Chapter 131-2
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Sure. If there’s anything else you want, I won’t mind.”
I wonder if the Gavrett family is struggling financially?
With the increased security around Ms. Alicia, it makes sense that the costs for the investigation would pile up.
Still, a Viscount’s family shouldn’t be in dire straits like that.
So, the Viscount’s offer is only if I want something other than money, huh?
If it’s not money, then it must be magic stones, but going through the Viscount’s family would complicate things.
There might be someone in the Gavrett family who helped curse Ms. Alicia, and if they find out I’m involved in the investigation, they’ll definitely try to interfere.
So, I’ll respond like this.
”In that case… I’ll be staying in this town for a while, so I’d appreciate it if you could cover my lodging.”
”Lodging? I heard you were set up at the Moonlight Pavilion. That’s fine, but… are you really staying in this town until the snow melts?”
Did he think my request was seasonal?
Well, I’ll just go along with whatever reason sounds good on the surface.
”Yes, but I plan to return to Dungeon City afterward.”
”Hmm…”
I wanted to make it clear I’m not planning to overstay my welcome, but the Viscount looked troubled by that.
Is there a problem?
Just as I thought that, he opened his mouth before I could even ask.
”Siera, was Koji your only guard?”
”Huh? Yes, that’s right…”
Iris, caught off guard by the sudden question, replied hesitantly… and then the Viscount made a proposal to me.
”Koji, would you come to our house as Siera’s guard?”
”””Wha──!?”””
The women present were taken aback by the Viscount’s words and turned to look at me.
I could see Iris and Ms. Elina looking at me with a hint of expectation, but even Ms. Alicia had the same look in her eyes.
Setting that aside, I asked the Viscount about the intent behind his proposal.
”Why me as Lady Irisiera’s guard?”
”Alicia’s engagement fell through for some reason, and now it looks like Siera might be the one getting married instead. Given that, it wouldn’t be strange to assign her a dedicated bodyguard.”
The details are under wraps, but since Ms. Alicia just let it slip, it seems they decided it was okay to talk about the engagement being off.
As I expected, this involves Iris’s engagement too.
They probably thought about the possibility of her facing the same kind of interference as Ms. Alicia, hence the need for a bodyguard.
”I get that, but… can’t you just hire someone other than a mere adventurer like me?”
”From what I’ve heard, you can handle dozens of foes all on your own, right? You’ve got the strength and a solid track record of safely escorting Siera. So, hiring you as a bodyguard shouldn’t be a surprise.”
”Well, that’s… true…”
So, they must think my past achievements make me trustworthy.
The truth is, I’m not exactly safe in this situation… but even setting that aside, this whole thing is a bit troublesome.
I had planned to investigate those who cursed Ms. Alicia, but I intended to gather information secretly through Iris and Ms. Elina, making it look like I had no direct ties to the Gavrett family.
If I’m stuck as Iris’s bodyguard, it’ll be tough to move around for my investigation, and the culprits might see me as a threat and curse me instead.
That could lead to instant death, and even with Seria nearby, I might not make it in time.
So, I really can’t accept this offer.
It’s best to stay under the radar and meet with Iris and the others discreetly.
With that in mind, I decide to turn down the Viscount’s proposal.
”I’m sorry, but I’m not looking to get tangled up in any trouble.”
”You were guarding Siera in Dungeon City, right? You might already be involved in this mess.”
It seems my refusal was anticipated; the Viscount shot back immediately.
He has a point.
Since Ms. Alicia’s fiancé is royalty, there’s a chance the Norland family, who are trying to usurp the throne, could be involved.
If that’s the case, whoever cursed Ms. Alicia might know about us in Dungeon City. And if Iris’s true identity as Irisiera got out after the “Gem Snake” incident… then I could already be a target.
Maybe I shouldn’t have been with Iris in my true form, after all?
But it’s too late to worry about that now.
In that case, maybe I should pretend to be a simple bodyguard, get hired by the Gavrett family, and wait for the enemy to try and win me over.
Then…
”In that case, how about we say I requested to be hired by you as part of my reward?”
”Ho… I see. So, you’re pretending to be hired just for the high pay, huh?”
”Well, yes, something like that.”
The Viscount seemed to understand I was going to act like a man who changes sides for money and other benefits.
When I confirmed, he immediately agreed.
”Very well, that suits us just fine. Pack your things and come as soon as you’re ready.”
”Yes, understood.”
”Ah, right. We’ll treat your hiring as the reward, but of course, we’ll prepare your usual compensation separately.”
”Thank you.”
”””…!”””
Once the deal was settled, and it was decided I’d be hired by the Gavrett family, at least temporarily… I felt the eyes of the women, who had been facing away from the Viscount, glinting at me.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply