Chapter 9 – Interlude: Beryne's Afternoon

And so.

The young Magician with dark golden-brown hair and eyes left Sylune accompanied by his servant and an adventurer.

Beryne had much work to do.

First, she needed to contact nearby branch offices and gather those skilled in forest investigations and those capable of handling the Monsters likely to appear. By demonstrating the high demand, people would naturally gather.

Additionally, once that happened, she would need to properly assess not just the adventurers’ abilities but their character as well. If any major problems arose, it would damage Kennel’s trust in Beryne and her colleagues again.

While she had built some rapport with Kennel personally and he might tolerate a certain amount, taking that for granted would quickly exhaust his patience. Considering this, the situation at the Sylune branch still required utmost caution. She needed to skillfully manage the adventurers.

However, the outlook regarding Sylune’s lord was relatively bright. Though it didn’t directly involve Guild operations—and thus wasn’t strictly Beryne’s concern—she wholeheartedly welcomed that good people connected to the Guild and her work wouldn’t face misfortune. After all, such moments were when she found fulfillment in her job; one could say she worked hard precisely for such outcomes.

…Despite being too busy for leisure, Beryne found herself sipping tea across from Kennel in Ashley’s mansion parlor on a tranquil afternoon.

Of course, this wasn’t a social call. She wanted to confirm matters regarding her proposal.

“So—have you confirmed Ashley-sama’s intentions?”

“Yes. She agreed without hesitation. She never had friends her own age before, so she must be quite pleased.”

Kennel narrowed his eyes with a lonely expression.

“This old bones might be becoming obsolete.”

“What are you saying, sounding so discouraged? Your work is piling up, isn’t it? You play a crucial role ensuring Ashley-sama can live peacefully over there. There’s no difference—it’s still work supporting Ashley-sama from the shadows. Besides, with more adventurers coming, food supplies will increase, and more money will flow into the town. There’s the Garrison’s reorganization and retraining too, and also—”

“Ah. I know. No need to say more. It’s just idle grumbling.”

Kennel waved his hand dismissively to cut her off, but seeing his spirits recover, Beryne instead deepened her smile.

“…No need to worry about me. Rather, when discussing Ashley-sama, shouldn’t the one requiring careful consideration be that Theodore-dono? What do you make of him?”

Asked for her opinion, Beryne rested her chin on her hand, tilted her head, and said:

“Hmm, well. I’d say he’s somewhat twisted.”

“Is that… alright?”

“It should be fine. Many children become adventurers out of desperation, so in my line of work, I see all kinds. His distortion is relatively straightforward. He’s exceptionally capable and quite sharp, so that part seems precarious to watch… but I believe he lacks any foundation for cruelty or wickedness. Well… I’d call him a high-quality candidate. Highly recommended.”

That was how Beryne viewed the boy Theodore.

She felt there was more to him than that… but that part even Beryne didn’t quite understand. A child excelling in one art, possessing skills surpassing adults in their specialty. A clever, eloquent child. While talent played a role, they carried reasons for becoming that way.

Viewing Theodore from that perspective, imaginable background elements mixed with utterly perplexing aspects.

The understandable part… was that the boy kept distance from almost everyone but himself, drawing a line and rarely letting others cross inside. Yet, he was oddly favorable toward adventurers—perhaps a boyish admiration or good memories involving adventurers in his past.

Still, that was likely because he could interact with adventurers through contracts.

He trusted contracts. Even if betrayed, he could handle it without getting hurt or leaving loose ends. He treated her the same way.

So overall, his wariness toward others was high. He gave the impression of a wild wolf once wounded by humans. However, his gaze toward that girl Grace was often gentle, suggesting he might be very tolerant toward those he’d accepted as family. Conversely, his attitude toward enemies of his family was even fierce. The look Theodore directed at Oslo that time chilled even Beryne, seasoned as she was.

Imagining the circumstances that led to such an outcome made Beryne frown a bit.

Hence, he was precarious. Being highly capable, he seemed to think he could do anything, so he’d probably push himself recklessly to his limits. The reason such a boy was going to Termwills was crystal clear.

As for Beryne… she didn’t want that boy to be unhappy either. He could afford to lower his guard a bit more toward others; children should be allowed to act like children. She felt a child like him shouldn’t have to live that way.

She was glad the servant girl was by his side… but since she was family he trusted from the start, that relationship, whatever it was, wouldn’t reason to drop his external vigilance.

So for him to shed some burden and relax a little, the question was who and how would penetrate that high Barrier Wall he’d built… In that regard, Ashley was perfect. Unlike Beryne, she didn’t engage in maneuvering, and Theodore seemed to empathize with Ashley too.

Ashley’s own character was likable, and considering her health condition and current lack of connections… it seemed like the right person in the right place.

“Truly… you’re a vixen, aren’t you…”

“Hmm? Whatever do you mean?”

Beryne shook with laughter at Kennel’s exasperated expression.

Kennel couldn’t help but marvel at Beryne’s schemes.

Because doing so also brought tangible benefits to Beryne herself.

If things went well, even the relationship between the Sylune lord and the Guild would improve, aligning with her original duties. Her reputation within the Guild would rise further.

If Theodore knew she was manipulating people and arranging the environment as she pleased, he’d probably frown… but by the time he found out, he’d be in Termwills, and Beryne in Sylune. Even if Theodore resented it, Beryne literally felt neither pain nor itch.

And she was confident he wouldn’t vent his dissatisfaction on Ashley, who knew nothing of it. Besides, Beryne had told him from the start: if he got involved with Ashley, she’d welcome it.

That was nothing less than a declaration that involvement meant utilization, and he should have understood that. Beryne had no reason to hesitate in her actions.

Of course, Ashley benefited too, and Kennel’s work progressed more smoothly. In other words, they gained more than killing two birds with one stone.

She laid plans and used others. If no one ended up unhappy because of it, then that was fine, wasn’t it? That’s what Beryne believed.

She somewhat looked forward to what reaction she’d get from that boy the next time they met.

This was an interlude.

Hopefully, we can head to Termwills around the next chapter.