the mission?'

Either way, Rey could see from the stunned expressions of the three seated ones that they were also blown away by Esme's amazing voice.

'So it isn't just me. Whew!' He gave an internal sigh of relief.

"What are you standing there for? You should come sit and join us." Rey said to Esme before turning to the three who sat before him.

He knew his tone was a little demanding, but he had a reputation to keep among these people.

Rey could only hope Esme could pick up on that and act accordingly.

Thankfully, she didn't disappoint.

Esme sat on the chair closest to Rey, one which had been left intentionally empty since the start of the meeting.

It was as if everyone in the room already knew that it belonged to Esme—just as they thought to reserve the best seat for Rey.

'Oh well. This much is natural, I suppose.'

continued on with the plan's discussions, allowing everyone else to say a few things regarding how the entire thing would play out—especially reactions to certain antics that Scylla

first of all transport Asher to the KariBlanc Store in the Capital's Black Market, then transport Kara, Rebal, and

the only two who remained in

seconds of silence passed as they both just

Then—

I can't take you

silence

you have your mask… and

that, collapsing on the chair and laughing like little

now completely gone, and Esme able to talk a lot more freely with Rey, they soon got comfortable being alone

really feel comfortable inside that thing?"

suspect that she couldn't complain to them even if she felt some

are soft, so there isn't

"I see. I see."

it would be hot, so I decided to strip before putting it on, but it had some kind of temperature regulation, so it's

some words that Esme spouted, he grew

"W-wait, so you're—!"

under the armor? Yes." She

you have to tell me that?

Esme tilted her head

little clunky since

'too much

almost as if she

long after,

also naked underneath your outfit, right? How is my situation so special that you'd

dead silent once Esme said

his attire he had…

least I

what? In the end, take off

the

a dense layer of metal. I think that's enough clothing,

head. Arguing

up and focus on the important things, else he would waste more time on

to be investigating the Warehouses in the Merchant City pending the time the Dark Gathering begins. I hope

sighed, he saw

a single slave or clue in any of the

City was the heart of the corruption that threatened to devour the United Human Alliance, chances

asked in excitement, which

stopping us from starting

but Rey could easily cloak himself and Esme, so they could freely search for whatever they desired

busy now.' Rey

were busy with

a campaign against the

preparing for their final showdown,

best to help Esme and complete the System's Quest for

only at about 33 percent thanks to [Replicate], but this much should be fine.' Rey thought to himself as he opened a portal right