Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Words Can Be Shackles or Salvation (6)
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Scarlett and the Scarlett Party were on the move, heading back to Hasler after resolving the issues in the marquis's territory.
But Ron's recovery had taken longer than expected, so they had arrived in the capital, Carmen, and were staying the night.
They were packing up to head to Hasler as quickly as possible.
"It's been quite a while since the emergency summons went out from the Hasler branch. By now..."
Arna spoke with a hint of anxiety, and Scarlett smiled faintly in response.
"Hey, it's fine. I heard Veronica's there too. And a few heroes, apparently."
"......"
Scarlett tried to reassure them, but the unease lingered.
In truth, Scarlett felt the same way.
Even with Veronica, an S-rank adventurer like herself, on the scene—she operated solo, which put her at a disadvantage against something like a massive monster outbreak.
And then there were the heroes.
They served the empire, but Scarlett was the exception; most heroes weren't all that strong.
In adventurer terms, they ranged from A-rank to S-rank.
The weaker ones were about B-rank level.
And above all...
Once even the slightly anxious personnel were pulled away for the Troll Lord search...
In reality, there wouldn't be enough forces left to hold back the troll horde.
For these complex reasons, worry gnawed at her, but she couldn't use long-range teleportation like a grand mage.
All they could do now was hurry.
Even that had limits—they needed to conserve stamina and mental strength to be combat-ready upon arrival, not collapse from exhaustion.
So they couldn't push too hard.
"We don't know what's happening in Hasler right now, so let's get there as fast as we can."
"...Sorry. This is all because of me holding things up."
Ron ground his teeth and hung his head.
He knew full well his delayed recovery was the cause.
"Hey, don't worry. I told you, it'll be fine."
Scarlett patted Ron's back encouragingly.
But the mood darkened anyway.
Their expressions were grim.
'If they drag out the fight with the Troll Lord for more than two days, it's over.'
'Even if we hurry, it'll take us 3 or 4 days to arrive... Can they hold out that long?'
'No, even if we get there, can we actually solve the problem?'
As their thoughts grew darker...
ZZzt—
"...?"
A call came through on the portable communicator.
Scarlett pulled it from her pocket.
"Oh? Big Brother Sain?"
The caller was none other than Marquis Sain.
As always, his face and voice were calmly composed.
[Scarlett. Still en route to Hasler? You must be in the capital by now.]
"Yeah. We're staying the night here and heading out tomorrow."
Was this just a check-in call?
No, Scarlett knew Sain wouldn't bother communicating for something so trivial.
There had to be something important.
And her hunch was spot on.
[I see. In that case, you can take it slow.]
"...What? What do you mean?"
Take it slow?
If you didn't know the situation in Hasler, that might make sense, but...
'No way...?'
A wildly hopeful assumption flashed through Scarlett's mind.
And it soon became reality.
[They say the Troll Lord's been slain. Word is Kane and Jenny played a big part.]
"...!!"
Troll Lord.
The biggest reason the Scarlett Party was rushing so hard.
And it was dead?
"Jenny... So Jenny went there."
Jenny.
Scarlett's little sister, the one who'd inherited the most of their father's talent... the hero.
Scarlett immediately understood upon hearing she'd shone.
"With Big Brother Kane and Jenny teaming up, of course they'd handle it."
Terrifying talent, combined with Kane's teaching that drew out 100%... no, 120% of it.
If Jenny stuck with Kane, she might one day surpass their father, Harkur, as a hero.
That was Scarlett's thought.
With a monster hero and monster teacher together, of course any incident would be resolved.
"Okay, thanks for the heads-up."
Scarlett thanked Sain for the call.
No need to rush now.
The crisis was over.
She shared the news with her comrades, and their faces lit up instantly.
Scarlett smiled warmly at the sight, then a sudden thought struck her, and she asked Sain.
"But Big Brother Sain, where do you get this info so fast?"
The emergency aid request for the Troll Lord had come just yesterday afternoon.
Even if resolved immediately, it would've been last night or this morning.
And he'd learned of it within hours to tell her.
This was faster than famous underworld info brokers.
"As expected, anything involving Big Brother Kane, and you're the fastest. Even quicker this time with Jenny too?"
Scarlett teased with a grin.
Sain's expression hardened instantly.
[...Just overheard it by chance.]
She knew.
That man beyond the communicator, with his stiff, angry-looking face.
He cared for family more than anyone and revered Kane as a master above all.
'...Pity most people around him don't know it. Kane included.'
"Sure, we'll go with 'overheard by chance.' Thanks. Bye~"
Scarlett cut the call before Sain could respond.
She let out a deep sigh of relief.
The knot in her chest unraveled completely.
Gazing toward distant Hasler, she nodded.
'Yeah, who else but Big Brother Kane? I knew he'd handle it.'
It had been a while... well, they'd met once in the capital, but still, Scarlett suddenly wanted to see his face.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Three days had passed since the Troll Lord incident was resolved and Jenny announced she'd step down as hero and return.
What happened in the meantime?
Well... a lot.
The victors, Veronica and Jenny, received personal thanks and rewards from Lord Strau himself—but Jenny vanished before he could deliver them, leaving him flustered.
The lord came to me directly, saying it was all thanks to me and to name any reward I wanted.
...No, honestly, I didn't do much.
So I suggested rewarding the adventurers and soldiers who'd actually fought on-site.
And then...
'Sob...! Instructor Kane's heart is perfection itself! I'll strive to be like you!'
He started crying.
...Wait, I've wondered this before, but why the sudden formal speech?
Also, people's gazes toward me had changed noticeably.
Adventurers and soldiers treated me with deep respect.
Hasler's citizens looked at me like I was their savior.
Why is everyone acting like this?
It's overwhelming...
Apparently, Lord Strau had been bragging about my "huge contributions."
You'd think that'd cause backlash from those who actually fought.
But strangely, the on-site adventurers, soldiers, even knights said nothing.
If anything, they seemed to acknowledge it.
The real surprise was the heroes' attitudes.
'Hey, you con artist bastard! What'd you tell the lord?!'
Dayrun still ignored and belittled me.
'Hey, you lunatic, shut it?'
'...Leave him. He'll get himself killed acting like that.'
But the other heroes weren't backing him up—instead, they were reining him in.
And they'd avoid my eyes on sight.
Heroes, of all people.
People who lived thinking they were essential to the world, everyone else mere extras!
...This felt alien.
This sensation was utterly unfamiliar...?
Maybe because they saw me getting close to Jenny?
Even heroes fear their superior, the true hero?
Whatever, fewer pointless provocations suited me fine.
"It's because Instructor Kane is amazing."
"Right? Honestly, without Kane's efforts, we'd all be dead to that mutant Troll Lord."
Sonya and Reina said it was because I'm great.
...Hm, but they've always said stuff like that, so not super credible.
And really, someone else would've figured it out and handled it without me.
The Troll Lord was cunning and smart for a troll, sure, but once someone spotted the strategy's limits, they'd have planned accordingly, just like I did.
Anyway, these two are the longest-known adventurers here, so we end up chatting a lot.
Feels like close friends...?
"Oh, by the way, the lord came by the guild earlier looking for you, Kane. Said if you show up, head to the lord's castle."
Then Sonya mentioned the lord was seeking me.
Hm? Why me?
Not another reward fuss like before...?
The lord's castle.
Seemed like I was visiting a lot since the Troll Lord mess.
Lately, dinner invites had spiked over the past three days.
Of course, delicious gourmet meals? No way I'd refuse.
Mm, that lobster butter roast from last time was divine.
Steamed red lobster topped with a rich, nutty butter sauce.
Finished with a quick flame kiss for smoky char.
Crack open the claw, and juicy, tender meat bursts out with its juices.
One bite, and the whole mouth fills with fragrant sea essence!
That bouncy, chewy texture...
Pure delicacy!
But that's not all.
The claw was just the meat.
Shell peeled clean, tail meat piled high with more butter sauce...!
Now that's the real star.
Crunch!
Bite in, and firm tail strands tear satisfyingly, filling the mouth with taut chewiness.
More elastic than claw, super springy.
And that intense, flavorful butter sauce envelops the tongue!
Claw meat's all ocean brine and salt.
Tail's different.
Sweet, nutty butter sauce hugging the savory lobster... perfect harmony!
Sweet-salty-nutty bliss!
How could anyone resist this...!!
"...Thinking about it made me hungry."
Shipped fresh from the southern port city, right?
Wonder if it's on the menu again?
...Before I knew it, my feet were carrying me toward the lord's castle.