Volume 23 Chapter 7 Defectors？
'Orson, you there?'
'Yeah, I'm here.'
As they approached Viscount Eugene's estate, now almost like a fortress, Al used 'Telepathy' to reach out.
Orson responded immediately.
From his tone, it didn't seem like he was in immediate danger.
'We've taken care of everything on this end. Me, Mr. Reginald, and Lady Leda are heading to the estate. What about you, Orson?'
'Impressive, Al... I'd love to chat, but first, some news. About ten minutes ago, right around dawn, a carriage and 2 knights rode off.'
A carriage and knights?
'What kind of carriage, Orson? Was it Prentis's? And the knights──what were they like?'
'No, it wasn't black. It was a fancy 6-seater. The knights were wearing leather armor, so they weren't exactly knights.'
Ten minutes ago? That means they can't be too far.
They should still be within range.
They can make it.
'Which way did they go?'
'North.'
'Thanks, Orson. I'm heading that way now. Sorry, but it'll be a little longer.'
'Don't worry, we're good here.'
Al cut the 'Telepathy' link with Orson.
He turned to Reginald and the others, sitting in the back seat, and informed them about the carriage heading north.
Reginald, like Al, decided they needed to intercept the carriage heading north.
They could still make it to the estate afterward.
Al trusted Orson──if anything went wrong, he'd handle it.
If they let the carriage slip away now, though, finding Guildmaster Levy and Eric would become a real pain.
The knights were likely their escorts.
Flying toward the direction the carriage had gone, Al attempted to contact Eric or Guildmaster Levy through 'Telepathy.'
Eric seemed like the best option first.
But there was no response to the 'Telepathy' sent to Eric.
Is he asleep?
Well, next, Guildmaster Levy.
'Guildmaster Levy?'
'Oh, Al? Did you come to help?'
The response came immediately.
'Is Mr. Reginald or Mr. Eric's apprentice, Leda, Orson with you? Where's Guildmaster Levy? Inside the building?'
'Yeah, Edmund and the shop folks are with me. The mercenary members are in another room, but they should be fine, no injuries.'
Are all the Levy Merchant Guild members here, including the guards, those who worked in the capital?
At least we know where everyone is, that's a relief.
'Lady Ruella safely escaped from Lester and is with Viscount Parker, Guildmaster Levy. Viscount Parker is protecting the Levy Merchant Guild. Mr. Desmond came along, but he's with a separate unit.'
'I see, that's good...'
Guildmaster Levy's reply seemed to carry a great sense of relief.
'Where's Mr. Eric, Guildmaster?'
'He was in the next room. Mr. Eric and the others have been wearing muzzles and shackles, they look pretty worn out. Only Mr. Eric was taken out for about an hour, but the other apprentices are still there. Also, it seems like there are a few others being held captive here.'
Who else is there?
By the way Levy is talking, is it a noble?
'Margrave and Lady Serena, perhaps?'
'No, it's not the Margrave's family. But I think His Excellency the Viscount Morgan, might be here.'
The Viscount Morgan?
He has heard of the trading city of Morgan.
It's located at the northernmost tip of Margrave Rain's territory, right before entering Sylvester's royal domain.
A Viscount would be the ruler of that area.
Of course, Al doesn't know him personally.
Knowing faces from that region is typical for a guildmaster like Levy.
But if that Viscount is being held here, does that mean he's a hostage?
The trading city of Morgan is a key land trade gateway from Sylvester's Margrave territory to other domains.
So they're cutting off the kingdom's info by controlling that area of Margrave territory.
If they rescue that Viscount, the whole situation could change, right?
'I *will* rescue you. Please, just wait. I'll save Mr. Eric from the carriage first, then I'll come for you.'
'Understood. Take care, and don't rush.'
Guildmaster Levy's voice was calm.
He relayed the current conversation to Reginald and Leda.
"Thank the gods. The Guildmaster is safe for now."
"Mr. Eric is probably in the carriage, isn't he? He's probably been shackled this whole time."
Reginald visibly relaxed and Leda too.
They confirmed Guildmaster Levy's location, and it seemed best to secure the carriage first.
Leda, however, now seemed worried.
The gags and restraints were probably to prevent spellcasting, but if they've been used this whole time, how's he even eating?
After flying for about 5 minutes, he caught a glimpse of a carriage through the trees.
No riders were visible.
Lowering his altitude to avoid detection, he tried 'Telepathy' with Eric again.
'Mr. Eric?'
'! Is that... Al?'
His voice was filled with shock.
That made sense.
The fact that 'Telepathy' connected meant he was definitely inside the carriage.
'Are you in the carriage?'
'You figured it out. Yes. I've been gagged, restrained with magician restraints, and captured. Inside the carriage with me are a magician who serves Marquis Prentis, a man named Cole, and 3 guards.'
Magician?
Not a Mage?
He continued 'Telepathy' to gauge their strength.
'He's a man, about 40 years old. He gives off the same vibe as the researchers in the magician guild, but more... unhinged. One of the guards is definitely a magician. The other 2 are men, and they're carrying swords at their waists.'
There must be a coachman driving the carriage, too.
'Were there riders with them? Are they nearby?'
'No, I think the two of them went ahead. The person they called "Lord Brook," and someone named Cole, they're the ones leading at the villa. He told them, "Make sure to contact us as soon as possible and come back."'
Brook...?
'Wasn't that the guy who was there when Viscount Eugene gave the 'Fly' spell?'
Glee asked, with a hint of curiosity.
Ah... yeah, that sounds right. He was under Viscount Eugene, and he was in charge of the team collecting Henry's remains.
Al remembers him. They spent about a week together during that time.
'Is Brook the guy with short silver hair, about 180 cm tall, and built like a tank?'
'Yeah, that's him.'
At first, he thought he was a bit hard to approach, but once he talked to him, he realized he's not the type to act all high and mighty, or treat him like a kid just because he's younger. He's actually easy to get along with.
So he's in charge of the villa's security now.
Did the knights head out already?
That means they've probably already informed Viscount Eugene in the capital about the situation.
It's about 20 kilometers from here to the capital.
The road's way better than near Border City Lester, so if they hurry, they should make it in an hour.
But they probably don't know that they've already defeated the mages and mercenaries chasing them.
They must've just reported that mercenaries from the Levy Merchant Guild showed up.
If things go badly, they might bring guards or knights under Viscount Eugene's orders.
If they push hard, they'll be back in an hour.
Maybe the fastest, 2 hours at most.
No, he can't imagine they'd come back without their squires and foot soldiers, so realistically, they'd probably get back around 6 hours from now... sometime around midday.
But they've been up all night, and the mercenaries are completely exhausted.
Al's worried about when the headache from overusing his magic will hit him.
For now, he'll pass the info he just got to Reginald, Leda, and the others.
But they won't be able to make any decisions right away.
In the end, they have no choice but to focus on rescuing Eric first, then they can think about the rest.
Character Notes:
Orson - An adventurer, he was 172 cm tall with a slight limp, which Al had healed, an act for which he was deeply grateful. A seasoned warrior, he often worked alongside Al and made the (Red-Faced Sheep) tavern his regular lodging.
Reginald - He once protected Naresh when they were attacked by the Blood-Soaked Bandits. Mercenary for the Levy merchant guild.
Leda - She was an apprentice to Eric. A magician in training.
Eric - Top magician in Lester. Mentor to many, including Leda.
Desmond - Veteran adventurer hired by Levy. Based in Border City, Lester.
Ruella - Eldest daughter of the Levy merchant guild. Former classmate of the protagonist in Margrave Rain's capital.
Viscount Morgan - A potential hostage, ruler of the trading city of Morgan. Arrested with Guildmaster Levy.
Cole - A magician serving Marquis Prentis, described as unhinged and around 40 years old. He is one of Eric's captors in the carriage and is involved in the operation to transport Eric and others.
Brook - A subordinate of Viscount Eugene, in charge of the team collecting Henry's remains. Described as having short silver hair, about 180 cm tall, and muscular. He is leading the operation at the villa and has been in contact with the carriage group, instructing them to return quickly.
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