20 Hope

" ooh I can see it the royal capital."

shouted Sue from the front of the carriage while peeking outside.,

After travelling for two more days they finally reached the capital City , Alephis .

The Belfast kingdom, located is relatively peaceful thanks to the easy going atmosphere and benevolent Royal rulers.

The silk produced in the Belfast Kingdom is said to be the finest product in this world and the major industry in the sewing business . It's soft and light, durable and beautiful .

Because of this livelihood seems to be the most important source of income and pride for this country which is the luxury for nobles and Royal families in foreign countries

Everyone in the group were astonished watching the walls which were so high.

Even Akio was shocked at the size of the Wall.

Several soldiers in the city gate were doing inspection on those who were coming in.

But their carriage was not inspected as for the reason is the carriage in front was of the Royal family.

The city had divided commoners and nobles in different residence area.

They even passed the second checkpoint without trouble . All thanks to the Duke's Family crest in front of them.

" Woah! The manors are so beautiful and huge. In the future I wish I can own such houses. Don't you wish for it too, Ladies!!?"

Yae was smiling and stayed silent.

whereas Elze and Linze were a bit sad but they got over it quickly.

Akio noticed this and gave a glance at them.

Linze saw Akio's weird glance and said in a low voice.

"Such houses, we can't even dream of having it even in our dreams."

" Yes..Reality is harsh we can only live by as adventurers to live a normal life."

Akio was a bit guilty seeing these small girls a bit down so he tried to boost their confidence by praising them.

" Why do you girls look so down, you know cute girls should always be happy, Even if you don't get the house in the future, A house is just an empty building and nothing more . A home is what you need to find, family who you can trust and a caring person who will look after you in the future. Adventurers job is only a way to earn for daily expenses and If you're strong enough you could slay a dragon and enjoy your rest of the life in Lavish. Even if you're not strong enough , you're quite the pretty girl so you could even get a caring prince for yourself."

Elze and Linze were looking at him weirdly.

Yae was chuckling at the side.

' Idiot'

Akira just said a word after a very long time.

' What did I say wrong.?'

Akira did not reply and stayed silent.

The before tense atmosphere was flown into the air not to be found anymore.

Linze said

" Thank you Akio." Linze said in a low tone a bit blush.

" You know you could be a good comedian" Elze had a blush while saying it.

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Not long after they reached their destination they saw a gate, five to six gatekeepers opened the heavy looking gate slowly from the left and right .The crest on the carriage is the same as the crest on the gate and it seems that this is the Duke's residence .

'Huge'

This would be the word that would be on everyone's mind who was visiting the Duke's house for the first time.

' It bigger than in the anime'

Akio thought.

The garden was huge and including the residence It was practically a small airport.

The carriage went towards the residence and stop at the entrance.

What they saw left them speechless less.

The maids were lined in two rows and greeted by bowing down simultaneously.

"Welcome home,Young lady"

" umm.!"

Touya was shocked too and had been urged by Leim to follow in.

When Touya went in others followed behind.

Then a man came down from the stairs which were quite long and covered in red carpet.

Even the middle hallway had a red carpet on.

He walked in them.

He had bright golden hair and a seemingly sturdy build which exudes his healthiness . He had a gentle face which makes one feels comfortable enough with him.

He was Duke Ortlinde , small brother to the king and father to sue.

"Sue!"

"Father!"

Sue ran straight towards him and mightily jumped onto his chest .

"I'm so glad . I'm so very glad…!"

"I am safe, nothing happened to me . Did you not receive the letter I gave to the messenger?"

"When I received the letter, I felt more worried."

The Duke walked towards Touya when he finally got realeased from Sue's hug.

"Are you the adventurers that rescued my daughter? I must express my gratitude . I am truly grateful, thank you"

The Duke who said that bowed to the five of them.

Touya was shocked a royal noble was bowing to him. If others knew that he made the Duke bow he would drown in spits.

"Please...Please raise your head . That was natural of us to do"

" If it is that though, Thank you"

While saying so, the Duke seized Touya hand and gave him a handshake .

"Once again let me introduce myself . I am Alfred Ernes Ortlinde"

"Mochizuki Touya. Ah, Touya is the first name and Mochizuki is the surname"

"oh, Are you and Eashenese!?"

" Please do come in to drink tea in the meantime"

Touya chatted with the Duke while going to the terrace

"I see, so you guys came to the royal capital at the request of the guild to deliver a letter"

Sue had currently left to go somewhere and did not join to to talk with them.

Whereas Akio and and the girls were sitting in another seat listening to the Duke's and Touya conversation.

"If you didn't take the request, Sue might have been kidnapped or even might have been killed . It's thanks to that person who gave the request."

"Do you have any idea of who migh have been the person behind it?"

"None…that I can say . Considering my position, there will be some nobles who will think of me as an obstacle . May be they thought if they Kidnap my daughter, then threaten and manipulate me to misuse my power at will.."

The Duke took the tea with a bitter face . Society can never be peaceful if jealousy and hatred exist. These were only reasons for it but the cause are the people who are so greedy that they would never be satisfied with what they have.

"Father, Thank you for waiting"

Sue came over to the terrace . In a pale pink frilly dress to her blonde hair adorned with a headband decorated with a rose of the same pale pink colour .

"Were you able to speak with Ellen?"

"Yes . I kept silent about the attack so as not to worry her"

Sue sat down next to the Duke . Without delay Leim came carrying tea .

"Ellen?" Touya asked

"yes, my wife . Sorry, she can't show herself even though you're our daughters benefactor… . My wife can't see" Duke Ortlinde said in a sad tone.

"Is she blind de gozaru ka?"

Yae asks in a sorry manner .

"It was from an illness from five years ago she survived and narrowly escaped death, but in the process she lost her sight"

The Duke lowered his head bitterly . Sue who was looking put her hands above his .

"Did you perform magic therapy?" Linze asked a question.

"We called out to all healing magic users all over the country but, it was of no use . It can possibly repair the body to some extent cause by the illness. However, it seemed to be ineffective against the after effects of the illness"

"If only grandfather was alive "

Sue mutters regretfully . The Duke opened his mouth explaining about his wife's father .

"My wife's father, Sue's grandfather, my father-in-law was a user of a special magic . He was able to remove any abnormalities of the body . It's also because father-in-law's magic can resolve Ellen's current situation and if one can somehow acquire it, that was also the reason why Sue had gone out to travel"

"Mother's eyes can be cured if it's with grandfather's magic . Even if we cannot elucidate the magic, if we could just find someone who can use it"

" Can't Touya dono use every Null magic at the moment..?" Akio said as if obvious

The girls looked at Akio and realized that he was right.

"It's Touya"

" Yes It Touya"

"Touya-dono de gozaru !"

"What is it ! ?"

Touya was surprised as to why these girl were calling out his name in an excited voice.

Akio was laughing inwardly

Even the Duke father and daughter were similarly startled.

"You might be able to use that magic if it's you!"

"The null magic is personal magic…it is mostly unusable to other people . However !"

"If it's Touya-dono can't he use all non-attribute magic gozara nuka!"

"Ahaha,So that's why!"

"What is this about? Don't tell me that"

"Can mother be cured? Touya !?"

The Duke was in disbelief and asked , Sue grasped Touya arm like a panda and clung onto it .

Truthfully, it's a magic I have never used . But possibly… . But if I know the inherent name and the effect of that magic in detail I can do it"

when sue heard this she pulled Touya to her mother's room while Leim brought in the paper which recorded the magic information and handed it to the Duke.

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