Chapter 449 Second Day of the ‘Grand Market’ (Part VI)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
Lightly.
Though I say that, I somehow managed to stop Liz and Simona, who were downing drinks, and we left the bar beside the barracks, walking through the slanting town towards ‘Chick Gathering Inn’ after passing through the central square.
(Hmm…?)
”…there’s a different vibe…”
”Yeah…”
Simona and Liz, intertwined with my arm as we walked, paid attention to our surroundings.
”Did you guys notice?”
The gazes of several adventurer-like men loitering near the entrance of ‘Chick Gathering Inn’…
(Are they… on guard?)
”Something’s going on…”
I exchanged glances with Liz and Simona, then stepped through the entrance of the inn.
* * *
The dining area was fairly busy, with many customers seemingly eating and drinking… but something felt off.
(Everyone… even while quietly dining, they’re paying attention to their surroundings.)
The unique ‘hubbub’ of the dining hall was absent.
Feeling bewildered by the strange atmosphere, we exchanged looks when a familiar voice came from the reception counter.
”What do you mean Della isn’t here?”
(Dad…?)
I saw my dad cornering the woman at the reception counter.
”W-Well, after receiving a message from the lord… um… Lady Della is… uh…”
”What happened? Did she leave?”
”Um… uh…”
Leaning over the counter, he was intimidating her, causing the reception woman to shrink back.
”Dad… if you keep pressing like that, we won’t get anywhere.”
When I placed my hand on his shoulder and said so, he turned back with a momentary look of suspicion, then replied with his usual face.
”Hiroya… I didn’t recognize you for a second with that look. ──No, I’m sorry. I got a bit flustered.”
He bowed to the reception woman.
”No… it’s Lady Della, but after receiving a notice from the lord saying ‘don’t leave the shop,’ she went to her room, leaving the work to us…”
”So, she’s not in the room?”
The receptionist woman nodded quickly to my father’s question.
”I see. This ‘strange atmosphere’ is the result of my father’s orders. ──Everyone here is part of the guard.”
It made sense.
”Did something happen that made the lord need to protect Della?”
Liz leaned in, holding my shoulder, and asked my father.
She was worried about what was happening to her dear friend.
”…can you wait a moment? ──You, let them through to the back.”
My father instructed the receptionist woman and walked toward the dining hall.
Liz, Simona, and I decided to wait in the room the woman guided us to.
* * *
The story my father told was rather troublesome.
”That guy Bolt is one of the executives of a family controlling the underbelly of the Royal Capital… his intent to extend his influence into Raetia is clear as day.”
”Yeah… I rejected his request for permission to operate a brōtḥel. He knew that would make Della a target…”
So, that’s why personnel were assigned for security.
”And… that security turned out to be useless.”
”Don’t say that, Hiroya… apparently, the surveillance was perfect. There were no entries or exits by Della or any suspicious persons.”
My father’s face was etched with anguish.
”We aren’t well-acquainted with the Royal Capital’s underworld, but to extract Ms. Della from here amidst this security is quite an accomplishment.”
”The families in the Royal Capital are backed by powerful nobles. If they have assistance…”
Simona and Liz exchanged words and looked at my father.
”It’s possible there are adventurers with considerable strength allied with the nobles.”
Receiving their gazes, my father crossed his arms, deep in thought.
But… something came to mind, and I stood up.
”Sasha… the Zett Merchant Guild is also after them. ──Father! Can’t you contact Kazumi or Rena?”
”Yeah… wait a sec.”
My dad closed his eyes and entered a state of ‘Telepathy’.
”She should be at the clan house… it should be fine, right?”
”Shinobu is with her as well…”
Even as I said that, both Liz and Simona looked worried.
”Hiroya… it seems Lady Sasha is missing. …Shinobu and Romy are also not here.”
(Romy…?)
”Has Romy returned to the clan house at some point? Please check that.”
I suddenly felt concerned and asked my dad for ‘Telepathy’ again.
”──Hmm. It seems she did return to the clan house at one point. After that, she and Lady Sasha disappeared.”
”Damn it! We’ve completely fallen behind!”
I slammed my fist onto the table.
”Dad, Della, Sasha, Romy… and of course Shinobu should all be at the same place. ──If you want to save Della, come with me to the clan house!”
I conveyed that to my dad and pulled Liz and Simona’s hands as I burst out of the ‘Chick Gathering Inn’.
* * *
(Romy’s POV)
’The method is up to you. In any case, bring the leader of the Zett Merchant Guild out of the mansion.’
This was the only order from Bolt.
But, don’t say unnecessary things.
That was the instruction given.
(It seems like anyone could do this job without me needing to handle it…)
As I headed towards the clan house, I was thinking about that.
No, I understand Bolt’s intent.
Since I am a member of the same clan, I can smoothly lead them out and by betraying my ‘comrades’, he intends to sever my lingering feelings for my ‘Famière’.
(What, does he want to claim me as his own no matter what…)
At this point, my heart was overwhelmed with feelings of resignation, and thinking about the future made me feel gloomy.
(Even if… Mr. Hiroya and everyone somehow manage to help…)
The fact that I “sold out my friends” won’t go away. Even if I did it because I was being controlled by the “Slave Mark”.
(I loved everyone… and that place too)
Despair fills my heart.
And the image that comes to mind is… Gunilla’s.
(It was Gunilla who I met when I was in despair before…)
We met when we had both lost hope and felt helpless, comforting each other in similar circumstances… we found a glimmer of hope by working together.
I can’t bear the thought of betraying Gunilla and saying goodbye.
(I’m sorry, Gunilla…)
With heavy steps, I follow the path to the Clan house… soon, I see the mansion where everyone I love is.
”Hah…”
A sigh escapes me.
The ‘Grand Market’ is bustling and lively in this Raetia, yet I am likely the only one returning home with a heavy heart.
I stand before the large door and pause for a moment.
(When I first came here, I was full of surprises… the second time, I was filled with determination…)
Gunilla and I bet our future on this clan.
And that choice was absolutely correct.
(Even someone as weak and small as me… has grown into a proper adventurer)
And now, here I stand to betray my comrades.
(I’m sorry… and this is goodbye…)
I took a deep breath and opened the door to the mansion.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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