Chapter 155
New Patreon goal: 7 Days (chapters) of Nigotta Hitomi no Lilianne.
When the goal is reached, I will dedicate an entire week's schedule to Nigotta Hitomi no Lilianne.
Perfect Preparations
The next day after the kidnapping incident, Fleur came to visit the Guild Master of the Branka's Adventurer's Guild, Sandro.
"What's the matter? You are off duty today, no?" (Sandro)
"Yes. I am sorry to bother you this early in the morning. I have something I would like to talk to you about." (Fleur)
"Talk to me? Say it." (Sandro)
"Actually, I have been contacted that my mother got a sudden illness and that I should return home. I am truly sorry, but please let me resign." (That's just a lie, though~ I am a newcomer so I don't have to worry about being detained. I have to leave the town quickly.) Fleur
"Got it… is what I would like to say, but I can't give you permission at this moment." (Sandro)
"Eh? Why is that?" (Why!? Does he perhaps… not want to let go of me? Ufufufu.) Fleur
"We don't have enough manpower." (Sandro)
"Manpower? Did something happen?" (Rather than saying that, he should have been more honest about his feelings… well, I have no intentions of staying, though.) Fleur
"Actually, people of a Ducal family had been kidnapped. Gai and Duke's son and daughter. You know them too, right?" (Sandro)
"!?" (No way…) Fleur
"Besides them, the whereabouts of orphan adventurers is also unknown. They have apparently accepted the same request as Gai's group. They might have gotten kidnapped as well, so we are currently investigating." (Sandro)
"… Have they really been kidnapped? Are there no other possibilities… like just meeting unexpected difficulties during the request?" (Surely not…)
"The request was babysitting. Moreover, the client's address was a vacant house. After re-examining the request's date of issue and address, we found traces of rewriting. Most likely, a request from the past was used. Do you understand what this means, Fleur?" (Sandro)
"… No." (No way, no way…) Fleur
"There is someone using requests for their own benefit. The one who has control over the requests is the Guild. In other words, the Guild's staff is involved in the kidnapping." (Sandro)
"That can't be!? Just who…" (They investigated too quickly!) Fleur
"That is still under investigation. Thanks to that, I don't have enough hands to rely on." (Sandro)
"Is that so… however-" (Hoh… they did not notice that it was me just yet. As I thought, I have to leave the town at once!) Fleur
"Guild Master! Excuse me!"
When the impatient Fleur was about to tell Sandro that she wasn't involved, the Guild's employee jumped into the room without knocking.
"What is it? Did something happen?" (Sandro)
"T, that's! M, Miguel-sama from the Ducal Household came!"
"I will be there immediately. Fleur, you come with me." (Sandro)
"Y, yes." (Fleur)
Fleur followed Sandro with heavy steps.
The adventurers were watching Miguel from distance, but he stood there without minding.
Sandro who approached Miguel with quick steps called out to him.
"Miguel-sama, thank you for waiting." (Sandro)
"Sorry for the sudden visit. Actually, I had something I wanted to tell you as soon as possible." (Miguel)
"What might it be?" (Sandro)
"Yeah, my younger siblings had returned." (Miguel)
"I am glad to hear that! However, what about the kidnapping then?" (Sandro)
"They were kidnapped. By the bandits that have been operating around this area recently. But, they returned on their own. With the captured bandits and other prisoners." (Miguel)
"… On their own." (Sandro)
"No way…" (Fleur)
While Miguel and Sandro were talking, Fleur who had her head hung down from the beginning suddenly raised her head up in disbelief.
After taking a glimpse of that, Miguel faced another direction and called out.
"Al, Feli, Gai, enter." (Miguel)
""Yess~"" (Feli & Albert)
"Good grief." (Gai)
"As you can see, the three are safe and sound. Cancel the search." (Miguel)
"Understood." (Sandro)
While the adventurers who found out the n.o.ble ident.i.ty of Felice and Albert were making a ruckus, Fleur who's face turned pale didn't notice that she was being watched with cold eyes.
On the other side, the calm on the surface Nathan, who was eating breakfast at the Feudal Lord's mansion had a visitor.
Nathan, who scanned over the letter the visitor handed him chuckled, so Zaran inquired curiously.
"Nathan-sama, did something good happen?" (Zaran)
"Yes, my younger siblings had returned." (Nathan)
"… Eh?" (Zaran)
"They were apparently caught by the bandits that had been appearing around here recently, so they subjugated them." (Nathan)
"… Hah?" (Zaran)
"Fortunately, there are no casualties as they dragged over everyone." (Nathan)
"… Everyone." (Zaran)
"They seem to be at the Adventurer's Guild at the moment. Let's go there immediately, Nathan. Thanks for the hospitality, Zaran." (Austin)
"Much obligated. Excuse us." (Nathan)
"… Y, yes." (Zaran)
Leaving the blue-faced Zaran behind, Nathan and Austin made their way to the Adventurer's Guild.
The people reunited in Sandro's office where they took a breather.
"Haah~… was that all right?" (Sandro)
"I am sorry for making you go along with this farce, but can we have you keep up for a little longer?" (Miguel)
"I don't mind. The Guild is not unrelated in this matter, after all." (Sandro)
"And so, concerning the request?" (Miguel)
"I have no solid evidence, but from her state, it seems to be Fleur's doing." (Sandro)
"Indeed. What about you, Nathan?" (Miguel)
"Quite a few amusing things turned up, you know? Contracting bandits, secret accounts of the illegal slave trade, and also transactions with the priest from that very orphanage. The orphanage's subsidy had been apparently embezzled, and orphans who grew up got sold off." (Nathan)
"… I see. So there was evidence on the dealings with the orphanage's people too." (Miguel)
While the room was filled with disgust and grimaces, Sandro who was curious about something had to ask.