* * *
“Why?” he asked.
“I got scared. Just… instinctively.”
I say I got scared, but it’s not as simple as just being “afraid.”
It’s something deeper—just looking at that thing crushes my mind.
It feels like facing something grotesque and horrifying that shouldn’t exist in this world.
It makes me feel like I’m going insane.
Honestly, I don’t even want to recall it. I don’t know how the other heroes in the party can stand it.
“So it’s a mental endurance issue.”
“Probably. Normal mental strength can’t handle the mere ‘existence’ of a demon.”
“Then I’ll get you something to help strengthen your mind.”
…What?
“Like an artifact that boosts mental resistance? Those are crazy expensive! And most of them don’t even work that well…!”
Bati, who lives like a total cheapskate—eating whatever’s cheapest and always picking the crummiest inns—wants to blow a fortune for me?
I’m really grateful, but honestly, it makes me feel super guilty.
“Then I’ll just get everything I can find.”
Gah!
Do you even know how much that costs?!
“I-it’s fine. Really, it’s fine. I’ve kept up with you just fine even without something like that…”
“Hey.”
Bati’s sharp, handsome eyes narrowed.
A little scary, sure—but honestly?
It was so sexy my heart skipped a beat.
“Is it a problem that I want to?”
“…No!”
Why is he so sweet and sexy at the same time?!
If you’re going to be sweet, just be sweet!
If you’re going to be sexy, just be sexy!
This kind of domineering kindness being so attractive is a real problem.
Ugh… Honestly, if I could avoid that soul-crushing feeling with an artifact or something, things would be a lot more comfortable.
Maybe I could actually accomplish something too…
Footsteps approached.
I recognized the pace.
The innkeeper.
“What is it?”
I turned my head mid-thought. The innkeeper knocked on our door.
“Someone is here to meet you. They said… they were sent by the lord.”
The lord?
I had considered the possibility, but they really contacted us.
A quest, maybe?
It would make sense, considering there’s supposedly a monster around here so powerful that Vasco and his team barely escaped with their lives.
“Let’s go!”
I grabbed Bati’s hand.
The room in this run-down inn wasn’t even big enough for three adults.
Bati and I, being seasoned adventurers, were both bigger than average, too.
As we stepped out, a well-dressed man came into view.
No armor—so not a soldier.
Probably a steward?
Hmm, then it’s not a quest.
The man bowed slightly when he saw us.
“The Lord wishes to extend an invitation to Sir Zerbin.”
He spoke politely, then launched into an explanation of just how noble his master’s lineage was, how powerful and influential they were, and so on.
I listened just enough to get the important part.
So this count rules this region, and even though the royal blood is from way back, there’s still a trace of it in the family.
Honestly, I couldn’t care less, but I made a mental note just in case.
“If it’s an invitation, then it’s not a request? Just a meeting?”
“Yes.”
Just as I thought.
So it’s just an invitation.
Not because they need Bati’s strength—they’re just curious about what the “King of Adventurers” is like.
Some nobles are like that.
Sitting on their gold thrones, living in luxury, yet fascinated by adventurers who risk their lives fighting monsters and exploring uncharted lands.
Some even run away from home in their youth, dreaming of becoming adventurers.
Most get hurt, cry, and are dragged back to their mansions soon enough, though.
‘But then, why wasn’t it a formal request?’
Did someone else already take down the monster that nearly killed Vasco?
Or maybe the count’s private soldiers handled it?
Well… if things were truly desperate, they’d have made a request.
I pushed down the uneasy feeling.
It’s not my job to run the territory.
That said, I don’t really dislike nobles.
They have money, for one.
If I just go and talk up some heroic stories, they tend to throw rewards around.
Plus, having noble connections never hurts.
Sure, it could get you killed—but if they like you, they’ll back you hard.
And when it comes to flattery, I’ve got talent.
Maybe if I make a good impression, I can score a mental resistance artifact or something?
“I refuse.”
Bati said, firmly.
…Huh?
“You’re not going?”
He shot it down that flatly?
Won’t the noble be offended?
Even the steward’s likely of higher status than a commoner, so this kind of attitude would probably bruise his pride.
Sure enough, the man’s eyebrow twitched.
Bati pulling that look off was sexy—but on this scrawny, uptight steward, it just looked pathetic.
Still, a noble’s power isn’t physical strength—it’s authority.
It’s a bit risky to send them off like this, insulted.
“Why not? Let’s just go.”
“I said no.”
Stubborn!
“It’s not a bad thing to leave a good impression on a noble. It could help if we ever run into trouble with other adventurers.”
Truth is, adventurers getting into fights isn’t even something the guards bother to report most of the time.
If they tried handling all of it, they wouldn’t get anything else done all day.
So adventurers rely on their own strength… or on clients who favor them.
Sounds childish, like kids relying on their parents—but hey, that’s reality.
Power rules.
“It’s not like we’re getting paid to go,” Bati replied.
“Flatter them right and payment might come.”
“Why should I flatter someone who’s not even a client?”
“Uh… potential client?”
“I’ve done just fine without lowering myself like that.”
That’s true too.
Bati isn’t some run-of-the-mill adventurer—he’s the absolute strongest.
The King of Adventurers.
Even if someone wants a more obedient hire, if they don’t have the skills, they’re useless.
In the end, people hire Bati because his results speak for themselves—even if they don’t like him.
So maybe he’s right.
But still…
I leaned in close and whispered in his ear.
“But, if we build a good relationship now, it’ll be easier to get support once you become a Hero, right?”
“….”
Oh, he’s hesitating.
“Hmm? Bati, I’ll do all the flattery. You just need to nod occasionally!”
I don’t expect much from Bati.
Honestly, he’s already so handsome and charismatic that just showing up will be enough to dazzle any noble with adventurer fantasies.
I’ll hype him up with a few battle stories, and boom—atmosphere set.
“Bati?”
He didn’t reply, so I nudged him.
His handsome brow furrowed.
Even when I said he wouldn’t need to flatter them, he still seemed displeased.
“…I get what you’re saying.”
“Right?”
He leaned in, bringing his lips dangerously close to my ear.
I shivered at the ticklish sensation of him nearly touching my skin.
“But right now… I just want to be with you.”
“…We just got back together. And you’re already trying to bring someone else between us?”
Oh my god.
He’s too adorable.
“Y-Yeah!”
Seriously cute!
So what he’s saying is, he wants to be alone with me, huh?
We only just made up, and instead of spending time together, he doesn’t want to waste it sucking up to some random noble?
I love it!
I’m so happy!
Well, then, we have no choice!
Let’s not go!
* * *
