Chapter 12 (2/2)

At my greeting, my mother smiled and nodded. Somehow she seems a little proud too, is it my mistake?

“First of all, I’ll let you know what you have to do from now on.”

As soon as the meal is over, she’s getting to the main point?

‘As expected, the head of the merchant’s group didn’t do it for free. You’ve given me the room to sleep and enough food to eat, so now you’re asking me to pay for it.’

That’s why she got to the main point in order to avoid wasting time.

I thought she was amazing as expected, and relaxed my posture correctly and nodded.

“What should I do?”

I’m already prepared to make a commitment to do whatever she asks me.

‘Because I can do anything except to die.’

My mother also clenched her hands, raised her chin, and spoke seriously, as if she had seen my firm determination.

“There are only two things without any difficulty. Can you do it?”

Instead of telling me what it is, you’re going to make me promise first.

I swallowed and nodded.

“Of course.”

“Okay. For the first one.”

My mother sharp eyes descended from my head to the toe.

With the surging tension, my back filled with pressure, and finally she opened her mouth.

“You will return that weak body which flickers like paper to normal.”

“… What?”

Contrary to the expectation that a great deal would come, when the story about my health came out, I suddenly felt relieved.

Even though I blinked in embarrassment, my mother continued to talk without taking a glance.

“You have to take all your meals and medicines so that your injured legs can recover as soon as possible.”

As if that wasn’t the only thing, her mouth didn’t stop.

“All the wounds on the legs and other minor injuries should be treated by Ricarda.”

“I think it’s hard to call a doctor or a priest seeing your circumstances. But basically, I know how to use healing magic. Just trust me!”

After my mother’s words, Ricarda’s bold words continued, but since I was surprised by the absurd conditions, I was not able to hear them properly.

“You can’t skip meals, try not to take medicine, or refuse the treatment.”

“…..”

“Shouldn’t you answer?”

“Ah yes!”

When my answer came, she spoke immediately about the second condition.

“Second, think more than five things about what you want to do or your wishes, and tell me.”

I haven’t ever thought about the second condition, so I couldn’t give any answer.

I wondered if she was trying to make fun of me, so I bit my lips and answered, facing her.

“Is there a relationship between these two conditions and my successor status? I thought you were going to get me to work.”

My mother laughed at my answer, saying that she knew I would answer like that.

“Before becoming a successor, you have to live your life as a person, so the most important thing is your health. Because only if you are healthy, you can continue living.”

“……”

“You have to be a healthy successor, so the first condition is valid.”

She was right.

If the person who will succeed is weak, it will be easy to be ignored by the people around them.

“I’ll tell you about the second condition. If you are a successor of the merchant’s group, you need to know how to live without lacking anything.”

Lennox and Ricarda beside me nodded in affirmation to the words.

“Above all, the existence of a business depends on how big a merchant’s desires and the wants are. You have to be able to pull it out.”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course not only pulling out, but also hide it, but… I think it would be better for you to learn from pulling it out.”

After listening to all the explanations, it seemed like all conditions were necessary to become a successor.

‘As expected, you certainly consider even a child as a partner in the contract.’

Thinking that she wasn’t leading this big merchant’s group for no reason, I nodded vigorously, admiring my mother’s intentions.

“Don’t be too upset about these conditions.”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t just the sympathy that was given, but the goal was created, which gave me more power.

“Then, I’ll be healthy. I’m going to eat regularly, take medicine, and get treatment to stay healthy.”

“That’s right.”

“And I’ll think about what I want to do. When do I have to say it?”

“There’s no deadline, so think about it leisurely. Those who have the time and those who don’t have the time are noticeably different. Outwardly and inwardly.”

The glance that seemed to pierce me was like advice telling me to give up or hide my urgent mind.

It’s only been two days since we met, but I thought it was a bit of mother-like advice and made up my mind.

“Yes!”

And the answer was energetic.

On the table where the stillness flowed, a warm atmosphere suddenly filled up.

My mother’s, Ricarda’s and Lennox’s expression looked satisfied.

I was also very satisfied with this situation, so I wished every day would be just like today.

“In that sense. I forgot to give you this.”

“What?”

My mother lifted the object that she had put under the table.

“Oh, that’s…!”