The next morning.
Darkness rubbed her aching head and slowly sat up.
"What happened last night…"
"…"
After a moment, the memories came flooding back.
And so did the shame.
Her face flushed deep red.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
"Just kill me already, oh my god!!!"
Why… why did this happen?!
Darkness still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that the owner of the Labyrinth shop was actually Chishiya!
And he knew everything about her!
Just remembering it made her want to bury herself alive.
Wasn't he supposed to be a Hero Candidate?!
How—how could this be happening…
Oh no oh no oh no oh no—!!!
She clutched her head, unable to face reality.
Though she hadn't died physically, she had absolutely suffered social death.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Chishiya walked in.
"You're awake?"
He poured her a glass of water and handed it over.
Darkness blinked and took it, flustered.
"Th-thank you…"
Chishiya poured another cup for himself and took a sip.
"I think things are clear now, Miss Lalatina."
Darkness froze.
She was about to retort, but then realized.
Right. He introduced himself with his real name from the start.
It wasn't weird for him to know hers.
She gripped the cup tightly.
"Please… don't tell anyone my name is that…"
Chishiya raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Because… it's embarrassing…"
Chishiya set down his cup and nodded solemnly.
"True. A perverted knight with a name that sounds like a refined noble lady…"
"That's rough."
PFFFT—!!!
Darkness sprayed water all over the floor.
Cough, cough, cough!
She choked on his sudden bluntness.
Something's off.
Something is very off.
She wiped her mouth and glared at him.
Chishiya continued calmly.
"I don't know what your current goals are."
"But Miss Darkness, are you interested in joining us?"
He looked directly at her.
He was mainly targeting the recruitment bonus.
The 25% profit boost from noble trading was huge.
And the enhanced physical durability was a bonus.
The only downside… was the brain damage.
Darkness blinked.
Is he trying to recruit me…?
"I'm sorry, Chishiya-san…"
She stood up and bowed politely.
"Thank you for saving me—twice—but I have no intention of doing business right now."
"I want to remain an adventurer."
"But as repayment—"
"I swear on the name of House Dustiness—if you ever need help, our family will support you to the best of our ability."
Chishiya said nothing.
Internally: How is that not the same as just joining me?!
He crossed one leg over the other and leaned forward.
"Miss Lalatina. You wouldn't want your family to learn about your personal preferences, right?"
"You wouldn't want their reputation damaged."
Darkness flinched.
"Eh?!"
Then realization hit her.
"You… you're threatening me?!"
Chishiya shook his head. "No. This is a negotiation."
"Of course, if you don't accept, then yes, it's a threat."
Darkness stared at him in disbelief.
He made the threat sound so reasonable… like it was just business.
Without even blinking.
This guy's supposed to be a Hero Candidate?!
He's a total monster!
…No.
This kind of person must not be introduced to Her Highness Iris!
Princess Iris is still young. She wouldn't be able to handle someone like this!
As her loyal subject, it is my duty to monitor him!
Yes. That's right.
Surveillance only.
Totally not for any other reason.
Darkness turned red.
"Chishiya, I didn't think you were this type of person…"
"You're actually blackmailing me using my family…"
"For their sake, I have no choice but to say yes…"
"…How despicable."
Chishiya: "???"
Why does it sound like you're enjoying this?
Chishiya sighed. "Despicable? I saved you twice, didn't I?"
"If anything, I should be calling you despicable, Miss Lalatina."
Darkness blushed harder. "Please don't call me that!"
Chishiya's expression remained flat.
"If you don't agree, I'll reveal your real name and your little shopping habits to the entire town by tomorrow."
"YOU BASTARD—!!!"
Darkness grabbed him by the collar and shook him like crazy.
But after a moment, she released her grip.
…Fine. He was her benefactor.
And summoned by Princess Iris.
She couldn't disrespect him too much.
"Fine. I'll do it."
"But Chishiya, I'm a Crusader and a devout Eris follower."
"Even if I work for you, I'll keep a close eye on you. I won't allow any funny business!"
Chishiya nodded. "Relax. We're a legal company. No shady activity here."
[Ding!]
[Recruitment reward obtained:]
1. Knight's Body: Greatly increases host's physical durability.
2. Kingdom Nobles: Increases profits by 25% when selling Labyrinth goods to nobles.
---
"Improved physical durability?"
That sounds… vague.
He'd test it out later.
But the second effect? Very useful.
Expanding trade to the capital would mean massive profits from those rich nobles.
Chishiya stood up.
He didn't care what she was thinking—as long as he got the rewards, it was fine.
"If you've agreed, come with me."
"We've got a company meeting."
"…Huh?"
——————————
At the end of the hallway, in the meeting room.
Before they even opened the door, yelling could be heard from inside.
Chishiya rubbed his temples and pushed the door open.
Around a round table.
On the left.
Two Crimson Demon girls were going at it.
Megumin had both hands on Yunyun's collar and was shaking her violently.
"Damn it! You've grown again recently!!!"
"You'll never make it as my apprentice with a body like that! It's a waste of materials!"
Yunyun fought back.
"Stop blaming me for your own lack of development!"
"Ow, ow, ow! Don't pull! It's going to rip!"
"And I still haven't officially said I want to be your apprentice, y'know! Huihui, take it easy!"
On the right.
Vanir and Aqua were in a heated debate.
Neither backing down.
Vanir: "Hah?!"
"You're a third-rate Chief High Priest with pitiful magic. What use are you to this company?"
Aqua propped one foot on a chair and jabbed Vanir's crumbling form.
"Ahhh~! Demon-lord-wannabe, your entire body's falling apart!"
Vanir chuckled behind his mask.
"This is just a clay body."
"But for a novice priest, you're doing alright."
Aqua twitched.
"What did you just say?!"
Vanir: "I said— Hey! Don't pull my mask while I'm talking!"
Wiz and Kazuma tried to mediate.
"Please, everyone calm down…"
Darkness stood frozen at the doorway.
The company atmosphere was… not what she expected.
Chishiya rubbed his forehead and slapped the table.
"Hey. Sit down."
Silence.
The noisy meeting room went dead quiet.
Everyone turned to Chishiya.
No matter how chaotic things got…
They still respected him.
Aqua pointed.
"Chishiya-san! Why are demons like that guy here?!"
"And that lich too! What are they doing in our company?!"
"Eh? M-Miss Aqua…" Wiz shrank into herself.
Vanir scoffed.
"I'm a high-tier demon who just negotiated a 100 million Eris deal."
"You? You're not even qualified to be called entry-level."
Aqua gritted her teeth. "You bastard!"
(To be continued.)
***
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