The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - Chapter 118: Tamer Guild Executive Negrei

Chapter 118: Tamer Guild Executive Negrei

The students were gathered in their groups, discussing their plans for the future.

They were looking at maps, talking about where to go and how to divide their tasks.

Each group consisted of four people, making up three mixed-gender teams, and they seemed to get along well.

For a while, I watched them, but then I turned to Charlotte and asked her a question.

“Charlotte, shouldn’t you be joining your group?”

Now that I think about it, I don’t remember seeing her talking to anyone other than me since we arrived.

“Um…”

Charlotte scratched her cheek and seemed uncomfortable.

“Actually, everyone avoids me… I don’t have anyone to team up with.”

“What?”

Did I mishear her? I stared at her in surprise.

“Don’t look at me like that! It’s not my fault! Even when I try to talk to them, they look away!”

I was shocked by her reaction, which was unlike her usual self. Charlotte puffed out her cheeks and glared at me.

“Could it be that the reason you invited me to this camp was…?”

“It was so you could keep me company!”

I had assumed she pushed for me to join because it was a meaningful event for Tamers. But the real reason was much less impressive.

“Even I have things I’m bad at, you know.”

Maybe because I found out her weakness, Charlotte crossed her arms like a sulking child and started complaining.

“Ah, but this isn’t something I should be saying to you, Lord Klaus. I apologize.”

“No, it’s fine. Talk however you like.”

Thinking about it, she had always been putting on a strong front to avoid showing weakness to others.

Honestly, I was glad she felt comfortable enough to be herself around me.

“Normally, I would never say things like this. But for some reason, when I’m with you, I find a side of myself I didn’t know existed.”

She tilted her head slightly, as if she wasn’t faking it.

“But when it’s just the two of us, this way of talking feels easier. So, I hope you don’t mind.”

She smiled as if she had come to terms with it.

“Lady Charlotte, I hope you are doing well.”

Just as I was getting used to talking with Charlotte, Negrei spoke to her.

He was looking at her body with the same lingering gaze as before.

“Lord Negrei, it has been a long time. Has it been three years since we last met?”

She straightened her back, placed her hands in front of her, and gave a perfect, polite smile.

Negrei, mesmerized by her elegance, relaxed his expression.

“Yes, the last time we met was at the celebration for your first Tamer contract. Was it that Squal? I was very impressed when I heard that you tamed a rare B-rank monster right away.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

It seemed they had known each other for a long time. Since Charlotte was from the Boyle family and Negrei was a high-ranking member of the Tamer Guild, it wasn’t surprising they had met before.

“So, what brings you here, Lord Negrei, despite your busy schedule?”

Charlotte kept her polite smile as she asked about his purpose.

“Ah, right. When I saw the list of participants for this camp, I noticed your name. But you hadn’t registered with any group. If you don’t mind, I would be happy to personally guide you around the island.”

It seemed Negrei wanted to accompany Charlotte out of goodwill.

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

“And by that, you mean?”

Charlotte gracefully moved her fingers, leading his gaze toward me.

“I have been coming to this island since I was a child, so I am quite familiar with it.”

“Even so, wandering around an island full of various monsters alone is not safe…”

Charlotte gently refused, but Negrei insisted. Then, she suddenly wrapped her right hand around my elbow and said—

“I have already made plans to explore with this gentleman.”

She was making things up on the spot.

“Hey…”

I tried to ask what she was doing, but her silver eyes said more than words could.

“What is the meaning of this, Klaus?”

Negrei glared at me and spoke.

“Aren’t you currently on a bodyguard mission as a national adventurer?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I was personally asked by Douglas to protect Lady Charlotte.”

Technically, my name wasn’t written in the documents, but I had to make it sound convincing.

Still, I found it a little odd that someone like him, who showed no interest in me, knew about my schedule.

“He is not only a national adventurer but also the ace of the Tamer Guild. With him guiding me, there should be no safety concerns, correct?”

Charlotte took the chance to press the issue further. Since I had passed the national adventurer exam, I could handle most monsters around here.

Negrei must have realized that because—

“Ugh… I suppose… not…”

After struggling to find words, he shot me one last glare before walking away.

“Phew…”

Charlotte let out a deep sigh and relaxed.

“I had a feeling this would happen.”

Now that Negrei was gone, she shivered and explained the situation.

“For the past three years, the way he looks at me has changed…”

She was talking about that uncomfortable stare from earlier.

It must be terrifying to be alone with someone who looks at you like that.

“I am truly sorry for using you, Lord Klaus.”

She bowed her head deeply, showing sincere regret.

I wished she had told me sooner, but I also understood that there was a chance Negrei wouldn’t make a move.

She was too kind-hearted to go around badmouthing others.

“If that’s the case, I don’t mind at all. You can use me as a shield anytime.”

Whether as a conversation partner or a protective wall, I would do my part.

“But if I may correct one thing…”

She poked my chest with her finger.

“Lord Klaus, you are not ‘just anyone.’ You are a reliable man whom I trust.”