“Hey, Maxwell… will this method truly work?”
****
Approximately half an hour earlier…
“Hmm, it should… as long as the Sword Princess truly comes to this tavern…”
“Tch—it’s still uncertain in the end. But never mind that; even if that Blonde Sword Princess doesn’t show up, the promised reward must not be a single coin less!”
…………
Maxwell’s lips twitched unnaturally. He gently pressed his temples, rubbing them, and replied in a low voice: “Don’t worry, you won’t be shorted a single coin. If you perform well, there’ll even be a bonus.”
“But before that, could you please mind your manners? Nobles… nobles, is a thuggish aura the only thing you possess? Could you at least pretend to be worthy of the clothes you’re wearing now?”
“Uh… Maxwell, don’t worry! See, the Blonde Sword Princess isn’t here yet, is she? Once she arrives, we brothers will absolutely cooperate with you! Haha—it’s just playing noble young masters bullying people, right?”
…………
‘Damn it… should I truly expect more from a bunch of idlers who were just loitering on the streets yesterday?’
‘Sigh… can these guys truly pull this off?’
Maxwell found himself truly exasperated with this lot. ‘Sigh… may the gods grant they aren’t playing a joke on me.’
After all, this matter concerned the entire trajectory of his future life. Missing this opportunity would mean never again having such an easily attainable chance.
“But seriously, Maxwell, does that Blonde Sword Princess really possess such great ability? Is she worth all this trouble you’re going through?”
“Heh heh… how great is her ability?”
Maxwell wasn’t sure how to answer that question.
‘Because, frankly, that scene in the Netherworld Forest was nothing short of a miracle!’
Any ornate language felt meaningless in describing it, for it represented the ultimate essence of what was called ‘magic.’ Before a technique infused with the Saintess’s complete belief, hope, and dreams…
…everything was destined to vanish, consumed by her fiercely burning crimson holy flame.
After a moment’s thought, Maxwell still smiled.
“Alright, since you’ve asked, allow me to ask you in return. How do you believe one should measure a person’s ability—or rather, their ‘worth,’ their ‘significance’? Is it by their wealth, their power, or the strength of their personal might?”
“Haha—that’s power, of course! Haven’t you seen how arrogant those noble lords are, even when they don’t have much money?”
However, this answer was immediately met with objections from others at the table.
“No, I think it’s money. With money, anything can be achieved, right?”
“Personal strength is also very important, isn’t it? After all, with strength, money and power aren’t difficult to acquire, are they?”
“Hmm, that actually makes sense… indeed, having all three is truly the best!”
………………..
Good heavens, chattering away, chattering away! Once this topic came up, these fellows truly became quite gossipy.
Maxwell wasn’t sure if he should interrupt their conversation at this moment. ‘Sigh…’
‘They are indeed just a bunch of common folk…’
‘Well, since I’m bored anyway, I might as well go for a stroll and wait for the Sword Princess to return…’
“Re-re-re-report—there’s, there’s a—”
…………
“Holy hell, can you speak slower, damn it!?”
“Uh… yes, yes, it’s like this: there’s, there’s a blonde girl who looks exactly like Maxwell’s description, and she’s, she’s walking towards here…”
“What!?”
‘At this very moment!?’
Not only was Maxwell startled, but even the tavern patrons who had been incessantly chattering and arguing moments ago snapped out of their chaotic state.
“Tsk… no time for hesitation. Everyone, get ready!”
Phew…………
“Hahahaha! Come on, everyone, eat and drink to your heart’s content! Tonight’s tab is all on me!”
“Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh!—”
……………………………………………………..
‘No problem, no problem at all…’
Yes, everything was proceeding smoothly, precisely according to Maxwell’s plan.
The only deviation was that the Sword Princess’s attire seemed significantly different today, particularly her hairstyle. Yet, overall, she appeared much as she had last time.
She wore a white-toned gown, her delicate face sculpted like a work of art. A hint of unwavering resolve marked her brow, giving her a masculine, heroic air.
Her entire being exuded an aura of noble aloofness, like a violet that warned others to keep their distance. Yes, it was magnificent! This was a presence unique to her alone!
However, Maxwell was slightly surprised that Leya didn’t recognize him immediately. In fact… she seemed somewhat flustered, as if she wanted to leave.
‘Hmm, perhaps I was too presumptuous. The Sword Princess must not understand what’s happening here, right? Right, it must be like that, mustn’t it!?’
‘Otherwise, think about it: how could a girl as righteous, kind, and angelic as the Sword Princess simply stand by and do nothing about me?’
“Maxwell! Tsk tsk, it’s actually you!”
“Who on earth allowed you in here? A noble gathering like this isn’t for a former—noble, a disgraceful fellow like you!”
………………
‘Did… did it work?’
At this moment, it wasn’t just Maxwell; even the entire room of actors he had hired were dryly swallowing, their eyes fixed on Leya, awaiting her reaction.
“Max… well?”
She… she spoke!!!—
Leya finally halted, casting her gaze over with a hint of confusion.
“You are… Maxwell?”
“Uh… yes… yes!”
…………
‘Nervous, so nervous…’
‘For some reason, even though everything was proceeding exactly as planned, still…’
…whenever he met Leya’s sharp, sword-like gaze, Maxwell would always feel an inexplicable sense of panic.
“I see… come upstairs with me… Maxwell…”
“Eh… eh eh eh eh eh!?”
‘Upstairs… does ‘come upstairs’ mean to the Sword Princess’s room?’
‘Ahhh… the Sword Princess truly doesn’t play by the rules; she’s far too direct! But—but I wasn’t ready yet!’
“Hmm? You don’t want to?”
“Uh… no… no, no, I do, I do! Of course I do, Sword Princess!”