Chapter 234
Chapter 234
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: The Departed, The Returned (9)
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“Please make me your companion, Sir Theodore!”
I was caught off guard by the unexpected request and could only blink in silence, unable to come up with a proper response. Calisto hurriedly added in an anxious, uneasy voice.
“Of course, I know full well that I don’t even come close to reaching your ankles, Sir Theodore. But if you would guide someone as lacking as me…”
“...”
“Then I too could become someone who contributes to the world by following in your footsteps.”
I could feel the grip of his hand tightening around mine. Ow, ow. I pried his hand off and scratched the back of my head.
‘This proposal came out of nowhere…’
It was true that I had been feeling the need for a new companion. And Calisto was the perfect fit for that ‘new companion’ role. He was already strong enough to hold a top-grade mercenary badge, reliable, and above all, he followed me exceptionally well. But there was one concern…
‘The elves pledge their loyalty to their queen.’
If Lüset ever called upon the elves, Calisto would have to obey. Which meant he could become a hole in my forces at any moment.
‘If he were an elf who had abandoned Lüset entirely, that’d be one thing, but Calisto is loyal to Lüset through and through. Can I really take someone like that as my companion?’
Lloyd had the title [Knight Who Knows No Betrayal] from the start, and Elle and Isla were already like family to me. I had full confidence that no matter what happened, they would prioritize me. But Calisto… I hesitated, unable to make a snap judgment. Of course, I wasn’t about to order him to pledge loyalty to me over the queen, but in a critical moment…
‘...What if he prioritizes his own kind?’
That could put me in a very awkward position. This wasn’t just about teaming up for one job like this time; it was about choosing a long-term companion…
I needed to be more cautious.
‘Of course, Calisto would never betray me.’
That much was certain. He had trusted me and followed my lead at every turn. Sure, Calisto was cocky and money-grubbing, but when it came to me…
‘He’s a flawless companion.’
I sank into thought for a long while, weighing the pros and cons. Should I take him along for the gains, or part ways amicably now? After much deliberation…
‘...Looks like there’s only one way.’
I rubbed my chin, then clapped my palm with a smack. Startled, Calisto—who had been on edge—jumped with a gasp.
“Alright, Calisto.”
“D-does that mean…!”
“Starting today, you’re…”
“...Yes!!”
“My ‘intern companion.’”
“...Intern?”
Calisto stared at me with a confused expression, clearly not understanding. Ah, right. ‘Intern’ probably doesn’t translate here. Hmm, how should I put it…
“Oh, yeah. Apprentice. An apprentice companion.”
“...Companions have apprentices?”
“Well, I’m a bit picky.”
I gave him a gentle smile and patted his shoulder.
“Cal. You helped out brilliantly this time. Honestly, meeting you was a huge stroke of luck for me. Without you, who knows what might’ve happened…”
“...”
“But I don’t think one job lets me fully judge you, ‘Calisto,’ do you agree?”
“That’s…”
“As you know, you’re in a unique position. A freer mercenary than anyone, yet also an elf utterly loyal to Lüset.”
“That’s right. I pledge my loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen…”
“Yeah. That’s admirable. I’m not telling you to abandon that loyalty. I just need certainty.”
“...”
“If Lüset put a bounty on me right now, what would you do?”
“I…”
As expected. Calisto frowned, unable to answer easily.
“Let me rephrase with an easier question. If what I’m doing goes against Lüset’s will, what then?”
“...”
He couldn’t answer this one either.
“Of course, these are extreme hypotheticals. Her Majesty seeks to protect world peace, and my goals aren’t much different.”
“...”
“But I always prepare for the ‘what ifs.’”
Some might call me cowardly, others sly. But the most valuable lesson I’ve learned in this world is…
To always prepare for the ‘what ifs.’
There’s no way a lord would spread plague in his city. But what if? Good villagers wouldn’t massacre a family. But what if? A lord’s son wouldn’t betray his father. But what if?
Failing to prepare for the ‘what ifs’ in this world means getting blindsided.
“So, what I can offer is ‘intern companion’ status. You can think of me as your ‘intern companion’ too. If I ever fall short of your expectations, you can leave anytime.”
“...”
“If we build enough trust during our ‘intern companion’ period, we become true companions then. Sound good?”
Calisto opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it and nodded solemnly.
“...Very well. ‘Intern companion.’”
“Looking forward to it, ‘intern companion.’”
I gripped his hand firmly and shook it. ‘Intern companion’—an odd term, but nothing fit better.
All I knew about Calisto right now was his skills, his ‘specs.’ His character, his conduct? Harder to gauge. And those are the important parts.
Once I knew those better, I could trust him even as a loyal Lüset elf.
“Anyway, take good care of Claudia, no matter how the ‘intern companion’ thing works out.”
“...I won’t disappoint you, Sir Theodore.”
“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you either, Cal.”
Alright, time to head in? We exchanged a quick glance and entered the inn.
“Master! Over here!”
It was late, so the first floor lights were mostly out, but the dining area had a campfire going. Elle must have lit it first. We gathered around the table closest to the fire.
“Master, look at this.”
“Oh, this is…!”
“Must be the donuts we talked about this afternoon.”
A basket in the center of the table overflowed with mouthwatering donuts. Fist-sized ones piled high… Just looking at them filled my stomach. As Elle reached for one, I sternly stopped her.
“El. Hold on.”
“...!”
She startled, looked at me, and hid her hand. Gotcha.
“Milk.”
“Huh?”
“Gotta eat them with milk.”
I smiled and stood up. Donuts demand milk! I fetched a pitcher full of milk and cups from the kitchen. Not the innkeeper’s usual sweet sugarcane milk, but plain. Plain milk pairs perfectly with sweet donuts. Cold is even better.
I poured full glasses for everyone. Elle grinned ear-to-ear, milk in hand, and carefully picked a donut. I took one from underneath.
Hers had a round hole in the center, slathered in chocolate on top. Mine was the same but coated in white sugar. I prefer the classics. I bit in without hesitation, savoring the sweet sugar, nutty butter, and fluffy bread texture. So soft, like biting into a cloud.
“Wow, this is delicious!”
The innkeeper’s touch is impeccable. Tastes better than those Krispy Kreme cream donuts from my old world?! I devoured it in seconds and chugged milk.
「Theo.」
Knew you’d show. Legion had crawled from my pocket, climbing my hand and flicking his tongue. This guy’s hooked on sweets lately. I pondered, then popped a fresh donut into his mouth. He chomped with a snap, munching away.
“This is a donut. The hole in the center is the signature.”
「Theo. Nom. Delicious. Nom. Chomp.」
“Yeah, yeah. Milk if you’re thirsty.”
I poured some into a shallow dish, then grabbed another donut. This one was plump, stuffed full.
“Nom.”
I bit in big, like Legion. Custard cream and raspberry jam burst forth, wrapped in soft fluffiness. Thought it’d just be cream, but bright yellow custard mixed with tart, chunky jam created an unexpected harmony. Wow, amazing! Cream so smooth it’s insane, jam popping with fruit bits…
“Munch munch…”
With milk, I could eat forever. Forever! I finished the mouthful, drank milk, reached for another…
-Stare…
Another…
-Stare…
“...Fine, fine.”
Couldn’t finish it. Fed it to Legion instead. He’d polished off his hollow one and dove face-first into the thick one I offered. Goodness, covered in cream. All covered!
“Eat slower, slower.”
I wiped the cream from his scales, then sipped milk. Cool, nutty milk cut through the donuts’ richness refreshingly.
「Nom, Theo. Haah. Full.」
“Yeah, eat up.”
I set a couple more in front of Legion and ended up chuckling.