Chapter 48

A few days ago.

When the mercenary fleet that had gone out returned, the taverns in the port were overflowing with sailors.

Everywhere on the docks, one could find humans, kobolds, trolls, elves, and orcs, drunk, with their arms around each other's shoulders, roaming in groups.

But among them, there was also a place that was far removed from such good fortune.

It was the tavern where the Phoenix Knight, Eleonor, was sitting.

“No, why on earth is a person with a knighthood in such a remote place?”

“I know, right. He could go to a much better place. But who can know his thoughts?”

“Shh, be quiet if you don't want to die. She might hear you.”

Eleonor's presence was nothing short of a disaster for the sailors who frequented the tavern.

No one wants to run into their boss after work.

Because of this, the area around Eleonor was completely empty.

Even the sailors who were usually loud and frequently got into brawls either drank with their mouths shut or even backpedaled out of the entrance.

Only the tavern owner, who could not recklessly kick Eleonor out, had a long face.

But Eleonor, deep in thought, did not notice it.

“Interesting. Very interesting.”

It had been a few months since Eleonor came to Fasa.

Eleonor had watched all the changes that were taking place in Fasa.

She saw that backwater city rapidly gain vitality in a matter of months.

It was an undeniable fact that Leon was at the center of that change.

‘Leon Gryph. A mercenary commander from the backwoods. A new wind.’

Eleonor held a sense of antipathy towards the traditional method of historical narrative that explained everything in a heroic manner.

She felt that the periphery of events was too underestimated.

How could a hero accomplish everything alone?

How would such an action be possible without the assistance or reaction of those around them?

Therefore, Eleonor had planned to focus on the state and narrate history.

This time, she thought that would be fair.

But now, her perspective in recording events was shifting to be Leon-centric.

‘Originally, I was just going to record the events.’

The things Leon had led for the past few months were astonishing.

The idea of subjugating pirates with the treasure taken from pirates.

The drive to put it into action.

A city that was once declining, now revitalized.

The boldness to accept kobold pirates as subordinates.

The guts to pull a fraudulent contract on a Phoenix Knight.

A vicious boss who throws a lot of work at you.

And yet, the diligence to burn the midnight oil alongside you.

‘Has there been a more interesting person recently.’

At this point, Fasa was more interesting than the court of the wealthy Duke of Aquitaine.

Eleonor was about to bring her beer to her lips when she paused at a thought that flashed through her mind.

‘Oh, wait a minute. Isn't this getting worse for me?’

There was already so much work now, so wouldn't there be much more in the future?

The reason Eleonor had not thought of this simple calculation was simple.

It was because her thinking was paralyzed by the mountain of documents and overtime right in front of her.

At the belated realization, Eleonor shuddered.

Her survival instinct was warning her that it was dangerous.

‘Should I just run away like this?’

Leon was a merciful mercenary commander.

He had fairly distributed the prize money to his subordinates every time he earned it.

Thanks to that, Eleonor had enough money in her possession to lightly pay any penalty fees.

But, what fun would there be if she left the mercenary company?

Eleonor remembered the purpose of her visit to Fasa and shook her head.

“This won’t do. I have to write a letter.”

As a Phoenix Knight based in Elance, Eleonor had several connections in Elance.

Among them, a few people came to mind who would come running if she told them the situation here.

Eleonor quickly took out a notebook and a quill pen and wrote a letter.

Unbeknownst to her, Eleonor had already been influenced by Leon.

She could never die alone.

***

“That’s how it happened.”

After moving the unfortunate victim, Rhom, to the infirmary, we moved to the mercenary office.

There, Eleonor explained the circumstances of the vampire's arrival in Fasa.

Even after hearing the explanation, Theo still seemed wary of the vampire, not taking his hand off his axe.

“So who is this vampire?”

“This fellow’s name is Selvi. He’s a vampire from Elance and a graduate of the school of bards in Aquitaine.”

Selvi bowed with an exaggerated but formal etiquette that was almost insolent.

“Selvi offers his greetings. I came running at once after receiving contact from my sis, no, Sir Eleonor.”

It was the person I knew.

I didn't recognize him at first because his impression was so different.

Originally, Selvi was not a flippant punk but a gloomy model student character, but it seems the Dynamic something-or-other System of had done a number on him.

It must have changed him into the complete opposite.

Perhaps thinking that I was looking at him with displeasure, Eleonor quickly said.

“Lord Gryph, even though he talks like this, he is a fellow I can trust.”

“I understand that, but why did you call him?”

“Well, I was trying to reduce the overtime a bit. I called him because I thought he would be useful for administrative work.”

“Ah.”

At my interjection, Eleonor lowered her head in embarrassment.

It was just pitiful that a knight who could easily take down a troll was so tormented by overtime that she had to ask for help.

I'm sorry.

For being such a vicious workplace.

But we do it all to make a living.

You understand, right?

Anyway, I looked at Selvi, pretending to be in deep thought.

But inside, I was trying to suppress a shout of joy.

Eleonor had pulled one off.

This must be why connections are important.

Because no matter how his appearance changed, Selvi’s abilities must be real.

A new worker for the mercenary company is always welcome.

So how should I cast the bait?

Just then, a good idea flashed through my mind.

“If it's Sir Eleonor's guarantee, then he must be a trustworthy person. Besides, if he's from the Murray Clan, he should be quite useful.”

“Huh?”

“Huk.”

As I revealed Selvi’s identity, two different gasps of surprise flowed out.

Eleonor looked surprised, and Selvi ‘Murray’ glared at me.

Theo alone was bewildered, not understanding, but in any case.

I had definitely succeeded in getting his attention.

From within his vertically slit pupils, the sinister aura of a viper flowed out.

It was killing intent.

An aura that made it impossible to move a muscle pierced my skin.

“How did you know my identity? Who did you hear it from? What is your relationship with the Murray Clan?”

At the same time, Theo, who had sensed the killing intent, raised his axe handle.

At the same time, Theo, who had sensed the killing intent, raised his axe handle.

It was a touch-and-go situation where the gleaming axe blade seemed ready to leap forward at any moment.

My heart, caught in the middle, began to beat like crazy.

At that moment, for the first time in a long while, my trait activated.

「Trait Activated: Heart of Iron and Blood How different is the heartbeat in a normal state from the heartbeat in a state of tension.」

I instantly regained my composure and calmly retorted.

“Well, how would I know?”

“I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

“I’m not joking either.”

“I told you to watch your mouth!”

Just then, Eleonor grabbed the back of Selvi's head and pushed it down.

Selvi returned to his smirking face, and the killing intent that had filled the air vanished as if washed away.

Selvi did not resist Eleonor.

It was like watching a well-trained hunting dog and its trainer.

“Sis. You said it would be fun, but this is unexpected. Besides, to not react at all even after feeling my killing intent? I don't know if he's dull or just bold.”

“I apologize, Lord Gryph. Selvi is not a bad guy, but. He is sensitive about his origin.”

“I understand. Having run away from the clan, it's not strange to think that pursuers might come looking for him.”

“You even knew about that?”

Caledonia is a land where old traditions remain.

Like the tribal era, numerous clans and bloodlines still rule that land.

Among them, the Murray Clan of Caledonia is a clan famous for surveillance and assassination.

In modern terms, you could say Selvi is the firstborn son of a renowned family of assassins.

But Selvi refused to inherit the family business and ran away from home.

So he is worried that the clan elders might come to catch him.

That is the reason why Selvi glared at me.

In other words, it means that I also had enough time with Selvi to know this much.

As I remained calm throughout, Eleonor was flustered.

“You don’t seem very displeased by Selvi’s rudeness?”

“Well, he did cause a commotion, but Rhom is a guy who deserves to be hit a little, and it’s not a bad thing for a talented individual to come find me on his own, is it?”

I was already having a headache because of the thieves' guild.

Selvi's arrival at such a time was a good opportunity for me.

A vampire is a natural predator of the night.

Selvi would be able to solve the thieves' guild problem.

It would be foolish to chase away a much-needed talent who appeared just in time.

However, Selvi seemed to be uncomfortable with me having seen through his origins.

“By the way, did you tell him my identity, sis? If it was you, I don't really mind.”

“No. I didn’t say a word.”

As she said that, Eleonor looked at me with a confused gaze.

I nodded my head for her to see.

“Sir Eleonor is right. Sir Eleonor never told me. In fact, she never even said anyone was coming.”

“Then how did you know my identity?”

“How would I know?”

Selvi bared his fangs.

“Keep playing games like that, kid.”

“It’s not a game. I knew as soon as I saw you.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll keep your identity and secrets strictly confidential. I’ll even hire you into the mercenary company. You don’t have a job anyway, right?”

“You, you bastard. You really know a lot, don't you?”

“I only know what I know. What will you do? As you’ve heard, I’m not someone who treats talented people poorly.”

Selvi’s eyes changed to a look of contemplation.

Eleonor, who was watching from the side with worried eyes, quickly came to her senses.

Her expression changed rapidly from a pitiful one that roughly meant ‘He’s planning to make him a slave to overtime too,’ to one of realization, ‘Ah, right. I called him.’

Who would think that scatterbrain was a renowned knight of the Phoenix Knights.

I wonder if I’ve ruined a person.

Anyway.

Although it changes with each gameplay, usually Selvi is unemployed in the early stages, loitering around the Elance court for a position as a court bard.

It seemed to be the same this time, as when I explained the employment conditions of the mercenary company, Selvi signed the contract without a word.

Thus, a new slave, no, an employee of the mercenary company was born.

Now, you shall light up the nights of Fasa alongside Eleonor.

After you solve the thieves' guild problem first.

“Then, Lord Gryph, shall I make a seat next to me?”

“No. We’ll do that later, there’s something Selvi must do right away.”

“Separately?”

Everyone wore a puzzled expression.

Eleonor, in particular, looked disappointed.

I understand how she feels, but unfortunately, there are many things Selvi needs to do.

“Since I am now your employer, I will speak informally. Selvi, your first mission is something that will utilize your specialty. It is easy if it’s easy, and difficult if it’s difficult.”

At the words that it might be difficult, Selvi bridled.

“Tell me. I will accomplish it no matter what.”

You, I like you.

That motivated look is very good.

I’ve made a note of it.

“Your first mission is to clean up the thieves' guild in Fasa.”

“Is that all?”

“It won't be as easy as you think.”

It was something that couldn't be rooted out even after deploying all the city's forces.

It couldn't possibly be as easy as it sounds.

But Selvi snorted.

“You can bet on it. I will definitely satisfy you.”

“I’ll support you with personnel and resources, so if you need anything, request it from Sir Eleonor.”

“Instead, I have a condition.”

Theo glared at Selvi.

His eyes said, what kind of condition is a newcomer making.

But Selvi just smiled slyly.

I stopped Theo and said.

“What condition?”

“When the job is done, you must tell me how you found out my identity. That is my condition.”

“That’s not difficult.”

“Understood, Commander. Then I will go and carry out my mission.”

Selvi gave a playful salute and then left first to carry out his first mission.

Judging by his reaction, he didn't seem to truly acknowledge me as his commander.

But for now, I decided to be satisfied with just having caught his interest.

That was enough.

I was grinning when my eyes met Eleonor's, and I was flustered.

“……?”

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