"...A deal?"
Confusion showed in Mumuzawa's eyes.
Yes, when Dio had discovered earlier that the organization targeting him had ties to Kakin, Mumuzawa had been the first person he thought he could turn to.
As a member of the Kakin Royal Family, Mumuzawa was entitled to enter the political arena, although she was so young that she did not even have Private Soldiers of her own.
But her mother, Seventh Queen Sewanchi, had soldiers under her command, even if she was a lower-ranking queen.
Was there anyone better suited than a member of the Royal Family to investigate matters concerning the Kakin Empire?
"Yes, a deal..."
"Have you ever heard of... [the Zoo], Your Highness?"
Dio briefly explained the bounty on his head, leaving out only the reason it had been placed.
That was mainly because even he did not really know why he had been targeted.
Revealing his information before the other party had agreed was actually quite dangerous, but Dio felt he needed to show some sincerity in this matter.
After all, as he saw it, the trust between him and Mumuzawa had not yet reached the point where they could trust each other unconditionally.
Besides, given Mumuzawa's status, once she learned that [Nen] existed, finding someone to teach her a Nen Ability would not be difficult for her-or rather, for Seventh Queen Sewanchi.
In other words, this was not an equal exchange.
He needed to look no further than Drobada, who was right there aboard the airship. Mumuzawa had seen him use his Nen Ability last night, too.
One reason she was asking Dio to teach her was that he had saved her from danger several times, making her feel he was trustworthy.
Another was that even an ordinary person could tell, after watching them for a few days, that Dio was stronger than Drobada. Even Mumuzawa's Maid could see that, let alone Mumuzawa herself.
"The deal I'm proposing is for you to help me investigate this organization, Your Highness. All I ask is information. Nothing else."
"In exchange, I'll do everything I can to teach you all about [Nen]!"
Dio looked straight into Mumuzawa's stunned eyes, his expression unwavering.
After hearing him out, Mumuzawa found herself caught in a tangle of uncertain emotions:
Mr. Dio is being threatened by an organization from our country...
If the military is involved, that should fall under my eldest brother's authority...
First Prince Benjamin commanded considerable respect and inspired considerable fear among the lower-ranking princes.
After a long while, the conflict in Mumuzawa's eyes faded, replaced by resolve. Having steeled herself, she spoke firmly:
"Mr. Dio, please allow me to decline this deal..."
Dio frowned but said nothing. He sensed she had more to say.
Sure enough, Mumuzawa immediately continued:
"But I'll do everything I can to investigate what you've asked me to, Mr. Dio. Even if I have to ask Mother for help, I'll help you get through this."
"This isn't a bargaining chip to get you to teach me. It's what I personally want to do!"
In other words, whether Dio taught her a Nen Ability or not, she would help him investigate this matter.
Dio looked directly into her eyes. His instincts told him she was not lying.
That puzzled him a little. Although this development was more or less within his expectations, he had expected it on the assumption that she would dress up her words to win him over.
Yet it seemed this Twelfth Prince had no such intention.
Why?
Regardless, progress was a good thing. Dio shook his head and decided to stick to his plan.
"Then thank you for your help, Your Highness."
"But since we don't have a deal, teaching you a Nen Ability will no longer be a bargaining chip in exchange for your help-"
"It'll be what I personally want to do."
Despite what she had said, Dio knew that Twelfth Prince Mumuzawa had little political influence of her own, and her mother was only a lower-ranking queen.
If he did not teach her a Nen Ability, she probably would not uncover anything useful.
Ultimately, anyone unwilling to give anything would gain nothing. That was the underlying logic of the Hunter world.
As Dio watched Mumuzawa brighten with renewed excitement at his words, he could not help thinking:
I've only been learning Nen for a month, and I already have a student... Cheadle won't scold me for leading a student astray, will she?
That said, Cheadle had personally overseen the steady building of Dio's foundations. He was more than capable of teaching a beginner.
After that, Dio and Mumuzawa discussed the teaching schedule for the next few days, until they landed back in Kakin.
Time slipped by unnoticed. By the time he finished explaining the basics of Nen Abilities to Mumuzawa, it was already dinnertime.
Dio stood up, ready to take his leave.
Just then, Mumuzawa suddenly rose as well. Holding her skirt, she gracefully gave a courtly curtsy and spoke with an excited smile:
"From now on, I look forward to learning from you, Mr. Dio."
Dio froze for a moment, then placed one hand against his chest and bowed in return, smiling as he said:
"Yes. I look forward to working with you."
Look forward to it, huh...
No matter how prettily he dressed it up, Dio knew perfectly well that he was exploiting the girl before him, a girl who trusted him.
Why had he become able to do something like this without the slightest guilt...?
A trace of indifference flashed through Dio's eyes, unnoticed even by himself-exactly like that cold vampire's.
Before you continue