NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2.2
Stage 1-2. The Heavy Emotions Of The Loyal Female Knight
Such an initiative…!!
Don’t “I did it!” me!?
I wanted to exploit these guys for profit!
Wiping them out defeats the purpose…
And yet, why are you looking at me with those hopeful eyes, as if asking for praise?
“…Chris.”
“Yes!”
…I don’t want to praise her. I really don’t, but…
“You’ve done well.”
“…! Thank you!”
Chris beams with a radiant smile. Contrary to her image, her expressions change frequently, but it’s easy to read, so it’s fine.
When weighing this incident against the benefits she’ll bring me, the latter far outweighs the former.
She seems to trust me unconditionally, and if I feed her false information, she could easily take down any organization opposing me.
I’m a genius. I’m sure I can handle her well.
“Listen, Chris. I’m not satisfied with the current situation. I’m aiming for something much bigger.”
Yes, this small, rundown underground arena isn’t worth regretting.
I’ll go for something on a larger scale… a slave market, perhaps.
In any case, I’ll gain the power not to be swayed by a mere arena.
“That’s why I acquired you. You understand what I’m saying, right?”
“Of course.”
Chris kneels on the dirty floor, not caring about the grime, and bows her head.
“My strength belongs to Ouga-sama. My achievements are also yours.”
Chris swears her allegiance.
As long as she understands.
Make sure you work hard for my glory.
“Then, let’s go back. I want to introduce you to my father. There are various formalities to handle as well.”
Since Chris is officially a criminal, I can’t hire her under her real name.
It would damage the reputation of the Velette family.
But manipulating such things is second nature to us.
Forging her new identity will be easy.
“Chris, do you have any preferences for a new name?”
I ask as we walk down the filthy road, with her a step behind me.
“Anything Ouga-sama grants me is fine.”
That’s the kind of thing that would anger mothers across the nation, Chris.
I’m not great at naming things either, but…
“Then, let’s follow the custom. My father gives all his children names that end in ‘Ga’ for boys and ‘A’ for girls. So, I’ll change your name to Alice. Yes, how about Alice?”
It suits her golden hair perfectly. I think it’s a pretty good name.
I glance at Alice, feeling a bit smug.
“…Th-Thank you…!”
Is she crying…!? Her face is scrunched up with tears streaming down…!?
Did I say something weird!?
‘Alice’ isn’t a name people laugh at in this world…
Flustered by Alice’s sudden tears, I hurriedly handed her a handkerchief.
She buries her face in it for a few seconds, wipes away her tears, and then she’s already back to being the beautiful Alice.
“Ouga-sama, let me renew my vow.”
Alice assumes the same posture as before and makes her pledge with her new name.
“I, Alice, devote my everything to Ouga-sama.”
“Ah, I look forward to it, my sword.”
“…! Yes…!”
And so, I succeeded in adding Alice as a pawn, just as I originally planned.