Chapter 832 – The Adventurer’s Way

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When Aisha saw her for the first time, she thought her Lilim was her Cleon’s family, or her relatives.

Since Lilim doesn’t usually come out of her room, it was her first time meeting her in person.

Looking at his appearance, he looks a bit younger than Schrödinger.

Naturally, she would be like Cleon’s younger sister or her younger cousin.

However, she soon realized that what was important was not who she was, and that she told him why she had come.

－In this way, I would like to ask Cleon for help…＂

＂Haa.＂

After Aisha’s explanation was over, Lilim casually let out a small sigh as if that was what she meant.

Her expression was so flat that it was impossible to read what she was thinking about the urgent matter she had just mentioned.

And then she seemed to think about something for a moment and then spoke to Aisha, making eye contact with her.

“I told you before. Cleon is not in the mansion right now. This is because he is at the temple to discuss the attack on the fortress.”

Once again, Lilim conveyed Cleon’s absence. After saying this, she frowned slightly as she looked at Aisha.

“But, could it be that she… Did she come here as soon as she received threats from Darwin?”

With her tone and expression as if she had seen something unbelievable, Aisha heard about the fact that Cleon was not at her house, and what should she do? Even before I thought about it, I started to react to her words.

＂Ah, yes…＂

“I can’t believe it. Did you really think that there would be no surveillance on you?”

＂…＂

When Lilim said that, Aisha naturally looked surprised and tried to look around to find the person who was watching her.

“Don’t move. You shouldn’t even turn your head.”

However, at the sound of Lilim’s voice restraining Aisha, she unknowingly stopped her body just as her adult had told her to.

Even though she was a much shorter girl than him, when she spoke like that, it was as if her body was following along on its own.

“There was a crow nearby that seemed to be her familiar, so she cast a spell on him. If Darwin is watching you through that, right now, all he can see is you standing alone in front of this mansion, waiting for someone to come out.”

After Lilim said that, she spoke while looking at Aisha with her magical eyes.

“What. Even if that were the case, it would have been enough to convey to the woman that she was trying to defy her own command.”

＂Such…!＂

“She should have looked around more closely. Especially if there are hostages being held.”

Lilim just spoke her opinion, crossed her arms, and looked at Aisha’s darkened face.

“And… If I’m not mistaken, you were saved by Cleon twice. No, if you include yesterday’s events, would it be three times?”

When we first met, she made me take a pledge not to use violence.

After her Schrödinger rescued her, she was able to move her residence twice.

And… When she went back in time, she ultimately couldn’t have gotten out of that time loop on her own if she hadn’t cooperated with Cleon.

After Lilim said that, she spoke while brushing her long black hair.

＂Imprinting effect. There is something called. It talks about a phenomenon in which a newly born bird recognizes the object in front of it as its mother and follows it around. Considering that you developed social skills at a late age, and that it was Cleon who reached out to you every time… Don’t you think of Cleon as your protector or something?”

＂Well, that kind of thing…!＂

Aisha was about to answer, but she couldn’t help but keep her mouth shut, thinking that maybe she was right.

Definitely, during this month.
Her insides and outsides have undergone many changes.

The person who helped him bring about change at that time was none other than Cleon – and it could be said to be true that he had indescribable gratitude and respect for him.

However, that did not mean that she thought she had to receive help from Cleon unconditionally.

If possible, I want to solve the problem with my own strength.

If that is really possible.

But, unfortunately, Aisha did not have the strength to do so.

It was because the trials she faced and the problems she had to overcome were far beyond her abilities to solve on her own.

However, Cleon solved Aisha’s problem by any means possible, like a divine spirit in a legend.

… That may have been the reason why she became dependent on Cleon.
Aisha couldn’t keep her fists clenched.

Lilim looked at Aisha like that and quietly continued speaking on her behalf.

“Even though other people were busy, I was glad I came out. Other people would have offered to help you out of good will and a sense of duty. “There is no one among them who has the ability to stay still after hearing that people are in danger.”

When Lilim, who once closed her eyes, opens them again, her eyes become even sharper, and she speaks to Aisha.

“But I will talk. Mr. Cleon and his group are still trying to prevent a huge disaster coming to Asteris – even though they are spending days of tension as if their nerves are being worn out. That you are doing the best you can. Therefore, there is no time to help you.”

One word at a time.

It was impossible to ignore it all just because she was callous, and when the words that could only be said to be her honest opinion continued, Aisha lowered her head while feeling great self-reproach.

“Mr. Cleon is not a government official. He has no obligation to help you with anything.”

I know. What she says is right.

Although I didn’t know what kind of person she was, I could tell from her words that she valued Cleon and his companions.

She knows best that as an outsider, she cannot question what kind of person she is and whether she has the right to say such things.

But then – does that mean she should abandon her family like this?

I can’t do things like throw the potion into the well that Darwin asked me to do.

Even a fool could know that this would lead to the destruction of this city.

If so, what should I do?

“─But. Cleon is an adventurer.”

As if to interrupt Aisha’s thoughts, Lilim quietly opened her mouth.

Aisha lifts her head and makes eye contact with her.

The fact that Cleon is an adventurer is something he knows.

But what does that matter now?

“For those of you from the East, where the profession of adventurer is not common, let me explain… An adventurer is a person who makes a living by engaging in dangerous work, risking his or her life in order to receive a promised reward.”

＂It’s similar to a mercenary… Isn’t it?＂

If the concept you know is correct, an additional explanation is added.

When Aisha says that, Lilim replies by clicking her tongue.

“… What. If you look at the overall structure, it is not that different.”

Then why did I just click my tongue?

It felt like I was being scolded unfairly, but I had a hunch that it would be better to wait for her to continue.

“Don’t you know? What I want to say.”

＂…＂

When Lilim asked Aisha back, she held her mouth shut for a moment so that Lilim could understand what she said.

Cleon is not a government soldier, but an adventurer, and when he gets paid, he does what he deserves.

In other words, it was a job that was done not simply out of goodwill, but because compensation and obligations arose through requests.

If so-

＂… In other words, if I pay Cleon the equivalent compensation. Are you saying that I can ask Cleon for help?”

“Yes. It’s really simple and clear, right? Because you can’t always provide free help in good faith.”

Even as Lilim said that, she thought in her heart that if Cleon had been here, she would have been angry with her.

However, Lilim was confident that this would turn around and lead to good results for Cleon.

Because she decided to become the darkness that supports the light-like group of people underneath.

“… I don’t have the money, the status… But I don’t have anything that can replace him.”

“I know. But you are young and strong. That body is not an ‘ornament’.”

When Lilim says that, Aisha looks like she doesn’t know what that means for a moment, but Lilim sighs.

“If I were to explain everything like this, there would be no end. Think for yourself about what you can give to Cleon. And – if you promise to pay, I will help you. Because other people are busy, they don’t have time to pay attention to other things.”

＂Eh, you…?＂

Aisha looked understandably surprised and looked at Lilim in front of her.

I don’t know his name or his skills, but seeing as he is said to have made an illusion to a familiar, he must be a wizard or something of that type.

Although she clearly speaks like an adult and has a mature attitude, she still looks like a young girl who appears to be several years younger than herself.

Will she be able to survive against Darwin, a regressor and a monster…

-But Aisha soon remembered that she didn’t have many options and nodded.

“… All right! I’ll pay you, in some form. So, please… Lend me your strength to save my family… Both of them from Darwin!”

＂… Good.＂

After Aisha finished her sentence, Lilim nodded her head and snapped her fingers.

The scene where a blue-black flame rose and a piece of parchment appeared in the air was somewhat familiar to Aisha.

＂That’s…＂

“It’s an oath.” Normally I would have written a request, but I don’t have time for that right now. Let’s replace it with this.”

A feather pen, also made of magic, was held in Aisha’s hand, fluttering out.

＂Put your name there.＂

＂…＂

After thinking for a moment, she wrote her own name there.

Aisha Oberti. Her own real name, including her family name.

When Lilim received the parchment with her name written on it, she confirmed the name and signed it herself.

“… With this, the contract has been concluded. I have accepted the request to save your family, and you will pay Cleon some form of compensation when all quest objectives are completed.”

When Lilim says so and folds the parchment, the parchment is folded as if it were rolled up, and then the brand of the oath is engraved on each person’s body.

If this is broken, the soul of the person who broke it will be torn apart by the effects of the oath.

As Aisha felt this stigma being engraved once again, she felt a slightly strange sensation.

In any case, this two-party binding contract also provides her Lilim with her obligation to help her.

＂Then…?＂

“Yes. I will help you…”

“Let’s go stop Darwin together!”

“You go like this, to the well that the woman was talking about.”

＂…＂

＂…＂

As a result of saying opposite things to each other, there is silence for a while as we try to figure out what each other meant.

Aisha raised her voice in embarrassment and said, ‘Eh!?’, And Lilim let out a sigh.

＂Why…?＂

“Think about what will happen to the hostages if you don’t at least pretend to follow her orders.”

As Lilim said so, she slowly turned her eyes and glared at the crow who was still looking at them.

“From the familiar’s perspective, you haven’t met anyone in this mansion. If you go to the brothel like this, in Darwin’s eyes… It will look like you got tired of waiting and did as she threatened.”

＂…＂

Aisha nodded as if she understood what Lilim meant.

“Maybe you’re already ‘out’ in Darwin’s eyes when you come here… But at least it’s better than acting with me right now. If only she had her patience.”

＂… Well, then… ＂

“Yes. After I rescue your family. I will go and report to you. That would be okay, right?”

Her confidence and her voice make her think that perhaps Lilim is much stronger than herself. Aisha feels the same way.

In any case, she made the request as her own client. In that case, it would be the right thing to do, trusting the woman who accepted her request, waiting for her results, and acting a little cautiously.

Aisha somehow suppressed her desire to help save the two and turned her body around.

As it is, she can head to the brothel and Lillim goes to rescue her family.

Praying that her choice was not wrong, she turned her back on her Lilim and walked away without looking back.

Lillim quietly looked at her back.

After sighing, she turned her head in the direction where Aisha had said her gate was.

The crow familiar that was watching Aisha had already disappeared.

Probably, he followed her.

In that case, you just need to move.