'Sister Sorte. I've brought you a mercenary who is willing to take your request.

　Father Fukumimi led me to a room that seemed to be the cafeteria for the people involved.

　A number of long desks that could seat more than 20 people at a time were lined up, and simple chairs were arranged along the desks without any confusion.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

Thank you. I'm sorry for bothering you.

No, it's not a big deal.

　After responding to the girl's thanks in a friendly manner, the priest left the room.

'Please be seated. I'm sorry to be in this place.

　The girl made her way to Aldis to take a seat.

　She was a short girl.
　Her appearance was blindingly fragile, and for some reason there was a hint of anxiety in her light red eyes.

It's been a long time. Thank you for saving my life that time.

　Aldis sat down in a chair and the girl stood in front of her across the desk and lowered her head.
　The pale cherry-red hair bundled behind her head swayed in time with her.

I've already been thanked many times for that time. For that matter, let's get the story over with.

　This girl - Sorte and Ardis had met in the forest of Caucasus before.
　She and five of her classmates recklessly went into the Caucasus Forest alone, and when they were in desperate need of help, Aldis and Ted rescued them.

　As long as the search and rescue is by request, as long as they are paid as promised, it's enough for a mercenary.
　Of course, a contract as a job and civility as a person would be different.
　At least this girl seems to be indebted to him for saving her.

　That's why Aldis decided to at least listen to what she had to say, even though she was unwilling to do so.
　Since the boy, who is said to be some nobleman's protégé, never once said a word of thanks, it was only natural that he would have a good impression of the girl in reaction.

'Yes.'

　When a troubled expression appeared on her face at the blunt Aldis' words, the girl in monastic clothes also sat down.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's a good idea. I don't think it's possible, but you're not going to go into the forest again without learning a lesson, are you?

No, no. That's not what I'm saying.

　At Aldis' words, Sorte hurriedly shook her head.
　As expected, she has no intention of forcing such recklessness again.

''This time it's a request regarding church service.

Work?

'Yes. Mr. Aldis, do you know about the settlement of the northern part of King's Landing?

　Recently, the Kingdom of Naglas had begun to settle the hilly region north of the capital.
　The settlement of the area with its rich veins of heavy iron was a major undertaking with the full support of the state.

Yes, I've heard about it," he said.

　No matter what, it was originally triggered by Aldis's defeat of the 'bell-neighbor' demon that inhabited the hilly area.
　It could be said that it was thanks to Aldis, and in a way, it could be said that it was Aldis' fault.

''A few settlements have been built for the purpose of developing heavy iron mines, but we don't have enough room to build a church yet, and we don't have a resident priest.

I guess so.

Therefore, the church regularly dispatches priests and sisters from the royal capital to those settlements. The roles they are sent to are appointed on a rotating basis--

　This time it was Solte's turn to do so.

'But you're still an apprentice, aren't you?　And you're a student.

That's why.

　Solte chuckled.

　Solte, who was expected to be a future saint candidate, was allowed to attend the academy in a special way, unlike the other sisters. That was an understatement to say that it was a special treatment.

　That's why you have to willingly fulfill this kind of role.
　People around her think so, and she herself seems to think it's only natural.

It's a good idea. It's hard work, being a candidate for sainthood, isn't it?

　When Aldis said, disinterestedly, the prospective saint girl gave a troubled chuckle.

''So you're asking me to escort you along the way?''

'Its ......, not exactly an escort, but ....... It's .......

　Instantly, Sorte dropped her voice awkwardly.
　By the end, I could hardly hear her.

''Eh?　What did you say?　I couldn't hear you very well because your voice was so low.

Well, I'm not an escort, ......, I'm a baggage handler.

Baggage carrier?

　Aldis rolls his eyes at the unexpected role.

'If you're not an escort and you're a baggage carrier, the priest says you can only hire one person: ......

What do you mean?　You want me to go without an escort?　That's a very reckless thing to do. Is that priest the one from earlier?

No, it's a different priest than the one who just came in.

　Sorte denied it in a hurry.

'That's the ....... We have an escort. People hired by the church. But ...... its ....... I know that as a person in the priesthood, I know it's a certain way to be ...... but I'm really ...... afraid of the guards.

　If you listen to the story, it seems that Sorte has already met with her guards.
　However, it seems that this only served to stir up her anxiety.

Then why don't you have a new bodyguard?

　Solte shook her head at Aldis' suggestion.

''If we were to change the guards now, it would cause a lot of trouble for a lot of people. However, they said they wouldn't mind if we hired one luggage carrier, so ......

Then why don't you go talk to the people who were with you then? If you're going to come along, wouldn't you rather have a kindred spirit, too?　As I recall, there was another girl there.

After that one incident, we're all banned from leaving town until we graduate.

Yeah. ......, that's what I'm talking about. Well, that's all the more important for you to know: ......

　A hundred and fifty gold coins have been paid to rescue Solte and the other five.
　No matter how much it's to save the foolish sons of nobles and candidates for sainthood, it's not an amount of money that can be laughed off.
　Naturally, the gaze directed at Solte and the others would be harsh, and it would be inevitable that they would be penalized.

''I was given special permission for this case because of my church service, but I didn't have any idea who else could fight outside besides my classmates, so ....... And even if I was allowed to accompany her, I'm not sure I'd take her with me .......

So you want me to do the job for you, huh?

''Yes. The rumors about Mr. Aldis have reached the school, so...

'I understand the situation. Well, I know it's a bit disheartening, but aren't you too concerned about it?　It's the church's hired guards, no matter how much they are. They wouldn't be strange.

　An escort request officially issued in the name of the church, and that's a job to protect a prospective saint.
　The ragtag mercenaries who can be hired for two or three pennies' worth of compensation won't be called for.
　When an unwilling Ardis said it as if it were someone else's business, Solte bit back with a face that looked like she was about to cry.

''Please. I'll take care of all your luggage. It's fine if you just follow me. If Aldis-san refuses me, I don't have anyone else to ask for help. I can't afford to make any more requests, and I have one last meeting later today before I leave. But I'm too nervous to be alone. ......

　As expected of the girl who was pleading with her eyes glazing over, Aldis couldn't refuse strongly either.
　When she reluctantly agrees to accompany the meeting, she reminds Sorte, "Whether or not you accept the request is different," she says.

　Against a child who was frightened with anxiety and desperately seeking salvation, even Aldis, as expected, couldn't shun him with cold words.



　About an hour later, the mercenaries who had been contracted to escort Sorte arrived.

　Ardis, who accompanied them to the pre-departure meeting in the cafeteria, thought there was a mistake as soon as he saw the mercenaries.

　The mercenaries were five in all.
　A swordsman with dimples and a smiling face stood at the center of the group, two axemen, and the rest were archers and a mage wind.
　At a glance, the equipment is well equipped and the way they carry themselves are not amateurs.
　They are not amateurs in their own right.

　But that's not the problem.
　Aldis raised an eyebrow because they were all young men.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the next few weeks.
　How is it possible that there is no woman in the party when there is no one to escort her?

　If there is more than one person, including a man, like a married couple or parent and child, that's fine.
　But it is unthinkable for a girl to be escorted by no women.

　The northern frontier, which Solte is heading to, is, as the name implies, the land that is currently being cultivated.
　Naturally, there is no such thing as an inn town.
　We would be forced to make camp on the road.

　In such a state, the surroundings are all young men.
　It's like leaving the protection of sheep to five wolves.

'And you?　...... Oh, you're a baggage carrier. d*mn, I didn't need that.

　The color of the men's eyes as they noticed to Ardis, as if they were looking at an interloper.

'Yeah, yeah, it's not like we've got much baggage. Just leave it all to us, Sister.

　The men smiled and began to talk to Sorte affectionately.
　But Aldis saw through it. That it was a predator's gaze, not directed at the target of the guards to be protected, but at the prey of the hunt.

　Even Aldis, a man, would notice it.
　And moreover, women are creatures that are sensitive to such a gaze.
　There is no way that Sorte would not notice it.
　It was understandable that Solte would be uneasy about this, and it was no wonder she didn't want to let a girl from her classmate accompany her.

''Kid. If you're going to stop, it's now or never. This is not a game. I won't know if you're dead.

　A dimpled man with a high-handed manner towards Aldis, as if to threaten him.

　The five of them are between twenty and twenty-five years old by the looks of it.
　It's no wonder they treat Aldis, who looks fifteen years old, like a child.

'It's not a boy. It's Ardis. At least this is still a mercenary, though.''

'Hmm, a fledgling sorcerer, huh? You'd rather wear better armor than hang a useless sword on your head.

　The dimpled man looks at Aldis's guise and judges him to be a sorcerer on his own.

　At the same time, Aldis understood that they were strangers.
　Since the defeat of the three great strong demons, Ardis has been a bit of a celebrity in the royal capital.
　Even those who had never met him in person were well known enough that if they heard the name 'Black Hair' and 'Ardis', they would immediately think of a sword magician.

　But even if these mercenaries heard the name in front of Ardis himself, they didn't respond to the sword at his waist, which is his trademark, even if they saw it.
　Perhaps they hadn't been in King's Landing for a short time, or perhaps they were a party usually based in a city other than King's Landing.

(Doubtful.)

　Ardis concluded that.

　Just because it's the royal capital, the number of mercenaries based in this city is much greater than in other cities.
　I don't know what the point is of having a stranger go out of their way to escort them, even if they are well-known mercenaries.
　Ardis couldn't understand what the people of the church thought and hired these mercenaries as guards.

(Can't we leave them alone?)

　Aldis sighed inwardly and asked Solte, who looked frightened by the men.

'So?　When do we leave?　Where to meet?

'Ah, Mr. Aldis!　So long!

　An instantaneous flush of joy comes to Sorte's eyes.

"It's no use. I'll take the offer to carry your luggage.