CH ss - 46

[Alfine: To the Royal Capital]

When we enter the office, a fox-faced beastman is sitting at the office desk inside.

“You three are Al-dono, Meila-dono, and Maribel-dono whose identities are guaranteed by Frontier Count-sama, hm. I was told that you came as messengers of the Henestrosa family, however, is the purpose of your visit perhaps about the matter of the mine that Noelia-sama and her companions reported?” (Gidion)

Guild Master Gidion is sitting in his office chair and looking at us with a gaze as though examining us.

Speaking of which, the story of the mine must have been treated as an important secret that cannot be made public, however.

We just came to search for Finn’s whereabouts.

It would be a problem if we couldn’t get his cooperation with the search because he is suspicious of our motive.

I’m worried about Gidion’s response, so I decide to tell him that the purpose of our visit is for a different matter.

“No, we have nothing to do with that matter at all. Just that, we are in search of a person for a personal reason——” (Al)

After learning that the purpose of our visit is not about the matter of the mine, I can see tension is released from Gidion’s face.

The mine explosion accident in question seems to be a delicate problem even for the Adventurer’s Guild of Inbahanes.

There is a rumor that the lord may have been involved in the explosion after all.

Perhaps he wants to avoid poking into the matter and gets the spark flying to the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Whew, so you are searching a person for a personal reason, huh. Hearing that you are messengers from the Henestrosa family, I thought you came to check the additional reports of the mine explosion accident.” (Gidion)

Gidion sighs with relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief taken from his pocket.

“Frontier Count-sama seems to be curious about that too, you know~. He said he would like Maribel to inform him if Gidion-sama got a new information~.” (Maribel)

Eh!? Wait a sec, Maribel!? I haven’t heard of such a thing from Frontier Count though!?

Maribel’s remark makes me and Gidion startled.

“W-wait a second, Maribel-chan!?” (Al)

“Maribel has decided to do the job she was asked to do properly. Gidion-sama, if you have any new information, I’ll write them in a letter to Frontier Count-sama, you know~.” (Maribel)

Maribel takes out a piece of paper and a pen from the bag on her back, and she stares at Gidion as though not to miss a single word.

I know Maribel is enthusiastic about work, but the other party is a Guild Master who manages the ruffian adventurers, however.

Even if it is by the request of Frontier Count-sama, if she asks him that straightforwardly——

“This is… tough. To think Frontier Count-sama would send a such a young beastman as a messenger…” (Gidion)

Gidion, who is pressed by Maribel, makes a troubled face and wipes his overflowing sweat.

“I was asked to gather information by Noelia-sama, but it is difficult to speak about it through a messenger, however…” (Gidion)

“Is there any progress in the case of the mine explosion?” (Maribel)

Maribel approaches the office desk where Gidion sits with a piece of paper.

When I try to stop her, Gidion stops me, gesturing hand and saying, “It’s fine.”

“Ahh, I too have dispatched adventurers to investigate the site in various ways, but there are interruptions from all sides. The Royal Guard Knight Order are working to wipe out the evidences. This is everything in regard to the new information, I suppose. Maribel-dono, it would be a great help if you could report it properly.” (Gidion)

“Okay~. I’ll write it properly~.” (Maribel)

“Also, a part of the Vigilante Corp is assisting the Royal Guard Knight Order and the magistrate to cover up the explosion, putting pressure even on the Adventurer’s Guild. That is also why the information gathering didn’t make a progress. If possible, I would like to cooperate with Noelia-sama and her companions in their investigation of Abyss Walkers, though.” (Gidion)

Maribel writes down on the piece of paper as she listens to Gidion.

The characters are beautiful and easy to read, and the sentences are easy to understand.

I had messy writings, so I threw all these writing-related things to Finn.

If I were to part with Finn properly, I have to practice a lot.

Meila standing next to me pokes the side of me, who is watching the exchange between Gidion and Maribel in a daze, and asks me,

[Hey, you came to ask Finn’s whereabouts, right? Are you not going you ask him?] (Meila)

[Ah, sorry. I unconsciously got fascinated at Maribel doing her work. I’ll ask him immediately.] (Al)

From what Gidion said, it seems that Noelia, the sole daughter of Frontier Count, was undoubtedly in this city.

Therefore, I’m sure that Finn who received a mission to be her escort was here as well.

Prompted by Meila, I decide to wait until Gidion’s report is over and ask him Finn’s whereabouts.

“…… The reason why we came to Inbahanes is to find out the whereabouts of the ‘Crimson Magic Swordsman – Frick’. I want to meet him because I have a private matter with him, however, seeing that he isn’t downstairs, is he out of the city on a request with Noelia-sama?”

“You are looking for Frick-sama?” (Gidion)

“Yes. We are looking for Frick. Does Gidion-sama know where he is now?” (Al)

“I know, but… because of various circumstances, it is difficult for me to tell you…” (Gidion)

Hearing that I want to know about Frick’s whereabouts, Gidion becomes evasive.

“I would like to meet him as soon as possible, however, could you please tell me where he is?” (Al)

“Due to some circumstances, the person himself told me not to tell anyone about his whereabouts… And, Noelia-sama also forbid me to speak about it… If it’s someone whose identity is guaranteed by Frontier Count-sama, then it might be okay even if I were to tell you, however…” (Gidion)

Gidion, who was forbidden by the two from speaking about their whereabouts, is once again sweating bullets from his forehead.

Does that mean the two are in a place that is difficult to tell to other people?

Or are they hiding themselves from the detection of the Radcliffe family to collect evidences of the explosion of the mine?

Meila, who is watching the appearance of such Gidion, folds her arms and stomps on the floor, and when I wonder if she is showing her irritation, she slams the office desk and open her mouth,

“You’re still a Guild Master! Since you’ve confirmed our identity, if you want to speak, then speak! If you don’t want to speak, then don’t speak! Make it clear!” (Meila)

Even as Frontier Count’s messenger, the attitude of Meila – an adventurer – toward Gidion – a Guild Master – is clearly too much.

“W-wait, Meila Nee-san!? Calm down!” (Al)

“We didn’t come to Inbahanes to listen to such an evasive reply! Do you know how much my younger brother——!” (Meila)

“I’m grateful that you get angry for me, however, Gidion-sama also has his position to consider, right?” (Al)

“I know that. I’m frustrated because I know that! Ah—, gosh.” (Meila)

I feel a little happy to see Meila get angry for me.

Even though she could be quite annoying, the presence of someone who is earnest to me warms my heart.

“I understand. I will tell you. I will tell you, I said.” (Gidion)

Perhaps pressured by Meila’s assertiveness, which is more than mine, Gidion, who is being evasive, wipes the sweat on his forehead with his already wet handkerchief and tell us their destination,

“Frick-sama and Noelia-sama are currently no longer in Inbahanes.” (Gidion)

“Yes? What do you mean by no longer here?” (Al)

“It is as I’ve said. After gathering information here, they said they would head to Algren, however… for some reason, they suddenly went to the royal capital… I heard from the adventurers that Frick-sama was extremely curious about why Sword Saint Alfine was executed. He also only said a brief farewell before departing from this Inbahanes. It was at that time they forbade me from speaking about their destination.” (Gidion)

Could it be, Finn took the story of me being executed seriously?

Even though he had broken off our relationship… why, just why?

A selfish and egoist woman who power harassed him died, he should have thought she got what she deserved, right?

Why did he head toward the royal capital for a foolish and childish person like me……

It’s like——

Hearing Finn’s whereabouts from Gidion, I couldn’t stop tears falling from my eyes spontaneously.

“My apologies. Frick-sama told me he wanted to go to the royal capital in secret due to some circumstances.” (Gidion)

“N-no. Thank you so much for telling me.” (Al)

After wiping the tears overflowing from my eyes, I grasp the hands of Gidion who told me Finn’s destination and bow my head.

“It looks like there are a lot of things going on between Al-dono and Frick-dono… I don’t want to pry on what happened, but please don’t forget that he’s also a benefactor for Inbahanes. If something happens to him, I will also take appropriate measures.” (Gidion)

“I didn’t swear upon this sword for something like that. The only thing I can tell you is that I have to be punished by him.” (Al)

“Punished?” (Gidion)

“Yes, I have to be punished for hurting him deeply. That is why I want to meet him. That’s all.” (Al)

Gidion, unaware of what happened between me and Finn, tilts his head.

“But at first glance, I can tell what kind of person you are, though…” (Gidion)

“I’m still immature, and before, I was even more immature, so…” (Al)

“I see. In that case, I think it is better for you to depart from Inbahanes early. Frick-sama and his companions left about two weeks ago; it should be about time they arrive at the royal capital.” (Gidion)

“Y-you are right. I understand. We’ll depart immediately. Meila Nee-san, Maribel-chan, let’s get going immediately.” (Al)

“W-wait, Al!?” (Meila)

“Al Onii-chan!?” (Maribel)

After bowing lightly to Gidion, I pull the hands of Meila and Maribel and rush out of the office; as soon as we’re out, we decide to get ready and drive the wagon to the royal capital where Finn was heading to.

Another illustration~, this time of Eris, a newly added character in the 2nd volume of the light novel.