Renjiro had always been self-aware.
He knew he wasn't a charismatic prodigy whose mere presence drew admiration, nor a domineering main character type whose aura commanded instant respect.
So…
"Kidnapping… cough, no."
"Recruiting talent is an art. It requires carefully considering a person's past experiences, current situation, personality traits, my own needs, future prospects… and more, to ensure a stable success rate."
Take the current case, for example…
A boy named Bell Cranel. He came from a small village, with little exposure to the world.
Recently, he was cheated out of his few thousand Valis by a heartless shopkeeper, then targeted by the scummy leader of the Soma familia, almost—well, in Earth terms—like being sold into a harsh labor camp.
This marked the lowest point in the rabbit boy's life so far, even before the bigger events that would come later.
Yet, by nature, he was kind-hearted. He would never stab anyone in the back.
Just moments ago, he thought… to avoid implicating innocent strangers, he could bear the suffering himself.
Given this premise…
Bell longed to be a hero. His immediate desire was to grow closer to the person he most admired.
For that, he needed falna and had to become a registered adventurer.
And in the future… if possible, he wanted to become a true hero.
To save lives in peril, leave behind his own legend… or perhaps…
"Harem-building is every man's romance~~~!"
Ahem, that last thought was thanks to a grandfather of questionable morals.
In short, even though Renjiro didn't know all the "key" details, if he timed it right and issued the invitation properly…
"Can someone like me really do this?"
At the Central Plaza in Babel, the rabbit boy asked nervously, looking at the black-haired youth before him.
Seeing this…
"Stop dithering. Want to join or not? That's all there is to it."
Renjiro crossed his arms and spoke bluntly.
"You need to understand: some details can only be known by members of my familia.
Otherwise, we part ways here."
"No, no, no. Please let me join."
The rabbit boy immediately stood, bowing deeply.
After a long pause…
"Ugh~"
He hadn't waited for a reply yet when, instinctively, he lifted his head—only for Renjiro to tap his forehead lightly with his right index finger.
"I can already see two of your weaknesses."
Renjiro continued as Bell looked at him.
"First, you underestimate yourself too much. Second, you yield too easily to others.
Both are signs of insecurity.
As an adventurer, lacking confidence means you'll likely stay stagnant."
Seeing the boy shrink his shoulders, he smirked slightly, offering reassurance:
"But these bad habits can be corrected over time.
Now that you've agreed to join my familia…"
Renjiro turned to Liliruca.
"And you?"
Compared to Bell, the pallum girl's situation was more complicated.
First, unlike Bell, she already had the falna from Soma.
Second, she wasn't naive.
Having experienced much darkness, Liliruca Arde had extremely high vigilance—perhaps too high.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have missed genuine kindness repeatedly in the past.
Thus…
"Renjiro-sama, Liliruca has three questions," she said seriously, meeting his gaze.
"First, are you confident you can persuade Soma-sama to allow Liliruca to change her allegiance?"
"Ah."
For the first time, a smile appeared on Renjiro's face—one that even the naive Bell would recognize as 'dangerous.'
"Liliruca… let's stick with this name for now. You don't know me. Like my patron god, I'm the type who gets what I want. However, if others are involved, I respect their opinions.
The situation now: as long as you agree, that's enough.
Soma-sama? He and his entire familia—no one gets to voice opinions in front of me.
If they disagree… well, let that filthy place vanish entirely."
The words landed…
Both Liliruca and Bell gasped slightly.
Because at that moment, they realized…
"Renjiro-sama is serious."
"And he can do it."
Then, there was nothing left to discuss.
"I'm willing to join your familia," Liliruca stated clearly.
Seeing this…
"Oh? Weren't there three questions?"
Renjiro smiled, asking deliberately.
She quickly adjusted her words.
"Please don't make things difficult for Liliruca anymore," she said honestly.
The remaining two questions were originally about:
"What kind of work would I be doing after joining the familia?"
"And… what if I refuse?"
Hearing this, Bell instinctively swallowed.
"Ah, so that's what you were worried about," Renjiro said, waving dismissively.
"Relax, I'm not a demon. I respect people's choices.
At most… the Soma familia disappears alongside anyone who refuses."
======
That noon…
"You've recruited new members?"
"Yes, just these two."
At the Hostess of Fertility, Renjiro held down the head of the small Bell while both Bell and Liliruca stood stiffly, obediently.
He introduced them to his patron goddess:
"Bell Cranel, Liliruca Arde—both promising prospects."
Hearing this…
"Hoho?"
Syr, holding a tray, sized up the nervous rabbit boy.
She barely glanced at Liliruca, having seen enough of souls like hers before.
But Bell…
"Another pure, untainted soul?"
Perhaps due to past exposure to Barbara, she remained composed, though her interest was piqued.
"Hmm, indeed a good prospect," Frigg said, eyes narrowing in approval.
"Phew~"
Bell and Liliruca exhaled, their bodies relaxing.
Frigg's words signaled the end of their dark and difficult pasts.
Seizing the moment…
"I'd like one more favor," Renjiro said.
"Liliruca is already a formal member of the Soma familia. If they won't release her…"
"You handle that yourself… oh!"
Frigg clapped her hands, eyes sparkling.
"Nothing fun has been happening in Orario lately.
Why don't we have a little 'war game' with the Soma familia?"
"Huh?"
Her words startled Liliruca, and Frigg continued…
"War game?"
"Sure, sure!"
"Frigg-sama, you're the best!"
Nearby adventurers—and even one or two gods—started cheering.
"War Game!"
"WarGame!"
The tavern erupted into chaos.
Watching this…
Sigh~ can't help you sometimes, Renjiro thought, scratching his head.
"Fine, I'll handle this."
At that moment…
"You say you don't want to, but you actually want to try it, don't you?"
Frigg squinted mischievously.
"Ah, you noticed that?"
"Of course. It's the first time I've seen you so… happy."
Heh heh~