TUHWKM 12

Chapter 12

“Come in.”

Is this what it feels like to be called to the principal’s office after doing something wrong?

Having arrived at Kaierus’s office, I neatly folded both hands and hunched my shoulders as much as possible.

Kaierus, leaning back in his chair with his head tilted, asked.

“Do you know why you’ve been called here?”

“I’m… not sure.”

Let’s not make eye contact.

I desperately turned my head away.

I could feel a gaze openly scrutinizing me from across the room.

“Hmm.”

Perhaps because I had something to feel guilty about, I was really nervous. I clutched my skirt tightly so the potion bottles in my pocket wouldn’t clink against each other.

Thud.

Kaierus set something on the desk as if showing it off.

I subtly shifted my gaze and despaired.

It was the very potion bottle I had handed to Kaierus in the pharmacy a few days ago. At the same time, it was also the one I had just been selling to the territory residents.

“It’s because of this.”

I’m doomed.

My eyes squeezed shut on their own.

“…Might I have time to explain?”

Let’s take the initiative before I die.

That’s the only way.

“I didn’t deliberately set out to do business. I genuinely just wanted to help the orchard people out of goodwill. But the meals here are so small that I’m hungry. Ah, mages like me get hungry the moment we turn around. It’s our constitution. So I only did a little bartering for food. I really didn’t take money! I didn’t force anyone either. If anything, the customers… I mean, people came to me first saying they needed it?”

After pouring all that out without even breathing, I slightly opened one eye.

Kaierus was stroking his chin with a rather interested expression.

He curved his long eyes and smiled.

“Aha, so you conducted unauthorized commerce but didn’t take money?”

Does that even make sense?

“That’s a very interesting excuse.”

“No, that’s—”

“Unauthorized commerce does fall under the category of severe punishment, but.”

No!

Just as I was about to beg earnestly for mercy, he generously added.

“I’ll let it slide this time.”

“…Pardon?”

A chill ran down my spine for a different reason.

What is this? The Kaierus I know isn’t the type to let something like this slide so easily.

I asked, feeling uneasy.

“Did… the potion I gave you have side effects? It couldn’t have.”

“I wish it had. Unfortunately, there were no side effects.”

He answered as if greatly regretful.

“Your potion was excellent. The detoxifying effect and the recovery aid were both outstanding.”

“I’m really scared now. What are you trying to say, seriously…”

“A few days ago, you also personally regenerated the contaminated plot.”

“…That’s true, but.”

“I acknowledge your competence. So I’ve decided to accept the proposal you made back then.”

“Proposal…?”

“A fixed-term exclusive mage.”

Kaierus spoke in a tone as if granting a favor.

“I thought about it, and if I’m going to use you freely, that arrangement is definitely better.”

I hesitated, unsure how to react.

Back then, I had thrown that out there just to survive for now. But seeing Kaierus react like this, I had a gut feeling that accepting would be a bad idea.

Usually, that kind of intuition is never wrong.

Kaierus, who had been watching me closely, leaned back fully in his chair.

“I’ll be honest. From the beginning, I had no intention of keeping you alive for more than a year.”

You sociopath bastard.

I knew this would happen.

I knew he was only pretending to spare me.

“However, if you become my exclusive mage and handle your assigned duties well for one year, I will grant you freedom as you wish.”

Saying that, Kaierus shrugged. Confidence that I absolutely could not refuse flowed from him.

Honestly.

He thinks he can get away with anything by threatening people’s lives.

“Thank you for the opportunity!”

I was right.

So what if I become a fixed-term underling? He’s sparing my life right now. I need to get back alive.

Watching me accept immediately, Kaierus twisted his lips smugly as if he had expected it.

“Good thinking. If you had refused, I was planning to throw you in the dungeon first and persuade you.”

That’s not persuasion, that’s coercion.

This fire-attribute filial son of a—

“Good, then…”

Kaierus moved to rise, looking satisfied.

“Ah, but before that.”

After thinking for a moment, I added while watching his reaction.

“Could we write a contract with a few conditions added?”

—

***

“…Do you normally live life this exhaustingly?”

“My life is on the line, after all.”

“You’re a bother.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

I lightly ignored Kaierus’s jab and carefully read the contract again.

I had thought I should write a contract someday, but I never expected it to turn out like this.

「1. Kaierus Lucifenia (hereinafter referred to as ‘Party A’) employs Charlotte Schmidt (hereinafter referred to as ‘Party B’) as the Grand Duke’s exclusive mage for the next year.

2. Party B shall faithfully carry out Party A’s orders using all abilities at her disposal.

3. Party B may freely use magic in the course of performing Party A’s orders, and Party A may not punish or dismiss Party B on these grounds.

4. Party A shall provide Party B with salary and benefits equal to those of other vassals. However, meals shall be provided very generously, taking into account that Party B is a mage.

5. When the one-year contract expires, Party A shall actively cooperate so that Party B may cross the border.」

Kaierus narrowed his eyes and pointed at clause 3 with his hand.

“This word ‘freely’ feels a bit vague.”

“I wrote it that way on purpose. If I had to get permission every time I used magic, how would I get anything done? I mean the freedom to use both white magic and black magic.”

“Do you realize what you just said was a dangerous statement?”

He’s being scary again.

Why are you opening your eyes like that?

“Since we’re on the subject, black magic isn’t unconditionally bad. Of course, it’s specialized for destruction and curses, but black magic can be used constructively too. The very thing I did to remove the contamination from the orchard was black magic.”

Of course, most black mages are corrupted and intent on harming others. But used properly, black magic could be quite a useful tool.

“Please abandon the idea that black magic is inherently evil.”

If anything, black magic’s origins weren’t even for bad purposes.

“…I’ll let it slide for now.”

Haha, I win.

“Then are there no more clauses to add?”

“More to add? Hmm… ah.”

I told him to wait a moment, then added one more number at the very bottom of the contract.

「6. While serving as the Grand Duke’s exclusive mage, Party A shall absolutely, absolutely never threaten Party B’s life.」

I almost forgot the most important one.

This is essential.

After checking the contents, Kaierus picked up his pen.

“Then I’ll add one too.”

「7. If Party B is dismissed due to clear fault attributable to Party B, Party A may punish Party B at his discretion.」

“…What is this?”

“An encouragement to do well.”

It doesn’t seem like a simple encouragement to do well…

“What, you don’t like it? If you don’t, the contract is void.”

“No! I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

I desperately stopped Kaierus as he moved to take the contract. That smirking face couldn’t have been more infuriating.

He’s like a wicked employer.

After a brief struggle, Kaierus signed the contract first. He pushed it toward me and said.

“There, the contract is now established.”

“Good.”

I also signed next to his name and nodded in satisfaction.

I’m saved. Now I just need to humor him appropriately, wear out his interest, and go home.

Drenched in the emotion of finally being safe, I failed to notice Kaierus’s expression.

“Now, then…”

He stood up and pulled the bell cord. Even then, I was staring intently at the contract like it was my lifeline.

“Did you call, Your Highness.”

“Bring a new desk and chair to this room right now.”

…Huh?

What did you say?