After boarding the carriage, I had ti to converse with the young noble lord who was accompanying .
The main topic of conversation was naturally about Ga-ram, who had been with .
It was a natural outco, considering she was the only link between us.
“So, when Ga-ram finishes her mission and returns, she always talks about , you say.”
“When reporting her missions, your story always ca up. It’s natural, considering you were the only one she got along with at the ti.”
Is this the story from when she was called a fallen hero?
Well, it was necessary to tell the story of a collaborator to a patron for reporting purposes, and there was no need to feel bad unless it was backstabbing.
“From what I’ve heard, you transitioned from a worker to an adventurer, and it seems you’ve worked quite hard to get to your current position.”
“Ahaha, it’s not that big of a deal. I was just lucky, that’s all…”
“Grasping luck is also a matter of discretion. Most people either don’t know when luck cos their way or waste the opportunity.”
Cheska, even with a blunt manner of speaking, soothed my passive attitude.
While such assessnt felt a bit burdenso, I also felt a tingling in my heart.
It seed I couldn’t help being weak to complints… Well, it would be rude to reject soone’s kindness, after all.
“Anyway, using the connection I have with the hero I sponsored, I would like to make you an offer right here.”
After a lively chat, what followed was a proposal I had sowhat anticipated.
Probably, Cheska ca to et in their noble status for that purpose.
Noticing that, I imdiately brought up what I had in mind before Cheska could speak.
“Are you offering to beco my guardian?”
“…You’ve noticed.”
“Well, since you’ve co to directly…”
Although the intentions were clear, I didn’t necessarily think it was a bad thing.
Heroes were seen as saviors by the public, but what those in power wanted was to increase their influence through such attention.
So, creating a connection with before my treatnt in the Imperial Palace was decided would be quite advantageous.
“ntioning that ans you, too, were quite looking forward to receiving sponsorship from a noble like .”
“Well, I won’t deny it… But, actually, this situation is sowhat relieving.”
A smile ford on my lips, unable to contain my expectation, which made Cheska, sensing my reaction, tilt their head slightly.
“Relieved because I ca to you?”
“It’s probably because this is my first ti receiving a scouting offer like this. When working in unfamiliar places, it’s best to start by adapting with the help of acquaintances, isn’t it?”
Everything felt unfamiliar, and since one never knew when danger would strike, it was a rule to step back about three steps when encountering the unknown world.
As such, having soone to rely on and cooperating with them, helping each other move forward, would be a way to extend this lifeline even further.
That was sowhat the reason why I initially ford a pair with Ga-ram.
At this mont, feeling that it was ti to be rewarded for such a choice, a sense of pride gradually began to erge in my heart.
“Ah, yes. To seek familiarity…”
But could there be sothing about what I said just now that didn’t sit right?
After hearing , Cheska pushed up their glasses and began to rest their chin on their hand, their mouth firmly closed.
The sense of dissonance I felt must have been because the atmosphere had changed.
I didn’t know the details, but from their standpoint, sothing must have beco a concern.
“…Cheska?”
“Well then, let’s assu the discussion is settled for now.”
As I tried to trace back the origin of that reaction, Cheska lifted their head again and reached into their bosom.
Then, they pulled out a docunt with a movent that was very smooth and unhesitant.
To the extent that I wondered if the sense of dissonance I had felt earlier was just a misconception.
“It seems we have roughly co to an understanding, so it would be fine to draft a contract right here.”
“A contract? Right here and now?”
“Once we arrive at the banquet hall, Mr. Hyo-sung will receive quite a bit of attention. It won’t be easy to exchange docunts directly like this when the ti cos.”
The docunt and pen were promptly presented.
Even though the turn of events was unexpected and I couldn’t grasp the flow, they just nonchalantly crossed their arms and stared out the window.
“The family seal has already been affixed, so legal effect will take place imdiately upon signing. Please bear this in mind when you sign.”
Was that indifferent attitude derived from the authoritative deanor of a noble?
Or was it from a pragmatic stance that as long as their own matters were handled, nothing else mattered?
Either way, receiving a contract upon first eting was quite burdenso, but refusing it outright was also not preferable.
If I refused without a special reason, it might also inconvenience Ga-ram, who was indebted to them.
‘What? You’re asking who my sponsor is?’
Co to think of it, we talked about the sponsor last ti we were at camp together.
Surely, the noble in front of must be the one we discussed then. Confident in this, I took a mont to recount what had happened at that ti.
‘Well, they’re not very kind. Doesn’t like jokes, has a stiff attitude… They do provide considerable support, but they’re also ticulous enough to scrutinize the details of expenses.’
A power-holder with an unapproachable deanor and miserly tendencies…
It wasn’t exactly a positive assessnt.
Even though nobles were often arrogant and ill-tempered, being one of the more docile ones didn’t an one could be approached easily.
‘Even so, they haven’t spoken harshly or ordered anything unreasonable. They agreed that accompanying my brother would help clear his na, so it was fine.’
Even so, the reason I didn’t have an entirely unfavorable impression upon our first eting was because of Ga-ram’s seemingly friendly attitude during that conversation.
‘I don’t think they’re a bad person.’
‘…Really?’
‘Yes, it’s hard to explain in detail… but at least that’s how I felt.’
Even though it was an assessnt without proper justification, in relationships, emotional connections were more important than material ones.
Given that many power-holders exploit heroes or engage in misconduct, a calculating and hands-off noble might relatively be better.
“Here, take this.”
Signing and handing over the contract now was an act done with a small sense of gratitude, along with trust towards such a partner.
“…You accepted rather readily. It was quite a sudden proposal.”
“Well, it’s because I have that much faith.”
After all, weren’t they a comrade with whom I had faced nurous dangers?
Thinking that it might be good to follow this person for the ti being, a friendly smile gradually ford on my lips.
“Anyway, I’ll trust you, considering the effort you made to visit in person. Please take good care of Ga-ram and myself in the future.”
With as much politeness as possible.
As I bowed my head in greeting, Cheska looked down at , then turned their gaze back outside the window and spoke in a low voice.
“Yes, I also consider it fortunate to have soone like you on board… However, there’s a slight error in saying you’ll be indebted along with her.”
“…What? What do you an?”
“Well, since I’ve drafted your employnt contract, I’ll have to cease her sponsorship once we return to the family.”
Snap, just like that.
In that mont, not understanding what was said, I stopped lifting my head halfway through.
Ceasing the sponsorship—what does that an?
“Coincidentally, I only need one hero.”
Answering my question, Cheska said in an indifferent voice.
“As the head of the Plandor family, it’s not easy for us to employ even one hero, so it was necessary to select the most outstanding one among those available for employnt.”
“Wait a minute, what are you saying…?”
What’s with this person?
They could only employ one person, yet they made a recruitnt offer to while still employing that child?
“To be honest, I am grateful to her. She’s capable, but the negative perception remains, so there was little rit in continuing the sponsorship.”
Despite my astonishnt, they continued speaking nonchalantly as if it didn’t matter.
As if they were discarding their connection with Ga-ram, who had trusted them all this ti, like a worn-out rag.
“To then establish a connection with the key figure who led us to victory in the war against the undead, and to successfully conclude this contract… I must say I’ve been lucky.”
“…Are you serious with what you’re saying?”
“Well, don’t worry too much. Although I can only sponsor one person, I intend to provide as much support as possible within that limit. It will at least be better than what other heroes receive…”
-Bang!!!
A fist, filled with strength, struck the wall of the carriage.
Of course, since I didn’t imbue it with magic power, the destructive force was minimal, and it was mostly just noise.
At least for now.
“…Hey, you.”
But depending on how the guy in front of acts next, the fist aid at the wall might turn towards them, and its purpose might transform into sadistic violence.
“You seem not to care because you’re a noble, but you’d better watch your words. If you keep acting like that and end up on the wrong end of a blind sword, you’ll have nowhere to complain.”
The sound of teeth grinding might be due to feeling humiliated by the current change in stance.
And so, I couldn’t help but regret my own actions.
Even a re piece of paper, a contract, could wield absolute influence in society.
Knowing full well how the power-holders I had t looked down on people, what made think the guy in front of would be any different?
“…You’re quite emotional.”
Even as I felt self-derision, they continued to look at with a chanical attitude.
“If it weren’t for , you might have been wanted imdiately.”
“That’s for to deal with.”
“Are you prepared to die with your opponent just because you’re displeased? Despite having felt desperate enough to co this far from being a worker?”
“Yes, I’ve always lived like this.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Before inheriting Tacchia’s personality, I was weak and insignificant, but even then, I never backstabbed anyone.
Though I had lost people due to my powerlessness, I had never once betrayed them.
“…I get the gist of what kind of person you are.”
-Clop, clop.
The inside of the carriage still rumbled along with the sound of horseshoes.
In the midst of such silence, Cheska quietly spoke to , as I continued to glare.
“Please, take a seat. I have sothing to tell you before we arrive at the Imperial Palace.”
“……”
“…You’re not going to make a scene, are you?”
Damn it, what’s with this guy?
Even if they were a noble, they should at least feel the rudeness, if not fear.
“Go ahead, say what you want.”
Considering they hadn’t imdiately resorted to threats or rudeness, it was worth listening.
With that thought, I decided to sit down and listen to whatever nonsense they had to convince .
Seeing this, the unruly brat adjusted their glasses and said,
“If you get this angry, it’s going to be difficult for you in the future.”
“…What?”
“You know, right? What the power-holders of this empire are generally like.”
I knew very well.
After all, the reason why all heroes ended up being morally bankrupt was because the power-holders of this empire were filled with corrupt pigs.
“There’s no one easier to corrupt than those in power.”
While that assessnt applied equally to the person in front of , they soon continued speaking with their arms crossed.
“Charisma, leadership, magnanimity, judgnt… One who possesses all these qualities has the discretion to lead people and the right to be a leader. Ironically, however, this empire’s authority is passed down through hereditary succession.”
Their expression remained dry, and their words gave off an intellectual and haughty vibe, as if they were reciting from a dictionary.
More like a strategist than a noble…
No, it even felt as though I was looking at a well-crafted robot.
“And the major downside of hereditary succession is that it only holds on to the results achieved by ancestors. Not knowing how much effort and sacrifice it took to obtain that right, people like you, who co from a worker’s background, can’t help but have a great antipathy towards authority.”
“…What? Suddenly engaging in self-reflection?”
“Think rationally and logically. If you realize that the person before you cos from a different world… no matter how much their actions defy common sense, treating them emotionally will only worsen the situation.”
“Ha, so? You’re saying I forgot such thinking and acted recklessly in dealing with a noble, as if you’re lecturing …”
-Rip, rip.
After laughing in disbelief at the audacity, the sound of paper tearing echoed inside the carriage.
With the signature, even legal effect had taken place.
The sound of tearing up the opportunity to exercise legal restraint on by their own hands.
“Mr. Hyo-sung.”
Cheska then threw the torn bundle of paper out of the carriage window towards a riverbank that appeared outside.
This act of discarding the contract without regret gave undeniable persuasiveness to the words that followed.
“In the case of Miss Ga-ram, if not for , she had no one else to make a contract with to that extent. But your case is different. You’re not aware of how much attention you’re receiving from the empire’s leadership.”
“What are you saying…?”
“The place you’re heading to soon will be filled with even more despicable people than , extending their malice towards you.”
The attitude I had thought arrogant and repulsive completely reversed at the mont they discarded the benefits gained from deceiving .
“You want to succeed, don’t you?”
The words from their mouth now were not deception but a ‘warning.’
“You’ve co this far from being a worker because you feel a desperate need for success, right?”
“……”
“If that’s the case, be more careful in choosing who will sponsor you than you have been now. Otherwise, what you’ve built up so far might collapse in an instant at the place you’re heading to next.”
-Thud.
The carriage stopped at the end of the warning.
Then, as if waiting, Cheska stood up, opened the carriage door first, and stepped out onto the street, saying,
“Follow ; I’ll guide you to the Banquet Hall.”
“……”
Unlike , who felt tense from the warning, Cheska Plandor led the way nonchalantly.
I hesitated for a mont, but then decided to step out of the carriage and follow them.
Even though I had reservations about the person before , since our paths were the sa for now, it made sense to accompany them.
“…Hey, you.”
But, of course, it was too much to ask to view them favorably.
Feeling irritated, I followed them and asked in a harsh voice,
“So, the contract between you and is null and void, right?”
“Since the only copy of the contract was destroyed, that would be the case.”
“Then what happens to Ga-ram from now on?”
“Since your contract was annulled, I’ll continue to employ her. As I ntioned before, given my circumstances, I can only employ one hero.”
“…That sounds like you’ll replace her if a suitable alternative cos along.”
“If the opportunity arises, I suppose so.”
They didn’t deny the sarcasm.
That ant there was so truth in the attitude they had just shown. The anger I felt was fleeting.
“Of course, it won’t be easy to find soone as outstanding as her to replace.”
“…What?”
“Regardless of public opinion, I regard her as excellent. You, who have received her help, should understand this well.”
Cheska stopped walking at my question.
Then, adjusting their glasses, they turned to and quietly said,
“So, if you’re going to make a contract in the future, please decide more carefully than you did this ti.”
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