Chapter 140: Temporary Contract

Chapter 140: Temporary Contract

Hearing Amyrius Leavitt’s words, which were statements rather than questions, Bilt instantly broke out in a dense layer of cold sweat across his forehead.

He opened his mouth as if to explain himself, but in the end, he dropped to one knee with a thud. Trembling under that indescribable pressure, he said, “Your—Your Excellency, the vagrant from before suddenly fell ill and died. I had no choice but to find an adventurer who could change his appearance.”

At that moment, Klein was not overly nervous.

After all, Admiral Amyrius Leavitt had already noticed him in the banquet hall. There was no reason for him to only now identify him as a Beyonder. Since he was still willing to meet him rather than avoid the risk outright, it meant he did not especially mind who Bilt had found.

He isn’t worried at all? Is this the confidence of a demigod, or can his Beyonder pathway eliminate hidden dangers in advance… Klein raised his head with difficulty and looked at the naval admiral, who had already turned around.

“Not bad,” Amyrius Leavitt evaluated without expression.

Still looking at Bilt, who was kneeling on one knee, he said, “Do not attempt to play such petty tricks before me.

“Ordinary people and Beyonders occupy different positions in this world. And as one who enforces order, I can clearly confirm that.”

Indeed, just as the materials described, this admiral has a tendency to lecture others. I have to remember that firmly. It’s completely different from my own style and from Gehrman Sparrow’s… Klein thoughtfully withdrew his gaze and looked at the floor, as though he could not bear that pressure.

Amyrius Leavitt took a step forward.

“Deception was the first mistake you made. Lack of caution was the second.

“The vagrant on whom you had spent a great deal of effort suddenly died, and immediately afterward an adventurer capable of changing his appearance appeared before you. Don’t you think that is far too coincidental?”

That’s right. It is a little coincidental… Klein nearly repeated the question after him.

If he had not confirmed it above the gray fog, even he would have suspected that he had once again been arranged by some mythical creature or Grade 0 Sealed Artifact.

As for Bilt, his pupils contracted as realization struck him.

He discovered that, because of fear and dread, he had only wanted to seize that final lifeline. He had completely lost the caution that experience should have given him, and he had not once considered whether Gehrman Sparrow’s appearance had been too much of a coincidence.

The very first time he went to the Sweet Lemon Bar, that vagrant had suddenly fallen ill and died! The more Bilt thought about it, the more he felt he had fallen into an intricately planned trap.

Seeing Bilt’s expression change again and again—now enlightened, now remorseful—Amyrius Leavitt gave a slight nod.

“My father, the late Old Earl Leavitt, once taught me something.

“He said: forgive the first mistake committed by those under you.

“Bilt, you should be grateful for his mercy.”

Bilt’s tense nerves loosened at once, and, for some inexplicable reason, intense emotion welled up inside him.

He had believed that Admiral Amyrius Leavitt, who was closer to a god than a human, would execute him on the spot as a warning to all adventurers secretly serving him. He had never imagined that the admiral would choose forgiveness.

“Your Excellency, I—I…” For a moment, Bilt could not form a complete sentence.

Amyrius maintained his stern attitude and said in a deep voice, “What I just said has a second half: severely punish them for the second mistake.

“Bilt, you know what to do from now on?”

Still kneeling on one knee, Bilt immediately straightened his back, clenched his right fist, and pressed it to his left breast.

“My loyalty belongs only to Your Excellency!”

Amyrius nodded and turned to Klein.

“What is your name?”

That depends on which identity you’re asking about… Klein grumbled…