Chapter 65: Lord Weiss is too modest.

I hadn’t really thought about this before.

I’ve spent quite some time in this world already, and I’ve definitely seen my share of powerful people.

But my reaction has gradually faded from the initial, “Whoa, is that even human?!” (no offense), to a more subdued, “That’s pretty strong.”

I guess this is what people mean when they talk about the clarity that comes from recognizing the gap between reality and one’s own expectations.

It’s like back in school, seeing a Porsche parked outside and boldly saying, “Someday, I’m definitely getting one of those,” but then, after graduation, when you can’t even find a job, seeing one again doesn’t really stir anything in you anymore.

Of course, it’d be a lie to say I wasn’t interested in things like magic and martial arts in this world.

I’ve spent a lot of time chatting people up, gathering tidbits, or borrowing books—always looking for ways to piece things together and understand as much as I could.

But the library at the Magic Association requires connections. Otherwise, mercenaries aren’t really allowed in, let alone permitted to browse the books.

By comparison, taverns are actually great sources of information.

I’ve started to understand why, whether it’s wandering knights in medieval fantasy novels or mercenaries in this world, everyone likes to hang out in taverns.

Still, all that knowledge is piecemeal—collected in bits and pieces from secondhand sources. From a hearsay perspective, its accuracy is questionable.

Because everyone’s perspective and status is different, the same power or skill might get you completely opposite explanations depending on who you ask.

Sometimes, when I run into something I don’t understand, I really wish I could just check my phone.

Unfortunately, the phone I drew in this world doesn’t have internet, or Xiao Ai, or Lanxin, or Xiaov. It’s only good for internal menus.

If only it could work like a Pokédex or something—just scan a person or item and all the info would pop up. That’d be great.

But now, things are different.

For the first time, I’m seeing such direct and detailed information about someone else on my phone screen.

It’s just like loading up an item info page, only now it covers everything—not just the basic info and overall abilities, but every detail imaginable.

Scrolling down, I can even see blood type, birthday, development status, internal magic circuits, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar… If I look hard enough, it even marks their period.

(Compared to item info, this is basically like a durability status display, isn’t it?)

I’ve never seen anything like this before, so I’m not sure if it’s because of the collar, which treats the wearer as property… or if it’s because I gave someone else an equipment-type item, so now I can see the wearer’s detailed status.

Items I’ve summoned before were usually consumables for others. Equipment was always for my own use, so I never paid attention to this kind of thing.

I’d never tried it before, so it never crossed my mind.

But now—

I exited the info page, returned to the home screen, and forced myself to shut off those drifting thoughts.

Just thinking about it won’t solve anything. The real answers come from testing things in practice—that’s the proper way.

I looked at the female knight before me.

“Mo… no, Fia.”

“Yes!”

This was her first time responding to her new name, and her voice was particularly firm and resolute.

But whether it was because of her wound or a headache, I couldn’t help but wince and suck in a breath:

“Ah, let me be honest. Your attitude—or rather, your sincerity—I can feel it. I’m not someone who’s overly suspicious; I won’t nitpick every little detail, so you don’t need to be so nervous…”

“Nervous?”

“What I mean is… hmm, let me put it this way—your loyal attitude, maybe you think it comes from your own heart, but I think it might actually be the effect of that collar.

Because of ‘Penelope’s Oath,’ you’re seeing me as your lord to serve… It’s pretty much like a really powerful suggestion spell. Do you get what I mean?”

“You’re saying… I’m being controlled?”

“Yeah.”

Seeing the slightly bewildered look on Fia’s face, I nodded and continued,

“What I want you to know is, I let you go and asked Tissa to help keep your survival a secret—not because I expect anything in return.

When it comes to fulfilling someone’s request—or their wish—I never go back on my word. You don’t need to worry about that. From now on, as long as you seize this chance and live well, that’s enough…”

“No! Lord Weiss, you’ve misunderstood!”

Fia, still kneeling, suddenly lifted her head.

“My loyalty to you, I can say with certainty, comes from my own will.”

“Uh?”

“To tell you the truth, I did consider leaving right away and running far away. But if I did that, living on would have no meaning.”

Fia’s words were clear and strong, her resolve as sharp as a drawn sword.

“I begged you for the chance to live so that my family’s hopes wouldn’t be extinguished—for my sister’s wish, I have to do this. And with you, I see real hope!”

“Wait… me?”

I pointed to myself, thinking she must be talking about someone else.

Fia nodded solemnly.

“I’m sorry that, on our first meeting, I attacked you on Northen’s orders. My own rashness almost caused you harm—which I’m sure your sharp eyes didn’t miss.

But it was from that first clash that I realized your true strength. It may sound arrogant, but I am one of the chief knights of the Holy Patrol, yet in front of you, I had absolutely no chance of victory.”

I blinked.

Strictly speaking, what she said was true—but somehow, it didn’t sit right.

“Ah, well, that was all thanks to my items…”

“And then, facing the disaster’s threat,”

Fia seemed caught up in expressing her heart, not hearing my attempt to argue,

“My sword was useless against the lord-level Aberration, but you were able to go toe-to-toe with it. No knight—not even the knight-captain—could have managed that.

And when Northen fell and merged with the Devourer of Souls, you faced him directly and fought on for so long. That’s nothing short of incredible.

So, if you’ll forgive me for being blunt—are you really a mercenary?!”

I didn’t know whether to nod or shake my head, mumbling,

“Uh, I keep telling you, it’s all because of the items and equipment…”

That’s right—if this female knight had my stuff and could use it as well as I could, she’d definitely be stronger than me, who’s just a LV.0 civilian with no talent for martial arts or magic.

But Fia just smiled wryly and shook her head.

“The facts are right there, yet you still say that. Even if someone relies on tools, without the right abilities, they can’t handle equipment that far outstrips their own strength, let alone use it effectively.

And besides, how would you even obtain such rare items and equipment in the first place without the skills and know-how to match? Both the means of acquiring and using them are a reflection of one’s capabilities.

—From that perspective, Lord Weiss, you’re really far too modest.”