“Um, excuse me… would you hire me?”
“What…?”
“The Empire is far away! The long journey will be dangerous. Even if it’s monsters or bandits, I won’t let a finger touch the administrator! I’ll take on the job at a special rate, as a token of my gratitude!”
That’s not it.
That’s not what I should say.
Coward. Weakling.
What I should say is something else.
Wilfred berated himself inwardly as he pleaded desperately.
That was all he could say.
“How about… that?”
And then, a heavy silence settled in.
The siblings looked at Wilfred with puzzled expressions.
“Wilfred-san, are you really okay with that?”
“Catherine…”
Catherine’s brother tried to interject.
She stopped him with a glance over her shoulder, as if to say, “I understand.”
–She saw right through me. She knew exactly what I wanted to say, what I was thinking…
Knowing this, Catherine questioned Wilfred’s resolve.
As if to pay for his awkwardness, Wilfred suddenly felt embarrassed about everything.
In contrast to Wilfred, Catherine was incredibly composed.
She calmly thought and assessed the situation.
She asked if he was sure.
If his feelings were genuine.
If he had the resolve to say such things.
“…Yes, I’m serious!”
Wilfred replied with the most sincere voice his throat could produce.
That was the one thing he couldn’t get wrong.
Wilfred was drawn to Catherine’s brilliance.
She was extraordinarily capable. This stemmed from her earnest dedication to her goals, much like Wilfred’s swordsmanship, the result of tremendous effort. A seeker of truth, sincere in living, is inherently admirable.
However, he couldn’t stand the thought of Catherine being seen as a demon.
She was human. She could get tired and hurt.
If she was seen and treated as a demon, she might truly become one someday. That couldn’t happen. It would be a tragedy. She needed something to remind her she was human.
Catherine would be fine without Wilfred.
She would forge her path and reach her life’s goals.
The idea of doing something for her might be selfish or unnecessary.
Even so, Wilfred wanted to do something for her. If someone were to stand by her, he wanted it to be him. It was a fundamental emotion beyond all reasoning.
Her eyes, the color of fire and ashes, stared at Wilfred intently.
“I don’t have much to say right now. But if it’s for travel escort, please do. I might end up causing you trouble, but if that’s okay with you.”
After a short contemplation, Catherine spoke quietly.
It wasn’t a final answer, but a period of consideration.
Wilfred understood this was an extraordinary privilege.
Her life was so occupied with “something” that there was no room for others.
Yet, she had made space for Wilfred, even temporarily, to see if he fit in.
“I don’t mind!”
“Then, I look forward to working with you.”
Catherine smiled faintly, like a warm breeze signaling the brief summer in Ciel-Terra.
* * *
The following month was a whirlwind of activity.
Wilfred’s busyness was nothing compared to Catherine’s, but he had to handle preliminary procedures to transfer his affiliation to the Khenis Empire Guild.
Since he currently lived with his mother, who wanted a smaller place for herself, Wilfred, with more flexible time, helped her find an apartment.
There wasn’t much to move. He didn’t own much beyond his adventuring gear. He sold anything he couldn’t carry.
His mother was surprised when he said he was heading to the Khenis Empire, but she had supported him when he decided to train as a Samurai in the Holy Kingdom of Diletta. When he swore on his Samurai pride to return safely, she accepted it.
“To the bright future of Catherine Arkwright! Cheers!!”
“Cheers!!”
Five nights before leaving town, a farewell party was held for Catherine at a tavern in District Section 2-3.
About thirty guild staff and adventurers gathered, filling the cottage-like tavern decorated with tasteful baskets and farm tools.
The oil lamp-styled lights evoked nostalgia, quickly replaced by the laughter of the drunken crowd.
Amid the lively chatter, Wilfred drank with mixed feelings.
— Having a good time, huh? All they care about is an excuse to drink. The staff aren’t even trying to talk to Catherine. Most of the adventurers are here, though.
Wilfred didn’t know how many usually attended such farewells, but it felt a bit lonely considering how many worked in the office. The staff only exchanged a few obligatory words with Catherine before getting lost in their revelry.
“…A parting gift and a thank you for the farewell present. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes, thank you!”
A red-haired female administrator approached and handed Catherine a small package.
The woman seemed reluctant, but Catherine accepted it without concern and thanked her. The red-haired woman quickly left without further conversation.
–So, they think that’s enough. Only after they’re in a tight spot…
Wilfred couldn’t stop thinking about Catherine, who seemed unfazed.
He drank more bitter wine.
A large man suddenly sat next to Wilfred and slapped his back, causing him to choke.
“Hey, Wilfred. I never thought you’d go this far.”
It was Garrett.
Although he hadn’t shown up in his usual gladiator armor, he wore a tight-fitting shirt with ripped sleeves, emphasizing his muscles and giving him a bandit-like appearance. He was drinking with the boisterous enthusiasm of a bandit at a feast.
“Don’t get all worked up about it. Even I’m surprised at how things turned out. But… I don’t regret it.”
“Is that so.”
Wilfred had already told his fellow adventurers about his plan to head to the Empire with Catherine. It seemed this news had reached Garrett as well.
With his face flushed from the alcohol, Garrett grinned mischievously.
“If you ever get a chance to come back to this town, let me know how it all turns out.”
“You b*stard, Garrett! Get over here, and I’ll make you commit harakiri!!”
“Gyahahahaha!”
Garrett grabbed a skewer from in front of Wilfred and ran off, laughing heartily.
“Damn that guy… well, if he’s like that, he’ll be fine.”
Maybe it was false bravado, but Wilfred felt foolish for worrying about Garrett even for a moment.
He reached for another drink, then paused.
— Me? With Catherine? In that kind of relationship?
It dawned on Wilfred that if their relationship deepened smoothly, it was a highly probable future scenario.
Wilfred glanced at Catherine.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol.
As she talked with the adventurers she had worked with, she absentmindedly ran her fingers through her orange hair, revealing her pale, white nape for a moment.
Though she was slightly petite and still had a youthful air, Catherine’s beauty was universally acknowledged. Her beauty was like a flawlessly polished gem. Despite her natural charm, she constantly made an effort to enhance her looks.
How should one describe her beauty? Even her breath seemed beautiful.
Her intelligence sometimes gave her features a cold, sharp edge, but her softened expressions at unguarded moments were endearing. Her skin was pure as snow and smooth as silk. Her delicate frame seemed fragile, yet it radiated a vitality that symbolized all living things.
She always wore her guild officer uniform, which was like armor, but underneath, she surely had a vibrant and elegant body—
“Uwaaaaah!”
“Wilfred!?”
“What happened!?”
Wilfred took a swig from a bottle of strong liquor, potent enough to breathe fire, and soon after, he rushed to the restroom to vomit.
