Chapter 9.2: Asher Gronhilde (2)

There were various races in RaSa’s worldview.

Leaving the demons out of the question, from humans, elves, beastmen, with the most dominant population and power, to many other weak and rare races.

The White Moon was a rare race with a tiny population.

A race that appeared to be beings no different from humans, but possesses the ability to convert magical powers into their own unique properties.

Most times, the weaker races did not mix with the world and live in tribal units in wild lands.

The White Moon tribe lived peacefully in their own home in the Alten Great Mountains in the extreme west of Santea.

But the downfall came suddenly.

Just a few years ago, from the present point, the White Moon tribe was completely annihilated by Santea, leaving only one survivor.

Asher, now sitting in front of me, was the only survivor.

If I remembered correctly, she wandered for a long time to find other survivors.

But Asher couldn’t find anyone.

Despite taking all kinds of risks for several long years and wandering around the continent and asking around there was not a single person.

After a long time of wandering, the place where she settled was Calderic.

Because she couldn’t give up hope in the end. Other than herself, there must be another survivor somewhere.

Calderic was a land that valued one’s ability above all else.

If she proved her worth and established herself here, if she could make a name for herself throughout the continent as a White Moon warrior, maybe some survivors would hear the news and come find her.

Even if they didn’t come, she might aim for even the smallest opportunity to take revenge on Santea by building up strength and power.

…Asher came to Calderic with that thought in mind.

The reason she hid her power and identity to be an apprentice knight was so she could observe the atmosphere since she just arrived at Calderic.

The White Moon tribe was usually indistinguishable from humans, but because of their unique trait, their entire body turned white when they exert their strength.

Eventually, soon, she fully revealed herself and became a Black Star knight of the Overlord Castle. But…

“I will help you.”

Now, before that happened, I should first put her to my side.

I then opened my mouth.

“I can roughly guess the purpose of your coming to Calderic.”

“…”

“Either to spread fame and make other survivors of your tribe reach out to you, or to get revenge on Santea. Maybe it’s both… Judging by your expression, it seems to be the correct answer.”

Asher’s face was now full of astonishment.

It was a natural reaction, since it seemed like I could see through her inner thoughts perfectly.

The time had come to bring out the main purpose of this talk.

“If that’s your purpose, then I suggest you become my escort knight.”

Asher became dumbfounded for a moment.

She’s probably wondering what kind of nonsense this was.

“What…”

“I will do many things from now on. So become my escort and follow me around. It will be a good opportunity to spread your reputation throughout the continent as the sword of the Seventh Lord of Calderic, as my closest aide, and as a warrior of the White Moon tribe.”

“…!”

“Don’t you think borrowing my name is much more effective in achieving your goals than relying on your own strength?”

It was the perfect excuse.

My suggestion would be a very effective way to achieve the goal of spreading fame as widely as possible across the continent.

Asher blinked silently.

Then she asked me again with a wary face that showed that he couldn’t understand.

“Why?”

Yes, of course she would ask that.

It was an expected reaction.

To her, my proposal would feel like a one-sided courtesy for no reason.

In her mind, beings like a Lord wouldn’t do this because they really needed an escort.

Of course, I really needed an escort to act as my arms and legs, but I couldn’t tell her the truth.

“There is no particular reason.”

I said dryly.

“If I had to explain it, it’s because I understand your situation. And because your ability caught my eye by chance. That’s why I was naturally interested in you.”

“…”

Asher was still mixed with disbelief.

After all, I couldn’t convince her with such an ambiguous answer.

A good reason, huh.

I thought hard about it for an hour before we started this conversation, but in the end I couldn’t find any other good excuse.

I thought of a typical scenario of having some kind of relationship with her tribe, but it didn’t feel very plausible.

What could a human being have to do with a minority race living deep in the mountains?

Also, even if I concocted a story, there was a high risk that I would be caught in that lie easily.

Because I knew little about the White Moon.

Therefore, the conclusion that came to the end was to ignore that.

For now, it was enough to make Asher accept my offer somehow.

In the first place, it was arrogance to gain trust by exposing all the other person’s circumstances and secrets from the first meeting.

I could slowly build a friendly relationship with her up in time.

“You still don’t have an answer. But is the reason for me doing this really that important?”

I stressed that point once again.

“I want you to become an escort knight, so that you achieve your goals more easily. That’s all.”

Whatever the reason, my proposal was a great opportunity for Asher.

There was no way for her now to have a better plan than borrowing the prestige of a Lord.

Asher’s eyebrows narrowed. It was a sign of deep distress.

Further words would be unreasonable, so I quietly sipped my tea while waiting for an answer.

After being silent for a while, she opened her mouth.

“If you want to make me your subordinate, you can do as you wish, but why are you making such an offer and seeking my approval, for the matter?”

A Lord could do as much as they liked by taking an apprentice knight as a subordinate without their consent.

“Because I respect your wishes. Like I said, I’m not threatening you with your secret. If you have other better plan, you can decline the offer.”

Even though I said that, I knew my offer was hard to refuse.

The words ‘secret’ and ‘better plan’ were subtly inserted intending to pressure her a little.

“…Last question, how did you know I belong to the White Moon tribe?”

“It’s part of my abilities.”

I succinctly dismissed the question.

This was a world where magic, mysteries, and many abilities existed, so it was enough to pass it like that casually.

Asher, who was looking at me with slightly dissatisfied eyes, said as if she finally decided.

“I accept the offer. I will become an escort knight for the Seventh Lord.”

…Finally!

I smiled inwardly in satisfaction.

“Did you say your name is Asher? Do you have a last name?”

“…Gronhilde.”

Asher hesitated before uttering her full name.

“My name is Asher Gronhilde.”

Asher Gronhilde.

The only survivor of the White Moon tribe.

In the game, she served as a powerful helper for the player. And a character with the potential to become just as strong as the Lords of Calderic.

Right now, she wouldn’t fully trust me and would be wary, but she would stick with me from now on, so there’s plenty of time to build trust.

Anyway, with this, a reliable escort was obtained.

It was time to head to the Seventh Lord’s territory.