Good Deeds Return

"Pixer's Egg? Father James, do you know anything about it?"

Having heard my account, Father turned to Brother James for counsel.

At present, the brother was sitting in on the conversation as something of an authority on demons.

At Father's question, Brother James let out a soft hum of thought.

"Pixer's Egg… On our side, that would appear to be the demon we call Kankus's Arrogance."

"Kankus's Arrogance?"

Brother James nodded at my question.

"Yes. Kankus was a saint from long ago who proclaimed that even demons could be reformed — only to meet his death at the hands of the demon that hatched from the egg. Ever since, we've called it Kankus's Arrogance, but…"

Having said that much, Brother James exhaled a long sigh.

"Frankly, it is a dangerous creature."

"How does it compare to the Mouth of Targis?"

"I've never encountered one myself, so a direct comparison is difficult — but according to the records, a hundred holy knights and priests who stood with Saint Kankus at the time only barely managed to defeat it."

"Hmm…"

Father sank into thought.

Only for a moment, though. He soon turned the question on me.

"And you're saying there are at least eight of those things in the south alone?"

"Yes."

By Ahentar's account yesterday, eight had been discovered in the south alone.

Ah — we'd already dealt with one of them, so that left seven.

The problem was…

…that might not even be all of them.

Father's expression grew complicated.

"I don't know whether to be glad or not. At least the egg in our territory has been dealt with, which is a relief, but…"

"There could still be specimens we haven't found."

"True."

The real problem was how to find them. It wasn't as though we possessed a "compass" the way Ahentar did.

Should I try asking to borrow it?

Honestly, it was a delicate matter. Everything up through yesterday could still be taken as simple goodwill — but anything beyond that risked becoming a debt.

My thoughts were deepening when —

Knock, knock.

"Who is it?"

"Merun, my lord."

The visitor was the old butler, Merun.

"Young Lady Ellie has come to call. She says the matter is urgent — how shall I reply?"

"Urgent?"

Father tilted his head, then answered.

"Show her in."

"Yes, my lord."

The door opened shortly, and in walked Merlin's golden child, the age's most unfilial daughter — Ellie.

What's that golden child doing here?

[What do you mean, "golden child"?]

Rather than answer the Ancestor, I simply looked at Ellie.

She entered the room and offered a polite bow.

"I present myself before the Baron."

"Yes — what brings you here?"

"I heard there was something you needed, so I came to see you."

"Something we needed?"

Father tilted his head and glanced between me and Bilheim — my original brother — who sat quietly off to one side.

"I have no idea what she means."

"I haven't spoken with her separately either."

At that, Father looked back at Ellie.

"There seems to be some misunderstanding."

"I don't believe there is. Might this, by any chance, be of use to you?"

So saying, Ellie drew something from her robes and held it out.

And that object was…

"A compass?"

"Young Master recognizes it, I see."

At the golden child's — no, at my sister-in-law's — words, Father looked at me.

"Is that the compass you mentioned?"

"Yes, it is."

There was no doubt. That was the compass Ahentar had been carrying yesterday.

But how on earth did my dear sister-in-law come by it?

[Sister-in-law? Didn't you just call her a golden child or something?]

Ah, is that really what matters right now?

My sister-in-law just cleaned out her family's belongings!

How exactly Ellie had managed to steal the compass was a question I didn't bother asking.

What mattered was the heart behind it.

To think she possessed such a kind heart.

Truth be told, I had known from the start. She was an intelligent person — sharp-witted and selfless in equal measure.

At any rate.

With that, searching the territory shouldn't be too difficult.

And yet — for some reason — Father regarded Ellie with a somewhat stiff expression.

"Miss Ellie."

"Father, you may address me comfortably."

"We haven't even held the engagement ceremony yet. That would be improper."

"If you insist, then think of me not as a daughter-in-law but simply as a young woman of a daughter's generation, and treat me at ease."

"Hmm."

Father fell silent for a moment, as if weighing the thought, then spoke.

"Very well, I shall. But I must ask. That compass — to my knowledge, it belongs to Grand Heir Ahentar."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"It does."

"Then how is it that you are holding it?"

"Must I say?"

"I must hear it. This is the sort of thing that could leave us in a rather awkward position."

[He's too soft-hearted.]

Pardon? Why?

[Can't you see? We could simply wipe our mouths clean and be done with it — but he's asking because he's worried the girl will be the one put in a difficult spot.]

Ah. So that was the deeper meaning.

But Father — my sister-in-law has already steeled herself for everything. Shouldn't we honor that noble resolve?

Of course, I was joking.

If she really did steal it… what does that make Palaon?

It would look like we'd sweet-talked an innocent kid into thievery.

For the record, Ellie was seventeen — older than me — but I don't count anyone weaker than myself as a senior. That is the spirit of K-Confucianism.

Unexpectedly, however, Ellie's kleptomania turned out to have been a mutual arrangement.

"My older brother gave it to me."

"The Grand Heir?"

"Yes. He said you would need this compass — that I should take it and use it to establish my footing within Palaon."

"Hmm."

Father deliberated for a moment. He was likely pondering Ahentar's true intentions.

He might be using Ellie to expand his influence over our house.

But Father soon nodded.

"Well, as things stand, we are hardly in a position to refuse."

"Then…"

"We shall put the compass to good use. I will not forget your help. But this is not a matter to be settled with words alone. Is there anything you desire?"

At Father's question, Ellie narrowed her eyes — as if weighing what to say. It was not long before her lips parted.

"Please grant me permission to conduct business in Palaon."

"Business?"

"Yes. I run a small trading company of my own. I'd like to use it to expand my ventures here…"

"Very well. Permission granted."

"Ah."

Ellie let out a soft sound of surprise at Father's breezy answer, then promptly bowed her head.

"Thank you."

"Compared to this compass, it is hardly a great favor. And for matters concerning the trading company and its business, consult with Bilheim going forward. Most things can be resolved at his level."

"Yes!"

Ellie answered with vigor.

And so, after a brief distribution of rewards, we entered a proper strategy meeting.

The subject was simple.

Pixer's Egg — and how to deal with it.

Meanwhile, at that very hour —

Miller, captain of the Third Knight Order, approached Ahentar, who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had borrowed Palaon's training grounds for practice.

"Grand Heir, word has arrived from the main house."

"Ah, yes. That was quick. What did they say?"

"The matter of Pixer's Egg has been assigned to you as planned, my lord."

"Is that so. Hmm — Kasha will be seething. But this has become rather inconvenient."

"Pardon?"

"The truth is, I already informed Palaon of Pixer's Egg's existence. I even passed the compass along through Ellie."

"I see."

Despite the rather shocking confession, Captain Miller of the Third Knight Order remained perfectly composed. Faced with that calm, Ahentar could not help but ask.

"You're not surprised?"

"I had more or less guessed, my lord. From the moment you took Young Master Khtun aside yesterday."

"Did you now? Then why didn't you stop me?"

"You are not the sort of man who can be stopped by being told to stop."

"Haha — fair enough."

Ahentar laughed pleasantly. Miller handed him a towel.

"My thanks."

"But will you be all right, my lord?"

"About what?"

Ahentar asked as he wiped the sweat away with the towel, and Miller answered.

"If you fail to produce any meaningful results, Lady Kashabella will not let this matter rest. She will almost certainly try to pressure you."

"She will, yes."

"Especially considering the expectations the Count has placed on this affair… even as Grand Heir, it may prove difficult for you."

"I'll catch a fair bit of scolding, I imagine."

"And if that happens…"

"If that happens?"

Miller started to continue, then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flinched. Ahentar was staring straight at him. He was smiling, yes — but there was something chilling in those eyes that made Miller lower his head.

"…Forgive me. I spoke out of turn."

"Not at all. It was a concern with ample reason behind it. Born of loyalty, no doubt."

"I apologize."

"No need. As you fear, if I botch this, Kasha will not let it go. At worst, even the succession balance we've managed to keep roughly even could be thrown into jeopardy. That is what worries you, is it not?"

"…It is."

"But we don't yet know how things will turn out, do we?"

"Pardon?"

At Miller's question, Ahentar smiled with genuine good humor.

"It all depends on how far Palaon's ambition reaches, does it not? If they grow greedy and use the compass not merely to protect Palaon's territory but to expand their influence over neighboring lands, then the family will have no choice but to dig into Palaon."

"Correct. And if that happens, the fact that you extended goodwill to Palaon will come to light."

"But what if Palaon does no such thing?"

"Pardon?"

"If they don't use it that way, then there's no problem at all — is that not so?"

"That is…"

"Palaon eliminating Pixer's Eggs within their own territory is, from the family's perspective, not exactly a welcome development — but it's not something one can really fault them for either. It would simply end as that and nothing more."

"What you say is correct, but…"

Miller was doubtful. Would Palaon truly be content with just that much?

Moreover —

Palaon is currently preparing for a leap forward.

In such a situation, they had obtained information on Pixer's Egg and a means of detecting it. On top of that, Palaon's eldest son possessed the combat power to destroy the eggs.

And they would simply… not use it?

Miller could not readily accept the idea. Did people like that even exist?

"Perhaps it would be better to reclaim the compass now and move before Palaon acts…"

"That would be one approach."

"Then —"

"But I'm curious. I truly want to see what Palaon will do. Let's watch for a while, then move."

"Hmm…"

"I told you not to worry."

"Yes, my lord. Understood."

Miller answered as he was told — and yet he could not tear his gaze from Ahentar, who was smiling so brightly.

Those clear eyes.

…He's testing them.

Right now, the Grand Heir was testing Palaon — or perhaps, more specifically, Palaon's second son, Khtun.

What exactly he expected, Miller did not know. But he was clearly holding Khtun in high regard.

And yet, if —

If Young Master Khtun betrays that expectation…

What then?

Miller did not allow himself to imagine further.

It was then that a voice rang out.

"Elder Brother — I trust you have been in the most excellent of health?"

"…?"

Miller cocked his head at the bizarre phrasing and turned to look.

The source of the bizarre phrasing was none other than Khtun.

"I trust you have been… what?"

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"I did, yes."

Ahentar greeted Khtun with a warm, good-natured smile.

That was when Khtun spoke again.

"Elder Brother — would you be interested in doing a good deed?"

"A good deed?"

"Yes. Specifically, I was thinking of reporting the information you shared with us to the Church — under your name."

"To the Church?"

Miller thought to himself: Is this boy soft in the head?

There was no way Ahentar would agree. Why freely hand over such valuable intelligence for nothing in return?

And yet —

"Under my name? Not Palaon's?"

"Yes."

"Now that… is an interesting proposal."

Ahentar showed genuine interest, and Khtun — catching the shift in mood — quickly pressed on.

"Of course, from Merlin's perspective it may not be entirely welcome — but good deeds come back around, don't they?"

"And what does ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my little brother gain from this?"

"Me?"

"Yes."

"I get to thrash demons. Faster, and more thoroughly."

"Is that truly the only reason?"

"Yes — of course?"

Ahentar deliberated. Doing as Khtun proposed would leave him with no small amount to answer for.

"Grand Heir, you must refuse —"

"No."

Ahentar shook his head.

And then he said:

"Do it. And let's see — whether good deeds truly come back around."

"Then I'll proceed."

And so, several days later —

The Twelve Hour Church dispatched official missives to the lords of the south.

They warned that the demon known as Kankus's Arrogance lay in wait across the southern lands.

And they made clear that this intelligence was the fruit of a selfless good deed — shared freely by Grand Heir Ahentar of Merlin, for the sake of southern peace.

Whereupon…

Ahentar's renown began to soar like mad.

Truly, like mad.

Faced with this unexpected turn of events, Captain Miller of the Third Knight Order could only stare in astonishment.

Something like this…

It was not the original plan — and yet, with nothing more than the release of a single piece of information, Ahentar's influence had stretched across the entire south.

Without so much as lifting a finger.

"Did you foresee it going this far, my lord?"

"Me? Haha — hardly."

Ahentar laughed with pure delight.

Then he added:

"If anyone foresaw this situation, it wasn't me — it was Khtun."

A smile of boundless good cheer.

And from that smile, Miller understood.

He passed.

That boy had passed the Grand Heir's test.

Perhaps that was why —

"I ought to give him a gift."

"A gift… my lord?"

"Yes. Good deeds come back around, do they not? Khtun did me a good turn in his own way — so I ought to return the favor."

Ahentar sank into pleasant deliberation.

What would make a fine gift?