IWRIT-06

Chapter 6 – We Can Head Out as Soon as Our Healer Arrives

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“A rat sneaking through a crack in the fence is one thing. But how could I fail to notice a fox prowling around the wall? Especially one whose fur shines so conspicuously.”

Speaking in an unhurried tone, Camellia delivered the finishing blow.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Netanel Pragma.”

The boy’s smile widened.

“So you at least consider me a fox? I’m honored.”

The drab hair of the young errand boy slowly turned golden.

His muddy brown eyes transformed as well, becoming as bright as freshly polished gold coins.

The rounded tips of his ears grew slightly pointed, and his completely ordinary face shifted into that of a charming fox-like youth.

Everyone watching—including the Guild Master—stared in stunned silence.

Even Rohengrin looked shocked. He instinctively moved closer to Camellia, tense enough to throw himself in front of her at a moment’s notice.

Easy there, Rohengrin.

His recruitment conditions are a pain, but he’s not a bad person.

Some companions joined the moment you met them.

“Sure, I’ll come with you!”

Others…

Were far more troublesome.

Some couldn’t be recruited unless very specific conditions were met.

Netanel Pragma belonged firmly in the latter category.

His recruitment quest only appeared after using the Hire Adventurers feature to hire every team in the guild at least once.

And even then, he wasn’t immediately recruitable.

Players had to complete a chain of thirty-two quests before he would finally join.

But in exchange…

His performance was phenomenal.

Ordinary priests and healers eventually ran out of Divine Power or miracles.

When that happened, they had to fight with their own bodies.

Netanel was the exception.

As the favored apostle of the Golden Scales, the God of Commerce and Contracts…

He could spend money in place of Divine Power to perform miracles.

In other words…

As long as you had money…

Miracles were practically infinite.

Managing his Loyalty and Affection was simple, too.

True to his role as an Apostle of the Scales, Netanel regarded contracts as sacred.

Honor the terms.

Pay the agreed price.

And he would never betray you.

Even if she brainwashed someone right in front of him…

A sufficiently generous donation would earn her nothing more than a cheerful,

“Whatever happened?”

No matter how I think about it…

You’re the only healer for me, Netanel.

Reliable healing.

Reliable buffs.

A High Priest who didn’t care in the slightest about mind-affecting magic.

Centuries of experience as a half-elf that came with countless useful connections and bits of background knowledge.

So no matter what… you’re mine.

…She wanted to say.

But it was still too early.

This was a dark fantasy world.

If someone threatened to die over something…

There was a good chance they’d actually do it.

Trying to force a scam recruitment would only cause trouble later.

Still…

A temporary contract should be possible.

If the Netanel she knew hadn’t changed…

There was a ninety-nine percent chance he’d accept.

The remaining one percent…

Reality.

That uncertainty worried her.

But acting desperate would only invite exploitation.

So Camellia maintained an air of complete composure.

“I dislike asking the same question twice.”

“So I’d appreciate an answer.”

“Or has your god chosen not to provide you with one?”

A strange expression crossed Netanel’s face.

Camellia prayed inwardly.

Come on…

You’ll accept, right?

Please!

Once our healer joins, we’re ready to set out!

Whether it was her earnest wish…

Or the overwhelming pressure of 18 Charisma…

The young half-elf finally raised both hands with a smile.

“…I suppose I don’t have much choice.”

“An unfair contract is still a contract.”

Yes!

Camellia was setting off fireworks inside her head.

Outwardly, however, she remained perfectly calm.

“You needn’t worry.”

“One cannot expect a fox to live the life of a sheepdog.”

“I ask nothing unreasonable of you.”

Once the problem with the Tower’s seal was resolved…

Their contract would end.

Until then…

If he served faithfully…

She would overlook his crime of secretly entering her domain without permission.

And reward him appropriately.

It was an exceptionally generous offer.

“My, my…”

“What a wonderful employer.”

“I’m almost moved to tears.”

Pretending to wipe away tears, the golden fox smiled mischievously.

“Then I look forward to working with you…”

“My Lord.”

“Good.”

“I trust you’ll earn every coin.”

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[Netanel Pragma’s Affection has increased.]

[Netanel Pragma has entered your service!]

Duration: 1 week

Loyalty: 0 / 100

Affection: 35 / 100 (…)

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Camellia frowned slightly.

Netanel isn’t supposed to gain Affection this easily.

Opening the (…) menu to check the details, she nearly burst out laughing.

• The Lord perfectly exploited a contractual loophole and formed an unfair contract: +20

• Completed a favorable business transaction with the Lord: +10

• The Lord offered excellent employment terms: +5

…

He was delighted.

Absolutely delighted.

Because someone had tricked him into an unfair contract.

It sounded ridiculous…

Yet she understood.

Netanel admired anyone skilled at bargaining and negotiations.

Even in the game, he’d gain Affection whenever the player secured a contract favorable to the party—whether honestly or through outright trickery.

Still…

You’re the victim here.

Why are you so happy about it…?

She hadn’t realized he was quite this insane.

Then again…

This world had already created entirely new events absent from the game.

There was no time to stand around thinking,

“The Netanel I knew wasn’t like this…”

Conquering the Tower came first.

Tank: Rohengrin.

DPS: Jehar.

Healer: Netanel.

And me as support.

The party’s complete.

The longer they delayed the first floor…

The worse things would become.

As soon as the adventurers finished preparing…

They would move.

Time to head back and—

Camellia suddenly froze.

A sharp pain shot up from her tailbone.

Damn this useless body!

Let’s at least graduate from “deathly frail” to merely “delicate” first.

The moment we get into the carriage, I’m making Netanel cast every Vitality blessing he’s got.

Resolving to do exactly that, she calmly wrapped things up.

“I’m leaving.”

“Guild Master.”

“Send the contracts to the manor before the end of the day.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Right away!”

The Guild Master, who had been staring blankly as though witnessing a ghost, finally came to his senses.

“We’ll divide them into two groups.”

“One will remain outside the Tower to contain the monsters.”

“The other will accompany me inside.”

“Choose the personnel in advance.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll see to it immediately.”

“…Although…”

Despite his appearance, the Guild Master was highly competent.

Still…

Even he couldn’t suppress his curiosity.

“My Lord…”

“How did you know that little—”

“Ahem.”

“That… esteemed gentleman… was here?”

Rather than answering,

“I’ve spent over thirty thousand hours playing this game,”

Camellia simply stared at him in silence.

The Guild Master apparently interpreted that gaze as,

“How dare you ask such a pitiful question of one as omniscient as I?”

He immediately shut his mouth and looked away.

Being the Lord really was convenient.

Suppressing the pain in her tailbone through sheer determination, Camellia turned around.

“Netanel.”

“Come with me.”

“Yes, my employer.”

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“Blessing.”

Vitality +2

“Exchange of the Golden Scales.”

HP Recovery +10 per turn

“How do you feel?”

The moment they entered the carriage, Netanel had immediately cast the blessings she’d requested.

Smiling brightly, he awaited her answer.

In this world…

Vitality 8 was considered merely Delicate.

In the game, that translated into HP recovery and status ailment recovery being roughly twenty percent slower than normal.

Her condition had improved dramatically.

But she still wasn’t completely healthy.

Her shoulders and neck continued to ache.

Her knees hurt.

She still had a slight headache.

Yet instead of disappointment…

Camellia felt deeply moved.

Honestly…

This feels healthier than my original body.

Compared to the weak modern body she’d developed after spending every day indoors playing games…

The “delicate” body of someone living in a world where people regularly wrestled monsters was vastly superior.

At this level…

She could move around inside the Tower without much difficulty.

“Excellent.”

When she praised him sincerely…

Netanel placed a hand to his chest with exaggerated gratitude.

“Your satisfaction is my greatest joy, my employer.”

He had obviously noticed that her body wasn’t normal.

Yet he didn’t show it in the slightest.

No questions.

No,

“Why is the immortal Lord in this condition?”

Or,

“What happened to you?”

Worth every coin.

Quick-witted.

Competent.

As expected…

There wasn’t a better healer.

Now I just need to sweet-talk him into becoming a permanent companion before this temporary contract expires.

Right…

I should reassure Rohengrin, too.

Introducing a new party member required just as much care as introducing a second cat into a household.

The stress of a newcomer joining the party could be just as dangerous.

“Rohengrin.”

The knight, who had seemed lost in thought, looked up immediately.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“If something troubles you…”

“You may speak.”

“I permit it.”

“Ah…”

After a brief hesitation, he finally asked,

“How did you come to know the adventurer named Ken?”

Not how I knew Netanel…?

Ken?

The question caught her slightly off guard.

Fortunately…

It wasn’t difficult to answer.

“He’s a veteran adventurer.”

“It is only natural that I keep an eye on such people.”

“…I see.”

He didn’t look entirely convinced.

But what could he do?

The Lord had spoken.

“Is that all?”

Rohengrin hesitated again.

Apparently…

It wasn’t.

“Speak freely.”

“I won’t fault you.”

“My Lord…”

“I don’t believe it’s my place to question whom you choose to take into your service.”

“I’m certain you had your reasons.”

“…However…”

He bit his dry lip before continuing carefully.

“I’m not sure…”

“…the Chief Steward will see it that way.”

Surprisingly…

His prediction was absolutely correct.