082. Start of Action
It seems that Barbara was so shaken that even after sitting her down on a chair and giving her a cup of hot tea, she still couldn't completely wipe away her anxiety.
According to what I heard, Jean was ordered by the King to go to the Eastern Front to break the deadlocked situation.
She and her 300 subordinates, including Luia, were headed for a defensive base east of the "agricultural city of Bele".
「But a few days ago, a large-scale battle took place――and it seems that they were ambushed at that time. Everyone seems to have been scattered in the forest.」
「Only Jean has not yet returned, huh」
「But how did Barbara know that-?」
「Luia-san told me with a bird. And...... if possible, he told me to ask someone absolutely trustworthy to "rescue" her.」
Saying this, Barbara handed me a small piece of folded paper. And then.
「......I see. I get what's going on, but....」
The fact that it's a "rescue" and not a "search" is what's bugging me.
Philly agreed with me. And...
「Um ...... Yuuto. I know it's impudent for me after what I did before, but――please would you help my sister?」
I looked into Barbara's ice-blue eyes for a while, and then
「I refuse.」
After a long moment of silence, everyone in the room turned to look at me and said,
「「「「「Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?」」」」」
and shouted loudly.
「W-Why!? But why!?」
「I-I knew it――Is it because you still hold a grudge against me for what happened before?」
Nora and Barbara said.
「Nope? I don't have any hard feelings about what happened. I have my feelings about it――but it's over.」
「Then why!?」
「That's easy. First of all, this letter ...... is this really from Luia?」
「Eh?」
Barbara, who was told, looked at me as if she wanted to say, "What are you talking about?"
「Besides, the text only says the bare minimum necessary, and even before that, would Jean go missing just because she was ambushed by a demonic beast? If you ask me, I'm left with doubts」
Indeed, the magical beasts that appear in the "Great Sea of Trees" are numerous in number and variety, as well as ferocious.
Normal――No. If you have a little skill, it is absolutely impossible to survive there.
「However, Jean, who is far more advanced and experienced than I am, can be defeated like that――I felt strangely uncomfortable at that point. In fact, I was thrown into by Guriguri in a state of "buck naked", but......I'm still alive like this.」
There's nothing I can't deal with,...... and of course, I'm well aware that it's a very difficult thing to do.
「Besides, there's one more thing. This one is more important――no matter how much you think, the timing is too good. Right after I returned to Hanaria, this disturbance――a 'trap' is highly likely.」
「That's......」
「Above all. Even if this letter is 100% true, it is too risky to solve an unusual situation like the disappearance of someone as big as Jean. I owe a debt of gratitude to both Jean and Barbara, so I'm not reluctant to accept the request itself, but ...... it's not worth the risk.」
「Does that mean――you want me to promise to pay you a reasonable reward?」
「Of course. I'm a professional fixer. What's wrong with demanding a "reward" to complete the request perfectly?」
Smiling, Barbara turned her head and began to think about something. But...
「――Yuuto, you've changed.」
It was Lilyza who said as if muttering.
「If it was the Yuuto of a while ago, he would have accepted Barbara's request the moment she made it, but――」
「Really? But I'm neither a 'Hero' nor a 'Brave'. I'm just an otherworldly person, you know? I'm not much different from ordinary humans, and this is "work". For us to trust each other, we have to be on the same page. Am I wrong?」
I said, and Lilyza crossed her arms and exhaled, "―You're right."
「So, what do I have to pay? Money?」
「I don't mind that, but it's probably going to cost a hell of a lot of money, you know? After all, just "searching in the Great Sea of Trees" is a risky undertaking. If there is a high possibility that a conspiracy is involved, ...... we have no idea what to expect.」
If Barbara is so inclined, she should consult with Hannah-san and others to calculate the amount.
「The letter just says 'someone absolutely trustworthy' and doesn't say it has to be me. Barbara is a popular person, and she is related to Felicia. You have a connection, don't you? If you do well, there is a good chance that a high-ranking fixer of C or above will accept your request. So, what do want to do?」
I asked Barbara to come to a conclusion, and after a long silence, she said in a small voice, "...... I'm going to ask Yuuto.". And.
「For the reward.....is it okay if it's an 'all of me'? I'm ashamed to admit it, but I don't have that much money.」
「That's fine――but of course you know what it means, don't you?」
「Of course I do! I'm not a child either――and I have absolute faith in Yuuto.」
She looked me in the eye, and I accepted her "determination" without running away.
「So ...... please, I beg you. Please help my sister. I will do whatever it takes to help her. ......」
As soon as she said this, Barbara got down on her knees and started to dogeza to me.
As expected, I was taken aback by this.
「My sister――My sister is my only "family" to me! I can't bear the thought of my sister being gone forever! So―please, please」
I looked down at Barbara for a while as she rubbed her forehead against the floor.
「...... damn it. This makes me look like a "bad guy" or a "villain".」
I helped Barbara up again and stood her on the ground. And then,...
「All right. I've certainly received your "determination" and "enthusiasm". I'll put the request in writing officially later, but I'd like to add a few conditions.」
「...... What?」
「One. You must work with me until the case is solved and follow my instructions in principle. Two. Do not lie to me or be dishonest. Three. I'll do my best, but if the 'worst comes to the worst', I won't accept any kind of complaints. And finally, fourth――take better care of yourself.」
I lightly placed my hand on top of Barbara's head as I said these words.
「I understand that you are distraught because of the disappearance of your beloved family. But you have to get a grip on yourself first, right? Besides, Barbara trusts Jean more than anyone else in the world, right? Then she's definitely safe and you'll definitely see her again. So ...... don't push yourself so hard.」
After I said that, Barbara put her hand together in front of her chest――and with tears in her eyes, she nodded.
「Oh, and as for the 'reward payment', it can be paid later. As a matter of fact, I have a request from Philly as well. I think we can do it at the same time, and it would be unfair to pay Barbara in advance. To gain trust in the true sense, that's fine. Any questions?」
「......so far it's all right.」
「Okay. Then next. Lilyza. If you're available, please support me. The reward is 1,000 wen (100,000 yen) per day. Food and other miscellaneous expenses are on my own, and for now, I'll pay for 10 days in advance.」
When I said this, Lilyza was about to say something for a moment, but then she quickly agreed, saying, "I don't mind".
「Also, please be prepared for the considerable risk involved. I will not accept any complaints or grievances if you die or get injured, but I will give you a bonus depending on how hard you work, so please do. And Osada-kun. I don't think I need to tell you, but..」
「Ouh! We have enough water and food for half a year, and we have all kinds of medicines and tools!」
「That's my partner. ♪ Is the reward the same as Lilyza's?」
「No. Half is fine. In exchange, if the situation became "Dangerous" I'll leave you alone and run away.」
He says that like it's a good thing, but I've been working with him for a long time and he understands everything I'm trying to say and more.
「Okay, Nora is next. After this, I want you to create my equipment, made to order. Armor in particular is a top priority. I've been putting it off until now, but it's time to get serious about it. Also, create a new halberd. For materials, cast this one down and use it.」
With that, I handed her the sword I had at my waist, along with its sheath.
「T-this is――Isn't this a sword made of fairy ore!? It's a very rare metal, though!?」
When she said that, I simply said, "I got it".
「It's not a bad sword, but the weapon you made fits better. And I realized that my main weapon is still a halberd. But if it's made of steel, it's not going to be able to withstand my power. The price is negotiable.」
「That's fine, but ...... I don't have to work with you together?」
Nora said sadly.
「Your real job is 'blacksmith', right? If I need a hand, I'll ask you――but don't get me wrong, okay? It's not just about staying together and fighting like Lilyza. Instead, support me in a way that only you can. I seriously trust you, after all.」
Nora, with a smile on her face, and nodded with confidence, replied, "Who the hell do you think you are talking to?".
「Above all, and this may sound a bit unreasonable, but...I want you to work not here, but at the place we are going to take you. For that reason, please prepare the necessary tools and leave them with Osada-kun. That's exactly what you should be prepared to do if you want to move.」
「That's fine, but what about――Nah. it's nothing. I'll get ready right away♪」
As if to counteract the hesitation that had surfaced, Nora began rushing around the store.
「Lastly, Philly will be in charge of coordinating all the various adjustments. Especially..*whisper-whisper*.....That's why you fully delegate the responsibility for that.」
I whispered in her ear.
「That's another troublesome thing you've said so easily~」
She said in a troubled tone.
「You need to be careful, and I need to be able to ramp up my own mindless rampage. I'm counting on you.」
I pleaded, and Philly, with her hands on her hips, nodded her head and said, "OK. Roger"
「All right, then, let's get moving. Lilyza and Barbara, come with me to the Fixer's Guild. After that, we have to go around a lot, but――We'll be back in an hour, but be very careful.」
「What do you mean?」
Nora questioned.
「What. It's possible that the "enemy" will make a serious move. Although, I'd be more grateful if they did move, though――Well, it's probably a groundless fear, but 'just in case'.」
That's why I decided to leave Osada-kun and Philly behind.
「What? I'm here, and if you insist, I'll put up [Barrier], so don't worry. Rather...」
「Don't worry about me. Because there are two incredibly reassuring goddesses here.」
I said and left the store to finish our business.
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*Jojo "I REFUSE" gif*
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