"Th-That's not acceptable!" Otto waved his hands flusteredly, his gray-green eyes filled with apprehension. "How could I address the great hero by his name... It would be too rude..."
"Otto, you really don't have to be so formal." Natsuki Subaru smiled helplessly.
"Th-Then... Mr. Subaru... is that alright?" Otto asked tentatively.
Seriously, this guy is still so rigid... Natsuki Subaru sighed internally, but seeing Otto's nervous expression, he compromised. "Alright, that's fine."
"Otto!" At that moment, Russell suddenly interjected, his face wreathed in a fawning smile. "To be held in such high regard by the great Sir Subaru is the blessing of a lifetime!" While speaking, Russell turned to Natsuki Subaru, rubbing his hands together obsequiously. "Sir Subaru, perhaps we could move to our guild's VIP room to discuss things in detail? I'll have someone prepare the finest Lugnican black tea and pastries..."
"That won't be necessary," Natsuki Subaru cut Russell off coldly, his gaze remaining fixed on Otto. "Let's go, Otto."
"Yes, Sir Subaru." Otto was still a bit hesitant, but the light in his eyes had been rekindled. He took one last look at the torn contract on the floor and firmly followed Natsuki Subaru.
"To think that the desperate Otto would be noticed by a figure like Sir Subaru. This was the perfect chance to build a connection with a hero..." Russell stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the two departing figures, the sycophantic smile on his face gradually stiffening. As a shrewd merchant, he knew better than anyone what he had just missed: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish a connection with the kingdom's hero.
Damn it, if only I had known that kid Otto knew Sir Subaru... If only my attitude had been a little better... But now, looking at that tall, black-clad back, Russell only felt his throat tighten. Even the courage to call out and try to salvage the situation had vanished completely. He could only watch as this opportunity, along with the sound of their footsteps, disappeared at the end of the corridor.
After walking out of the merchant guild's main entrance, Otto finally couldn't help but stop and ask, "Sir Natsuki Subaru... no, Mr. Subaru... I really don't understand. Why would you help me like this? We've never even met."
As a merchant who had struggled in the business world for many years, Otto understood the principle of equivalent exchange better than anyone. To gain something, one must pay a corresponding price. But right now—what did he have left to offer? He had nothing.
"Well, about that..." Natsuki Subaru started to explain, but then swallowed his words. With his current status as the hero who slew the White Whale, too much explanation would only arouse unnecessary suspicion from Otto. Thinking of this, he said, "Just think of it as the guidance of fate. Besides, I believe you will become an important companion."
After all, in another worldline, Otto is a "God of War" who saved my life many times.
"Waaah... Mr. Subaru..." Just then, tears suddenly streamed from Otto's eyes, rolling down his cheeks.
"Hey, hey, why are you crying all of a sudden?" Natsuki Subaru looked at the tear-streaked Otto, feeling a bit helpless.
"If I hadn't met you, Mr. Subaru, I'd probably be a slave right now. Just thinking about it... the tears won't stop..." Otto said, wiping his face messily with his sleeve, his voice choked with emotion. "For someone like me... to be recognized by you, Mr. Subaru..."
This guy Otto is even more emotional than I thought. Natsuki Subaru sighed helplessly and changed the subject. "By the way, Otto, is there anything you want to do? Or anything you want?"
"Yes, of course, there is..." Otto's voice suddenly became firm and strong, his gray-green eyes shining with a determined light. "This dream, you could even call it my obsession. But..." At this, Otto suddenly looked directly into Subaru's eyes and said with utmost seriousness, "Until I've paid back my debt to you, Mr. Subaru, I only wish to stay by your side. Please... would you hire me?"
"Hmm... if that's the case," Natsuki Subaru suddenly showed a mischievous grin and deliberately drew out his words, "then I'll be the one to hire you. I'll exploit you mercilessly for minimum wage..."
"Huh?!" Otto's eyes went wide, his expression instantly freezing as he stood rigid on the spot.
"Hahaha, just kidding," Natsuki Subaru said, waving his hand with a laugh at Otto's reaction. He then adopted a serious tone. "Actually, I'm interested in your business talent. From now on, you'll be our camp's Internal Affairs Officer."
"In-Internal Affairs Officer?" Otto pointed at himself in disbelief, his voice cracking. "A failure like me, c-can I really do that?"
"Don't sell yourself short, Otto," Natsuki Subaru said, patting Otto's shoulder firmly. "I believe in you. Your rich experience in business is exactly the quality needed to handle our domain's internal affairs."
This guy Otto managed the affairs of Emilia's camp perfectly in the original story. He's a rare and intelligent talent, Natsuki Subaru silently added in his mind.
"Th-This isn't what we agreed on!" Otto waved his hands frantically, still in disbelief. "Mr. Subaru, are you serious? Please don't test me like this! The smoother things go, the more I tend to lose my sense of direction! This feeling is super terrifying!"
"Hey, hey, I'm being serious here..." Natsuki Subaru looked at Otto, a dark line forming on his forehead. "You're really not used to happiness, are you?"
"I understand! Please leave it to me, Mr. Subaru!" Otto suddenly straightened his back. Though his face was still stained with drying tears, his eyes were now incredibly determined. "I will definitely not disappoint you! I will prove that your choice was not wrong!"
His merchant's intuition told him that Mr. Subaru probably had more than one reason for helping him. But for now, he chose to bury this doubt in his heart. Otto thought of the unsold oil he was stuck with, of the despair of nearly becoming a slave.
To not have ended up in that state... Mr. Subaru is truly my good luck charm, Otto thought secretly.
It should be known that the world Natsuki Subaru, with his god-like perspective, saw and the world Otto saw were completely different. In Otto's eyes, this great hero of the kingdom, a total stranger, had saved him when he was at his wit's end. After being cheated by his peers, losing all his property, and nearly becoming a slave due to bankruptcy, finding someone willing to help a failure like himself... this kindness and gratitude was something Otto would remember for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, by the fountain in the central plaza of the capital.
"Strange, Subaru went off so long ago and still hasn't come back..." Emilia paced back and forth, her beautiful silver hair shimmering with a soft luster in the sunlight. "He said he'd be right back..."
Just as Emilia was debating whether to go look for him, a commotion suddenly erupted in the crowd.
"Make way! Make way!"
A petite, golden-haired girl wove through the crowd like a nimble fish. She wore simple brown leather armor and shorts, with a dagger at her waist. Her golden ponytail bounced with her energetic movements, shining in the sun. What was most eye-catching were her golden eyes and playful canine teeth.
The newcomer was none other than Lugnica's fifth Royal Candidate, Felt.
"Ha! Fresh air at last!" Felt landed on the edge of the fountain with a beautiful backflip, stretching her arms out and taking a deep breath. "As I thought, these old clothes are the most comfortable! That guy Reinhard! Does he think he's some kind of court designer? Forcing me to wear those restrictive clothes every day. If I don't get some action soon, my skills will get rusty!"
"Felt?"
That voice was... Emilia turned in surprise and saw Felt doing stretches. She couldn't help but call out.
"Waah!" Felt jumped up like a startled cat, landing in a combat stance. When she saw it was Emilia, she patted her flat chest and let out a long sigh of relief. "What the—it's just you, Miss Half-Elf. You almost scared me to death. I thought Reinhard had caught up to me."
"Hm? Reinhard?" Emilia tilted her head, her amethyst eyes full of confusion.
"Hah, it's nothing, nothing!" Felt quickly walked up to Emilia, looking left and right. "By the way, where's that bro? Why isn't he with you?"
"Um, he said he had something urgent to do and told me to wait here for him," Emilia's voice carried a hint of worry.
"Is that so? That bro is a big shot in the kingdom now, you know. Subjugating the White Whale, defeating a Sin Archbishop... he's so much stronger than a certain guy who calls himself a knight~" At this, Felt wrinkled her nose and continued, "That guy, the first time we met, he used violence to kidnap me. So rude!"
Hearing this, Emilia of course knew Felt was talking about Reinhard. She chuckled and shook her head. "It is surprising that Reinhard would act that way, but after learning your identity, I can somewhat understand his feelings." After all, upon discovering Felt was a Royal Candidate, it was right for Reinhard to be a bit cautious at the time.
"I can't understand it at all!" Felt puffed out her cheeks and grumbled, "Just because I'm some stupid Royal Candidate, I have to be locked up? I've had enough."
"In any case, with Reinhard by your side now, I can finally rest assured," Emilia said, looking at the pouting Felt with a gentle smile.
"Hmph, that nag, he's always on my case!" Felt looked down the road, her canine teeth unconsciously biting her lower lip. "All day long it's 'Lady Felt this, Lady Felt that'... He even nags me about eating grilled meat!" She mimicked Reinhard's stern tone, making Emilia giggle.
"Oh! By the way..." Emilia suddenly realized something, a hint of worry flashing in her amethyst eyes. "Felt, why did you come out here by yourself? Did you have a fight with Reinhard? Or did you run into some kind of trouble? D-Don't tell me... you were thinking of doing what you used to do? Stealing... you absolutely mustn't."
"I just came out for a walk, you're overthinking things, missy," Felt rolled her eyes at Emilia. "You're just as meddlesome as ever. Anyway, now food just appears on its own, and there's a bunch of hangers-on everywhere I go. I don't even get the chance."
Hearing this, Emilia finally let out a long sigh of relief, her silver hair trembling slightly with her breath. "That's good... Just as Subaru said, you really are a one-of-a-kind child."
"Haha, that bro has good taste! By the way, what did he say about me?" Felt suddenly moved closer, a curious glint in her golden eyes.
"Well..." Emilia tilted her head, recalling. "Subaru said that Felt is like Cinderella."
"Cinderella?" Felt knitted her brows in confusion, unconsciously touching her nose. "What's that? What that bro says is still so hard to understand."
"It's a fairy tale from Subaru's homeland. It says you're like the main character of the story. Even though you went through a lot of hardships, you ended up very happy."
"Hmph! I don't need any fairy tales!" Felt puffed out her chest proudly. "My life story is one I'll write myself!"
Saying this, Felt took a few steps back. "Well, it's about time for me to go." Before Emilia could respond, she added on her own, "Miss Half-Elf, that bro helped me out a lot. Remember to say hi to him for me. But, if I get the chance, I'll thank him myself. After all, I'm the type who repays her debts."
Before her voice had faded, Felt had already ridden a gust of wind under her feet and vanished around the street corner in an instant, leaving only a few leaves swirling in the air.
Emilia watched Felt depart and shook her head helplessly. "Huh? I didn't even get to say goodbye... But, I'm sure we'll meet again."
"Emilia-tan, what are you looking at?" A familiar voice suddenly came from behind her. Emilia turned in pleasant surprise, her silver hair drawing a beautiful arc in the air. Her gaze then fell on the gray-haired boy beside Natsuki Subaru, and she looked at him with curiosity. "Who is this?"
"Ah, let me introduce you." Natsuki Subaru patted the shoulder of the Otto beside him and introduced him to Emilia. "This is Otto Suwen. A... well, a currently unlucky merchant."
Speaking of which, in the original story, Otto's combat power was average, but he was an indispensable intellectual asset to Emilia's camp. A normal merchant who could rise to the position of Internal Affairs Officer and keep the public relations of Emilia's camp at a passable level. And in the original story, he even beat up Subaru to snap him out of it, fought Garfiel head-on, and battled several Sin Archbishops. Otto has done it all. Seriously, he's like a character with normal stats playing in a super-modded game. The title "God of War" is well-deserved!
"H-Hello, esteemed lady. My name is Otto Suwen..." Otto bowed awkwardly, his gray hair still a bit dusty, his voice nervous.
Emilia gracefully crossed her hands in front of her skirt and returned the bow with a slight curtsy, her amethyst eyes filled with sincere kindness. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Otto. I am Emilia."
"By the way, Emilia-tan, Otto is the new Internal Affairs Officer I've hired. He's mainly responsible for managing logistics and is quite skilled in business and coordination." As he spoke, Natsuki Subaru patted Otto's shoulder, giving him an encouraging look.
"Is that so," Emilia nodded lightly, a gentle smile appearing on her lips. "Welcome to our camp, Mr. Otto."
Otto stared blankly at the scene before him, as if in a dream. Just a few short hours ago, he had been deep in the abyss of despair, his goods unsold, his debts high, and on the verge of becoming Russell's contract slave. And now, not only had he regained his freedom, but he had also unexpectedly gained Natsuki Subaru's recognition and joined the camp of the hero who slew the White Whale. This all happened so fast...
Otto quietly pinched his arm, confirming this wasn't a hallucination.
Mr. Subaru not only paid off my huge debt for me but also gave me a brand new opportunity.
Thinking of this, Otto took a deep breath and said gratefully, "Thank you very much for your trust. I-I will definitely do my best and not betray this kindness."
And just like that, in a miraculous turn of fate, Otto Suwen officially became a member of Emilia's camp. No one would have guessed that this seemingly ordinary merchant would one day become the indispensable God of War that kept the entire camp running.
__
Want more content for everyone? The community goals are:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!
🎯 5 Reviews = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!
And our main goal...
🚀 55 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of EVERY STORY!
Your support keeps our work alive. Don't let this chance die!
Access, support, and read now: 👻 patreon.com/Walnutchan