Volume 4 Chapter 14 Let's Report
As the sun began to turn orange, Cain and the others arrived at the town gate in Lord Shield's land. They rode in a covered wagon. A long line of people waited to get in. They slowly moved to the gate made just for nobles. When they got there, some soldiers walked over. Barvish said a few words, and they were allowed to pass right away.
""Welcome back, Lord Shamrock.""
The soldiers called out one by one as the wagon rolled through the gate. Cain moved to the back of the wagon. He waved and called back to them with simple greetings.
The wagon rolled slowly down the main road. It stopped at a big house. The butler and maids stood out front to greet them. Someone had sent word ahead from the gate that Cain had arrived.
"Welcome home, Sir Cain. We are glad you are safe."
"Thank you. Sorry to worry you. I'd like to say hello to my grandfather. May I take a moment first?"
Cain asked the butler about Lord Shield's schedule.
"Yes, Sir Cain. He said to take you to the study when you get back."
"Good. Please let him know I'll change clothes and come soon."
Cain went straight to his room. He took off his dusty travel clothes and put on clean ones. Barvish and the others helped him get ready. Once he was done, Cain called for a maid and told her he was heading to the study.
Not long after, the butler came to get them. Cain, Barvish, Gardy, and Lala followed him. When they reached the study door, the butler knocked and said Cain was here. After getting permission, he opened the door.
"Grandfather, I just got back. I'm sorry I made you worry."
Cain bowed deeply as he walked into the study.
"Welcome back. It seems you know why I called you here. Let's not waste time. Where did you go, Cain?"
Margrave Shield said. His voice was calm, but his eyes looked sharp. Cain nodded.
"Yes, I'll explain everything."
He didn't hide anything. He told his grandfather where he had gone and why. He explained from yesterday to today. Margrave Shield listened in silence. His face looked darker with each word.
"So, you went to the World Tree Forest. That's where the high elves live. And you used a teleportation staff, one of those old magic tools..."
Cain looked down and gave a quiet, "Yes."
"I see. It's Zain, then. That man again... I suppose this was bound to happen one day. Still, you should not have gone without telling anyone. You must have known I'd say no if you asked first."
Margrave Shield let out a long sigh and stared hard at Cain.
"I'm sorry. It was my choice. I take full blame. The others were just following me."
Cain bowed again. He made it clear that none of his attendants were at fault.
"If you were an adult, that might be fine. But you're still a child. That's why you have people with you—to stop you when you run off."
Cain lowered his head again. He had thought he could decide things on his own. He had memories from his past life on Earth. But in this world, he was only seven years old—a kid under the care of adults.
"...Still, you aren't just any child. You're far ahead of the others. Just this once, I'll let it go. But that staff—what do we do about that?"
"Thank you. About that... I have a letter and a box from Mr. Zain for you."
Cain gave the items to the butler, who then handed them to Margrave Shield.
He opened the letter and began to read. At first, he stayed calm. But halfway through, his eyes widened. Then he sighed—loudly. He opened the box, checked what was inside, and grabbed his head in disbelief.
"Cain... Oh, Cain. At my age, I don't need these kinds of shocks. But to be asked to repay a favor like this... Do you have some strange power to pull people to you?"
Cain and the others watched him, confused. He muttered like he was in pain. Then, slowly, his face began to look pleased.
"Alright. Let's say you went to check on a bridge project. That's the story. Don't talk about anything else. Got it? ...Good. Cain, Aisha was worried. Go let her see you."
They were told to leave the room, though the reason wasn't clear. They stepped out, still unsure of what had just happened.
In the now quiet study, Margrave Shield leaned back in his chair. He read the letter again.
---
To Jonathan,
It's been over ten years. Have you changed much? I haven't seen you lately, and I hear the town patrols are less frequent. I guess you've gotten older.
Thanks to your grandson, Sir Cain, I'll be able to return home. Even though it's not direct, I want to thank you. But I also want to thank Cain. He helped me a lot. I want to pay back that favor from before.
My request is simple: Please forgive everything Cain did this time. Also, please keep the teleportation staff a secret.
Even so, I know you, Jonathan. You'll want to tell the king. So, I'm sending two drops and two leaves from the World Tree. Give them to the king and ask him to let this matter go. The other leaf is for you. Let Aisha or the family use it if needed.
Cain has a lot of power. If that power is used the wrong way, it's scary. But if he keeps growing like this, he can do great things. I believe that. I'll come visit when I return. Then we'll talk more.
Take care,
From Zain
---
"'How have you been?' he says... Now I have to go to the capital again. I should drag Zain along this time. Handling this alone is a pain."
With a smile, Margrave Shield locked the letter and the gift in a strongbox.
Character Notes:
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
• Lala - Cain's companion, likely a servant or minder, cautious and protective.
• Margrave Shield - Cain's grandfather. An elderly man, robust, with white hair.
• Zain - A man in his 30s with long ears, possibly an elf or a similar race. He works in the basement of Ms. Merida's shop and is highly perceptive, noticing Cain's incredible mana from a distance.
• Aisha - Lydia's mother. Cain's step-grandmother.
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