80. You, become my comrade

"You dickhead bastard."

""......""

I wasn't raised all that fancy myself, but is it okay to hear this kind of thing?

"You fucking dog dick."

I'm flustered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just listening from the side—how embarrassed must Jenin herself be?

Jenin's lips twitched as she stared blankly at Magna.

"You... you... Hey, you barbarian..."

"I'm not good with words. But my eyes are sharp."

"Th-this...!"

"Your mom's den is for sure. You trash bastard."

Flames gathered in Jenin's hands, who was raised way fancier than me.

-Whoooosh!!!

"I'll kill you!!"

As if not to be outdone, a glowing shield floated up in Magna's hand.

-Woooong!

"I'll take you to your mom and grill her."

These crazy bastards must've forgotten we're inside a moving carriage.

I jumped up right away and yelled at the two about to clash.

"Stop!!! Are you both insane?"

"Ryu, Ryu-o-nim!! Didn't you hear? That barbarian bastard hurled the most insane insult..."

"Jang Ryu-o. I hate this frustration. I have to find out for sure."

Hoo...

"I said stop it."

""......""

The two, who'd pulled back their power, clamped their mouths shut and just glared at each other.

It was like sparks were flying between them.

With bad blood like this, can they really become comrades?

Time to sort this out.

"Magna. No matter what, you can't just accuse someone of human trafficking without clear evidence."

From what I saw, Magna was more at fault.

He thinks it's certain, but the evidence is way too thin.

The two reacted differently to my words.

"As expected of Ryu-o-nim!"

"Hoo..."

"And 'dickhead bastard'? If you're frustrated, sort your head out and prepare to explain. You're in the wrong this time."

"..."

"Did you hear that, you barbarian bitch?"

"Jenin. Don't call Magna a barbarian either. It's insulting."

"Ryu, Ryu-o-nim..."

I have no idea why everyone here is so hot-blooded.

"And, are you both in your right minds? Trying to clash in a moving carriage? Can't you grasp the situation?"

""......""

"You're not kids, so I'm not gonna force you to make up. But we'll be seeing each other a lot from now on, and if it's like this..."

They had nothing to say, so I told the two who'd slightly lowered their eyes.

"I wouldn't trust you with my life. I'm suspicious too."

"S-sorry, Ryu-o-nim..."

"...I'll reflect on it."

After that, the carriage was wrapped in silence.

I'd planned to recruit them as comrades right away today, but who knew this would happen.

Magna's misunderstanding—whether real or not—I should ask Hilda to investigate.

If the conflict peaks and they troll each other, they're better off not there at all.

Sigh... Human relationships are the hardest.

Time flowed steadily, if slowly.

When we got out of the carriage, Hilda and the Second Duke's Daughter were there to greet us in the courtyard.

The Second Duke's Daughter's face lit up when she saw me, just as she was about to run over...

"Jang! Ryu! O..."

Hilda grabbed her by the scruff.

-Grab!

"Kek! S-sis!!"

"Behave. Yourself."

"I-it's an official occasion today..."

"..."

"Whiiiine, Ladyyy..."

Hilda pressed down on the Second Duke's Daughter's head while looking at me.

"Come on in."

"Yes, Gongnyeo-nim."

We exchanged subtle smiles.

Hilda glanced at my eyes for a moment, then discreetly rubbed her belly.

-Swish swish...

Her ears turned a bit red, and she averted her eyes slightly.

It felt kinda lewd somehow.

She couldn't show it in front of others, but she was expecting something...

"G-Gongnyeo-nim... To come greet me yourself! I'm, so incredibly touched..."

"...Make yourselves at home, Young Hardin. And Magna. No need for formalities."

-Nod

"Yes~! Gongnyeo-nim!"

Hilda closed her eyes and took a deep breath before getting to the point.

"The reason I called everyone today is at Jang Ryu-o's request."

"Really? I thought you were gonna explain the strategy yourself?"

"That's later. You there. Guide them."

-Yes!

The place we were led to was a drab room without a single window.

A heavy atmosphere like an interrogation room. No way a single word would leak out.

Jenin, seeing the room, backed away at the ominous vibe.

"Huh...? A-a temporary detention cell? Why..."

The rest just went in.

"Been a while here! Almost got in big trouble sneaking in without sis knowing and the door wouldn't open. Hehe~"

"Better than home here."

"Jenin, come on in."

"Ah! Yes! Got it!"

Once we were all in, Hilda smiled and closed the door.

"Wait here."

"Thank you, Gongnyeo-nim."

-Creeeak... Clank!

The Second Duke's Daughter, sitting on a plain chair and swinging her legs, spoke.

"Jang Ryu-o. I heard the story. You have something to say to us?"

All eyes suddenly focused on me.

Faces like, 'What's he gonna say that they prepared all this?'

I nodded and stated my purpose.

"A while ago, there was a group trying to kidnap me."

"What!?! So that's why the knights were in an uproar!!"

"...You look fine, stud."

"W-where? Who dares target a knight of the Duchy..."

The main point hadn't even come out yet—this was a problem.

"Listen first."

"Mm!"

""...""

Maybe because the room was so dark overall, everyone listened well.

"The opponent seems to be the organization that pink-haired girl who summoned the Orc Hero belongs to."

"The one with Ethan..."

"Yeah, it was pretty dangerous. I almost got kidnapped for real."

-Gulp!

I was the one targeted, but no guarantee they're safe either.

They probably know that themselves.

"I felt the need for comrades. I thought I could handle everything alone, but with variables popping up, it was tough."

"Weren't we... already comrades?"

To the Second Duke's Daughter who looked kinda hurt, I said.

"To be honest, I do think of you as comrades. But the kind I can't fully open up to. Truth is, I still don't completely trust you."

"Whiiiine..."

"So here's my proposal."

"What kind...?"

Straight to the main point.

"If you swear a secrecy oath in front of priests, I'll accept you as my comrades."

It was such an arrogant, almost rude statement that everyone let out a groan.

"..."

"Hmm...?"

"Haha. Th-that honorary knight thing... In front of the Second Duke's Daughter, isn't this a bit too cocky...?"

They might think it's a big fuss, but that's because they don't know my full abilities.

"I can't explain in detail, but I have a way to accelerate all your growths."

"""..."""

I decided to leak just a tiny bit of info.

"I'm confident it'd shake the Labyrinth City if it got out. The scouting ability I showed in the dungeon? This is way above that."

-Gulp!

"I guarantee it's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠beyond your imagination. I want to share that ability with you all. In other words, I'm sharing a way to get strong fast."

Expectations started dawning on everyone's faces as they heard me.

'Wonder what ability it is that he's so confident?'

"The conditions are simple. Never join another party. Never betray each other. Never spill each other's secrets. Always help each other with your all in the Labyrinth."

So simple, but the simpler, the harder to keep.

I plan to bind these clauses forcibly with the priests' help.

Hearing the conditions, the Second Duke's Daughter chewed her lip and spoke.

"Hey... What if my skills fall too far behind? Like, you know..."

I got what she was worried about.

"I won't abandon you."

Everyone looked up at me blankly.

To give them trust, I said firmly.

"As long as you give ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠your all and try hard, I'll never abandon you."

"Never..."

"I need talented comrades to go all the way with me. I think highly of you all."

Jenin cautiously said.

"What if... we get hit by magic or drugs and spill it...?"

"There's a way. Don't worry about that part."

Hearing me, Magna shot up from his seat and approached.

"No need to hear more."

Then he stuck out his hand...

"Looking forward to it. I'll swear and oath before the Main God."

Straightforward guy.

I smiled and gripped his hand.

-Clasp!

"Same here."

The Second Duke's Daughter jumped up too, clinging to me with sparkling eyes.

"Jang Ryu-o! Me too! Me tooo! But I'm a Gongnyeo, do I have to?"

"No exceptions."

"Alright! I wasn't gonna betray anyway! Hehe~♥"

Last was Jenin, who stood with arms crossed.

"I thought it'd be some huge restriction, but it's nothing... I'm in no matter what!"

I like these guys.

If we adventure together, someday they'll become true comrades, forgetting the contract.

I smiled and opened the door.

-Creeak...

"So everyone accepts? Come in!"

As the door opened, priests dispatched from the Temple poured in.

The comrades tilted their heads at the priests.

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"Right away?"

"Yeah. Might as well while we're gathered?"

Strike while the iron's hot.

I'd figured they'd accept, so I had them waiting.

Thanks, Hilda.

The ritual was no big deal.

We ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠each drew blood into the bowl the priests prepared, light flashed, and done!!!

The conditions were like this.

'This should be humane enough.'

Everyone was satisfied with the conditions.

[Eh? I thought... we'd die if we broke it?]

[Good. Good stud.]

[Feels a bit weak...?]

They'd all posed dramatically, but the punishment was anticlimactic.

Still, I think this is plenty.

After the contract, Hilda was waiting for us.

"Contract done?"

"Yes, thank you, Gongnyeo-nim."

"Heh. This much is nothing."

As we exchanged looks with Hilda, the Second Duke's Daughter latched onto my waist.

"Jang Ryu-o! So what's the secret? Huh?"

"I'll show you when we go to the Labyrinth, Gongnyeo-nim."

"Tch... You couldn't say anyway?"

"Selana Ain Velatus!"

At Hilda's thunder, the Second Duke's Daughter hugged me tighter.

"Eek!"

"Detach. Now."

"N-now!!!"

Hilda glared at the Second Duke's Daughter briefly, then said.

"I'll prepare a banquet, so eat before you go. Wait in your assigned rooms. Or head back first if you want. I don't mind."

"Haa~ A Duchy banquet!!!"

"I'll eat."

"Jang Ryu-o! Let's talk in the meantime..."

"Jang Ryu-o. I have personal business. Follow me."

"Whiiiine..."

I followed the somehow urgent-looking Hilda.

Hilda turned a corner, grabbed any room, and...

-Clasp!

Roughly seized my hand and dragged me inside.

Still holding me, she pulled my neck and kissed me fiercely.

"Churuuurup! Mmm♥ Chuup♥ Haa... Haa..."

"Hoo... Hilda."

"Chuuup!! Puhah... Do you know... chuuup! how much I... tzurur... chuup! Chuup!♥♥"

-Jerk!!!

"Huuuum!!♥ Puhah..."

Hilda looked at me with sticky eyes.

"Brace yourself. It won't be like last time."

I grabbed Hilda and pulled her away briefly.

"Puhup! Hilda! Wait a sec!"

"!??!!!!"

Hilda looked a bit shocked.

I hugged Hilda and sat on the sofa.

"D-don't wanna..."

-Gulp! Gulp! Jerk! Jerk!

Hilda stared blankly below for a moment, then gently stroked my ear and said.

"...Guess not. What's wrong?"

I told Hilda about what happened that morning.

About that sticky black goo.

Hilda, listening, glared at me with a fearsome expression.

"Your body! Is it okay?"

My body was fine. No changes at all. Even the Status Window.

"Yeah, too fine, actually. Could I get a checkup maybe?"

Hilda hugged my neck and sighed.

"Hoo... Of course. Come anytime if something's off. For now..."

Hilda shot up, grabbed my wrist.

"I promise the best checkup. Follow me."

Whoa... So cool...