Chapter 323
Chapter 323. Kind People
“There are several ways to blend in with the locals, but the most important thing is to not make the locals your enemies. Instead, you should win them over.”
I recalled Virosa’s advice.
“That’s why the local puppet trading company puts a lot of effort into charity work. Providing meals, treating the sick and injured, taking care of homeless children… Their interest rates as moneylenders are also more moderate than those of other trading companies, leading the allied nations to favor the puppet trading company and see other human trading companies as rivals.”
I couldn’t help but smirk.
“Truly, humans are foolish and easily manipulated creatures.”
†††
“Hey, welcome back, Nina!”
The burly bodyguard smiled warmly and waved at Nina.
“Yes, I’m back! Uh, um, mister…”
Turning around with the basket in her arms, Nina suddenly wore a troubled expression. That’s when I realized I had yet to introduce myself.
“I’m Alex. This is Leila.”
“Oh, okay. I’m just going to the stable for a bit!”
“Nina, who’s this older brother over here?”
“…He’s an acquaintance of my dad, the hero…”
“Oh… I see…”
The bodyguards, knowing a bit about Nina’s family circumstances, darkened their expressions. The fact that I was a hero had come to light. I had wanted to approach the Cortera Trading Company as an ordinary person…
Nina scampered off to the back of the trading house. Catching the eyes of the bodyguards, I nodded in greeting.
“I heard your dad was missing…”
One of the bodyguards carefully asked.
“Is your dad safe?”
“…I have his remains.”
“Oh…”
The bodyguards’ expressions shifted to solemn concern, but when Nina returned, they quickly masked their emotions.
“Alex, I have work until sunset, so let me give you my address. If you’d like, you can talk to my mom…”
“Nina, you should head home early today.”
One of the bodyguards interjected.
“You should go ask Officia for help.”
“…Is that okay?”
“Of course. Right?”
For some reason, they sought my agreement, so I nodded along.
Following that flow, we entered the trading house, Nina leading the way.
“Officia!”
“Oh, Nina! What’s wrong?”
The female merchant welcomed Nina with open arms as she rushed into the office. She had soft eyes and wavy brown hair, indicating she held a respectable position.
“Um, a friend of my dad’s has come, and I wanted you to meet my mom…”
Nina fumbled through her explanation while pointing at me. Perhaps due to her urgency, the mask of the hardened girl from our first meeting peeled away, revealing her youthful innocence.
“A friend of your dad?”
The merchant—Officia—looked at me with a cheerful smile.
I knew.
She was an intelligence officer of the Night Elves from the capital.
“—”
…Should I kill her?
Adamas trembled at my waist. At this distance… and she was disguising herself as a human with little armor.
I could take her out in one strike. But—
“Nice to meet you.”
I wore a face of an earnest young man and greeted her seriously.
“I have your dad’s remains with me.”
“Oh… Is that so…”
Officia’s expression turned pained as she stood up and embraced Nina.
“Nina… I can’t do much for you, but stay strong.”
She gently patted Nina’s head like an older sister.
Damn it… How brazen of her…!
“Quite the actor, huh? She’s understanding human emotions quite well.”
It was a nauseating sight. She played a significant role in hindering supplies to Evaroti, making things difficult for Nina and Isabella!
“…Yes.”
But unbeknownst to her, Nina buried her face in Officia’s embrace, letting out her trembling voice.
“I understand the situation; you can go home for the day.”
“Thank you…”
Officia softly patted Nina on the back as she stood up.
“Please take care of Nina. Oh, may I have your name?”
“I’m Alex.”
I raised my hand.
“I’m a hero.”
I bore the glow of the holy attribute.
“………”
Officia remained smiling, not flinching even a little. She held her gaze steady on me, unwavering.
…What remarkable nerve. I withdrew the glow of the holy attribute. If she showed even a hint of suspicion, I would’ve struck her down.
“Aren’t you going to kill her?”
Not yet. Surely, I could draw my sword and take her out right now. But there are other intelligence officers around, and the merchant I was targeting, “Paulo Hoentz,” should have moved to Todomarl by now.
If I took out Officia here, the other intelligence officers might get spooked and escape. That would complicate things—I wanted to take them all down at once.
“What about the letter for Paulo?”
I won’t send it out just yet. A contact through a hero would raise suspicions, and the contents were crafted to lure out Paulo Hoentz in the previous town. Handing it over here in Todomarl would yield little effect…
Leila and I could alter our appearances somewhat with transformation magic. Either this evening or tomorrow morning, I’d prepare a new letter to trap these guys.
“Nice to meet you, Officia.”
“Yes… It’s an honor to meet you, Alex. I’m sure Nina and Isabella are feeling uneasy in unfamiliar territory. Please take good care of them.”
Officia bowed her head demurely.
What a remarkable performer.
“Then, until next time.”
I said briefly and left the trading house with Nina.
Intelligence officer Officia.
I’ll peel off your mask soon enough.
“Everyone was really nice, right?”
…Even if this girl ends up grieving.
