Chapter 72
“Hiii!”
Lapitricisama, as I took my mask off, let out a small shriek . I had become an adventurer right after I reached adulthood, and she only saw me when we reached the deepest part of the labyrinth as a C-ranked adventurer . Looking at my face now across the table, she couldn’t help but raise her voice .
The face beneath the mask obviously wasn’t Schwartz’s face . Taking into account their way of thinking, I definitely had to show my face . Without any preparation, I wouldn’t have met with the Duke . Until the heat is off, I shouldn’t take any actions yet as Shaft . And my face right now was systematically changed by customizing the avatar . This didn’t mean I could just freely change Schwart’s face .
It wasn’t possible for me to change the bone structure, shape of the eyes, and the nose . However, moles, scars, tattoos, face paint, and other things could be set as facial accessories .
I applied the face paint I got during a limited-time event in VMB – a zombie’s face . There was a balance with the man’s bat mask . Only the upper half of the face had been processed, but I changed the skin’s color to red . And made the eyes a cloudy white, painting the skin around it inflamed . The eyeballs were pushing out from the skin . There was no outer skin on the right side, and the facial muscles were exposed . The forehead looked burnt, and I had no hair .
“Is this alright?”
“ah, it’s alright for you to wear the mask . ”
Just as I was about to put it back on, I caught sight of Maltsan’s surprised expression . No, no, haven’t I told him about this before? Here’s the thing, aren’t there magic or magical tools that cast illusion magic that can change one’s face? Since such things exist, I would be able to carry on using this method .
“Shaft-kun, let’s start our conversation over, shall we?”
The man who sat beside Lapitricisama spoke after I put the mask back on .
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“Yes, I have no doubt that you’re his lordship, Duke Franklin Barga, right?”
“That’s right, I am Franklin Barga . The knight beside me is Steed Barga, Leader of the Western Barga Knights, And then this girl, the once I request for you to escort, is Lapitrica Barga . ”
So this Knight is the leader of the knights, huh . There’s no doubt he must also be escorting Lapitrica–
“I’m Shaft . ”
While sitting on the sofa, I lowered my head respectfully . I’ve asked Maltsan about some simple courtesy before, but I’m honestly not sure to what extent I could do it correctly . Well, I could only hope that there wasn’t a problem since I’ve shown sincerity .
“I’ve heard rumors of you from my subordinates . ”
“Ru…mors?”
“Yes, something like ‘a mercenary wearing a black mask, who completely destroyed the Royal Capital’s rising company, Yagoche Company . Also single-handedly crushing the bandit group ‘Onibasu’ . And wouldn’t hesitate to destroy the Royal Capital for the sake of protecting their client’ . The underground in the Royal Capital is saying one shouldn’t get involved with the Black-Masked Mercenary’s client . ”
What the hell is that… They’re completely exaggerating…
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“It sounds like an overly dramatic rumor . ”
“Is that so? But I want to be rumored like that too . ”
“With that said, If I escort Lapitricsama, I could suppress the development of those who believed in the rumors?
“That’s right . And of course, I’ll be looking forward to witnessing your own power . There are only two escorts allowed to be brought into the Royal Castle and the banquet; a man and a woman, so I wanted to request someone stronger who could influence the surroundings there . ”
“Your lordship, I’d be the one to explain the matters in detail . ”
“Is that so? Then, please do . ”
As he finished saying so, Leader Steed looked to me .
“Shaft, our request for you as an escort would last for about a month . Lari and his Lordship are going to the Royal Capital in a few days . They’re going to stay there for a few days . Then, they’ll visit a few other cities before returning to the Royal Capital again . Afterward, the request would last until they come back to Barga again . ”
“Is the important point of the request escorting on the highway?”
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“The highway is important, but you must always stay by Lari’s side . When they arrive in the Royal Capital, and the other cites, they will attend scheduled events . You have to participate as well . ”
“I understand… Your Lordship, is Lapritricsama being targeted by someone? If any dangers arise, and the reason was because of me, don’t you think it’s necessary to make a request to the Adventurer’s Guild since the Lapriticsama was in Sasanqua?”
“It’s certainly like that . But the Knights of Barga cannot leave Sasanqua is certainly a trustworthy clan, but there are a lot of noble daughters like Lari who were apart of Sansaqua . These girls would never go into high society life unless they’re successful . ”
Mitche-san certainly said that… But would it be alright for an ordinary mercenary like me to go? As I thought so, I tried not to care too much about it . However, it seemed the Duke had reasons to express .
“Moreover, Shaft-kun, I didn’t intend to leave Lari just for anyone to escort . I’m resolute about that, so I searched for an escort who is more powerful than normal people, and it could be no one other than you . ”
Duke Barga’s thin, sharp eyes continued to catch my cloudy eyes behind the mask . This person was the type to judge people by their eyes, and he kept searching mine .
“I’m not the only mercenary out there . ”
Naturally, my eyes lock onto his and were unable to part . Contrary to his soft demeanor and tone, I could see his man had strong beliefs and confidence . He didn’t seem to be the type who’d simply give up .
“No, you’re different . I know from Marida Company that your social status is guaranteed . It’s hard to think about an ordinary adventurer who also works as a mercenary just by Malta’s description . I thought that at first . But now that I see you, I know that you’re a suitable candidate for this request . ”
This is… Making it difficult to refuse . To start with, I had no precise reason to refuse . There were, of course, other jobs for me to apply . However, were there any other jobs that took priority over a Duke’s request? Since I came unprepared now, it should be fine for me to accept the request .
What’s more, if I refuse this request, I would ‘stain’ Marida Company’s reputation . Needless to say, it’d also ruin my reputation if I refuse .
“Alright . I’ll accept becoming Lapitricsama’s escort . ”
“Is that so? Then, I’ll ask for your favor, Shaft-jun . ”
“Haa–, but again, what should I protect Lapitricsama from?”
I asked this some time ago, but I needed to confirm it . I needed the information since I decided to escort her . Steed answered my question .
“From everyone . ”
“Everyone?”
“Protect her from all the nobles, along with their daughters of adult age; living in society life who use sorcery . ”