The demon they had encountered at the warehouse was on a completely different level from any of the others. It could have beaten Brain Unglaus with strength to spare, and it was only because of its many wounds that they had been victorious. If that demon had appeared before them in a fresh, undamaged state, they would certainly have been defeated. After hearing how powerful it was from Lakyus, he was silently grateful that they had somehow managed to triumph over it
And after that, the only thanks he had received were the aforementioned complaints. Although he told himself that he had become used to it, the words still cut deeply into him
In truth, it would have been fine if Climb had struck out at those people with malicious intent. Nobody would say anything if Climb returned the insults he had received in his position as the Princess' personal knight, but if he did that, then Renner's position would be in danger. If their hatred turned toward the princess and led to them slandering her, he would be powerless to draw his sword against them
"Now then, Climb. I have... unpleasant news. Listen carefully."
Climb closed his eyes for several seconds, then opened them again.
"The women you and Sebas-san worked together to save from the brothel... were murdered."
Unable to comprehend what Renner had just said, his mouth worked open and closed while he gasped out some sounds that might have been mistaken for speech.
"How... but how... how could that have happened..."
Come to think of it, the women should have been hidden in a waiting room and then sent on to Renner's properties.
"That was a miscalculation on my part. I wanted to hire adventurers as guards, but due to the disturbance, they had all been employed by others. So I had to use mercenaries instead..."
Renner shook her head, as though saying it had all been her fault.
"Th-that's not true! It's definitely not Renner-sama's fault! It's the ones who attacked them who're to blame!"
"No! If I had been more careful, if I had considered things more closely... that the disturbance would have weakened security in the capital, if I had let them escape when I sensed danger, it wouldn't have turned out like this! If Climb had been there, maybe it wouldn't have turned out like this. And even the adventurers who recommended the mercenaries were shocked..."
The beginnings of tears began filling the corners of Renner's eyes.