“Claiming to be famous might be a bit much, but most people should have heard of me. At the very least, any one of those titles,” Bandur almost spat out that word, “should ring a bell.”

Seeing the dwarf’s complex expression and hearing his just as complex voice, Severin realized he had misunderstood the man; he hadn’t been bragging when introducing himself. In fact, pride was probably the only emotion he couldn’t detect in the man’s voice.

Sadness, anger, defiance, regret. But no pride.

Severin became very curious about the man's background and listened intently as Bandur continued without needing further prompting.

“Because of that, I tend to no longer believe people that claim not knowing about me. Too many bad experiences over the years, you understand?”

He didn’t, but Severin kept listening.

“Either way, it appears that I have underestimated your relationship with those guys from Malcos; or at least how much they value you and your shop. But I suppose that means I, too, should give you the benefit of the doubt.

“I’ll be honest with you. My presence alone will spell trouble for you. For both of us. Meaning for me to even just consider your terms and to stay on this mountain, I would need some kind of guarantee for my safety.

So assuming you really are unaware of my circumstances, I feel like I should at least give you the short version of it.”

Severin once again felt a headache coming. He had simply asked Markus to introduce to him a reliable, classless person he could hire as an [Employee]; nothing more. Quite an easy task for someone in his position and with his resources, one would think. So why did it feel like this was turning into something else? Something troublesome. Especially considering that this introduction was supposed to be a gesture of apology on Markus’ part.

But he also realized that it wasn’t Bandur’s fault either; by now it was obvious that the dwarf didn’t have the full picture either. Severin felt like their situations were similar in that regard. He also had to admit that the man was making an effort. Therefore, Severin tried not to let his displeasure show when he urged his guest to continue; he brought over two non-dwarfen-sized chairs and said, “Please.”

Bandur gratefully made himself comfortable but didn’t immediately start telling his story.

Only after going through his memory and deciding which parts were most relevant to make an outsider understand his circumstances, did he open his mouth again.

“I’m royalty. Just like that brat.”

‘Trouble, indeed’, was Severin’s immediate thought after hearing this revelation, but he didn’t interrupt the man who clearly didn’t intend to pause for effect, either.

“Though in name only.

When I was born, the fight for succession was already in full swing and it is only because I was born without a class that I wasn’t directly disposed of by one of my brothers, right there and then.

Apart from needing ‘the right blood’, one also needs to be a classbearer in order to be qualified to receive father’s [Majesty] orb once he finally drops dead. Ironic, isn’t it? Doesn’t even matter what class.”

Pff

The man snorted with disgust but quickly caught himself.

“Well. So not having a class kept me alive. Just barely though. Some of them will always think of me as a threat as long as I am alive. I had to realize that early on. To make a long story short, I decided to follow Markus’s old man, who was on a diplomatic mission and still only a green princeling at the time and went into exile. Since then… let’s just say I’m very much indebted to their whole family. So, I don’t want to sound ungrateful when I say that, but it’s just that…” The dwarf suddenly hesitated.

”Well, it’s not quite the normal life I was hoping for when I left home. On the contrary. It has only ever gotten worse since then. More than just a few people think this is all some kind of ploy. It’s gotten so bad that I can’t possibly leave the palace without some kind of protection. Simply knowing I don’t have a class for the majority of people involved in this mess isn’t enough anymore. Just the effort it took to get here… and yet, by now, someone is guaranteed to have noticed that… Well. I begin to ramble, but you get the point. People are looking for me and some of them will try actively try to kill me if they so much as smell an opportunity. And if the same people find out I actually have gotten a class and be it just that [Employee] class this blue screen of yours has mentioned, then I can’t guarantee for anything.” With that very rough overview of his situation, Bandur looked intently at Severin.

“So, it’s like that.” Severin appreciated the man’s honesty and his warning about the potential consequences that might very possibly affect himself as well should he hire the dwarf, though he knew the reasons for telling him all this were largely due to concerns of self-preservation. Still, Severin’s overall reaction was far more reserved than Bandur had originally expected.

But somehow this reaction was exactly what he had hoped for. At least Severin was not withdrawing his offer right away. In his mind, this could only mean the chubby [Shopkeeper] was weighing his options right now. Which in return meant that there might be a way to make it all work. The dwarf couldn’t help but feel hopeful. Hopeful that he might be able to leave behind his golden cage and live a, more or less, normal life. Just like he always wanted.

But that wasn’t what Severin was actually thinking about. At least it wasn’t his main concern. Instead, he was cursing Markus. Again. Cursing that he put them both in such a spot.

But his need for another pair of hands was simply too great. For example, even just one raid-group worth of adventurers had already proven to be too much for him to handle at this moment. It had already forced him to adopt a different business model for his kitchen than he had originally planned. Speaking of which, Severin firmly expected to soon unlock even more new dishes; his level as a [Cook] was still comparatively low and levels were therefore gained comparatively quickly. More dishes meant more work.

Also, while he had his suspicions regarding the Society, he didn’t expect them to renege on their agreement at the very first opportunity; they would soon bring in new customers.

Most importantly, however, was Severin’s long-time project. He estimated that he should soon have the necessary funds. Once Andreas and his group returned for another prolonged stay, at the very latest. Postponing that just because he didn’t have enough personal was not an option for Severin.

If anything, hiring a single new [Employee] would likely still be insufficient to realize all of his plans.

Therefore, Severin felt he didn’t really have a choice in the matter. Not if he didn’t want to ask Magda for help.

Luckily, in his opinion, Bandur’s safety wasn’t really something to worry about too much.

Not because he didn’t care about what happened to the man, but because Severin was that confident of his, or rather the System’s, ability to protect his [Employees].

But he also knew that it wasn’t his decision to make. All he could do was give Bandur the means to make an informed decision.

…

“So, you’re telling me I can just make people… disappear… from this mountain? And they won’t be able to reenter?” Bandur reiterated what he had just learned, and though he didn’t expect an answer, Severin still nodded in affirmation.

“Then in combination with that so-called minimap you spoke of… hmm. Sure, I would need to keep an eye on it, but it’s not like I don’t already have to be constantly aware of my surroundings, anyway.” The dwarf was obviously trying to convince himself. Severin didn’t stop him.

“Also, in the short-term, having a branch of the Society up here should have some deterrent effect.” The man fell silent again, making up his mind.

It didn’t come as too big of a surprise, but Severin still felt elated when finally, a notification containing a progress bar popped up in front of him.

[Initializing binding process.]