Chapter 10 | The Assassin Performs a Promotion
My first date with Dia in a while had turned out to be a lot of fun… Then she and I finally took the next step forward together.
I wanted to be gentle and not push her too hard because it was her first time. However, such thoughts quickly disappeared from my mind.
Dia was too cute, and I lost the ability to hold back. The end result left Dia exhausted, so I suggested we stay overnight in the love hotel. She rejected that, however. It seemed she didn’t like the idea of Tarte growing suspicious. That was a little unexpected, as I didn’t think Dia was the type to worry about that kind of thing.
The three of us were having breakfast at the inn Tarte had set us up in. It was plain to everyone that Dia’s behavior was a little off. She was constantly spacing out and blushing.
“Lady Dia, are you not feeling well? It’s been a little while since you’ve eaten anything,” Tarte inquired.
“No, it’s nothing like that. I feel fine. Just fine. Yeah.”
“If you’re not feeling well, then please let me know. Ah, you have a bug bite. There’s a red spot on your neck. Maybe that’s the reason. I also noticed you were walking a little strangely.”
“N-no, that’s not— I’m telling you, I’m fine!”
Her strange conduct likely had to do with what happened last night. I was having trouble concentrating, too. I had no idea that sleeping with someone I loved felt so fulfilling.
My eyes met Dia’s, and we stared at each other for a few seconds. Tarte looked at us and tilted her head in confusion.
Hastily, I cleared my throat. “Tarte, tell me how yesterday went.”
“Yes, my lord! I went to speak to Maha. After that, I cleaned our house. It was so dirty that it made me think I should take regular trips there.”
The house she was referring to was the estate I’d lived in during my time as Illig Balor. Maha still resided there. Her work was very demanding, so it wasn’t astonishing to learn she had no time for tidying up. Maha made more than enough money to hire someone to do it for her, of course, but there were things in that house we couldn’t let others see.
“I see. That was probably for the best. I’m going to head out. You two do whatever you want.”
I was going to meet Maha as Illig Balor. Thus, I couldn’t be seen with Tarte or Dia.
“Understood. Lady Dia, should I show you around like last time?” Tarte suggested.
“…I’ll pass. Walking is a little rough right now. I’m going to relax here and read a book or something. Enjoy yourself, and don’t worry about me, Tarte.”
“I knew it. You really aren’t feeling well.”
“Once again, I’m fine. There’s nothing to fret over.”
This was my fault. I’d offered to use mana to increase Dia’s self-healing, but she insisted that she wished to feel the pain.
“Then I will leave you here, Lady Dia. I’m going to go shopping. Lady Esri requested some things from me. Once I finish that, I’ll get a bunch of sweets that you like and return. Please tell me if there’s anything else you want,” Tarte said.
“Thanks, that would be great.”
Both the girls seemed like they could manage without me.
Maha was eagerly awaiting my arrival, and I wanted to get my hands on the item I’d requested her to obtain for me. It could make a massive difference in my fight against demons.
When I arrived at Maha’s office, I was immediately greeted by a giant stack of papers being shoved in my face.
“Can you take care of those documents for me, dear brother? I wish you had given me at least a week’s notice before coming to see me. That way, I would have been able to make more time. If I don’t finish all of this by the end of the day, Natural You’s business will stagnate.”
A second mountain of sheets was piled high on Maha’s desk.
“Sorry about that. I just couldn’t sit still after you told me you’d found what I’ve been after. And more importantly, I wanted to sit and talk with you. We haven’t gotten the chance in a while,” I replied.
“…You can be so simpleminded. I didn’t think you would get that excited over just a couple of words.”
Wasting no time, we both got to work.
Maha was busy. She had a lot on her plate as my representative at Natural You, and she provided support for my assassination jobs to boot. Securing time alone with her was tough, but that’s why I’d come today. Natural You was my company, so obviously, I could help out with Maha’s work.
As my representative, Maha was responsible for steering the enterprise along the best possible course. Together, we went through approving, rejecting, and deferring various documents. Looking through the papers made me realize Natural You had grown far beyond what I had envisioned. Maha was truly adept.
After some time of silently working through the avalanche of sheets, a visitor stopped by.
“Long time no see, Illig.”
“Hey, it certainly has been a while. How long has it been since we’ve talked, Beruid?” I answered, taking care not to speak like Lugh anymore.
Beruid Balor, Illig’s older brother, wore a gentle smile on his face. He was set to inherit the Balor Company, and for reasons I didn’t fully understand, he also worked for Natural You. Still grinning, he dropped more papers on the heap.
“I have something I wish to talk about, but first, please finish up your business here,” the man said.
“…Beruid, I came here on a different matter. It would help if you could push all nonessential items to a later date, if at all possible.”
“These are essential matters. Maha pushed aside quite a lot to make it to the party at the royal castle, and now we’re in a tight spot.”
“I would have preferred you didn’t mention that,” Maha remarked with an embarrassed expression.
Attending the party at the royal castle had meant she’d lost a few days. During that time, things had piled up, literally.
Making appearances at important events was part of Maha’s responsibilities. Celebrations like the award ceremony provided chances to hobnob and make connections with nobles and industrial big shots. However, Maha had mainly visited the royal capital because of me.
She really does have a lot on her plate. I need to do something sooner rather than later. I suppose I can just go ahead with that idea I’ve been mulling over. That should move this along.
I paused my work and turned toward Beruid. “Using my authority, I name Beruid vice-representative of the brand. Your authority is now equal to Maha’s, but she retains precedence in all matters.”
Swiftly, I drew up a contract, filling out the necessary components and adding my seal. Then I shoved the sheet at Beruid. He was at a loss for words, but I ignored that.
“I’ve decided to upgrade you from Maha’s aide to a fellow helmsperson. That means you now have the right to approve or reject these documents. Would you mind assisting us?”
“U-uh, is that truly okay?”
“Natural You is my company. That means what I say goes. I’ve been planning on promoting you for a while. Maha has spoken highly of your work, as have subordinates and clients. Their compliments are what convinced me you are worthy of this position.”
Maha was tackling too much alone. Most people would’ve cracked merely under the pressure of running Natural You, yet she also gathered intel and procured rare goods for me.
I wanted to lighten that load somehow. The quickest way was to leave the day-to-day operation of Natural You to another. Fortunately, Beruid was extremely skilled, and I trusted him on a personal level, too. The man was a mediocre self-starter, but he showed a talent for maintaining and growing already existing businesses.
“…I am so grateful for your offer. Honestly, I’ve been feeling very frustrated lately. Maha has taught me so much about your way of thinking, Illig. My job has been fulfilling and full of surprises, but at the same time, I always had the sense my talents were being wasted on the sidelines.”
“I assumed that was the case. I want you to make full use of your ability from now on.”
It was great to see Beruid so eager to prove himself. He was going to make Maha’s life a lot easier.
The three of us then started going through the documents at a quick pace. Fortunately, it looked like we’d finish with enough time for me to be with Maha for a bit.
“The end is finally in sight,” I commented.
“This really is much faster with three people,” Maha added.
“It’s mostly due to how absurdly fast you two are,” Beruid said, looking at us with an expression of astonishment.
I trusted that he’d catch up after a while. It was simply a matter of getting used to it.
When at last everything was completed, I stood and proposed we all take a short tea break.
Beruid turned to Maha and me with strong resolve plain in his eyes. “Uh, Illig, Maha. I have a matter I want to discuss with you.” Despite his determination, the man’s voice trembled slightly. Beruid usually had nerves of steel; it was rare to see him act this way.
“All right, that’s no problem. We’ll make tea and then discuss,” I declared.
“I second that idea. I’m very thirsty,” said Maha.
We’d listen to what Beruid had to say. Then, once he was done, Maha and I would be alone, and I could finally get what I’d come here for.
At last, a new trump card. Or, more accurately, the materials for one.
It was something I’d used all the time in critical moments during my previous life. With it, I’d be able to make better use of my skills. Honestly, it was incredibly fortunate that Maha had done this for me before a demon appeared.
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