Chapter 69 Meeting the Count

Chapter 69 Meeting the Count

A pair of black horses with curled horns jutting out of their heads trotted across the dirt road as they pulled a wooden carriage behind them. The rental carriage was currently on its way to the Tidal Manor.

The sun was minutes away from setting, dying the sea in an orange hue. Lisa looked out at the sea through the horse carriage, and a faint smile formed on her delicate lips.

"So beautiful..." she muttered.

"Huhu, thank you, thank you." Adam, who was sitting beside her, brushed his hair and smiled smugly.

"You might not know this, but I was considered the most handsome boy back in my village." He smiled charmingly and continued to brush his hair backward, thinking it made him appear very handsome.

"Most handsome boy?" Edward snorted. "Was your village full of orcs?"

Adam's lips twitched and his eyes narrowed. "Fatty, you've been too outspoken on this trip. Looks like you need a beating."

"Enough!" Lisa reprimanded. "We're about to meet the Count, so you both better be on your best behavior."

"Especially you, Adam!" She glared at the youth. "We'll be representing the Clover Academy. Please don't do something unbecoming of a Magus."

"Fine, fine, I'll behave." Adam raised his hands in the air as a show of surrender.

Soon, the horse carriage stopped at the compound gates of Tidal Manor. The trio got out of the carriage, paid the driver, and walked toward the entrance guarded by armored guards.

"Halt! Who goes there?" One of the guards approached the trio, his eyes gleaming with vigilance. However, when he saw the four-leaf insignia of each of the three kids' olive cloaks, he was stunned.

"Are you three perhaps..." he began.

Lisa stepped forward. "We're from the Clover Academy. We have come to meet the Count."

...

Count Hannes, Emory, and Karl were in the Count's study room and were instructing a few guards behind them about how to proceed with the investigation. All of them were standing around a large table that had the city map spread on it.

Who... is this hooligan? Count Hannes couldn't help but develop a bad impression after seeing Adam.

Lisa followed the Count's gaze and when she saw Adam act so casually, she was furious. She viciously elbowed Adam in the ribs, causing the latter to grimace.

Adam saw Lisa glare at her and involuntarily gulped. Then, he stood with his back straight, a serious expression on his face. Seeing this, Lisa nodded.

Then, she looked at the Count and greeted him with a smile. "Good evening, Count Hannes. My name is Lisa de Clare and these are my teammates Adam and Edward. We've been dispatched by the Clover Academy to help you with the problem plaguing your territory."

The Count was tongue-tied. In his head, only one thought echoed continuously. How can a bunch of brats possibly offer help!?

He looked at Lisa and asked, "The academy has only sent... you three?"

"Yes," Lisa replied with a courteous smile.

"I-Is it just the three of you?" Even Karl was dumbstruck. Clearly, he didn't expect any help from the three children.

Sensing the doubt in their voice, Lisa had a hard time maintaining her smile. Despite that, she replied politely, "Yes, sir, it is just three. We apologize that it took us so long—"

However, Emory had had enough. He walked right in front of Lisa and roared. "Is this a fucking joke to you?!"

Lisa was stunned at this man's sudden behavior. She involuntarily stepped back as she stared at Emory with incredulity.

Emory continued to scream in anger, "So many people have disappeared, and the Clover Academy has only sent a bunch of useless children?! Do you have any idea—"

But right then, a cold voice drifted into Emory's ear, causing him to instantly shut his mouth.

"Oi."

Emory turned his head toward the source of the voice and saw Adam looking at him with displeasure. For some reason, Emory felt a chill run down his spine when he looked into the youth's abyss-like eyes.

Adam, who'd had enough of Emory treating Lisa disrespectfully, muttered in a chilly tone, "Is that a way to talk to a girl?"