Chapter 32: As Long as You’re Alive
We turn the clock back slightly, to a little while after Neon parted from Sibyl and continued driving the wagon. Neon bit her lip as she held the reins.
Diller, concerned by the sight, spoke up.
“The boss will be fine. He’s got that useful skill too. If things truly become dangerous, he’ll retreat when he needs to.”
“If only that were true.”
Neon sighed. Silence settled between them for a while. Then Neon stopped the wagon and turned to face Diller.
“Diller, may I change the request? I don’t want you to guard me. I want you to go support Sibyl.”
“Come now, you’re joking, aren’t you? If a grand crocodile truly is coming, that would be suicide.”
Diller gave a strained smile and shook his head.
“I’m serious. I’ll pay generously for the danger. Five million G for you and one other man to support him. The request lasts until the grand crocodile is slain or Sibyl is escorted somewhere safe.”
Five million G was an enormous sum, enough for an ordinary person to live on for several years. Spending those gold coins here would push Neon’s dream far into the distance.
Diller realized she was serious and appeared to think for a moment.
“Captain, no amount of money makes that safe. Let’s just keep running,” one of his men said.
“If we can’t win, I’m allowed to make him retreat?” Diller asked Neon.
“I don’t care what happens to this town. As long as Sibyl survives, I don’t care whether the grand crocodile lives or dies.”
“Understood. I’ll accept the request.”
“Captain, are you serious?!”
“Quiet. Colin, you’re staying too. We’ll probably need someone to clear away the small fry. The rest of you will escort Miss Neon to the neighboring town.”
“Understood.”
The man called Colin agreed.
“Thank you, Diller. Sibyl doesn’t care about profit or loss. I suppose that’s why he was never suited to be a merchant. He’s the kind of person who’d sell merchandise cheaply to someone in need. But even though he’s a coward… when the moment comes, he can act for someone else’s sake. Enough to make me think he might have become a hero if only he’d been stronger. So please help him.”
Neon spoke with tears threatening to spill. She knew she would only get in the way.
She handed Diller fifty gold coins—5,000,000 G in immediate payment—then tossed him a separate leather pouch.
“What’s this?”
“Give that to Sibyl. If he’s serious about fighting the grand crocodile, he’ll probably need a great deal of money. There’s 8,000,000 G inside, so it should be useful.”
“Understood. I’ll put it in his hands.”
“I’m sorry to give you such a dangerous request.”
“A mercenary’s trade has always meant risking your life. Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Neon and Diller parted there. Tormented by her own helplessness, Neon set the wagon moving once more.
And Diller raced back through town in search of his new charge.