Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: A Friend's Misunderstanding
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Bella cautiously watched Loan’s expression as she asked.
“Young Master, if that’s your friend, shouldn’t you go see him? He’s all alone, after all.”
“He’ll be fine. He’s brave, but not reckless.”
The reason he could be so calm, even after hearing his friend was in a fight, was because that friend was Lucas.
He had already acknowledged it.
That among their peers, Lucas would be hard-pressed to find a worthy opponent besides Loan himself.
He even thought Lucas’s swordsmanship was good enough for him to become a Runner. This was even more true when considering his potential.
The reason he hadn't even been considered for promotion was obvious. He lacked the necessary skills for a Runner beyond his martial prowess.
‘It’s not just about racking up achievements.’
Loan let out a small sigh and said.
“It would be better to wait for him than to go looking. But what urgent matter brought you all the way here?”
Richard looked at Bella with a somewhat grave expression.
“Ma’am, I think we need to return to the company at once. Word has come that the Le Dong family is making an issue of the delivery accident...”
Bella asked back in surprise.
“A delivery accident? When Duke Ferrara is dead?”
“That seems to be why. Perhaps they regret spending the money now that it seems to have had no effect.”
“So?”
“They’re said to be pressuring your father, but as for what they might do...”
“Why would they go after my father when he’s not even well?”
Bella pressed a hand to her forehead and gave her head a slight shake.
Fighting with an unreasonable client would only result in a loss for the company.
If they were dealing with someone reasonable, they could negotiate a compromise, but the atmosphere suggested that wasn't the case.
They didn't have the money to return, either.
The advance they received had been almost entirely spent on paying off debts and wages, and the money left over for travel expenses had been diligently spent on Loan, an investment in her eyes.
She couldn't very well ask him to return the Stone of Goetia.
Even if she went back, there was no clear solution.
“Perhaps... if you’re worried about money, ma’am, it’s alright.”
“Hmm?”
“The mustached gentleman paid us generously for the delivery items. We can even afford a ship.”
“Ah...”
The mustached gentleman, Oscar, was a man who had opened his wallet freely from their first meeting.
She remembered that he had promised Loan he would compensate the company for their losses.
Seeing Bella’s expression soften slightly, Richard added.
“And on the way here, the escort from the Union collected some money for us.”
“Collected?”
“The money taken from the thieves and bandits. He gave it to us, saying there was no one proper to return it to.”
Listening in, Loan let out a silent chuckle.
That was just like Lucas.
Captured goods from enemies were supposed to be turned over to headquarters, but Lucas had probably never even opened the rulebook, so he just did as he pleased.
“No, but still, to just accept money like that.”
“We tried to refuse, but he said it was heavy and a hassle... Ah, speak of the devil, here he comes.”
Loan had already turned in the direction Richard was pointing.
Spotting Loan, Lucas waved his arms wildly and ran over.
“Loan!”
He looked perfectly healthy, not a single scratch on him.
“You’re here already?”
“Yeah. I heard you went to catch some bandits?”
“Uh-huh. It was nothing. Just a bunch of guys in fancy clothes.”
“Nostra?”
“You know them?”
“Yeah. I’ve fought them a few times myself.”
“On the island?”
“And in Ferrara before I left.”
“Wow, you’ve been busy one way or another.”
It was a friendly, simple conversation.
Considering they had been inseparable for the past five years, they had been apart for quite a while, yet neither made a fuss.
However, since Lucas kept glancing intensely at Bella during their conversation, Loan cut it short to introduce them.
“This is Miss Bella, the head of the Bella Company. And this is my friend and a member of the Union’s Oz...”
“I’m Lucas, Loan’s best friend. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Lucas cut Loan off and took a bold step toward Bella.
Bella very naturally took a step back.
“What have you heard...”
“You’re every bit as beautiful as they say.”
“The Young Master said that?”
Not just Bella, but Loan too was bewildered.
Lucas continued speaking in an uncharacteristically old-fashioned manner.
“Did this friend of mine give you any trouble on the way? He may seem cold, but he’s actually very warm-hearted. He sometimes makes silly jokes, but when he does, just looking at his face makes it bearable.”
“Pardon?”
“Lucas? What are you doing?”
“Please continue to take good care of our Loan.”
Lucas smiled contentedly, looking back and forth between Loan and Bella.
Bella glanced at Loan before replying.
“Ah, yes, of course.”
“Lucas, wait a second.”
“Hmm?”
Loan had to stop the conversation from going any further off the rails.
“Let’s get one thing straight. What do you think the relationship is between me and Miss Bella?”
“Lovers?”
“...”
The immediate response left him momentarily speechless. Loan calmly asked again.
“Why would you think that?”
“My father told me. That Loan went to an island to meet some young lady and would be coming back with her. He said someone should go meet you while escorting the lady’s people. So I said I’d go. You’re coming back with your girlfriend—who else would go but me?”
Aside from the conclusion, nothing he said was wrong.
Commander Oscar couldn't have said that, but it was highly likely that Lucas had simply interpreted it that way.
Loan didn’t feel much like explaining.
He looked back at Bella and changed the subject as if nothing had happened.
“In any case, it seems your money problems are resolved. Don’t feel burdened and use that money to take care of your business first.”
Her face flushed, Bella carefully asked back.
“Then... what should I do about sharing my memories?”
“Please handle the urgent matters first. The Union will understand. The fact that they assigned an escort for you proves it.”
“Then I will visit the Union as soon as my family matters are settled.”
“Yes. And if you have any trouble with your clients, or if the Le Dong problem doesn’t resolve well, try visiting the Albre family. I’ll put in a word for you.”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to go that far.”
“It’s for your protection. You possess information that is important to the Union.”
Bella and the members of her company bowed their heads in deep gratitude for Loan’s consideration.
Loan returned the bow.
The only one who didn’t understand the situation was Lucas.
Loan asked Lucas.
“Lucas, was your only mission to escort these people here?”
“And to bring you back quickly.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Everyone was just really worried. I guess the communiques weren't getting through.”
“Yeah. I had trouble with them too.”
“I guess that’s why they dispatched a unit from the Practical Division.”
“Yeah. I met them. They stayed in Rhodes. Well then, let’s head back to Ferrara Castle quickly.”
There was a lot to report.
And he had caused them worry.
In any case, the journey so far had been an extension of the mission given by Vice Commander Oscar, so the proper order was to return and complete his report.
Loan gave a light farewell to the people of the Bella Company.
“Well then, we’ll be on our way. I wish you a safe journey back.”
“Yes. You too, Young Master... Thank you so much. And thank you to your friend for his help as well.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
For Bella, it was a somewhat abrupt farewell.
Loan urged Lucas to start walking.
He knew Bella was watching them for a long time, but he didn’t look back.
Lucas, however, kept looking back.
“She’s really not your girlfriend?”
“No. I was chasing her because she was possessed by a demon. It’s all resolved now.”
As they left the port, Loan began to concisely explain the events he’d experienced in a way Lucas could easily understand.
But the story made little progress, as Lucas kept interrupting to ask all sorts of questions about what had happened with Bella.
Even as they ate a simple meal at an outdoor restaurant, Lucas persistently asked about things like the atmosphere during their camping.
“An underground city?”
The moment the story of the Forgotten Wheat Field came up, the look in his eyes changed.
“Yeah. A city built by dwarves a very long time ago. I couldn’t even guess how big it was. It’s so dangerous that ordinary people can’t even get close.”
“And you’re saying you’re going back there?”
“I don’t know when, but I think I’ll have to. It seems the first demon may have come from there.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Huh?”
“It’s like one of those labyrinths from legends, right? Interconnected mazes, monsters.”
“Hmm, I guess you could see it that way.”
Lucas was extremely excited, pestering Loan about when he would go, who he would go with, and insisting that he had to come along.
Then he added.
“Let’s take Sophie too, once she’s recovered. It’s always better to have a group of people with different skills when you go to a place like that.”
“Right. How is Sophie?”
The last communique he’d checked only mentioned that Sophie had woken up, so he had been curious.
“Commander Hans came personally and purified her. She’s talking and moving around just fine.”
“Then why ‘once she’s recovered’?”
“Well, for some reason, she’s not like the old Sophie.”
A pang of guilt struck his chest.
Could it be that being objectified by the demon Asmo had contaminated her mind, like Boris and Bella?
He asked cautiously.
“What’s not like Sophie about her?”
“She’s nice to me.”
“...”
“It’s true. She’s too nice. It’s weird. She’s not like that. She even came to see me off when I said I was going to Ferrara.”
As Lucas shook his head with a disgruntled ‘Ugh,’ Loan decided to let go of his worries about Sophie.
“Anyway, once Sophie recovers, she can be the shield at the front, and you and I can handle the attack. It would be perfect if we had one more priest. Someone like Enji from the Stability Division. Well, dating her might be difficult, but work is work.”
Though his logic was a bit strange, he had a point.
The dark mana of the Forgotten Wheat Field drove humans mad.
Loan couldn’t protect everyone he brought with him using Convection. He would have to find a way to handle the dense dark mana there.
Siong and the Stability Division were experts in this field, so it would be worth seeking their advice.
Loan praised Lucas, saying it was a good idea, and Lucas grew awkward at the unfamiliar compliment.
And when the story reached the scene where they fought Nostra at Silas Castle.
“Huh? The suits were that strong? The guys I met were all pretty mediocre. Did I get stronger in the meantime? Or did you get weaker on the island?”
“They have ranks. The executives called Caporegime were pretty strong.”
“That’s a weird name. Never heard it before.”
“Their clothes were a little fancier. You’ll know when you see them.”
“Why didn’t a guy like that come after me? That’s how you earn merit.”
“Well... I wouldn’t be so sure they won’t. They seem to take revenge very seriously. That’s why they followed me all the way to the island.”
“So me too?”
“Probably. You said you were wiping them out on your way here.”
Loan’s premonition was not wrong.
Not long after leaving the restaurant, Loan and Lucas found themselves facing dozens of men in suits.
Before the men could even say a word, Lucas shouted and charged forward.
“Ulkakapolka, come on out!”
“...”
Loan wondered what difference a name made as he steadied his breath.