Chapter 138: Cheska Plandor

Chapter 138: Cheska Plandor

After boarding the carriage, I had time to converse with the young noble lord who was accompanying me.

The main topic of conversation was naturally about Ga-ram, who had been with me.

It was a natural outcome, considering she was the only link between us.

“So, when Ga-ram finishes her mission and returns, she always talks about me, you say.”

“When reporting her missions, your story always came up. It’s natural, considering you were the only one she got along with at the time.”

Is this the story from when she was called a fallen hero?

Well, it was necessary to tell the story of a collaborator to a patron for reporting purposes, and there was no need to feel bad unless it was backstabbing.

“From what I’ve heard, you transitioned from a worker to an adventurer, and it seems you’ve worked quite hard to get to your current position.”

“Ahaha, it’s not that big of a deal. I was just lucky, that’s all...”

“Grasping luck is also a matter of discretion. Most people either don’t know when luck comes their way or waste the opportunity.”

Cheska, even with a blunt manner of speaking, soothed my passive attitude.

While such assessment felt a bit burdensome, I also felt a tingling in my heart.

It seemed I couldn’t help being weak to compliments... Well, it would be rude to reject someone’s kindness, after all.

“Anyway, using the connection I have with the hero I sponsored, I would like to make you an offer right here.”

After a lively chat, what followed was a proposal I had somewhat anticipated.

Probably, Cheska came to meet me in their noble status for that purpose.

Noticing that, I immediately brought up what I had in mind before Cheska could speak.

“Are you offering to become my guardian?”

“...You’ve noticed.”

“Well, since you’ve come to me directly...”

Although the intentions were clear, I didn’t necessarily think it was a bad thing.

Heroes were seen as saviors by the public, but what those in power wanted was to increase their influence through such attention.

So, creating a connection with me before my treatment in the Imperial Palace was decided would be quite advantageous.

“Mentioning that means you, too, were quite looking forward to receiving sponsorship from a noble like me.”

“Well, I won’t deny it... But, actually, this situation is somewhat relieving.”

A smile formed on my lips, unable to contain my expectation, which made Cheska, sensing my reaction, tilt their head slightly.

“Relieved because I came to you?”

“It’s probably because this is my first time receiving a scouting offer like this. When working in unfamiliar places, it’s best to start by adapting with the help of acquaintances, isn’t it?”

Everything felt unfamiliar, and since one never knew when danger would strike, it was a rule to step back about three steps when encountering the unknown world.

As such, having someone to rely on and cooperating with them, helping each other move forward, would be a way to extend this lifeline even further.

That was somewhat the reason why I initially formed a pair with Ga-ram.

At this moment, feeling that it was time to be rewarded for such a choice, a sense of pride gradually began to emerge in my heart.

“Ah, yes. To seek familiarity...”

But could there be something about what I said just now that didn’t sit right?

After hearing me, Cheska pushed up their glasses and began to rest their chin on their hand, their mouth firmly closed.

The sense of dissonance I felt must have been because the atmosphere had changed.

I didn’t know the details, but from their standpoint, something must have become a concern.

“...Cheska?”

“Well then, let’s assume the discussion is settled for now.”

As I tried to trace back the origin of that reaction, Cheska lifted their head again and reached into their bosom.

Then, they pulled out a document with a movement that was very smooth and unhesitant.

To the extent that I wondered if the sense of dissonance I had felt earlier was just a misconception.

“It seems we have roughly come to an understanding, so it would be fine to draft a contract right here.”

“A contract? Right here and now?”

“Once we arrive at the banquet hall, Mr. Hyo-sung will receive quite a bit of attention. It won’t be easy to exchange documents directly like this when the time comes.”

The document and pen were promptly presented.

Even though the turn of events was unexpected and I couldn’t grasp the flow, they just nonchalantly crossed their arms and stared out the window.

“The family seal has already been affixed, so legal effect will take place immediately upon signing. Please bear this in mind when you sign.”

Was that indifferent attitude derived from the authoritative demeanor of a noble?

Or was it from a pragmatic stance that as long as their own matters were handled, nothing else mattered?

Either way, receiving a contract upon first meeting was quite burdensome, but refusing it outright was also not preferable.

If I refused without a special reason, it might also inconvenience Ga-ram, who was indebted to them.

‘What? You’re asking who my sponsor is?’

Come to think of it, we talked about the sponsor last time we were at camp together.

Surely, the noble in front of me must be the one we discussed then. Confident in this, I took a moment to recount what had happened at that time.

‘Well, they’re not very kind. Doesn’t like jokes, has a stiff attitude... They do provide considerable support, but they’re also meticulous enough to scrutinize the details of expenses.’

A power-holder with an unapproachable demeanor and miserly tendencies...

It wasn’t exactly a positive assessment.

Even though nobles were often arrogant and ill-tempered, being one of the more docile ones didn’t mean one could be approached easily.

‘Even so, they haven’t spoken harshly or ordered anything unreasonable. They agreed that accompanying my brother would help clear his name, so it was fine.’

Even so, the reason I didn’t have an entirely unfavorable impression upon our first meeting was because of Ga-ram’s seemingly friendly attitude during that conversation.

‘I don’t think they’re a bad person.’

With that thought, I decided to sit down and listen to whatever nonsense they had to convince me.

Seeing this, the unruly brat adjusted their glasses and said,

“If you get this angry, it’s going to be difficult for you in the future.”

“...What?”

“You know, right? What the power-holders of this empire are generally like.”

I knew very well.

After all, the reason why all heroes ended up being morally bankrupt was because the power-holders of this empire were filled with corrupt pigs.

“There’s no one easier to corrupt than those in power.”

While that assessment applied equally to the person in front of me, they soon continued speaking with their arms crossed.

“Charisma, leadership, magnanimity, judgment... One who possesses all these qualities has the discretion to lead people and the right to be a leader. Ironically, however, this empire’s authority is passed down through hereditary succession.”

Their expression remained dry, and their words gave off an intellectual and haughty vibe, as if they were reciting from a dictionary.

More like a strategist than a noble...

No, it even felt as though I was looking at a well-crafted robot.

“And the major downside of hereditary succession is that it only holds on to the results achieved by ancestors. Not knowing how much effort and sacrifice it took to obtain that right, people like you, who come from a worker’s background, can’t help but have a great antipathy towards authority.”

“...What? Suddenly engaging in self-reflection?”

“Think rationally and logically. If you realize that the person before you comes from a different world... no matter how much their actions defy common sense, treating them emotionally will only worsen the situation.”

“Ha, so? You’re saying I forgot such thinking and acted recklessly in dealing with a noble, as if you’re lecturing me...”

-Rip, rip.

After laughing in disbelief at the audacity, the sound of paper tearing echoed inside the carriage.

With the signature, even legal effect had taken place.

The sound of tearing up the opportunity to exercise legal restraint on me by their own hands.

“Mr. Hyo-sung.”

Cheska then threw the torn bundle of paper out of the carriage window towards a riverbank that appeared outside.

This act of discarding the contract without regret gave undeniable persuasiveness to the words that followed.

“In the case of Miss Ga-ram, if not for me, she had no one else to make a contract with to that extent. But your case is different. You’re not aware of how much attention you’re receiving from the empire’s leadership.”

“What are you saying...?”

“The place you’re heading to soon will be filled with even more despicable people than me, extending their malice towards you.”

The attitude I had thought arrogant and repulsive completely reversed at the moment they discarded the benefits gained from deceiving me.

“You want to succeed, don’t you?”

The words from their mouth now were not deception but a ‘warning.’

“You’ve come this far from being a worker because you feel a desperate need for success, right?”

“......”

“If that’s the case, be more careful in choosing who will sponsor you than you have been now. Otherwise, what you’ve built up so far might collapse in an instant at the place you’re heading to next.”

-Thud.

The carriage stopped at the end of the warning.

Then, as if waiting, Cheska stood up, opened the carriage door first, and stepped out onto the street, saying,

“Follow me; I’ll guide you to the Banquet Hall.”

“......”

Unlike me, who felt tense from the warning, Cheska Plandor led the way nonchalantly.

I hesitated for a moment, but then decided to step out of the carriage and follow them.

Even though I had reservations about the person before me, since our paths were the same for now, it made sense to accompany them.

“...Hey, you.”

But, of course, it was too much to ask to view them favorably.

Feeling irritated, I followed them and asked in a harsh voice,

“So, the contract between you and me is null and void, right?”

“Since the only copy of the contract was destroyed, that would be the case.”

“Then what happens to Ga-ram from now on?”

“Since your contract was annulled, I’ll continue to employ her. As I mentioned before, given my circumstances, I can only employ one hero.”

“...That sounds like you’ll replace her if a suitable alternative comes along.”

“If the opportunity arises, I suppose so.”

They didn’t deny the sarcasm.

That meant there was some truth in the attitude they had just shown. The anger I felt was fleeting.

“Of course, it won’t be easy to find someone as outstanding as her to replace.”

“...What?”

“Regardless of public opinion, I regard her as excellent. You, who have received her help, should understand this well.”

Cheska stopped walking at my question.

Then, adjusting their glasses, they turned to me and quietly said,

“So, if you’re going to make a contract in the future, please decide more carefully than you did this time.”



“If you choose a sponsor poorly, I, who sponsor her, will also suffer indirect harm.”

With an impeccably composed attitude.

Words revealing trust in her were spoken before me.