Ch. 19 - Business Style
Hidden in the shadows, I changed into the Riasa with Ashita and Zoë’s help.
“Why the hell does it have so many buttons?!” Ashita muttered, irritable.
“That’s the beauty of it,” I said.
Each of the twelve buttons I fastened seemed to tighten my resolve. At the end, I pulled the leather belt snug around my waist.
What’s with this feeling?
Utter serenity.
It felt like I had finally returned to the form I was always meant to have.
“Magnificent…” I breathed, letting the calm settle deep in my chest.
I turned my gaze to Zoë.
“…”
The taciturn dwarf girl said nothing. She never wasted words. Instead, she silently lifted the tote bag, showing she had brought it along.
“Good. Let’s go.”
And so began the work of “priest” Dietrich Becker.
Clad in the Riasa, flanked by two attendants—Ashita and Zoë—I strode forward with confidence and knocked on the clan house door.
—House of Clan Olympus.
“Olympus” was both the name of the clan and its stronghold, with Alex at the top.
I rapped the heavy gate three times, then placed a hand over my chest, eyes closed, waiting for a response.
Movement stirred behind the door. I opened my eyes and spoke.
“Good morning. Dietrich Becker, reporting in as per our contract.”
“…”
Annette stood there, pointed ears twitching. Her eyes widened—whether at my words or my attire, I couldn’t tell.
“On the other day, I caused you great discomfort because of my shallow, thoughtless behavior. I deeply regret it. Please allow me to apologize once again.”
I traced the holy sign while I held my hand to my chest and bowed. I had yet to earn her forgiveness—apologizing again was only right.
“Eh? Uh… no, it’s fine already.”
Annette blinked, flustered, like a pigeon caught off guard, and asked back.
“W-wait… what?”
“I am Dietrich Becker. Is something the matter?”
I did nothing unusual. Separating work from private life is the bare minimum for any adult.
“Miss Annette, if I may… Have you been informed of the details of my contract with Alex?”
“Eh? Uh, no, I mean…”
“I was told by our leader, Abigail, to prioritize Olympus’s assignments. Has there been some misunderstanding?”
“Ah. N-no, that’s correct.”
“I see. Good. In that case, may I enter with my two attendants?”
Zoë and Ashita gawked as if they were staring at a monster.
As I said, work and private life must be divided.
My body may look like a child’s, but inside I am a grown man.
A proper contract demanded proper fulfillment. That was the minimum requirement of a professional.
Kids who couldn't do this much would never be taken seriously.
Any adult knew this.
“Then, if you’ll excuse us.”