Your Strength

“So… you used me.”

Sophia gave a nervous chuckle before covering her mouth to stop from puking. They were on the road again after a night rest stop. The priest had burned the bodies of the dead bandits and even the warrior named Lanister. After they woke up in the morning the priest then prayed and cleansed the area. It seems that just being there to witness the ritual allowed Leo to… regain a skill.

[Rebecca’s Purification Unlocked]

He was so tired the night before that it was only now that he decided to confront Sophia. Leo was no fool…. well… most of the time.

“Used is such a strong word. More… urk… a happy coincidence.”

“Uh huh.”

Sophia sighed, “Ok, ok. Yes, I used the excuse of your travel to Bellen to take down William and Lanister. Happy?”

“Eh, I’m not mad. Just if you want this partnership to work out, I just like to know what’s going on.” Leo said trying to be sly.

“Partnership? Ha!” Sophia eyes became sharper even though she was keep a smile on your face. “I’m your manager. You already signed off on me taking point in your party and its operations. Despite jumping to C-rank, you’re still far too green to.. urgh!” She then grabbed her sick bag and proceeded to empty her stomach, “Ugh… to try and negotiate terms with me.”

Leo was impressed that she still held her composer despite showing weakness. “I guess… but how did you know about Lanister and that Raithfort guy working together?”

Sophia scoffed, “William isn’t a Raithfort. He just married into the merchant family and took the name. As for how I knew they were working together? Well, it was because of Lanister.”

“But, you said that this party could be trusted.”

“Ah!” A dangerous gleam sparkled into Sophia’s eyes. “That part is true. However!” Leo now regretted that he asked these questions seemingly falling for another of Sophia’s trap, “Lanister was a decent adventurer with a B rank. However 2 years of being B rank with no signs of promotion? Not to mention that every party he formed had newbies that would soon die. That fact was more hidden as those situations happened too far apart.”

“Really…” Leo was now jealous of Zentella sleeping on his lap. At least she didn’t have to watch Sophia gloat.

“His equipment was top of the line too, meaning that he had income coming from somewhere. Especially since he seemed to exclusively take escort missions. While an important job, many, many adventurers would rather do other things.”

“And he would take escort jobs from William? That’s how you found them working together.”

“Most of them yes. But it was actually the bandit arrests that lead me to find their collusion.” Sophia paused to ease her stomach, “You see; the Adventure’s Guild gains a portion of the reward for arresting bandits alive. All adventurer’s are required to turn them in under the guild’s name. Yet, none of the captured bandits were arrested under Lanister’s or William’s name.”

“So, William was turning them into slaves.” Leo stated now getting into the explanation.

“Yes, while criminal slaves are are a thing, they have more rights than the version that William was using. Slavery of that kind is illegal, but still hard to prove. The law only came into effect 100 years ago, so it is up to knights and adventures to see that all roots are weeded out. That’s why he wanted Zentella, an obedient assassin slave would cause a lot of damage.”

“But wait… what about the communication of the bandits and Lanister? How are they connected?”

“No idea.” Sophia raised her arms in the air signaling that she lost interest in that part of her takedown. “Now… What’s your story Leo?”

Shocked he asked, “What do you mean?”

“Please… A complete unknown that can throw high level spells of different classes one after the other.” She mocked him throwing her hands around, “Being followed by a seemingly well trained assassin girl. There has to be a story.”

It wasn’t as though that he needed to keep that he was from another world, just… “Promise me you won’t think I’m crazy.”

So Leo told Sophia everything. Well, at least how he understood it and what was necessary. He told her that he was from Earth, that he was summoned by the Hero Party, how he met Zentella and about his personal mission to recover the red orb.

Sophia jut sat there and absorbed all that he told her. She didn’t ask questions, she didn’t laugh, she just listen. What did she think? Would she quit on them and leave as soon as they got to town? Leo was overcome with worry when she didn’t say anything. Then she simple raised her arms to shrug her shoulders.

“Well… I can’t say I believe you, but there has been strange things in this world. What’s one more from another right?” She then puffed her chest in pride, “After all, I am your manager, I can definitely work with this.” Looking at the girl still sleeping on his lap she added, “I guess that would explain why you would be willing to protect her.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m just saying that your world must be different if you were willing to take an arrow for her despite the carnage.” Leo was stunned unable to think of a response, “You must have left a daughter back home on your ‘world’ huh”

Leo grew flustered and carefully sook his hands and head to not wake up Zentella, “No, no. I don’t even have a girlfriend back home let alone a kid.”

Sophia then put a finger to her chin, “Oh… but you’re so good with her.”

“Hardly.” He sighed

“No I mean it. Sure you didn’t witness the carnage she caused, but the way you talked to her.” She closed her eyes trying to find the words. “It just… seemed like you had experience with kids.”

“So is she a monster or a kid?”

“That’s why I’m asking.”

Leo let out a sigh. Then he dug up an old memory, “Well… I guess it was because I always around young cousins.”

“Oh, big family?”

“Kinda, even family friends with younger children. I guess growing up I just… got used to them.” He laughed to himself remembering some games he used to play with them, “When you meet them on their level, kids aren’t that bad.”

She shook her head again, “Children are scary, especially when they can kill you.” Her expression soften, “What you did back there was amazing,”

“Sure… but all I did was talk to her.” Leo wasn’t so sure that he was amazing. After saying everything out loud… he became very apparent of his shortcomings. Sure only he could take on this mission right now, but that was luck. Anyone could have been summoned and be here. Heck they could probably do a much better job than him. He couldn’t fight well, all he could do was use the moves of the dead. Moves that belonged to them. They weren’t his. All that made him amazing were from people who were actually amazing.

*Flick*

“Ow!” Leo then looked up to Sophia, who had just flicked him in the head.

“Enough.” She then sat back down, “That face looked horrible on you. I don’t expect to understand everything about you or where you come from… hurk,” She calmed down again, “However, I will not allow an adventurer under my supervision sell himself short.” Sophia winked, “Appraising and assigning their price is my job. So, erase that worry from your mind. You don’t have room for that and her.”

Leo nodded before chuckling. She was right, worring about his worth meant nothing right now. He had to find the shards AND take care of Zentella from now on. After all…. he intended to keep his promise this time.