0p0 #219 - You have to consider whether this is your only chance in this life.
#219 - You have to consider whether this is your only chance in this life.
Otto noticed the old, young, and handsome combination the moment he stepped into the post station.
Because it was impossible to avoid seeing them.
They were just sitting in the corner, but their attire, embodying elegance and nobility, and the atmosphere, as if they brought their own spotlight, would catch anyone's eye.
They were nobles, undoubtedly nobles.
And upper-class nobles at that.
Upon realizing this, everyone in the post station became restless, especially the traveling merchants resting there.
They deeply understood that if they could successfully strike up a conversation with the nobles and sell their goods, they would undoubtedly make a fortune.
Moreover, the leading noble looked quite young and should be easy to fool.
However, the old butler, dressed even more exquisitely than them, constantly followed at his side, his sharp eyes radiating a 'keep away' aura as he scanned the entire post station.
Those who were targeted quickly dismissed any inappropriate thoughts.
They deeply understood one thing: this old butler was definitely not an ordinary person.
Otto felt this even more.
Even if he had the money to buy oil, let alone not having it, the timid Otto would never dare to talk to nobles.
Moreover, Otto was actually indifferent to nobles.
This stemmed from his past entanglement in a noble lady's affair, being framed, exposed to the public, and then hunted down.
It was from then on that he was plagued by misfortune every time he traveled as a merchant.
Although he knew it was misplaced anger, the resentment of the helpless, he couldn't help but blame the nobles.
But he never expected that he, who had just hoped for a big shot to descend, would have his wishful thinking come true so quickly.
"I apologize, it seems I was being presumptuous. You seem quite flustered.
However, I do hope to have a good chat with you.
Let's go to my room then; I'll be waiting for you tonight, sincerely hoping for your esteemed visit."
Zun Zun extended the invitation.
He told him the room number and turned to leave.
Otto watched his figure until he went upstairs and disappeared before regaining his senses.
"Wow!"
As soon as he turned around, he saw his companions' stubble-covered, weathered, ugly faces staring intently at him.
"W-What's wrong, you guys..."
"It's so strange.
Could it be that nobles like Otto's type?"
"Maybe it's a different taste.
Why don't I have such good luck, meeting someone who likes my type?"
"You can forget about it; no matter how you look at it, no noble would fancy you, hahaha—"
The merchants laughed loudly.
They seemed to think that Zun Zun, like some nobles with peculiar preferences, had taken a liking to Otto's appearance and was using such a clumsy excuse.
"Wait a minute, you guys!"
Otto slammed the table in embarrassment, stood up, and shouted, "Why would you assume it's about that kind of thing? Do you think the noble is interested in my looks?!"
"...Isn't that the case?"
"It's obvious, isn't it?"
"It can't be his merchant skills, right?"
"A hapless merchant plagued by bad luck?"
"Hahaha—" xN
Mocking laughter echoed throughout the post station, and even the counter lady couldn't stop it despite asking them to be quiet.
Otto's face flushed instantly.
He snorted angrily and stopped arguing with them.
He decided to accept the invitation and successfully become the other party's agent, to give those guys a big surprise!
So, amidst the hisses and teasing whistles of his companions, Otto strode up the stairs.
But something magical seemed to happen on the second floor.
The first floor was clearly very noisy, but the second floor seemed extremely quiet, and Otto subconsciously slowed his pace.
The closer he got to the agreed-upon room, the slower his steps became.
The hot-bloodedness in his brain gradually cooled down, and even his timid nature made him start to overthink.
The heavy psychological pressure made him hesitate in front of the door.
Was there really an ulterior motive?
Thinking carefully, he really didn't have any extraordinary talents and had been constantly unlucky all along.
It didn't seem likely that he would be recruited by a noble.
Could it be that, as those people said, that noble was just eyeing his...!?
Otto subconsciously tightened his buttocks.
He was already starting to back down.
He really wanted to slink back now.
Although he would still be laughed at, and might even be reprimanded by his companions for wasting a great opportunity, at least there would be no danger, and his situation wouldn't get any worse.
...Worse?
Suddenly, Otto recalled the playful look in Zun Zun's eyes, as if he had already foreseen his miserable future, and a strong sense of unease arose in his heart.
He bit his lip.
Just as he made up his mind and was about to knock on the door—
"Please come in."
A voice inviting him came from inside the room first.
At that moment, Otto had the urge to run away again.
It was just that the person inside seemed to see through his thoughts and opened the door first.
Welcoming him at the door was a pink-haired maid with slanted bangs.
Led by her, he arrived at the room.
This was an ordinary post station.
Even among post stations, it was of a lower grade; they chose it because the price was affordable.
But the run-down hotel suite, which should have been dilapidated, had instead gained a bit of class because of someone's presence.
The imagined scene of the noble wearing strange clothes did not happen; Zun Zun was still wearing a well-fitting and exquisite suit.
Otto breathed a slight sigh of relief, but did not let his guard down because of it, because he had seen too many nobles with various fetishes.
"Please sit."
Zun Zun gestured for Otto to sit down.
On the only table in the room, red tea was placed.
Otto cautiously sat down.
“Don't be so formal, just think of it as a conversation between friends.” Zun Zun chuckled lightly and teased, “I thought you'd dawdle a bit longer, but I didn't expect you to come so quickly. Of course, not counting the time you spent hesitating at the door.”
“—!?”
Otto's face flushed red instantly.
“Wh-why…”
“Because my eyes can see magic. Otto, you're an Earth attribute, right? I saw you in the lobby, so I knew it was you.”
“Is it a blessing?”
“You could say that.”
This is the Red Demon Clan's innate magic perception, but it's not wrong to consider it a blessing in this world.
Although possessing a blessing is considered being favored by the world, there are actually quite a few people with blessings. Although the proportion is small, the base number is large, so there are still many people who possess them.
Otto fidgeted uneasily.
Normally, they should exchange pleasantries or something, but Zun Zun had no such intentions. The best way to deal with a softie like Otto is to be firm.
“Otto, become my person.”
“S-sorry, I don't have any special preferences, so…”
“…You possess extraordinary talent, but you're not using it correctly… Hmm? What did you say?”
“N-nothing!?”
Realizing his misunderstanding, Otto waved his hands frantically.
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Zun Zun looked at him suspiciously, feeling that this guy had just offended him. However, knowing that Otto was just that kind of person, he didn't get angry.
“So, will you consider it?”
“Y-yes…”
Otto really wanted to agree right then and there, and then run back to brag to his companions, but at the moment the words were about to come out, he forcibly suppressed them.
He couldn't be impulsive!
Should he be said to have chickened out at the last moment, or should he be said to have self-awareness?
Just as his companions said, in the four years that Otto has been a merchant, he has always been plagued by misfortune, either working for nothing or ending with a small loss, not to mention the various hardships encountered on the road.
If he became a noble's merchant agent, things would definitely improve, but if he was still plagued by misfortune…
“S-sorry, I appreciate the offer, but please allow me to decline…”
He racked his brains to organize his words, trying to use elegant vocabulary to refuse as much as possible.
“I-I know that refusing is a very foolish thing, but… ever since I became a merchant, either the fragile goods are damaged by bad weather, or I take shortcuts and get attacked by bandits, and I always encounter all kinds of difficulties. If you let me be your merchant, then surely…”
“What are you talking about? What I value is not your talent for trading.”
“…Eh?”
“Speaking of which, do you have a talent for trading?”
“H-how mean!”
Offended, Otto couldn't help but shout aggrievedly.
His companions were like this, and the noble in front of him was also like this. He really couldn't stand it!
“But, I'm just an ordinary merchant, and I don't have any other talents besides trading…”
“No, don't you have a talent? Here.”
Zun Zun pointed to his own ears.
“Wh…!?”
Otto's face changed drastically. Startled, he suddenly stood up, knocking the chair under his butt to the ground, and staggered towards the door of the inn.
“Ah, don't be nervous.”
Zun Zun waved his hand, signaling him not to be nervous.
“I know because I am a diviner and can see the future.”
“See the future? Is it a blessing…”
“Just think of it that way.”
Otto didn't relax because of this, but became even more vigilant, his eyes darting around, trying to find an escape route. However, the windows were tightly closed, and there were maids guarding the door, making it very difficult for him to escape.
Zun Zun didn't care what he was thinking.
“Otto, although you are timid, cowardly, indecisive, and always plagued by misfortune, you undoubtedly have talent, but you just lack guidance. I won't ask you to give me an answer now, but I hope you can consider it. And… and also… and… Hmm, I've said a bit too much. Let's end today's conversation here.”
Otto didn't hear most of the words. He was vaguely sent out of the room. Just as Zun Zun said, he had no malice and didn't make things difficult for him.
Otto returned to the first floor of the inn.
Surrounded by his companions, he returned to the corner, ignoring the vulgar words like 'that's all he is' and 'all show and no substance' that he heard.
He had no idea what he was thinking.
At this moment, a maid walked down the stairs from the second floor and slowly walked towards them.
It was Flamme.
The maid who followed the noble.
She politely bowed to everyone, then took out a badge and handed it to the bewildered Otto.
“Mr. Otto, if you change your mind, please take this token to the Sword Saint Family. Also, Lord Zun Zun asked me to tell you—good luck is now before your eyes. You must consider whether this is your only chance in this life. If you stubbornly resist, even if a miracle descends upon your head, you will not be blessed by good luck.”
After speaking, she bowed again and returned upstairs.
“The Sword Saint Family…”
“Hey, could it be…!?”
“This is bad, he's a big shot!”
His companions cast envious glances.
Otto's delusion had been achieved, but he had no happy mood at all. He was more conflicted in his heart.