* * *
Bati always treats everyone coldly and ignores nine out of ten people who try to talk to him!
The fact that Bati actually makes the effort to respond when I speak?
That makes me incredibly happy.
Honestly, I kind of want to show that off. But now’s not the time.
“Anyway, Bati didn’t do it!”
“Bati…”
“…Let’s stop talking about that!”
I deliberately ignored their stares, silently demanding an explanation about what kind of relationship we had for me to be calling him by such a familiar nickname.
Like I had time for that right now.
“So, you’re saying your connection is tied to something shady, right?”
Jack asked.
Yeah, well… the truth is, I’m the one who committed the crime that got reported.
Even if I corrected them now, I didn’t think the situation would improve much.
Crimes between adventurers were more of a hassle than they were worth, so people usually ignored them.
But that didn’t make them any less illegal.
If I confessed, I’d probably get arrested—or worse, they’d ignore the truth because the nobles had already decided what they wanted the truth to be.
Either way, nothing good would come of it…
“I’m going.”
Bati said.
“What?”
Did I hear that right?
“I said I’m going.”
“Why? They’re falsely accusing you! Going along with it like this just makes it look like you’re admitting guilt!”
“This is the best way to assess the situation. And besides, they can’t keep me for long. Didn’t you say so?”
He must be referring to what I said about the future—how the number and strength of monsters rising isn’t just a temporary trend, but a sign of an impending demon invasion, one that would only get worse.
If that’s the case, the entire continent will be in chaos soon, and even if they detain Bati for now, they won’t be able to hold onto him.
They can’t afford to waste someone that powerful.
Especially if the Holy Sword that awaits the Hero reveals itself.
Honestly, I know that Bati won’t get hurt by playing along with this ridiculous scheme.
There’s a reason he’s so admired and feared by adventurers alike.
Batista Zerbin never wavers.
No matter what happens, he remains arrogant and untouchable.
No one can bring him down.
But that doesn’t mean I’m okay with this.
“I just don’t want your reputation getting any worse.”
I remembered what Ricardo had told me in the market—the rumors about Batista had come from someone who claimed to have known him for a long time.
At the time, I brushed it off. I was sure Bati didn’t have anyone like that in his past.
But now I know exactly who it could be.
‘Gaspar.’
Someone who had known Bati for a long time.
Someone with every reason—and opportunity—to spread that kind of filth.
It had to be him.
He’s the one poisoning the air around Bati, trying to isolate him.
And since he’s not done using Bati yet, he’s probably been spreading lies right up until recently.
Even though Bati, who’s kind and sincere, has never done anything like that.
As if the lies weren’t bad enough, now they want to frame him for something too?
I can’t accept that. Even if Bati says he’s fine with it—I’m not.
Why should he have to be feared for something he didn’t do?
Why should people whisper behind his back, judging him over baseless gossip?
It’s not right.
I remember the way Bati trembled the first time he faced Gaspar.
Even though he drove away that shameless bastard in his “good mentor” disguise without flinching, Bati couldn’t even feel happy about it.
The way the townspeople looked at him afterwards—like they were scared of him—made him freeze.
No one’s happy being called a monster.
This isn’t okay.
“I’ll get the proof. Proof that Bati is innocent.”
I’ll make sure no one dares call him a monster again.
That’s what I have to do—as his lover.
“Just give me one week. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
The guards hesitated.
The kind of hesitation you see when no one wants to make the first move.
“Let’s be honest—no matter how hard you try, you couldn’t drag Bati away if you wanted to. The nobles probably didn’t even expect you to catch him the day he got to Swindlin.”
“Well… maybe, but still.”
Let’s face it: these guys aren’t strong enough to touch him now, or even in a few days.
They were probably hoping the nobles’ backing would be enough.
Maybe they thought that even someone like Bati—who’s technically a commoner—would bow his head before enough noble pressure.
But Bati wasn’t backing down.
He was just planning to confront it head-on.
Still…
“Go along with it and ‘assess the situation’? No way.”
People always assume if you comply right away, you must be guilty.
They don’t care about explanations.
Before, when Bati had no connections, no allies, maybe diving in headfirst was the only option.
But now—he has me.
“Just pretend you’re arresting him. Stall for a week. Yeah, it’ll be tough on him, but you do know I’m not the kind of guy who forgets a favor, right?”
If they can’t deliver results soon, the nobles will probably send someone else.
But we can still buy time. I’ll use it to dig up the truth and prove Bati’s innocence.
“If it works out, I’ll make it worth your while.”
“…How the hell did I end up involved in this?” Jack muttered miserably.
He was the only one who spoke out loud, but the other guards looked just as nervous and unsure.
They didn’t want to go against the nobles, but they were terrified of confronting Bati too.
“Or…”
I gave Bati a push on the back.
If he didn’t want to move, I could throw everything I had at him and he still wouldn’t budge.
But this time—he moved.
He walked forward, toward the guards, without a word.
And with every step, the guards grew paler.
Even though he wasn’t saying anything, even though all he was doing was walking the way I asked.
“There’s always the option of sabotaging the arrest. You know, playing the part of incompetent guards.”
“You bastard—that’s blackmail!”
“Blackmail? Bati’s just resisting because he’s been falsely accused. It’s a very pure and involuntary reaction.”
I said it shamelessly, and Jack was left speechless.
Probably because, on some level, what I said did make sense.
If they tried to forcefully arrest him, Bati would resist.
And with their skills, they wouldn’t last a second.
They’d be flattened instantly.
Whether they survived it or not—that’s up to the gods.
So… are you really willing to risk your life for this?
Sometimes, slacking off a bit makes both yourself and others a lot happier.
“If you keep holding that weapon, I’ll assume you actually want to work hard.”
Suddenly, there was a loud clatter.
The guards all dropped their spears at once.
Jack raised his empty hands.
He’d already thrown his away out of sheer agony.
He gave an awkward smile.
“I’ve been on your side from the start. You know that, right?”
* * *
