87 16 Im a jerk! (1/2)

--It was also the time of the cold season.

I spent most of the day asleep, and at the same time I had to take medicine and nutrition without fail.

I was told by a traveling doctor that if I didn't do this, my strength would fail and I would die of weakness.

She was desperate not to leave Wind's side, but her strength was so weak that it was very easy to break her.

When the medicine ran out, Wind left Ruri alone to fight for her life.

Her condition was getting worse and worse.

The cold season is coming.

Even with the reward, there is no medicine and the environment is bad.

I got my hands dirty many times. A lot of people hated me.

So I couldn't stay in one place.

But... But Wind made a vow that day.

”From this day forward, you are my daughter.

By the time she left her home, the woman she loved was already under the ground.

He knew he'd never be allowed to visit her grave again.

I abandoned the idea of visiting that place or returning to my hometown.

Wind continued to wield the knife, hoping only that his lost relic would live happily ever after.

And yet...

Ruri was told she had only a year to live.

--Even if...

Yes, even if it's only a year. We'll do everything we can for that one year.

To make a year into a year and a day. Wind-Earth Note's vow was firm.

He gritted his teeth and bathed in warm blood under the cold. It eased his own cold a little.

It was a nice irony for a man who turns human blood into life.

The merchant company I attacked that day belonged to one of the most prominent merchant companies in the capital, which had made great strides in the past few years.

They must have a lot of money. A request from a wealthy man who felt they were in his way was more than enough to move Wind's heart.

I don't know if I can get the medicine or not. But if he had the money, he would go to another town.

Yes, the fearsome assassin who wielded the iron knife with such ferocity.

The fearsome assassin who wielded the iron with such ferocity met a girl who was leading a trading party.

”What can I give you to help me?

”I'm sorry.

I'll give you whatever you want. You have a lot of power, don't you?　Tell me what you want most. In exchange, you will stay with me.

Most of the guards are dead.

I didn't expect my target, a high ranking member of the Chamber of Commerce, to be such a child, but he was. He was imposing.

He would give his life for what he wanted most.

That's what he said. I was at my wits end. I wanted to cling.

”My daughter.

”...... Resuscitation?

He shook his head at her, clearly ready to run.

She shook her head. ”...... if I can save her life.

She gently brushed her lips against Wind's as she said this.

”The situation is...

”You have one year to live.

Tell me how he is. Trusting one doctor is a fool's errand.

She snapped. She said stoutly, even though her life was in danger.

One by one, The Wind tells me the rest.

He knew it was just stalling for time.

He sensed the presence that surrounded him, and more than anything, she seemed to be waiting for it.

But... But still... Her eyes didn't seem to be lying.

”What is it? You've got the shiot disease.

”What about ......?

Suddenly. The people around me stopped talking.

She tells you in a cumbersome way and looks at Wind.

Her imposing back, as if to say, ”Follow me,” was small but encouraging.

In the corner of her tent, there was a small medicine bottle. It was not much bigger than Wind's index finger.

”It's the only medicine that can cure me. But it's there. It'll stick to me, right?

”...... How much does this cost?

”Seven million garuds.

”......

This little bottle.

”You can have it.

”What, ......?

”If you don't trust me, take me hostage or whatever you have to do to get to your daughter. I'll do whatever it takes to survive.

”Are you sure about ......?

”What?

The girl says, brushing her hair out of her face.

'This will buy you, right?　It's cheap.

She must have thought that she had just hired a man for something.

I'm sure she never realized what a blessing that was to Wind-Earthnote.

--A short time after that day, Ruri was released from her illness.

--Orba Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

Chairman. Thank you for everything you've done for Ruri.

What?　What? Suddenly. I'm not the chairman anymore.

Slowly, Wind woke up and realized from the darkness of the room that it was already night.

She had enough energy to move her head. He looked toward the familiar little presence, sitting on the couch with a pen running by the candlestick.

Not looking at me. She was not happy to be awake.

She just said, as if it were a matter of course.

”Huh. Right, Mister Pasta.

”What's so funny?　The ...... name. I like it better than I thought. Pasta.

Wind chuckles.

Pasta keeps his hood up, presumably to keep his job.

Even though she is no longer registered, even though she is abused by the lower classes, she continues to make profits for the Chamber of Commerce, and nothing has changed since that day.

”I had a dream. I was remembering the day I first met the Chairman.

You can glamorize it all you want, but it's not a good memory.

Don't say that. I'm sure you remember ...... better than I do.

I don't know what it's like to forget.

Snickering, she pushed the scroll to the edge of the table.

Snickering, she pushed the scroll to the edge of the table and reached for another one while the ink dried.

Pasta--Beatrix M. Orba never forgets what she has seen.

She remembers all kinds of numbers and doesn't take time to compare them.

That's why she was able to mention the amount of money purchased by the Imperial Merchant Corps as she was being carried along by Huta.

And of course, that memory applies to the episode as well.

”For me, it was nothing more than a story about how I managed to save my life.

But if it hadn't been for that negotiation, I wouldn't be here now.

That's not for everyone. Because I knew you were open to negotiation.

Ha-ha-ha. I see. So you're a businessman?

Well, yeah. ...... ”Manager” is not a very good job title.

”...... Hmm.

A pasta line that makes you want to throw up.

You can't do anything on your own. All you can do is use people. There's a lot of competition and it's not a rare profession. You have to be good and talented to survive.

Ha ha. You know yourself so well, Mr. Pasta, that's why you're such an effective manager.

I'm not talking about that right now.

Pasta finally looked up, having become annoyed.

I'm not talking about that right now,” Pasta said, finally looking up. He took one look at Wind, who had a kind expression on his face, then glanced back at the scroll with annoyance.

You've gained some weight.

This is harsh. It's true that I didn't eat well back then.

...... I envy you that you can gain weight with a good diet.

Haha, you look almost exactly the same, Mr. Chairman.

Maybe I'll take him apart and sell him.

”Oh, my God.

Wind's cheerful voice is not that of a faint heart. He must have been able to recover some of his strength after a good night's sleep.

It was fortunate that there were no serious injuries. Physical fatigue, especially in the muscles, must have taken a toll on her, but she hoped there would be no after-effects.

Ruri is still alive, thanks to you.

Are you going to continue?　You still want to talk about it? The only thing I can think of is, ”Well, she's alive.

”Ruri is afraid of Mister Pasta, so I had to tell her.

'If you're scared, why don't you just tell my daughter not to be scared, she's a stupid parent.

”Oh no. I can't do that.

It wasn't just the medicine that she offered Ruri as security. ”She had an attendant, a teacher, and she herself visited Ruri in her spare time.

Lately, she had hardly shown her face, but it was no wonder when she was so hated.

The fact that she has been so helpful to Ruri is a reason for me to serve the Chamber of Commerce.

Haha. Because you never know when you'll die.

...... Yeah.

Wind laughed and nodded, thinking that he was being berated for what he had done today.

But I could tell that it wasn't just about today.

In my profession, you never know when you're going to die.

I can't let Wind's death prepare me.

What would happen to Ruri if Wind died in a flash?

She'll see it coming.

Thank you.

I don't accept thanks. If you don't work, she'll throw you out. Keep in mind, I'm only taking care of you because you're capable.

Yeah, of course.

It's all about money. That's why you're in this situation, isn't it?

...... Yes.

It's about money.

You're right. At the end of the day, Pasta and Wind are only an employment relationship.

It's not limited to Wind.

She never wanted to have a relationship with anyone other than money.

Just like some princess's contract.

”Excuse me.

And then there was a knock at the door.

Pasta, who still did not look up from her scroll, answered lightly.

”Mr. Prim Lancaster is here to see you.

”Hmm. I wonder what's going on. Please let him in.

”Yes.

Pasta's face twisted in annoyance when he heard the name Prim, but that was okay.

Pasta was no longer the nominal landlord of the house.

If Wind wants to invite him in, that's fine.