Merchants who needed to travel on the roads normally hired a team of adventurers or mercenaries to protect themselves. A powerful merchant like Bardo should know some elite and trustworthy mercenary groups, but Sebas still couldn’t accept his proposal.
“Maybe you’re right again, but ojou-sama doesn’t like to be surrounded by many people. I wish to follow ojou-sama’s wish to the best of my abilities.”
“So it’s like that?”
Bardo exaggeratedly furrowed his face and showed a troubled expression. It was the face of an helpless adult confronted with a child’s tantrum.
“My sincere apologies, for us to be so inconsiderate towards your goodwill.”
“Please don’t say that. To be honest, I just wanted to sell you a favor. If it can’t be done, I at least want to improve our relationship.”
The daughter of an extremely wealthy merchant or noble from the Empire and her butler, that was the setting under which Sebas stayed in this inn. Their act was intended to show their huge wealth and to let the others know of their presence. Gaining favors from people as wealthy as Sebas’s group should be in Bardo’s interest.
Sebas smiled gently to the fish that had taken the bait:
“Of course I will let ojou-sama’s father, my master, know of Bardo-san’s hospitality and kindness.”
Bardo momentarily showed a sudden glint deep in his eyes, but he recovered instantly. Normally, most people wouldn’t have been able to detect such a swift change, but Sebas saw it clearly.
“Then, please excuse me. Ojou-sama is waiting, so I will take my leave now.”
Waiting for the exact moment Bardo was about to speak, Sebas beat him to it.
Bardo knew he had been seen through and after taking a peek at Sebas’s expression he sighed:
“—Wheew, if it’s really like that then it cannot be helped, Sebas-san. The next time you’re in this city, please do come visit me. I’ll give all of you a warm welcome.”
“Of course, the next time we meet we’ll be in your care.”
Looking at Bardo’s retreating back, Sebas muttered:
“Guess there are all kinds of people out there in this world.”
Through Bardo’s words and mannerism Sebas could feel that not all were fueled by ulterior motives. Bardo did have a genuine worry for a young lady and her old butler.
It was because of people like him, who wished to help those in need, that Sebas couldn’t bring himself to despise humans.
Sebas joyously showed a heartfelt smile.
♦ ♦ ♦
After knocking a few times and excusing himself, Sebas bowed slightly before entering the room.
“Please excuse my previous rude behavior, Sebas-sama.”
Sebas closed the door and was greeted by a deeply bowing girl. If the patrons inside the restaurant could see this scene, they would be bewildered and deeply surprised, because the bowing girl was none other than the hot-tempered girl throwing a tantrum earlier.
Her expression was well composed, it was as if her hysteria back then had been just an act and her manner was befitting of greeting someone of a higher position.
The appearance and outfit were unchanged, but she seemed like a completely different person.
Another intriguing difference was that one of her eyes was closed — her left eye. She did not do so while inside the restaurant.
“Please, there’s no need for you to apologize. You were only doing your job.”
Sebas looked around the luxuriously furnished room. Of course, if one were to compare this room to Nazarick’s 9th level, the Royal Suite, this room would hold no charm at all. Of course, that wasn’t a surprise since he simply picked the wrong object to compare it with.
He set his eyes to the corner of the room and found that the luggage was already packed and gathered. They were able to leave immediately if they wished to do so. Since they weren’t prepared by Sebas, she must have done it all by herself after she left early.
“You should’ve let me pack instead.”
“What are you saying Sebas-sama, I cannot continue to trouble Sebas-sama with such a menial task.”
The girl straightened her body and shook her head. She is one of the battle maids, Solution Epsilon(ε).
“Is that so? But right now I am your butler, you know.”
Sebas’s well wrinkled face showed an expression like of a mischievous child.
Solution noticed Sebas’s amused expression, and changed her composed face for the first time to an embarrassed smile:
“Indeed, Sebas-sama is my butler, but I am also under Sebas-sama as your subordinate.”
“…I suppose that’s true. In that case let me give you a command as your superior: You have done well so far, so let me do the rest. Please rest until it’s time for us to leave.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
“Then, I will go meet with Shalltear-sama who should already be waiting impatiently in the carriage, and inform her on the time of departure.”
Sebas easily picked up the largest luggage with a single hand, and asked her a question as if he suddenly thought of it:
“By the way, is everything proceeding according to our predictions?”
“Yes, everything is proceeding just as we had expected.”
Solution lifted her hand and pressed it against her closed eye.
“I suppose we’re fortunate. So, what’s happening currently?”
“Yes — he’s currently meeting with a shabby looking man. Would you like to hear what they’re saying?”
“No need, I am going to move the luggage onto the carriage. Let me hear of the summary later.”
“Understood.”
Solution suddenly twisted her expression.
The corners of her eyes drooped and the edge of her lips curled up. Though the expression was similar to a smile, it was twisted further than humanly possible. It was like taking a smiling face made of clay and twisting the features together.
“—Sebas-sama, please allow me to change the topic.”
“What is it, Solution?”
“…When everything is over, would you allow me to take care of that man?”
Sebas used his free hand to stroke his beard and briefly thought it over.
“—About that, as long as you have Shalltear-sama’s permission, you may do as you wish.”
Solution’s brows furrowed slightly, a face filled with disappointment could clearly be seen. Sebas saw and tried to comfort her:
“It should be fine; There shouldn’t be any problem with giving you only one guy.”
“Really? That’s wonderful! Please help me relay my wish to Shalltear-sama. If it is possible, I want to have that man.”
Solution showed a smile brimming with joy. That kind of cheerful sunny expression without a shred of gloom could charm any on looking person.
Sebas felt pity and interest in the man who made Solution to show such an expression. He asked her: