Chapter 3

The Boss, Antonio, and Eustea entered the underground waterway.

After the incident with the servants from the Marquis’s estate in the marketplace, people had started chasing them, so they changed routes.

Once they were inside the tunnel, Antonio contacted the elite squad through a communication artifact.

“Yeah. We entered the underground waterway. Things didn’t go exactly as planned, but we secured the ‘item.'”

A voice immediately shouted back.

[You idiot! Couldn’t you keep your temper under control for once?]

“I told you, I didn’t do anything!”

[What nonsense.]

[Then are you saying the Boss was the one who caused trouble?]

Antonio looked as though he were about to cry from frustration.

When he’d seen Eustea getting beaten by the Marquis’s servants just to protect his robe, he’d almost lost his temper.

He had even raised his fist, ready to charge in.

But…

The one who had actually acted wasn’t him.

I’m just as shocked as anyone.

Who could have expected the Boss to leave Irregular’s mark carved onto their faces?

“It really was the Boss who did it…”

[Shut up.]

[Go die somewhere else!]

Click.

The communication ended.

Not a single person believed him.

Antonio looked pitifully at the Boss, who was calmly resting as though nothing had happened.

Nearby, Eustea busily moved around.

“What are you doing?”

Antonio asked.

Without looking up, Eustea replied while unpacking her bag,

“Organizing our things.”

“And I’m planning to gather some herbs growing in the waterway.”

“Shouldn’t you be resting instead?”

“Look at your reflection.”

“Does that look like the face of a fifteen-year-old girl?”

After being beaten by the Marquis’s servants, Eustea’s face was badly swollen.

“You’ll leave after sunset, won’t you?”

“That’s true.”

“It’s winter.”

“The sun sets quickly.”

“If I don’t organize everything before then, it’ll just get in the way while we’re traveling.”

Then she quietly returned to packing.

Her hands moved incredibly skillfully.

The pile of supplies gradually became neatly compressed until everything fit perfectly into their bags.

“Were you really a noble?”

Antonio couldn’t help asking.

What kind of noble young lady looks like she’s an expert survivalist?

While neatly folding a bag of dried vegetables, Eustea answered,

“I was until I was twelve.”

“My father was the Marquis of Andres.”

“My mother ran the Paul Merchant Guild…”

“…Though now it’s called the Andres Merchant Guild.”

Antonio casually muttered,

“It must be hard sometimes.”

“You’ve fallen a long way.”

The moment he said it…

He regretted it.

Many members of Irregular had difficult pasts.

He often joked like this with his comrades.

But…

This was only a fifteen-year-old girl.

Maybe he’d hurt her feelings.

“Feeling miserable…”

Eustea murmured softly.

Antonio flinched.

“No, I didn’t mean—”

“Not sometimes.”

“Every day.”

“…Huh?”

“I think I felt miserable about once every minute while cleaning toilets.”

“The soldiers’ toilets were absolutely disgusting…”

“…”

Antonio stared at the dejected girl, who seemed more upset about dirty toilets than her tragic life.

Then he let out a helpless laugh.

She’s definitely strange.

No… maybe she’s just amazing.

Eustea quickly finished organizing everything.

Then she began collecting herbs.

“Oh.”

“Water Blossoms grow here.”

“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bought any from the herb shop.”

“What a waste.”

Muttering to herself, she enthusiastically gathered armfuls of the herb.

Holding them up proudly, she said,

“If you boil these into tea, they’re excellent for relieving fatigue.”

“Really?”

“Just wait a moment.”

“I’ll make some.”

She pulled out a huge pot nearly as large as herself.

After boiling water, she added sugar and several kinds of dried fruit she’d bought at the market.

Soon…

A pleasant aroma spread throughout the underground waterway.

She poured the tea into cups and handed one to Antonio and another to the Boss.

Antonio frowned.

“Why is it foamy?”

“Water Blossom tea naturally makes foam.”

“And by itself…”

“It’s incredibly bitter.”

“Are you sure this is drinkable?”

“Just try it.”

Antonio suspiciously took a sip.

Then—

“…!”

His eyes widened.

“I thought you said it was bitter!”

“It is if you brew only the herb.”

“But if you boil it together with sour fruits, the acidity balances the bitterness.”

“Is it drinkable now?”

“Ahem.”

Trying to hide his surprise, Antonio quickly drank the entire cup.

In truth…

He had never tasted tea this delicious.

He had always thought tea was something only overly luxurious nobles enjoyed.

Now he finally understood why.

Watching Antonio gulp it down as though it were soup, Eustea smiled.

“Water Blossom wine is delicious too.”

“Would you like me to make some next time?”

“Wine?”

“They say it’s especially refreshing when served cold during summer.”

Antonio’s eyes sparkled.

He loved alcohol.

“So…”

“When can you make it?”

“If we can find some liquor.”

“What if I go out and buy some?”

He answered without hesitation.

At that moment—

Tap.

The Boss deliberately placed his cup down.

Antonio immediately stiffened.

“I-I’m not saying I’d go out just because of the wine.”

“I’d also… check the surroundings.”

“…”

“I’ll go stand guard…”

“…”

Even after promising to behave, the Boss continued staring at him.

Was he angry because Antonio had been so foolish?

Just then…

Eustea hurried over to the Boss.

“Would you like another cup?”

“Fill it.”

“Yes.”

…

Maybe Eustea wasn’t the only strange one here.

Antonio stared blankly at the Boss, who calmly continued drinking his tea.

* * *

Three days had passed since the Boss, Antonio, and I left the underground waterway.

We encountered a pursuit squad once.

But the Boss and Antonio wiped out an entire battalion in about five minutes.

After that…

The journey became peaceful.

During those three days, Antonio and I talked quite a lot.

“You’ve really done every kind of job imaginable.”

“You’ve had a hard life.”

“Not as much as you.”

Antonio scratched his head.

“But…”

“Is it alright to leave your mother behind while traveling this far?”

“I asked my landlord to look after her.”

“I paid six months’ rent in advance.”

“I see.”

Around noon…

We arrived at the forest where we were supposed to meet the other groups.

Surprisingly…

No one was there.

“I thought we’d be the last to arrive.”

“Where is everyone?”

“They’re carrying out diversion operations because of the incident in the marketplace.”

“They’ll be here soon.”

“I understand…”

Everyone’s going through trouble because of me.

Seeing me look guilty, Antonio waved his hand dismissively.

“Even if it hadn’t been because of you…”

“I probably would’ve caused some kind of trouble anyway.”

He meant to comfort me…

But the fact that he said it so naturally was rather shameless.

The Boss looked at Antonio as though he were hopeless.

Over the past two days…

Antonio had already been hit by the Boss three separate times.

Mostly because he had no sense of timing.

Watching them…

I’d learned exactly what to do in situations like this.

Quietly mind my own business.

I took out a notebook and began writing.

“What are you doing?”

Antonio asked out of boredom.

“I’m keeping accounts.”

“The first day at the marketplace I spent my own money.”

“But after that, you’ve been paying for everything.”

“So?”

“So I should keep records.”

“Why?”

“Doesn’t Irregular keep account books?”

“We do.”

“Who manages them?”

“I do.”

“The Vice Leader made me.”

…What?

Antonio was a good person.

Just yesterday…

When a butcher tried to overcharge me, Antonio had beaten him until he admitted the real price.

But…

“If you don’t answer properly…”

“Your head and body are going to be separated forever.”

“How much is six geun of sirloin?”

“S-So…”

“Thirty copper per geun…”

“So what’s the total?!”

“…Huh?”

***

…He couldn’t do basic math.

How was he managing the accounts?

“Um…”

“Antonio.”

“May I see the account book?”

“Sure.”

He casually tossed me the entire bag.

I pulled out the ledger.

It was terribly crumpled.

After smoothing out the pages…

I looked inside.

It was an absolute disaster.

The Vice Leader probably didn’t realize Antonio was this bad.

Then again…

Even if he had known…

Only the Boss and Antonio traveled together in this group.

There hadn’t been anyone else to do it.

So I quietly began reorganizing the accounts.

I had been concentrating for quite some time when footsteps approached.

“Boss.”

The rest of Irregular had arrived.

Among them…

There was one unfamiliar face.

A large man dressed in elegant noble clothing.

He hurried over and knelt before the Boss.

“My Lord.”

The Boss looked down at him.

“Viscount San Miguel.”

Viscount San Miguel?

Wasn’t he one of Duke Esgarott’s retainers?

Has the Boss already allied himself with one of the Duke’s vassals?

Originally…

Duke Esgarott had been discussing marriage with the Imperial Princess.

Instead…

He fell in love with the daughter of an insignificant country baron and announced their marriage.

Naturally…

His retainers hated the baron’s daughter.

They joined forces with the Imperial Princess…

And murdered her.

But…

She had been an intelligent woman.

She sensed her death approaching.

She knew the Imperial Princess would eventually target her son as well.

So after giving birth…

She secretly sent her newborn away.

That child…

Was Aslan.

The Boss had lived a miserable life.

He had been entrusted to an old knight and raised on battlefields.

A life where…

If he didn’t kill…

He would be killed.

He endured that terrible life because he had one ambition.

To seize House Esgarott.

“You’ve suffered greatly, my Lord.”

“Please.”

“Come to San Miguel Territory.”

San Miguel Territory?

I leaned toward Antonio and whispered,

“I thought we were going to headquarters.”

“We are.”

“Then why San Miguel?”

“Because San Miguel Territory is headquarters.”

“I wonder how my precious vodka and whiskey are doing.”

“Eustea.”

“I’ll even let you try some.”

“I’m underage.”

“I’ll pass.”

Still…

So headquarters was actually located inside San Miguel Territory.

That meant…

The Boss hadn’t merely allied himself with Viscount San Miguel.

He had taken control of the territory…

And installed a Viscount who suited his purposes.

Amazing…

A chill ran down my spine.

Right now…

Duke Esgarott didn’t even know Aslan existed.

Yet…

Without anyone’s knowledge…

He had already gained enormous influence over one of the Empire’s greatest noble houses.

He’s even more incredible than I expected.

The reason I needed to stay with Irregular became even clearer.

Do your best.

I clenched my fist.

Then declared confidently,

“Shall I prepare lunch?”

“…!”

“…!!”

The members’ eyes widened.

But Viscount San Miguel merely glanced at me and waved dismissively.

“My Lord.”

“You no longer need to eat such lowly food.”

“I’ve already prepared a proper meal at the lord’s castle.”

Before anyone else could react—

Antonio shouted,

“This child’s cooking isn’t lowly at all!”

“Her cooking is incredible!”

He even quoted the recommendation written by Colonel Ragoni of the Imperial Army.

“Her cooking is incredible!”

Viscount San Miguel stared in disbelief.

“What in the world…”

“Why are all of you acting like this?”

“My Lord?”

“…”

“My Lord?”

The Boss had already found a comfortable rock…

And quietly sat down…

Waiting for lunch.

Viscount San Miguel looked utterly bewildered.

* * *

Perfect.

Nice and clean.

I smiled proudly at the washed dishes and cooking utensils.

I’d even wiped away every drop of water until they sparkled.

After everyone finished eating the braised short ribs…

It looked as though a storm had swept through.

The reaction…

Yes.

It was even better than I expected.

Even Viscount San Miguel…

Who claimed to be an elegant noble…

Said the members looked like a pack of wild dogs.

By the end…

They were glaring at each other over a single remaining piece of braised short rib as though they were sworn enemies.

I had offered some to the Viscount too.

But he simply told me,

“I have no hobby of eating vulgar roadside food.”

His voice had been icy cold.

While I was thinking about that—

“Are you upset because of the Viscount?”

Antonio suddenly appeared beside me.

I blinked in surprise.

Not because he startled me.

Wow.

He had changed into a knight’s uniform.

Apparently he’d changed clothes while I was cleaning up.

He was tall with broad shoulders.

The silver armor and long cape suited him perfectly.

Thinking about it…

The Boss was so overwhelmingly handsome that Antonio’s appearance had been overshadowed.

But Antonio himself was quite handsome too.

Tanned skin.

Sharp features.

A physique well over 180 centimeters tall.

A playful smile that made him charming.

“You look amazing!”

“Of course I do.”

Antonio grinned and ruffled my hair.

“Don’t worry about the Viscount.”

“The Vice Leader told me that before the Boss entrusted him with San Miguel Territory, he was a noble in name only.”

“Maybe that’s why he’s become so obsessed with elegance.”

Antonio had overheard what the Viscount said to me.

Well…

Only Antonio had.

The Viscount had spoken quietly while carefully watching the Boss, who was happily eating the braised short ribs.

“It’s alright.”

“I don’t mind that he didn’t eat them.”

“Then what?”

“I think…”

“He dislikes me.”

Actually…

It felt less like dislike…

And more like wariness.

Why would someone as important as a Viscount be wary of a mere servant like me?

There was no reason.

Antonio stared into the distance, thinking.

Then he nodded.

“Ah…”

“I think he misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?”

“Yeah.”

“He probably thinks you’re a candidate to become the Boss’s adopted daughter.”

“You’re about the right age.”

An adopted daughter?

The Boss planned to adopt a daughter?

“The Boss is going to adopt one?”

“Yeah.”

“He needs a girl to accompany the Imperial Princes during their visit…”

“…Ah.”

Antonio suddenly realized he’d said too much and awkwardly looked away.

But…

I already understood.

Because I knew the game’s story.

Come to think of it…

The Imperial Princes will soon visit House Esgarott.

As part of their education…

The Emperor sent the princes to visit the estates of the great noble families.

Soon…

It would be Esgarott’s turn.

When the princes arrived…

There needed to be children around their age to interact with them.

Those children are called attendants.

So…

The Boss intended to send his adopted daughter as one of those attendants…

Allowing him to establish contact with Duke Esgarott.

This would be the moment when Aslan finally stepped onto the stage of Imperial society.

Viscount San Miguel had probably assumed I would become that adopted daughter.

That was why he’d been wary of me.

He’s worrying for nothing.

The Boss seemed to enjoy my cooking.

But…

Would he really entrust such an important role to me?

He didn’t trust me at all.

Good.

Then there’s nothing to worry about.

Viscount San Miguel was the lord governing Irregular’s headquarters.

It wouldn’t be good if he disliked me.

But once he realized he’d misunderstood…

Everything would be fine.

Feeling relieved, I smiled brightly.

“Antonio.”

“Shall we go now?”

“Huh?”

“Sure…”

Antonio tilted his head.

“I like how positive you are.”

“You know the saying…”

“People don’t boil those who smile.”

“…”

“What?”

“It’s not people.”

“It’s pigs.”

“No one boils a smiling pig.”

After all…

Boiling people would be a very strange thing to do.