I hesitated as to whether or not I should reveal my actual gender. It would be a show of trust, but at the same time...it would be risky for someone to connect my face and my name together.
Many people will be coming through this village in the future and talking with the villagers. They will find out for sure that 'Lynx' has been here already, I don't want to expose myself even more.
"Sorry, I have some circumstances that won't allow me to reveal my face....."
Whit frowned.
"Is it a face issue? Don't worry, even if you have been disfigured nobody will mock you here." He encouraged.
"N-no....my face is fine...."
"Then is it a trust issue? Do you not trust us, Little Lynx?" He asked.
I suddenly felt guilt run through me. I've already become their chief and even took advantage of their knights to level up...
"Alright.....can you promise me one thing though?"
Both Whit and Vanir nodded.
"Please don't call me by Lynx anymore. Just pretend you don't know my name. I'm currently being hunted by other adventures...." I sighed.
"Hunted? Are you a...criminal?" Vanir narrowed his eyes.
I quickly shook my head.
"Not at all. I'm even the disciple of Zircon's Marshall. I just offended somebody rich."
Vanir's eyes glinted. "Who? Someone actually dares to hunt our chief?"
"Er....Two adventurer guild leaders called Fang and True Hero. I have quite a large bounty on my head."
"Well then...I'll tell my knights to keep an eye out for this....Fang and True Hero." Vanir muttered.
I bowed my head in gratitude and grinned at the fate of the two people in my mind.
That's what you get for annoying me. I'll pay you back by making an entire squad of knights block you from passing.
"So Little Ly-, uh, Little Chief! Are you going to take off those things or what! Hurry up!" Whit exclaimed while leaning forward.
This old man is starting to act like my older brother.
But do I really trust them? Even if it's accidental, they might tip someone off.
"Are there non-disclosure agreements in this game?" I muttered to myself.
They both looked at each other before turning back to me.
"Is that a contract?"
I glanced at them in surprise. "You guys can sign contracts?"
Whit furrowed his brows seriously. "I believe that adventurers have Contracts. We can sign Pacts with you. There are different levels of Pacts. Rank 1 Pacts are between equals and the punishment for breaching or terminating the Pact can be agreed on beforehand. Rank 2 pacts are used between Masters and Subordinates."
Vanir nodded in agreement. "They are quite complicated though. All us knights had a Rank 2 Pact with the ex-chief but it was dissolved once he died. It was foolish of us to have trust in that bastard."
Oh, it makes sense as to why they never fought back now.
"Is it possible to sign an agreement to ensure my secret never gets out?"
"I believe so. That would most likely just be the Rank 1 Pact."
"Alright, let's do that then."
Vanir and Whit held their fists to their chests and spoke.
"I, Vanir Fireheart, make a Rank 1 Pact with Adventurer Lynx. I will not disclose any secrets trusted upon myself to anybody but Whit."
Whit proceeded to repeat a similar Pact as Vanir.
Well, it's nice to know Vanir's full name. Whit doesn't have one? Is Vanir special for some reason?
"So, can we finally see your face, Little Chief? You sure made us go through a lot of trouble just for this peek. It better be worth it!" Whit joked to lighten up the atmosphere.
"Alright, as long as you don't describe my appearance I don't care what else you say. I don't mind people knowing I'm female."
"Sure sur- wait what? Female...?"
I unequipped my mask and flipped back my hood. My tucked hair spilled out and I smiled faintly.
Whit gaped while Vanir froze up.
"Worth it?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"W-worth it? Worth it worth it!" Whit exclaimed with a glowing face, giving me a thumbs up. "Definitely worth it! I haven't seen such beauty in ages! My old eyes can finally rest in peace!"
He paused for a minute before looking at my face curiously.
"Hey, Little Chief, how do you make your voice sound masculine under your mask?"
"Magic."
"Psh. Thanks for the useful info. What a shame, your real voice is way better than your fake one."
I rolled my eyes and glanced at Vanir who was still staring with wide eyes. Whit followed my gaze and chuckled.
"Boy, your eyes are about to fall out! Restrain yourself a bit!" Whit laughed. "Your knight squad already has many beauties so why aren't you used to it yet?"
Vanir shook his head to clear his thoughts and blushed in embarrassment at his actions.
"N-no, it's my first time seeing such a beautiful lady...."
Whit just kept laughing his heart out.
"Little Chief! I understand why you're running away now! If I was younger I would have chased you to the end of the world just for a look! HAHAHA!"
"I already told you, I offended someone rich."
"Offended? What did you do, steal their man? Hah! If someone as good-looking as you offended me I would be honored!" The old man shook his head in dismay.
Vanir snorted. "Masochist."
I shrugged.
These two are over-exaggerating. People basically ignore me at school. Honestly, if I was as stunning as Whit says then there would be no reason for people to always look down and refuse to make eye contact right? My two brothers are the good-looking ones in the family.
"My looks aren't as amazing as you say. They're just slightly above average."
Whit tilted his head and leaned in for a closer look.
"...Above average? Miss Chief, for some reason I feel like your average is different from my average? Who would be considered average for you?"
I thought for a moment before pointing at Vanir.
"Him," I stated bluntly. "He's around average."
"M-me?" Vanir stuttered while pointing to himself. "Average? Nobody has called me that before though?"
Whit clicked his tongue while shaking his head in dismay. "Seriously? This boy is average to you? You have some seriously high standards.....he's already considered really good-looking!"
I started to doubt my own common sense after hearing Whit say that. I peered at the knight captain closely.
Hmm...indeed I guess he's slightly above average? Definitely not on Eugene or Kai's level, but he would probably be able to become a celebrity with his face. His aura has a very...devilish feeling? Like Joker! It's probably because of his fighting occupation. He's also extremely fit but still somehow slim.
"Yeah.....I guess he's above average..." I agreed slowly.
Whit seemed like he was about to refute what I said but was interrupted by a shout from outside. "Chief! We need your advice!"
Standing up, I excused myself from the 'meeting' and strode outside. Of course, I put my mask and hood on before leaving.
"What is it?" I asked the man who had called for me.
He slightly bowed his head before talking excitedly. "We were wondering if we could get your permission to create a statue in the villag-, er, town center? I personally promise that it will be magnificent!"
"Statue? Of what?" For some reason, I had a really bad feeling.
"Who else but you, Chief?"
"Um, you don't even know what I look like though?"
"That's no problem! We'll use your current appearance! We just need you to pose right ther-"
I quickly stopped him from speaking further and reasoned with him. "Wait a moment, I never agreed. A statue is a bit much, isn't it? I just became your chief, I don't deserve something that flashy."
"It's not flashy at all! We will fully engrave the image of our strongest and most handsome chief forever into this town! It is necessary!"
Whit peeked his head out of the tent and grinned at the man mischievously. "You should stop calling Chief handsome!"
Due to his loud voice, all the surrounding people stopped what they were doing and looked at me in confusion.
""""...""""
"Chief...are you not handsome?" The man asked with an odd expression.
...
I sighed at Whit's antics. "I just need to pose for a bit right?"