The Romance Fantasy Novel MC is Only Into Me – Chapter 7

3.

 

“Huff, huff!”

 

Marigold ran through the streets as soon as she saw the sun begin to set. The moment she reached the inn, a scolding voice greeted her.

 

“Mary! Why have you only come now? Quickly, get started on cleaning the bathroom!”

“Yes!”

 

Now seventeen, her palms were tightly wrapped white bandages. Originally worn to protect against blisters forming due to her daily swordsmanship training, the bandages were now a defining part of her appearance.

 

“They always leave the hardest part of cleaning the bathroom to the young lady, Mary. Honestly, what awful people they are!” 

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll just think of it as part of my training, it’s okay.”

 

Mary rolled up her sleeves. Beneath her sleek, smooth skin, Marigold’s muscles were clearly visible—it was a testament to the months of hard training and practice.

 

“Haha, Miss Mary?”

 

A voice chuckled, and Marigold felt a presence from behind. 

 

“You look lovely as ever, Miss Mary. Won’t you please help me bathe?”

 

A man reached out to Marigold, who was busily cleaning.

 

Just as he was about to touch her, Marigold disappeared from his sight. All he saw was the floor and ceiling flipping over. 

 

“Gah!” A painful groan escaped from the man’s mouth.

“Ugh…….”

 

“What happened? Did you hear that noise?”

 

A middle-aged maid came rushing at the sound of commotion. Marigold hastily waved her hand.

 

“Oh, no, this man just suddenly fell down… all by himself.”
“Really?”

 

“Y-yes, Miss Mary is right.”

 

Perhaps it was his pride, but he struggled to admit that he had been thrown to the ground while trying to grope her secretly, so the man reluctantly agreed with Marigold.

 

“Oh my, that’s what happens when you barge into a bathroom that’s being cleaned. Get out of there!”

“I have no strength in my legs right now……”

“Then crawl out!”

“Alright, alright.”

 

Marigold sighed as she watched the man crawl away.

 

This wasn’t the first or second time something like this happened—such incidences were common at the inn. Young female staff were constantly targeted by the advances of men, and some were particularly persistent.

 

The reason Marigold decided to learn swordsmanship was to prepare precisely for situations like this. She wanted the skills to protect herself. It was a skill that proved quite useful in the capital.

 

“Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Honestly, these low-class men. It would be good if you quit this job altogether, Miss.” 

“Then I would have no choice but to work at a tavern or brothel. Those places are much worse than this.”

“Ugh! Are these really the only places where women can work in the capital? I’m worried about you.”

 

Pina fumed, but there was nothing either of them could do.

 

For Marigold, who had only settled in the capital for two years, even a job like this was a blessing.

 

“Are you finished cleaning? If so, why don’t you rest and have something to eat?” 

“Yes.”

 

As Marigold took a deep breath, a commotion erupted from the inn.

 

“They’re giving mercenaries a basic salary? What bullshit! They’re definitely crooks, you idiot.”

“I swear I really did hear it! You can tell just by looking at him, he’s some ignorant country bumpkin who just arrived from the sticks.”

“Is he a noble? Or is he just a wealthy man?”

“Both.”

“……Where is that place?”

 

Marigold paused mid-spoonful, and her ears perked up. 

 

“Lancel’s Mercenary Guild, I think that’s what it’s called.”

 

Thump. Thump.

 

Something stirred from deep within Marigold. It was a familiar name—one she had heard in her dreams—the source of that strange feeling that had occasionally haunted her in her sleep. 

 

Lancel.

 

“We’d better hurry before all the spots fill. I heard they’re not hiring many. Isn’t it about time for you to quit your job as a delivery man anyway?”

“Yeah, you’re right. I was meant to live by the sword. Even though I look like this now, back in my day…”

 

Marigold put down the spoon she had been holding.

 

Pina tilted her head curiously, sensing that something was amiss.

 

“Miss?”

“Pina, should I quit working at the inn?”

“Huh?”

 

4.

 

The next morning, a large crowd gathered in front of the mercenary guild.

 

Most of them were either already mercenaries, had experience wielding swords, or were just men who boasted strength. 

 

“How many people do you think came, Hesti?”

“It looks like there are just under a hundred people.”

“Quite the crowd,” Lancel remarked.

“Of course, Young Master. You promised to give one silver coin each week to people who would otherwise starve or resort to thievery when work is scarce.” 

“Even I have to admit, those were rather generous terms.” 

 

Lancel chuckled.

 

To participate in the Escort Event, only one thing mattered: how well each individual completed their most recent “Five Quests.”

 

In the game, quest completion performances were ranked from S-class to F-class, and the minimum condition to be met was an average of at least B-class or higher.

 

However, as the guild master, it would have looked rather ridiculous for Lancel to step forward and personally handle the quests, so he needed to recruit a few mercenaries who could actually perform the work.

 

Indeed.

 

Including Marigold.

 

‘But I don’t see her. Did she not come today? If she doesn’t show up, I’ll just have to breathe some life into the situation and drag her here myself.’

 

Lancel decided to focus on recruiting mercenaries for now.

 

“Are you all ready?”

“Yes, just leave it to us.”

 

The examiners were three guards carefully selected by Lancel. The examiners’ method of selection would involve having the candidates directly face off against them in a sword fight.

 

“Let us begin.” 

“Yes, Young Master. Let them enter three at a time!”

“Come in one at a time! No cutting in line, come in one at a time in the order you arrived!”

 

A group of arrogant men appeared before the judges.

 

From then on, things moved swiftly.

 

“Pathetic! You’re out!”

 

“Next person!”

 

“Arghh!”

 

“Stop exaggerating!”

 

Even though they were mercenaries, they stood no chance against the examiners who had been wielding swords their entire lives.

 

Even in the game, guards of lower rank were classified as “superior soldiers,” while those brought by Lancel were considered “elite soldiers.” There was a clear difference in skill between the amateur mercenaries who were only used to roughing up commoners.

 

“Take it easy. Take it easy.”

 

The examiners seemed to be letting off some steam, relishing the chance to vent pent-up stress on mercenaries after so long. 

 

“If things continue like this, won’t there be more people carried away than left standing?” Hesti remarked.

 

At Hesti’s words, Lancel remained silent, taking a sip of his tea.

 

============

—June 3, 818 of the Imperial Calendar. Weather: Perfectly Clear.

—Random event triggered. “The Prince’s Outing.” (Location: Outskirts of the Imperial Capital, Lancel’s Mercenary Guild)

============

 

“Pfft!”

“……Young Master?”

“Sorry. Wipe it off with this.”

“Did you do that on purpose?”

“You are mistaken.”

 

With a sour expression, Hesti wiped the tea that Lancel spat out with a handkerchief.

 

‘The Crown Prince is going out? At a time like this? No, more importantly, why here?’ 

 

Lancel hastily tried to leave. But just before he could, he heard a voice from the side.

 

“So a mercenary guild run by nobles isn’t all that different after all.”

 

Lancel felt his heart freeze.

The voice was right next to him.

 

“Justia. I’m just a prodigal son who is passing through. I heard there was something interesting to see here, so I came to visit for a moment. To be honest, it’s less impressive than I expected.”

 

Justia.

It was an alias.

Lancel knew his real name.

 

‘Yuri Langris Freesia.’

 

The man, identified simply as “Third Prince” in the game, now stood right next to Lancel, his hat pulled low over his face.

 

Lancel tried to focus on his senses. He could feel a magic barrier faintly etched around the Third Prince’s body. That was why Lancel couldn’t sense the Third Prince’s presence.

 

“It must be rather boring for a great wizard such as yourself to watch.”

“…….”

“No need to be so surprised. I just have a good intuition.”

 

Lancel could see his eyes gleaming with an unusual light beneath the brim of his hat. 

 

“I see. It’s the first time I’ve heard of someone being able discern a wizard’s identity with something as trivial as intuition.” 

 

Lancel felt an invisible force wrapping around his neck a magical blade that could cut through even steel if its wielder so desired.

 

Anyone capable of sensing the murderous intent would have felt their legs give out.

 

Lancel didn’t even blink. 

 

Third Prince Yuri, who had been watching him for a moment, soon withdrew his magical power.

 

“I was disappointed to find that this was just another mercenary guild, but you seem like a rather interesting person, Sir Lancel.”

 

 ‘Is he here to test me?’

 

Lancel forced himself to avoid the Third Prince’s stinging gaze.

 

“Next!”

 

A familiar face appeared before him.

 

“A girl?” 

“Isn’t that the girl who worked at the inn nearby?”

 

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

 

‘You’re here, Marigold.’

 

Lancel noticed that her appearance had become unrecognizable.

 

She wore leather pants, a form-fitting blouse, thick leather boots, and leather gauntlets.

 

Her muscular body had graceful curves, sculpted without a single ounce of excess fat.

 

‘She looks completely different from when I saw her as a 15-year-old girl. Eat well, grow well. Train hard, get stronger.’ 

 

This was truly Marigold’s body, formed with limitless possibilities.

 

“Hmm.”

 

============

—Encounter event triggered. “Third Prince Yuri Langris Freesia Takes Interest in Marigold.”

============

 

Yuri stroked his chin.

 

“A woman like that, working as a mercenary.”

 

Of course, it was not uncommon for women to work as mercenaries.

 

The problem was that Marigold didn’t seem like the type of woman who would work as a mercenary.

 

One of the examiners approached her.

 

“Name?”

“Mary. I shall be in your care.”

“Alright. Choose the examiner you wish to face and stand in front of them.”

“Yes!”

 

Marigold strode confidently toward the three examiners lined up before her. Everyone turned their attention to her, watching to see who she would go to.

 

“What is this?”

“Where are you going……?”

 

She walked past the examiners and continued straight to the man who was leaning casually against the reception desk.

 

“…?”

 

“I humbly request a match with you, Sir Lancel Dante.”

 

Her gaze burned with a fiery intensity.

 

Lancel was momentarily speechless at the sight of Marigold standing before him.