Chapter 70
After being held in Emma's arms for a while, I eventually opened my eyes and searched my pockets.
Emma, who had been holding me in her arms until now, asked without releasing her hold, "What are you looking for?"
"...Cigarettes."
I didn't usually smoke often, but I had a habit of having a smoke every time I did something big like this.
Strong cigarettes help forget distracting thoughts for a moment.
But as I took out a cigarette and was about to look for matches, Emma grabbed my hand holding the cigarette.
"Boss, don't smoke."
"...Why?"
"It's bad for your health."
"...What? Puhah."
In modern times, it was common knowledge that smoking was harmful...
But in this still barbaric Western era, the concept that smoking was harmful hardly existed.
Rather, many people thought cigarettes were beneficial items that relieved fatigue and cleared the mind.
That was why smoking rates were very high for men and women of all ages.
But Emma's expression as she told me not to smoke was quite firm.
Finding it funny, I asked her while still in her arms, "Cigarettes are harmful? Why? On what basis?"
"People who smoke a lot have yellow teeth, always spit phlegm, and their athletic ability is significantly reduced. Their lips crack and skin darkens..."
Emma seriously tried to persuade me with specific evidence.
"My late aunt also smoked often, but in her final moments, she couldn't breathe properly because of phlegm boiling in her throat. Uncle Paul from the grocery store said he smoked since he was 7, but he started coughing a few months ago and eventually passed away."
"All that is because of cigarettes and cigarettes are harmful things?"
"Yes, people still think cigarettes are beneficial for now, but soon they will clearly realize how harmful they are."
Emma was indeed smart.
At this, I smirked, and Emma took the cigarette from my fingers in that moment.
"I want you to live a long life, Boss. So stop smoking now."
"..."
As Emma said, cigarettes are harmful.
I, who came from modern times, knew that fact well from the beginning, but...
Normally, I would have said, “I'll be leaving this world soon anyway,” and smoked.
But I was originally quite capricious.
Persuaded by Emma, I didn't smoke and put the remaining cigarettes back in my pocket.
"...Alright, I'll just endure it today."
"Not just 'today', don't ever smoke from now on."
"I can't promise that. Sometimes I really crave a cigarette."
"Being able to overcome such temptations is what makes a proper adult."
I was always “Kid” in this world, and she talked about being a proper adult.
I laughed softly at the funny words, and that was when it happened.
Clop clop clop clop.
"...!"
Through my sensitive ears, I heard the sound of horse hooves approaching.
"...They're coming."
"...Coming? Who?"
"They're on horseback. Probably the sheriff and deputies."
Sheriff Jett knew the Rush and Gold gang would be wiped out at dawn.
But he would have quickly realized something happened when he heard the consecutive gunshots.
I looked around at the miserable sight of the Rush and Gold gang camp and couldn't help but feel a bit troubled.
"...This is quite troublesome."
"What is, Boss?"
"I think I went too wild. The sheriff already doesn't like me, I wonder if I'll be framed unnecessarily."
The Rush and Gold gang wasn't officially an outlaw group with bounties set when viewed officially.
I was also excessive in dealing with them while wiping them out.
Even in the original <Catch the Outlaws> game, the protagonist had to pay bail after wiping out the Rush and Gold gang, causing misunderstandings with the sheriff and circuit judge.
Justice Town's Sheriff Jett didn't particularly like me, so he might take this opportunity to catch my weakness.
So I was worried about what would happen next, but...
"Boss, you're worrying unnecessarily."
"...What?"
Emma patted my head as if reassuring me and said, "Mr. Jett is originally not good at expressing emotions. He often grumbles, but he doesn't dislike you."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Mr. Jett will probably comfort you saying you worked hard when he arrives here. Like this."
Swish—pat.
Then Emma subtly patted and stroked my head.
Look at this?
I was swept up in the mood earlier and let her hug me, but now she was shamelessly fulfilling her personal desires.
Feeling annoyed at Emma, I removed her hand from me and got up.
"Emma, you keep trying to be on equal footing because I keep staying still? Don't forget. I'm the boss and you're the secretary."
"Yes, I'm the secretary. Your eternal secretary," Emma said and smiled slyly.
"Even if you try to drive me away and fire me in the future, I'll be your secretary to the end."
"..."
Emma's appearance smiling with her eyes curved looked quite fox-like.
Usually, I was the one doing such foxy things to Emma for the past 3 years, but suddenly the relationship reversed, so I couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.
Thud thud.
As I was flustered by Emma's foxy behavior, the sound of horse hooves got closer and...
"Neighhh!"
Sheriff Jett appeared at the Rush and Gold gang camp, leading the deputies.
"Sheriff, haha. Good evening."
"..."
I waved at Jett with an awkward smile, my body thoroughly covered in blood, but Jett's face was filled only with shock.
It was understandable for Jett to be surprised.
Dozens of gang members' corpses were lying on the ground, and a huge pool of blood had formed in the center of the camp.
It was a sight that would remind anyone of a devil worshiper gathering.
Jett slowly took in the miserable scene with a hardened expression.
Ah, I'm screwed.
Just by looking at Jett's eyes, I could tell how confused he was.
Emma said it would be fine, but Jett was very strict and a principled person.
I was certain Jett wouldn't let this matter slide.
"...I just came from William's mansion after receiving a report."
Oh dear, he went there first.
"I heard various stories from the black servant there, but it wasn't certain, so... Could I hear an explanation of the current situation from your own mouth?"
"Sheriff, about that..."
I started explaining to Jett, inwardly praying that the black servant had spoken as I had instructed beforehand.
After hearing my story, Jett's expression became subtle.
"...So the Rush and Gold gang illegally entered William's mansion aiming for his money and killed William and his butler. You witnessed that scene and then wiped out those guys to save the village girls and avenge William?"
"Yes, that's right."
It was a story I made up in a hurry, so even I could see many flaws in it.
As Jett was pondering with his chin in his hand, scrutinizing that shoddy story, that was when it happened.
"Sheriff! The village girls who were captured are here!"
At my and Emma's words that there were village girls in the warehouse, a deputy who had run to check reported to Jett in a loud voice.
"...Are they all safe?"
"Yes, the numbers match all the girls taken from the village!"
"Hmm..."
At the news that all the village girls were safe, Jett approached me with a still-hardened face.
Seeing Jett's serious expression, I could predict the result wouldn't be very good.
In <Catch the Outlaws>, one had to pay bail necessarily after clearing Chapter 4 [Liberation of Justice Town].
Jett would probably take me to the sheriff's office first and then have me pay bail when the circuit judge arrived.
But...
Thud.
"...?"
Contrary to my expectations, Jett put his hand on my shoulder and said unexpected words, "Noah, my boy."
"...Pardon?"
Jett always called me Kid, saying I was like a child.
But suddenly calling me Noah, my boy.
What is this…?
Even more surprising were his next words.
"The Justice Town Sheriff's Office won't forget the hard work you've done for the village."
"..."
"We can't give you money because these guys don't have bounties set, but if we find anything of value here, I promise you a reward."
Jett showed a respectful attitude towards me and even promised a reward.
While I was dumbfounded for a moment at Jett's attitude, which I had never seen in the 3 years I'd known him, he bowed his head deeply to me.
"We'll take care of cleaning up here, so you and Miss Emma can go back. You really worked hard."
"...Ah, yes."
When Jett bowed his head, I could clearly see his crown.
This old man... I thought he only had no hair in front, but he has no hair on top too.
Among people with no hair, there are many strict people.
The Sheriff Jett I knew was the strictest person in Justice Town...
But right now, he was more generous than anyone.
So tonight's events were to be handled by the Justice Town Sheriff's Office...
Unlike my expectations, it was concluded without any problems.
***
"This is strange..."
"What is, Boss?"
On the way back to the office riding No Name with Emma, I mulled over Jett's strange behavior.
"The sheriff. I was prepared to be taken to the sheriff's office and pay bail when the circuit judge arrives, but he's just letting this slide."
Of course, I didn't think at all that Jett would pin all the crimes on me.
But Jett also had his position as sheriff.
I thought he would make me take some responsibility the moment he saw that miserable scene, but he was just letting it go and even promising a reward.
It wasn't like the Jett I usually knew.
Above all...
Even that kind protagonist in the game ended up paying compensation, so I couldn't understand how I was released so easily.
As I tilted my head at this, Emma, riding in front of me, raised her head and said, "I told you, didn't I? Mr. Jett secretly likes you."
"I knew that to some extent too, but that guy isn't someone who would overlook someone based on personal feelings."
There was a small love-hate relationship between Jett and me.
At a glance, our relationship might look bad, but actually, I didn't dislike Jett that much, and Jett also didn't dislike me that much despite grumbling.
But I thought Jett was someone who strictly separated public and private matters?
"I heard that while you were in San Francisco, outlaws were rampant and the sheriff had a hard time."
"Ah, I heard that too."
"This time, the sheriff had a lot of mental stress because of the Rush and Gold gang, but you took care of it... He probably saw you in a new light because of various things."
Hmm... if that's the end of the reason, honestly it's not convincing.
If it were something else, I might understand, but this was an official episode of <Catch the Outlaws>.
I thought it would proceed according to the programmed development in the game, but...
"...I should have paid bail. That's how it was supposed to be..."
As I muttered that, Emma in front laughed softly and said, "Boss, there's nothing set in stone in human affairs."
"No, this is something you don't know about, Emma. According to the game episode, I absolutely..."
Game, episode.
Maybe Emma was frustrated that I kept bringing up things she couldn't understand.
Emma turned her head to me again and asked, "Then was it predetermined that I would come to like you too, Boss?"
"...What?"
I paused for a moment at her sudden words, then answered with a bitter smile, "...Yeah, I guess you coming to like me could be seen as predetermined too."
Since I put in the [Irresistible Charm] trait when first customizing the character.
Emma coming to like me...
And...
— I like you, Kid.
I thought Jenny James coming to like me was also because of that trait.
But...
"...You're being self-conscious, Boss. You're not that charming."
"...Huh?"
Emma said very firmly as if that was absolutely not the case.
"Always teasing and joking around, no serious side, lazy."
"..."
"And your face is also..."
"Face? Come on, you dare talk about my face?"
How did I customize Noah?
It might not be to the extent of light shining from his face, but Noah's face was the most handsome among those I've met in the West for the past 17 years.
But Emma was firm this time too.
"It's true that you're handsome, but your dark circles are severe and your eyes are too sharp. So..."
"So what?"
"You look like you have no manners."
"...The one with no manners right now is you, isn't it?"
At Emma's sudden attack, I tilted my head, and only then did Emma smile broadly and say, "But now I've come to like such a boss very much."
"..."
"All humans change."
"...!"
"At first, the boss was unlikable, but now you're more lovable than anyone. Humans are like that, and worldly affairs are like that, nothing is predetermined."
All humans change.
It was what I had told Billie in San Francisco.
Originally, “human” here was limited only to me, but...
Emma was now saying that other NPCs and game episodes could change too.
Then the exact setting of the trait [Irresistible Charm] came to mind.
[Irresistible Charm] increased the character's likability and charm when the player first met other NPCs and...
Increased loyalty the longer one spent time with companion NPCs.
Yes... there was definitely an expression of “loyalty” in the game, but...
The emotion Emma was showing me now was not “loyalty” but “affection”.
And Emma said I was unlikable at first and gradually became likable.
Then Emma was not because of the trait...
— At first, the boss was unlikable, but now you're more lovable than anyone. Humans are like that, and worldly affairs are like that, nothing is predetermined.'
Did she just come to like me as a person?
Maybe Jenny James too...
— I like you, Kid.
"..."
Both women were too good for me.
So I naturally thought both of them liked me because of the trait, but...
At the thought that it might not be the case, I was dazed for a moment.
And what brought me back to my senses was...
Squish.
"...!"
Emma's two hands cupping my cheeks.
Startled by the sudden cold sensation, I was taken aback and...
"...Boss, we've arrived, aren't you getting off?"
"...Ah."
Emma said, pointing to my office.
We had already arrived at the office, but I didn't realize it because I was lost in thought.
I got off the horse belatedly and recalled that I had piled up money in the office.
"...Emma, don't come into the office for a moment. Come in when I tell you to."
"Why? Are you perhaps embarrassed to be alone with me?"
"...What?"
"Your face is red like a radish."
"..."
"I'm joking."
Normally, I would have made such a silly joke, not Emma.
All humans change.
Emma has changed.
I thought I had completely trampled her heart when I coldly rejected Emma's confession last time...
Rather, it seemed to have been some kind of stimulation, and she became more uninhibited.
"...Emma, I'm telling you again, I'm the boss and you're the secretary. Don't make such jokes to me again."
"Yes, then I won't make jokes anymore."
"...Alright, then I'll go into the office first, and you..."
"I like you, Boss."
"..."
"It's not a joke."
Originally, Emma was a bear.
A bear that silently did her work and didn't show her emotions well.
But now she looked like a fox with 9 tails.
In contrast, I, who was originally sly, became a bear.
"...You."
"You said last time that you had no intention of accepting my feelings, Boss. But as I keep saying, humans change."
"..."
"I'll work hard from now on to make you like me too, Boss."
At her sudden attack, I was at a loss for what to do and...
Thud.
I didn't answer her words and went straight into the office.
Fortunately, the money was still there, as if no one had come.
Seeing the money I loved most, the confusing distracting thoughts seemed to clear.
I tried to think only about money as I put the money back into my inventory.
But...
— I like you, Boss.
Even while thinking about money, thoughts of Emma came from one corner.
"...This is a bit dangerous."
What was most dangerous was that Emma had declared a change in offense and defense.
— I'll work hard from now on to make you like me too, Boss.
From now on, I'd have to focus on defending against her attacks until I returned home.
A gap formed in my heart at the thought that Emma liked me for myself, not because of the trait.
And that gap... Emma kept poking at it.
Get a grip. You've come this far, how can you waver now?
I had collected over $900,000 so far.
With the reward Jett promised added, it would get even closer to $1 million.
Emma kept shaking me, but what was important to me now was returning home.
And even if it was true that Emma liked me for myself...
— I hate you, Kid.
...The trauma deeply settled in my heart hasn't disappeared either.
...Yes, there can never be a happy ending between Emma and me.
I kept putting up shields in my heart as I put the money into my inventory.
From now on, I'd focus only on collecting money while trying not to let this shield be removed.
[Remaining amount until logout: $906,023 / $1,000,000]
I made a firm resolution as I looked at the amount remaining until logout after putting in all the money.
One year from now.
I'd definitely fill up $100,000 within that time.
The day I wiped out the Rush and Gold gang.
The relationship between Emma and me reversed, and I resolved to look only at money.
And time passed quickly...
Six months passed from the day I made that firm resolution.