Vol 2: Chapter 4
「Your Excellency. That is…」one of the knights started, bitterly, but the Earl coldly replied,「Shut up.」
Meanwhile, I tried to secure an escape route. If things go south, let’s break that windowpane and escape… and I won’t try to help nobles anymore and get dragged into something troublesome.
「I know I am looking into the future, but I have my own problems, too. When I die, my daughter will be exposed to danger. My 11-year-old daughter will not be able to survive through the rough storms of the noble society.」
「I see? Does that mean you don’t require any cleaning?」
「Please clean my daughter’s enemies.」
That was smooth…
「Reiji-san, I’ve looked into you, but I couldn’t find anything relating to your personal history. You arrived at the Holy Kingdom three years ago, and now you are active as a cleaner of the Knights Order. Though, it is uncertain why you are a cleaner. You once took over the debt of an adventurer named Zerry, correct?」
He found all that in just a few days. I wasn’t sure if I should be shocked or impressed.
「…You still choose to be silent? You seem to be better than I expected.」
…No, I’m just taken aback. Actually, I’m more afraid now that you have a higher impression of me.
「Everyone, leave us.」
「However…」
「That is an order.」
「Yes, sir.」
The knights left the balcony, shooting hateful glares at me. I am the one who wants to leave this place the most, though.
The clanking of metal armor sounded with every step the knights took, but when they were gone, the silence, in its own way, hurt my ears.
「…Umm, what is all this about? I can’t follow along.」
「I feel like I have already died once. Can you understand that feeling? I was always careful even within the holy city, but I suppose I unconsciously became relaxed. It was a big blunder on my part.」
「You can’t be on alert all the time.」
「Even a man as strong as you think so?」
「…I’m not that strong.」
I honestly think so. My power was brought about by 【World Ruler】.
True strength can be found in extreme conditions. Dante-san was strong. He has shown to protect his comrades till the very end. And now that his petrification has been cured, he must have gotten much stronger.
「It doesn’t seem to be humility. I think that’s rather admirable.」
「That doesn’t sound like a word a Earl should be using towards a cleaner.」
「Is there anything you need? If you choose to accept my request, I shall meet all conditions of yours.」
“All conditions” caught my attention.
To tell the truth, what I want to do – searching for news about Lark, and looking for the person named Lulusha – has a limit to what I can do as an individual.
I can only think of going around big cities and asking at the adventurer’s guild for now. A database of residence does not exist in this world, and the birth record recorded by the church is not available to the public.
(But what if it were a noble?)
I don’t know how many nobles there are in the Kruvan Holy Kingdom, but an Earl should be high up in the social ladder. He has such a big house in the holy city, after all.
Escort, huh…
Protecting this person himself might be a little difficult. Because this person will go to various places, right? Depending on the situation, he may even meet the Holy King. A boy like me wouldn’t be able to follow him to such places, and on the contrary, they might be more vigilant towards me.
But what if it is the daughter?
(Didn’t he say she is 11 years old? Then she’s just 2 years younger than me. It wouldn’t look strange even if I stick around with her… Wait, did this man become a dad in his teens?!)
I was surprised at an inconsequential aspect.
「Judging from your silence, I suppose you’re still considering?」
This man is fixed that I was the one who saved his life. It is impossible to deceive him any longer…
If it is only a small risk, I guess I can provide some escort services.
「…By the way, how much danger is around the young lady?」
「Should be less than half of around me. Most of the hostile nobles probably think my daughter can be easily eliminated if I die.」
Well, that doesn’t sound too bad, I suppose.
「Earl. Why do you trust me to be your daughter’s escort for saving your life just once?」
「You were more helpful than the knights who were on the scene. Isn’t that fact more than enough?」
「I think that’s a weak reason to entrust your daughter to a stranger.」
「We are in a tight spot where our lives are being targeted even within the holy city. In normal times, I wouldn’t put a stranger near my daughter, but in this situation, I have no room for hesitation. And you look like a child, which is very convenient in that you will not be suspicious being near my daughter.」
I see. There aren’t many disadvantages to employing me.
「…Okay. I accept.」
「Thank you.」
The Earl was smiling, but it didn’t feel like an actual smile.
I remember that he was called the “Cold-Blooded Lord”. Who was the guy that came up with such a disrespectful nickname? It matches him too perfectly.
「However–」
I raised three fingers.
「I have three conditions.」
「Let’s listen to them then.」
「First, I would like to hear any news related to 5-star skill orbs or higher.」
「Skill orb…」
Perhaps my condition was unexpected, as the Earl blinked in surprise.
I thought it would be better not to reveal Lark’s name. She was wanted in the Keith Grand Federation, after all. The reason why I did not limit it to “6-stars” and gave a range of “5-stars or more” is to make my purpose as unknown as possible.
「Second, I’m looking for a woman named “Lulusha”. I’m not sure about the age, but most likely around my age, and also talented in magic. Please use your influence to find that person.」
「Hmm…what does this person mean to you, Reiji-san?」
「Ah, she’s not a blood relative or an enemy. I received a message from Lulusha’s grandfather, so I just want to convey it.」
「Hou.」
The Earl’s smile deepened. And although just very, very slightly – anyone other than me would’ve probably missed it – there appeared to be actual emotion in his smile.
「You are an interesting person. Usually, employment conditions and bargaining are done for one’s own benefit.」
「It’s profitable enough for me… Rather than profit, it is more like something I have to do…」
「I shall accept those two conditions. After all, searching for people is my specialty.」
No doubt about that. He found me within a few days, after all. That is why I decided to take on the escort request.
The Earl leaned forward and placed his elbow on the table. The table creaked a little. At that moment, his eyebrow twitched a little – Oh, right, this person had his hand pierced by an arrow.
Even if the wound is immediately closed with 【Healing Magic】, the damaged nerves will not heal immediately, causing the pain to remain for a while.
Though, a minor injury can be healed completely.
「Let’s hear the third condition, Reiji-san.」
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