Chapter 57
The Family Head of the Magic Noble Family Crimsonhowl was not decided by votes or the number of supporters.
The rule was that the one who became the master of the Family’s treasure, Muspelheim, would sit in the position of Family Head.
And during a period of vacancy like now, when the Former Family Head had died and the master of Muspelheim had yet to appear, the strongest Mage within Crimsonhowl became the Temporary Clan Head.
Eisen Crimsonhowl was the one who had followed the Family’s proper procedures to take on the role of current Temporary Clan Head of Crimsonhowl.
He was sitting in the office of the Crimsonhowl Mansion located in District 2, reviewing countless documents.
Even before he could finish verifying all the documents, information continued to be added.
“Family Head. The Bohemian Mercenary Association President has sent additional documents. This time, it’s regarding the operations in District 19.”
“District 19, right. That place was important too.”
Drinking coffee loaded with sugar cubes, he perused the freshly arrived documents.
Eisen Crimsonhowl’s appearance wouldn’t have felt out of place at all if he were called a man in his thirties or forties, but surprisingly, he was Flora’s grandfather and Enri’s father.
“Oho?”
Eisen Crimsonhowl’s eyes twitched with interest as he checked the newly arrived documents.
“The Young Family Head of the Geumseong Family was defeated by Max Steiger?”
“It seems the Young Family Head Geum Jong-Hwa survived, but his condition is critical, and he has undergone major surgery.”
“Interesting. I recall the Young Family Head of the Geumseong Family being quite a promising Bladesman in the 5th Tier. What is the reaction of the Geumseong Family Head?”
“They are moving to cover up the fact that he was defeated by a Mage. They are enforcing a massive gag order.”
“So they want to maintain their dignity, even if it’s only in front of those who are blind and deaf.”
Even so, they couldn’t avoid the eyes of a Magic Noble Family.
The Steiger Family believed their relationship was being maintained because their foolish behind-the-scenes antics hadn’t been caught.
“It seems they plan to announce that the surgery is for the advancement of his sword, even after Geum Jong-Hwa’s surgery is finished.”
“It’s such a stuffy method that it makes even me click my tongue. The Steiger Family is the same; none of them can keep up with the times.”
Eisen Crimsonhowl read straight through the rest of the documents.
“The results of the requests Max Steiger participates in are always satisfactory.”
While the operations running simultaneously across dozens of districts were showing ambiguous progress, Max Steiger always brought results that refreshingly scratched the exact itch.
“There was also talk that the sensitive Flora follows him… At this rate, there might be a need to see his face.”
What was especially hard to believe was the speed at which his tier was rising.
It was something that even Eisen, one of the Archmages of Haze, found difficult to understand. His brain still couldn’t accept it based purely on the relayed information, so it seemed he would only be able to make a judgment after seeing it in Person.
“…”
Eisen marked down the name Max Steiger and proceeded to Handle his remaining work.
* * *
Usagi asked.
How should she go about returning the favor to the Psychokinetic Community?
“I mean the request fee you’re supposed to receive from me. You told me to buy you a meal.”
“Hmm? Ah, you mean that.”
“…”
Max scratched his head and continued his thoughts, while Usagi walked quietly, waiting for an answer.
After pondering for a moment, Max gave a lighthearted answer.
“I’m planning an Office Relocation after this request is over, so come hang out. We can eat then.”
“Office?”
“Is that a bit much?”
From Max’s perspective, Usagi was the type who had no interest in anything outside of requests.
She seemed like the sort who would unconditionally reject personal meetings, so he wondered if he had misspoken.
But the atmosphere was too awkward to take it back now.
Now, it was Max who waited for Usagi’s answer.
Step. Step. Step.
Usagi, who had been quietly walking through the underpass, gave an answer contrary to Max’s expectations.
“…No. I will go.”
“Huh? You’ll come?”
“Failing to receive a Request Reward is one of the worst things that can happen to a Mercenary.”
“Wow, as expected, it takes a Mercenary to understand a Mercenary.”
Usagi’s thorough professionalism and the camaraderie of the Same Industry.
Max was impressed and touched.
“So, where are you moving the office to?”
“I only have a few places in mind and nothing is finalized, so I can’t say where just yet. I’ll let you know once it’s decided.”
“How do you plan to let me know?”
Max was left speechless. Conveying the information was definitely a problem.
Asking for her personal number seemed like Territory Usagi would hate. Even during the Harbor Request, she gave off an aura of absolutely refusing any involvement outside of work.
“Well, couldn’t I just ask the Association to pass it on? It relays requests between Mercenaries, so wouldn’t it act as a bridge for something like that?”
“…I-I see.”
A heavy feeling filled Usagi’s heart.
Her rabbit ears drooped forward.
“My chest feels tight again…”
Usagi was currently failing to understand her own actions, as well as the fact that she was feeling disappointed because it wasn’t the answer she wanted.
She felt like a stranger to herself.
During her conversations with Max, it wasn’t easy to hold back the words that leaped straight from her heart without passing through her brain.
“…This alley should be the clothing store.”
At Usagi’s guidance, Max rolled his eyes.
There was no store to call a clothing store. Literally, the alley itself was the clothing store.
It was a setup where mats were spread on the ground and clothes were piled up haphazardly, a wild market with no price tags.
The persons who appeared to be merchants were sitting on single plastic chairs, biting on cigarettes or drinking from liquor bottles. When customers picked up clothes and approached them, they would simply state the price with annoyed faces, and that was it.
“From its appearance, it doesn’t seem like a place where you try things on before buying. Should we just grab some large sizes?”
“Mhm.”
Max and Usagi headed toward the mountains of clothing.
Ignoring the piercing stares, they haphazardly unfolded white and black t-shirts. The prints generally displayed a hard-to-understand sense of style, but they weren’t in a position to be picky, so they only checked the sizes.
For pants, they picked out sweatpants and jeans, roughly checking the waistlines before grabbing them.
“How much for all this?”
“Where are you folks from?”
At Max’s question, the merchant instead showed curiosity and rolled his eyes.
A gaze that scanned them up and down, gauging whether they were people he could rip off, was apparent. Greed was blatantly evident.
“I clearly asked how much it was.”
When Max applied a subtle pressure to his neck with Psychokinesis, the merchant spat out the cigarette he was biting.
The greed vanished from his eyes, replaced by fear.
“…Just give me 30,000 credits.”
Max pulled out his wallet, finished the payment roughly, and moved on.
At the end of the alley, shoes were also being sold.
“How much for these?”
“15,000 credits for one. 25,000 credits if you buy two.”
They grabbed slippers and sneakers as well.
It was the most urgent item for Usagi, who was still wearing high heels.
Exiting the alley, Max held a bunch of bags and raised the corners of his mouth as if he found it amusing.
“Ah~ That was some good shopping. It’s my first time buying this many clothes.”
“I don’t have experience buying in such bulk either.”
They grabbed cheap lodging and immediately changed clothes.
And just in case, they quietly slipped out through the window. In their now-comfortable attire, they moved to another district.
They moved without resting to rendezvous with the vehicle that the Association said it had dispatched.
There was no time to relieve their fatigue.
If they saw a place selling clothes while walking, they would buy some, and if they saw a place to stay, they would just change clothes and quietly leave again.
She also briefly took a bus or used a taxi with Max.
Usagi enjoyed this time.
“…Why?”
It was a bothersome process just to return safely.
And yet, it was fun. Her ears kept perking up at every single word Max said.
She couldn’t figure out for the life of her why she found something like this so entertaining.
In front of the two who had reached District 57 through such stealthy movements, an old compact car sent by the Association arrived, making a rattling noise.
A vehicle that blended in with the Background.
When they got in the car, Meredith was in the passenger seat.
“You two have worked hard. You may dispel the Spell now.”
As the car’s wheels began to roll, Max and Usagi used their magic power.
Just as they had been instructed, they pushed away the shells attached to their faces with magic power. The Intangible Energy that had been clinging to them fell off entirely, bringing a rush of relief.
“Wow, I feel like I can live again.”
“Phew!”
Meredith immediately informed the two who were checking their faces of the schedule.
“We plan to switch cars once on the way. It might be a hassle, but I would appreciate your understanding.”
“I don’t mind. Ah, and this.”
Max handed over the tie clip he had kept until the end, along with the brooch Usagi had been wearing, to Meredith.
It was the equipment used for filming.
Meredith expressed her gratitude and packed the items into her bag.
“There is a Safe House equipped by the Association for emergencies. Let’s rest there for now. We will wash out your hair dye and provide clothing, treatment, and a meal.”
“Sounds good. And didn’t you also come to hear the Request Details?”
“That’s correct. There is news reaching the Association as well, but it requires verification.”
Even as they continued talking about this and that, the car steadily rolled.
After moving to another district and switching to a decent sedan, Max brought up a topic that had just come to mind.
“Meredith-nim, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Please speak.”
“Do you remember my mentioning an Office Relocation?”
“Of course.”
“Once I move the office, I’d like you to send the address to Usagi.”
“…Excuse me?”
Meredith, in a rare display, was startled and looked at Usagi with a face asking if it was true.
Usagi couldn’t hide her fluster and avoided Meredith’s gaze.