Volume 24 Chapter 1-2 Safety Check Of Channing Village
"I'm sorry I made you worry. It looks like I also caused some trouble this time."
"What are you saying? Hold your head up."
Jasper smiled and gave Al a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Viscount Parker sent a letter. He said you were just caught up in something. You didn't do anything wrong. So don't worry."
"Brother Jasper, you should say 'His Excellency Viscount Parker,' not just 'Viscount Parker'"
Lucy said this with a light laugh, her face still happy.
She usually didn't care about these small things. But maybe now, she was thinking more about manners. After all, their oldest brother Gustave was becoming a knight, and Jasper might soon work under Lord Nelson.
"Y-yeah, you're right. His Excellency Viscount Parker."
Jasper corrected himself quickly.
"But still... it's pretty amazing that he sent a letter, right?"
Al hadn't seen the letter himself, but it must have had a lot of useful information if everyone was this calm. He felt thankful.
"Still," Al said, "aren't adventurers coming for the bounty?"
Nelson's face grew serious as he nodded.
"Yes. About three days ago, around ten strange adventurers came into the village. One of them spoke after Neville gave him a few drinks. He said there's a bounty of 100 gold coins on your head, and it's already known at the adventurer guild in the town of Marlow. These people didn't come as one group. They just heard rumors that you're the lord's son. Now, some of them are watching the house and the village gate."
"Wait... 100 gold coins? And ten of them?"
Al's voice showed his shock. He looked toward the gate.
Those two there must be my two. They didn't look friendly.
Channing Village didn't have many people. If something bad happened, Lord Nelson and his men would be the ones to protect the place, helped by the men in the village.
But if they had to fight ten armed strangers, someone could get hurt.
"Hmm," Nelson said. "They haven't done anything wrong yet. But they set up tents and are sleeping in the square outside the village. Some of the village women feel scared. I told Lucy and Mary not to go out alone, just to be safe."
"Wait a second."
Al stepped forward and moved his Floating Eye around the edge of the house.
Just like Nelson said, two men stood by the back door. They looked the same as the ones near the gate.
He moved the eye toward the square. Seven people sat around a campfire, roasting meat, drinking alcohol even though it was still daytime.
Their weapons and armor didn't look special. Not like the dangerous types in the capital.
And no magic came from any of them.
Al had been worried that someone from the Marquis Prentis family was behind this. But looking at these guys, it seemed unlikely.
Maybe Baron Marlow had given some shady adventurers the wrong information.
"It's hard to tell, but they don't look strong."
"You think so, Al?" Nelson asked.
Al gave a small nod. If Gustave were here, he might scare them off just by showing up. But he was away on a campaign. If Al showed himself, it might just bring more bounty hunters.
What should he do?
"My brother Gustave is working to clear my name. Once the army comes back from the Tempest Kingdom, things should be settled. Until then, I'll need your help to hold out a bit longer. Still, this situation is dangerous. I'll try to contact an adventurer I know. Do you remember Orson?"
Orson could easily handle this kind of thing. He was probably still in the border city Parker. They had stayed there before, and hunted the Hidden Badger together.
If Orson wasn't available, maybe the Levy merchant guild had some mercenaries he could hire.
"Ah, he sounds reliable."
"Mr. Orson is really dependable."
Hmm? Lucy's eyes lit up a little.
Was that just his imagination?
"Orson, huh? I'll ask a friend if he can come and stay for a while. I'll make sure he arrives soon."
"Alright. I'm counting on you."
"Please." Lucy's voice was calm but serious. "Be careful, Alfred."
Al smiled brightly and gave a nod.
"Well then, I'll head back to Parker right away."
Al said this and used his Animal Transformation spell. In an instant, he turned into Kel again.
Everyone stared, surprised by the magic, even though they had seen it before.
"Be safe."
"Yeah. See you later."
Al waved lightly, ran out of the village, and once again flew into the sky, heading for the border city Parker.
Notes:
• Jasper - Male. Al's older brother, present in the mansion. He is part of the family Al reunites with. His appearance is not detailed.
• Lucy - Female. Al's older sister, also present in the mansion. She is another family member Al cares about. Her appearance is not detailed.
• Nelson - Male. Al's father, a concerned and loving parent. He resides in Channing Village and communicates with Al via 'Telepathy'. His appearance is that of a middle-aged man, likely with a kind and worried demeanor.
• Neville - Male. A retainer of the family, tasked with meeting Al at the village entrance. He is trustworthy and loyal. His appearance is likely that of a capable and discreet servant.
• Channing Village - A small village located in the region governed by Viscount Parker and Baron Marlow. It is the home of Al's family and is currently under scrutiny due to the presence of adventurers seeking rewards.
• Mary - Female. Al's sister, waiting at the village entrance with Neville. She is a family member Al cares about. Her appearance is not detailed.
• Baron Marlow - Male. The magistrate of Marlow's town, responsible for maintaining order. He works with Viscount Parker to ensure the safety of the region. His appearance is likely formal and authoritative.
• 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.
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