If I was asking myself, France Neemon, that I have a dark and sad past, I would say that I don't have any. I'm just a normal person living and fighting my way to live.
But, having read many books with those kinds of characters, I completely understand what Klein's actions led to this moment.
His story sucks, I know. The lady Monica probably loved Klein and he probably felt the same but is confused about his feelings. The view of the two on the word 'family' is different too.
Hence what I'm about to do is just something that I'm obliged to do. Well, Klein leaving is not part of my plan. It's better for him to get closer to us than become distant, in that way, and for the future, a person who is a valuable ally is needed on my side.
"You are telling me the training area is destroyed because… you did some experiments inside that resulted in that place being demolished?"
What's the solution I made? Well, it's for me to act trash.
My mission for changing my image was solely for the purpose of Isaac to have a better impression of me. Besides, it wouldn't affect me fully since Isaac knew I was only faking it, even better since Klein knew it also.
The duke, on the other hand... I don't know how will he react but upon remembering what we talked about some time ago, I pushed the conversation, gaining the topic to converse in this room.
"Sir, I would like to take responsibility for this so I would like to ask something," I calmly and respectfully spoke, "Is your offer still up until now? Yes, I'm talking about the time of your job when you'll give me certain tasks to do and I will receive gold and land that could be mine.
"The gold I will be receiving is the reimbursement for the damages and if it's not enough, you can take account of the land ownership. I think both parties are satisfied with it and since you are the one who raised the matter, I think you wouldn't disagree on such matters."
Verl maintained his calm, glanced at both Isaac and Klein and saw that they have bruises all over the place. Thankfully, before coming here in the morning, I already asked them to use a healing potion but not to the point that they will be completely healed.
The thing I'm trying to make Verl think is that these people are my accomplices and they will report the same thing as me if, by chance, Verl decided to interview them all by himself.
'Noelle is coming back to his usual self. We couldn't do anything about it' is what they will answer once Verl did it but not to the point they will wholly copy the script to make it not obvious.
Verl had a looked of contemplation on his before saying, "The offer is still up. If there's nothing, you can go back to your respective rooms and rest."
'Eh? That's all? Hmm, maybe the duke is trying to meet them privately without getting my attention. Well, it wouldn't matter but since you're the one who brought it up, I'll use this chance to move on to the next course of action…'
With that thought in mind, I answered, "Sir, I would like to go on a trip somewhere. With your permission to go, I'd like to go there as much as possible."
Klein and Isaac, who heard this for the first time since this wasn't included in our script earlier, had their expressions contorted before removing it a second later.
"Speak."
"I would like to go to our neighboring continent Eleyah to meet some friends. It might take a month or even a bit longer. I would like to travel at the end of this week. And, if possible, is there any job you would like to give to me?"
With a frown, Verl replied, "Why would you give to the Elven Continent? What's your business there? And who are these 'friends'?"
I gave a brimming smile I could have before answering, "I will be there to have fun, of course. And my 'friends' are very generous so it would be rude to reject their request."
"…"
For the first time ever, Verl had his face cracked, founding everything I'd uttered beyond unbelievable. Klein and Isaac were the same.
…
The telegram in this world is different from the previous one. Since magic was present here, there are also different steps needed to do. Thankfully, instructions for procedures are placed on manuals for people who wanted to use this thing.
With a manual in my hand, I began to mutter some things as I clicked buttons on the telegram, "The red buttons are to prepare the voice record… Oh, a noise compression is already there. How convenient… The green is the start of the record while the blue button is for the stop…
"Input the buttons needed first or the telegram wouldn't work... Must've prepared what to tell since once you start recording, there will be no stopping until you clicked the stop button, huh… I should've read it earlier. Otherwise, I would've prepared a script on what to tell ma'am Freya."
Reading the last instruction that is supposed to be important, I cursed the person who made this and began writing a letter for Freya. Since this is the first time I've touched this thing, I didn't really expect or thought how this functions.
Half an hour passed and I was finally done assembling the telegram which didn't need many tweaks here and there.
Without further ado, I carefully follow the given instruction, put my mouth near which is what supposed to be the microphone, and began reading the script I'd made beforehand.
"A blessed day, Ma'am Freya. I'll get straight to the point. I'll be leaving to go on a trip toward Eleyah Kingdom at the end of the week. On the way, I would most likely bring the telegram. If there's anything that I would need to do along the way or directly at the kingdom that isn't too much, maybe I could do it.
"Of course, if there's isn't any, you could tell me along the way. I will be out for a month or so and maybe our next contact would be after that since I will be very busy. And… not to, Kuhum, my throat… not to sound provoking but… is there anything you can give to me? Any intel is enough.
"Like what happened to the capital since there's some certain rise of powers and what's the cause of strips. Is there any news regarding the maze? Erm, does the killer had been found out? I have so many questions ma'am and I think you could understand that I will be at ease if these events will not affect my family. Especially about the Meery Incident.
"That will be all, ma'am. Contact me anytime in the remaining days and I thank you in advance."
With that being done, I let out a sigh from my mouth, stopping the button before calling someone in the air, "The bodyguards that we have. I have a request for you."
I received no reply from the first minute but after waiting for a few seconds, something popped from the shadow and looked at me without any expression.
"How may I address you, sir?"
"No need for formalities, I go by the name Pod. What do you want, kid."
"How many are you guarding my family? I didn't ask because I thought you are trying to keep yourself private but seeing one of you guys warn me about the fight between our people, I think it's not the case."
The guy, that goes by the name Pod, spoke solemnly, "The people dispatched here are three. One for the duke, one for the siblings, and one for you."
Three... not bad, I thought they will only put one guard.
"I see. First of all, I would like to thank you guys for accepting guarding job like this. You don't know how I feel about you guys protecting us. Second, I will be going on a trip. I have people I think could accompany me so I would like you guys to focus on my two siblings instead. Well, seeing that you are here, you must be the one guarding me.
"Third, if there's any development, I will just tell you. I wanted to say this since it could be a hassle for you guys to watch over me when I'm going somewhere it isn't part of the contract. It's not like you're here to babysit me. Besides, I can protect myself."
Pod, who looked at me without any expression, replied, "You are just a good talker, aren't you? Like, for real, you talk a lot."
My lips twitched involuntarily before wearing a wry smile as I said, "Is that yes or no?"
"All right, I'll tell the others about this. Thankfully, you said everything in advance." Pod said, bowing his head slightly before disappearing into thin air.
'Hah… when you reach higher Progression, will I be able to disappear like them out of nowhere? That power looks sick…' Musing that thought inwardly, I moved back to my bed, picked another book to read, and began to continue where I had left off.
I waited for those remaining days and finally, it was the end of the week.
…
'Now, this is a team,'
For the first time ever, I felt like my trip will go smoothly now that these people are my side, guiding me on the trip.
"Noelle, these three people will be with you." Verl said as he looked at those three, "Isaac, Valen, and Klein, please guard him. I know you will do well. Of course, if he did something out of the blue like his character, you can punch him in the face so that he can get back to reality real quick."
Sounding like a threat directed at me while flinching slightly, I glanced at those three and saw the tip of their lips form an arc.
"We will gladly do so."