Chapter 139: Chapter 138: Cheska Plandor

After boarding the carriage, I had time to converse with the young noble lord who was accompanying me.

The main topic of conversation was naturally about Ga-ram, who had been with me.

It was a natural outcome, considering she was the only link between us.

“So, when Ga-ram finishes her mission and returns, she always talks about me, you say.”

“When reporting her missions, your story always came up. It’s natural, considering you were the only one she got along with at the time.”

Is this the story from when she was called a fallen hero?

Well, it was necessary to tell the story of a collaborator to a patron for reporting purposes, and there was no need to feel bad unless it was backstabbing.

“From what I’ve heard, you transitioned from a worker to an adventurer, and it seems you’ve worked quite hard to get to your current position.”

“Ahaha, it’s not that big of a deal. I was just lucky, that’s all…”

“Grasping luck is also a matter of discretion. Most people either don’t know when luck comes their way or waste the opportunity.”

Cheska, even with a blunt manner of speaking, soothed my passive attitude.

While such assessment felt a bit burdensome, I also felt a tingling in my heart.

It seemed I couldn’t help being weak to compliments… Well, it would be rude to reject someone’s kindness, after all.

“Anyway, using the connection I have with the hero I sponsored, I would like to make you an offer right here.”

After a lively chat, what followed was a proposal I had somewhat anticipated.

Probably, Cheska came to meet me in their noble status for that purpose.

Noticing that, I immediately brought up what I had in mind before Cheska could speak.

“Are you offering to become my guardian?”

“…You’ve noticed.”

“Well, since you’ve come to me directly…”

Although the intentions were clear, I didn’t necessarily think it was a bad thing.

Heroes were seen as saviors by the public, but what those in power wanted was to increase their influence through such attention.

So, creating a connection with me before my treatment in the Imperial Palace was decided would be quite advantageous.

“Mentioning that means you, too, were quite looking forward to receiving sponsorship from a noble like me.”

“Well, I won’t deny it… But, actually, this situation is somewhat relieving.”

A smile formed on my lips, unable to contain my expectation, which made Cheska, sensing my reaction, tilt their head slightly.

“Relieved because I came to you?”

“It’s probably because this is my first time receiving a scouting offer like this. When working in unfamiliar places, it’s best to start by adapting with the help of acquaintances, isn’t it?”

Everything felt unfamiliar, and since one never knew when danger would strike, it was a rule to step back about three steps when encountering the unknown world.

As such, having someone to rely on and cooperating with them, helping each other move forward, would be a way to extend this lifeline even further.

That was somewhat the reason why I initially formed a pair with Ga-ram.

At this moment, feeling that it was time to be rewarded for such a choice, a sense of pride gradually began to emerge in my heart.

“Ah, yes. To seek familiarity…”

But could there be something about what I said just now that didn’t sit right?

After hearing me, Cheska pushed up their glasses and began to rest their chin on their hand, their mouth firmly closed.

The sense of dissonance I felt must have been because the atmosphere had changed.

I didn’t know the details, but from their standpoint, something must have become a concern.

“…Cheska?”

“Well then, let’s assume the discussion is settled for now.”

As I tried to trace back the origin of that reaction, Cheska lifted their head again and reached into their bosom.

Then, they pulled out a document with a movement that was very smooth and unhesitant.

To the extent that I wondered if the sense of dissonance I had felt earlier was just a misconception.

“It seems we have roughly come to an understanding, so it would be fine to draft a contract right here.”

“A contract? Right here and now?”

“Once we arrive at the banquet hall, Mr. Hyo-sung will receive quite a bit of attention. It won’t be easy to exchange documents directly like this when the time comes.”

The document and pen were promptly presented.

Even though the turn of events was unexpected and I couldn’t grasp the flow, they just nonchalantly crossed their arms and stared out the window.

“The family seal has already been affixed, so legal effect will take place immediately upon signing. Please bear this in mind when you sign.”

Was that indifferent attitude derived from the authoritative demeanor of a noble?

Or was it from a pragmatic stance that as long as their own matters were handled, nothing else mattered?

Either way, receiving a contract upon first meeting was quite burdensome, but refusing it outright was also not preferable.

If I refused without a special reason, it might also inconvenience Ga-ram, who was indebted to them.

‘What? You’re asking who my sponsor is?’

Come to think of it, we talked about the sponsor last time we were at camp together.

Surely, the noble in front of me must be the one we discussed then. Confident in this, I took a moment to recount what had happened at that time.

‘Well, they’re not very kind. Doesn’t like jokes, has a stiff attitude… They do provide considerable support, but they’re also meticulous enough to scrutinize the details of expenses.’

A power-holder with an unapproachable demeanor and miserly tendencies…

It wasn’t exactly a positive assessment.

Even though nobles were often arrogant and ill-tempered, being one of the more docile ones didn’t mean one could be approached easily.

‘Even so, they haven’t spoken harshly or ordered anything unreasonable. They agreed that accompanying my brother would help clear his name, so it was fine.’

Even so, the reason I didn’t have an entirely unfavorable impression upon our first meeting was because of Ga-ram’s seemingly friendly attitude during that conversation.

‘I don’t think they’re a bad person.’

‘…Really?’

‘Yes, it’s hard to explain in detail… but at least that’s how I felt.’

Even though it was an assessment without proper justification, in relationships, emotional connections were more important than material ones.

Given that many power-holders exploit heroes or engage in misconduct, a calculating and hands-off noble might relatively be better.

“Here, take this.”

Signing and handing over the contract now was an act done with a small sense of gratitude, along with trust towards such a partner.

“…You accepted rather readily. It was quite a sudden proposal.”

“Well, it’s because I have that much faith.”

After all, weren’t they a comrade with whom I had faced numerous dangers?

Thinking that it might be good to follow this person for the time being, a friendly smile gradually formed on my lips.

“Anyway, I’ll trust you, considering the effort you made to visit in person. Please take good care of Ga-ram and myself in the future.”

With as much politeness as possible.

As I bowed my head in greeting, Cheska looked down at me, then turned their gaze back outside the window and spoke in a low voice.

“Yes, I also consider it fortunate to have someone like you on board… However, there’s a slight error in saying you’ll be indebted along with her.”

“…What? What do you mean?”

“Well, since I’ve drafted your employment contract, I’ll have to cease her sponsorship once we return to the family.”

Snap, just like that.

In that moment, not understanding what was said, I stopped lifting my head halfway through.

Ceasing the sponsorship—what does that mean?

“Coincidentally, I only need one hero.”

Answering my question, Cheska said in an indifferent voice.

“As the head of the Plandor family, it’s not easy for us to employ even one hero, so it was necessary to select the most outstanding one among those available for employment.”

“Wait a minute, what are you saying…?”

What’s with this person?

They could only employ one person, yet they made a recruitment offer to me while still employing that child?

“To be honest, I am grateful to her. She’s capable, but the negative perception remains, so there was little merit in continuing the sponsorship.”

Despite my astonishment, they continued speaking nonchalantly as if it didn’t matter.

As if they were discarding their connection with Ga-ram, who had trusted them all this time, like a worn-out rag.

“To then establish a connection with the key figure who led us to victory in the war against the undead, and to successfully conclude this contract… I must say I’ve been lucky.”

“…Are you serious with what you’re saying?”

“Well, don’t worry too much. Although I can only sponsor one person, I intend to provide as much support as possible within that limit. It will at least be better than what other heroes receive…”

-Bang!!!

A fist, filled with strength, struck the wall of the carriage.

Of course, since I didn’t imbue it with magic power, the destructive force was minimal, and it was mostly just noise.

At least for now.

“…Hey, you.”

But depending on how the guy in front of me acts next, the fist aimed at the wall might turn towards them, and its purpose might transform into sadistic violence.

“You seem not to care because you’re a noble, but you’d better watch your words. If you keep acting like that and end up on the wrong end of a blind sword, you’ll have nowhere to complain.”

The sound of teeth grinding might be due to feeling humiliated by the current change in stance.

And so, I couldn’t help but regret my own actions.

Even a mere piece of paper, a contract, could wield absolute influence in society.

Knowing full well how the power-holders I had met looked down on people, what made me think the guy in front of me would be any different?

“…You’re quite emotional.”

Even as I felt self-derision, they continued to look at me with a mechanical attitude.

“If it weren’t for me, you might have been wanted immediately.”

“That’s for me to deal with.”

“Are you prepared to die with your opponent just because you’re displeased? Despite having felt desperate enough to come this far from being a worker?”

“Yes, I’ve always lived like this.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Before inheriting Tacchia’s personality, I was weak and insignificant, but even then, I never backstabbed anyone.

Though I had lost people due to my powerlessness, I had never once betrayed them.

“…I get the gist of what kind of person you are.”

-Clop, clop.

The inside of the carriage still rumbled along with the sound of horseshoes.

In the midst of such silence, Cheska quietly spoke to me, as I continued to glare.

“Please, take a seat. I have something to tell you before we arrive at the Imperial Palace.”

“……”

“…You’re not going to make a scene, are you?”

Damn it, what’s with this guy?

Even if they were a noble, they should at least feel the rudeness, if not fear.

“Go ahead, say what you want.”

Considering they hadn’t immediately resorted to threats or rudeness, it was worth listening.

With that thought, I decided to sit down and listen to whatever nonsense they had to convince me.

Seeing this, the unruly brat adjusted their glasses and said,

“If you get this angry, it’s going to be difficult for you in the future.”

“…What?”

“You know, right? What the power-holders of this empire are generally like.”

I knew very well.

After all, the reason why all heroes ended up being morally bankrupt was because the power-holders of this empire were filled with corrupt pigs.

“There’s no one easier to corrupt than those in power.”

While that assessment applied equally to the person in front of me, they soon continued speaking with their arms crossed.

“Charisma, leadership, magnanimity, judgment… One who possesses all these qualities has the discretion to lead people and the right to be a leader. Ironically, however, this empire’s authority is passed down through hereditary succession.”

Their expression remained dry, and their words gave off an intellectual and haughty vibe, as if they were reciting from a dictionary.

More like a strategist than a noble…

No, it even felt as though I was looking at a well-crafted robot.

“And the major downside of hereditary succession is that it only holds on to the results achieved by ancestors. Not knowing how much effort and sacrifice it took to obtain that right, people like you, who come from a worker’s background, can’t help but have a great antipathy towards authority.”

“…What? Suddenly engaging in self-reflection?”

“Think rationally and logically. If you realize that the person before you comes from a different world… no matter how much their actions defy common sense, treating them emotionally will only worsen the situation.”

“Ha, so? You’re saying I forgot such thinking and acted recklessly in dealing with a noble, as if you’re lecturing me…”

-Rip, rip.

After laughing in disbelief at the audacity, the sound of paper tearing echoed inside the carriage.

With the signature, even legal effect had taken place.

The sound of tearing up the opportunity to exercise legal restraint on me by their own hands.

“Mr. Hyo-sung.”

Cheska then threw the torn bundle of paper out of the carriage window towards a riverbank that appeared outside.

This act of discarding the contract without regret gave undeniable persuasiveness to the words that followed.

“In the case of Miss Ga-ram, if not for me, she had no one else to make a contract with to that extent. But your case is different. You’re not aware of how much attention you’re receiving from the empire’s leadership.”

“What are you saying…?”

“The place you’re heading to soon will be filled with even more despicable people than me, extending their malice towards you.”

The attitude I had thought arrogant and repulsive completely reversed at the moment they discarded the benefits gained from deceiving me.

“You want to succeed, don’t you?”

The words from their mouth now were not deception but a ‘warning.’

“You’ve come this far from being a worker because you feel a desperate need for success, right?”

“……”

“If that’s the case, be more careful in choosing who will sponsor you than you have been now. Otherwise, what you’ve built up so far might collapse in an instant at the place you’re heading to next.”

-Thud.

The carriage stopped at the end of the warning.

Then, as if waiting, Cheska stood up, opened the carriage door first, and stepped out onto the street, saying,

“Follow me; I’ll guide you to the Banquet Hall.”

“……”

Unlike me, who felt tense from the warning, Cheska Plandor led the way nonchalantly.

I hesitated for a moment, but then decided to step out of the carriage and follow them.

Even though I had reservations about the person before me, since our paths were the same for now, it made sense to accompany them.

“…Hey, you.”

But, of course, it was too much to ask to view them favorably.

Feeling irritated, I followed them and asked in a harsh voice,

“So, the contract between you and me is null and void, right?”

“Since the only copy of the contract was destroyed, that would be the case.”

“Then what happens to Ga-ram from now on?”

“Since your contract was annulled, I’ll continue to employ her. As I mentioned before, given my circumstances, I can only employ one hero.”

“…That sounds like you’ll replace her if a suitable alternative comes along.”

“If the opportunity arises, I suppose so.”

They didn’t deny the sarcasm.

That meant there was some truth in the attitude they had just shown. The anger I felt was fleeting.

“Of course, it won’t be easy to find someone as outstanding as her to replace.”

“…What?”

“Regardless of public opinion, I regard her as excellent. You, who have received her help, should understand this well.”

Cheska stopped walking at my question.

Then, adjusting their glasses, they turned to me and quietly said,

“So, if you’re going to make a contract in the future, please decide more carefully than you did this time.”

“If you choose a sponsor poorly, I, who sponsor her, will also suffer indirect harm.”

With an impeccably composed attitude.

Words revealing trust in her were spoken before me.