I glanced to my right again, where I found Gol right up against my arm, unwilling to move.
I see. So you also noticed the ambush in the mist.
Was that why she lingered instead of charging, so she could protect me from these uncertain foes? My kindhearted partner was worried about her weak master and couldn’t leave him.
Just as I was about to pat Gol’s head to comfort her, Mr. Chotos began his negotiation. “Ginem Bari, your business is with me. I have the shop’s deed right here!”
Oh? By offering the deed to his shop, Mr. Chotos was playing his ace. For a stingy old man, he was being quite generous.
“I apologize for the disgrace the uproar in Tibar brought to the Company. But, you know, this golem wielder here is simply a bodyguard I hired. He attacked Dazu and his group on my order, and I even forced him to come with me to Zibil, even though he was unwilling. This guy doesn’t want any serious trouble with the Company, none at all!” he declared.
“H-hey, mister…?” I said. What was with that excuse? I didn’t really get what he was trying to do, but going by his tone, wouldn’t they mistake me for some cheap jerk who acted only for the sake of money? Furthermore, did he think my pride would allow me to obediently follow the orders of someone like him? I refuse to allow you to spew such slanderous gibberish about me. Listen here, hurry up and take it back!
However, Mr. Chotos ignored my silent glare of protest and continued. “The only person who acted against the Company is me.”
Mr. Chotos squeezed his eyes shut and took a short breath. Then he opened his eyes to glare at the spellcasters. “In exchange for the safety of the other three, I’ll give you the deed, and I’ll have my bodyguard stand down. It’s not a bad deal, right? In a fight like this, half of you won’t go home at all, unless in pieces. As fellow spellcasters, you must see this man’s strength can’t be underestimated.”
To a degree, Mr. Chotos’s expression was ghastly, even menacing. You would never have imagined such a face on the pitiful man who turned pale while being threatened by punks.
Ah, on closer inspection, Mr. Chotos’s legs were shaking… But, well, this was a good performance for someone like him. I just had this nagging feeling that Mr. Chotos had resolved himself for something terrible.
“If it’s revenge you want, I’ll go to the Company with you. After that…I don’t care what you do.”
Just as I thought. But mister, unfortunately, I don’t think the unappealing body of a middle-aged man like yourself has any real worth.
While I was processing my sensible and composed analysis, Mr. Chotos turned to me, his face full of conviction. Then, staring directly into my eyes, he said, “Nemaki…take care of Teru for me.”
“Excuse me?” I gaped. What the heck are you saying? You truly are an authentic idiot. Knocked me right off my feet. What kind of person tosses away guardianship and asks a stranger to raise their precious daughter?!
While I exploded internally with sensible and composed anger, Ginem Bari’s shoulders began to shake.
“Pfft, he he.” He was laughing. “He he. Oh wow, Mister…um, Mr. Chotos, right? That was a truly admirable show of self-sacrifice. But, you know, you’re just crashing our party.”
“Wh-what…? What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Mr. Chotos, I’m afraid that you’re in no position to negotiate.”
Just as I’d thought. These guys had no intention of talking things over and never had. They probably thought they could do whatever they wanted now that they’d pinned me and Gol between the clowns and their lurking ambush.
“Pl-please hear out my request. I’ll do whatever you want. So, please, just those three…” Mr. Chotos continued to desperately cling to the possibility of a trade. He really didn’t know when to give up. Even when he was half-dead, he had clung to that punk’s leg when he attempted to embezzle all the sorcery cores.
Had this man been so persistent when he tried to court the wife from whom Teru had clearly inherited all her genes? Actually, in that case…maybe I needed to devote myself to learning from him?
Just as I was beginning to seriously consider adopting Mr. Chotos’s courting techniques, Ginem Bari’s eyes moved from Mr. Chotos to me.
“In the first place, Mr. Chotos… Just between the two of us, my client didn’t give me any orders about retrieving a deed or securing you. My top priority is to eliminate the wielder of the red-eyed golem over there.” Ginem Bari looked at me and snickered. “I guess that means he must have done quite a number on my client.”
Eh? Me?!
Well, that could well have been true. My Gol did bite the hell out of those subcontractors the other day. That had been an accident brought forth by my carelessness as her owner, and I was truly sorry. That suspicious, dashing branch manager hadn’t said anything at the office, but I guess he really had been furious on the inside.
“I beg of you. Please think it over. Everything has been my fault. He wouldn’t be involved if it weren’t for me!” Mr. Chotos cried.
“Well, I’m also here because I’m being paid a great deal of money. Obviously, I’d like to take it seriously. Pfft, he he,” Ginem Bari cackled in amusement.
On the other hand, Mr. Chotos was now literally crying.
This man really does cry a lot… You should learn from your Teru’s mental fortitude. Look, that little girl isn’t crying even now, see?
I turned to check on Teru. She was clinging to me, and although she wasn’t crying, she had crouched down, frozen in place. Ah. She was nervous after all.
Well, duh. Of course she would be scared. Her pitiful papa had broken down in tears… However, when Teru noticed I had turned to her, she stared up at me with her big, round eyes.
I was taken aback. This young girl’s eyes were unwaveringly bright. Augh. No good. These were the eyes of someone with complete faith. It was as if she were looking at a champion of justice who would never lose.
How could this be? This five-year-old who looked like a three-year-old couldn’t conceive of the possibility that I would lose. Ah, was this the reason why she hadn’t yet cried?!
Her faith was too heavy. I was being crushed by this innocent child’s eyes.
Please wait, Teru. I just mooch off Gol. I’m a mooching Sorcerer King who’s only good for refereeing. You must not put your trust in such a useless man!