Chapter 54

【”Wait! What are you doing to Elu?!”】

A voice forced itself in between Elu and Harold.

【”Nyaah !?”】

To verify his hypothesis, Harold had tried various methods on countless occasions. At times, he’d put his life on the line on dangerous battlefields in order to free himself from obstructive thoughts and turn off his consciousness.

He would inevitably need this sooner or later to draw that power out during the game’s battle events.

【”Calm down, Lifa. He didn’t do anything to me.”】

Elu calmly addressed Lifa who hadn’t dropped her threatening stance.

【”Then, then why are you kneeling?!”】

【”Oh, that’s because I’ve become his— Harold-sama’s subordinate.”】

【”Huh…?”】

(Rather, why would Elu agree with that? He’d normally completely refuse becoming something like my subordinate or whatever, right? )

【”Don’t go getting the wrong idea here. All I said is that you’d be working for me, bastard.”】

【”This one understands he does not deserve your trust as of yet. This one shall prove himself worthy with his future actions.”】

【”W-what do you mean by ‘subordinate’? Don’t tell me you were threatened to….!”】

【”Not at all. This is my own choice.”】

Well, that probably meant the bad rumors about Harold had reached her, but Harold was sad because there was no real need for Lifa to hate him. Erica would probably tell her that he was a proper human being and clear up the misunderstanding once the two became friends later on, but still, he couldn’t deny that it bothered him.

【”If you want to earn my trust, start by changing that weird behavior of yours.”】

【”Is it that bad? I was going for a loyal retainer-like mannerism.”】

【”Yeah, it gives me the creeps.”】

【”Well I guess I screwed up.”】

【”It would be a waste of time to stay here any longer than this. Let’s hurry and go back.”】

【”The royal capital? It’s been two years since I’ve last been there.”】

【”What’s your business with the royal capital, bastard?”】

【”Business? Well, I’m going to follow you there so…”】

【”What?”】

【”We’ll have plenty of chances to come in contact from now on so I also want to confirm the location of your dwelling.”】

【”Humph. Have it your way.”】

As Harold was thinking things through and nodding to himself, Lifa, who had been contemplating to herself en route, made an abrupt declaration.

【”I’m coming along, too!”】

【”What a merry train of thought. You have way too many shortcomings, and you’re too high maintenance.”】

【”What? So it’s fine for Elu but not me?”】

【”That’s right. You’re of no use to me.”】

【”I didn’t mean I’d become your subordinate. I’m worried about Elu so I’ll follow you to the royal capital and just return to my village afterwards.”】

【”You’re worried? For this one?”】

【”Yeah, that’s right. There is no way I could entrust Elu to you after all.”】

◇

(I wonder what he went through to be accustomed to this…)

【”…What’s your business?”】

【”Don’t ask the obvious, imbecile. Do you want to show off your low status that much?”】

(The moment he opens his mouth, he’s guaranteed to be hated. )

With a harsh environment like this, the man should have expected this outcome. There was no room for sympathy here, and let alone from Harold, who didn’t care about anyone around him and most likely had no use for sympathy whatsoever.

【”The chief is in the middle of an experiment. For your report, you’ll have to come back when―”】

【”You should have been told that my report is the top priority. Or did you forget even that? Then just tell him I’ll be coming back later. Even with your infantile memory span, you should be able to manage that. Well, if you think you can’t handle it, I won’t force you”】

【”I am of the belief that some quarrels have their benefits, and some are futile. Which are you two going for? I don’t know about you, but I expect it wouldn’t be the beneficial kind.”】