Even though it would obviously have its share of disadvantages, there were at least two benefits.
One was obvious; it would raise Renner’s reputation.
They were the organization that was dirtying the Kingdom. And not only that, she exposed the people who committed filthy acts while being involved with the slave trade. Even better, for Renner who does not step outside the palace, the fact that she sent her bodyguard to the front would raise her evaluation.
Next were Sebas and the fact that they could protect the girl that he was sheltering. If they became the ones responsible, they could hide her since she was trying to not stand out. And once that was done, it would be difficult for them to become Eight Finger’s primary targets.
I couldn’t be of much help when we charged in so I have to do at least this much…
Brain said that he was going to deliver the news to Gazef personally and told him to not worry about it.
Climb absent-mindedly pondered such thoughts as he knocked on Renner’s door.
Normally, he could just enter without having to knock. But he declined to do so when it was late, thinking that it would be rude after all. After that one time when he encountered a Renner who was only wearing a thin silk dress, even his master consented to him on that point.
Climb smelled himself before he could hear the answer. Even though he had washed, his nose was used to the smell and he wasn’t confident whether or not the smell of blood was gone from his body. There was just no way that his attire was good enough to enter the room of a princess. However, it was necessary that he promptly report today’s events with his own mouth.
More than anything, the people who had been held captive were the most important. For now, those women had been entrusted with the station, but they would have to be moved to a safe location in the near future. And since some of them were hurt, they would have to send someone like a priest who could use healing magic.
The kind-hearted Renner-sama will definitely extend a helping hand to the suffering citizens.
It pained him to cause all these troubles for his master. If only he were a bit stronger… he ended up not knowing his place and wished for something like that. Even when it was all thanks to her that he could serve such a wonderful master, that he could live like this.
…Huh? There was no answer…right?
He did not hear the reply giving him permission to enter.
There was no night watch in front of the door and according to the time, Renner should not be asleep yet. Or did she simply fall asleep without informing the person on night duty?
Climb knocked on the door again.
This time, he heard a faint voice from inside giving him permission to enter. Climb felt a sense of relief and went inside. What he had to do first had already been decided.
“I apologize for being late.”
He deeply bowed his head.
“I was worried!”
The anger was evident in Renner’s voice. It was surprising. Climb’s master rarely ever got angry. Even if she was insulted, in front of Climb, she showed no signs that she was angry. That was why he understood that Renner had been worried from the bottom of her heart.
He felt as if something warm was going to gush out of his eyes. He endured it and bowed his head and sincerely apologized over and over.
“I was really worried! I thought that maybe Eight Fingers attacked first and had done something to Climb and… So what happened, exactly? I received a brief report but can you explain it to me in detail?”
When Climb was about to start speaking while standing up, Renner offered him a seat per usual.
Now that he was seated, black tea from the ‘Warm Bottle’ was poured into the teacup placed in front of him. A faint steam rose into the air.
He gave his thanks and drank a gulp of the tea that was at optimal temperature.
Climb told of everything that he went through in the brothel. He said that he was relying on Renner’s power and that there were people that he wanted her to aid.
“So what did you think when you saw them?”
When his story was roughly finished, the first question that Renner asked seemed strange. But as long as he was asked a question, he had to answer.
“I pitied them. I thought that if I was stronger, I could have saved those people before they fell into such suffering.”
“So that’s how it was… Climb thought of them as pitiful.”
“Yes.”
“I see. Climb is kind.”
“Renner-sama, if those women require a guard then I am prepared to leave at any time.”
“…I’ll be counting on you when that time comes. More importantly, I should tell you this beforehand. Tomorrow, or two days at the latest, we’re going to attack the facilities that were on the parchment that Lakyus brought in. Because of the attack on the brothel, I predict that they’ll grow more alert as more time passes.”
“I apologize! It’s because I acted on my own!”
“No it’s not, don’t worry about it. Rather, I was able to make my decision thanks to you. Besides, what Climb did is held in extremely high regard. You managed to capture Succulent, a member of Six Arms, and the leader of the slave trade group, Cocco Doll. This should be more than enough to shake up our opponent at the roots. That’s why I want to deliver an additional attack to our enemy.”
Renner punched the air, a cute punch with neither power nor speed.
“We’ll hit them again before they steal information from the capital!”
“Understood! I’ll rest up and gather my energy for tomorrow!”
“Please. Expect tomorrow to be a fierce day.”
Climb left the room. He seemed to slightly smell of blood.
“It must’ve been hard on you, Climb. Now then…”
Renner drank the rest of the black tea that had grown lukewarm and stood from her seat. She made her way to the hand bell. It was a magic item that when shaken, the one in the next room that it was linked to would shake as well. She thought of the face of the maid who was on standby in the next room. Luckily enough, it was that girl’s turn today, thinking so, Renner wore a cold smile.
“Shoot, which face was good here?”
Renner stood in front of the mirror and stretched her face up and down while holding her cheeks with both hands. Even if a human like her did something like that, her face would hardly change. What she was doing was something like affirmation.
Renner removed her hands and smiled.
“No. This is for when I make my rounds as the princess…”
This time, Renner tried a sneer and then another smile. One after another and finally, she wore an innocent smile.
“I think this one will be best.”
Having determined that she was finished preparing, Renner rang the bell. Immediately after, a maid knocked on the door and entered the room.
“I have a request. Could you prepare me some hot water?”
“Understood, Renner-sama.”
Renner smiled at the maid who was bowing her head.
“Did something happen? You seem to be in a good mood. You look as if something pleasant has happened to you.”
Renner happily smiled again as she confirmed that the prey took the bait.
“Yeah! It’s really incredible! Climb did something amazing!”
She spoke like a young girl; perfectly fitting for the foolish princess who coughs up valuable information.
“Congratulations, your Grace.”
Although the maid skillfully hid the hostility she had towards Climb, she ended up revealing the feelings that she could not hide. That reaction caused a stir in Renner’s heart.
— I’ll kill her.
— I’ll kill this maid too.
— I’ll kill anyone who looks down on my Climb.