Chapter 10
“Does it suit your palate?”
Sayer asked Kynemia, who held a mug, with a smile.
Suit her palate? Kynemia narrowed her eyes.
“This is just milk.”
“Ah, perhaps some sugar?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Lana! Her Highness said she doesn’t need sugar!”
Clang!
Kynemia stared blankly as Lana snatched the sugar she’d brought and tossed it aside.
“Your Highness, are you warm? Shall I fetch a fan?”
“Must you ask every time? Will you spend your life waiting for orders? Just fan me without asking.”
When Lana produced a fan and hesitated, Sayer gave the directive.
Kynemia blinked drowsily as the breeze tickled her skin.
“By the way, what does Your Highness wish to commission from Behemoth?”
“We specialize in crafting—eep!”
Sayer clamped a hand over Lana’s mouth, shook her head, then spoke gravely:
“We also locate cats.”
Lana—now free—nodded vigorously.
“We’re experts at tracking cats.”
“If she sobs once, cats flock to her in hordes.”
“If she bats an eyelash, cats lose their minds charging here.”
Kynemia’s eyes softened as she watched the pair, who seemed ready to grovel for any task.
……They must’ve been starving.
“There are no cats……”
As Kynemia began, Lana pivoted:
“Then we’re excellent at dog retrieval!”
Sayer elbowed her and corrected, “Finding them.”
Lana grinned and jabbed a thumb at Sayer. “She’s also great at herding dogs.”
Tap. Tap. Their elbows flew until they resorted to trading silent insults with glares.
“Those two seem… unhinged.”
Eian, observing nearby, stage-whispered to Kynemia.
“I can hear you…”
Kynemia muttered, patting Eian’s shoulder twice.
Don’t be fooled—those sisters are powerhouses. Future tycoons who’ll rake in fortunes.
After rolling her eyes at Sayer and Lana, Kynemia leaned forward.
“The Lion seeks to invest in Behemoth.”
“In…vest?” Sayer stammered, caught off guard.
“Costs won’t be spared. In exchange, Lion demands exclusivity—ideally, operating Behemoth as a subsidiary guild.”
Gulp. Kynemia sipped her milk, studying their reactions.
Lana straightened from her bow, crossing her arms. Sayer clasped her hands over her stomach.
Defensive posture, Kynemia noted. They’re gauging how much to trust this offer. Probably suspect a scam.
“This is… rather sudden,” Sayer deflected, as expected.
“Can we even meet such expectations…?”
“You may not know this, but my mother was the hero Aeria Lion.”
“Ah—!”
“Ah!”
Their synchronized gasps confirmed it—while few knew Aeria was Kynemia’s mother, none in the empire were ignorant of the legend.
“Mother collected swords and scouted smiths as a hobby. One of your blades once reached the grand duke’s castle. She praised it highly.”
This wasn’t a lie. Aeria had hunted hidden talents, and Behemoth’s sword did gather dust in the vaults.
“Unearthing overlooked talent is one goal, but I have another.”
Kynemia swirled her mug, then locked eyes with them.
“I want to forge a sword that withstands monsters.”
“Monsters?”
“Elaborate, please.”
While Lana tilted her head, Sayer leaned in, intrigued.
“You’ve heard of the rising dungeon outbreaks? New high-tier monsters emerging?”
“Ah, yes. They’ve even appeared here in the countryside.”
“Their blood is toxic. It corrodes iron, forcing constant sword replacements.”
“I see,” Sayer nodded.
“So I need blades resistant to that poison. Swords forged from monster bones.”
“Bones?”
“Monster… bones?”
“Ordinary smiths can’t work them. But you two wield aura and hammers.”
“How did you—?”
“Mother told me. This—” She gestured to a nearby sword. “—was aura-forged.”
“I… see.” Sayer trailed off.
Lana, meanwhile, had practically climbed onto the table, eyes gleaming.
Hooked. Absolutely hooked. Kynemia hid a smirk.
“Terms will be generous. The guild will fund all materials and equipment. So—”
“Huh?!”
Kynemia yelped as hands hoisted her into the air, feet dangling.
Eian had abruptly relocated her to the adjacent seat, then sat primly, legs crossed.
What? Why? Kynemia shot her a baffled glare.
Eian merely stared ahead, serene.
Across the table, Sayer and Lana exchanged wary glances.
“……So…” Kynemia floundered. Where was I?
“Uh… um…”
She fumbled, clenching and unclenching her hands until Eian grimaced.
“That’s irritating. Is that your type?”
“What?” Lana blinked.
Eian jabbed a finger at the window.
A man’s shadow flinched behind the curtain, then fled at the sound of scrambling.
Was that why she moved me? Kynemia wrinkled her nose.
Lana snatched a hammer, snarling, “That bastard’s back—!”
She bolted outside before anyone could react.
“Lana!” Sayer lunged after her.
Kynemia caught Sayer’s sleeve.
“Handle that,” she said, smiling sweetly.
Sayer gaped, frozen, as Kynemia’s grin widened.
