Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: The Cornered Rat and the Kittens 4 (Harald’s POV)
Sara glanced at Harald and Tim.
“We have no choice. Aside from Tim, someone who can’t even protect himself isn’t suitable to be by the kind-hearted Lady Karen’s side.”
“We could use Harald for chores if you don’t mind, Karen, but you would mind, right?”
Sara and Natalia were saying that because Karen would worry about a menial worker like Harald being exposed to danger and dying, they couldn’t keep him employed any longer.
“Karen, let’s calculate the cost of the potions as compensation for putting him in danger, and dismiss these children.”
“Ms. Natalia’s suggestion sounds good. There won’t be any lingering issues that way.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. I can fight, but people underestimate me because of how I look.”
The dismissal discussion progressed rapidly. Even Tim had accepted the situation, leaving only Harald behind.
When they were attacked by those men, Harald’s heartbeat had been deafeningly loud. He had been terrified and struggled to breathe. But now, his heart pounded even more violently, and he felt so breathless that his vision blurred. Barely able to breathe, let alone speak, Harald gasped for air and desperately said:
“I’ll… be fine… Please let me continue working here!”
“Even if you’re fine, Harald, Karen isn’t—that’s the problem.”
“Shut up, Tim! You’re strong enough to make it anywhere! I’m different!”
With that much strength, Tim could surely kill monsters easily. He seemed to lack any sense of fear, and it appeared to be only a matter of time before he succeeded as an adventurer. After all, for Tim, working as an errand boy under Karen was probably just a temporary position.
“Unlike you, my whole life is at stake…! Don’t take away my chance to convince Lady Karen!”
Tim fell silent at this outburst, but Sara and Natalia remained cruel.
“That convincing would only hurt Lady Karen’s feelings, so be quiet now.”
“Yes. I understand how you feel, but emotional appeals won’t help.”
They were Karen’s close friends and had the power to influence her decisions. But defying their words, Harald threw himself at Karen’s feet.
“Lady Karen! I don’t care what dangers I face! I’ll do any job you ask! I’ll have no regrets even if I die! So please let me continue working here!”
“You say that, but you threw up and froze just from seeing a corpse.”
Harald glared at Tim with tear-filled eyes and gritted his teeth. Between his clenched teeth, he said:
“I’ll never show such pathetic behavior again…! So please, I beg you…!”
To Harald, who was pressing his forehead against the floor, Karen said:
“This morning, I was planning to stop by Natalia’s place on the way home to discuss whether to raise your wages or not. …But I’ve changed my mind.”
Karen’s voice fell upon Harald as he clenched his fist tightly.
“Without consulting Natalia, I’ve decided on my own to keep employing you!”
Harald caught his breath and looked up, but his joy was premature.
“Karen, you know you’ll never be able to treat this boy like someone whose death wouldn’t matter. So what are you going to do?”
“Of course, I’ll hire a supporter who used to be an adventurer. I’ll make use of the guild’s system if it’s available.”
“If you’re hiring a supporter, you don’t need an errand boy… Incurring extra costs just to employ one child is too indulgent, Lady Karen.”
“Hmm.”
Karen tilted her head at Sara’s words, then looked at Harald and grinned. That smile was so reassuring that Harald nearly burst into tears.
“I never said I was keeping Harald out of kindness. This is, well—an investment in potential.”
“Investment… in potential?”
“It means securing a talented person as an ally before others realize their value.”
“A talented person…”
Harald numbly repeated these unfamiliar words.
“Harald, you have excellent memory—and I’ve been wanting a backup.”
Backup. Harald didn’t understand what that meant, but he strongly grasped that he was needed.
“I still don’t know what it is about me that turns non-magical materials into potions. In case I die in an accident or attack without figuring it out, I want you to memorize everything about me… I feel the necessity of this even more strongly after what happened.”
Harald knew of the turmoil that started with the soap and of Karen’s noble goal. He had been present when Isaac arrived. Therefore, Harald understood that this was Karen’s sincere wish.
“Not just my research, but my thoughts and philosophy, my habits, my lifestyle, gestures and routines—everything that makes me who I am. I want you to memorize it all. …Can you do that?”
“I can!”
Harald answered before he could even think, and Karen nodded.
“Then, from now on, I want you to live and work in my house.”
“As you wish.”
“However, since I’ll be entrusting you with my secrets, we’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement, so be prepared for that.”
“Of course… Thank you, Lady Karen…!”
As Harald broke down in tears, Karen smiled and nodded, looking slightly troubled.
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