"Could it be... that you're involved with those guys?"
Perhaps because I had such a grave expression on my face, Mr. Barrett asked with concern.
And seeing him steal a glance toward Aillin, he seemed to have roughly guessed the situation.
Without bothering to answer, I asked back.
"What would you do, Mr. Barrett?"
"Hmm."
Mr. Barrett tapped his fingers on the table, thinking for a moment, before carefully speaking.
"Normally, I'd report it to the city guard... but unless it's a crackdown period, it'd be hard to get help."
"Then what?"
"If it were me, I'd gather people first. Enough people to stand against those guys."
As expected, it was a realistic answer befitting someone who led a mercenary company.
If you bulked up your numbers, even gangsters wouldn't be able to touch you easily.
...But I had neither the money to hire people nor the connections for that.
"If you need help, just say the word. I'll come running anytime."
"No, it's fine. I don't want to drag you into my personal affairs for no reason."
Even after my refusal, the light in Mr. Barrett's eyes didn't fade easily.
...Did I bring this up for nothing?
"Then, if things really go south... I'll ask for your help then."
"Yes! Please tell me anytime. I'll take my leave now."
Mr. Barrett left with a satisfied expression.
I was grateful, but... it was still burdensome.
Belonging somewhere was something I needed to think over.
Because someday, I would definitely go back.
Besides, I had no intention of living as a mercenary for long.
Killing someone was still not something I was used to.
For now, I was only handling minor commissions, but the city's atmosphere was ominous as well.
There were the stories I'd heard before, and I had seen recruiters standing here and there while heading to the market.
They must be recruiting people to participate in the war.
Which meant the war had drawn that much closer.
And once the war started... most mercenaries would flow toward it.
I had no desire to jump into that chaos.
I organized my thoughts and looked ahead to see Aillin sipping beer since morning.
...Is that okay?
Of course, this world's beer had a markedly low alcohol content, perhaps because of the technology, but alcohol was still alcohol.
The innkeeper brought it out casually, so it didn't seem to be a problem.
Still, from a modern person's perspective, it felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Aah!"
Since she was drinking it so well, I couldn't exactly steal it from her, so I had no choice but to stare wide-eyed.
Aillin noticed my strange gaze and flinched slightly before asking cautiously.
"Um... shall I order you a glass?"
Could she be worried I'd steal a sip?
"No, I don't really like alcohol."
...Actually, no. In truth, I had been quite fond of alcohol in the modern world.
I used to make highballs at home often enough.
But this world's alcohol... borrowing Baldik's words, it tasted exactly like piss.
Lukewarm, bitter, and bland—a trinity of garbage.
Seeing her drink that stuff like it was delicious made it all the more fascinating.
"Libe."
Aillin suddenly looked at me with a serious face.
What is it? Does she have another hidden story?
"...Yes?"
"Please speak casually to me."
"Excuse me?"
My brain froze for a moment. What the hell was this all of a sudden?
"No matter how I look at it, you seem to be the same age as me, or an older brother. Please speak comfortably."
She wasn't wrong.
If there was one slight difference... it was that in terms of actual age, there was about a ten-year gap?
"Ah, no... but you're a noble—"
"No."
Aillin was firm.
Seeing that firm expression, I couldn't refuse anymore.
I eventually nodded helplessly.
"Got it...... Aillin."
Only then did Aillin show a satisfied expression.
...But, her cheeks seemed a little red? Surely she wasn't acting like this because she was drunk?
I was a bit suspicious... but probably not. It had better not be.
"But why all of a sudden?"
"Um... I've always wished I had an older brother since I was little."
At Aillin's words, my thoughts stopped for a moment.
She was an illegitimate child. She must have grown up with only her mother.
Not having a father... she might have longed for someone's touch, someone's affection.
"By any chance... may I ask your age?"
"...Twenty."
I decided to strike a reasonable compromise between my body's age and my mental age.
Saying I was in my late twenties with this face... would be a bit weird, right?
But if I said nineteen, that would feel too shameless.
Right. Around twenty was just right.
...Strange. I hadn't lied about my age, yet I felt a pointless sense of guilt.
"Twenty... that sounds perfect!"
Perhaps pleased with my age, Aillin's expression brightened as well.
Fine, let's just say I gained a little sister. Even if she wasn't a real one.
Thanks to her Western appearance, Aillin didn't look so young to me that I'd call her eighteen.
I didn't know if there was a distinction between East and West here either... but I guess that wasn't important.
While I was lost in such thoughts for a moment, Aillin was already lifting her empty glass.
Wait, when did she finish it all?
"You finished it already?"
"I-It was just so delicious..."
Aillin set the glass down with an embarrassed expression. Her voice had also grown smaller.
No matter how low the alcohol content in this world's beer, I wondered if it was okay to drink like that from morning.
Well... she did look like she was enjoying herself.
"Shall we get going?"
"Yes, Libe."
Aillin tried to stand up but hesitated.
When I tilted my head, she carefully looked at my face.
"...Shouldn't you speak casually to me too?"
Since it had come to this, I thought it would be better if we both called each other comfortably.
But... what should I have her call me?
"Older brother" was honestly a bit cringeworthy, and I could hardly ask her to call me "oppa" either.
In the end, I concluded it would be best to keep it simple.
"Just call me Libe."
A brief silence.
"Libe... got it."
Aillon chewed over my name. Hesitating slightly, yet a smile could be glimpsed.
Strangely, I felt a subtly ticklish sensation at those words.
...It's been a while since someone called my name like this.
No, still, it was better than "older brother."
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't get used to that.
"Let's go."
"Okay!"
Aillin stood up from her seat lively.
I stood up as well, thinking about what needed to be done today.
***
We didn't head outside immediately today.
First, we went up to the inn room where I was staying.
In one corner of the room, a man remained tied up tightly, sprawled out.
"Hey, wake up."
I approached and tapped the man's cheek, and he barely lifted his eyelids.
This bastard's name was Dailro. He was the one I'd brought from the outer district last night.
"Ugh, where is this..."
"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"
"Y-yesterday? Ngh."
It seemed even recalling yesterday was difficult for him.
He must have taken quite the beating.
"You bastards!"
"Ah, so you remember. You seemed clueless yesterday."
"Because of you, I—!"
Dailro thrashed around for a while, venting his anger.
He had taken a trashy request himself—why was he getting angry at us, the victims?
I wasn't kind enough to just stand there and watch that.
Thud.
"Ngh—!"
I lifted my foot and lightly kicked his side, and only then did Dailro stop his nonsense.
Even though I'd only tapped him lightly, perhaps because it was where he'd been beaten yesterday, he writhed in pain and curled up for a moment.
Finding a spot on this bastard that hadn't been hit would have been the harder task.
"No need for useless talk. Do you know what those guys from yesterday do?"
"Ugh, w-why should I tell you that..."
When I lifted my foot slightly again, Dailro read the room and shut his mouth.
As expected, was there no faster means of conversation than violence? This cold reality was a bit sorrowful.
"Shall I ask again?"
"...Black Hand."
"What?"
"Those guys' name is the Black Hand."
How should I put it... it was a truly childish name.
Maybe this was what gangsters were like.
"The boss's name is Bron. That guy appeared after the last 'Bloody Street' incident and took over the organization in one fell swoop."
"Bloody Street?"
"The incident where the red-haired mercenary swept through the street."
Was that the incident Kalsia was said to have done?
'Bloody Street'—just hearing it sent chills down my spine.
"...Did you see it yourself?"
"No, people like us all covered our eyes and ears and hid in tents. The screams back then..."
Dailro's hands began to tremble slightly.
I could tell how great a shock that incident had left on him.
"So, where is their base?"
"If you go toward the city wall from the eastern outer district, you'll come to a large abandoned building. It used to be a city guard dormitory, but it was abandoned as the city expanded. They took it over and use it as their hideout."
They weren't hiding as deeply as I thought.
Whether it meant they were confident in their strength, or simply stupid, I couldn't tell.
"Those guys, how many in total?"
"I don't know exactly either. But there are at least more than twenty."
Twenty. It was a somewhat familiar number.
Of course, I'd never fought alone before.
"That boss guy, is he strong?"
"I don't know. Rumor has it he's stronger than that redhead... but I can't believe that."
I felt exactly the same—I couldn't believe it either.
If he had that level of skill, he would have worked as a mercenary; why would he play gang boss in a place like this?
...Or had he chosen to be the head of a snake?
Whichever it was, he didn't look easy to deal with right now.
"Mhm, got it."
"Are you letting me go?"
Dailro looked at me with an expression full of hope.
"No. You're going to the city guard."
But there was no such hopeful outcome.
Where did this criminal bastard think he was going? He had ambushed us and swung a knife—he deserved to get arrested.
For a moment, at the word "criminal," I felt an inexplicable sting.
...No.
Even if this body was a criminal's, the "me" inside had a clear conscience.
And so, taking Dailro, who had lost his hope just like that, I headed for the city guard.
Dragging a man tied with rope looked suspicious no matter how you looked at it.
Sure enough.
On the way, we were stopped and questioned by patrolling soldiers.
"You there! Halt!"
A brief explanation wasn't enough.
In the end, only after a lengthy explanation could I hand Dailro over to the city guard.
Watching Dailro being dragged away dejectedly, I made a vow.
I mustn't become like that.
****
After handing Dailro over to the city guard, I decided to focus on my next goal.
Black hair, gray eyes, much taller than Aillin, someone a bit taciturn.
No matter how much I thought about it, these clues weren't enough.
Finding someone who matched those conditions in the middle of a city like this—honestly, was that even feasible?
"This isn't easy."
"Yes, is it too difficult with only this much to go on?"
I wandered the streets with Aillin, asking around until the sun was directly overhead.
But in the end, we couldn't find a single clue.
The footsteps that had started from the edge of the city had already reached the central square.
In the center of the square stood a magnificent mansion, and beside it was a massive church building.
Ah, the church. I was definitely told to come to the church last time.
It would be troublesome if I got caught loitering here for no reason.
I should get out of here quickly.
The moment I thought that and tried to leave.
"Excuse me."
Someone abruptly approached from the side and blocked my path.
"...Yes?"
Standing in my way was a man wearing white priestly robes.
"Might you be Libe?"
...Oh no.
"No, you've got the wrong person."
I feigned ignorance and subtly turned to leave.
But the man gently blocked my path again.
"Black hair, blue eyes, a blue robe. A young girl by your side. Even so, are you still not him?"
"..."
The man listed my features one by one. Without omission, very precisely.
'...I'm screwed.'
How did he know in such detail? Could there be a wanted poster out or something?
"What do you want?"
I slowly lowered my stance. Putting strength in my heels, I prepared to dash out at any moment.
The man held out his palm as if trying to calm me down.
"I have come at Lady Luna's summons."
"What? Luna?"
Luna. She was the observer of the Serion Church, and I'd only met her once in Delhar.
"She said to bring you to the cathedral."
...Why on earth? Wasn't she just saying that? She'd been looking for me to this extent?
No, more than that, did I even have the option to refuse?
"Do I really have to go?"
I asked with eyes full of doubt.
The man smiled with a somewhat lonesome expression.
"There is nothing I can do if you do not wish to go, but Lady Luna is waiting for you."
...Ah, so there was no escaping this.