novelraw Chapter 60 : Chapter 60
Chapter 60 : Chapter 60
Chapter 60. Received a Gift.
At this point, the rank written on the mercenary tag became meaningless.
For the sole reason of having learned swordsmanship, even the most incompetent knight was treated as being above a regular 2nd-class mercenary.
It meant that whether I was officially a quasi-3rd-class mercenary or a 4th-class mercenary, I was confirmed to be 2nd-class or higher.
From the client's perspective, who was trying to hire a few 3rd-class mercenaries, it was an unexpected piece of luck.
It was natural for his attitude to become polite.
“May I take it that you intend to hire me?”
“Oh my! What are you saying! Of course, I must request it of you, Sir Ben! I'm grateful that you've come even when the pay is not much!”
As expected of a merchant.
He subtly brought up the topic of pay.
It was close to a question of whether I would demand a larger amount than what was written on the request form.
Of course, the merchant was not unaware of the value of a mercenary who could use swordsmanship, so he would not refuse a demand for a little more.
‘It’s a bit pathetic to change my words after coming here knowing the pay.’
Since the goal of this job was to stay around this merchant, it was more important to maintain a smooth relationship with the merchant than a few coins.
But to just accept it was likely to arouse suspicion.
Because there was no such thing as a mercenary without greed.
“I was planning to take on a request as a side job while watching the new emperor's coronation, so you don't have to worry so much about it. As long as you show a little sincerity, that is.”
When I attached a reasonable excuse, the merchant nodded his head repeatedly.
“Then, please wait a moment. I will select the mercenaries who will guard with you shortly.”
As the merchant said, the subsequent selection was made in an instant.
It was as if his previous pickiness had been a lie.
It seemed that since my presence had clearly surpassed the minimum requirement, he had judged that it wouldn't make much of a difference who filled the remaining spots.
“You've waited a long time. Please come inside.”
The merchant confirmed the number of people to hire, sent all the other mercenaries away, and guided me into the mansion.
It was clear special treatment, but the other mercenaries didn't show much dissatisfaction.
If you had skills, you were treated well.
That was the reason why mercenaries did their job despite the risks.
‘How could a quasi-3rd-class mercenary...’ there were some mercenaries who muttered such things and harbored questions.
Until just a while ago, it would have been words that would have made my heart grow cold, but now, it was no problem.
‘The rumor must have spread to some extent by now.’
Just two days ago, I had shown myself using swordsmanship in front of people.
Moreover, that bastard Peter had mentioned Simon several times.
Although he said he would keep his subordinates' mouths shut, information control was not an easy task even for a thoroughly trained group.
The information that there was some kind of relationship between me and Simon was probably spreading everywhere.
Although it was a little different from the direction I had originally thought, I had been planning to announce it soon anyway, so there was no problem.
‘This is refreshing.’
There were still many things to hide, but in any case.
The journey to obtain this qualification had been too long.
The painful life of hiding my strength was now over.
As for the part where the swordsmanship I was using was not the Celestial Sword, I would sort that out with Simon later.
* * *
“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Steve Sharon, the head of the Sharon Merchant Guild. To think that a future hero would be my bodyguard, I truly don't know what to do with myself.”
The merchant sat in front of the dining table and smiled slyly.
A future hero, he said. It was to the point where I almost felt a sense of awe at his ability to say such cringeworthy words with a straight face.
The life of someone in the service industry…….
“I'm not that great of a person. I just happened to be lucky enough to learn a useful skill.”
“Oh my. You are too humble. Even I, who knows nothing, could see that it was amazing.”
Hahahoho.
It was a pleasant time for social life.
“To have prepared such a mansion in the Imperial Capital. You are truly amazing. I can feel your skill, Sir Steve.”
“Unfortunately, it is only borrowed for a short time. I am not originally a merchant from the Imperial Capital.”
No wonder.
I had thought the mansion was a bit cluttered, and there was a reason for it.
“Is that so? I thought you were a native of the Imperial Capital because of your refined and elegant speech and mannerisms.”
“Haha. I hear that often. My hometown is a small country called Manoz on the border of the empire. This is my first time in the Imperial Capital.”
A face that looked a little different from a typical imperial citizen. Was it a difference in ethnicity, not an individual difference?
“If it's not too much to ask, could you tell me where you are from, Sir Ben?”
“Ah, I am……”
What was the region I was supposed to be from in my setting?
After a moment of confusion, I made something up.
In any case, if he was from a vassal state, he probably wouldn't know the geography of the Imperial State in detail.
“Aha! To think that you are not from the Imperial Capital either, Sir Ben! I feel a sense of kinship!”
“Ahaha. Is that so?”
Even though we had only exchanged a few words, I was already starting to get tired.
Maybe I should have pretended to be a quiet and serious person from the beginning.
“The Imperial Capital is amazing, isn't it? After seeing the Imperial Capital, I realized what a backwater the capital of the Manoz Kingdom is. Just thinking about going back makes me sigh.”
“Isn't this the peak season? Why don't you make a big profit and settle down in the Imperial Capital.”
“I would like to do that too. I'll have to try. That's why I hired bodyguards.”
Although a vassal state was strictly a part of the empire's territory, just because it came under the empire's influence did not mean that its national identity changed in an instant.
Seeing as he called it the border, it probably hadn't been long since it was annexed by the empire.
It felt like a foreign country.
It wasn't strange for him to be particularly concerned about safety.
“What great luck it is to have met you, Sir Ben……”
Steve suddenly grabbed my hand.
It seemed to mean that he was counting on me for such an important role.
I felt the urge to shake off his sticky hand, but I barely managed to hold it in.
Fortunately, at that moment, the meal preparation was finished and dishes began to be placed on the table.
“Let’s continue our conversation while we eat.”
Steve recommended the food with an affable face.
I quickly stuffed food into my mouth as an excuse to keep my mouth shut.
Nom, nom-
It might have been a bit rude, but it didn't really matter.
In any case, I was a mercenary.
No one would expect impeccable etiquette from a mercenary who had rolled around in a rough world.
“As expected, even the way you eat is magnanimous!”
“I’m not-”
The food was definitely delicious enough to be proudly served.
It was to the point where I wondered if he had hired a skilled chef in the Imperial Capital, or if he had brought one from his hometown.
“Good food cannot be without good liquor.”
At Steve's words, a servant cautiously approached with a bottle.
The shape of the bottle was familiar.
“This is……”
“‘Shamalan.’ Our main product. It is a specialty of Manoz.”
It was the very same liquor that Pol had drunk and passed out from the other day.
I had just thought it was a high-class liquor sold in the Imperial Capital.
To think it was a liquor brought from the far borders of the empire, it was understandable that it was expensive.
“I don't drink while I eat.”
The tantrum Pol threw after downing this liquor was still vivid.
I had no intention of drinking in front of others in the first place, but now my wariness was at its peak.
“Ah, that’s a shame. Then I will pack it for you, so please have a taste later. I’m sure you will like it.”
“Thank you.”
But that didn't mean I would refuse what was given.
It was free, wasn't it?
* * *
There wasn't much of substance in the subsequent conversation either.
Steve was desperate to build a good relationship with me in any way he could.
Therefore, the way out after finishing the meal at a reasonable time was liberating.
In my hand, I was dangling the bottle of liquor that Steve had given me.
Neither Pol nor Peter was waiting in front of the mansion.
They were probably both busy carrying out the tasks I had assigned them.
“Hmm……. I’m kind of at a loose end.”
Neither the sharp-sensed Pol nor the well-informed Peter was here.
It was inefficient for me to continue the investigation on my own.
Even if I tried to go and find them, I would be lucky if we didn't miss each other on the way.
In the end, I had no choice but to return to the lodging early and wait for either of them to come back.
‘I feel like having a drink.’
It was awkward to just sit in the lodging by myself.
It might have been because I had the ‘Shamalan’ that I had received from Steve in my hand.
I wasn't without interest.
Wasn't Pol's reaction amazing?
I wanted to see for myself how delicious a liquor it was that he had drunk it down so excitedly.
‘It should be fine here.’
I opened the bottle and first took a sniff of the aroma.
A sweet scent was felt first, and then the characteristic smell of alcohol lingered at the tip of my nose.
“Haah-”
The aroma was excellent.
Then what about the taste?
When I tilted the bottle and took a sip, a gentle sweetness softly coated my tongue.
And yet, after swallowing, the aftertaste was clean.
“Tsk. It doesn't feel like it has a high alcohol content.”
I had thought it was a potent liquor because Pol had gotten drunk so quickly.
I didn't feel any of the tingling or burning sensation that one would usually associate with a potent liquor.
In any case, it felt more like a delicious drink than alcohol.
Should I drink a little more?
“……”
After taking one more sip, I felt a change in my senses.
My heart was pounding.
The noise from outside the door, which I hadn't paid attention to until now, was ringing in my ears.
I could feel the texture of the clothes on my skin, and the patterns on the floor and ceiling were clearly imprinted in my eyes.
The taste of the liquor had changed.
A much richer taste and aroma than before.
A thirst welled up, and before I knew it, I was gulping down the Shamalan.
For some reason, I felt refreshed.
‘But, is this really alcohol?’
I stopped my hand at the sudden question that came to my mind.
I had drunk my fair share of alcohol, but this was not the feeling of getting drunk.
The liquor was already almost half gone.
The moment I thought I shouldn't drink any more.
Annoyance surged.
The confrontation between reason and emotion began.
‘Let's just drink it. We can just go and buy another bottle, can't we?’
‘No, that's not the problem. I don't know what this is. It could be dangerous.’
‘Seeing as Pol was fine even after drinking two bottles, one bottle probably won't cause any problems.’
‘There could be individual differences. And a terrible hangover is a problem enough.’
‘Since when did I become such a coward?’
‘Think about my situation. If I slip up even once, it's irreversible. I have to be careful.’
In the end, it was reason that won.
I suppressed the urge to drink all the Shamalan, closed the bottle, and took a deep breath.
Fighting the murderous urge had been helpful.
Most urges were nothing compared to the craving for blood that Luke possessed.
I swallowed water instead of liquor and somehow gathered my wits.
After the wave of strong urges had passed, my senses also gradually returned.
“...This is dangerous.”
This could not be called ordinary alcohol.
The alcohol content didn't seem to be that high, but it was certain that it contained ingredients that affected the mind in addition to alcohol.
An object close to a drug.
It was dangerous for such a liquor to be spread.
My head was not working well yet due to the lingering effects of the Shamalan.
‘Did Steve know this and was deliberately selling it? Was that why Pol's senses reacted?’
If so—