The third mission with the kind-hearted mercenary Esper Richelieu.
Format: Audio
Length: 6 hours, 48 minutes
Publication year: 2018
Narrated by: Mikael Naramore
Esper and her underage alien protege Kubu, who looks like a dog, have found a temporary home on Rigel IV as a security guard and enforcer in a whore house, La Maison d'Être. Kubu is actually working in the place's daycare, entertaining the hostess' kids. Esper saves one of the hostesses, Melody, from a rough customer. Afterward, they go to coffee and Esper gets to know Melody a bit better. The next evening, a wealthy customer pays to take Melody to a hotel but she never returns to the bordello. Esper wants to investigate but the Madame orders her to stay and protect the other hostesses. The next morning the Madame is already replacing Melody. In anger, Esper vows to bring Melody back.
Esper knows that the client works for an organized crime syndicate and she beats info out of local criminals. The client has taken Melody off-world and Esper follows in her own small but swift ship. However, she feels that this mission will be too bloody for Kubu. Reluctantly, the young alien stays behind.
This story separates Esper and Kubu which was a shame. Kubu's story is more comic relief when he tries to find a way to see his adopted mother who is on another planet. Esper's mission takes her undercover to a very high-class casino and bordello.
This was a fast-paced adventure and in the end, Esper has made a powerful enemy who is coming after her, in addition to the wizards' organization which is already chasing her. The fight scenes were very cinematic.
Esper feels conflicted working for a bordello. She's a former priestess of the Church of the One God and she's attracted to women. The local priest isn't helping. Also, her dark inner voice urges her to do violence and she struggles against it.
Meanwhile, Kubu learns to go around Esper's orders and how to travel alone. He also must make a terrible choice at the end.
The ending to Melody's story was a bit strange. I understand what Esper was trying to do, but I don't really agree with it.
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