Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Ju Rina (4)

“I-I would like to think about that too…”

Even with the additional proposal, Ju Rina asked for time after a moment of inner conflict.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed, but it was better than before. The feeling that she might slip away if I let go was gone.

It could be called a partial success.

It seemed like I had managed to turn around the heart of the distrustful Ju Rina to some extent. I decided not to push her further.

It wouldn’t be good for me to appear impatient. With someone like her, approaching too eagerly could backfire.

I nodded readily.

“Do that. If you keep worrying, you can decide after seeing my companions. Even if you say no after meeting them, I won’t stop you.”

I didn’t really mean it literally. Anyway, it was obvious that Ju Rina would observe me and my companions.

I wasn’t worried.

I know there’s anxiety in Ju Rina’s heart. But it will disappear after she sees my companions.

They’re not bad kids by anyone’s standards. Rather, Ju Rina will start questioning.

Thinking, “You’re antagonizing devil worshippers with these kids?”

If I can explain afterwards, I’ll be able to appeal to my human side plus points.

“Okay.”

“Then I’ll go first.”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

I got up from my seat and intentionally took a step, then turned around.

“Ah, even if you decide about joining the organization later, I’d like you to think about traveling together by the day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow?”

“Anyway, since I decided to deal with Arachne for your sake, there’s no need to stay here long. I’m planning to move right away.”

Ju Rina seemed slightly taken aback by my execution.

“Let’s meet here at 10 AM the day after tomorrow. How about it? Even if we don’t travel together, we should set an appointment to meet after I deal with Arachne.”

Ju Rina said she understood for now. I left her with Winds and exited the café.

And a little while later.

Ju Rina started following me. Her stealth was so impressive that even I was surprised.

I thought that if she had entered my detection range when I wasn’t conscious of her from the start, I might have missed her.

It was remarkable that she could do this even with winds.

She minimized her breathing, and her footsteps mixed in with people’s crowds, moving like flowing water, were incredibly light.

Her presence was almost non-existent. I continued to watch her movements. I need to read that pattern.

***

The next night.

Ju Rina came to find me earlier than the promised time. It was when I was reviewing the upcoming schedule.

Since it’s not often that I go east, it would be convenient to take care of any business I have before going.

She came near my lodging and spent some time pacing around.

‘I guess she hasn’t made up her mind yet.’

Even after coming up to my door, she seemed to hesitate, standing there lost in thought.

She even took out a lock pick and seemed to struggle with whether to pick the lock or knock.

In the end, she knocked. When I opened the door as if I’d been waiting, she flinched in surprise.

“You came early.”

“Did you know I was coming?”

When I nodded, she seemed to realize on her own and slightly opened her mouth.

“Ah… the wind.”

“Come in.”

I led her to the table.

“Want something to drink?”

“No. It’s fine.”

If she declines. I sat opposite her. Unlike yesterday, She wasn’t in the guise of a scholar.

Under the red hair, cat-like sharp eyes are directed at me.

“Have you decided?”

“Before that, I have something to ask.”

“By all means.”

“I saw your companions. You knew this too, right?”

As if I wouldn’t know that she’s been observing since yesterday. I also read her surprise at seeing my companions.

I told her that’s right.

“You’re opposing devil worshippers with those kids?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“They were so young.”

“Are you questioning whether I can handle Arachne?”

“…It’s not just because of that.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I’m confident about Arachne. If I think the kids will be a problem, I plan to move alone.”

“Even if I’ve seen your skills, you shouldn’t think too lightly of it.”

“Don’t think that what you saw yesterday is all of my power.”

“…”

“And it’s not right to underestimate the kids either. They’re young but all have talent. You’re the same, having skills different from your appearance, right?”

Ju Rina was silent for a moment.

“I think it would be better to introduce you after all.”

“What? Suddenly?”

“Isn’t it better to meet them before deciding to travel together, even for a short time? Rather than deciding to travel together and then wanting to leave because it’s uncomfortable.”

Since it wasn’t wrong, Ju Rina didn’t refuse. Though she didn’t seem pleased.

I woke up Aron with Winds.

I had told him to come to my room with the others if I gave a signal in preparation for this situation.

Soon, my companions gathered in my room.

They all looked at Ju Rina with curiosity. She seemed a bit uncomfortable with their gazes.

“From this side, Osten, Aron, Jofor, Mary. This is Ju Rina. She’s the one who robbed Duke Juan.”

“Oh! Hello?”

Since I had told him beforehand, Aron greeted her with a friendly smile. Ju Rina responded by nodding slightly.

This situation seemed to make her flustered and a bit uncomfortable. That much can’t be helped. It’s her unique personality.

“Aron and Mary are siblings. I rescued them when Mary was taken hostage and Aron was forced to fight unwillingly in a fighting pit.”

Aron and Mary nodded. Ju Rina’s expression changed slightly. Surprise mixed with a hint of regret.

Regret, huh. I wonder if she too wished for such salvation under Arachne.

“Osten is a mage. I recruited him when he was working like a slave in Gorivan’s Magic Tower. Jofor is a rookie mercenary I met by chance.”

Jofor and Osten acknowledged my words with eye greetings towards Ju Rina.

“It seems you didn’t raise them since they were young.”

“Even I’m not that old, come on. I just met Jofor about 10 days ago, and it’s been a little over half a year for Osten, Aron, and Mary.”

My companions nodded.

“That’s right. I was in Sorenson. If you go to Sorenson and ask about Aron the Mad Dog, everyone will know, right? Because I escaped spectacularly at the end.”

“I was also in Gorivan’s Magic Tower before receiving boss’s employment offer.”

“Wait. Employment, you say?”

“Is there a problem…?”

Osten looked at me nervously, thinking he might have said something wrong. That’s not it. He did very well.

I didn’t miss the opportunity.

“These kids are under me, but it’s actually closer to employment. They’re not just underlings I order around. They all receive the treatment of top-tier mercenaries.”

Even Jofor was given a money pouch when he officially joined the organization after sparring with Aron.

He couldn’t close his mouth for a while due to the enormous amount.

“…You give wages?”

Ju Rina’s expression now was similar to Osten’s in the past. Why are there so many bad people in the world?

Anyway, thanks to Osten, I was able to increase my persuasiveness from an unexpected place.

“Yes. I pay the allowance that top-tier mercenaries receive. In some ways, half of the profits are for the organization, the rest is distributed according to the number of people.”

“You don’t take it all?”

“Right. That’s how it is when we move together. If they bring something alone, a quarter falls as their share.”

It’s absolutely not taking too much. Ordinary organizations take more than me.

My companions nodded again in affirmation. It wasn’t my order, but they looked like puppets.

Well, this much should do.

I sent my companions back. If this continued, it might start to look strange.

“That’s it for now. Sorry if the kids made you uncomfortable. But, if you’re considering joining, I think it was a necessary meeting.”

“I understand. It’s okay.”

“It’s different from those trash-like organizations you’re worried about. Not only do we provide humane treatment, but it’s practically close to an employment relationship.”

In a way, it was an investment. Right now, my companions’ skills aren’t quite top-tier on the continent.

Of course, since I know the future, it’s an investment that can only succeed 100%, but still.

“And that’s what I hope leads to loyalty and lasts long.”

“I know. I could tell just by their expressions. They all looked good. There were no shadows on their faces.”

“I’m glad it looked that way. It means I’m doing well.”

Silence fell again. I saw her conflict, so I didn’t open my mouth first.

After a few minutes, I realized she had made her choice.

“Have you decided?”

“Yes. It’s not final yet, but let’s go with traveling together until we deal with Arachne. I need to see those bastards die too.”

“Good. You thought well.”

“But, let me join in too. Thinking about it, I feel like I should carry out my revenge myself.”

Was the recent hesitation not about joining but something else? Maybe I was focusing too much on recruitment.

I nodded readily. If Ju Rina joins, it’s practically close to success.

She has information about those bastards. I could figure it out myself, but it would take too long.

Internal information would be hard to get too.

“Then let’s change the method. Instead of me dealing with it, I’ll help you. How about that?”

Ju Rina nodded silently. And for a moment, she looked at me. She seemed like she wanted to say something.

But she didn’t open her mouth in the end. Instead of asking, I took out a money pouch.

“Take it.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s not official, but you’re joining even if temporarily. Think of it as me employing you, just like I employed the kids.”

“It’s okay. We’re just traveling together.”

Ju Rina shook her head.

“And strictly speaking, you’re helping my revenge.”

“There’s an intention in helping.”

I refused her refusal. Ju Rina bit her lower lip.

“It’s fine…”

“Just take it. I know you’re not a person without money, but you’re considering traveling together, right? Think of it as experiencing in advance.”

Although Ju Rina was reluctant, I put the money pouch in her hand.

She had an expression that was hard to describe.

Is it because this kind of acknowledgment is a first, or is she uncomfortable?

I wondered if I was being needlessly meddlesome, but I don’t regret my choice. I just hope it’s the former.

“Then let’s see each other tomorrow morning. Or should I get you a room here?”

“No. I’ll come on my own.”

“Then let me know your lodging. You probably haven’t disposed of the loot yet, so I’ll come to pick you up by carriage.”

It won’t be just money that she stole. She momentarily flinched with caution at the mention of loot, but soon nodded.

Well, at this point, it was as good as crossing the 90% mark in recruiting Ju Rina.

***

“Rina, eat together.”

On the way to the east.

Mary called out to Rina, who was sitting far away, with a kind smile and a bowl.

“It’s okay. I’m comfortable alone.”

Rina’s answer was the same as before.

Although we’re traveling together, she hardly talks. It showed that she’s a bit uncomfortable with us.

If anyone, she talks to Mary. I heard that Mary asked questions when they were alone.

Asking if we treat Mary strangely.

It was natural for my companions to feel bad hearing that. Especially Aron.

I consoled my companions.

‘It can’t be helped right now.’

But my companions’ anger didn’t continue.

When I told them the circumstances inferred from her words, they all seemed to feel sorry for Rina.

Especially Aron and Mary. It seemed Mary understood more because she had the experience of being held hostage.

She was trying to approach within a limit that wouldn’t burden Rina even if she refused.

I didn’t take separate measures. Although she knows in her head that we’re harmless, it seems her life experiences make her like this.

That kind of vigilance has to be resolved by oneself.

‘I hope time is the medicine.’

It would be nice if she opens her heart, but it’s okay if she doesn’t. I can gain some benefit either way.

After finishing the meal and even brushing my teeth, I continued my thoughts in another direction.

The magic tool obtained from Pelia. Now that my body has fully recovered, I was investigating it with Osten.

Contrary to my worries, there was no location tracking function. There was no reaction at all.

‘The problem is that I can’t gauge how to use it.’

It remained the same even when I blew mana into it, and it was the same using Winds. The remaining guess was one.

Could it be that only those who have received the power of the devil can use it?

If so, it meant I couldn’t use it. There was a bit of regret.

Finding Devil’s Blood would be beneficial for me too.

‘Whether to recruit, or wait for devil worshippers nearby, or kill them.’

I also have Devil’s Blood, but… just as the continent is hostile to the blood, it can’t be helped.

It’s better than letting it fall into their hands in any way.

Wait.

For a moment, a thought flashed through my mind. I have Devil’s Blood.

It means that the devil’s power flows in part of my blood. Wouldn’t it work if I smear blood on the magic tool?

It seemed like a good idea.

‘Let’s try it first.’

After distancing myself from my companions to prepare for any possible aftermath, I dropped a drop of my blood onto the violet sphere.

As expected.

At the same time, the magic tool reacted. To be precise, the devil’s power contained in the violet sphere.

‘Huh?’

And for a moment, my vision was reversed to a blackish violet color. It wasn’t a warning from Death Avoidance. It was the devil’s power.

Goosebumps rose all over my body. It was tension, of course. My heart started pounding.

Northern part of the continent.

The devil that descended on the continent when I was with Erendil was looking at me through the magic tool.

Author's Thoughts

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