Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Hardworking Ne'er-do-well - 5
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I'd succeeded in gaining the Arachnes' favor.
It wasn't as if they'd fully opened their hearts to me, but at least I'd left them with the impression that I was someone worth trusting at least once.
Thanks to that, our previously murky deal was finally sealed.
In exchange for promising them residence rights and personal protection, we'd agreed to a periodic supply of Arachne silk.
"Since you've agreed to coexist with the elves as well, I'll summon my battle-ready kin to the forest. That way, Young Master, you won't have to worry about the Arachnes' safety anymore."
The Arachnes had enough power to resist on their own.
They could protect themselves without our help, but they followed their ancestors' teachings not to attack humans.
They said that the moment they attacked a human, they'd be proving they were monsters.
The instant I heard that, I was convinced the villagers had misunderstood them.
Truth be told, the Arachnes could have slaughtered the villagers and lived peacefully in the forest, yet they'd desperately fled instead.
For that reason alone, I felt obligated to protect them.
"Until the elves arrive, we'll need someone to guard the forest. Who knows when those humans might come charging back."
"There's a perfect candidate, so let's leave it to them."
"You've already sent word, I take it. Still, doesn't that mean we'll have to spend tonight in the forest?"
Lena shook her head at my words and made a suggestion.
"Why not rest comfortably at an inn in a nearby village instead?"
"We need someone to guard the forest. You're not suggesting I stretch out alone in an inn bed, are you?"
"Ahaha! Sending you off alone would be a failure of my bodyguard duties! Not to mention, I have the important task of attending to you at night?"
"I've never asked for nighttime service, though..."
The Arachne forest lay at the far northwestern edge of Altesia territory.
Even riding full tilt from the mansion, it took at least half a day.
I'd sent off a messenger bird right after the deal was made, so I figured it couldn't arrive before tonight.
What's more, the sun was already dipping below the horizon.
No matter how fast the relief arrived, dawn or morning tomorrow would be normal.
But Lena stubbornly insisted on preparing the carriage, full of confidence.
"You have some secret ace up your sleeve?"
Right then, as I was certain no one could arrive tonight,
a stranger's presence stirred in the empty forest.
Following it, my gaze dropped to my feet, where my long shadow stretched out.
But poking out from that shadow—where nothing should be—was the tip of a wolf's tail.
Wagging pleasantly at the end.
"...Coco?"
"Busted!"
The moment I called her name, Coco sprang out from the shadow.
It hadn't even been a week since I'd left her in Kizen's training, yet she was already using his techniques like it was nothing.
There were rough edges to it, sure, but the fact that she was manipulating shadows already was nothing short of amazing.
"Why are you here?"
I was baffled to see Coco pop up out of nowhere when she should be suffering through Kizen's hellish training back at the mansion.
The distance made it physically impossible for her to have come at Lena's call.
As suspicions swirled in my mind, Kizen emerged from the shadow to resolve them.
"In truth, Young Master, we've been tailing you nonstop since the moment you left the mansion."
"Huh? Really? I had no idea."
"That's 'cause our mission this time was to follow you without getting caught, big bro!"
Coco puffed out her chest proudly and shouted. Kizen added,
"Coco's skills are still immature, so we lost you a few times, but in the end, we successfully tracked you all the way."
Using their lord—me—as part of their training. What a pair of teacher and student.
It was ridiculous, but on the other hand, their assassin-bodyguard training must have been top-notch.
"So, any progress on the training?"
"We fooled Young Master's eyes, but it wasn't enough to trick an elf's sharp senses."
In other words, Lena had known from the start that these two were hiding in the shadows.
She had good reason to act so confident about a perfect candidate and imminent arrival.
I felt perfectly played by Lena too, and let out a hollow laugh.
"We've grasped the full situation. Coco and I will stay to guard the forest, so Young Master, you can head back."
"You sure that's okay?"
"A forest is a treasure trove of lessons for an assassin. Keeping watch for intruders while training will benefit Coco greatly."
"I'll train hard here too and get even stronger!"
Coco wagged her tail furiously, brimming with enthusiasm.
I'd heard repeated missions would dull her emotions, but Coco was as lively as ever.
It was a relief, but also a worry.
What if she turned into a puppy who killed with an innocent smile?
"No need to worry. As you've seen, she's already mimicking part of my techniques—she's exceptionally talented. She'll surpass me as an assassin someday."
"...I see."
I'd been worried about her image, not her talent, but it still felt good either way.
After all, this kid I'd picked up by chance had amazing potential.
It was like scratching a lottery ticket from the ground and hitting the jackpot.
"Alright, then. I'll leave the forest's defense to you two. It's a key strategic point for me, so guard it well."
"We shall obey your command, Young Master."
"We'll guard it real good!"
Kizen bowed formally, hand over his heart, while Coco stood at mock attention like a soldier on high alert.
Their reactions were polar opposites, and I couldn't help but laugh.
What an entertaining duo.
"This way, Young Master!"
As I handed the forest over to Coco and Kizen and headed to the carriage, Lena welcomed me like she'd been waiting.
I gave a wry smile and boarded.
"A little heads-up next time."
"You don't have to pretend not to notice in front of me."
"Huh...?"
Sometimes talking with Lena felt like our words weren't meshing.
Like when I gave an honest impression, but she read hidden meanings into it?
She seemed to mysteriously overhype me compared to others.
I'd considered correcting her, but let it slide. No point shattering someone's illusion.
"Young Master, I have a question about those people who tried to attack the Arachnes earlier."
"What about them?"
"They turned tail under your intimidating presence, but their eyes said they hadn't given up. To eliminate future trouble, wouldn't it have been better to deal with them?"
"Not a bad point, but they hadn't committed a capital crime."
"If the Arachnes get hurt later, it could sour our deal."
"That won't happen."
In the game, the point where you met the Arachnes was further down the timeline.
Even then, they were thriving in the forest, harboring no grudges against humans.
If their kin had been hurt by human hatred, they'd have turned hostile.
Instead, they welcomed players and gave quests, so the misunderstanding must resolve someday.
Or maybe the villagers who hated them all got wiped out for some reason...
"Got it. You have some plan of your own that I don't know about, right?"
I couldn't grasp what image of me existed in Lena's head.
So this time, I decided to be straight with her.
"Nope. I'm not that impressive a guy—no grand plans like that."
"I'll work hard to become someone you can trust with all your secrets someday."
Sheesh.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Altesia mansion, in Heinz's absence.
With both the family head and acting head away, the one firmly holding the house together was none other than Maribel.
She wasn't just handling the paperwork Heinz should have done—she was also entertaining every guest who visited the territory.
Even now, she was flawlessly hosting the weavers who'd come to Altesia.
"I rushed here hearing Altesia had special thread, but can I see it myself?"
"We sincerely welcome you to Altesia. Regrettably, the thread hasn't been sourced yet, so I can't show it right now."
"What?! After this long trip, you're making me come all this way for nothing?"
As the weaver's brow furrowed, Maribel countered with a gentle smile.
"We're truly sorry to disappoint you. It's meager compensation, but we've prepared our finest banquet and accommodations—please, set aside your anger."
"Hmph. Well, we dropped in unannounced, so I wasn't expecting a reception... but no reason to turn it down if it's ready."
"Servants will escort you to your rooms shortly. We wish you a peaceful stay."
Maribel had scouted out master weavers and summoned them to Altesia, treating them lavishly to keep them around.
Heinz hadn't instructed her to do this, but she'd already been preparing separately for the silk business's success.
"Luke, how's the preparation for the weaving facilities Master Heinz ordered going?"
"Set to be completed by the time Young Master returns."
"No issues with operation?"
"All equipment is top-grade, so no worries!"
"Good. Remember, this is Master Heinz's ambitious plan—not a single mistake will be tolerated."
"Understood!"
And that wasn't all.
Maribel gathered the mansion's servants to brief them on minutiae, trained the knights to line up crisply for Heinz's return, and moved without rest.
It was grueling, yet she showed no sign of fatigue—a superhuman display.
"Might as well prepare tailors in advance too."
Looking ahead, Maribel left the mansion for the streets.
She headed to a clothing shop she'd spotted during her intimate time with Heinz before.
Her plan: hire tailors early and use new silk clothes for a big promotional push.
"Welcome!"
With her unmatched drive, Maribel arrived at the shop.
As she scanned for the tailor,
one garment caught her eye.
"Ah...?"
A white negligee that made even hiring a tailor take a backseat.
Its seductive, tantalizing design stirred a sense of destiny in Maribel.
Even without adjustments, it looked like a perfect fit.
Lost in it, a female clerk approached.
"Looks like that piece really catches your eye, miss?"
"Oh! N-not really...!"
"I can tell there's a special man on your mind. Am I right?"
Maribel's face flushed red in real time.
Unable to deny it, she shyly nodded.
The clerk, sensing prey, grabbed Maribel's shoulders and teased.
"Deep into the night. Your beloved enters the bedroom, and you're wearing that lingerie. What do you think he'd do?"
"I-I wouldn't know..."
"Have confidence. A beauty like you would fell any man."
"Ughhh...!"
"Even a shy one would lose it at the sight of your skin peeking through, turning into a beast and pouncing. Then whispering in your ear like this."
The clerk leaned close, breathing warmly into Maribel's ear.
With excited male-like ragged breaths, she whispered softly.
"You started it?"
The clerk's intimate murmur shattered Maribel's reason.
Her mind was already in overdrive, fantasizing Heinz ravishing her.
Maribel's wallet had no choice but to open.