Ch. 19 - Business Style

Hidden in the shadows, I changed into the Riasa with Ashita and Zoë’s help.

“Why the hell does it have so many buttons?!” Ashita muttered, irritable.

“That’s the beauty of it,” I said.

Each of the twelve buttons I fastened seemed to tighten my resolve. At the end, I pulled the leather belt snug around my waist.

What’s with this feeling?

Utter serenity.

It felt like I had finally returned to the form I was always meant to have.

“Magnificent…” I breathed, letting the calm settle deep in my chest.

I turned my gaze to Zoë.

“…”

The taciturn dwarf girl said nothing. She never wasted words. Instead, she silently lifted the tote bag, showing she had brought it along.

“Good. Let’s go.”

And so began the work of “priest” Dietrich Becker.

Clad in the Riasa, flanked by two attendants—Ashita and Zoë—I strode forward with confidence and knocked on the clan house door.

—House of Clan Olympus.

“Olympus” was both the name of the clan and its stronghold, with Alex at the top.

I rapped the heavy gate three times, then placed a hand over my chest, eyes closed, waiting for a response.

Movement stirred behind the door. I opened my eyes and spoke.

“Good morning. Dietrich Becker, reporting in as per our contract.”

“…”

Annette stood there, pointed ears twitching. Her eyes widened—whether at my words or my attire, I couldn’t tell.

“On the other day, I caused you great discomfort because of my shallow, thoughtless behavior. I deeply regret it. Please allow me to apologize once again.”

I traced the holy sign while I held my hand to my chest and bowed. I had yet to earn her forgiveness—apologizing again was only right.

“Eh? Uh… no, it’s fine already.”

Annette blinked, flustered, like a pigeon caught off guard, and asked back.

“W-wait… what?”

“I am Dietrich Becker. Is something the matter?”

I did nothing unusual. Separating work from private life is the bare minimum for any adult.

“Miss Annette, if I may… Have you been informed of the details of my contract with Alex?”

“Eh? Uh, no, I mean…”

“I was told by our leader, Abigail, to prioritize Olympus’s assignments. Has there been some misunderstanding?”

“Ah. N-no, that’s correct.”

“I see. Good. In that case, may I enter with my two attendants?”

Zoë and Ashita gawked as if they were staring at a monster.

As I said, work and private life must be divided.

My body may look like a child’s, but inside I am a grown man.

A proper contract demanded proper fulfillment. That was the minimum requirement of a professional.

Kids who couldn't do this much would never be taken seriously.

Any adult knew this.

“Then, if you’ll excuse us.”

◇◆

Inside Olympus.

Beyond the massive double doors, a red-carpeted grand staircase stretched upward, giving the modest building the air of a castle.

Zoë and Ashita had been here before, but even they were subdued, swallowing nervously as they glanced around.

Me? Nothing about it surprised me.

“Pardon me. I’d like to confirm the details of my duties with your clan leader, Alex. Is she available?”

“Huh?”

Annette still looked bewildered.

Of course—she hadn’t expected me to show up before Alex summoned me. 

She stood there in nothing but a dressing gown.

I could’ve called her out on it, embarrassed her, but that would’ve been petty. 

Pointless. And childish.

She tugged at the front of her gown, self-conscious about her exposed chest, and blurted, “Ah, Alex is in the dungeon right now! She should be back by evening!”

“I see. Then, is your healer present?”

Olympus had ten members. Two healers among them. Normally, they’d split into two groups of five. But at the moment, Alex had taken five people into the dungeon, including herself, leaving two behind aside from Annette.

Or so her flustered explanation went.

“…That doesn’t match the numbers. Forgive me for asking—do you mean to say Olympus currently has no healer in the clan?”

Annette frowned, her expression hardening.

For a moment, she looked down, thoughtful. The next instant, her eyes flared with anger as she glared straight at me.

“You called them quacks, didn’t you? I fired both.”

What a bunch of idiots.

“Well. That was quite a bold decision,” I said.

She smiled sweetly in response—but the vein throbbing at her temple betrayed her irritation.

So that was the situation.

Alex’s party was currently assaulting the dungeon without a healer.

I’d never been in a dungeon myself. But safe, they were not. Going in without a lifeline? That was idiocy.

“Understood. Then, may I ask, do you have a vice-leader or equivalent?”

Annette’s glare stayed locked on me a moment, then she turned sharply, lips pouting.

“That would be me. When Alex isn’t here, I’m the master in charge.”

“I see. In that case, forgive my bluntness, but may I ask one question?”

Her eyes narrowed. Arms crossed over her chest—a classic defensive posture.

Not that I cared.

“Is Alex… an idiot?” I asked plainly, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Annette froze, dumbstruck. Then, she burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

“Ahahah! S-stop! That’s so cruel! You didn’t have to say it so directly!”

Well, that confirmed one thing—she wasn’t the reckless type to dive into a dungeon without a healer. Which was exactly why she was still here.

And knowing that, my little jab landed perfectly.

I broke the ice.

Wiping her eyes, Annette gave me a radiant smile, free of hostility.

“Welcome to Olympus.”

“Thank you very much.”

So. That muscle-head, Alex, really was all brawn, no brains.

I hated types like that. Once cornered, they couldn’t even do simple arithmetic.

But this one, Annette, she was reasonable. Much easier to deal with.

“Well then, Miss Annette. Shall we discuss the details of my duties?”

What that muscle-head gorilla had done to me, I’d make sure to pay back in full. Otherwise, I’d have no right to face Abby.

I smiled.

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