Just One Experiment? Feeling Like a Zebra
Can I try just one experiment?
I felt like a zebra right in the middle of the safari, wandering in search of water, finally spotting a lake—only to find a lion lapping at it nearby. I knew lions lurked around lakes, but actually coming face-to-face with one was tense all the same. 'Thirsty after a drink, huh.' It takes a sip, then the zebra takes a nibble—something like that, right? That's exactly how I felt confronting Ludric.
"If you don't want to deal with it, you can hand it over to me."
"...I offer all of this to my god."
With the artifact, I'd already seen everything there was to see, so there was nothing left to hide. Ludric seemed to want me to make it as painful as possible, but for the sake of my humanity, I kept it quick and clean.
It was over. In fact, the best possible outcome.
...Huh? Lee Seoha's status...
Jackpot! Lee Seoha has leveled up from mayfly lifespan to a full month in Jeju!
'...This is huge.'
145 days! I figured it'd extend 15 or 20 days at most, but this was way more. That's like adding a full quarter to my remaining lifespan.
I barely suppressed the grin tugging at my lips. Can't look like some psycho smiling after dunking a person, right?
'But I don't feel particularly stronger or anything.'
Not something you'd notice right away, anyway. Even without getting stronger, this lifespan boost is huge. A whole month per person? Not bad value.
...Wait, that sounds kinda off, doesn't it?
"Get out of my head! Shasha!"
[Why again... Sigh, whatever.]
My mindset's been localizing way too much these past few months... As a modern guy with earthly virtues, I gotta watch it.
I took a short deep breath, focusing on restoring my inner peace. Gradually, the wicked Shasha faded from my mind, and my kindness revived.
"All done?"
[That's exactly my face right now.]
What the— Shasha, you still haven't been exorcised?
Ludric's face mixed bewilderment and pity as he stared at me. 'What the hell is he doing?' morphing into 'What the fuck is this lunatic?'—classic herbivore progression. I couldn't exactly explain the voices in my head, so I just acted like nothing was up and struck up a conversation.
"Um... you're not gonna take me in too, right?"
"That's normally the Sacrament Knight Order's job, but..."
"I'm just here on a commission toooo..."
Pure natural acting.
"Besides, I'm a deserter myself... You went out of your way to save our old man, so I figure there's some circumstance."
"Everyone's got a sin or two in life, right?"
Perfect, agreement reached. If Ludric had been a kill-all-evil-god-worshippers type, he'd have offed me for sure.
'That's why I tried making contact in the first place—I knew he wasn't.'
I'd been a bit tense at first, but Ludric's first impression was favorable toward me.
'Or maybe that's just 'cause I've only seen bottom-feeders.'
Doesn't freak out at the sight of me...? Doesn't run away...? That hurts, actually.
In contrast, a true hero...! The Bierns really were on another level of boldness.
Sure, a twisted holy aura's nothing in modern eyes.
"Just so you know, this isn't my thing."
"It's fine. Happens."
I knew. But it's fun. Once I realized he had no intention of killing me, relief washed over me. Then an inexplicable fondness bubbled up. Like playing with a nephew or something. Teasing the kids and watching their reactions was entertaining.
Of course, once the seal on Ludric's scabbard started loosening, I had to force myself to stop.
"We'll talk about your business back at the place. Can't stay away too long."
Before heading back, we spent half a day tracking Edward and Alec's trails, but found nothing. Had they already been taken...?
I'd hear rumors of Edward becoming a famous farmer much later.
* * *
Porern Orphanage.
Plain boy Edward was living his plain daily life as usual. Unaware that in just hours, the orphanage director he feared most would show up and inexplicably nag him never to become a mercenary.
Whether misfortune or fortune, Edward hadn't died four times or read any novel, so for now, peace reigned.
'Tch. Is that worth getting all serious about?'
The boy harbored a pure dilemma. Lately, it concerned the girl he liked.
— "I hate you! Don't ever talk to me again!"
If only he'd confessed honestly, it might've been easier. But the boy's first love, expressed the wrong way, ended in utter futility.
'Just won't look at her anymore.'
Downcast, the boy bolted out dramatically to shake it off—and predictably tripped on a rock.
"Whoa?!"
He squeezed his eyes shut bracing for pain, but it felt soft instead. Bewildered, he looked up to see a lovely girl with fiery red hair.
"You okay? Be careful."
"Y-yeah."
She's pretty... Like all kids, the boy's spring arrived ridiculously early. Must live near the equator.
"Another city wall crumbles under your charm..."
"Director... shall we go?"
The boy was too shocked to notice the director had been right there.
"Pirra, huh..."
To avoid recognition, she'd kept the disguise—so sadly, the boy only learned her name from the name tag on her chest. A pretty name.
...Oh no.
* * *
"I keep saying, that's not my taste."
"We can see you teasing on purpose, young master. Don't let it get to you."
At the head of the table sat Ludric Biern. (Formerly Pirra.)
Next to him, his aide and Sacrament Knight Wigen. Thanks to the church's emergency treatment, he was already mobile.
Money really is great.
"Tea?"
And I sat opposite. Shame we couldn't offer coffee—this world hadn't discovered instant mixes yet.
"Nah. Wish there was booze, but no."
"R-really?"
"You got some?"
[Nooooo!]
The scream in my head confirmed it. A quick rummage through the director's office yielded a few bottles easily.
Judging by Shasha's shriek volume, I picked one mid-range—not the cheapest, not the priciest.
Before business, we had a round. Wigen's wounds weren't fully healed, so he passed, but he didn't seem to mind anyway—didn't drink much usually.
'Tastes awful! So freaking bitter.'
It was bitter. No life-changing epiphany or anything. First booze impression: why pay for this crap?
But yeah, it loosened the tongue. Especially since we had tons to sort out despite just meeting.
"Not perfect, but I thought it wouldn't get spotted."
"Fair. Didn't expect you hiding as a woman. Magic?"
"Disguise spell. Crude alone, but pairs well with makeup."
"Oh."
"Even ancient continental myths mention dodging drafts that way..."
How we tracked him down.
"How'd you end up worshiping an evil god?"
"Long story, but forced baptism as a kid."
"Figures. Similar to me."
We even shared half-true backstories. Three bottles down by the time we hit main topic.
Shasha's screams turned to despair midway, but whatever. Can't survive on booze alone.
"Sponsorship...?"
"Yeah. Church funding cut off."
"Church kids are all the same, south or east."
Ludric sneered. No hiding his church disdain in front of an evil god worshiper like me.
"Sponsorship, huh..."
Unlike his boisterous laugh seconds ago, his eyes turned dead serious. The Biern business gaze?
"...First, thanks for saving our old man. Bowing here."
"Sounds like bad news."
Biern stood and bowed. Huge for a noble, but not the reward that moved me.
"Sorry, I'm a deserter too. Family funds? Limited since leaving."
"Hmm."
"But I handed you an evil god cultist."
Sweet month of life.
But I didn't catch him alone.
"Hiding at the orphanage? I can disguise myself, don't need that."
"Hm."
One hand wave, and Ludric became Pirra. His talent seemed more suited to disguise than knighthood.
"Not refusing sponsorship. Just asking to delay till feasible."
"Got it."
Couldn't push it. Reasonable reasons.
But I lacked time to wait. Needed to tip the scales my way—not stubbornness or persuasion.
"Mind if I run one little experiment?"
"On what?"
"Might surprise you, but no harm intended."
Wigen and Ludric exchanged glances. Wigen started to speak, but Ludric nodded it was fine.
"From someone who can't offer shit, sure."
"Hand, then."
Would it work? I gripped his hand with both of mine.
Focusing, I saw the Goddess's aura enveloping Ludric.
'Blinding.'
He was subtly controlling it, but even at his level—or because it overflowed—he couldn't fully hide it.
'Can I do this?'
Like concealing my own aura. I worked to manipulate his through our clasped hands.
"This is..."
My aura guided via his hand. Noticing, Ludric tried moving his own accordingly.
Not that it worked automatically.
"It works...? How?"
Bewilderment crossed Ludric's face for the first time. Booze haze gone, eyes sharpened.
"Mana circulates fine. Circuits aren't damaged."
"Then we'd have to do it again!"
What I did: guided his leaking aura. And sealed leaks with my mana temporarily.
Breaks with mana use, but holds if no fighting.
'Tough for most, huh.'
Easy for me, but Ludric's reaction said it was impressive.
"Ah, right. Do it again."
He extended his hand coolly. I grabbed it.
Handshake time.
"Looking forward to it."
"What."
"We got empty rooms. Or share if not."
"Uh..."
"You're a Biern. You'll think of ways to help the orphanage. Soonest possible."
If not, oh well. Stay here or leave, no biggie.
What could I do against a noble? If no, apologize for weird request, kowtow.
But perfect hiding method found—feels off leaving loose ends. Someone else might find him.
"Uh..."
"And let's use honorifics. Us."
"Ah..."
"Not advertising a noble here."
"...Yes."
Ludric pondered long, then realized he'd been had. Now I'm A, you're B.
Win-win partnership, though.
'Ludric Biern.'
'Recruitment complete.'