Chapter – 11

“Is this enough, do you think?”

“Ah….”

I blinked blankly. If I had refused Luke Ventus’s offer and tried to fix the house myself—and if that man had seen me in that state…

Every mouse hole was sealed without a single gap, and even the window, which I thought might still fall at any moment, was now firmly fixed. Even if someone tried to find a flaw on purpose, there was nothing to pick at—perfect repairs.

“Sir Ventus….”

“Yeah.”

“…You’re amazing. Like a professional.”

Honestly, I was impressed. I couldn’t hide it—I even clapped a little. Eric and Sandy, who had come outside and were watching Luke Ventus’s work, followed suit, cheering and applauding along with me.

“Wow, faster than Dean-hyung.”

“Even faster than Uncle Rodel.”

“Right? Incredible.”

Luke Ventus looked surprised at my honest admiration. His face, showing his shock so clearly, was amusing, and I couldn’t help teasing him a little.

“Surely you didn’t plan on saying something to put down the person you helped?”

“…I guessed you might think that. I came along on my own and offered first, so it could happen.”

“So that was my first impression of you, huh?”

Luke Ventus nodded slyly. The sun had tanned his skin, and sweat ran down his face after all the effort in this almost-summer heat. Shaking his head, he held out a handkerchief from his pocket.

“Gratitude is something you don’t need to hide.”

His eyes shifted between the handkerchief and me. Again, he waved the handkerchief in his hand.

“Truly, thank you, sir. I was worried about the old man’s house, but now I feel like I can breathe a little easier.”

Only then did Luke Ventus, who had been looking at me with suspicion, take the handkerchief. It was meant for wiping sweat, but he just stared at it for a moment before looking back at me.

“Sir Ventus?”

“…Hey, Mari.”

“Yes?”

“What’s your affiliation?”

“Excuse me?”

“Are you interested in the Delua Knights?”

“…What? Did you just say that?”

The Delua Knights. Could they be just an ordinary order? They were the knights protecting Delua itself—the most dangerous region of the empire. The fortress standing between the empire and the Monster Forest. Despite the harsh environment, many aspiring knights dreamed of joining the strongest order.

Even surviving a single year in Delua brought great honor, and for a knight, honor equaled success. Luke Ventus was a prime example of that.

“You must be joking.”

“Didn’t I speak seriously?”

His black eyes seemed to pierce right through me. He knew I could see that he was serious, yet he asked anyway.

I exhaled a small laugh, mixed with a sigh. This is dangerous.

“Then I will refuse seriously, sir.”

“…I don’t think you’ll see the Delua Knights as undesirable. I’ve never personally scouted anyone before, so the treatment won’t be lacking. We could adjust your duties to match what you’re doing now. And above all—”

“….”

“I can take good care of you.”

Luke Ventus, who I thought would casually let a simple “no” slide, continued to try to persuade me.

This is strange. Why is he acting like this? Did Luke Ventus normally recruit people this way?

In the novel, most of his scenes involved him getting hurt while searching for Eclat—so maybe that’s why… This Luke Ventus is someone I don’t recognize.

In the novel, Luke Ventus was described as strong, a mercenary by origin, outspoken, tanned, and physically imposing—easily misunderstood.

But beneath the exterior, he was mischievous, tended to brush off small matters, didn’t get angry at nobles gossiping about birth, and followed the emperor’s unreasonable orders without complaint. He wasn’t greedy for wealth or status—free and without attachment, a true mercenary at heart.

The only person who stirred desire and attachment in Luke Ventus was Eclat Adrian.

Of course. It has to be. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense. After all, this is a BL novel. The knight, prince, or duke’s romantic counterpart isn’t someone like me.

“For me, sir—”

“Yeah.”

“I’m all about safety first.”

“Huh?”

“Delua is too dangerous. Absolutely not.”

At my firm refusal, Luke Ventus frowned.

He might have thought that only proud royal knights or incompetent knights could refuse such an offer. Or perhaps someone visiting the slums could turn down such a proposal, but… he surely didn’t expect it from me.

“It hurts a little that you didn’t even consider it.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m serious.”

“….”

“Seriously.”

“…Still no?”

“Ah.”

He maintained a composed tone, but I’m sure he was internally unsettled. My attitude probably rubbed him the wrong way—but he seemed to like it. Or maybe he just wants to keep an eye on a suspicious figure.

People from the Riotium Mansion shouldn’t be sent to the slums for now. If Luke Ventus runs into me again, it could become problematic.

But… at a time like this, Luke Ventus being here is really unusual.

“Sir Ventus.”

“Huh?”

“You usually spend more time in Delua than in the capital, right?”

“Usually, yes.”

Not now. Right now, Luke is in the capital for Eclat, and he should be returning to Delua soon. He shouldn’t be lingering here; he should be at Eclat’s side, enjoying what little time they have left together.

“It must be hard to travel often between Delua and the capital.”

“That much—”

“But….”

Luke Ventus can’t easily leave because he hasn’t found his answer yet. He needs to see whether the charitable foundation causing a stir in Eclat’s hometown has any connection to Eclat.

Luke Ventus, who had been watching the slums from a distance like he was surveying them, finally looked back at me.

“…Mari.”

“Yes.”

“I have a question. Can you answer honestly if you know?”

“…I can’t promise, sir.”

“That’s harsh. Well… think of this as a reward for the repair work you helped with today.”

Luke Ventus smiled mischievously, pointing to the perfectly repaired window. I couldn’t refuse; I could only bite my lip.

I owed Ventus. And I didn’t want to leave this debt lingering.

“…I’ll listen.”

“Good. Then I’ll only ask what’s fair for the labor done.”

A thousand possible questions came to mind. Would he ask about the foundation’s leader? Its true purpose? Did he already suspect me? Should I lie?

Still, this is about repaying kindness, so I hoped it would be a question I could answer honestly.

“What do you think—will this slum continue to remain peaceful, Mari, from your perspective?”

“…Excuse me?”

“There’s someone who cares about this slum. So it’s very important to me.”

“….”

“The labor today can only get me so far.”

Hearing about someone’s concern for the protagonist from Luke Ventus made me realize again: I am not the protagonist. I’m merely a tool in the story’s unfolding dialogue. The focus is on the true protagonist and the person who cherishes them, not me.

“…Ah.”

This conversation feels like a scene omitted in the novel. In the book, it might barely be mentioned in a sentence.

‘He gathered information to reassure the protagonist.’

A backstage event that has fulfilled its purpose.

“Then if you don’t know, there’s nothing I can do. If I asked unnecessarily—”

“I think acting recklessly could disrupt the current calm.”

Then my role is complete, and it will pass. It will be forgotten soon, with no reason to remember.

“Process?”

“The current slum reconstruction project by the foundation. As it progresses, stagnant waters will inevitably be stirred, so the existing calm will be shaken. But—”

“….”

“Calm is just a disguise for peace, not true peace.”

“…True peace….”

“…The foundation ultimately wants this place to truly be at peace. That’s all I can tell you, sir.”

This is the best I could do. I didn’t reveal the full truth, but I didn’t lie either.

I don’t know whether the villains observing the slum will give up their plans or proceed.

The butterfly effect from what I’ve set in motion may come sooner or later, faster or slower than I expect. All I can truly say is that I act with the wish that this slum remains peaceful.

This should be enough for my role backstage to keep the story moving smoothly.

“Good. Thank you.”

“…No problem.”

Like most protagonists in clichéd novels, he’s a good person. Even now, he’s happy knowing Eclat’s hometown is safe.

“Well, see you next time, Mari.”

“….”

I responded with a faint smile. Silence is better than a lie.

Will there be a next time? I hope not.

I watched Luke Ventus turn and walk away for a moment, then quickly looked away, feeling strange. It’s like watching a lead actor step onto the stage from backstage.

“…Not good.”

My chest felt tight. This kind of thing was really, not good.