Chapter 6

“…I can see you’re very tired, Boss.”

Ber’s calm, steady posture didn’t waver, even as his eyes carried a trace of sympathy.

Is this what the stamina of a first-class mercenary looks like? Heidi clicked her tongue inwardly.

She’d tried to tease her new hire, but somehow it felt like she was the one who’d ended up being scolded like a rookie.

“…Are you sure you’re all right? You don’t look so well.”

“Ahem, of course I’m fine!”

Being pitied only made her more embarrassed, so Heidi quickly pushed off the tree she had been leaning against and forced herself to straighten.

Acting casual, she began introducing her territory, Lium.

“See that white two-story house up ahead? That’s my place—the Primavera Estate. It used to be an abandoned mountain lodge, but I renovated it myself.”

“You have impressive skills. It doesn’t look renovated at all—it looks newly built.”

There was a hint of genuine admiration in Ber’s voice.

“Thanks.”

Of course, she hadn’t chosen to learn carpentry. Back in her civil service days, she and the other junior officials were forced to rebuild the mayor’s son’s house after a hailstorm.

Why had “administrative staff” been turned into construction workers? Don’t ask. Power makes the impossible, possible.

“Over there is the lettuce field. Next to it, the peas. Way back there’s the chicken coop…”

She pointed things out one by one as they walked, until soon they arrived at the front gate of her house.

Just before opening the door, Heidi stopped.

There was something she had to tell him first—about Theo and the Horam-squirrels.

She had mentioned them earlier in passing, but he’d clearly misunderstood. If she didn’t clear it up now, he might mistake her beloved companions for targets to slay.

“Mr. Ber, remember I said there are some low-level monsters here in Lium?”

“Yes.”

“They actually live with me. In the house. They help with the farm, and they even clean the place.”

“I see…”

“…?”

The way he nodded so solemnly made Heidi’s stomach knot. Oh no, what now? What kind of misunderstanding is this?

“Most people fear monsters, but with training, they can be useful. There are knights who tame wyverns as mounts. I’ve even heard of drakes pulling carriages.”

“What? I never knew that. Wait—hold on. If drakes can be carriages, then logically ostriches should count as carriages too—ugh, no, never mind.”

Her head was spinning.

Maybe the world really was full of lunatics. Ber didn’t seem like he was lying. Maybe her own knowledge was just too narrow.

If that was true, then perhaps the ostrich coachman was normal… which would make the Empire’s future very bleak indeed.

“In that case, you are even more remarkable. To discover their usefulness without being taught—seeing their essence without fear—that shows true insight. No, I should call it foresight.”

…Ber’s flattery was an art form.

Did he get into the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps with his tongue instead of his sword? Heidi thought, even as the corners of her lips twitched upward despite herself.

Still, enough was enough. It was time to put an end to this misunderstanding.

“Well, actually, the monsters I live with are completely harmless. Truly gentle. And small. About this tall.”

She bent over and pointed to her own shin.

“So really, there’s nothing to fear. They’re basically like little house pets.”

“I see.”

“And they don’t even look scary. Honestly, they’re… cute. That helps too.”

Heidi used hand gestures to describe their size as she explained.

“For example, Theo is a fox monster. Aside from having a thicker tail, he looks just like a normal fox. As for the Horam-squirrels—there are three of them—they look like a cross between a tiger and a squirrel.”

“Hmm. Yes, some low-level monsters are harmless and even cute. I suppose yours fall into that category.”

“Exactly!”

Finally, they were on the same page.

“Though if you raise them like pets, do they understand words? Like dogs, for example.”

Ber’s blue eyes were curious now, not cautious. Thankfully, he seemed to like animals.

“Yes, the Horam-squirrels can follow simple commands. And Theo—well, I taught him to talk. He doesn’t speak as fluently as a human, but still.”

“…Excuse me?”

“…What?”

“Boss, did you just say talk?”

“Oh, Theo can talk!”

“…Pardon?”

“Easier to show you!”

Seeing Ber’s baffled face, Heidi quickly opened the door.

“Theo! Horam-squirrels! I’m home!”

First came the plodding footsteps of the Horam-squirrels, shuffling like little old men.

“Chuurk…”

They gave Ber a single glance.

“Chuu…”

And then completely ignored him, waddling past.

As if he didn’t exist.

Heidi noticed Ber’s broad shoulders droop ever so slightly.

“Don’t take it to heart. They’re just shy around strangers. They’ll warm up soon.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best to befriend them.”

At least his resilience was quick. Heidi made a note to tell him later that the squirrels loved chestnuts and acorns—that would win them over in no time.

Just then—

thump-thump-thump-thump!

A lively, rapid patter echoed down the hall. Like raindrops drumming on wood.

Theo.

“Haaiidii!”

Pointed ears, a bushy tail, and a blur of red fur—Theo bounded straight toward her. Heidi crouched down, spreading her arms wide to catch him in a hug.

“Aww, my little Theo, come he—huh?”

Something was wrong. By now, she should be feeling his soft fur in her arms. But… nothing.

“Ah.”

A low grunt came from Ber. Heidi snapped her head toward him.

“…!”

Somehow, Theo had latched onto Ber’s forearm with his teeth.

“Theo! What are you doing?! Let go!”

She rushed forward, trying to pull him off.

But then she saw it.

Under Ber’s rolled-up sleeve, the veins in his forearm bulged as he flexed.

His muscles swelled like thick ropes—no, like baked sweet potatoes under the skin.

“Graaarghh!”

Theo whimpered as though in pain, his brow furrowing. And then—

plop!

He dropped off Ber’s arm like a leaf falling from a tree.

“Pfft! Ack-ack! Human, your arm is rock! Like stone!”

Flipping midair with uncanny reflexes, Theo landed on the floor, scowling fiercely.

“Theo! You can’t just bite people!”

Heidi scolded him with a sharp glare.

No matter how much she adored him, bad behavior had to be corrected.

“Chhh!”

Theo puffed his cheeks angrily, tail stiff like a bottle brush.

“Chi-i-i?”

His expression said What did I do wrong?

“…But that human smells burnt!”

He wagged his tail in protest.

“What? Burnt smell? What are you talking about?”

Heidi tilted her head, confused. But Theo only shot Ber another look, then bolted toward his room.

“You little rascal! Come back here!”

Heidi ran after him, but—

“I hate burnt smell! Bleh!”

The fox darted away with inhuman speed, poking his head out of his room to stick out his tongue at her.

Bang!

He slammed the door so hard her ears rang.

“Theo! You’ll break the door if you slam it like that!”

“Whew! The wind sure is strong today!”

“There’s no wind inside the house!”

Heidi could only gape at his ridiculous excuse. Acting like a moody teenager at age five? Absolutely absurd.

She could unlock his door and drag him out, but first, she needed to check on Ber.

“Your arm—does it hurt? I’m worried. Let me see.”

“I’m fine. Truly.”

He extended his arm.

And just as he said, there wasn’t even a mark. No redness, no bruise—nothing but a faint shine.

Even if Theo was just a low-level monster, he should have left at least a scratch.

How can human skin be this tough? she wondered, amazed.

But she swallowed the thought. It didn’t seem polite to say it out loud.