Chapter 536: A Deal Renard Would Love

Ah, I see what’s going on here. This politics thing again.

I had dealt with it with the Ogre princess in Fairylynch, and also with Renard in the Higher Realm: it’s a bit unsightly, but pretty necessary in many context.

The song and dance was familiar—the careful dance of words, the veiled threats, the implication that I was being given a chance to prove myself before they took more drastic measures.

I think I know what to do. I’ve been getting the hang of things over time.

"Mr. Armstrong—"

"Just Armstrong, please." He smiled and interrupted my formality, his expression softening slightly. "I prefer informality. It makes the interrogations feel... less hostile."

His smile widened just a fraction, and I could see the glint of humor in his eyes. He was testing me, probing to see how I would react to his casual invitation.

"Right. Mr. Armstrong, I am on a journey to the other side of the continent; Goliathens. I have diplomatic duties there, but it isn’t urgent."

[It isn’t urgent?! Benjami, what are you talking about so casually?] Heka yelled inside my head, shocked by my statement.

I ignored her, keeping my focus on the Guild Master, with my expression pleasant and open.

I continued: "I just happened upon Thaad some hours ago in the morning, and I met Eric and the gang. I also decided to try being an adventurer just once before I go to Goliathens. That is all: there is no hidden agenda beside this... but..."

I also leaned on the table, locking eyes with the man, letting the distance between us shrink to something more confrontational.

"I totally understand where you’re getting at. In short, you want me to help you snuff out the real culprit to avail myself of suspicion, and simultaneously save the city from this very slippery enemy, yes?" I let the question hang in the air, watching his face for any reaction, any flicker of surprise or recognition that would confirm my suspicions.

Armstrong twitched a bit at the eyebrows, but he held his composure, only doing mental calculations on what next to do.

He’d been planning to manipulate me into this position, to guide me toward the conclusion he wanted, and I’d just handed it to him on a silver platter—but that was fine.

It gave me leverage, even if he didn’t realize it yet.

"Haha, smart girl!" He laughed and clapped once, the sound sharp and sudden in the quiet office, as Ivyrine immediately moved out into a room in the office, her footsteps silent on the plush carpet.

The sound of a door opening and closing followed, and I could hear the faint rustle of movement from the adjacent room, the soft clink of objects being moved or arranged.

Armstrong continued: "I don’t think I can hide it anymore. A God-touched entity is a thing of good luck, a good omen. But yes, I did try to bait you into coming up with that plan on your own. I planned to put you in a situation where you’d want to target the villain to prove your innocence. Forgive me."

He spread his hands in a gesture of surrender, his smile rueful and apologetic, his eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement.

"Nah, people work that way. And I’m starting to understand why they do that," I shrugged, letting the tension drain from my shoulders. "But yeah, I guess we have a deal. Sign me up as an adventurer, and I’ll try to catch this rat of yours!"

I grinned, trying to project confidence and enthusiasm.

[Uhm, B-Benjamin, King Renard will not appreciate this turn of events. Please, reconsider. You promised to leave as soon as possible, remember?] Heka’s mental voice was urgent.

Ah... it was such a relief to hear Heka sound so normal and concerned for once.

Look at how she’s looking worried and responsible mid-rummaging someone else’s treasure chest.

Her hands were buried in the chest’s contents, her fingers brushing over golden items and high quality pouches, but her face was turned toward me, her expression anxious, her eyes wide with concern.

[Don’t worry. I have a plan.] I assured her as her tension seemed to calm down.

I could feel her mental presence easing, her worry subsiding as she accepted my assurance.

Yeah, I had no such plan.

Well, I did. And it was to enjoy the short time I have as an adventurer before Renard gets involved.

I mean, I probably already pissed him off by visiting the Khairkhan village.

But if they’re going to push me around, I might as well enjoy the time I get.

If I was going to be in trouble anyway, I might as well have some fun first.

"It’s a deal, Benjamin!" Armstrong took my hand in his and shook it, I could basically feel the gratitude radiating off him.

His grip was firm and warm, his palm calloused and rough, the hand of a man who’d spent decades working and fighting.

His smile was genuine and relieved, and I could see the weight lifting from his shoulders as he realized he’d found a solution to his problem.

Wow. They really couldn’t catch this criminal, huh?

Well, someone capable of initiating multiple cases of anomalies like that had to be dangerous and deadly, maybe it might even be a monster or non-human entity.

I made a mental note to be careful, to not underestimate whatever we were dealing with, despite my tendency to ignore self preservation.

After the deal was done, Ivyrine came in with what looked like a Cheval Spiritual Screener, but was more intricate and portable than the heavier instrument the receptionists pulled around.

Either that, or Ivyrine had a gorilla’s strength. I want to think it’s the latter.

"Naturally, as a thousand-years-old or so god-touched, normal Screeners will never be able to withstand your power." Her voice was calm and quite serious. "This one is specially calibrated for entities of your nature. It should be able to read you without breaking, as long as you don’t actively resist the reading."