Chapter 10: Moral RetivismDay 8

  Comfortable in the fact that I don’t need sves to survive here, I head off to An’s sve shop. Maybe this is an I-can-quit-anytime situation, but just because I can make it on my own doesn’t mean that I have to. With a rexed attitude, I decide to just take a look around and maybe browse through the discount bin… ugh, that’s not a good analogy when dealing with real people.

  “Good morning, Mr. Moreau. Happy to see you’ve come back. Are you seeking a new partner?”

  “Yes, An, I am. This time, I need a thoroughly dependable colleague to accompany me to the byrinth.”

  “Good choice. We’re sure to have just the right sve for you. Female, I presume?”

  “No, too many complications. I’ll try a male sve this time. Someone strong and capable.” (And maybe fewer expectations.)

  “Oh? Ah, yes. I understand. I’ll find a good man for you.”

  “Um, for the byrinths…”

  “Of course. He’ll be ready for anything you might need.”

  “…just the byrinths.”

  “Discretion above all else, I assure you.”

  Dude, you’ve got a one-track mind, which probably works for the vast majority of his clientele. There’s no way to get past his assumptions at this point, but honestly, why bother? “Sure, lead the way.”

  Already filtered by nguage and fighting ability, I found several reasonable candidates. I chose three to speak to individually.

  The first guy was a 25-year-old, level 18 Warrior, who looked strong, but a bit on the heavy side (maybe 90+).

  The next was a 17-year-old, level 14 Swordsman. He appeared lean and muscur, but… he kept staring at me. At first, I thought he was just showing keen resolve, but it’s starting to feel like flirtation — just what the hell did An tell these guys?

  The third was a 23-year-old, level 17 Swordsman. A bit thin and wiry and probably quite quick on his feet. All three of them were nearly my height, which seemed to be the standard for An’s male, combat-oriented sves.

  Anyway, I had no doubt that any of these guys would be immediately helpful in the byrinths. The first and third are debt sves and evidently know each other. The second guy… actually, I don’t care. Sorry, but I don’t need more drama.

  I was about to pick the first guy as a tank when An interjected, “Mr. Moreau, if you’ll excuse the impertinence, do you think you’d be able to accommodate two men?”

  “Um, say what?”

  Pointing to the first and third, “These two sves have a strong wish to remain together. So much so, that they resist attempts to find pces for them individually. I’m willing to offer a considerable discount if you’re able to accept the pair. They would normally be at least 200,000 each, but I’m willing to reduce the cost of the second by half.”

  “Certainly unexpected, but it’s a possibility. I’d like to speak to the two of them together.”

  The three of us sat down and An left the room. I could easily afford both since dudes are cheap in a world with sve-girl harems. The issue, of course, will be group dynamics. I don’t want to viote their personal privacy, but I need to know what’s going on. So, how will I be able to put this delicately?

  “Marcus, Theo, are you two a couple?”

  The elder, Marcus, replied, “Um, yes, Sir, but we’re prepared to accommodate…”

  “Thanks, but that’s not why I’m asking. Your reactions suggest that the retionship is mutual and steady. I need dependable vanguards willing and able to join me in the byrinths. Your private lives will otherwise be your own. In particur, I have no need for servants or attendants of any kind.”

  “Really? Well, that’d be great. Couldn’t ask for more. I was sure that…”

  “Also, I may eventually add women to the party. Would that be a problem for either of you?”

  “No, Sir, not at all. We get along with women just fine. Both of us have sisters and all. We just don’t, you know.”

  “Perfect. I’d like to avoid such conflicts within the party.”

  Theo confirmed, “Absolutely not an issue with us.”

  “Well, as long as your personal retionship doesn’t interfere with the party, I’ll be happy to accept the two of you.”

  Now that the interview was over, they left and were soon repced by the sve merchant. Making certain that my trade cheat was cranked up, I announced, “An, they seem like fine additions to my party. I’ll take both.”

  “Good, good. As a special thanks for accepting these special conditions, the total will be 210,000 Nars.”

  “Perfect. I happen to have that much with me right now.” (As well as over 300k more.)

  “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Moreau.”

  We went through the now-routine ceremony, with no mention of release on master’s death or other such bleeding-heart foolishness. One little attempted murder was evidently enough to overturn my morals.

  Then came the reading of the EULA: Care and Feeding of Your New Sve. I must’ve heard it when I got Tessa, but it’s just like any other fine-print — completely ignorable.

  I avoided showing my card to the new guys, not that they cared. Honestly, they looked as pleased as can be. Frankly, so was I. Two sves who won’t pursue me or our future party members was better than I could’ve expected. Funny that it was An’s misunderstanding that led to this fantastic outcome.

  I should feel guilty or at least uncomfortable about buying sves, again, but somehow, I’m perfectly fine with it. I’ll just be their employer… actually, that’s pretty much true and not just some self-delusional rationalization. In comparison to buying young women, getting these guys is practically respectable — picking the lesser of two heinous acts is certainly a virtue. [1]

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  As we walked out of the sve house, I spotted some creepy guy skulking in the alley across the road. He was actually pretty easy to spot, just staring at me like that. Hmm, a low-level Bandit who seems to recognize me, certainly from one of my recent social engagements.

  This… this is wonderful! A golden opportunity. My level is high enough. I have the guys here for support in case it goes bad (as long as I survive). I can do this. I must do this. I’m doing this.

  I pulled out the pair of shoes I brought with me and took off my own. “Guys, go ahead and wear these. I think I recognize that guy, but he might feel intimidated around you two. I’ll be right back.”

  Don’t know if it’ll help, but I quickly swapped out my trade cheats to bump up my INT and SPI stats. I checked that my recovery pills were handy and walked towards my old pal while calling out, “Hey, were you friends with Hugo?”

  Possibly not understanding the details of what I said, but my appearance and shouting the name Hugo seemed to be enough for him to determine exactly who I was.

  With apparently no regard to the surroundings or his own safety, the Bandit drew his sword and ran towards me while screaming something unpleasant-sounding in Valic, I assume.

  Still smiling, I waited until he approached within five meters. Ensuring that no one else was nearer, I silently cast my insanely risky Equivalent Exchange, the same spell that the former protagonist had used.

  With no warning, the target instantaneously reduced to little more than a red fog. Nothing substantial was left besides his sword and armor, which continued to move forward with their remaining momentum.

  As spectacur as the event appeared, the effect wasn’t any louder than a popping water balloon. Only the cnging of the fallen sword and armor broke the retive silence… until the bystanders started screaming. Good to know they aren’t that jaded.

  Spattered with blood, I fell to my knees. Fortunately, it seemed to be all his, not my own. I quickly downed a couple recovery pills and closed my eyes to try to stop the spinning. Not even having to fake my disorientation, I asked no one in particur, “What the hell just happened?”

  Marcus and Theo came running over. Marcus kept an eye out for other threats and Theo checked me for injuries. Damn, these guys are great — like an experienced security detail. Sorry to worry them (especially with the master’s death cuse in the sve contract), but this was a fantastic fire drill. I managed to find a couple keepers.

  Barely a minute ter, An came out to check on the commotion, probably alerted by his doorman.

  “Oh dear, Mr. Moreau, were you involved in this? What happened here?”

  “It was all so sudden. I thought I recognized someone and then… Poof! Blood everywhere. I’m still a bit dazed. Marcus, did you see what happened?”

  “Yes, Sir. As soon as Master started talking to him, the guy flew into a mad rage. He screamed something like ‘You killed him’, and just a moment ter, the guy simply exploded. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before.”

  “Well, sounds like this vilin attacked with full intent to kill you, even at his own peril. But thankfully, he fumbled. Do you know who he was?”

  “Not certain, but he may have been connected to the brigands I fought recently.”

  “Odd for such a man to have such a terrible device, but makes sense if it was a personal matter. Regardless, I’m pleased that you managed to survive such a ruthless attack.”

  I really don’t know if An actually believed that a lowly thug had an Orb of Self-destruction or if he was simply covering for me. For all I know, An could have the same skill as I do so recognizes the bst pattern. Either way, I felt confident that he would take the side of a paying customer rather than that of some unknown smudge on the street.

  “Thanks. I’d better go clean up and get some rest.”

  A couple of An’s servants came out with buckets and brooms to clear the street. They certainly wouldn’t want a mess like this in front of their fine establishment.

  “Master, I’m so sorry we failed you. It was just so sudden.”

  “No, there’s nothing to forgive because nothing could have been done. Besides, you’re not meant to be my bodyguards outside of the byrinths. This was simply a freak occurrence. Hopefully never to happen again.”

  Thankfully, the after-effects weren’t nearly as bad as I had feared. All that grinding has really paid off. The guys helped me to a nearby well and dumped a few buckets of cold water over my head. I sat down on a bench and sent Theo to fetch a few meat-skewers for us while Marcus kept watch.

  I closed my eyes and checked my stats — the cherished Mage job has appeared. I quickly activated it in pce of Monk. Ah, it’s finally here. I’d like to try it out immediately, but recovery comes first.

  (Thanks for your sacrifice, you murderous little thug.) Of course, I don’t expect he’d be pleased to receive my thanks. In all honesty, his rage was completely understandable and possibly even justified, but the Bandit job isn’t given to good guys. At least, I hope not. My working theory is that Bandits are Thieves who’ve used physical violence or even murder in their crimes.

  Still, I wish I could have asked this guy something that had been bothering me for a while: Why would Hugo attack a farming vilge at dawn? Isn’t that when farmers are most prepared? Don’t most violent criminals work at night? It would seem that dawn should be about their worst time. Unfortunately, I just killed what may have been the st person who could tell me.

  After recovering and drying off a bit, we made our way to the inn while I tried to avoid the sharper stones. I’d never bothered to move out of my double room so I gave it to the guys and reserved a single for myself — I may be open-minded, but not quite enough to share a room with a couple. Well, if they were girls… better not go there. Hmm, I should pay a visit to Tuuli tonight.

  I changed into dry clothes and asked the guys to pick out whatever weapons they wanted from the rge pile I’d collected. I gave them Tessa’s and Tuuli’s barely-used, magically auto-fitting armor (without telling them the source), gloves and leather helmets. I put on my spare boots and armor while they were still sifting through the swords.

  While waiting, I decided to check what we’ve got to deal with here. I added them to my party and sifted through their lists of avaible jobs. Their current jobs were good for now, but Marcus could eventually be switched to Knight. Good that neither of them had criminal jobs though I would have overlooked simple thievery.

  “Guys, if you have everything you need, let’s take a quick trip to the byrinth.”

  “Really, Boss? Are you sure you’re alright?”

  “Theo, you fool, call him ‘Master’.”

  “Nah, I prefer ‘Boss’ — it’s less creepy. Anyway, thanks for your concern, but I’ve rested long enough. Let’s go.”

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  [1] Not sure if it works that way when “no svery” is still an option.