*
They sat side by side at the edge of the bed, the noble girl was fidgeting while the air filled with silence. What was this mood? Weren't they just fighting to the death?! She was prepared to win or die trying... Not only has there been no pursues, but the inn didn't even send anyone up to check for the noise. There were others biding their night here, it wouldn't be a surprise if there were any complaints.
"... I'm unrelated. And I blocked off noise with magic just now. No one knows we fought here.
Let's start with names. I'm Lastia. " (Lastia)
Only her close friends called her Tia. As she thought about those she left behind, the girl spoke up. She looked about the same highschool age as her, but maybe she was a little older considering nutritient standards.
"I am Leslie Souv Leyone. Leyone is my religious name, call me Leslie." (Leslie)
She clasp a hand to her chest as she introduced herself, her etiquette was subconscious and her eyes glowed with a resolute light. She had a decent upbringing, upkeeping manners even in this foreign situation where her life is in danger. Souv was her family name, the respect she showed was returned in kind.
"I see. For starters, I won't harm you so please relax. I'm just here... Because I don't have money." (Lastia)
"... Is that it? I have some funds I can share with you..." (Leslie)
Was she selfless too? No, she's not thinking that far, for what it's worth she wanted to help from her own volition, even if her own situation was precarious.
" I can sneak into another inn. Aren't you in more need of it? Why offer it up?" (Lastia)
She moved up her legs, crossing them on the bed as she adjusted her seating. There wasn't any meaning to it, she just wanted to change the way she sat out of comfort. The inn's light was dim, given there was only one oil candle that Lastia could light.
"... I don't see myself long for this world. An escape of whimsy will end just as abruptly as it started.
They have eyes everywhere, hiding my noble origin isn't something I trained sufficiently for. Some day I'll be found." (Leslie)
She's aware of the tightrope she's walking, even so giving away funds at this stage was just bringing closer that eventual end.
"... I'm strong if I do say so myself. Would you want my assistance? " (Lastia)
A escape from it all, a guarantee to live. She was far stronger than any single royal guard, it was harder to find a human who could defeat her. In terms of resources, she would be dearly needed to fight the frontline with the demon king, having her protect one girl was a blatant misuse of human resources. It was like a devil's temptation, alluring and sweet it sounded, but consequences were far and unforeseen. Such considerations bug her conscious incessantly, she wondered if she was even capable of answering yes to this offer?
"... What are you worried about? I just came to this city, I need information on this place. You'll be my tour guide while I decide if this place needs my protection in the coming war with the demon king.
I can only protect one city at once. I need to choose wisely. " (Lastia)
It sounded arrogant, but humans simply didn't have the leeway. The king consolidated the power of the adventurers in the national conscription act, but he also stymied the growth of those with talent to go further. It was much needed for this chaotic time since the demon king had defeated a nearby human country, leaving this kingdom as one of the last bastion's of humanity. There are also a select few others that exceed the ability of the royal guard, beyond level 50 they could no longer be considered a human by conventional standards. Their strength is so immense they can warp steel with their hands and one punch can be a battering ram that sieges a castle.
Killing humans also give experience, but it circulates it within humanity and some of it is wasted into the aether. It was a sin for the management of human resource in this dire need for combat power. Even so, Leslie's life was in danger. She meandered and chewed over this line of thought, but couldn't come to a conclusion. She couldn't bring herself to utilise this strong individual, likely an adventurer still uncontrolled by the government, yet because she was uncontrolled she was an irresistible source of power.
With level differences, it was hard for the human condition to escape the law of the jungle. The strong preyed on the weak, the law's reach is slow and often too late. Rescue is often seen as impossible, with the capture work dangerously ending in the loss of the lives of guards. The kingdom do have some hit squads that hunt criminals, but they are but singular departments of the government, they can't possible eradicate all the criminals in one night. They would be around Lastia's level, maybe far higher. Their stats won't match up though.
In the end...
"... I let you parry in that clash. I had the strength quash it before your plan started." (Lastia)
" Then I'll gladly accept. Let's draw up some simple clauses. You're going to be my arms and legs, is that alright?" (Leslie)
" I can do escort duties, but I'd prefer if you didn't wander on your own where I can't protect you." (Lastia)
" So the conditions are that I remain in your vicinity. You likely... Won't be paid. I'll be killed somewhere after some time in a vague ambiguous future. Is that okay...? " (Leslie)
She knows what she's saying is ridiculous. However if she had this power, she'd want to use it to fight back against her family instead of squandering it to herself.
"... Let's make this simple. Do you have a wish? Fulfilling that will be my contract." (Lastia)
Really... Making deals like a devil would. This dreamlike offer before her eyes, how much of it was real? She couldn't help but doubt, how long had she been suppressed? She let known her thoughts once, and that was when she was a child, yet she faced no mercy. Now that the head, her father has been dead for years, her relatives had usurped much of the power vacuum. Now, she was seen as a threat as she had turned of age. There's no going back.
" That's right, I wish to take back this city. I'll do anything for that much." (Leslie)