CH 34.1

After nearly two weeks on the run, we meet a familiar face.

Looking at the words alone, one could be forgiven for thinking that they should be happy.

However, Ren and Licia were extremely wary.

Coming all this way to meet Viscount Given’s knights, combined with the original circumstances, should have seemed premeditated.

Therefore, Ren prepared himself to draw his sword and protect Licia at any time.

“We were asked by Baron Clausel to assist him in his search for the two of you.”

“….. us?”

“We have to get out of here first. We’ll take you to a safe place.”

……That’s unreasonable, no matter how much you look at it.

But we’re completely surrounded.

It’s impossible to dismiss the possibility that there are knights lurking in front of, behind, to the left and right, and even everywhere in the forest, although we cannot see them.

It seems that they’re not going to let us go peacefully.

(Fight or flee?) 

The latter is by far the better option, but I have a thought.

I would like to have proof that Viscount Givens had my village attacked.

I don’t want to waste my encounter here.

“—- Ren.”

Licia’s voice reaches Ren alone.

When he saw her turn around and look at him, he knew she was thinking the same thing.

“If we’ve come this far, shall we go as far as we can?”

“….. Of course. Ren might be in danger too.”

“It’s too late for that. I’m prepared for all of this. I’m sure there will be an uproar no matter what I say.”

Licia smiled as she looked at Ren.

“Will you leave it to me?”

She said in a dignified voice.

“Yes, as you wish.”

Ren replied calmly.

The knights surrounding them began to frown as they did this.

They were beginning to be slightly alarmed by the whispering of the two.

“You right there.”

“Mm, Me?”

The one who replied was the knight who interacted with Ren.

“Yes. I‘ll decide whether or not to have you take me to a safe place based on your answer.”

Licia then fished through the luggage hanging on the side of the horse.

She took out the magical device in the shape of a necklace from her luggage and showed it to the knight with her arm outstretched.

“Look. You recognize it, right?”

“……. No… I don’t

“Oh, you raised your eyebrows for a moment.”

“I don’t know. What on earth is it?”

Of course we don’t care that much about what he says.

It’s only to obtain information, step by step.

“This is a magic tool that I took from the bandit who kidnapped me and him.”

“…… I see.”

“Hmmm……… you don’t seem to be bothered much about it.”

“There’s no such thing. I would very much like to keep it as evidence.”

“No. I’ll have the Merchant’s Guild look into it later.”

“—-?”

The knights of Viscount Givens were stunned at the same time.

Ren, who was listening to the conversation behind Licia, was actually puzzled, but listened silently.

“I think I can handle it since I got to know the head of the guild when I went to the imperial capital before.”

“So, what are you going to do with it?”

“I’m going to ask him to look into the merchant who sold this magic tool, or the previous owner of it, or whatever information he can get.”

“…… It’s impossible. How many magic tools do you think there are in the Leomel Empire?”

“I don’t know. But this is definitely an expensive item. Unlike most of the magic tools in circulation, there must be someone who has a clue.”

This is a bluff.

But Licia’s words were too convincing to be dismissed as idle talk.

The small agitation among the knights began to grow.

“If that’s known, it’ll become clear whether this is a magic tool that the bandit obtained on his own or was given to him by someone else. If it’s the latter, the person who gave it to him will be questioned at the tribunal, regardless of the circumstances.”

“Nah—“

“Because it’s as if the person who gave it out tried to undermine us. Don’t you think so?”

Tension ran high.

Ren and Licia hid their nervousness under their seemingly spare faces, but the knights finally lost their composure and looked to their left and right to look at each other.

“Can you really confirm it?”

“I can’t. Viscount Givens is not a fool, and he must be very careful. But If a great noble would come to our aid…”

“I see”

“But don’t worry. If they have any doubts at all….. see.”

As soon as they spoke in whispers.

“If so, it must be an even more important item. Please entrust us with the magic tool.”

The knight in contrast said in a strong tone. 

“How foolish. We’re under no obligation to entrust it to you. This is my family’s territory to begin with. What happened in his village is also under our jurisdiction.”

“But!”

“That’s enough. I don’t want to be protected by a knight with no sense of reason, so I’ll stop talking about it. Come on, Ren, let’s get out of here.”

Hearing her words with a sigh, Ren pulled the reins.

The knights were lost in thought.

“You’ll need guards!”

“No, we don’t. We’re almost close to the town, and I don’t trust anyone but him to escort me.”

“Ku…… but …….”

They were still trying to resist, but finally they made up their minds.

“I’m sorry, but you two are coming with us!”