Chapter 38

“You want to change the Demon King’s castle? Fine, go ahead.”

Adam’s consent came surprisingly easily.

I had prepared a host of persuasive arguments to convince him, but they remained unspoken as I fell silent.

While the approval was easier than expected, it left me with a nagging unease.

When I asked why, Adam gave a bitter smile and replied, “After seeing how you ran around ripping curtains apart last time, I realized there’s no point in trying to stop you.”

“But staying in such a gloomy place will only make people more depressed!”

It was something that had to be done.

Watching Adam over time, I had noticed his tendency to stare blankly at walls, murmur incomprehensible words to himself, or assume the worst about others without any firsthand interaction. He did this especially with the High Priestess.

To make matters worse, he couldn’t sleep properly in such a dreary environment. A classic symptom of depression, something only those who’d experienced it would recognize.

I recalled a tiny studio apartment with blackout curtains that let in no sunlight. Living in such a place eroded one’s social skills and allowed despair to creep in too easily.

Adam exhibited similar tendencies, and I couldn’t help but worry.

So, I’d started making small changes to the castle during my comings and goings. Little did I know that Adam, watching me with a horrified expression from behind, wasn’t as pleased as I had assumed.

I had thought he was merely admiring my handiwork.

“So, how do you plan to change it?”

“I want to make it more accessible to people. Villagers, of course, but also mercenaries. And…”

“Ah, mercenaries,” Adam echoed my words, then smiled.

“My mind has changed. No.”

I stopped mid-sentence, my fingers curling as I was listing my carefully thought-out plans. His unusually firm tone left me momentarily stunned.

When I lifted my head, betrayed, Adam wore an irritated expression, as if inconvenienced.

“You said yes earlier!”

“At the time, I didn’t realize you meant inviting mercenaries. I thought you were just talking about villagers.”

“But mercenaries are no different from anyone else!”

Could Adam be one of those people who looked down on mercenaries? The kind who believed the ridiculous rumors that mercenaries were loud, brutish, and left behind nothing but dead monsters and blood wherever they went?

But considering how well he had worked with Isella in the past, his view of mercenaries couldn’t be that negative.

‘I was only trying to give him a chance to reconnect with Isella, his former comrade.’

Even if neither remembered their shared history, they had once fought side by side to defeat the Demon King. Was there some unspoken rule forbidding them from becoming friends in peacetime?

My grand but simple wish was crushed effortlessly by Adam.

This was all for you!

But I couldn’t bring myself to say that Isella had been one of his closest friends and comrades. The words caught in my throat, as if glued shut.

Talking about memories Adam didn’t have would only confuse him further.

“That’s…!”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Seeing my struggle, Adam calmly continued.

“Mercenaries wouldn’t want to come here anyway.”

“Mercenaries are often unwelcome in villages because of their noisy and uncouth image. But this place, far from typical villages yet conveniently close to both towns and the capital, would be perfect for them!”

“The proximity to the capital might appeal to mercenaries, but…”

Adam trailed off, his golden eyes lighting up as if he had a sudden thought. He glanced at me, pausing in consideration.

“…Is that your idea, Eveline?”

“What?”

“You didn’t hear it from someone else, did you?”

How does he know about Ahern?!

Panic shot through me as I thought back to the temple and what Adam’s reaction might be if he learned I had sat and talked with a stranger. I hurriedly shook my head, but my shaky voice betrayed me.

Adam frowned, his expression turning strangely relieved.

“I thought something was off. Suddenly wanting to change the Demon King’s castle…”

He nodded as though things now made sense.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“What?”

Adam’s abrupt 180-degree change in attitude left me blinking in confusion.

Hadn’t he just said he disliked mercenaries and had no intention of altering the Demon King’s castle?

I felt flustered, bewildered by how easily his stance had flipped, like turning over one’s palm.

‘Could Ahern really be Adam’s friend?’

How else could he reject my suggestion outright, only to agree when it came from Ahern? Narrowing my eyes, I shot a suspicious glance at Adam.

Perhaps sensing my intense gaze, Adam, who had been resting his chin in thought, turned his eyes toward me. Startled, I quickly averted my gaze, pretending nothing had happened.

“Shall I write a letter to Lady Isella, then?” I asked, trying to steady my tone.

“Do so,” Adam replied promptly, rising to fetch a blank sheet of paper and a fountain pen. Within moments, he had written the letter.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked over his shoulder to read it.

‘…Is this an invitation or a duel challenge?’

I alternated between staring at Adam and the letter, my expression half incredulous.

 

[To Mercenary Queen Isella,

I am well aware of your reputation.

On the Xth month, XXth day, meet me at the Demon King’s castle.

It is your choice to respond to this proposal, but refusing it would be the most foolish decision one could make.

I trust you will make a wise judgment.]

 

That was the gist of it.

“Why did you write a letter that sounds like you’re provoking her?” I demanded.

Adam tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. I thrust the letter under his nose and pointed at the offending sentence.

“You wrote that refusing the proposal would be foolish! Isn’t that basically asking for a fight?”

“If the Mercenary Queen refuses, others will come in her place. But what could be more foolish than turning down such an opportunity? It’s like leaving gold untouched right before your eyes.”

Adam’s reasoning left me speechless, my jaw dropping slightly.

But did he really have to mix in veiled threats and insults in the letter?

Adam, however, still seemed completely unaware of what was wrong.

Then again, I hadn’t exactly raised him to be delicate. But I didn’t raise him to write threatening letters either!

“Shall I rewrite it? Perhaps to ensure she doesn’t even think of refusing…”

“No, no! On second thought, I think it’s better if I write it myself!” I exclaimed hastily.

Pressing a hand to my throbbing temple, I snatched the paper and pen from Adam.

Deprived of his tools, Adam stared at his empty hands and then at me with a forlorn expression, like a raccoon watching cotton candy dissolve in water.

“Why? Wasn’t it written well?” he asked, genuinely confused.

Was he really asking because he didn’t know? Or was he leaving it to me with a cryptic trust that I’d handle it better?

Judging by Adam’s innocent expression, it was likely the former—no matter how much I wished it weren’t.

Unable to outright lie, I awkwardly excused myself from the office.

[To the Esteemed Lady Isella,

This is Eveline, a maid who serves the warrior.

I have heard much about your reputation and deeds from the warrior himself.

I understand that mercenaries, by the nature of their work, must often wander between villages.

While considering how to assist mercenaries, I realized that the Demon King’s castle, with its location and size, could accommodate many of them. Thus, I propose this idea to you.

If this proposal interests you, I kindly ask for your reply.

Yours sincerely,
Eveline, from the Demon King’s castle.]

 

As I signed my name at the bottom, I reflected on Isella’s character.

‘What kind of person was the Mercenary Queen again?’

Isella had taken over as Mercenary Queen at a young age after her father, the Mercenary King. But the journey had been far from smooth.

Many people doubted that someone so young—and a woman at that—was fit to lead mercenaries. Some even left her command.

But young Isella hadn’t dragged them back, brandishing contracts to force compliance.

In the world of mercenaries, strength was everything.

To make those who revered power follow her, she had to demonstrate overwhelming strength.

And she did exactly that.

“Anyone who doesn’t like me being the Mercenary Queen, step forward!”