Chapter 15: Do what you do best
CZ0y4Zed looked away at Perda’s words.zeM
Xmh1ECThere was no doubt that when he spoke of a not-quite-loyal servant, he was referring to that girl who had been following him the whole time.as1
aSrReading the mood was his trade, so Zed could clearly perceive where the killing intent was directed.Uzco
qNRw‘No matter how I look at it, that bloodlust doesn’t seem to be aimed at me, but at that guy…’KivwA
uk2MlIt wasn’t an illusion.R0pA
Gl1HxrIn fact, it was true.Dj3Ok
4sDhMG2Ruri was quite irritated simply because Perda had lost money.QJrc6xB
q7ZCompared to the total fortune of Valdrova, it wasn’t a huge sum, but it also wasn’t a small amount to be squandered lightly.3IsSJ7
9JngWAnd even less so in Halim.kPL
63UIt wasn’t money to be spent in a casino.JFT
wpFOiGoPerda had tossed it away without hesitation.Pk77R
vh3bkAZed, who had no way of knowing these inner circumstances, couldn’t help but be confused.YLwWLB
R2RagX“…Fine.”pjBJ
cEZorThe dagger Zed was holding spun once and disappeared into his back pocket.be5PZ
vzEmw“Let’s start talking. What do you want to say?”zC0Bd4
HYzQJf“This isn’t a good place for a delicate conversation. Let’s go somewhere we can talk calmly.”a5u9
OeoeD“Follow me.”H0KIR
0yRZed led him to his room.xnFh
NtUOHe was staying in the most expensive room of the casino’s hotel.eKEn
owvContrary to the luxury of the place, what he pulled out was a cheap rum.ktNDke
2wbBP“It’s the liquor I like. I don’t know if it’ll suit a young noble like you, but want to try some?”PTTVHIh
5vzfktPerda shook his head.lCwa8
Sv5HMw8“I don’t drink alcohol.”71tg
a5N60g“A mage who doesn’t drink?”0EkHYX
9Sob“I don’t drink precisely because I’m a mage.”NwkXE6D
Rzmph“A mage who doesn’t enjoy alcohol—what a rare specimen.”f0Ay1xK
McwmFor mages, who spent their days thinking and focused, common escapes were women and alcohol.HJbnT
bV0aAnd since alcohol was cheap, there were many mages who drank uncontrollably.4650959
EgRJgPerda, on the other hand, had always needed to move forward looking only ahead, and so abstinence became a habit.YEcZ
nCqvh“Then how did you find out that name?”UZ5Gfm
1HH1“By researching information.”5HwadVU
KdLS“And your source?”iFJ
HVkOf course, it had been himself.gBH
wq3XBut saying that would serve no purpose, so Perda dodged the question.TiSm
Qfgxqj“Even if I told you now, it wouldn’t matter. The important thing is that I know.”IAFu
Gu7OvG“If you just wanted to test me like that, maybe I should’ve killed you even if it meant dying afterward.”qDk
VJL3rYU“I’m not testing you. I know who you are. You milked defenseless women, milked nobles, slowly accumulating money to enter high society, didn’t you?”Fsw6
a1MwE34“……”wtaiN
TbUAI“Because to find your younger sister, Emilia, you need to climb up and gain connections in the upper class.”9QN1P
KfShLXNZed, an expert at keeping a straight face, stared at him.2D4JC
V8kHowever, his hands were trembling.okLVIW
hiqF77hPerda’s words carried not even a trace of guesswork, only absolute certainty—and that certainty hit Zed’s intentions dead on.7UPfwi
gPIZle“Impressive. You don’t seem to be using magic, but it’s like you’re reading my mind…”KVn2G
Ojk3jR“It’s not hard. There was a time when I thought much like you.”7K8dG
SUMiIt was a fantasy Perda had once entertained after being cast out from his family.Cy0Da7
gfgkTo become greater than House Rosnova and put them all beneath his feet.K5x3U
tFatIn his naivety, he had sworn that would make them acknowledge their mistake.hGZi
jMmzH‘In the end, I failed.’qWbjN1F
UmdYsPerda wasn’t accepted into the magic academy for being a bearer of the Red Circle.eKp26
5MGZed couldn’t enter either, stained by the stigma of being the plaything of a widowed marquess.BYS
g1SME“I’ll provide you that springboard.”HnAwgg
aePWx72“A noble brat like you?”scns
lsxi1aYoung nobles.6Pf
ZjSEven if they were talented and caught attention, they usually stumbled quickly and ended up accused of high treason.7eTgiGb
L8qThe weaker their connections, and the younger they were, the worse.9cXvPS
0hkzqSomeone like Perda, barely an adult, was in a situation as fragile as a candle in the wind.GEZo54V
ZMG1But Perda wasn’t an ordinary mage.XXig
RZIETo begin with, he was the consort of the Dragon Queen.qdc
3uE“I suppose I should introduce myself again. My name is Perda Valdrova.”sdfm5
8WqLXAr“Valdrova…? Isn’t that the name of the Red Dragon?”mWc7xxV
RvDaFoDZed snorted.ZpA
Qzub“You know that in the world of nobles, that’s equivalent to expulsion, right? What kind of lunatic gets engaged to a Red Dragon?”j0mqFJ
dI8S“That lunatic is me.”382PWPv
5iB“…Seriously?”chjVfR
TeJPerda’s expression didn’t change even once.HxO
N9OdPYZed scratched his head with an awkward gesture.b7HO5
xMJD“Damn it. If the info was that important, it should’ve reached my ears sooner… I guess losing track of time in a casino is inevitable.”Gv3Gq
t6XHe let out that excuse and changed the subject.hhLP
Em5f88H“Either way, if you’re Valdrova’s husband—even just a kept man—you’ve got enormous power, don’t you?”7bkKi
G1dgrwn“That’s right. You’ll be able to enter the world of high society you’ve been risking your life to reach.”IBAuCV
GTAEa8Zed, who had his head lowered, slightly lifted his gaze toward Perda.Vwua
RMi“And what exactly am I supposed to do?”3scO
w1whyVVPerda extended a hand toward Ruri.lmf
Qh67I9UJust like with Vernell, he handed over a letter of appointment.jBhZSCs
bsP“With that skill of yours, become an assistant who carries out tasks under my command.”JwS7QY
QxG“What kind of tasks?”I70neC6
YAEl“From minor errands to important matters. I won’t ask anything beyond your abilities.”A4b9
9CiUZed chewed over those words and asked,X6M
RwP6gzX“…So basically, I’ll be an errand boy?”HW9vy
Pm7“An assistant.”O3nP
2dlTL“That’s the same thing.”hrk9
zuutye“Then choose. Be an errand boy with access to high society, or stay a nobody mocked by everyone, unable to reach anything.”QpIB
QRE7“……”5pxJ7
ilieaHe said it unpleasantly, but he wasn’t wrong.Yxi4h
P53yQ2Becoming a despised con artist or a hardworking assistant with a real position, even if tough.zYMRFrV
5OGf09WZed weighed his options.WBQwUo
Rcf“If I refuse, will you turn me in?”thE7TW
ga30lPerda tilted his head.lxf
Vhgm“What would I gain by turning you in?”CbIedjB
vXY“You’re a mage. I’m from the Red-Eyed race. And that race shouldn’t exist anymore. Looks like you’d benefit.”doFV
iO2RA bloodline that, by birth, possessed the ability to nullify magic.FmGY
Q8oNLike cats and mice, they were natural enemies.VgIi
XH32P5“No matter how I think about it, I wouldn’t get anything out of it.”5OPg
o2Ha“I’ve heard that when our bloodline was wiped out, mages celebrated for three days and three nights. Didn’t you?”6k0yO
SLmQb“Stupid question. Fearing the Red-Eyed race because magic doesn’t work on them is like hiding under the sheets scared of ghosts. That’s unworthy of a mage.”4nicB44
lJDAn answer arrogant to the extreme.1Us07w
ptQimBut, strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant to Zed.4R9Ir
40bY‘What a strange guy.’fdAr
N6AL6cAt that age, someone like him would normally rely on his status or overestimate his own potential.sgZyBW2
GS0j8qjBut Perda didn’t give off any of that.cFs
Y4K‘At first glance, he’s just a kid barely grown up…’yNymhdv
SPdfBut he acted like a noble of high rank with a solid position.dtbHq1C
I8p‘Maybe he really can give me what I want…’GTdC
zZ77Even Zed, who didn’t trust anyone, began to waver.DjCs
yKr69kV“Damn it.”byRZhdT
umoMGeZed scratched his head hard.j6QBZr
zEh“So this is what it feels like to make a deal with the devil? It’s unsettling, but tempting—and that pisses me off.”ccB4bn
7L3IaHe tapped the letter of appointment with his fingers.LTJm
wMj“Fine. I accept, noble lord. But I have conditions. That’s acceptable, right?”iRt
hgQe“Tell me. I’ll write them down right now.”3yO
OYimUgWPerda pulled the pen from his breast pocket.kixa
XxFbZed raised two fingers.2HOu
jn3aJOG“First, depending on the mission, you’ll have to pay a fair amount. In the end, I need money to do my job.”1gkk
nnmi0q“Of course. There will be compensation.”k6W
X0Co“Second, if I ever feel like you’re just trying to use me or throw me away, I’ll leave without hesitation. Is that okay?”3AI8C
u0U1oZ“That’s fine. I have no intention of deceiving you. Is that all?”VNvjmYq
MrJ“Yes, for now.”Xgv
WTvC3TJust do what you’re best at.PRaJ
7CIRJIn truth, Zed wanted to add one more point to the conditions.Lq943a6
DJB34HA contract that would only last until he found his younger sister.I1UCW
llal‘That could become an unnecessary shackle that would just waste time.’fZDcNe
fKPAh6That’s why Zed decided to leave it at just those two conditions.GLP
Vsq“Since we’re on the topic, I’ll add one more thing.”5tJEut
5XDGmzqPerda took the pen and wrote an extra line in the blank space of the letter of appointment.EcFtVs
lpA“Our contract will last until you find your sister.”4EGTXfx
BEECHZed lifted his head, surprised.YN7D1FT
hRRHXv“…Are you really okay with that?”SDk9
CZ4M“When you find your sister, everything will be over. After that, it’s your choice.”Amvuf2G
N8MsA tone and conditions that were impeccably clean.TfWV5Ff
q1qMSeeing that he didn’t show even a speck of greed, Zed was stunned.2cZY6fB
2YfHe had even set a time limit on his own, something Zed had deliberately avoided mentioning.FhkeX
fU97NRk‘What the hell is this guy…?’5pCW8Kt
Al4Zed’s doubts about Perda only grew stronger.nl7HaM
tqdlTHe had a calmness that made it feel like, no matter how others flailed, everything remained in the palm of his hand.E4kWG
OV8He had the kind of qualities only true nobles, seasoned in a thousand political battles, could possess.UMJ3
Kx9isg‘The fact that he knows about Emilia bothers me…’bsgKs2
PdvLWitBut at the same time, he was the only one who knew—and could help.nVtU
PlbBeyond his abilities, his position was trustworthy enough.5xrv
kD7bg1TFor now, Zed had no choice but to rely on him.evTH
VDMl9s“Alright, I get it. No… I understand, sir.”1R2
HKuFzaCNow that he’d become an employee, he used respectful speech.kAuvZ
HbN8mPAnd so, all conditions were set.d2R8cL
4HvKr6ZThe reason Perda set that deadline was simple.XAA
4b8T1e‘Forcing someone to stay never leads to anything good.’OLr2Jrr
wYaLHe desperately needed his abilities as a subordinate, but he had no intention of keeping him by force or turning him into a slave.ZAdNY
4TnAnd even if he tried, he couldn’t.EX6l
fxhngZed was a legendary thief who had escaped infamous prisons again and again.XerCh0
X5Z‘And besides, finding her isn’t everything.’uAWwO
63iAs he watched Zed tuck the letter of appointment into his pocket, Perda spoke.jkk
boY“Then, I’ll assign you a mission right away.”wM3Ca
0976“Already?”TpxE
2zu5“I want to take on a request using the money you took.”91VNPcc
iJpKP“Isn’t that the money I won?”zQT0Yh
TQnO“It was originally the money I was going to use to hire you. Didn’t I say I’d tell you if I planned to back out? Thinking of it as a job benefits us both.”EHXR8st
FLSsuhL“Well, having the first job be kind of free doesn’t sound so bad. So, what’s the order?”aO9NS
sD7d“For you, it’ll be extremely simple.”FTUwMY
CeDfPerda pointed to one of the names Ruri held.RDR33
2Km— Echidna Philiazbvb
PpLi7g“Just do what you’re good at.”NnI2
Mc9B***CD3eJbV
gVUC6Once the matter was settled, Perda’s carriage left Halim in a hurry.4T9y
cyqTcUnlike with Vernell, this time Zed also joined the journey.83xb
vILdP“As expected of the carriage of the Dragon Queen’s future consort—it’s incredibly comfortable. The interior is spacious, and even if the road is rough, you barely feel it.”ScGuVj1
dUs“…”WkJGcd
xnVE40L“And on top of that, a cute, petite maid.”nZujwZ
NkpSzEKZed smiled and changed the topic smoothly.fxme0e
sU2JgHe leaned in and placed his hand near the seat where she was sitting.2UA
eKgh62gIt was a natural playboy move.2bexd2l
wiX“I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced. May I know your name, Miss Maid?”OJW0cV
iIo4gP“I’ll be happy to explain.”vAFbn
4Ovo9In response to the question about her identity, Ruri answered with Dragon Fear.PYjm
BdN1eu“Ugh!”F89Xk0
RtaDZed, who had been trying to flirt, recoiled instantly and clutched his chest.SXksm
7gHwEEven as a Red-Eyed, he was still human and felt fear toward dragons.dtE
28cxA“Ugh… i-is this… a-a dragon?”mOemC
omV6N59“She’s a dragonspawn. The personal assistant of Dragon Queen Valdrova.”6pir
yJC“…But dragonspawn aren’t supposed to emit Dragon Fear, and she doesn’t have horns or a tail.”vX949
xaf5“That just means she’s an exceptionally powerful dragonspawn.”HUiRe1m
aIk9H7“I thought at most she was a half-elf or a halfling…”1W4
faeikZed suddenly remembered the moment he had threatened Perda with a dagger.4wdySu
xW57DIf he had really attacked back then, there wouldn’t be a trace of him left now.xc5KPWx
JmgDomHe patted his shirt, wiping away the cold sweat.mFmgvC
YmUBtvRuri looked at him like he was pathetic and calmly sat down again.8uH7Gt
O7B“Don’t worry. Even if she’s violent, give her something to eat and she turns docile.”559uD
fiFai“Who are you calling docile?”D9VCShC
AAT1pYHearing Ruri’s retort, Perda nodded.Zcm3W
eeK1“It’s true. More than docile, you’re like a dog.”N8C
Z1JBo“Eh? Are you insulting me again?”uy16
3YZlQ9“It’s a compliment. There’s a breed of dog called a Chihuahua—small but brave. I think you’re like that.”f5Z8Ycl
h1Ng51E“Can I please punch him just once?”kwp5
RNi“No. I’d rather avoid pain.”0ppw7
Tu1M4JPerda kept provoking her, and Ruri was growing more and more irritated.9Arv
LTlSj0KIf a regular person had taken that Dragon Fear head-on, they’d already be suffocating.yylh1
aaf8But Perda remained completely calm, and the only one caught between them was Zed, who said:B2OemvP
EbjQ“I’ll… go talk to the driver. Call me if you need me.”Stwpgl
LxCwcnMore than seat comfort, peace of mind was more important.cns
drU8b2G***7akr8
EFFvl2UTo find Echidna Philiaz, Perda entered a deep forest.jLj
1tGOpcThey advanced to a point no longer accessible by carriage.WgNX1uQ
vGYlcAX“They say we can’t go any further. The path is too narrow.”PrABTG
d2o“Then we’ll go on foot.”0eT
pGrIgR“It’s quite a distance, but not too steep. Think of it as a stroll.”lTEmm
lu34HBWith no choice, Perda got down and walked with Ruri and Zed behind him.2Dr
XUXJThe two following him walked like it was a casual stroll, but Perda was drenched in sweat.lsejFr
kqYHo“Maybe you should train your stamina a bit?”LpjiYJ
aG7X“Oddly enough, this is my limit.”Sqt
ro7R“If you push a little more, wouldn’t your endurance improve?”7ew4Ak
wOrE“My family was a knight house, and thanks to this, I became the Dragon Queen’s fiancé.”RKFkF1G
CBGo“Ah, that explains it…”YhXFn
qXcNZed scratched his cheek awkwardly.BZmq
oUJ“Want me to carry you?”YOCz6m
TU8zI“I’ll pass.”Vnokb
4pEEven if it was hard, Perda didn’t want to slow down and pushed forward with sheer willpower.K8Ge
6MnHiTFinally, a lone house appeared deep in the forest.LMu61PD
nWdqOJp“There it is.”77ktb
BgDS“For a witch’s house, the sinister aura is impressive.”dpgT8
r338“And now it’s also a place you’ll enter.”mfQz
d56bJ0“I know. Ahem… alright!”NK8Lm
AfPogZed stretched and prepared for the mission.2APjN
voQ“Man, seducing a witch for the first mission feels like sticking my head in a tiger’s mouth.”4u34X5y
EKaT8A“You don’t have to try so hard. Just show that face.”2PGDP9
voISZ“Are you saying I’d be dead without this face?”FNHW
e21r6x8Perda stared and replied.TP9
EG8xkKg“Without that face, you might end up dead.”VvM
W1x“Ha… still underestimating me. Fine, just watch.”NuF
bN6Ca2Zed slicked his hair back with both hands, adjusting his look.2zPwP
jnohJxjHe switched into full playboy mode and headed toward the witch’s house.hrxx
aT9“Echidna Philiaz—what kind of woman is she?”wds8AyA
BZQ9When Zed had gone a bit ahead, Ruri asked.JSJ05E
owWZW8“A witch.”xjg
G1FJQK“I know that. They’re a bloodline that becomes one through rituals and call each other sisters, right? That’s why when they become witches, they receive the surname Philiaz.”XOdFk
F4ZY“That’s right. You know quite a lot. Here, have a candy.”gYn
l0y“Do you think I’m a child?”y2jjj
5MDkBdAEven as she said that, Ruri took the candy and rolled it in her mouth.B4PwM4
e1Ea“What I mean is, why insist on bringing in a witch?”hE8cE
0N1T1Bringing in a witch was a dangerous act.3Yb4OXp
F04TAxEven more so when it was someone with the surname Philiaz.Dx2Zbv
wYThOnly women with magical talent and who bore the Red Circle could become witches.B1QJXgG
dbKaThe Red Circle formed from intense emotions.2SfbxM
tw8P2tzAnd in most cases, when a woman awakened the Red Circle, it was born from resentment toward a husband or obsession over a child.PR7
NcUIn other words, witches were mostly people who harbored extreme hatred and rejection toward men.TnOX67
t7G9“That’s why people say witches are impossible to deal with and extremely selfish.”JXcmc0F
kVTRK“That’s true.”TlIPEo
Sv5F0Yd“Then if Echidna Philiaz was considered a heretic even among them, is she like Vernell?”zOgqw
g96yVernell.UAHkfnt
btPHA“More than Vernell, I’d say she’s like my fiancée.”QJv
68Hkch“Comparing a witch to my lady is disrespectful. Don’t say such things.”7D2o
4vXw“I just said they’re similar.”2RYqr
d3njRuri growled, glaring at him.SRO
ttadD2FNo matter how she looked, she really did resemble a dog.iYjiWeh
ZkTH“Don’t worry. It’s precisely because Echidna was labeled a heretic within Philiaz that we can recruit her.”ypknd
s8n8C“Because of that?”I5QAsD
t8rMKBefore she could ask further, Zed came out of the witch’s house.xfLJ4
sdHNot even three minutes had passed since he went in.c9q4Jc
v68OZed came back scratching his head, looking awkward.OMrUWg
pc0“Uh…”y3Iuk
0rGLC3Particulars of Echidna Philiaz.JlnK
msMbdW“As soon as she saw me, she said she’d accept anything unconditionally. Is that okay?”mOQQrrd
ngHFkwlA serious sucker for handsome faces.lACgB
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