Volume 24 Chapter 3 Procrastination
What should he do to deceive them...? Should he claim he parted ways with Patricia halfway? Or insist it wasn't him? Maybe say he was heading toward Channing Village at that time?
But the more he tried to hide, the more lies he would have to tell. Once he started lying to deny something, it became a lie with no way back.
In this situation—where the Marquis Prentis family and the expeditionary force were at war—it might be pointless to hide information about life or death, no matter the place.
Back then, he didn't know who he could trust. The only way to save Patricia was to escape together. But maybe it wouldn't hurt to tell Viscount Parker a little.
No, even though Viscount Parker guaranteed the safety of Al and the Levy merchant guild, if he found out about Princess Patricia—the last surviving royal of the Tempest Kingdom—he might try to use that information for his own reasons.
After thinking it over, Al looked seriously at Viscount Parker and said,
"Princess Patricia is currently safe, hidden in a secret place with her tutor, Baroness Tabasa, and others. But I can't say where exactly. It's not only my decision to reveal that."
Viscount Parker fell silent for a moment, then nodded deeply.
"I see. I didn't expect that... Who else knows about this?"
Al closed his mouth and shook his head. He didn't want to trouble Naresh or Guildmaster Levy. Seeing Al's hesitation, Viscount Parker seemed to understand his worries and nodded lightly.
"Don't worry. I won't blame you for hiding it. I never thought Eugene would betray us until it happened. Your concern and decision to keep it secret were the right moves. If you had asked the Margrave for protection earlier, it would have leaked to the Marquis Prentis family quickly."
He gave a bitter smile.
"According to Cole, the Mages of Prentis you captured, Eugene pretended to escort them to the capital but secretly handed them over to people spying for the Marquis Prentis family. When I heard that, I was speechless. No matter what, that's how it happened. You should have just said you reported it. That way, no one could argue."
Naresh, who cared for the settlement near the frontier, captured a Mage named Fletcher or Melville. It seemed Cyril, a subordinate of Lord Emanuel, was also eventually released.
Surely, by then, the Prentis side knew how Al had fought. He couldn't help but slump his shoulders in despair.
"I won't ask where Princess Patricia is now, considering everything. Please don't mention it either. But depending on who knows, our future moves might change. If possible, I'd like you to tell me."
Al nodded at Viscount Parker's words. If he said that, it should be okay.
"Only Naresh, Baron Sennett, Viscount Powell, the Tempest Kingdom knights, and Baron Quenner know about Princess Patricia's survival."
Viscount Parker voiced his respect at Al's answer.
"What about the Marquis Tagard family?"
"I haven't told them. Because of the incident with Lady Joanna, I informed Viscount Powell and Baron Quenner, but I asked Baron Sennett, who mediated, to keep it between them to protect Patricia."
"Lady Joanna?"
Viscount Parker looked puzzled, so Al explained: she was the female knight, daughter of Baron Quenner, who safely escorted Princess Patricia to the Sylvester Kingdom. When he told them about Patricia's survival, he had no choice but to mention it.
"I see. For Viscount Powell, Marquis Tagard could easily become a political enemy. He probably won't leak it. And if he knows, things move faster. Got it. But it seems Veil's fear of you was right. And now, you've also defeated Whitton. The resentment will only grow."
Even if he said that, it was the battle's result. Nothing could change it. Al didn't want to know if Viscount Powell and Marquis Tagard hated each other.
"He was a strong opponent," Al said simply.
"I see. Whitton was a Grand Mage, equal to Veil and Emanuel. Also, he was Marquis Prentis's nephew, held the title of Viscount, and used the 4th-tier spells—the family secret of Marquis Prentis."
So he was a Viscount himself. The Erase Magic spell is a secret passed down in their family. Probably powerful, like the delay spell in the Count Sennet family.
If Al defeated the nephew of the family head, no wonder the grudges would rise. He had only been struggling desperately against threats thrown at him.
He fought hard all along, unaware he was getting stronger. But now, a small pride swelled in him, knowing he had faced and defeated such an opponent.
"I see."
Viscount Parker nodded at him.
"I plan to keep Whitton's death a secret for now. Luckily, Guildmaster Levy has secured the body. It could become a diplomatic trump card. Remember that."
He paused, then smiled kindly.
"From what we've talked about, you should understand why His Highness Theodore wants to summon you. And once this is over, the achievements wrongly claimed by Eugene will be recognized. You can look forward to that."
Being praised like that embarrassed Al. He even doubted it himself.
Still, if he got status and land, he worried he'd be swallowed by noble society and lose the freedom he wanted.
He also wanted to investigate the suspicion that the day he lost Ingrid and was attacked by goblins was part of Prentis's conspiracy. Plus, he wanted to research how ancient civilizations handled Barbarians with the Ancient Ruins.
"Understood. I'll go to His Highness Theodore as soon as I can. Also, if you're thinking of knight-ifying me, please tell my father or Brother Gustave, not me. I still have many things I want to study."
He said this boldly.
"You don't want to serve anyone, do you?"
"Ah, no. That's not it... It's just... more than that..."
It was true, but saying it outright might cause trouble. He tried to explain carefully.
"That's fine. I'll keep that in mind. But it might be better to tell His Highness Theodore directly. About the important arrangement you were discussing with me through Guildmaster Levy—honestly accepting a good evaluation is better, no matter the reward. It helps fix your reputation."
To erase a bad name, you must gain fame. Ideally, he'd be left alone, but that wasn't possible now.
He frowned but quickly dismissed his thoughts, knowing he was in front of Viscount Parker.
"I apologize. And thank you."
He bowed his head. Viscount Parker smiled gently.
"Now, go to the summons without hesitation. And given the situation, you must hide your identity, 'Al.' Especially, dye your hair a different color. I'll lend you a uniform from our knights' order. For details like your new name or code, ask Baron Nicholas."
"Understood."
Was this the right choice? Al left Viscount Parker's presence, troubled by many thoughts.
On the way, he bought a drink at a street corner, then sat nearby, pretending to think while connecting with Patricia through Telepathy.
"Sorry. I didn't have time to ask you first... but this was the only choice I could make."
He told Patricia what happened with Viscount Parker.
"No, this was unexpected, but I felt we couldn't hide forever. I'll have to cancel my engagement with Zillion-sama..."
Her voice trembled slightly in his mind. Breaking off with Zillion—the heir of Marquis Tagard?
Did that mean she was ready to give up her royal status? No, if so, she could have stayed hidden longer. So maybe she was hiding something else.
Should he ask now? No, he was still scared.
"For now, it's too soon to show ourselves, but given everything, think about it."
"Understood."
Her reply was brief.
"For now, I'm going to the guard headquarters to meet His Highness Theodore."
"Please be careful."
He postponed asking more and ended their Telepathy conversation with a heavy heart.
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Viscount Powell - The commander of the First Knight Order of the Tempest Kingdom, opposed to the Marquis Prentis family's usurpation of the throne.
• Baron Sennett - 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.
• Whitton - A possible Grand Mage, now deceased. His role is important due to the letter and items found with him.
• Nicholas - Guard captain of Parker's border city. Known for his proud mustache.
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