Chapter 93
When Flora finished speaking, Basilian seemed to realize something. His expression relaxed, and he nodded.
“You’re right. Getting angry over trash like that really does feel like a waste of time.”
“Right?”
Before they knew it, the two of them had completely forgotten about the executors who had insulted them and were chatting softly, laughing together.
After the children left to clean up the trash, mercenaries from the Red Serpent Mercenary Corps—who had been quietly watching from the back—slipped into view.
“For someone so young, that way of thinking is impressive.”
“Just listening made me angry. How does she manage to think so wisely?”
“She must be born that way. Didn’t they say she’s been sharp ever since she was little?”
When they were suddenly tasked with protecting a young noble lady—a bomb of responsibility, really—they had no choice but to panic.
Even when they were promised proper compensation and told there were unavoidable reasons, the mercenaries who had never met Flora voiced their worries and concerns all at once.
What if something went wrong? What if they had to give up the human-like life they were living now?
That unspoken fear made them hesitate.
But back then, Basilian had stepped forward and reassured them, telling them not to worry—that the worst-case scenario they were imagining wouldn’t happen.
Don’t fall for it.
He had said that and left, and at the time they hadn’t quite understood what he meant. But after witnessing what they had just seen, they immediately did.
“She’s someone with depth beyond her years. There must be a special reason she joined this journey.”
Caught up in the mood, Frek spoke up. Moved by Flora’s words, his eyes were moist, drawing even more attention.
“So let’s respect her wishes and treat Lia like an ordinary kid.”
“Right. Getting close to the boss’s daughter isn’t a bad idea.”
Since their boss was Duke Athanas Lucifer, Flora technically was the boss’s daughter.
“If we get close, sucking up will be easier too. Hahaha.”
Spouting nonsense they didn’t even mean, the mercenaries burst into laughter.
They kept it up until the two children returned from cleaning the trash, staring at them strangely and wondering if they’d eaten something weird.
* * *
Flora blended into the Red Serpent Mercenary Corps remarkably well.
The mercenaries who had initially treated her awkwardly had grown used to her, started seeing her as the youngest member, and now spoke with her comfortably.
“Why is it that when I tell her not to stand out, she stands out even more?”
Benio muttered in disbelief as he rubbed his forehead, having stopped by to check on the mercenaries and finding Flora perfectly at ease among them.
“Flora, you promised me when you said you’d hide among the mercenaries.”
“Did I?”
“You forgot? You, of all people? A promise with your brother?”
At the unmistakable note of hurt in his voice, Flora made a small whimpering sound before finally responding instead of avoiding his gaze.
“No. I remember.”
“Then what did you promise?”
“To stay somewhere safe with the mercenaries, keep a low profile, stay out of people’s sight, and once the subjugation is over, return safely with you.”
“Then why do more and more people know there’s a child here?”
“They probably saw Basil.”
“And why do more and more people know there’s a little girl here?”
Unable to escape the point, Flora puffed out her cheeks again.
“I tried to stay quiet. But the mercenary uncles are so nice to me—how am I supposed to not get along with them?”
It was a pointless excuse, but an honest one.
Benio responded as if she’d done well, pulling her into his arms and gently patting her head.
“Still, let’s be a bit more careful from now on. I’m worried the nobles might all find out and start taking an interest in you.”
He added that at least the nobles rarely came anywhere near where the mercenaries stayed, and Flora nodded along.
But inwardly, she was thinking the exact opposite, seething.
That’s the problem—they’re not coming at all!
When she’d first hidden near the meeting room and listened in on the situation, Flora had naturally followed the same pessimistic line of thought Benio had.
Descendants of heroes. Ducal houses. Executors. Nobles.
People who only cared about securing their own share, and who wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to resolve the situation.
If they discovered the existence of the Lucifer young lady, it was obvious they’d exploit her under the pretext of judgment.
That was why Benio had agreed to Flora’s proposal—to hide her among the mercenaries and conceal her existence.
But Flora thought differently.
She wanted to stand out—wanted them to use her.
Why?
Because I’m curious what kind of demon would pull something like this. And I want to meet them myself.
When she’d asked Janet, she’d said she didn’t know which demon was staying here since she wasn’t interested in other demons.
Still, Flora didn’t want the demons who followed her to die. So she planned to meet them before anyone else and put on an act, just like she had with Janet.
The executors already saw me, so I thought rumors would spread quickly. Did they already forget?
She muttered about how pitiful they were—hypocrites, yet unmatched in that regard.
“We’re planning to stop by a nearby village before officially entering the Demon Forest.”
“Huh? Why?”
Just two days ago at the meeting, they’d acted like they were going to head straight in and finish it immediately.
Seriously, they should just wrap it up and go home. Nobles always waste time over nothing.
“I suggested it. Both the beginning and end of this disappearance case happened in that village. The first was a child playing near the forest, and the last was a child on their way home. And it was only a week ago.”
Cancel. Emergency cancel!
Flora immediately erased her previous thoughts and nodded vigorously with a proud expression.
“My brother is handsome, gentle, kind, smart—and meticulous. As his little sister, I’m very proud.”
“Stop talking like an old soul. Anyone listening would think you’re my older sister.”
Even as he brushed it off as nonsense, Benio let out a small laugh before reiterating his instructions.
“The mercenaries won’t be entering the village, so it shouldn’t happen—but just in case. Don’t go to the village. Stay here quietly with the mercenary uncles. Got it?”
“Okay!”
At Flora’s energetic response, Benio finally relaxed and left.
* * *
What Benio overlooked was that Flora was a master at rationalizing things for her own benefit.
At the entrance of a small village near the western Demon Forest, Flora pulled a brown hood she’d prepared over her head and scanned her surroundings with hawk-like eyes. After confirming there was no one from House Lucifer around, she began moving stealthily.
“Lia, the young duke specifically told us not to wander around. Let’s go back.”
Basilian, also wearing a black hood, followed closely behind her and tried once more to persuade her—but it was futile.
“But how often do we get to visit another territory? And who knows? Maybe while we’re out like this, I’ll meet someone special and find the key to solving this case.”
As she confidently placed a hand over her chest and declared that no one in this world was luckier than her, Basilian nodded with the same glazed-over look he’d grown used to wearing.
I told everyone not to fall for it, and yet I’m the one most completely ensnared by Flora.
He’d never imagined his advice to the mercenaries—after introducing Flora as “Lia”—would come back to bite him like this.
She’d begged to go see the village, saying it was break time anyway and they could sneak out quickly, and he simply couldn’t resist.
As long as we don’t get noticed by nobles, it should be fine.
Thoroughly infected by Flora’s mindset, Basilian rationalized things as naturally as breathing and followed her.
Though a twinge of guilt lingered, his half-hearted attempts to stop her were no match for her determination.
The two, both wearing hoods of unknown origin, entered the village together.
It was a small village, but life was life everywhere.
This brings back memories.
Seeing streets similar to the village she’d once seen while staying at the Phini Orphanage, Flora briefly reminisced about her past as the village favorite.
She smiled proudly as she recalled the enthusiastic reactions of the ducal castle staff whenever they saw her.
Popular then, popular now—that’s me.
Perhaps fueled by that swelling confidence, Flora was more energetic than ever.
She bought bread with Basilian at a bakery, wandered the streets while diligently sipping juice, and gradually blended into the village.
“Wow, the strawberry juice is delicious.”
“The orange juice isn’t bad either.”
Just as Basilian enjoyed the peace and Flora momentarily forgot why they’d come to the village—
“They say they’re heading into the Demon Forest for a subjugation this time.”
From the group of men sitting nearby and drinking in the middle of the day, a very welcome topic drifted over.
