Volume 23 Chapter 1 Viscount Parker
Ruella and Barbara sit behind me. We get to Parker city's gate just before midnight.
The city is super quiet, but a lot of guards stand on the walls like it's normal for war.
"She's Ruella from Levy merchant guild, I'm Al, an adventurer and magician, and Barbara, our guard. We really need to talk to the captain right now."
Al says this to one of the guards in a loud voice, and the guard tells them to wait a bit.
There's some noise from inside the walls.
After a while, a guy who looks like the captain comes out the side door with a bunch of guards.
"Take your hood off."
I do what he says and slide my hood back.
The captain stares hard at my face, not Ruella's, then nods at his guards.
"Sorry, I'm just a regular guard captain so I don't know much about Lady Ruella. But I remember you, Al──I saw you at that meeting. I know your face for sure. So, what's your business here?"
He knows about me?
Al tilts his head, but then remembers last winter, when Marquis Prentis set up a base near that village that later became Naresh's land. Some mage attacked the guards' headquarters and Al got mixed up in all that.
There were too many people at that meeting to remember everyone's faces. Guess the captain was one of them.
If that's the case, this should go fast.
"Ms. Ruella wants to talk to His Excellency Viscount Parker about the stuff happening in the capital. It's really important."
"Okay. I'll contact His Excellency Viscount Parker right away. We'll take you to a room to wait."
I still feel worried about Desmond, Orson, and Leda, but we have to report first.
The two get taken to a little room on top of the gate.
Even though it's super late at night, Viscount Parker and the guard captain Nicholas Baron show up right away.
This is Al's first time really talking to Viscount Parker.
He looks about 30, super tall, probably like 190 centimeters or so.
His hair is dirty gold, and he's built like a rock.
He doesn't seem chill at all, not laid-back like Desmond said.
The mood is way more tense and prickly.
Did something happen?
"Ruella, Al, glad you both came."
Ruella knows Viscount Parker, so she grabs her skirt and bows all fancy.
Al and Barbara bow politely too, copying her.
"Let's get right to it. Tell me what's going on in the capital."
* * *
Ruella and Al start off by saying Lord Duran's guy Heath sent a letter that should be arriving at the guard headquarters. Then they explain what's happening in the capital and in the border city Lester, and pass on what Heath told them too.
After hearing all that, Viscount Parker and Baron Nicholas cross their arms and look super troubled.
"I see. Got it. We'll check Lord Heath's letter as soon as it gets here, but you think Marquis Prentis is backing Viscount Eugene, right? That could be. Thanks for letting us know. Oh, and by the way, we also got the message about the Levy merchant guild and you, Al, a few days after the Levy guild mercs left for the capital."
Wait, that was possible too?
Al looks over at Viscount Parker in shock.
Ruella looks surprised too.
But Viscount Parker just smirks at them.
"Relax. The Levy Merchant Guild has done a lot to help with the refugees from the Tempest Kingdom, and they've been active in dealing with the Marquis Prentis family's schemes, not just the Levy Merchant Guild but Al as well. We owe them a great debt. I can't just follow an order like that. Besides, if I did, I'd lose the trust of the people and the guards."
"Is that so?"
Al and Ruella exchanged glances.
"But the fact that such an order is circulating suggests that something unusual is happening in the capital. I was troubled because I couldn't grasp the situation."
So that's why they were so worked up.
"Can you tell me what's going on now?"
Ruella asked cautiously.
"For those still with the Levy Merchant Guild, we've explained the situation and asked them to temporarily halt their business. The fact that you're here suggests that the same order might be going out to other cities in the Margrave's territory. In fact, in Gladys town between here and the capital, there's a story of a Levy Merchant Guild caravan being turned back by the gatekeepers. We want you to be careful."
It's lucky for them if they were just sent back and not arrested.
The noble in charge of Gladys town probably isn't sympathetic to the Levy Merchant Guild yet.
"Your Excellency Viscount Parker, I apologize, but could I borrow someone's name to send a message to my father?"
Al asked sincerely.
With his current skill level with the Send Mailbox spell, he can't reach Channing Village, and he probably couldn't make a request to the trade guild under his own name.
Given the Levy Merchant Guild's response, he thinks Viscount Parker might be willing to grant this favor.
"By the way, your dad has a territory in the Sipree Mountains. He must be worried sick. The message didn't mention family or relatives, so his land should be fine. But Baron Marlow might send guards because of your arrest. Better explain things in a letter. I'll make sure it gets delivered, and I'll add a note of my own."
Al handed over the letter he'd written and bowed deeply.
Now he feesl a bit better.
"If someone under Viscount Eugene is in touch with the Marquis Prentis family, then they know all our military moves. This situation is pretty bad. And if Al's guess is right, and the capital is under siege, we might even have our communications to the royal capital cut off. I want to take precautions, even though we don't have proof, but it might take some time."
Viscount Parker looked troubled as he spoke to Nicholas Baron, stroking his chin.
Al doesn't know much about war, but it's clear they're at a disadvantage if the enemy knows their positions and situation.
And they might not be able to reach the royal capital without leaving Margrave Rain's territory.
"We have no choice. Let's send a fast horse to the royal capital instead of a letter, just in case. We'll instruct them to detour around the capital."
Viscount Parker nodded at Nicholas Baron's words.
Even if Al wants to help, it seems like he can only do so much right now.
Instead, they should focus on rescuing Guildmaster Levy and Eric, and find evidence that Viscount Eugene and the Marquis Prentis family are in contact. That'll clear things up.
"Your Excellency, thank you for your kindness. We're done reporting, so we'll head to the merchant guild's mansion now."
Ruella said this, and Al and Barbara bowed their heads too.
"Got it. Thanks for the info. We'll settle things after this mess is over. Until then, you and Ruella should stay in Parker. Prentis might have spies around, so don't go out too much."
If you're in Parker at the border city, you don't have to worry about Stroud's orders or anything.
Al's gonna go meet up with Desmond soon, but for Ruella and the Levy merchant guild, this is really good.
Ruella and Al bow their heads again and leave the room.
Character Notes
- Ruella – Eldest daughter of the Levy merchant guild. Former classmate of the protagonist in Margrave Rain's capital.
- Barbara – Guard/bodyguard for Ruella and Al. Employed by Merchant Levy.
- Viscount Parker – City lord with a military command role. Authoritative presence.
- Baron Nicholas – Guard captain of Parker's border city. Known for his proud mustache.
- Desmond – Veteran adventurer hired by Levy. Based in Border City, Lester.
- Heath – Squire to Lord Duran, sender of a crucial letter. Deputy captain of the 4th unit in the Margrave Rain knight brigade.
- Duran Ferdinand – Knight of the Margrave. Vice-captain of the Fourth Squad.
- Marquis Prentis – Antagonistic noble involved in political schemes.
- Eric – Top magician in Lester. Mentor to many, including Leda.
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