* * *
“Strictly speaking, that’s a different agenda than the nobles’, isn’t it? They lent him power to punish someone, but if he ends up using that power to settle a personal debt or worse, goes easy on Zerbin…”
This was assuming Gaspar accepted their proposal—but it definitely made sense.
What the nobles wanted was to teach Bati a lesson for having the audacity to ignore them.
They could shelve their anger over the fact that he had harbored such an impudent heart toward the Hero for now…
Either way, the nobles’ goal was probably to send a message like: ‘If you keep this up, we’ll make your life hell using our power,’ or ‘Feel the weight of our strength and just surrender already.’
Gaspar must have pretended he could provide them with that justification.
And of course, someone like him wouldn’t say a word about the parts that didn’t work in his favor—like his gambling debt.
But since Gaspar’s real goal was something else entirely, if we exposed him, maybe we could frame him as ‘that arrogant bastard who tried to exploit the nobility.’
Which would actually be true.
“Great! Then we’ll fight fire with fire—spread some rumors of our own!”
I clenched my fist in determination.
Gaspar made up nasty rumors about Bati out of nowhere, but we’d only be speaking the truth. So it’s not even wrong, really.
The only issue is, if this kind of talk only spreads among adventurers, it might just get dismissed as idle gossip.
“Everyone’s got at least one noble they’re acquainted with, right? Can you visit them and casually drop the story like it’s the hot topic these days?”
“Wait, you want us to go to the nobles to spread rumors? Not just among adventurers?”
Vasco’s face went pale.
“As long as it’s someone who’s not directly involved in this incident.”
“Honestly, rumors spreading in noble society do tend to carry more weight than just chatter among adventurers. But still…”
Naike also looked worried.
I understood his concern.
I said we should frame Gaspar as someone using the nobles for personal gain, but we were technically doing the same thing—using the nobles as tools.
If they found out our true intentions, they might take offense.
That’s why we’re sticking to nobles we’re on friendly terms with.
“I’ll do it.”
Carmen was the first to speak up with enthusiasm.
“It’s not like we’re asking for much—just go chat with a regular client and mix in some gossip about that gambling addict. That’s nothing.”
“I’m in too. Haven’t taken on any jobs lately, so it’ll look like I’m just poking around for work anyway.”
Vicente chimed in.
This is why I like rough but simple guys.
If they think they can do something, they don’t overthink it.
Even if they live wild, they survive on animal instincts.
No need to worry about them.
“Hmm… alright, I’ll give it a shot too.”
“Damn it, fine! I don’t wanna kiss up to nobles, though!”
Nice—now we’ve got everyone on board.
As for Aimone, he’s the type who doesn’t think flowery speeches are necessary between comrades, so I didn’t even have to ask.
But the one I was worried about was Bati, who had stayed completely silent throughout the meeting.
He was the one who had agreed to surrender, and I was the one who didn’t like that and wanted to find another way.
So I wouldn’t blame him for not wanting to cooperate.
But still… I couldn’t help but wonder how he felt watching me go to all this trouble.
He might not be thrilled about his and Gaspar’s names getting tossed around in noble gossip circles…
“You okay?”
I asked carefully, and he gently patted my head.
He didn’t say anything, but that soft touch reassured me.
If Bati’s okay with this much, then that’s good enough for me!
For the first time in a while, I went out alone without Bati.
Honestly, I wanted him to come with me, but in this situation, taking him along to meet a noble would only make things worse.
The biggest reason was that I couldn’t afford to look like I was bowing to another noble faction just to escape the current pressure.
I didn’t want people saying things like: “So much for acting all high and mighty—now look at him running to the next powerful person for help.”
I’d die before letting Vati hear something like that.
Besides, I had to keep the real purpose of this visit as secret as possible.
I dressed up much neater than usual.
No sleeveless top today—I wore a freshly ironed shirt and a stiff, well-tailored black coat made from quality fabric.
The edges were faintly trimmed in gold, giving it a slightly luxurious touch.
The coat was fitted instead of loose like what I usually wore, so the knives hidden underneath were a bit uncomfortable, but I endured it.
That’s how hard it is just to meet a noble, for god’s sake.
Well, at least the payoff makes it worth the effort.
I stood in front of the mirror, wondering if looking this proper would come across as more trustworthy.
Should I take off my accessories?
But then I figured—my face already screams thug, so what’s the point?
They probably invite me mostly because they like my face anyway.
I pinned my hair down with golden clips and wore earrings too.
And so, finally—finally—I arrived at the noble’s estate after a long time.
The giant demons had destroyed all the human castles they couldn’t enter themselves, trampling them down completely.
“Raul!”
Viscountess Rosie came out to greet me, wearing a dazzling dress.
It didn’t have much lace or frills, but just the fabric alone screamed luxury.
Her territory had a ruby mine, so she was quite wealthy.
She’d paid me generously for past commissions too.
“Welcome! I’ve prepared tea!”
She smiled brightly as she welcomed me.
…I used to think of her as just a business client, but strangely, seeing her alive and well didn’t make me feel bad.
The last time I saw her, this luxurious noble had been fleeing in a panic, barely dressed.
She begged me to guard her while running, but I refused—because I wouldn’t be any help.
I couldn’t fight demons.
I couldn’t even look at them properly…
I thought I’d made the right choice.
But maybe that decision had been weighing on me more than I realized.
“It’s been a while. Has it already been two months?”
Two months… that means we met right before my regression.
So pretty recently. What job did I take again?
Can’t remember.
Still, I smiled and followed her inside.
A tea table had been set up for her on the terrace.
A porcelain teapot painted with roses, ornate teacups, and a three-tiered tray stacked with sweets to accompany the tea.
Vati would love something like that…
Those bite-sized pastries—he’d grab two or three at a time and eat them up eagerly.
Just watching him do that is enough to fill me up.
“Raul?”
Oops.
No more daydreaming.
* * *
