Show Me Your Stats!

So far, every time Ayra had revealed she was a mage in this estate, the reaction had been less than friendly. Reluctantly, she admitted it. Still, Janus’ response seemed different from the others.

"Yeah, I’m a mage. Have you seen one before?"

"I’ve fought a few in the past. They weren’t that impressive, though."

If they weren’t all that impressive, they certainly weren’t from the Labyrinth. Either way, hearing this, Ayra finally had an idea of what Janus' profession might be.

"Are you a mercenary?"

"Sometimes. When I’m short on money or feel like it, I take on mercenary work."

It certainly suited him better than being a shivering beggar or a talentless minstrel. Even in his ragged clothes, his well-built physique was impossible to hide. After finishing two buns, Ayra found herself too full to eat the last one and pushed it toward Janus as she asked:

"Are you working right now? Do you work alone? How skilled are you?"

Janus accepted the food without hesitation and replied, "Not working right now. I usually work alone. As for my skills, they’re good."

"Good enough to take down a Myurka or a Lokma the size of a small hill... or maybe a Garut?"

Recalling a conversation she’d had with the estate’s residents at a tavern a few days ago, Ayra asked playfully. Janus, who had just devoured his bun in an instant, chuckled.

"Those? I could take them down with one punch."

Ayra hadn’t realized it before, but it seemed that anyone who had slain a few beasts in this estate was prone to exaggeration. After finishing even the last drop of broth, Janus carelessly set his bowl down and spoke.

"Why, are you thinking of hiring me?"

She hadn't planned on it, but a mercenary who had lived here for ten years was tempting. Ayra had never hired one before, so she carefully evaluated him, scanning him from head to toe.

Can I trust him? They had only just met today and exchanged a few words, but it wasn’t as if she was entrusting him with anything that required absolute reliability. Besides, as the future lord of this estate, it felt a little ridiculous that she knew less about it than a mercenary who had lived here for a decade.

"If you’re up for it, I’d like to hire you. It’s not a difficult task... I’ve been away from this town for too long, and I don’t know much about it. Show me around the estate."

Janus narrowed his eyes and, just like she had done, scanned Ayra up and down. Then, with a small, unreadable chuckle, he smirked. For some reason, Ayra suddenly had a sinking feeling that she had made a mistake.

But, really, what was the worst that could happen? At most, he’d just be a halfhearted guide... right?

Forcing down her unease, she waited. Janus soon nodded nonchalantly.

"Sure. No need to get all formal about hiring me. I’ve got nothing better to do these days, so I’ll take on the job."

****

After finishing their meal, Janus led Ayra out of town toward the outskirts. She followed quietly, curious about their destination, until she realized they were heading up a mountain. Even when she asked where they were going, he only grinned.

As they climbed higher and the surroundings became increasingly desolate, a creeping sense of unease settled in Ayra’s chest.

Now that I think about it... what if he’s some insane serial killer?

Panting from exertion, she glanced down at Pebble. For a mind-reading ability, you’re pretty useless if all you can do is pull up names... Couldn’t it at least check whether someone had bad intentions?

Ayra stared at Pebble with these thoughts in mind, and in response, it displayed a tiny speech bubble: No!

She hadn’t expected much. Sighing, she shifted her gaze back to Janus’ broad back.

Regardless of who—or what—he was, at this rate, she was going to collapse before anything could happen. While Janus climbed effortlessly without even breaking a sweat, the mage—who had spent most of her life in the Labyrinth, buried in research—was struggling. The sudden hike made her vision swim.

"Ack—!"

She stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. If not for the firm grip that suddenly seized her arm, she would have tumbled all the way down the mountainside. Heart pounding, she sank to the ground, trying to catch her breath. Janus clicked his tongue, still holding onto her.

"Do your legs even work? Why do you keep tripping like this?"

"My legs—huff—work just fine..."

"I could crawl faster than you."

Ayra had to admit he was probably right, so she didn’t argue. Instead, she demanded:

"You said you’d guide me around the estate. So... why are we climbing a mountain?"

"There’s something I want to show you. But at this pace, we’ll be here forever."

Janus rubbed his chin in thought while Ayra, whose arm was still being held, squirmed uncomfortably. His grip was ridiculously strong—it was no surprise, considering he was a mercenary.

Watching her struggle, Janus finally let go. As she staggered back, her legs shaking, he studied her for a moment before speaking in a tone that was almost... charitable.

"Want me to carry you?"

It was indeed an act of mercy.

Ayra was very tempted. But for the sake of social decorum, she hesitated, glancing around. Then again, with only the two of them here, did “social decorum” even apply?

Her body was exhausted, and she unconsciously inched closer to Janus before suspicion suddenly crept in.

"Why? Why would you even offer?"

"Still not ready to be carried? Then at least take my hand."

Ayra tilted her head. ‘Still’ not ready? What did that even mean? Before she could question it, Janus grabbed her hand without warning.

His hand was hot—like he was holding a heat pack—and as solid as stone. It felt oddly comforting. And, more importantly, climbing became way easier.

Half dragged, half lifted, Ayra finally reached the peak. Unlike Janus, who wasn’t even out of breath, she had to take a moment to recover before straightening up. But all she could see were endless trees and towering, snowy cliffs at least twice her height.

Did he bury treasure here or something?

Just as she was about to demand why he had brought her all this way, Janus suddenly moved.

Before she could react, he grabbed her by the waist with one hand and her legs with the other. Then, with an effortless hup!, he threw her.

"...!"

The action was so unexpected that Ayra didn’t even have time to scream.

I knew it! He’s a psychopath!

As that realization flashed through her mind like lightning, her blue robes billowed in the wind.

For a second that felt like an eternity—

She was weightless in midair.

Instinctively, she prepared to cast a spell, but before she could, her feet thumped against solid ground.

Dazed, she staggered, only snapping back to reality when a hand steadied her.

Somehow, she was now on top of the cliff.

"Well? What do you think?"

"You, you...!"

Her heart pounded from the sudden movement, her mind too rattled to form a coherent sentence. Of course, Janus took this silence entirely the wrong way.

"What? You loved getting up here so fast? I knew you would."

WHO THROWS PEOPLE UP A MOUNTAIN?!

You absolute lunatic!

But Ayra’s thoughts never made it to her lips. Before she could yell, an overwhelming sight filled her vision.

“...Ah.”

The moment she took in the view, she understood why Janus had brought her here. @@novelbin@@

They were at the highest peak in Solar Estate. From here, everything was visible.

The white castle sat nestled at the base of a sheer mountain range. Beyond it, a small city sprawled across the land where the estate’s people lived. The rugged mountains, the scarce plains—all of it spread before her like an intricate painting.

Her chest filled with a cool, bracing wind, and as her breath slowed, so did the frantic beating of her heart.

In this world, maps were rare, and most people would never see one in their lifetime. Janus had brought her here because this was the best way to understand the land she was meant to govern.

Sure, there was probably a map hidden somewhere in the lord’s estate, but seeing it like this—with her own eyes—was far more intuitive.

Completely forgetting to be mad at Janus for throwing her, Ayra burned the landscape into her memory as if sketching a mental map.

And then—

Ding!

A familiar sound echoed in her mind as a system window popped up.

[Territory Management feature has been added.]

[A "Map" function has been added to Territory Management.]

...Wait, what?

I haven’t even officially become a lord yet, and I’m already unlocking territory management features?

Ayra cast a quick glance at Janus, then, pretending to admire the scenery, summoned the new interface in her mind.

A window appeared.

But it wasn’t the Territory Management screen—

It was a notification.

<Notice!>

[Territory Management feature requirements have not been met.]

System Spirit GM Level (1/2)

Lord Succession Ceremony (0/1)

...Well, damn.

Looks like even if she leveled up Pebble, she still needed to hold an official succession ceremony before she could actually use the function.

So close, yet so far.