I'm leaving the town of Fantantal.
Goodbye.
I never really planned to stay long, but somehow I ended up lingering anyway.
When I tried to leave through the north gate, I was surrounded by several soldiers in armor.
"A bratty-looking kid with a golden left eye in black gear... What's your name?"
Uh-oh. Trouble incoming.
I can think of a reason why.
"How about you introduce yourselves first?"
They probably wouldn't, but if you looked at the crests engraved on their armor, you'd actually know.
They belonged to Count Fanda's household.
"Come with us. The Count has summoned you. And give us your name. This is a rare chance for a lowly adventurer to land a position way above his station. This is why uneducated adventurers are such a pain... Once you're accepted, we'll work you to the bone, you know."
"Sorry, but what are you talking about? You've got the wrong person, don't you?"
"This kid, just because he happened to have the strength to save a certain noble lady, he thinks he's hot stuff. I could teach you a lesson right now, you know?"
One of the worked-up soldiers started to reach for his sword.
Hmm, "a certain noble lady"... that'd be her, huh?
The Third Princess (and her Princess Guard, lol).
Looks like after that incident, they went straight to Count Fanda and blabbed all about me.
Running away here would just bring more pursuers, which would be a pain. Might as well shut this down from the start.
Besides, Count Fanda is on good terms with the Vermilion family, so it'd be best to handle this one way or another.
"I'm Alan, an adventurer. Here's my adventurer's card. As for the noble personage, I was hesitant to ask their name, so I never did."
Then I showed them the card.
"Oh, you've gotten real quiet now. That's right, kids are best when they're obedient."
After they checked my adventurer's card and handed it back, I was led away by the soldiers.
For the record, the soldiers got to ride in the carriage while I had to run alongside.
A subordinate's failures are the responsibility of their superior.
I'll be adding something to your tab later, don't worry.
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"Wait here."
I was told that and spent several hours waiting in front of the estate's entrance.
Then I was summoned to the training grounds.
A man addressed by his subordinates as the troop commander forced a mock battle on me.
"Hmph. I hear you took down five normal orcs and provided support when that personage was under attack. The lord has decreed that you be hired and trained from the ground up. You're probably some self-taught amateur, but I'll whip you back into shape so you can swear loyalty to the lord."
That female knight — she twisted the whole story around, didn't she?
I saved them from the brink of death.
Next time I see her, she won't get away with this.
But right now, I need to deal with what's in front of me.
Training me — the Sword God — from scratch? I couldn't even laugh at a joke that absurd.
"No thanks. You dragged me here against my will, and now you want me to swear loyalty? If you want to hire me, you need to present terms and reach a mutual agreement."
"What nonsense is this! You're just some adventurer! Do you have any idea what happens when you defy the Count..."
Before I could even finish my sentence, the battalion commander's head had already hit the floor.
No, seriously, get it through your head already, me.
These people aren't the type you can sit down and negotiate with the way you could in your past life.
Then, the other soldiers who were present were cut down one after another before they could even raise an alarm.
Among them was the soldier who had made me run all the way here.
Next up was the Count.
Using my detection skill, I locked onto the person with the highest presence in the building and headed straight for his room.
The door was locked, but for the Gentleman Thief, it was as good as nonexistent.
I picked the lock quickly and made sure to close it behind me this time.
"Good evening, Count. I've gone to the trouble of coming all the way here because I have something to discuss with you."
"Who are you? A thief? Help! Thief!"
The Count, who had been gazing at gold coins, frantically called for help, but no one came.
That's because I had set up a Dark Wall in the hallway leading to this room, blocking anyone from getting through.
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Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Gentleman Thief] [Dark Magic] [Rock-Iron Magic] [Holy Magic]
Rank: Bronze
Thank you for always reading!