Chapter 139

How to act immediately when something has been decided.

After paying for the information to Zicmel, we hurriedly left the store and headed straight to the aristocratic house. Still, the kangie was a bit reluctant to go with the tail attached to the back, so Asilie decided to step in this time.

“Then be careful, sister.”

“Don’t worry. Sister is good at things like this.”

Parting with me with a confident expression, Ashlie put on a hood and disappeared into the crowd in an instant. Whatever the case may be, the dignity and skills of the elves who have lived for over a hundred years are by no means negligible.

After being separated from Asilie, I began to think once again about whether I would be able to get help from Duke Lesrom as I walked the streets.

All dragons in the kingdom must be placed under the management of the royal family.

However, that only meant that flying dragons could be managed only at the flying dragon station and flying dragon training center designated by the king’s order.

What most people can use if they pay the corresponding price. After all, flying dragons are one of those means of transportation.

Among them, some high-ranking nobles have the right to rent a dragon to a desired location in addition to the designated dragon station in case of emergency.

Of course, it is not possible to do it bare-mouthed, but it is possible to bring the permission with the royal seal in recognition of a legitimate reason, but it is possible anyway.

Of course, when you become a duke, you have time to rent a flying dragon under your own name. You can’t use it like a personal car, but I mean.

That was the reason why I wanted to visit Duke Lesrom, even though I was reluctant. As he said, if he had the intention of protecting the kingdom and preventing rebellion, it would be possible to take over the handling of Count Bossa’s treasonous boot camp, including renting a dragon.

Of course, you can’t openly inform the unfamiliar flying dragon pilot at the flying dragon station that you are going to beat and kill the mercenary group, so the rental target is Gees and his flying dragon.

As long as the dragon pilot and the dragon are within the kingdom’s territory, they are under the jurisdiction and property of the royal family, so they are included in the story mentioned above, regardless of whether or not they have apparently disappeared for the past two years.

...maybe included. If you don’t, it’s annoying.

“Stop. This is an aristocratic house that is not open to the general public. Please tell us what your business is.”

Admiration and shyness coexisted, and the one who greeted me at the entrance of the aristocratic house was a guard showing off his movements full of moderation. The halberds, which overlapped in an X shape on both sides as if they had been put together, reminded me of the angular sword dance of the honor guard, and that alone seemed to prove that they were not mediocre trained soldiers.

“I came to see His Excellency, Duke of Ravinera.”

“Did you make an appointment in advance?”

“no.”

Questions begin to creep over the solemn face. Of course. Even though he’s just an adventurer on the outside, if he met a duke out of nowhere, he’d look like a madman.

However, the guard made me admire by not losing his manners while uttering an extremely valid argument without any expression.

“I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to even deliver a message if it’s not on the promised schedule or if there’s nothing special about your business or position.”

Seeing only abnormal things, I am thrilled with normal reactions. Still, judging from the reaction, it seems Duke Lesrom is still inside.

“Could you tell me that I have something to tell you about the wild boar hunting? If it’s difficult to tell your Excellency directly, I’d like you to tell the agent, Lord Luceric, that Eldmia Ega is here on business.”

For a moment, the guard who stood silently next to him startled. It moved so clearly that my eyes moved without even realizing it, but I was just staring into space as if I had no other intentions.

That gaze looked a little unstable... but it must be because of my mood, right?

“Sure. Be quick. Otherwise, you won’t be able to cope with the parasites eating into the kingdom. It’s tiring, and expensive.”

Did I or Asillie hire someone so brilliant that they wouldn’t even notice and follow me? More than that, I committed everything from Rubilla to the slave guild, did you know all of that?

My doubts did not last long.

“You did a really good job with Baron Rubilla. Boys your age lack the prudence, but he ended it neatly. Did you know that he was raising a drake behind the kingdom’s back?”

“...No. That’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“Tomorrow, based on the testimony of the flying dragon pilot, a raid is scheduled while pretending to trace his treasonous act. It should have gone into hiding under the lead of the original, but... now it can’t do anything and has no choice but to be seized.”

“Isn’t that a good story for the royal faction? You look very... satisfied.”

Duke Lesrom, who brought tea and tea utensils with an undisturbed appearance, sat across from me with graceful movements and said firmly.

“It’s not a good story for the royal faction, it’s a good story for the kingdom.”

The two are distinctly different. Duke Lesrom continued, stroking his chin with a smile.

“The same goes for slaves. If you are not a citizen of the kingdom, it may seem like it doesn’t matter, but our country has a long-term maritime trade relationship with the Kingdom of Ladan, where slavery is heavily involved in the national foundation. Because it is not possible, overseas slaves are maintained in the form of recognition.

shit. I know everything. Unbeknownst to me, it became a chewed expression.

“Of course, from the standpoint of the kingdom, those who deceive and sell the people as slaves must be severely punished, but if you take a hard line, you will unintentionally end up dissatisfied with the slave traders of the kingdom of Ladan. But if you start an investigation lukewarmly, you can easily get away with it. Just like you. It’s convenient in many ways for a person with no connections to clean up and bring evidence. I mean, in that way.”

No matter how dubious it is, does it make sense to get information this far? If the duke is at this level, what level is the royal family’s information power? It’s a feeling that can’t be explained simply by saying that Duke Lesrom is competent.

“Did you put a tail on me?”

“That can’t be the case. Didn’t I tell you on my last visit? Whatever happens after leaving the aristocratic house has nothing to do with the will of the aristocratic house.”

“But you still understand what I’ve done.”

“Because I know as much as His Majesty the King knows.”

A sudden realization passed by the moment I looked at Duke Lesrom, who shrugged his shoulders and answered as if it was not a big deal, and thoughtlessly reflected on his words as he poured tea.

“Do you have someone in the Royal Intelligence Service?”

That’s treason...?

While I was frozen, not knowing how to react, for the first time Duke Lesrom raised a match and waved his hand.

“Your young friend has such frightening imaginations. It’s just asking His Majesty to receive information directly.”

“Oh, in person...yes? In person?”

what did i hear now? An aristocratic leader receives information directly from His Majesty the King?

As I looked at him with a bewildered expression, Duke Lesrom, who had tasted the tea once, nodded lightly and agreed.

“I told you. As long as you’re from the King’s faction, we’ll be able to maintain a good relationship.”

Duke Lesrom smiled so calmly that it was hard to believe that he was the one who made the bombshell remarks.