TSSAH 09

Chapter 09

“Did I… do something wrong?”

“The poison you were exposed to today, Operative Aines, is a deadly toxin called ‘Varga.’ Fortunately, the wound was small, and the first aid was quick, but honestly, it wouldn’t have been strange if you had died on the spot. It was serious enough to require a top-grade antidote.”

“Ah.”

Thank goodness. It seemed I hadn’t been discovered by Valeska Hinchel. And I thought I understood what she was trying to say.

“A top-grade antidote.”

Top-grade antidotes are expensive. Excessively so for a mere low-ranking operative.

“I’m sorry, but if you could arrange for the cost of the antidote to be deducted from my monthly salary…”

“I don’t do that.”

Suddenly irritated, Dr. Hinchel spun around and left the room. I could even hear her shout, “The cost of the antidote, honestly!” from outside.

So she wasn’t asking for money?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Deacon Gold let out a small laugh.

“Dr. Hinchel probably just wanted to tell you to be more careful in the future. Despite how she seems, she’s a caring person with a lot of worries.”

“Worries?”

Valeska Hinchel wasn’t one of the seven executives, but she was certainly part of Knox’s leadership. And she was worried about a disposable grunt? That was like lamenting the washing soap wearing out.

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment, but Deacon Gold went a step further.

“It’s not just Dr. Hinchel. I was worried you might get hurt too, Runelck.”

He even gently patted my shoulder.

“Runelck, you’re my savior. If the Green Guild Master had actually succeeded in harming His Grace, the Duke…”

The handsome blonde furrowed his brow slightly, as if the thought alone was terrifying.

“The Gold family does not forget a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Runelck.”

The head of the Knox Merchant Guild, famous for bleeding every last coin out of his business partners. The ruthless Deacon Gold who personally set fire to a farm owner’s wheat field for trying to cheat him with false prices, burning an entire vast plain to ashes… wasn’t he?

As I was at a loss for words, wondering if this handsome man with sparkling, slightly downturned eyes and a gentle smile was really the Deacon Gold I knew…

*Knock, knock.*

The visitor was DuPont Clancher. The large man, whose frame filled the entire doorway, had a noticeably tired complexion.

“…You’re awake.”

“Ah, Mr. DuPont, you’ve come.”

Deacon Gold rose from his seat and offered a respectful greeting. Even among Knox’s seven executives, there was a hierarchy. Deacon Gold currently ranked fifth. In front of DuPont Clancher, the first-ranked executive and Killian Knox’s right hand, he showed considerable discipline.

DuPont gave a slight nod to acknowledge Deacon Gold’s greeting, then turned his gaze to me.

“Hello.”

“Yes, you are Runelck Aines, from the operational unit.”

His sharp eyes scanned me from within his deeply tired gaze. Yes, it would be suspicious. A random low-ranking operative had stopped an assassin trying to kill the Duke. If something like this had happened in Wickes, they’d have strung me up alongside the assassin and interrogated me.

“You’re the operative who drew the Duke’s bathwater.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

What a demon. I’d only passed by him briefly, and he still remembered that. Had they used the good medicine on me with the intention of keeping me alive for questioning? Just as I was thinking that Knox was truly an opponent one couldn’t let their guard down around—

“Well done.”

DuPont Clancher frowned and pressed his temples firmly as he spoke.

“I bring word from His Grace, commending Operative Aines’ courage and sacrifice.”

Courage? Sacrifice?

I blinked at these words that didn’t suit me at all, and Deacon Gold seemed to interpret my reaction a bit differently.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed, Runelck. Throwing yourself into danger for your lord is not something just anyone can do. You deserve the praise.”

Ah, so instead of subduing the assassin thanks to my weakened body from the gender change, it became a story of me recklessly jumping into a dangerous situation. I had intervened because it was urgent, but for me, who had to pretend to be a mere operative, it was actually fortunate.

Anyway, that was fine, but they hadn’t told me the most important thing.

“Um, but how is His Grace…”

“His Grace is a very busy man.”

DuPont Clancher cut me off sharply.

“What you did today was quite commendable, but it’s not something that warrants His Grace’s personal visit.”

“No, I was just going to ask if His Grace was unharmed…”

What’s with the attitude?

DuPont Clancher paused for a moment, as if realizing his mistake, then rubbed his haggard face. See? This is why people need to sleep.

“Yes, I see. That’s what you meant. His Grace is unharmed.”

As he said this, he cast a quiet glance at Deacon Gold, and Deacon Gold, receiving that look, turned pale. It seemed something was going on.

“I’m truly relieved to hear he’s safe.”

*Not my business, though.* As long as Killian Knox’s life was intact, that was all that mattered.

“Runelck truly holds His Grace in deep respect!”

Deacon Gold’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

“Of course, His Grace is stronger than anyone, but it’s the heart of a loyal subordinate to want to keep their lord safe, even if he is the strongest!”

*It seems you’re the one who genuinely respects and admires Killian Knox…*

“That’s right. His Grace is an important person.”

At least, he was an indispensable part of my comfortable escape life. With a ‘whatever’ mindset, I gave a vague nod, and Deacon Gold’s smile bloomed even wider. He seemed to think he’d found a kindred spirit.

“Your bonus will be issued shortly.”

“Bonus?”

A smile bloomed on my face too. *Killian Knox, I thought you were stingy, but you know how to play ball!*

“I only did what I had to. Thank you very much!”

I made sure not to refuse it. What if they actually took it back? Instead, I grinned without hiding my scheming thoughts, and DuPont Clancher’s expression turned peculiar.

“…A real kid.”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind. Get some rest.”

With that, DuPont left the room.

“If you’re curious about the bonus amount, shall I find out for you in advance?”

“That’s not necessary, but… how much do you think it’ll be?”

“Hmm, typically…”

Listening to Deacon Gold’s voice with half an ear, I stared at the spot where DuPont had stood. A faint scent of blood lingered where he had been.

“Runelck, what did I tell you earlier?”

“You said if I get a stomach ache or feel unwell, I must pull the cord and ring the bell without fail.”

That won’t be necessary. Toxins like Varga can cause various aftereffects, but that’s for ordinary people who’ve never been exposed to poison. I’m resistant to most poisons, and I even took a top-grade antidote—there’s no way problems will arise later.

“I’m glad you remember. Don’t stubbornly endure it. Got it?”

“Yes, Doctor.”

When I nodded obediently, Valeska Hinchel let out a small sigh.

“Operative Runelck Aines, how old did you say you were?”

“Eighteen.”

“Eighteen is an adult, then.”

The laws of the Bernheim Empire considered one an adult from the day after their eighteenth birthday. So Runelck Aines was indeed an adult. Yet Dr. Hinchel muttered sullenly.

“Bringing in kids this young…”

I smiled and tried to appease her, not wanting to keep listening to the doctor’s complaints in a dark hospital room.

“I’m really fine, so please go home, Doctor. It’s already late.”

“Fine. See you tomorrow.”

Dr. Hinchel waved her hand and disappeared.

*Click.*

As soon as I heard the door close, I flopped back onto the bed. It was wonderfully soft and cozy.

“Even the beds in Knox’s infirmary are nice.”

The sickbeds in Wickes, where I’d stayed several times, had been nothing but hard and uncomfortable.

*’I did well.’*

I commended my past self for choosing Knox as a hiding place after killing Benedict Wickes. Over the past year, I’d found Knox a surprisingly livable place. The organization was well-structured, and because it was much larger than Wickes, there were appropriately loose areas. The operational unit I belonged to was one of them.

*’Above all, they’re quite generous to their members.’*

I smiled, gently stroking the soft bedding with my fingers. It was irritating that the infirmary blankets were more luxurious than the ones in my quarters, but at least I’d sleep more comfortably tonight. That was enough.

I’d live comfortably for a few years like this, then slip away. By then, that bastard Edward’s thirst for revenge would have cooled somewhat. He couldn’t keep Wickes’ manpower stationed around ports and train stations forever. So I could bide my time, change my identity again, and cross over to the Western Continent. I had a relative who’d gone to the Western Continent a long time ago, I think… What was their name again?

As the endless thread of thoughts trailed off, drowsiness crept in. With every blink of my heavy eyelids, the dim ceiling appeared and disappeared.

*’What was that scent of blood?’*

I suddenly recalled the faint smell of blood emanating from DuPont Clancher earlier. It didn’t seem like he was injured; it seemed like the scent had soaked into his clothes and hair without him realizing it. Had Killian Knox been hurt? I’d been too busy with first aid to check Killian Knox’s condition.

*’…He’s probably alive.’*

DuPont Clancher himself had said so, after all.

With that final thought, I drifted off to sleep. Perhaps because of the exhausting day, or perhaps because of the comfortable bedding, I think I had a good dream.

At least, until I heard the footsteps approaching with bated breath.

*Swish, swish-swoosh.*