Easy way out

"Come in."

"..."

The voice from the inside allowed them entry, and the masked individual held the door open for the anxious reddish-brown-haired man.

As Leon was stepping inside, opening his back to the person who guided him there, he felt a chill running down his spine, and his intuition began screaming at him that even a single false move would cost him his life.

There, a woman as beautiful as a generation-defining masterpiece of a painting was sitting on an armchair by the window.

Bright blond hair, close to gold but softer, more like the warm rays of the morning sun.

Eyes as clear, bright, and shining as the most precious sapphires.

The face of an angel with a sophisticated and well-proportioned yet still slender body, while very tall for a woman.

"Mister Leon. Don't you have anything to say?"

"...!"

Only when the beauty tilted her perfect little head to the side and called out his name did Leon realize that she was an actual person and not just a painting or a doll too beautiful to be alive.

"I…! I befo for your forgiveness, Young Lady Rotteloss! I… As you already know, the name of this one is Leon! I… I wish… I hope, no, I mean… If it isn't an inconvenience to you, this one asks if you, in your grace, would like to tell him how he could be of use to you… and if that's not the case, then this one begs to know what shall be his fate…"

Before he knew it, Leon was already down onto one knee, bowing his head and stuttering, doing his best to keep it together in front of Zorivia.

The girl in question squirmed in her seat.

It was the first time when she received that sort of reaction from anyone without Medea being in the same room and it made quite the impression on her, boosting her confidence.

"In the first place, I've decided to sponsor the orphanage you are in charge of. The thing is, upon learning that you've taken multiple loans from shadier and shadier individuals, I couldn't simply sit by and play ignorant."

And so she happily performed the lines Medea prepared for her, observing the reddish-brown-haired man slowly raising his head to look at her with distrust, gradually being pushed out and replaced by admiration with a growing sense of pride.

"Y-young Lady…! I… H-how can I ever… no… Is there any way I can begin to repay you!?"

After a moment of being genuinely lost for words, Leon took a deep breath and asked, lowering his head again.

"Yes. There is."

Zorivia leaned back in her seat and nodded, watching with interest as Leon froze up in a demonstration of turning all ears.

"I already have a dagger veiled in darkness. What I need now is a magnificent shield that will make others think twice before even considering an attack. You will work with my personal assistant, Medea, to find someone worthy of replacing you as the person in charge of the orphanage, and upon completing that task, you will become that magnificent shield at my side."

The blond-haired girl declared, sending a meaningful glance towards the indifferent masked individual before focusing back on the stunned reddish-brown-haired man.

"Don't worry. I will not make you cut off all the contacts with the church of the god of commerce. They did help you out after… your backstory happened, after all."

"!!!"

Zorivia added rather casually, but the information that she already knew of his past hit Leon like a speeding carriage, leaving him shocked and speechless.

After all, it was clear that the Young Lady still wanted him to become her bodyguard despite knowing what happened to him!

And not even wanted. She already was certain that he would agree!

Well, not that he had much choice… but still, even if he had more options, wasn't this one simply the best one?

"That would be it for today. Medea will visit you after he is done with some minor task. Until then you are free."

"I understand! Thank you!"

Zorivia breathed out, waving her hand dismissively to make it clear that the conversation was over, which caused Leon to get up and start backing off towards the door while bowing down continuously until the masked individual walked out with him and closed the door.

"You sure got out easy."

"Pardon…?"

The masked individual scoffed under their breath, making Leon flinch and ask in confusion.

"You sure got out easy. In time, you will realize it, too."

"!"

Rune repeated herself, shrugging her shoulders.

As the two of them were leaving the inn, the masked individual took out a green marble from within their clothes.

"...?"

"Master needs to get a report."

Rune responded to the questioning look on Leon's face about to activate the magic pellet.