Volume 24 Chapter 2 What To Do？
Evening fell as Al returned from Channing Village to the border city of Parker. His first stop was the Levy merchant guild's mansion, where he found Orson and updated him on the situation.
"One hundred gold coins, huh..."
Orson muttered as he listened, then shook his head while eyeing Al.
"Anyone who knows you wouldn't believe it, but... yeah, I get it. I stayed in Channing Village for a while—there are some familiar faces there. I got a reward from Guildmaster Levy, so I've got a bit of money saved up. I'll stay for about a month to rest. You can join me, but you won't be able to show your face around. Leave it to me. You can just relax here. I assume you got a new spellbook? Still, it's rough. You might be hunted as a bounty head for a while."
"What? But that's clearly a false accusation. Once His Highness Theodore returns, everything should be cleared up."
Orson shook his head again.
"Once someone gets labeled a bounty head, people don't forget. Even if the bounty is withdrawn, they rarely announce it publicly. I've never seen it happen. You should start looking for support now."
"Eh... really?"
Al's expression tightened in frustration. But Orson's words made sense—it was going to be a problem.
"Maybe I should talk to Guildmaster Levy about what to do next."
"Yeah, probably."
Taking Orson's advice, Al went to consult with Guildmaster Levy, who happened to be working on documents inside the mansion. When Al and Orson visited his study, they were allowed in immediately.
"I see... I understand Al's situation now. My merchant guild hasn't dealt with something like this before, but similar trouble could come our way someday."
Guildmaster Levy folded his arms, deep in thought. After a moment, he shook his head.
"I can't think of a solution right now. I'll consult His Excellency Viscount Parker. He knows the proper procedures for high-level warrants. He might have an idea."
Al nodded. That sounded like the best course of action. Guildmaster Levy went on.
"Orson, when you return to Channing Village, could you take two of our younger members with you? They'll likely be hunting out there too, and it'd be helpful if they could get some basic training. Our Parker branch is small, and both the headquarters and capital branch are based here, so we have too many people and not enough training opportunities without drawing attention. Things tend to get delayed."
Al was quietly relieved. It would be more work for Orson, but having more hands would be helpful.
He suddenly recalled how Bro Gustave had earlier gotten approval from Viscount Olaf to ask if the wounded knights and squires—those unable to return to service—could be employed in the Channing Village mines.
I wonder how that's going? When Gustave returns from the expedition, Al planned to discuss it with him and possibly arrange a rotation with Orson and the others.
"That would be helpful. I'll pay for their living expenses."
"Huh? Or maybe they could sell what they hunt...?"
"We have extra personnel anyway..."
Orson and Guildmaster Levy looked surprised, but Al shook his head.
"I'd prefer to call it a request fee, but please allow me to cover the minimum—just food and travel costs. Since I'm the one asking, it feels right."
If he mentioned a full fee, they might refuse. It would be better to show appreciation later.
Judging from Orson's tone, they planned to support themselves in Channing Village through hunting and other work. Guildmaster Levy likely also viewed this as a way to repay Al for the recent help.
Still, hiring adventurers or mercenaries for a full month usually required proper payment. It wasn't right to rely too heavily on Orson's goodwill. Thankfully, Al had some funds from the Marquis Prentis family. If the chance came again, he wouldn't hesitate to accept.
"Understood."
"Got it."
Both nodded in agreement. Guildmaster Levy and Al decided to wait for an opportunity to speak with Viscount Parker.
* * *
The next morning, Orson departed with two young mercenaries from the Levy merchant guild. Al, meanwhile, waited for a chance to meet Viscount Parker—but the Viscount remained busy, and there was no sign of an audience anytime soon.
Since the matter wasn't urgent, Al focused on practicing his newly acquired spell.
About a week later, a knight in a hurry arrived at the Levy guild's residence. He served under Viscount Parker and delivered a message for Al to come to the lord's hall immediately.
Al asked Guildmaster Levy, but even he didn't know the reason. Quickly, Al changed clothes, putting on a robe and a deep hood to hide his face, then left with the knight.
"Al, good work. His Highness Theodore sent an urgent message. I'm glad you responded quickly."
When they arrived, Al was led to a room that appeared to be a conference hall or antechamber.
"No problem. Is something wrong with the expeditionary force?"
Worried, Al asked—thinking perhaps something had happened to Gustave or Naresh.
"Rest assured. The expeditionary force currently holds the upper hand. The Tempest Kingdom's knights, who took refuge in Sennett, are putting up a tough fight. However, we suspect a spy in Viscount Eugene's faction may be leaking information to Prentis. For now, we're keeping intelligence within the upper ranks and moving cautiously while we identify the traitors."
Last year, the capital of Count Senet's family had been captured temporarily by the Tempest Kingdom. How much of it had been rebuilt?
It seemed the Tempest Kingdom had many users of the "Soften Stone" spell.
Someone under Viscount Eugene... Could it be one of the Margrave family's knights? Lord Duran and his brother Gustave are among them. It's hard to know who to trust.
Maybe removing them would be safer—but perhaps keeping them nearby is more dangerous. Al didn't have an answer.
"This time, we called you because the expeditionary force lost contact with the Marquis Tagard family. They want us to investigate. More details will be shared at the expeditionary camp. This is a direct request from His Highness Theodore."
"Huh?"
Al couldn't help but let out a small, confused sound. The Kingdom's Knights Templar, the Margrave's knights, and Naresh's group—all had magicians and skilled people. Lord Zora, who once served the Senet family, was also with them.
So why send me... specifically?
"You really look surprised. Are you pretending not to know?"
Viscount Parker gave him a wry smile and shook his head.
"What's going on?"
"Why do you think the Prentis family sees you as an enemy? You've defeated several of their mages, stopped more than one of their schemes. You took down Veil twice, interfered with Emanuel's plans, and beat him in combat even without allies. That's their assessment."
Al's face stiffened. Those names rang clear. Veil—who claimed to be a Grand Mage—had appeared during Patricia's rescue, and again during the envoy ambush. And Emanuel was the mage who used Lamia.
He had survived each time by sheer desperation and luck.
"I was just doing my best to survive... Where did you hear all this?"
"A researcher named Cole. He studied under Lord Eric's disciple. When asked about you, he was happy to share how often you disrupted the Prentis family's plans. Your age and results made him curious about your reasons."
Viscount Parker watched Al carefully. Al himself had considered that questioning Cole might reveal enemy plans—but he didn't expect the reverse.
And what of Veil's story? Was the plan to assassinate Princess Patricia real? Veil still seemed to suspect she might be alive. Only Al knew the truth.
So... what really happened?
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• Naresh - He was in the same class as Alfred, and he is the second son of Viscount Lester, who was to be Baron Sennett, at the middle school in the capital of Margrave Rain's domain.
• Duran - Knight of the Margrave. Vice-captain of the Fourth Squad.
• Eric - Top magician in Lester. Mentor to many, including Leda.
• 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.
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