"............ Cook"
A tall man who showed himself from the shadows of the dark night. Despite his height, which is likely to stand out everywhere, and his suspicious appearance, he doesn't feel a trace of dust from the man.
The man, wearing a black hat shallow and a dark shade of clothing that blends into the darkness, laughs with one hand in white gloves that stand out even in the darkness to suppress his mouth.
"What's wrong, who are you?
I laid my hand on the pattern of my sword and exposed my vigilance whenever I could pull it out. As the silence of the night wrapped around me, my voice seemed to have on the contrary only heightened the tension on this occasion.
But when the man took his hat in an elegant move that made him feel less nervous, he bowed down on his chest.
"I'll see you first. Adventurer Ray...... No, shall I call you the militant champion Kitchick? I am Cecil, who is an informant. Please leave it with me."
"An informer? Why was the informant following me?
I don't break my nerves. Never take your eyes off me. That's because I recognized that this man was not the only one.
I'm supposed to still be in front of you right now, but I don't feel a sign or anything from this guy even though he's speaking out. It was as if it didn't exist there.
"Whoa, excuse me. It's an informant's habit. They were erasing the signs."
Cecil said so with a suspicious grin, indicating signs. That is certainly what I felt earlier. I felt it, and I immediately thought this guy was lying.
"Then why did you leak the signs earlier?
"Kukuku, it's still okay. You're the best."
Cecil leaked another low roaring laugh. I caught my guard up in Cecil's words.
"Don't be so vigilant. I'm an informant. I have no power to fight."
"Liar. The way the signs are killed is unusual. Now, if I'd been attacked from behind with the signs killed, I'd have been hit."
It's more and more suspicious to lie. But Cecil smiled suspiciously and hid her mouth with her hands without panicking at my point.
"Maybe. But what you just said, that's the answer. I had a chance to kill you. But I didn't show up. I don't think that's more evidence than anything I'm willing to fight you for.
It's frigid. That's the first impression I've had in conversations so far. So I honestly can't believe what this guy is saying.
That was the reason why I didn't lift my guard.
"Then what's your purpose? Why 'd you show up?
That's because I wanted to talk to you.
"So I'm asking why. Answer me."
I grabbed the pattern of my sword and intensified my tone as I focused on my temples.
"It's really good not to loosen that alert. Okay, but we're not gonna talk about this. Fine. Shall I start with my purpose? As I said earlier, I'm an informant. The only time an informant bothers to talk to himself is when he doesn't know anything or wants to take a business meeting with someone who wants the information he has."
"So you want to buy or sell information from me?
Sure, that would explain why the informant talked to me. I suppose you want to buy information on Daitang ruins as well.
I thought so, but Cecil laughed eerily again.
"Kuku, unfortunately that's only half the right answer. I'm a stranger among the informants. I only buy information that looks interesting, and I don't sell it. I want to make an exclusive deal with you that will satisfy my commitment."
"Exclusive agreement?
"I mean, I buy the information you want and I sell it to you. Instead, you only buy information from me, and I don't sell other information either."
I wasn't trying to do anything about it. Exclusive agreement I know what that means in itself. But I didn't feel the need to do it. I felt like it didn't do this guy any good to feel like it was now.
"I don't know what that means. Do that and be what?
To my inquiry like that, Cecil caught the corner of her mouth. And when I open my mouth, I get progressively excited.
"Don't you see? I'll sell you the information. Then you move on from it. [M] I see and hear what you do and satisfy my admiration. Above all, a man of strength to complete grade S by himself in that year. If I put a bump on it right now, the information I give may move the world in the future. That's really funny. An informer would want to sell that kind of information once. So I want to make an exclusive deal with you."
".................. Huh?
I was stretched out at the same time as the last word and accidentally turned into a pocan.
Is this the guy?
Is that some kind of pervert?
"Well, I'm not asking you to understand. This is my value, my insistence. That's why I'm called a weirdo. But unfortunately, strangers can only be filled with unusual things. I'll do whatever it takes for that. Let me tell you one thing about my point of sale, I've never had the information I wanted before. I'm going to be a pretty good informant."
Certainly too different a value. I would want to do it myself, not move in the shadows as an informer. Cecil, from what I've seen, is not that guy there. Must have a lot of strength. But don't use it on its own, be thorough with the shadows. It's like a ninja.
If you think about it, maybe nothing's wrong. If you're a ninja, you don't know what it's like to admire it, and most importantly, it's easy to imagine.
Supporting my lord as a shadow and not on the surface stage. If I say so, I guess this guy is saying he wants to play the role.
The question is, do I need a ninja? It would be very helpful to have that presence when things happen.
... or is he someone you can trust?
"Can't you take my hand?
"…… subject to conditions"
"Well, conditions?
I weighed my credibility with this guy and the need for a shadow. And to one solution.
"If you mean a contract, let's make a blood contract. Then I can trust you."
"Cool, of course. This one was originally meant to be. This will be the details of the contract. Look me in the eye."
Cecil took the paper out of her nostalgia with the blood contract on it and gave it to me. I looked at it and was stunned.
"Are you stupid? ⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉⁉
"Well, I wonder what you mean. Except for the penalty for breaking a contract, we're equal, right?
"I'm talking about when I went against it. You're risking your own life even though I'm the only punishment you can think of for harassment. Not equal at all."
Cecil pretended not to know on purpose. These places are frigid.
But more than that, the content of this contract. This is overwhelmingly in my favor. The punishment for me is diarrhea for a week. It's just harassment. I can break this if I want to.
The punishment for Cecil, on the other hand, is death. I can't say very equal contract content.
"Cool, sure. But there's nothing more you can do to win your trust in me, right? You did it the other day, didn't you?
"Huh 8265; Why... No, you often have that information"
"No, it's a little bit of a grudge to show you my skill and get me a contract."
It was only about a week ago, and how do you know only the Bandits and me...
Sure looks like a first-rate arm.
"I am not dissatisfied with the contents of this contract. Cecil, are you okay?
"Of course I did. I have no intention of breaking my contract. But in your case, I try to break it. Think about when I couldn't do it. It is not a violation for you to purchase your own information. It's only a violation when you buy information from other informants."
"Okay. Then let's make a deal."
I cut my fingertips and press judgment over the contract details written in special ink on the paper. Then Cecil does the same and stamps the blood, and our blood flows into the letter of the contract.
And when the letters float red, a magic formation appears on the paper. The magic team gives a blue and white glow as opposed to the letters, and makes a contract. And when that light subsided, it became just a piece of paper with the contract details written.
"Now you and I are partners. Use it whenever you need it."
"Oh, then hurry up. You already know that, but I need information about the leader where I'm in trouble right now and about those four kids"
I avoided making it clear that I was involved with bandits. Because I don't know where there are people in the city who are listening. Besides, I thought this guy's intelligence would make sense.
"Got it, client. I'll come to you as soon as I have the information. [M] You stay free. [M] But it helps if you leave a little trace when you travel big."
Copy that.
Does that mean that my behavior is stuck with this guy? How the hell are we gathering information?
But I was able to see a good opponent. This guy can use it.
A week later.
I was coming back to Ajito. I gave him all the recovery drugs and equipment that Luxeria had asked for. Since then, it has never been particularly shabby, so I've been exploring the Aegis from time to time to see how the children are doing.
It's been three weeks since the kids got here. They are trying to tame their lives as bandits. That said, I haven't done your job as a bandit yet.
Luxeria individually teaches how to use the weapon or has a simple magic trick. It's like going to school.
Meanwhile, I'm teaching them a lot again. Focus mainly on the use of skills and their acquisition. I feel as if I'm back to being a teacher.
Is it going to be another year ago that I was teaching those guys? Time passes fast. How's everybody doing?
I've spent a relaxing week nostalgic for my life in the King's Capital that way, but from today on I'm a little busy. They're going to work as bandits on anything.
It will be a first line for the children. I have to follow and watch, too. But I don't want to expose my face. That's why I decided to disguise myself.
"Sir, what happened to that outfit? If you were wearing that in a masked desert, you'd burn to death."
"This is for a disguise... now what?
Burn to death?
Ha, sure... If I wore an iron mask in the middle of a desert like this, I'd be burned in the oven.
"Well, don't you want to expose your face? Then you should use this."
"Thankyou."
I gratefully received a cloth from Luxeria and wrapped it around my face. Now the bottom half of my face hid under the cloth.
"This would make you look like a bandit and not uncomfortable. Then on the contrary, it's too conspicuous."
"Don't you have another one? I want to sprinkle it on your head."
"Then again, it's unnatural. If you don't want to expose yourself, you better not get your attention."
It's true. Luxeria is the best thing, but I can't wipe away my anxiety with a piece of cloth. I should have done it in special makeup practice. Practice for the future when you settle down.
"Captain, the prey has stopped. It's about a dozen merchants."
"Right. Now get ahead of the target and ambush him. Was there a good mountain?
"There it is. Well, I'll do it when I ambush you there."
It's more like an army move than a bandit. Maybe this is what happens when you have a lot of people.
"So shall we go, sir? The children will not leave my side. I won't even let you get hurt. So do it without feeling bad."
The children nodded deeply at Luxeria's words. There seems to be a definite relationship of trust that we have built up over this short period of time.
"I'm here, too, don't worry. Just do what you can."
"Ha ha, isn't my husband surprisingly motivated"
"Well, sometimes it's not bad to say villain"
Seeing us talking like that all the time, the kids seemed to be able to pull off their shoulders just a little bit.
And hid in what became a desert mountain, waiting for the merchants to come. The bandits have already pulled out their prey and can wait now or not. Did the kids remember their fears when they saw that, their eyes cloudy?
"I'm fine. If you don't want to, you don't have to do anything. Nobody gets angry."
I spoke so gently to calm the children. At that moment, Luxeria, who was in formation before all the armies, opened her mouth.
"Let's go."
The bandits jumped out of the mountains at the same time on the instructions of Luxeria. Both the merchant and the adventurer hired by it were surprised again by the large group of bandits who suddenly appeared and were in a hurry.
Well, would you normally freak out if this number of bandits attacked you?
"All right, let's all go"
I didn't jump out and see the Luxeria waiting for me, then I encouraged the kids with weapons the size of which didn't fit my body.
"The children follow me. Whatever your husband wants."
"I'm an amulet today, so I'll follow you."
'Right,' nodded Luxeria, rushing down the sand slopes vigorously. Following that, I ran down so hard that the kids wouldn't fall either.
Meanwhile, I followed him slowly on foot in no hurry.
I don't want to get too close to the adventurers. Because you might find out.
Because............... there's Rose.
Why is he here? Seriously, I'm glad I've been disguised. Coincidence is horrible at times.
I guess the fact that Rose is here means the other adventurers are her party members. Not a bad move. It's a level enough to name one person. Well, it's B grade, so it's obvious.
Such were they fighting 'Snake Poison' opponents well. At least one and four are dealing with each other, desperately protecting their employers and their carriages.
The battle was mutual. But that was before Luxeria entered.
"Cah!"
"Rose ⁉ Chickshaw!
Rose was instantly hit by a participating Luxeria. Rose lost her mind when she got a blow to the neck and screamed small.
A fellow man is slashed by Luxeria when he sees it, but it never reaches him. It was sunk by the hands of Luxeria before that, and the rest of the adventurers were similarly rendered immobile without a minute.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey."
The merchant man butted up like he had lost his hips and looked up at Luxeria with a stained eye of terror. Satisfied as such a merchant frightened, Luxeria demanded faintly in a cold voice.
"Don't you want to be killed? Then you should leave the load. Where I killed you, I have no interest in you. Take these people away from me."
"Ha, ha, ha, ha."
The man of the merchant who begged for his life hastily unloaded the load, as Luxeria told him, instead loading the Roses, he fled back indiscriminately.
Seeing the merchant rushing away like that, I thought.
Wow, that means first line. Kids, you didn't do anything.
No, if you don't, you don't have to. This is more of a tour than an experience.
You did a bad thing to Rose and the others. This will result in a quest failure. Next time I see you, I'll find a good reason to luxury you.
"Sir, I'm sorry, can you carry this luggage with your skills?
"It gave me a place to play."
I said sarcastically to Luxeria, who singled out a place of activity.
"Ha, I'm sorry. But the other guy was a little handy. Will you convince me that I'm gonna let my husbands deal with me again?
"I'm kidding. Besides, I was familiar with him, so I'm glad he passed out early."
Honestly, I didn't mean to point my sword directly at the Roses and the others. It's not like I could have found out who I am in some kind of applause, and attacking a familiar face caught my attention on a boulder.
If I find out who I am, they're going to take my lumpy money because it's about the cash Rose, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad Luxeria put a piece on me by herself.
You wouldn't have had time to stop looking at me like that. Now the worry is gone for the first time.
"Was it? I'm sorry I did that. But this is the only way to live."
"I know. It's not like we know each other very well."
They chased us around after we acted together for just a few days. I know it's a little bad, but there's no way I'm in the mood.
"This is it all?
After putting all the loads in sight inside the storage space, I checked with Luxeria just in case. But he didn't reply, wondering, and when he turned his gaze, Luxeria looked a little harsh and looked around.
"What's up?
"No.................. quiet. Usually the sand should be able to move a little more..."
Whoa. What are you talking about?
"Luxeria, you know what I say about that?
"No, I've never seen anything like it. I've never even heard of it."
"All right, let me tell you something. That's..."
Shhhhhhh.
"Flag."
Luxeria's flag has called for the strongest presence in this desert.
Again, it looks like you shouldn't put up anything but romantic-related flags.