Chapter 401
I don't know exactly how effective this 'strong character' acting is, but at the very least, I can tell I'm not being looked down upon.
"Any... anything, is it?"
I've never seen Bermuda—who in FBO was always unflappable and composed—lose his composure like this. At least not in the game.
And I could tell this wasn't an act; he was genuinely troubled.
"Indeed, I'll do whatever I can."
But why am I so naturally embodying this role?Even I think I'm projecting a convincing 'strong character' vibe.
Was I this good at acting all along?
"That's true. Having you say that so plainly makes it difficult.""Right, it would."
Maintaining an intimidating smile, I cross my legs, place a hand on my knee, and wait for the other's answer.
Just from that, I can see Bermuda being increasingly cornered.
While I said 'anything,' this actually makes the decision much harder than if I'd given specific options. Essentially, Bermuda can decide the reward based on his own judgment, but he doesn't know my acceptable threshold.
He offered something special like Orichalcum ore. What could match that in value?In simple terms, money.
But returning a gift with money is bad form. It turns into a transaction where I'm demanding money from the one who made the offering.
As for what else there might be, Bermuda probably has no idea.
If there were obvious local specialties produced in this territory, he might have asked for those.If he knew about certain treasures, he might have requested them.
But it's uncertain whether those would be within my acceptable limits.
To describe Bermuda's current state of mind, it's as if he's been told, "Walk all the way here, but beware, there are landmines beyond a certain point."
I wait with a smile as Bermuda, who doesn't know where the mines are buried, seriously considers how to proceed.
"Then, may I request one of the unknown golems present in this land?""Oh? That, huh?"
And then, Bermuda took a decisive step forward.He stepped without hesitation, right where a landmine might be.
A perfect opportunity.I dangled the bait of a chance to obtain information, and he bit hard.
I thought he'd be more cautious, approaching the topic indirectly, but for some reason, his mindset seems to have shifted.
"No can do."
So, I also refuse flatly.It might sound like I'm declaring it's something important, but my expression denies that.
A face that openly displays dissatisfaction and exposed emotion, as if finding it boring.
A disappointed look that practically says, "I had such high hopes, but the answer you gave is too predictably 'good student' and utterly boring."
"Is it no good?""Hmm. No good."
Shaking Bermuda up by showing an expression of rejection based on emotion, as if it were all just a game.I sway my crossed leg leisurely, urging him for what he'll say next.
"Well then, how about allowing us to tour inside the further inner gate we saw upon entering the manor?""Hmm, no can do."
Saying "No" as if telling him to spill everything.With the first 'no,' I sensed a slight incongruity. With the second 'no,' the outline began to become vaguely clear.
"In that case, details about the construction of this fortress...""No can do."
A foolish move, wanting military secrets from the very start, and then not changing that foolish move.Like a clown, his posture practically announces, "My goal is to probe your secrets." The atmosphere around him begins to turn strange.
From Bermuda's guards, there is confusion—"What is he starting to say?" From our side, he begins to be seen not just as rude but as an enemy. Esmeralda's eyes sharpen, and she hides her mouth behind her fan.
That's a technique to conceal magic activation.Genjirou shifted his footing unnoticed, surely preparing to strike instantly if anything happens to me.
"You used to procure food here before, it seems. May I inquire why not now?""No can do.""Then, it seems there are shadowy figures in this area. Could you perhaps introduce them?""No can do."
Bermuda, who should be the most aware of this atmosphere, keeps changing questions as if to inform me what Duke Marchias desires to know, each time being rejected by me.
As if offering it up himself—yes, as if saying, "The real tribute is this"—he keeps handing us information.
"This is troubling. At this rate, I don't know what to ask for anymore."
The Bermuda from FBO didn't act this way.If anything, he was the type to evade skillfully and then, once he found an opening, widen the wound aggressively—a sly "waiting" stance was his forte.
I've never seen him attack with such self-destructive exposure.
Just as the surrounding atmosphere was enveloped in tension and confusion, Bermuda picked up his cooled teacup and took a sip. Then...
"Then, please hire me—someone who, after spilling all his reasons for coming here, can no longer return."
He declared it brightly.
"Hoh."
I was genuinely impressed. *So that's his play.*To corner himself and then brazenly force a 'sale'—that boldness is very much like Bermuda, I thought.
"But I doubt Duke Marchias would allow that, would he?""Probably not. That man absolutely does not tolerate betrayal.""If I accepted you, I'd earn Duke Marchias's full-blown hatred, wouldn't I?""Yes, I believe he would hate you."
I can understand his actions are based on a completely rationalist mindset.It means there has been a change in Bermuda's inner feelings.
"Are you such an alluring person that you can outweigh such significant disadvantages? Adding to that..."
The need arises to probe what this change in his feelings is.Making this man an ally.
Normally, one could neither trust nor rely on a man who hints at betrayal.So, ordinarily, I should smile and refuse this offer immediately.
"I absolutely despise people who commit betrayal."
However, my intuition whispers.*See through him.*
Following that intuition, I switch my thinking to combat mode as if testing something.Shifting from my usual leisurely thinking, I expose Bermuda to the calculated, predictive, and observant state I enter during battle.
After declaring "absolutely despise," I imagine for just an instant cutting off Bermuda's head.
Realistically, as I am now, even leaning back in my chair, I could leap forward in a second—no, even less—and slice off Bermuda's head with my Magic Edge right now.
Right after that image, Bermuda's cheek twitched, and a single drop of sweat slowly trickled down his temple.
It seems Bermuda, against the death-linked image, unconsciously almost reached for his neck with his right hand but suppressed it with conscious effort.
"Whatever feelings you had for Duke Marchias, he was the master you once decided to serve. To betray that master and switch sides to me, whom you've known for only this brief moment... Is there any reason to trust such a person?"
His nerve is impressive, but unless there's an extremely compelling reason, I wouldn't trust this guy.If he can change the preconceptions of someone like me who knows him from FBO and sell himself to me, then he must have something beyond my imagination.
"There is not, I suppose."
As I brace myself for what he'll say next, Bermuda relaxes his shoulders and cheerfully asserts there is none.That's equivalent to declaring he is not worthy of trust.
"However, I can put into words the reason why I have been weaving words that put me at a disadvantage and betray my current master, His Grace Duke Marchias—"
His declaration, which could also be taken as words of resignation, causes another stir in the room's atmosphere.The knights, unable to hide their expressions of 'has our superior gone mad?', and the Garden Guards like Genjirou, probably frowning with 'is he joking?' written on their faces.
"Oh? And that is?"
Esmeralda's gaze also hardens, and just as someone might be about to say, "If you spout any more nonsense, we'll throw you out," I urge Bermuda, whose words seem to be heading towards a conclusion.
"It was love at first sight.""......Huh?"
A word that would absolutely never have come from Bermuda's mouth in FBO, or that I never thought he'd say, flew out.
I desperately maintain my composure. Genjirou's bewildered mutter, "This makes no sense," became my proxy statement.
"Let me correct myself first. My interest in romantic love is below average—it's not an exaggeration to say I have almost none. So, please do not misunderstand.""But you said 'love at first sight.'"
Since Genjirou was the one who spoke, my gaze temporarily shifts from Bermuda to him.There, a clearly dissatisfied expression, as if saying, 'That's not what I meant.'
"It's a figure of speech. No, rather, that phrase was simply the most appropriate to describe my current feelings.""Feelings?""Yes."
He seems almost displeased at having to express his feelings with the word 'love.'
"For the first time in my life, I felt it. I wish to serve you."
After voicing that corrective complaint, Bermuda quietly rises from his seat.
"I am surprised and confused to find I harbor such emotions. Before coming here, I contemplated various schemes, even thought about outsmarting you. But the moment I met you, a shock ran through me."
And then, he kneels before me.A person of status serving a ducal house lowers his head, showing submission.
"Your bearing, wrapped in an extraordinary aura. Eyes that seem to see through everything. Words that feel like wisdom capable of rendering all schemes futile."
*Just how did we get to this development? And who exactly is he talking about?*
Bewildered internally by the sudden turn of events, I also suspect this might be an act to deceive me.The man named Bermuda is a ruthless utilitarian, almost possessed by dystopian thinking, driven by a desire for domination.
And such a man, even if lying, is saying he wishes to pledge allegiance to me.
"The more I spoke, the more I found myself unable to perform the act of deception. No, saying 'unable' is misleading. A feeling of *not wanting* to deceive welled up within me."
Bermuda's words grow increasingly impassioned.And his eyes, connected to that passion, gain intensity.
"I wondered what this feeling was. I piled questions upon myself, posed queries, confirmed it.""And the conclusion?"
If this is an act, he's one hell of an actor.But since the reason for such a masterful performance is the rather uncertain 'love at first sight,' I'm becoming utterly confused about whether I should believe it or not.
If this entire sequence is a strategy, it's a resounding success in terms of confusing my thoughts.
"There is no falsehood in this feeling. And if you could believe in this feeling... I have come to think I could even sign a divine contract and pledge lifelong loyalty to you."
Perhaps because I'm starting to get confused, looking at Bermuda boldly declaring such dangerous things, a phrase floats into my mind.
*Bermuda, with a look of desperate resolve, wishes to join your party.*
*Will you make him a companion? Yes/No*
Faced with the prospect of having to decide the fate of a man who shows such determination—like a choice prompt from some game—I realize this is something even I couldn't have predicted.