After I jumped up and cursed as if a fire button had been pressed, there was a short, awkward silence. It didn't last long.
«Did you just tell me 'fuck'?». Amelia asked as if to confirm it, and I hurried to start cleaning.
Of course, I didn't ignorantly apologize. It was an important issue for me. «Ahem, my name is Hansu. Not Hans».
«¿Y?»
«I want you to be careful with the pronunciation. You already know. It's a very delicate matter for me...» Even as I said it I was worried that this would further diminish her kindness to me, but Amelia was surprisingly generous and understanding.
«...Okay. I'll be careful from now on». He seemed to admit that he had crossed the line, although he didn't know why I reacted that way because of the pronunciation.
Okay, so that ended this part. Since she started the conversation, I also asked her why she was curious. «Um, Amelia?»
«Speak.»
«What did you mean before? That the palace could have remained silent knowing that I am an evil spirit». This was the question I had to contain before my departure, even if I wanted to ask.
«It's still just a possibility». Amelia made a defense and expressed her assumption. «To begin with, if the palace had verified you, your identity would have been revealed a long time ago».
Hmm, that was true. If they only used a numbered item like today, there was nothing I could do. «I understand that, but why is it related to the keeping quiet part? Isn't it more natural to say that the palace fully trusted me?»
«Could be the case. But then you were the most famous hero in town. I thought there was a chance the palace couldn't touch you».
I still do not understand it. No matter how famous I become, I'm still just a small person from a palace point of view.
«In more detail.»
«Hmm, I guess you have no sense of politics.»
Please stop exploring Hansu Lee.
When I looked at her without answering, Amelia smiled satisfied and continued: «Think about it. A hero who sacrificed his life to save his comrades and fought a bloody battle to bring thousands of explorers back from the dead, but that hero is actually an evil spirit? What kind of problem do you think will arise?».
«Uh... confusion?»
«Yes, there will be confusion. Because the palace, with the three religious denominations, has described evil spirits as evil beings and has announced them as targets to be exterminated.»
Only then did I understand why this woman thought the palace could have silenced my identity despite knowing her.
«Because evil spirits must always be evil...»
«Luckily, you're fast».
I was different from the other evil spirits. I helped my fellow barbarians raise their weak influence and even fought on the front lines, risking my life. That's why the palace could only be cautious. The moment I was executed for being an evil spirit, the citizens would begin to think: But he saved thousands of people? And yet they kill him for being an evil spirit?
«Of course, even if they reveal that you are an evil spirit and put you on the execution stand, there will be no riots or anything like that. As always, there will be noise for a moment before returning to calm. But...»
«The palace will not want to leave even a precedent that suggests that evil spirits are perhaps useful in this world».
«Again, it's just speculation». Amelia finished her words, but it left me very uncomfortable. It was not unintelligible reasoning. It had a base. But the problem was that the base also sounded believable to my ears.
What if this is really true? Do I have to reinvent my identity and live in hiding as soon as I return?
As my head shook with all kinds of thoughts, I asked: «Amelia, are you sleeping?».
«No. And from now on, call me Emily even if we're alone. I will also call you by your pseudonym».
«¿Suddenly?»
«We could make another mistake in front of people». He was probably referring to when we hit Beck's gang. «So it would be nice to make it a habit. If everything goes according to our plan, we will soon contact the lord of the castle».
With that, I erased all my other thoughts. Yes, no matter how much I think about this matter with the palace, I would not find a suitable answer at this time anyway. I should focus on work here first.
***
The next morning a visitor arrived at the accommodation where we were staying.
Toc, toc.
«I'm Rick Omanus. Are you Emily and Bjon, son of Thor?»
Surprisingly, he was a knight, not a scout who only used a sword as a weapon and wore plated armor, but a real knight under the castle lord.
I guess there's a gentleman's order here too.
True, that's probably why Amelia used an aura. It would have been difficult to accumulate a mastery point high enough to achieve a natural awakening at that age. I was sure I had learned it from someone.
«What is your business?»
«The lord of the castle holds your abilities in high esteem and has decided to provide you with support».
It was an arrogant choice of words that brought to mind some high-ranking people in Rafdonia. I guess he didn't think we'd say no. Well, it's not like we were going to do it.
«What kind of support are you talking about?». Amelia asked, pretending not to understand.
Rick Omanus handed him a piece of paper instead of answering. «The details are all written here, so will you respond after reading?».
The contract listed the aid we could obtain and, conversely, what we would have to give up in response to the recruitment offer. The conditions alone were not that bad. Team members received support, the right to climb Rafdonia in case of achievements, and many opportunities to receive benefits with the authority of the castle lord. In return, we must follow your orders in case of emergency.
«I see it was recruitment, not support».
«I already told you. The lord of the castle holds your abilities in high esteem.»
«I need time to think.»
«I'll wait out here. But I hope it doesn't take too long. »
This was what we were expecting, but since responding too quickly could raise suspicions, it took us a long time.
When we opened the door again, I asked, «...Have you been in that position the whole time?».
«Since I've been on official duty, naturally».
Still, I didn't think I was going to do that for more than two hours. «Here, take it.»
Afterwards, we gave the knight the signed contract and he told us to go visit the castle whenever we wanted, which was already arranged. I figured I didn't really think we'd refuse.
«But does a signature have any meaning?».
«It is a formality. After all, leading a normal life in this city is impossible after going against your will».
Showing off in front of the rookie? There was also the option of moving to the eastern area and teaming up with Orcules.
«Then see you later». The knight finished his business and left without looking back. It was our turn to start the day.
«Emily, what are you going to do now? We caught his attention, but not enough for him to meet us in person».
«No problem. We just have to keep getting their attention in the future».
«Well, that's true.»
Not to brag, but I was pretty good at attracting attention. With this barbarian body, I found myself involved in all kinds of things even if I stayed still.
«Now, let's go out.»
After that, we collected all our equipment and headed to the castle. Last time we only dealt with administrative work in the outer courtyard, but this time we were able to enter the inner courtyard, which required permission.
«Miss Emily and Mr. Iron Mask. I have heard from Sir Omanus. My name is Mel. From now on, my job will be to assist you when you visit the inner courtyard». The manager who welcomed us with a bright smile welcomed us as part of the family and briefly explained the structure of the interior bailey, along with its geography. There was nothing that required special attention because Amelia had already told me everything. «Since it's your first day, the first thing would be to register. Ah, what are your future plans, if you may know? Most people end up on their original equipment-»
«I have no intention of joining an official team».
«I see. Then I will guide you on the path of creating a team on your behalf».
We followed him to the administrative center of the labyrinth, in the inner courtyard, which could only be accessed by explorers on the castle lord's side. We recorded a two-person duo team called Iron Mask. More than Emily and Bjon, nicknames like that were apparently memorable.
«What will you do with the three places for colleagues? If you tell me the roles you want...»
«Wait.»
«Excuse me?»
«Until we find someone we like, we will move as a duo. So I want you to put an end to applications».
«Yes, I'll take care of it however you want».
Amelia completed setting up the party as a native and confirmed a fact with the maze management staff. «How many pastors can we choose?». A shepherd was a position like Jencia, someone who entered the labyrinth at a young age and took care of all kinds of dangerous tasks.
«Currently there are thirteen».
«What if you also include those who are already affiliated?».
«One hundred seventy-three».
«I want to see you all».
Amelia carefully read the information provided by the staff without missing a single detail. Then he found the names he was looking for. «I want to take these two children».
«If you mean the Rainwales sisters, they are already associated with a team, so it will be impossible...».
«At least you can contact the team they belong to. Tell them they will be generously compensated if they are handed over».
«...Okay.»
This is how the matters scheduled for today ended. Before returning, Amelia took me to a place in the inner courtyard. That place was a tavern.
«A tavern? Is there such a place in the castle?»
«It is one of the benefits for those who have gained access to the inner courtyard.»
«But why...?».
I had never seen Amelia take a sip of alcohol, so I didn't understand her intentions until I saw the tavern sign: Rainwales. It couldn't be a coincidence that the name of the tavern was the same as Amelia's last name.
«Aren't you going in?»
«Ah, ah, uhh. »
The interior was relatively clean and there weren't many people inside, probably because it was daytime. We sat in a corner, ordered drinks and snacks, and sat quietly without saying a word.
Why did you bring me here? It is clear that it is a historical site...
«Are you curious?»
Lo medité un momento before asentir.
«It won't be a very interesting story».
«Not only can you experience interesting things in life». I swallowed the drink in one gulp. Ugh, this was strong. And it tasted so bad. I assumed Noark was the city of real men after all.
«...Raro.»
«¿Eh?»
«I haven't said anything». Amelia then swallowed her drink.
Oh, what's wrong with him? Making a background? Is it difficult to speak with a sober mind?
The moment Amelia lowered the glass that had run out on the table, I heard a roar.
Wow, you scared me.
I hurriedly turned my head in the direction of the sound. I heard a man's deep scream from the kitchen. «Ungrateful whores!» The man's voice was full of anger, and before long, the sound of something breaking was heard, along with a clear female scream.
Hit! Hit!
Even a blind man might realize that there was violence in that kitchen, but the few customers inside seemed familiar with the situation.
«The owner goes after his daughter again».
«Keke, I feel sorry for the daughters too. Call that father».
What, owner? Daughter? So the person being beaten there...?
Latigo.
As soon as I realized it, I quickly turned my head to see how Amelia was doing. Amelia's hand over the drink was shaking. It seemed too pitiful and small to simply call it the rage of time.