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After they’d finished their meal and had stuffed their bellies, Remilia took Seletina with her, and led her to a room. She led Seletina without saying a word, but Seletina was fully aware of who was waiting for her.

Imitia Belbed. An old friend of hers from Seletina’s past life. That alone made Seletina’s heart beat fast.

“Please go inside.” Remilia said as she opened the room’s door nonchalantly.

Inside… “Hey! Been a while,” was Imitia Belbed.

Seletina’s friend was sitting on her bed, looking exactly the same as she had been fourteen years ago. However, it seemed Imitia had yet to fully recover. She looked pale and had a blanket draped around her waist.

As Seletina watched Imitia wave her head weakly at her, her eyes grew hot.

“It sure has.”

Seletina said, forcing herself to smile, while holding back her emotions. But Seletina’s hands soon became sweaty, worried that her unnatural behavior might be seen through.

“Now, now, calm down. There’s nothing to be so stiff about.”

Imitia said, giving a mischievous look, peeking through her slightly ferocious canine teeth, characteristic of the Beastians.

Looking back, Imitia and Seletina’s first contact had not been a favorable one. Seletina had knocked out Imitia and entrusted her to Remilia.

Thinking back to that, Seletina believed that it wouldn’t be strange for Imitia to resent her. Seletina smiled, feeling her mouth turn dry.

“I hope you’re feeling well.”
“Yes, thanks to you.”

Seletina wasn’t able to read whether Imitia was being sarcastic or speaking the truth. However, from the expression on her face, Seletina could tell that Imitia was friendly.

“How about your injuries?”
“I don’t have any external injuries. That too is thanks to you. Without you, this city would’ve collapsed by now.”
“I think you’re exaggerating a bit.”
“Am I? The Angel that appeared in Ulbdor is nothing short of a hero.”
“If someone is worthy of that title then it would be Sir Woodback.”
“Can’t argue there.” Imitia said, showing a saddened smile.

It was a grim smile, completely unlike her usual lively personality.

Seletina sighed, reflecting on her statement, and was just about to speak when Imitia shook her head.

“Don’t. There’s no need to worry about me. We should not send off those going on a journey with sadness, but rather with fond memories, filled with good drinks and laughter.”
“You’re right.”

This was just the kind of atmosphere that Imitia and the Belbed Caravan as a whole had.

Seletina felt regret that she had not been considerate enough and had brought in those negative feelings.

Seeing her, Imitia decided to switch up the topic.

“That aside, I heard you wanted to talk to me. In private at that.”

Seletina looked straight into Imitia’s wild, beastly eyes as she said that.

She nodded in agreement. Seeing that Imitia continued,

“I too wanted to speak with you… Or rather I want to ask for a favor.”
“A favor?”
“I believe our interests align. So after we share what we have to share, I’d like to take on a business approach to this.”
“I completely agree.”
“Though, before that… Remilia!”

Shifting her gaze to the side, Imitia looked at Remilia.

Remilia, who had been standing behind Seletina, snapped the lock of the room door shut behind her.

“What are you doing?”

With a defensive tone, Seletina inquired. However, Remilia simply pushed up her glasses indifferently.

“Now that Ulbdor has descended into this close hell, we want to trade, or at least try to help each other. But for that to happen a certain degree of trust is required. That is why, before we decide to share anything, we want to know what you’re hiding.”
“What I’m hiding?”
“That’s right. You can take this as my initiative, and the Boss has already agreed to it.”

Remilia snapped her glasses back into place, displaying neither prejudice nor skepticism. She looked at Seletina with the eyes of a reasonably intelligent and mechanically gifted woman who was not swayed by any emotions… only contract documents.

(Was she feigning her friendliness… No, I don’t think that was the case.)

It was true that Remilia had been friendly to Seletina.

However, she was also showing that if Seletina wanted to go any further, she had to be very careful about what she did.

“Sir Tieck, please do not misunderstand. We really do like you. We wish to put our trust in you as a result of that. Without any doubts. The outfit it sent to you was something that I did as a friend as well.” Remilia spoke without a hint of deceit present in her words.

Seletina too wanted to have a good relationship with both Imitia and Remilia. She too wanted to speak by laying everything on the table.

Therefore, Seletina also desired to dispel any doubt that Imitia and Remilia might have had about her.

“In that case, what do you want to know about me?” Seletina asked, looking straight through Remilia’s glasses.

Remilia straightened herself and spoke, “First, we would like you to identify yourself.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You are likely not an adventurer. We believe that you are someone of higher status.”
“I see.” Seletina said, slightly taken aback.

(I thought she’d figured out I was a woman, but it appears she saw right through my character instead.)

Remilia continued, “Your partner, Lichter’s equipment is something made with the finest technology in the Kingdom. It is not the kind of equipment that a novice adventurer can get his hands on. Furthermore, the Sacred Sword you carry with you is even more telling. To obtain one of those you must first have a great deal of wealth, or connections.”
“……”
“In addition, it is evident that you are not a commoner based on the way you speak, behave, and handle cutlery. These manners are not something that can be learned overnight.”

(She figured out that much?!) Seletina thought, completely taken aback, but at the same time somewhat relieved.

(So she’s simply suspicious of my background.) Seletina smiled softly.

“Amazing. I didn’t know you’d figured out that much. It’s no wonder you suspect me.” Seletina said, strengthening her resolve, and continued, “I will reveal everything. And I mean everything about myself.”