NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
#008 『The Nameless Demon』(3)
After saying his goodbyes, Chrome left, and Vern Midas was left in deep thought.
‘Is he really that kind of guy?’
The last thread left behind by his first wife.
A card that might be useful someday.
Vern Midas’s impression of Chrome was barely at that level.
He had many people to meet and tasks to accomplish, and already had several households established elsewhere.
In fact, he had never been particularly interested in Chrome; he merely sent him along with a subordinate to learn a thing or two now that he was of suitable age.
However, his subordinate failed, and the kid he thought was just an afterthought managed to clean up the mess.
No, not just a simple cleanup; he brought back more than was originally planned.
A maturity and calmness that were unmatched for his age, coupled with audacity.
‘At least he’s several times more capable than my brothers and sister.’
Of course, it was too early to jump to conclusions.
Aside from the two who had already fallen from his grace, there were other children from different wives who were just as impressive as Chrome.
He was still young and didn’t need to rush into selecting an heir.
*
“You bunch of fools! Today it’s on me, so drink to your heart’s content! Oh, but you, John, are the exception! If you don’t want to worsen that injury and die, stick to juice!”
Hahaha!
At the command of Clark, the leader of the Brown Wolf Mercenary Group, cheers and laughter erupted from the members, while one member had a flush on his face, tightly bandaging his thigh.
There were some who bore minor injuries and others with bitter expressions due to a missing companion, but overall, the atmosphere wasn’t too bad.
Contrary to expectations of receiving little compensation or altered amounts due to the failure of proper protection, the Midas Guild indeed paid nearly three times the original compensation.
It was labeled a condolence for the deceased, a reward for those who fought back despite the dire circumstances, and whatever else could be thrown in.
What mattered most was that their wallets were now pleasantly heavy, and that alone made them more than ready to express gratitude for the Midas Guild’s generosity.
A family that betrayed the nation? A greedy noble? Who cares about that?
There’s shiny silver clinking right in front of them!
“So I’m telling you, that bastard was swinging his sword and I narrowly dodged it before landing a counter right into his gut—”
“You just tripped over a rock and coincidentally caught him! You’re blowing smoke!”
“Hah!? What have you done besides shiver and wet yourself!!”
“Who the hell wet themselves!? Do you even understand how many times I had to hit him to turn that into a puddle of blood?!”
“Stop talking nonsense!”
“Want to settle this with a match?!”
“Bring it on, you little brat!”
“Shut up and eat already, you idiots!”
After bumping the heads of the two large but brainless buffoons, Clark exited the raucous tavern.
As dusk fell and darkness enveloped the street, he spotted a girl sitting all alone on a bench and sighed in disbelief.
“Where the hell did she manage to gather all that?”
Perhaps a bread stuffed with vegetables and bacon wasn’t overly unusual.
But a plump wooden tray piled high with various cheeses and sausages, two luscious ripe apples, and a hefty turkey leg seemed a bit excessive for one person to munch on at a bench.
Especially that turkey leg, which would attract quite a bit of attention, so to have managed to sneak it away unnoticed was impressive enough to draw a gasp.
He himself had only snagged a piece thanks to his position as the leader.
“If you’re going to eat, shouldn’t you do it comfortably inside?”
“If I had to listen to the same tales of valor repeated countless times by a bunch of drunken idiots turning red-faced, even the leader would have his meal come back up.”
“Seems I have no choice but to agree on that point.”
With a shrug, Clark picked up an apple from the plate and took a bite out of it.
#008 『The Nameless Demon』(4)
Ligret’s glare hardened.
“Hey, come on, don’t give me that look just because I took one from this heap. I’m the one paying!”
“…….”
“Alright, alright. I’ll bring back another one soon to restore the original state, so chill out a bit.”
Grumbling as if torn between being the youngest and a master, Clark opened his mouth.
“Thanks. If you hadn’t intervened, everyone wouldn’t be laughing and chatting like this right now.”
“Didn’t really do much.”
“You don’t really think I would believe such a ridiculous excuse, do you?”
Without replying, Ligret took a bite of the bread she was holding.
Her expression while munching on the food fit that of a girl her age, but Clark knew very well the skills this little kid possessed.
It was an event from six months ago.
During a joint mission with another mercenary group, troubles arose over the distribution of rewards, and a vengeful opponent came after Clark.
Outnumbered and alone, he had been prepared to face death.
Had it not been for a certain little girl who just happened to be nearby and managed to slaughter all the men who attempted to silence him, that day would have turned disastrous indeed.
“How’s the contract with Midas going?”
“Not bad. Apparently, they’re planning to establish a new branch in the city of Calant soon. They want to hire us for the security personnel.”
In response to Ligret’s question, Clark grinned.
“It’s a decent-sized city, so living there should be comfortable, and the amount they offered is great. Truly, a family that digs money from the ground is different.”
“What about the other members?”
“They’re excited, especially those starting to worry about their old age. Many of them are eager to move away from the life of cutting down enemies.”
He refrained from mentioning that many members’ desire for a safer life had grown stronger after seeing their comrades fall in battle.
That was a story they all knew well without him needing to say it.
“Good for them,” Ligret nodded with an impassive expression.
Her attitude was like that of someone observing someone else’s issues, prompting Clark to speak again.
“Ligret, you too—”
“Captain, I’m going to leave the mercenary group.”
Clark’s eyes shook.
Not because it was unexpected, but because it was something he anticipated yet didn’t want to hear.
“…Do you have somewhere to go?”
“The Morian Kingdom. I might as well try my luck treasure hunting in a dungeon. Hunting monsters sounds good too.”
“Do you think monsters are just like the neighbor’s dog? Even during our mercenary group’s heyday, we would avoid them as soon as we heard their name. You’d die trying.”
“I’ll figure it out as I go. If not, well, it is what it is.”
Holding the now-empty tray in one hand, Ligret stood up.
“Don’t worry. It’ll take me about half a year to prepare everything anyway. I thought I should tell you in advance, though.”
As the girl walked away, Clark asked, “Why do you want to do something so dangerous? Stability is right there for you.”
Without turning her head, Ligret gave a brief reply.
“I’m just curious.”
Clark couldn’t grasp exactly what she meant by that.
And it was likely that the reason she was leaving was that she couldn’t understand it either.
Such extraordinary talent, such a special destiny—those were it.
He could only hope that there would be someone who could understand this girl, who had been a lifesaver and, for a brief time, someone he thought of as a sister.
Clark silently wished for it.
*
A few days after finishing the meeting with Vern Midas, I headed toward the inn where the Brown Wolf Mercenary Group was staying.
Under normal circumstances, I would have liked to arrive a bit sooner, but Vern Midas had assigned me to write a detailed report about the recent incident and submit it, which took up my time.
Checkup for the injured Dorf takes longer than expected. Apparently, it was to ensure everything aligns with the treatment, and my unfamiliarity with the processes only aggravated the delay.
When I mentioned to Clark, the mercenary captain, that I wanted to discuss something with Ligret, he gave me a strange look but promptly called her over.
As I exited the lodging, I couldn’t help but notice the mercenaries’ expressions—like they had found something particularly fun to tease about, which made me slightly anxious… but seriously, not what you think!
Thank goodness that Clark prevented anyone from tailing us or anything silly like that.
After walking for quite a while, I ensured that there were no prying eyes around and finally got to the point with Ligret.
“…A dedicated bodyguard?”
Ligret looked puzzled, repeating my words as if to confirm.
“The treatment would be far better compared to when you were a mercenary. Depending on later circumstances, your rewards might even increase.”
Since I didn’t have any separate source of income, I had to rely on the family’s upkeep budget—let’s be honest, my allowance. But even that was considerably more than what most mercenaries made.
Indeed, a renowned nouveau riche family. Even the kids’ allowances are of a different grade.
Ligret stared at me for a moment in a bewildered manner, but then broke into a grin.
I returned the smile.
Oh good, the atmosphere was warm and friendly—it should unfold nicely—
“I don’t want to.”
Damn it.
“If it’s a question of money, I could raise the offer.”
“I’d still refuse, even if it was nearly double.”
“How about five times?”
“…No.”
“What about ten times?”
“……….. It’s not about the money.”
Yet, I didn’t miss how Ligret’s eyes sparkled at those words.
“Might you really be digging money from the ground?” she murmured, then with a pout, she asked, “What’s your intention?”
“I told you, I want you to be my dedicated bodyguard.”
“Are you expecting me to believe that?”
Ligret replied with an incredulous expression.
“There are countless folks significantly more skilled than I am. If someone offered those amounts while trying to hire me, you’d better believe there would be a line forming.”
“I need you, though.”
When I said this confidently, she fell silent for a moment.
Hmm, maybe she understood a part of my sincerity?
Ligret squinted at me, and then, as if coming to a realization, said, “By any chance, is that meant in that sort of way? Yeah, I’ve heard even noblemen with plenty of money occasionally disguise themselves and make pit stops at shabby places.”
“Pfft!! Cough! Cough!”
Caught completely off guard by the bombshell comment, I suddenly found myself choking on my own spit.
Shouldn’t she be asking something like, “Do you like me?” or at least something close?
“Damn, thinking back, this girl is indeed from a mercenary background.”
Back in my previous life, when you gathered with spirited men, raunchy banter was inevitable. In a fantasy world where folks fight with swords, drink, and chat all day, there’s no way they would only use polite words around a girl.
“That’s not it, not at all!”
“Not that I think it’s particularly bad. You’re not an old man with wrinkles, and you look about the same age.”
“So I said it’s not!”
I took a moment to compose my breathing before continuing.
“Sure, it’s as you said; there might be better fighters by mere skill alone. But at your age, there are few that can match your strength.”
“Hmm, so you want to secure me now because you believe I will become stronger in the future?”
“Exactly, or to be more precise.”
I locked my eyes onto Ligret’s.
“Let’s reach greater heights together, Ligret.”