CH 188

–Conrad sensed that someone was watching us with his [Detect Presence]. I don’t know where they are, but when I concentrate, certainly there’s a presence …… Is what I feel ……

According to Tigre-sensei, the presence of monsters, the presence of humans, and killing intent are different, and even if you don’t have the skills, you will notice them. Conrad said it was a skill he’d been given, and that he could tell more specifically, but that he could judge by distance. 

“–So, you’ll have to be careful, because you could be attacked. Especially you, Basleigh-sensei.”

“Why me only!?”

He was about to explain me with an astonished expression while taking a bite of the bird’s thigh, but Makina pulled me and said instead 

“That makes sense. Basleigh-sensei is strong at long range, but when they gets close, there’s not much she can do. “

“Mmm, then why don’t we kill it while we can?”

“No, I have an idea. Let’s get some dinner.”

“If it’s them, I’ll question them ……”

Conrad gave me the direction, pretending to be taller, and then asked me in a slight whisper.

“Are you going to surprise attack them with levitation when it became darker?”

“Oh, I’m sure Lars will take a more efficient approach. Right?”

Makina smiled back at Conrad, and I nodded with a smile. Conrad looks like he doesn’t understand, but he should look forward to it is what I mean …… Now, when it gets a little darker, let’s get moving.

–And night.

“…… It’s quiet now, isn’t it? It looks like it’s just two kids, a woman, and Conrad. There’s no other company.”

“What do we do? It’s a good thing we got here first, but it seems like Conrad’s going back to Oriola territory?”

“But he’s not going to see his lord, is he? Either bow down or take one of the girls and make them obey us.”

“Hmm, so that’s what you have in mind?”

“Well, we have our ways …… wait, who’s voice was that?”

Three men were sneaking around in the shade of a rock, talking as they looked at the spot where we were camped. Apparently, they were waiting for us.

I could have listened to them for a little while longer, but if they wanted to kidnap Makina and Basleigh-sensei, that was a different story.

“Where the hell are y–Guah!?”

“I’m here! I don’t know why you need Conrad, but if you’re going to hurt them for it, I’m not going to let you get away with it.”

“He just showed up out of nowhere!? This kid ……!”

I approached with levitation so that I won’t make any footstep and disappeared invisible, and as soon as I hit one and rolled it to the ground, and the other two tried to pull out the sword immediately. As expected of a real adventurer when it comes to changing their mindset. 

But I’ve already got my hands on both of them, and I immediately unleash my magic.

“”

“Oh ……!?”

“Damn it, it’s tangling with me!”

They tried to escape by swinging their swords, but the water jails from their hands sewed them up and bound them easily. 

“Now, let’s hear what you have to say, shall we?”

“Damn it ……”

As I tied the man’s hands behind his back, I said to him. As soon as I shot the fireball into the sky, which was the signal, Makina and the others quickly came to me. 

“So it’s you guys, after all ……”

“…….”

When Conrad muttered, the men looked away and fell silent. It feels like it’s their bad luck, but I wonder why they’re trying to take Conrad with them? Then Makina crouched down and asked them.

“Hey, you guys want Conrad-san to meet the lord, right? That’s what we’re going to do when we get there, but are you still going to forcefully to take him?”

“What!? R-Really!?”

“Yeah, the lady here has some business with the lord. I can’t leave Treants unattended either, so I’ll just go along with them.”

When Conrad sighs and replies, the man who was hit by me opens his mouth in a squirming manner.

“T-Then we don’t have to take you with us by force! Come with us to see the lord together!”

“Well then, can you please tell me why you needed Conrad-san ……?”

“T-That’s ……”

“You can’t tell me? I’m not as naive as these two …… I’ll make you want to talk ……”

“U-Uhh ……!?”

Basleigh-sensei smiled suspiciously and leaned toward the men. And–

“Gyahaa~!? S-Stop it, don’t tickle me!?”

“There, there, this is where you’re weak, isn’t it? I’m going to have to hyperventilate you until you pass out!”

“Basleigh-sensei, I think you’d better leave it at that? He’s the last one, after all.”

“Hmm, you have a point there, Lars-kun. So, are you ready to talk? You don’t want to end up like those two, do you?”

They had already been defeated by Basleigh-sensei’s tickling attack, and were foaming at the mouth with white eyes. To be honest, they were hesitant to say anything, but Basleigh-sensei was relentless. It’s not that they didn’t talk, it’s that they couldn’t. Too much is not good ……

The last remaining man nodded his head and opened his mouth, catching his breath.

“T-The one who’s calling Conrad back is the …… Hah~, Lord. That’s for sure.”

“The reason is ……?”

“D-Defeating the Treants …… He said he wanted us adventurers to help him with that ……”

“And by “us,” do you mean the guild in included? Why now ……? Is there any other reason, Borzov?”

The man known as Borzov, who had finally calmed down, managed to get up and sit down, then turned to Conrad and said.

“……. The reason they’re calling you back is not to take down the Treants. I’m going to change the subject a bit and tell you a story you may not know. A few months ago …… that’s when the damage from Treant became apparent. Your words, as well as those of the others, were conveyed to the lord, and the village and town made suggestions, and just as he was about to decide what to do, a threat letter arrived.”

“What ……!?”

“That’s why he couldn’t move when we suggested it.”

Borzov shakes his head and lets out a sigh. Well, if he have problematic circumstances, it seems certainly something he can’t tell. Borzov continued to talk. The reason why it is not the “Subjugation of the Treants”.

“And then. The damage has become too great. The Treants are killing the forest, and the crops are dying. It’s not just the harvest festival, but it’s even difficult to put food on the table. That’s why the lord decided to form a strike force.”

“Hmm? And did you catch the person who sent the threat letter?”

When I asked, Borzov looked at me with a puzzled look on his face.

“…… not yet, apparently. That’s why he wants us to call Conrad back into the house and use his “Detect Presence” to make sure nothing happens to the house. That’s it.”

“If so, you can say so at the bar: ……”

“No, I’m sure Borzov-san and the others have been alerted. He said he didn’t know where or who was listening, so he just came to bring him back. That’s why you were in a hurry and clamming up, right?”

Makina said, and Borzov nodded his head and continued.

“I lost my temper, I’m sorry. I’m sure there’s no one here who can hear us, so that’s the whole story. Can you please meet the lord with us?”

“I’m fine with it, what about you, Conrad?”

“Phew …… It’s a matter of circumstance, and we’re supposed to meet him anyway because of Basleigh-sensei’s case. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

“T-Thanks …….”

“In the meantime, if you mess with either of them, I’ll never forgive you, okay?”

“Don’t worry, Lars [Kaiser Knuckles]!”

“Oh, yeah, I know ……”

I’ll unleash a massive fireball to nail Borzov, and then unshackled the three of them. 

“If you had said that clearly, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Don’t be like that, girl. We’ve been through a lot, too ……”

“But, a threat letter ……. Even if it’s to keep them from exterminating the Treants, the reason is unknown and is also creepy.”

“We’ve also had classmates go through some pretty crazy shit, so I’m curious.”

As Makina was talking to Borzov with her hands on her hips and her mouth agape, she noticed Basleigh-sensei, who had been silent for a long time.

“What’s the matter, Basleigh-sense? Now that we know what’s going on, I don’t think we need to head over there.”

“…… Hmmm, I have a feeling that it has something to do with why I was called to the castle. So, let’s go together as we are. And for now, let’s ask her about the threat letter. I’ve got this, you know?”

Basleigh-sensei smiled as he showed me the sealed letter that had arrived from the capital.

I had a definite feeling that trouble was about to happen, instead of finding out why they hadn’t formed a strike force.

The story is about to start moving, isn’t it?

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

It stinks ……

“Really? I wonder if it’s because I ate garlic.”

That’s not it, okay!? It’s the Lord and Borzov and the others.

“Well, they made it seem like they are, but maybe they’re actually good guys? Anyway.”

That kinda pisses me off.