Chapter 77: Special Request (3)
At a late hour when a drink would cross the minds of those who had spent a fulfilling day.
This was precisely the time when the Eddy Mercenary Corps showed its true worth.
Their skills surpassed even those of the city's regular Guard, coupled with a meticulousness that understood and catered to the circumstances of local Merchants.
Not only did they lack the delinquent-like aspects seen in common Mercenaries, but they were also diligent, and finally, their prices were reasonable.
Thanks to this, the Merchants leading Marzen's nightlife were doing their best at their workplaces with much brighter faces than before.
However, what made tonight slightly different from usual was that the executives, who should have been managing and supervising the Mercenaries at the forefront, had briefly left their posts.
Of course, since their subordinate Mercenaries also possessed skills that wouldn't be lacking anywhere, there was no chance of problems arising, but considering the usually more-diligent-than-anyone attitude of the executives, one couldn't help but tilt their head in confusion.
“But…… still, it can't be helped.”
“Of course. We can't be left out of such an important matter.”
“The Bosses are right!”
“I don't know if it'll be helpful, but our brothers will also do our best!”
“Hear, hear!”
“…….”
The executives of the Eddy Mercenary Corps, who had made do with a simple snack for dinner.
They were all, without exception, shining their eyes with full motivation.
It couldn't be helped.
How could they miss an opportunity to be helpful in the romance of ‘Boss Harang,’ the person they respected the most!
‘In terms of combat or swordsmanship…… we're practically useless beings anyway.’
Eddy nodded.
It couldn't be helped.
What advice could they possibly give to Harang, who had dispatched even Dukan Iter, a Graduate at the initial stage, with a single sword strike?
Just as he was thinking that, an opportunity arose to help in a non-combat area.
Romance!
Moreover, it wasn't just a relationship between a man and a woman; a major event involving the lady's parents had come Harang's way.
This changed the story.
For Boss, who had less social experience than his peers, their advice, having gone through thick and thin in the harsh world, would undoubtedly be an excellent reference.
At least, the executives of the Eddy Family, excluding the kid Glen, thought so.
No.
To be precise, there was one more person who didn't agree with that thought.
It was Daereon.
‘What is this nonsense?’
Daereon, who had been dragged along, looked around with sullen eyes.
They were all ugly faces.
They were beings who seemed to be more than a thousand years removed from words like romance or love.
Nevertheless, seeing them so excited, he realized that the saying ‘ugly people find joy just by looking at each other's faces’ was not wrong.
Of course, he didn't bother to voice such words.
He merely sighed inwardly and practiced mind control so that his discomfort wouldn't show on the surface as much as possible.
But.
‘Why is that human here?’
The moment he saw the Beggar Elder sitting in the corner of the table with an interested expression, his barely maintained composure shattered.
He asked.
“Beggar Elder.”
“Hmm? You mean me?”
“Then who else here is a beggar besides you?”
“That's true. Anyway, why?”
“Do you even know what kind of gathering this is? This is a gathering to help Boss Harang's smooth romance.”
“I know.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“Why, are you trying to say that the advice of an old, worn-out beggar is useless?”
‘Why do you bother saying something so obvious out loud?’
Daereon wanted to say, but he took a deep breath and held it in.
It was hard to treat the old man carelessly since he got along well with the executives due to his unique friendliness.
‘I'll just endure it.’
In the end, Daereon answered by firmly closing his eyes.
It was his way of expressing his displeasure, but the Beggar Elder didn't even care.
Turning his head, he looked at the front of the table with interested eyes and focused his attention on Pale, the Vice-Captain of the Mercenary Corps, who had already stood up.
Ahem, after clearing his throat once, he finally opened his mouth.
“Since we don't have time, I'll get straight to the point. There are dozens of things to be mindful of when meeting a lover's parents, but considering the opponent is a noble, I've picked out three main points. First is ‘attire.’”
“Hmm.”
“Right. Clothes are important.”
“Truly the best mind in the Eddy Mercenary Corps!”
Eddy and the Fist brothers, Bloody Fist Thomas and Iron Fist Kennedy, nodded as if in agreement.
It was true.
Just as a good-looking rice cake tastes good, making a good first impression required a neat appearance above all else.
It wasn't enough to just be cool.
Considering that the other person was older and a noble, it was right to pursue a neat yet luxurious appearance rather than something too unconventional.
Pale, emphasizing that point, continued to point out the next points.
Second, etiquette.
Third, culture.
This time too, the executives' heads nodded.
It was an extremely rational judgment.
Commoners like themselves just needed to pretend to be polite, but if the opponent was a noble, the story changed.
In conversation, it was necessary to pay close attention not to appear ignorant in leading the flow.
“Indeed, Pale. The strategist of the Mercenary Corps!”
“Smart! So smart!”
“I'm falling for him! Truly Boss Pale!”
Again, positive reactions from Eddy and the Fist brothers followed.
At this, Pale wore a satisfied expression.
Though he maintained composure on the outside, the corners of his mouth, rising slightly, were already beyond control.
It seemed no one could stop the incredibly smooth flow of the meeting.
However, that too was brief.
Glen, who had been making a puzzled expression until now, cautiously raised his hand and posed a question.
“So…… what clothes should he wear?”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
A moment of silence.
Glen, not sensing the awkwardness, continued to ask questions.
“Etiquette and culture too…… where should he learn them? Um, this might sound a bit rude, but…… we don't know noble etiquette, and we're weak in the cultural aspects that nobles consider important, aren't we?”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“Actually, everyone knows that attire is important, etiquette is essential, and it's good if a cultured conversation follows…… The really important thing seems to be how to fulfill those, but as for that part, the discussion…… Uh oh? D-Did I say something I shouldn't have?”
Glen glanced around cautiously in the rapidly cooling atmosphere.
But it was already too late.
The executives' expressions had long since hardened.
It couldn't be helped.
As Glen said, they knew how to throw punches, but they were ignorant of things like culture or etiquette.
Of course, fashion sense was a separate matter, but the important point here was…… that all the Eddy Family executives had not been in a relationship for a long time.
I know that dressing up is important!
But I have no idea how to dress up! Because it's been so long since I've built a wall with the opposite sex!
This thought arose in everyone's mind, and it made the atmosphere of the meeting room even darker.
Glen, who had become the starting point of this, sweated profusely with an uneasy expression, and Daereon shook his head.
Of course, he too was just a middle-aged single man with no answers.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Stillness.
Silence.
Quiet.
The executives of the Eddy Family, not saying a word, as if time had stopped, as if frozen.
The Beggar Elder watched them for a moment, then nodded once and quietly left the meeting room.
No one paid attention to his departure.
Perhaps they didn't even notice, but that wasn't important.
He strode out of the Hideout and wandered the streets aimlessly.
Sometimes he sat down to beg, sometimes he cowered to avoid menacing-looking Mercenaries.
And then, before he knew it, a clothing store stood before him.
Judging by its elegant exterior and fancy sign, it seemed to be the most expensive place in the Outer District, exuding a solemn atmosphere that a beggar couldn't easily enter.
However, the old man didn't care and confidently walked inside, smiling at a certain man.
And said.
“Hey there, Harang.”
“Huh? Elder, what brings you here?”
“Um, well……”
The clothing store employee looked back and forth between the Beggar Elder and Harang with a troubled expression, then finally stepped back.
No matter how much of a beggar he was, he couldn't ignore Harang, who was practically a powerhouse in Marzen, to the point of chasing him out.
Moreover, the old man's unusually confident demeanor prevented the employee from acting rashly.
Of course, that wasn't important.
What was truly important was that the clothes Harang was currently wearing were terribly unsuited for him.
The Beggar Elder, sighing deeply, asked him.
“Hey there, Harang.”
“I'm listening. Why do you keep calling me?”
“It's because it's so shocking. These clothes, did the store pick them out for you?”
“No? I picked them out as I liked.”
“A total disaster……”
The old man shook his head.
The employee who saw this unknowingly nodded, and Harang, unaware that he was committing a fashion sacrilege, asked foolishly.
“Are they bad?”
“They're bad.”
“What part is bad?”
“It would take all day to explain that.”
“Hmm, it's not easy. But it's okay. Just like when practicing swordsmanship, or when getting along with people, if I keep trying, I can achieve better coordination……”
“No. You can't.”
“Yes?”
“You can't. I'm sorry, but people have talents. For those who can't, no matter how much they try, advice from others is necessary, so I'll help you a little.”
“You, Elder?”
“Yes. If possible, I'd like to teach you more than just how to dress…… How about it, are you willing to trust me and follow?”
The Beggar Elder grinned.
Yellowed teeth and an incredibly shabby appearance.
His unsightly look was quite insufficient to inspire trust in anyone.
But.
“Then I'd be grateful.”
“Hehe, good.”
Harang readily nodded.
The old man, seeing this, also nodded cheerfully.
Only the employee, standing awkwardly beside them like a forgotten scarecrow, watched the two with an anxious expression.
And, a week's time passed.
* * *
“Phew, I made a mistake.”
On the day of the appointment.
Sheratiya's expression was not good as she headed to the Eddy Mercenary Corps's Hideout to pick up Harang for their appointment.
It couldn't be helped.
She had been so busy for the past week that she hadn't been able to pay proper attention to Harang.
‘I should have at least gone to get clothes tailored together.’
That was right.
If he showed up wearing the black hood he always wore, there would be no greater disaster.
She even thought she might have to postpone the appointment with her parents.
Although he was trustworthy in swordsmanship, in aspects like this, Harang was somehow not trustworthy.
She had prepared a set of clothes in a hurry just in case, but since she hadn't had him try them on, she wasn't sure they would suit him well.
‘Of course, it would be better than what he usually wears, but still…….’
As she was sighing deeply with such thoughts, the carriage arrived in front of the Hideout before she knew it.
Sheratiya Viyan sighed again.
I won't be surprised no matter what Harang looks like.
It's not his fault.
It's my fault for not paying attention.
So let's not get angry or show a flustered expression.
Making such a resolution inwardly, she looked out of the carriage.
And confirmed Harang's appearance.
“…….”
Contrary to her resolve not to be flustered, Sheratiya Viyan's eyes widened incomparably more than before.