Chapter 16 The Contract
"What do you want from me?" came the suspicious voice of Alicia.
I quickly adapted, thinking of a strategy in mere seconds.
"I just want to help you. You look like you really need food. Why don't you want this?" I said, placing the bread in his hand.
He looked at me, his expression growing colder. "I don't need charity from nobles."
I sighed inwardly, shrugging. "Well, it's your choice. Take it or leave it," I said, deciding to leave the matter for tomorrow.
As we stepped into the inn, Yuki broke the silence.
"Young Master… that girl is not ordinary," he remarked, his voice careful but curious, as if he was confirming a suspicion.
I nodded slightly. "Hmm… yes, he is. I honestly didn't expect to see someone on the streets with that much potential," I said, knowing Yuki's instincts were sharp enough to sense that she was far above ordinary.
Another silence settled between us, Yuki pressing me with his presence, but I didn't elaborate further, ending the conversation there.
The next day, I took my time shopping and buying clothes for my parents. Afterwards, I retraced my steps to the alleyways, hiding my presence as Yuki and the four knights discreetly followed.
As expected, I found her quickly—Alicia was cornered by thugs, a slave collar around her neck, clearly intending to capture and sell her.
Perfect, I thought. This makes my recruitment easier.
I pointed at the thugs, and my knights immediately understood.
As one of my Knight charged forward, punching the man with the collar squarely in the head, while the others followed—careful not to use their swords unnecessarily.
After the thugs fled, I looked down at Alicia, trembling and on the verge of tears. Calmly, I said, "You're bad at picking places to sleep."
She stayed silent for a moment before asking, her voice wary but probing, "Why are you helping me? I know you're kind, but there must be a reason you've gone this far."
I remained calm, letting her words hang in the air. Deep down, I knew she was right—I was helping her because she had value, not out of heroics.
After a tense silence of ten seconds, I spoke. "You're right. I'm helping you so you can become my partner in eliminating demons."
She blinked, disbelief clear in her eyes. "Are… you for real? And why would you think that?"
I put a hand to my chin, feigning thought. "Because I see value in you."
My words lacked the usual heroic flourishes about selfless help, but she studied me carefully, as if weighing my sincerity.
After a moment, she finally said, "Fine… but you have to promise me one thing. You will never betray me."
I nodded calmly. "If that's the case, we can make a binding contract." I pulled out a formal parchment, expensive but necessary, and began to read aloud:
I, Aiden, promise Alicia that I will provide food, shelter, and guidance as long as she becomes my ally.
I will not betray her, and she may leave or pursue her own path freely as long as she remains loyal.
Likewise, Alicia promises to remain loyal, never plotting betrayal. Should either party break this oath, the contract enforces immediate consequences.
She met my gaze steadily, her expression resolute. After a moment, she signed, her hand firm. I did the same.
A tense yet unspoken understanding passed between us: this was the beginning of something dangerous, something that could change both our fates. And both of us knew the stakes were real.