Intermission: Berine's Afternoon
And then.
The young magician with dark reddish-brown hair and eyes left Silun with his servants and adventurers.
There is much work to be done in Berine.
First, she must contact the nearby branch and gather people who specialize in investigating the forest or can handle the expected appearance of monsters. If she indicates that there is a high demand for such people, naturally people will gather.
Also, once that happens, she must verify not only the abilities of the adventurers but also their personalities. If a big problem arises, it will damage the credibility of Kennel and Berine again.
She had built a relationship with Kennel to a certain extent, so he might tolerate it to some degree, but if she takes advantage of it, his patience will wear thin. Considering that, the situation regarding the Silun branch's business is still unpredictable. Therefore, she must manage the reins of the adventurers well.
However, there is relatively bright prospect regarding the lord of Silun. It is not directly related to Berine's job since it is not directly involved in the guild's work, but if good people who were involved in the guild or her work would not become unhappy, it is something that Berine should welcome with open arms. When she feels a sense of fulfillment in her work, it is in such situations, and one could say that she is making an effort for that.
...Berine is busy and cannot play around, but in the afternoon of the day, she was drinking tea face-to-face with Kennel in the reception room of Ashley's mansion.
Of course, she did not come to play. She wanted to confirm her proposal.
"So...have you confirmed Lord Ashley's intention?"
"Yes. She replied immediately. She said she has never had friends of the same age before, so she must be very happy."
Kennel narrowed his eyes and showed a lonely expression.
"Seems like my old bones are no longer needed."
"What are you saying, being so timid? Your workload is piled up, you know? You have a very important role in supporting Lord Ashley to live comfortably over there. It's no different from a job that supports Lord Ashley from behind. And if adventurers come, there will be more money for food, so the amount of money that falls into the city will increase. There is also the reorganization and re-education of the security forces, and also..."
"Ahh, I get it. You don't have to say it. It's just a complaint."
Kenner waved his hand dismissively as if interrupting the words, but seeing that his condition had returned, Berine actually smiled even more.
"...You don't have to worry about me. Instead of that, when it comes to discussing Lord Ashley, isn't it the Lord Theodore who should be broken-hearted? How do you see him?"
Asked for his opinion by Kenner, Berine tilted her head and put her hand on her chin, saying, "Hmm, well, he's relatively twisted."
"Is that...okay?"
"It should be okay. There are many children who struggle to make a living and become adventurers, so I see many different types of children in my profession. He has a relatively proper way of being twisted. He is exceptionally capable and quite sharp, so there is a danger in that...but I don't think he has the potential to be cruel or wicked. Well...he's a good material. I highly recommend him."
That's how Berine sees the boy named Theodore.
In his case, there seems to be more to it... but that's a part that even Berine doesn't fully understand. A child who excels in one field and has higher technical skills than adults in his specialty. A child who is clever and eloquent. They may have talent, but they also carry reasons that make them that way.
Looking at Theodore from that perspective, there are parts that can be imagined as background and parts that are completely inexplicable.
What can be understood is that the boy distances himself from almost everyone except himself and doesn't let anyone inside easily. On the other hand, he is strangely friendly to adventurers, perhaps because he has a childlike admiration or because he had good memories with adventurers in the past.
But even so, it may be because he can deal with adventurers through a contract.
He trusts them because it's a contract. Even if he is betrayed, he can dispose of it without being hurt or having any regrets. It's the same for himself.
Anyway, he was highly cautious towards others. He gave the impression of a wild wolf that had been injured by humans in the past. However, his eyes towards that girl named Grace were often gentle, so he was probably very tolerant towards his inner circle once he had embraced them. On the flip side, his attitude towards enemies within his circle could be brutal. When Theodore looked at Oslo that time, it sent shivers down Berine's spine, even though she was an experienced person.
Imagining the background that led to his current state, Berine couldn't help but frown.
Therefore, it's dangerous. With his high abilities, he might push himself beyond his limits, thinking that he can do anything. It's obvious why such a boy would go to Termwills.
As for Berine, she didn't want that boy to be unhappy. It's okay for him to lower his guard towards others a little bit and be more like a child. She didn't think a child like him should live in such a way.
She was glad that the maid girl was there next to her, but she couldn't let her guard down towards the boy just because he trusted her. That's why the problem was how someone could break through the high barrier he had built and get close to him without him being too cautious. However, Ashley was perfect for that because she didn't play games like Berine did, and Theodore seemed to have some emotional attachment to Ashley.
Ashley's personality was also desirable, and considering her health and the lack of her current connections, she was a perfect fit.
"Really... you're not a vixen..."
"I wonder what you mean?" Berine laughed, shaking her shoulders, looking at Kennel's incredulous expression.
As Kennel, he couldn't help but be amazed by Berine's ability.
In other words, there is also a practical benefit for Berine herself in doing so.
If things go well on that side, the relationship between Lord Shilun and the Guild will improve, which fits her original job. Her evaluation within the Guild will also increase.
Although Theodore will probably frown upon knowing that she is manipulating people and organizing the environment as she sees fit... when he knows about it, he will be in Termwills and Berine will be in Shilun. Even if Theodore is dissatisfied, Berine literally doesn't care.
And she is confident that she won't vent her dissatisfaction with Berine on Ashley, who knows nothing about it, and besides, Berine told him first that she would welcome any involvement with Ashley.
It is nothing more than a declaration to use him if she is involved, and he should have understood that. There is no reason for Berine to hesitate to act.
Of course, there is also a benefit for Ashley, and the work at the Kennel will also progress. In other words, more than a two-for-one benefit can be obtained.
Berine devises strategies and uses others. If no one is unhappy with it, she believes it is fine.
Berine was somewhat looking forward to what kind of reaction she would get from the boy when she met him next.