NOVEL WEB Chapter 100
Episode 100: Side Story ~ The Courtesans’ Survival Tactics ~
The four courtesans led to the Zafing Residence were shown to a guest room. The guest room of the Zafing Residence wasn’t luxurious, but it had a calm atmosphere, and compared to a commoner’s home, it was like night and day.
“Would you all like to take a bath?”
It was Aisha who spoke to the four of them.
“Huh? A bath? You mean like… bathing?”
One of the courtesans asked Aisha in surprise.
“Yes. Lord Giorg has ordered that you be treated as honored guests.”
At Aisha’s reply, the four exchanged glances.
“Oh, um, yes, that would be wonderful.”
“Understood. It will take a little more time, is that alright?”
“Yes.”
After receiving their response, Aisha bowed and left the room.
Once Aisha closed the door, the four of them collectively let out a sigh.
“What’s up with that noble? He’s terrifying.”
“Too scary. He’s so handsome, but instead of being mesmerized, I feel like my life’s in danger.”
“And his two attendants are the same. The older one looks cold and scary, and the younger one seems flippant but still scary.”
“Everyone, calm down. We don’t know who might be listening.”
At one woman’s words, the other three hurriedly covered their mouths. The one who warned them was Joanna, the 24-year-old who had questioned Giorg in the dungeon. She was a woman who acted as a counselor of sorts for the courtesans in the area.
“We should assume we’re being tested.”
At Joanna’s words, the three looked uneasy. They were just courtesans, after all. What could nobles possibly want from them?
“No, that’s not it. That noble isn’t asking us to do anything difficult. What he wants is for us to never speak of what we saw today.”
At Joanna’s words, the four of them turned pale as they recalled the terrifying experience earlier.
“If we don’t earn that noble’s trust, we’ll end up like Lord Hawkins and his men.”
“Eek…”
“No way. I don’t want to die like that.”
“Me neither.”
Joanna’s words made the three turn pale. The brutal actions Giorg had taken against Lord Hawkins and his men seemed to Joanna and the others to have been carried out without reason. Especially the fact that he had killed four of his subordinates for “being careless fools during the selection process,” which was a standard Joanna and the others couldn’t comprehend. It was beyond unreasonable.
“Yeah, we don’t know what criteria that noble uses to decide who to kill. That’s what’s scary.”
At Joanna’s words, the three nodded.
“To survive, we need to follow that noble’s orders. Don’t even think about trying to get on his good side. If he thinks we’re trying to manipulate him, we’ll end up like Lord Hawkins and his men.”
“Y-yeah, got it.”
“Lizria seems to understand, but what about Coco and Gloria?”
At Joanna’s question, Coco and Gloria hurriedly nodded. They hadn’t been planning to try to get close to Giorg. They just agreed with Joanna and decided not to do anything unnecessary.
“Y-yeah, of course we understand.”
“Me too. I totally agree with what Joanna’s saying.”
Coco and Gloria voiced their agreement with Joanna.
“That noble seems like the type to keep his promises as long as we don’t betray him. So, as long as we keep our promises and stay cautious, our safety is guaranteed. If you value your lives, don’t lie. Even if you’re asked about family or responsibilities, answer honestly. If you try to milk more money out of him and anger him, it’s no joke. It’s ridiculous to risk your life for a little extra cash.”
“Yeah, got it. I don’t want to die.”
“Me neither.”
“Of course, I understand too.”
Hearing the three’s responses, Joanna looked relieved and nodded quietly.
“Anyway, don’t lie to that noble. Don’t try to get on his good side. Stick to that.”
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“It seems Lord Giorg’s plan worked. They’re being cautious.”
At Aisha’s words, Giorg nodded with satisfaction.
“Good. It’s fortunate they’re smart.”
“Yes. The one who fully grasped your intentions was a woman named Joanna.”
“Hmm. The one who spoke up in the dungeon, perhaps?”
“It’s highly likely.”
At Aisha’s reply, Giorg gave a small nod.
“Aisha, there’s no reason to kill those four anymore. As long as they don’t overstep, let them be free… but don’t slack on surveillance.”
“Understood. I’ll have the guests take their baths now.”
“Right.”
Aisha smiled and nodded at Giorg’s command, then bowed and left the office.
(Now they won’t be a hindrance to us.)
Giorg muttered this in his heart. Giorg had no hesitation or guilt about killing enemies. If he hesitated to kill an enemy, his lord, subordinates, and the people of Galvate would suffer. That was the kind of battle Giorg fought. So, he had no reason to hesitate in eliminating enemies.
But killing people like Joanna and the others, who were just caught up in the job by chance, was something he resisted. If they tried to use him for their own gain, Giorg would show no mercy.
But if they didn’t, he couldn’t bring himself to kill those who were merely bystanders.
Because his life involved assassination and violence, Giorg’s pride lay in not using those methods unnecessarily.
(To free them sooner, I’ll have to cut off the loose ends.)
Giorg’s inner mutterings were heard by no one.
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