Chapter 298: Chapter 296 – Introducing the Bodyguards

Introducing the Bodyguards

Hikaru hadn’t seen anyone with at least three points on Detection, so Lavia with her three points on Stealth stats should be fine. She just needed to watch out for traps. Hikaru could sense magical traps with his Mana Detection, but not purely physical ones. The only countermeasure then was to be careful. Lavia, in particular, had to be extra cautious as she didn’t even have Mana Detection.

Infiltrating in the dead of night would be best as one could escape if the enemy spotted them.

I’m so worried about her, Hikaru thought. Unfortunately, he already approved Lavia of becoming a spy.

For the first time in a while, the couple slept together. When Hikaru woke up, he found Lavia had made breakfast for him—bread with cheese, salami and ham. She had gotten quite used to making breakfast out of processed meat, but the menu felt just a little odd considering their house was Japanese-styled.

The salad mixed with the dressing that Paula made was delicious. Even though there wasn’t much variety, there were fruits and vegetables in Dream Maker.

「Are you going to start tonight?」Hikaru asked.

「Yes. That’s the plan.」Lavia replied.

Normally, Lavia would be sitting beside Paula, but today she took a seat beside Hikaru. He was happy, yet also embarrassed.

「Then you shouldn’t be active during the day. Exhaustion will lead to carelessness. But that would also mean Paula won’t be able to do much.」

「I don’t mind.」Paula said.

「Are you not that busy with the healings anymore?」

Right. I haven’t asked her how she’s been doing since I went out on the trip. For a moment, Paula wore a complicated look.

「Uh, ahh... Things are going well.」

She was not making herself quite clear.

Lavia then clasped her hands together.「I know.」she said.「We need people we can really trust, right?」

「Huh? Ah, yes. Of course. I would say our current objective is to gather more and more people we can trust.」

「In that case, Paula’s... Those guys are perfect.」

「Paula’s what? Who?」n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hikaru looked puzzled. He would soon find out the answer to that question. After finishing breakfast and getting ready, they left the house with their masks on.

『Good morning, Flower-Masked Goddess! 』

『『『『『Good morning!』』』』』

Well-built men stood abreast, and bowed in exactly thirty degrees. The two guards—Grucel’s men—were at their side, wearing troubled looks.

「What’s going on here?」Hikaru asked Paula.

『Sir Silver Face.』the man in front said with a solemn expression.『The Flower-Masked Goddess had graciously blessed us with her exalted magic, healing us of our injuries. We are men who had sworn loyalty to her for giving us hope.』

「What did he just say?」Hikaru looked at Lavia for a rough translation.

「I’m sure we can trust them.」Lavia said.

Their desire to devote themselves to Paula, the person who gave them hope, almost bordered blind faith. After living in shame for years because of injuries, Paula must’ve seemed like a god to them.

「In other words, they want to do something for Flower Face for saving their lives, for giving them hope.」

「They’re saying they’ll devote their lives to her.」Deena cut in. Her face looked as though she was suffering a headache.「Lord Silver Face. It was us who asked for healing magic, but I never expected it to be this powerful. Winning over our citizens like this is a bit of a problem.」

「Don’t look at me. They’re doing this of their own accord. Well, whatever. They suffered serious injuries, right? I’m sure you guys neglected them anyway. I see no problem in this.」

Deena couldn’t say a word. These men had no place to belong to in Dream Maker, a city where men mostly did manual labor.

「In fact, you should be grateful, not complain.」Hikaru added.

If they adore Paula, so be it. We’re going to make good use of them. Hikaru’s lips curved into a smile behind his mask.

There’s that nasty look on his face again, Lavia thought.

Paula seemed ecstatic. He’s so cool either way!

「So, what are you doing here so early?」Hikaru asked Deena.「Surely you didn’t come here to complain about these bodyguards.」

「No, I did not. His Majesty wants to see you, so I came to pick you up.」

It was the perfect opportunity as Hikaru had things he needed to talk about with Doriachi.

「I guess we’re splitting up.」Hikaru said.「Will you two be all right?」

「Yeah. Take care.」Lavia replied.

「Y-Yes! Take care, my Lord.」Paula said.「Uh, what should we do about them? I was thinking of getting your opinion.」

Hikaru turned his attention to the bodyguards.「You’re going to protect Flower Face, right? I’m counting on you.」

Lavia translated his words, and the men nodded proudly, their faces full of confidence.

While walking, Deena talked about Flower Face’s healing magic. She gave her impressions, mostly praise and amazement that went on too long. Perhaps she felt relieved that she had something to talk about with Silver Face, a man she had issues with.

「Hmm... so a lot of people have unhealable injuries, huh?」

Zagin’s barkeep came to Hikaru’s mind. He could only think of a bear, so he pushed the thought aside and looked around.

Shops lined the streets. Most of the men who worked there had artificial legs or had an arm missing. Hikaru didn’t pay much attention before, but now that he did, there seemed to be a lot of injured people around.

「Most people who can’t fight anymore but could still lead their lives without much problem engaged in business. The king provides them with jobs.」

「So most young men become soldiers.」

Basically conscription. If the nation didn’t do that, they wouldn’t be able to get much-needed protein from animals outside the city.

「If you keep this up, wouldn’t you run out of soldiers who can fight?」Hikaru asked.

Deena’s gaze darted at Hikaru, her eyes sharp, as though saying “We know that. You don’t have to tell us.”

「I can see why some would think it’s better to cross over to the other continent.」

「Do you want to start a war?」Deena asked.

「I’m just saying.」

「How could you be so insensitive? Is it because you hate me?! I apologized to you already, yet you still can’t forgive me?!」

Hikaru’s narrowed eyes behind his mask caused Deena to shrink back.

「We’re here.」Hikaru said.「That’s enough talking.」He entered Doriachi’s residence.