73. If it’s a biological sister, then it’ll cost extra~

Leaving behind the increasingly heated argument, which might actually strengthen the bond between Kephiel and Nilu, I seized the opportunity to hurriedly escape this chaotic scene devoid of any correct answers, and set off in search of the bounty hunter necromancer—Ilushir. Because what I wanted to confront next was the “key” to the death script, and it lay with this elf.

The signing of the previous employment contract had spared this bounty hunter from the script of wanting to “kill me,” making her temporarily not our enemy. It was somewhat fortunate that her characteristic as a bounty hunter—“to carry out tasks as long as there’s a contract”—also lent a bit of feasibility to my upcoming plan.

However, when I found Ilushir, who had been staying at Rinka’s house according to the employment agreement, and saw this elf in her room…

“Miss Bounty Hunter Ilushir, do you have a moment?”

“Eh?”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that this elf seemed a bit strange today.

Following my gaze, Ilushir was sitting by the window yawning. Although the floor wasn’t high, she didn’t seem the least bit worried about falling out if she got distracted for even a moment.

As for what was odd about this elf, if I had to pinpoint it, it would be the look in her eyes when she saw me—this puzzled glance was as if she had just met me for the first time. Although Kephiel had said, “You’re handsome, just a bit subtly so,” I thought I at least didn’t have such a generic face that one could forget after a glance.

I shook my head and didn’t dwell on it. After all, Ilushir picked up the contract, glanced at it, and then scratched her head, throwing a question my way.

“Yawn… Employer, did you come to ask me something today?”

Though this elf had previously acted a bit carefree and reckless, she was definitely not foolish. Not only had she not planned to run away after signing the written contract, but at this moment, she also quickly grasped my intentions.

“If it’s a new employment, it’ll cost extra.”

Even if I really have to pay a commission, I need Ilushir’s assistance next. However, it’s not through her identity as a bounty hunter, but rather through a more secretive and special identity she possesses.

Previously, I had learned from Rose and Ilushir herself about that identity—she is the third princess of the long-lost white-haired elf lineage. What concerns me isn’t her status as a princess per se, but rather… the relationship Ilushir has with those two white-haired elf saints, Urasiru and Ludvig. Although the stories surrounding these elves are intricate, one fact remains certain: “They are three sisters.”

So…

“Let’s just talk about the money,” I said. “Ilushir, didn’t you tell me before that you wanted to stop your sisters from their senseless slaughter?”

The elf before me looked momentarily confused, her casual demeanor evident, but she soon nodded seriously: “Yes, I don’t like the way my two sisters behave. Although, if it’s not necessary, I wouldn’t go out of my way to persuade them. Besides, we haven’t seen each other in years, so I can’t really control them~”

“That’s enough.”

I nodded.

I certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to believe everything an elf says just because she’s a beautiful girl. I was inquiring while also scrutinizing Ilushir’s script.

[Ilushir wants to stop Urasiru and Ludvig’s actions.]

The script reads this way; at least for now, the elf before me isn’t lying—everything she says reflects her true thoughts. And since the script has been established, I can be a bit bolder in expressing my “commission” to Ilushir. After all, the identity of “younger sister” makes things much more convenient.

“So, what if the next ‘employment’ involves you interacting with your sisters?”

The elven girl immediately jumped down from the window, exclaiming in surprise, “No way!? You really have the heart of a wolf and the lungs of a dog, wanting to pay me, your sister, to kill my own sisters?”

What!? Wait! Your thought process is jumping too fast!

Before I could explain, the elf made a statement that sent a chill down my spine.

“Well, it’s not impossible, but that would require a lot, a lot more money~”

The profession of bounty hunter is truly terrifying.

“Not at all!”

I hurriedly explained; I didn’t need Ilushir to go as far as she just mentioned, and if she did, the risks would be too great. What I wanted to commission Ilushir for was to approach from a different angle.

“Ilushir, before I give you the commission, I have a few pieces of news to share: first, the two sisters you haven’t seen in a long time have most likely already arrived in the Meri United Kingdom.”

“……”

“Then… they might have come to finish me off.”

The elf before me finally stopped being so casual, her gaze turning sharp and cold.

“I plan to settle things with your sisters, but with a normal approach, or even just being approached, we probably wouldn’t even get a word out before chaos breaks out. So, I hope to hire you to use your ‘sister’ identity to lead them to a place where I can speak more freely and take the initiative.”

“Wow~ So it really isn’t about hiring me to kill them?”

“No need for that. I can handle a bit of distraction, but as for ‘killing,’ let’s not even discuss whether you can do it. At that time… will you really follow through with the hire?”

“Hahaha~ Sharp as ever, because even if I agree to you now, when it comes to ‘that time,’ I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go through with it~”

With a bitter smile and a complex mix of emotions, I found Ilushir’s reaction rather strange. However, the content that appeared in the script—[Ilushir accepts the hire]—confirmed that she would take the commission seriously, and I shook my head, not thinking too much about it.

After all, in the commission I proposed, I had already avoided any content that might lead to Ilushir turning against me, such as “making Ilushir harm her sisters.” I merely hoped she would provide me with an active environment using her identity.

When the moment of facing death truly arrived, the only ones I could trust would be Kephiel and Nilu.

Thus, my hire was already reflected in the script with Ilushir’s response.

But…

“I’ll take this hire, so prepare a lot of money and a written commission. This time, I still want it in writing~ Ah~ After all, things written in ink are the most reliable~”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

With the new hire established, I planned to leave this place first, as what awaited me next was further discussion with Kephiel and Nilu.

However, just as I was about to step out the door, Ilushir seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps addressing me, as she spoke to my back.

“However, it’s fine to take the hire, but… don’t rely on me too much, okay? Because sometimes, even for me, a hire doesn’t always work out as expected.”

“Hmm?”

【Ogilid and Ilushir have established a hiring relationship!】

My doubts didn’t linger, as a new script appeared, its content clear and distinct, allowing me to relax. The plan had begun, and no matter how much I fretted, it was just unnecessary worry.

So, I didn’t pay much attention to Ilushir’s last ambiguous mumble.