The Tough-Faced Owner of A Fluffy Cafe ~ The Strongest Mercenary Feared as the Headhunter, Living Leisurely Surrounded by Little Girls and Cute Monsters ~ - Chapter 46
Episode 046: Headhunter, Creating a Debt with the Cool-Type Female Knight
The next day, Ack began operating the café as usual.
— Chirin chirin
Maria seemed busy with the intruders’ matter and didn’t visit the shop. The first person to arrive at the shop was a serious young man with glasses.
The young man entered the shop, sweating.
“Wow, it’s cool in here!!”
He was amazed by the coolness inside the shop.
Thanks to Rim manipulating the cold air, the temperature inside the shop was pleasantly cool. This made Tina and the monsters comfortable. They weren’t seen exhausted like before and each of them spent time as they pleased.
“W-what’s that big wolf doing here!?”
After enjoying the coolness, he noticed Rim lying down in a spacious area of the shop and was taken aback.
There are Tamers around, but few humans are seen with such a large and strong-looking wolf like Rim. It’s natural for him to feel scared.
“Don’t just call me a regular wolf. I am a proud member of the Fenrir clan.”
Rim spoke with a slightly annoyed tone, opening his eyes.
“I-it talked!? And it’s a Fenrir!?”
Maria was also surprised, but talking monsters were rare. Moreover, Fenrir was a legendary monster. Meeting one was extremely rare. The young man’s reaction was natural.
“This is Rim, the newest member of the family. Please get along.”
“N-nice to meet you, Rim-san.”
“Hmph, I don’t know anyone outside my pack. Well, I might consider it if you offer something.”
“Um, what about this…”
Confused by Rim’s indifferent attitude towards his greeting, the young man looked towards Ack.
“It’s okay. Rim is also happy.”
“W-who said that!? Don’t joke around!!”
Rim stood up and threatened after hearing Ack’s words. However, it was obvious from his wagging tail that he was actually pleased.
“Eat this.”
“D-don’t think you can tame me with… *munch*… such things!!”
When Ack placed a large plate of spaghetti in front of Rim, he started eating while complaining. Despite his words, he seemed happy as he ate.
“Understand?”
“Y-yes, sort of…”
When asked by Ack, the young man seemed bewildered but eventually agreed.
Though it was just a few exchanges, the young man realized that Rim was a tsundere wolf.
“He’s Rim, a Fenrir. Nice to meet you.”
“Yes.”
When introduced to Clauf, who came later, he wasn’t as surprised, perhaps due to his years of experience. But deep down, he was quite astonished.
A few days after Ack returned, an announcement was made in the town square.
It stated that the members of the criminal organization “Dark Eye” involved in numerous crimes, had been apprehended root and branch by the operation of the Knights.
The main members are scheduled for execution later.
When the events suspected of involvement were announced, the victims of the Dark Eye shed tears of joy.
However, many members of the Dark Eye were people who had blended into the city as ordinary residents, and many people around them found it hard to believe that they were involved with a criminal organization.
Ack, who went to Maria’s house to apologize, was perplexed. Because Tina’s escape was part of the plan for capturing the Dark Eye.
This operation was top-secret, known only to the Knight Commander and Maria. It was carried out secretly without informing other members of the group.
When they had gathered some evidence and were waiting for the right moment, they realized that the Dark Eye had targeted Tina.
Tina became a bait for the Knights to capture the Dark Eye.
Tina’s escape from home, the household members who overlooked it, and the gatekeepers who let through the Dark Eye members disguised as civilians, all went according to plan without any blame.
That was the scenario.
The plan was to settle things smoothly on all fronts.
“Isn’t that a problem?”
“No one is losing anything, only gaining. Even if this incident hadn’t happened, they would either be executed or become lifelong slaves. A little change in the story won’t cause any problems.”
“No, but I’m not satisfied…”
Ack, having seen many dirty parts during his mercenary days, understood that sometimes such things were necessary.
However, he thought it was not right to assign blame even to themselves as villains, and frowned.
“I’ve explained that to the members, and it can’t be changed anymore.”
Maria thought Ack would say something like that, so she talked to the Knight Commander on her own and smoothly informed the members of the group.
The household members, including Maria, are all on the same page about this.
“Sigh… I understand. At least let me offer some services to the knights when they come from now on. I’m really grateful this time. Thank you.”
It’s difficult to make everyone forget about the story that has already spread.
Ack resigned himself and bowed deeply.
“No, no, you’re welcome.”
“If there’s anything you can’t handle, I’ll lend a hand too.”
Merely providing services at the shop wasn’t enough. If Maria ever found herself in trouble, he had decided to help her out too.
“Thank you very much. I won’t hesitate to rely on you when the time comes.”
Ack ended up owing Maria a great debt.
