Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Return to the Estate
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The party returned to the chimera user's workshop to recover the bodies, then began to search the area.
In the workshop, they were able to collect the assets the chimera user had amassed. Most of it consisted of various body parts, grimoires related to chimeras, and a few ancient artifacts.
There wasn't much in the way of actual wealth.
Linbelle, who had been hoping for gold and treasure, seemed disappointed by this, but she quickly recovered and began rummaging through the other items with curious eyes.
Inellia watched over Linbelle with a gentle gaze, staying close behind her.
‘So his shouts about treasure were all lies.’
Even if he had been wealthy, he would have spent it all on setting traps and acquiring materials for his experiments.
‘There’s a chance he hid other assets somewhere in the mountains, but…’
There was no reason to go to such lengths for an unknown amount of treasure.
As a sign of goodwill, Allen handed over all the chimera-related grimoires found in the workshop to Francisca. She gladly took the materials.
Of all the items from the workshop, Allen only took one thing for himself.
‘Banshee’s Tear.’
A potion that could be obtained by performing a full-body bio-alchemy on a banshee.
The process was difficult and time-consuming, but the resulting potion was a precious item capable of lifting most curses.
After taking that one item, Allen helped the soldiers move the bodies.
It was the same place he had seen in his nightmare.
Unlike then, Allen didn't flinch or run away.
Silently.
He watched, searing the entire scene into his memory, before returning to the city with the others.
Upon returning to the city, he distributed the remaining wealth to the victims' families. Afterward, he went somewhere alone for a while and came back with a troubled expression.
On the day they were to leave the city.
"Hooray—!"
"Lord Allen!!"
Before they departed, the townspeople saw them off with tremendous cheers as their party passed through the southern gate.
Seeing this, Linbelle pouted.
"We were there too... It feels a bit unfair."
"Child, it was the young lord who did everything, not you."
When Inellia corrected her, Linbelle’s cheeks puffed out as she glared at her mother. Inellia just smiled as if to say, "What are you going to do about it?"
"You didn't do anything either, Mom…."
"What?"
"In the end, you didn't do anything."
"You, you—"
"Hmph, so there. You're just like me.... Aah, w-wait, Mom!"
From inside the carriage, Allen watched the mother and daughter bicker. More accurately, he watched Linbelle, who was only *pretending* to laugh.
She seemed to be smiling playfully, but Allen could see the corners of her mouth were stiff.
‘She hasn’t completely shaken it off yet.’
It wasn't as bad as Inellia's death in his past life, but witnessing the kidnapping had clearly taken a toll on her mind and body.
Is she acting like this now to shake off the bad memories?
‘She’ll overcome it on her own.’
Allen decided it wasn't a major issue and closed his eyes. He believed the Linbelle he remembered from his past life could overcome something like this.
With that, Allen recalled the place he had checked before leaving the city.
‘Why was there nothing there?’
Before leaving, Allen had visited the place where, in his past life, Julius had found Baron Bellon's secret ledgers and funds.
Julius had used them to bring down Baron Bellon, achieving a great victory and winning the support of the domain's people.
However.
‘There wasn’t even a trace.’
It was as if such a place had never existed; not a single sign remained.
This was something he hadn't noticed before his regression.
He had just thought Julius got lucky. But the more he thought about it, the more a hazy sense of unease settled over him like a fog.
He checked the black book.
『Julius received a quest to find evidence of Baron Bellon's corruption, which was eating away at the domain. The time limit was six hours. An impossibly tight schedule…』
『Fortunately, with little time left, he discovered the place where the baron had hidden his assets and ledgers, thanks to help from residents who had suffered under his tyranny.』
『In an act of pure incompetence, he had stored all the ledgers and funds in one place. The location was a clearing in the forest near Hibel, with no one guarding it…』
『…Despite much resistance, he succeeded in capturing the lord who had embezzled taxes and the retainers who had aided him. Now, to transport them to the main territory…』
Baron Bellon was a noble.
No matter how foolish, would he really keep all the evidence in one place? Many people confuse incompetence with stupidity, but they are different.
And that information, the secret location that was his very lifeline.
‘Is it really possible for a mere villager, one who was being exploited, to discover it by chance?’
Alright, perhaps Baron Bellon was even more foolish and incompetent than he thought, and that's why he did it.
But would he be so stupid as to be careless with something his life depended on?
‘Even though he’s a noble?’
Nobles receive a specialized education that commoners do not, and they are expected to possess the dignity and etiquette that come with it.
To other races, it might not seem like much, but among humans, his capabilities should be in the upper echelon.
If he were truly that moronic, he wouldn't have been able to run a domain in the first place.
‘Didn’t he respond rationally in this life?’
It was as if to prove that his actions before the regression had all been an act.
What had been mere suspicion a moment ago was now almost a certainty.
And on top of that…
‘What could have changed his behavior?’
Allen had a gut feeling that something vast and unknown was lurking in the domain. It would be one thing if only Baron Bellon had acted this way, but…
‘What if something similar happens in Gavia, where Julius went?’
How much of the count's domain is truly the count's domain?
"W-wait, Mom, th-that tickles, ahk…."
"Just yield to your mother's authority."
Watching the mother and daughter's squabble, Allen let a faint smile touch his lips.
There were many things he needed to confirm once he returned to the family estate.
* * *
No sooner had he returned to the estate than Allen found himself face-to-face with Gaiel, the Head of the Reinhardt Family.
Julius had arrived before him and was summoned to the office along with Allen.
"...Yes, I've read the reports you sent ahead. First of all... well done. You handled matters swiftly. Both of you, Allen and Julius."
Gaiel stared at Julius with a thoughtful expression.
She had been right. For the results to be this good despite the original plan going awry...
‘No, what's the point now.’
He shook his head.
The choice had been made, and it couldn't be helped. Thanks to it, much had been gained.
Regretting the past was a futile exercise.
"First, Allen. Your actions were impeccable. You coordinated with Baron Bellon, formulated a plan, and dealt with the source of the problem. Chimeras did swarm the city at one point, but... she handled it well, so I won't say more on that."
After this perfunctory praise for his achievements, he immediately turned his head toward Julius.
"You've accomplished a great deal. To think you not only eliminated the necromancer behind the incident but also recovered the secret ledgers and funds of Baron Paern, who governs Gavia..."
Julius barely suppressed a twitching smile as he feigned humility.
"Not at all. It was only possible because the people of the domain were so cooperative."
"However."
He paused, his eyes meeting Julius's.
"Your actions exceeded the authority granted to you. To bring down a lord with nothing but the title of second son, not even the Head of the Family?"
Ha. Gaiel let out a short laugh, his tone accusatory.
"Tell me, Julius. Are you the Head of the Reinhardt Family?"
"Father, but thanks to me—"
He cut him off with a curt reply.
"Yes, thanks to you, we were able to recover the embezzled taxes and apprehend Baron Paern and his accomplices. But that doesn't erase what you did."
To Allen, the entire display felt contrived, as if it were being performed for his benefit.
‘Is he trying to break his spirit? No, it’s more like he’s re-establishing their relationship.’
Though it seemed Julius didn't notice the distinction.
Seeing frustration and annoyance creep into Julius's expression, Gaiel continued.
"However, the merits you've earned don't disappear either. Although you overstepped your authority, you achieved far more than was expected."
Gaiel immediately pulled two small keys from a drawer and tossed one to each of them.
"So, decide for yourselves."
"This is…."
Blue characters formed a small band, circling around the key.
"It's a one-time use key to the treasury. Go and pick one item you like."
"Father…."
"And I'm late in saying this. Julius, you've passed the test. Congratulations."
As if he had never been displeased, Julius's face brightened, and he exclaimed.
"Thank you."
In contrast to Julius, Allen replied nonchalantly, as if watching a play.
"Thank you, Father."
Gaiel, who had been staring at Allen after his curt response, gave a slow nod and dismissed them.
"You must be weary from your travels after being away for so long. Go whenever you've made up your minds, and leave me for now."
"Understood."
Julius bowed with still-unrefined etiquette and turned to leave. Allen, however, remained in his spot, as if he had more to say.
Gaiel asked with a curious expression.
"What is it?"
"I have a request to make of you, Father."
"What is it?"
"I took in two commoners to serve as my handmaidens."
"Ah, yes. I read about it in the report. Linbelle and Inellia, was it? From the hunter's village…."
"Yes."
"Allen. As I recall, you've always refused whenever Eliza suggested you pick out handmaidens... but I suppose it doesn't matter."
Contrary to his expectation that Gaiel would object, he readily gave his permission.
"I don't care who you bring in or what you do. As long as your choice befits your station."
Adding that final remark, he sat down to continue with his unfinished work.
"They won't be able to perform their duties properly yet, so if you plan on having them trained, ask Eliza yourself."
"To Mother, you mean?"
"Yes. She'll likely want to see her son's handmaidens. She mentioned being disappointed that she hasn't seen you lately, so it would be good for you to visit her."
It was true that since becoming aware of his regression, he had been paying less attention to his mother.
Aside from her sudden indulgence in luxury, there was nothing about her that required his concern.
"Understood. By the way, about Baron Paern…."
How do you intend to deal with him?
"Enough."
His father cut him off, as if he didn't want to hear any more.
"That's enough. I don't wish to speak of it further today. You may leave."
"...Father."
Allen bit his lip.
He wanted to speak with Baron Paern directly. Unlike the incompetent man he remembered, Baron Bellon had shown himself capable of making adequate judgments, even if he was lacking.
What about Baron Paern, then?
Had he changed from the man Allen remembered?
He was currently confined to the family's annex. If Allen wanted to meet him, now was his only chance.
After all, he wouldn't be able to escape punishment.
‘I need to find the reason for the change, or at least a clue.’
But his father was adamant.
"Father, Baron Paern is truly sus—"
"Allen."
Allen knew that single word was the final line.
‘I suppose it can’t be helped.’
Baron Bellon and Baron Paern.
Besides, his suspicion that something within the count's domain was controlling them was, in truth, just a guess.
With no concrete evidence, he couldn't create a justification for a meeting.
"I won't say it again."
"...Understood."
He would have to wait for the next opportunity.
‘I’ll have to devise a plan soon.’
Allen bowed in accordance with etiquette and left the office.
Silence descended upon the Head's office now that everyone had left.
A maid who had started working at the mansion a few days ago knocked softly on the door.
*Knock, knock—*
"My lord, I've brought the item you requested."
"I don't recall sending you on any errands... No, on second thought, perhaps I did."
Gaiel, who had been about to refuse her entry, had a sudden thought and immediately permitted her to enter.
The maid who entered was one of the new hires from a few days ago. As soon as the door clicked shut, she dropped to her knees and spoke.
"I have come to deliver a message from Lady Kasha."
Gaiel, looking weary and as if he were used to this, asked.
"Does your face change every time you visit? What a terrible hobby."
"Your son seems to have good instincts."
Son, she says. Son. Which one is she talking about? Allen? Julius? Or someone else?
Faced with such a blatant evasion, Gaiel gave up trying to probe for an answer.
He had never once succeeded.
"Nonsense."
"You're as consistent as ever, my lord."
Gaiel's eyebrow twitched. When he showed a sign of displeasure, the maid bowed her head even lower and replied.
"This is the main point."
From the moment he heard the name Kasha, Gaiel focused all his senses on the maid.
He lacked talent and his martial prowess wasn't particularly strong for other reasons, but it was more than enough to subdue a single maid.
"What is the message?"
"Lady Kasha said to tell you,
「Was I not right?」
That is what she asked me to convey."
At those words, Gaiel froze. He tried to act natural, asking a question with a composed expression. Just like always.
"And? What is it you're trying to say?"
"And also, 「Did I not say that wherever you send him, everything would turn out well?」, she said."
"…."
"After that, 「Even if you had sent him without any support, he would have produced the same result, as long as the conditions were met.」"
"...How could I send him alone, with the dignity of a count's family at stake? Even a hundred elite soldiers is a meager number for the family name."
"You still cling to such trivial things, my lord count."
Gaiel blatantly ignored her comment and continued.
"...And? That surely can't be all."
Gaiel's tone was certain. The maid, showing no offense at being ignored, nodded and replied.
"She instructed me to reply thusly, if you were to ask if that was all. 「I ask you to turn a blind eye to the small disturbances that will occur.」"
"…."
"If you refuse, 「Future su—」"
"Enough. You know I have no intention of refusing, don't you?"
"Hee hee."
At his words, she let out a laugh, as if deliberately for him to hear. Gaiel remained silent at her attitude.
Her head was bowed, so he couldn't see her expression.
"Yes, Lady Kasha said you would. As long as you cooperate to ensure it doesn't escalate into a major incident, the previous promise will remain valid."
"...I will."
"Then…."
Before she could finish, the kneeling maid's body slumped to the side. Then, as if a different personality had taken over, her eyes fluttered open.
"Wh-why am I here…?"
She looked around, wondering where she was, then froze when her eyes met Gaiel's, who was staring intently at her.
"M-m-m-my lord…."
After observing her for a moment, he sighed, realizing he couldn't glean anything this time either, and spoke to her with a familiar look on his face.
"You must have been tired. You collapsed while bringing the item I requested. I'll give you a day's rest, so take care of yourself and return to your duties."
"Y-yes. Th-thank you?"
Unaware of what had happened, she simply bowed her head at the Head's words.
Wondering how she would spend her sudden day off.
She left the office with a bewildered expression.
Gaiel quietly closed his eyes and sank deep into his chair.
"When, I wonder... when will it be…."
A rough hand covered his eyes.
It was a day that called for a drink.
The kind of fantastical liquor that would let him sleep forever after just one sip.