Appraisal

Now that Fee had agreed to work for me, I wanted to head for my territory immediately, but there were still loose ends to tie up in the Royal Capital.

Though she had recovered to a degree, she was still a long way from her peak.

"Yuri-sama? What are we doing today?"

"Let’s see. Shopping for supplies, mostly. I’d also like to recruit more talent if I find any, though I doubt I’ll find anyone better than you, Fee."

Everyone in this city has the face of a traitor.

The person most likely to be a reliable companion was the old man at the street stall, but I couldn't exactly drag a man with a family out to the sticks. Or rather, I had already tried to invite him, and he’d turned me down.

"Meat skewers won't sell in the frontier, kid," he’d said with a smirk, but I suspected there was another reason. I didn't push it; I simply backed off.

"Th-there are plenty of people better than Fee..."

Fee’s face turned a deep shade of crimson as she tried to hide behind the brim of her bucket hat.

She was currently dressed in a white bucket hat and a charming Apprentice Maid outfit adorned with light blue frills. I had requested something more modest, but somehow, we had ended up with this. It certainly emphasized her cuteness, so I suppose it wasn't a total failure.

I had spent some time physically checking the garment to ensure there were no tracking devices or traps. I did this while she was wearing it, of course.

It’s just a normal maid outfit. No special abilities. No magical enchantments. Stat-wise, it’s basically Defense +1.

Once I was satisfied with its safety, I looked up to find Fee frozen stiff, her face glowing red with tension. The servants had all vanished. Apparently, they expected some kind of "white mist" scenario to unfold and had considerately made themselves scarce.

At first, they had looked at me with suspicion for bringing home a "filthy beastman," so I decided to let them believe I had... carnal motivations for keeping her. It would likely result in her being treated better by the staff.

Honestly. I’m ten years old. I shouldn't even be capable of such things.

I was completely unaware of the rumors circulating among the servants—that I had been acting far too mature lately, and that my actual age was likely much higher.

"P-please, say something," Fee whispered, looking worried as I lost myself in thought.

"Right. It’s almost time for lunch."

"That’s not what I meant!"

As if on cue, Fee’s stomach let out a loud growl. She clutched her midsection, her face turning even redder, and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

After a quick meal at our usual stall, I led us into the shadows of a narrow back alley.

"U-um, Yuri-sama? What are we doing in a place like this?"

"I’ve been scouting the city. Hardly anyone passes through here at this hour. It’s convenient for me."

"C-convenient? You mean—" Fee clutched her skirt tightly. "U-um, it’s my first time, so please... be gentle."

"…? Ah. I don't think it will hurt, but it’s my first time using it this thoroughly on someone else. Let me know if you feel any discomfort."

"Y-yes..."

Fee squeezed her eyes shut. When I’d used it on myself, it hadn't hurt at all, but I suppose the idea of someone else peering into your very soul is naturally frightening.

I funneled mana into my right eye and stared intently at her. Faint, ethereal letters began to manifest above her head.

Name: Fee Gender: Female | Age: 11 | Race: Beastman Job: Apprentice Maid Level: 1 HP: 16/16 (E) MP: 0/0 (E) Attack: 1 (E) Defense: 1 (E) Agility: 3 (C) Magic: 1 (E) [Skill] Dagger: 1 (C) [Magic] Earth: 1 (E) | Wind: 1 (D)

Even if I were being generous, I couldn't call these stats high. Still, Fee possessed the innate disposition of an elite assassin; having her as an ally rather than an enemy was a blessing.

It seemed this Appraisal display was unique to me. To my eyes, it was a familiar status screen from the game, but I knew the truth was far more dangerous. If these details were common knowledge, power gaps would be impossible to hide. Apparently, other people’s versions of Appraisal weren't digitized; they could usually only discern a person's level.

For comparison, my own stats looked like this:

Is the sheer breadth of my talent simply because I’m the mastermind—the final boss?

I didn't have a clear baseline for these numbers yet, but based on the few people I’d scanned, a typical adult was Level 5 to 10 with stats around 10 and one or two skills at Level 3. Trained soldiers usually had double those values. My sample size was small, so there was likely more variance, but still...

"That’s enough. I’ve seen what I needed to see."

"Fueh?" Fee let out a startled squeak. "U-um, but... you didn't do anything yet."

"I already did. I used Appraisal to check your potential."

Fee blinked, her mouth hanging open. "I-if that’s all, we didn't have to come here. You could have just done that in the guest room."

"No, there’s a reason I couldn't."

In the manor, I never knew who was watching. When I activate Appraisal, my right eye glows a distinct gold. A physical change that obvious meant I had to be extremely careful about when and where I used it.

"More importantly, we’re going to buy you a weapon."

"F-Fee’s weapon? But I’ve never fought before."

"I know. That’s why I checked your aptitudes."

"C-could it be? Do I have some kind of hidden power?"

"No, nothing like that. You just happen to have the Dagger skill, so you'll be able to use one reasonably well."

"A skill?! Fee has a skill too?!"

"Most people have one or two."

"I understand! Fee will do her best to master Dagger Arts!"

The sight of her psyching herself up was undeniably cute, but it only served to increase my inner anxiety.

"In that case, let's go. We're getting you a dagger."

"Okay! Ah... but Fee doesn't have any money."

"A weapon is a tool for work. Of course I’m paying for it."

"Really?"

"Obviously. Now come on, we have a lot to get through today."

"Right! And then we can go give meat to everyone again!"

"No, that’s not in the—well, fine. If we finish early, we’ll go."

"Yay!"

And so, we made our way to the weapon shop.

"Yuri-sama, thank you so much."

Fee clutched the new dagger to her chest as if it were a holy relic.

"Don't mention it. I expect you to train hard from now on."

"I will!"

With Fee smiling happily at my side, we began walking toward the meat skewer stall. On the way, we ran into the boy from the back alleys.

"Ah! It’s the meat-bro! I’ve been looking for you!" He ran up to us, looking excited. I wondered if he expected another handout. Well, he wasn't entirely wrong.

"I haven't bought the food yet."

"Hey! You make it sound like I’m only looking for you because I’m hungry!"

"Am I wrong? Then I guess you don't want any meat."

"I do! Wait, no! That’s not it! A lady came looking for you."

Looking for me? I barely knew anyone in this city. I glanced at the girl beside me.

"Fee, I’m right here. You don't need to send people to find me."

"It wasn't Fee!"

"No, not her," the boy corrected. "What was her name again? Elina?"

I didn't recognize the name. The only person in the original game with a similar name was the Saint, Emilina. But there was no reason for a heroine like her to seek me out. Then again, she was destined to open an orphanage; perhaps my "charity" had caught her attention.

"Did she say she was a Saint?" I asked, testing my theory.

"Ah, yeah! That’s it! She said she was a Saint or something like that!"

There’s no doubt about it then. I know exactly what I need to do.

While healing the masses at the Church, Saint Emilina also provided relief to the poor. However, the poverty in the Royal Capital was a tide no single person could stem. The occasional soup kitchens organized by the Church were nowhere near enough.

That was when she heard the rumors: a young boy was distributing meat to the children in the slums.

He must be a soul of profound nobility, she thought. Someone who cannot stand by while children suffer.

Driven by a sudden, irresistible urge to meet him, Emilina had slipped out of the Church and headed for the back alleys. She had spotted a boy rummaging through a scrap pile and decided to inquire.

"Um, excuse me. May I ask you something?"

"What is it, lady? I’m busy here, can't you see?"

"My apologies. I wanted to ask about the boy who was here the other day distributing food."

"Oh, you mean the meat-bro? He’s a great guy. Feeds everyone. Doesn't care what race you are, either."

The boy’s glowing review only fueled Emilina’s curiosity. If he was truly that compassionate, he might be one of the legendary figures—a Hero or a Sage—foretold by the oracle to banish the coming darkness.

"I see. If you see him again, could you tell him that Saint Emilina wishes to meet him? I’ll keep looking for a while as well."

She handed the boy a silver coin. It was a "nuisance fee" for interrupting his work.

"Gotcha. I’ll tell him that 'Toilet Emina' wants to see him."

"It’s Saint, not Toilet. And the name is Emilina. Tell him he can find me at the Church anytime. I’m counting on you."

"Leave it to me!"

Though she felt a prickle of unease, she had no one else to turn to. If the world was truly headed toward chaos, she would need all the help she could get.

"I still don't even know what he looks like," she murmured to herself. "The boy who gives out meat... I wonder what kind of person he is."

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