143
My Villains Chapter 143
37. The Baroness's Request (4)
Ellen, drunk on the feeling of victory, and Atalante, with a hollow laugh. I remained quiet between them.
As the meal resumed, the scribe Beldin leaned towards me.
"Hm? What is it now?"
"...What do you mean 'now'? I haven't even gotten to the main point yet."
"Well, go ahead then."
I was about to take a sip of beer with a nod when a white hand suddenly appeared from the side and snatched the mug.
"Hey, you."
"I'm thirsty."
The owner of that hand was, of course, Ellen, and she immediately downed the beer.
"That's alcohol, you know."
"...Hmm, I know?"
Ellen wiped her mouth with her sleeve and started spooning food again without showing any reaction.
What's going on? She usually doesn't touch alcohol, even if it's weak.
As I stared at Ellen blankly, an impatient Beldin whispered pleadingly.
"Lord Phoenix."
"Oh, sorry. What's the main point?"
"This isn't a good place. May I speak to you privately?"
"What do you mean privately?"
I took a sip of the goat's milk that was brought for Ellen.
It wasn't cold, but it seemed fresh as if it hadn't been long since it was salted, and the unique sour aftertaste wasn't bad at all.
"Just say it here."
"It's a very important matter."
"That's why I'm telling you to just say it. It's much safer here than in a room or outside."
The young scribe glanced around.
Our table was in the innermost part of the tavern, and at the nearest table sat mercenaries like Steedman. All the other guests besides our party seemed busy talking among themselves.
Beldin's gaze, which had been scanning the room, stopped abruptly at one point.
"Is Ms. Atilia also part of your party, my lord?"
Atalante, who met his gaze, smiled as she tore a piece of bread.
"Yes, why? Does seeing a Nude make you lose your appetite?"
"It's not that..."
Beldin moistened his lips and chose his words carefully.
"There is something that worries me. The information I've brought is very confidential, and if it starts spreading through the Nude information network..."
"I understand what kind of misunderstanding you have, but we don't go around blabbing secrets just anywhere."
At Atalante's words, Beldin glanced at me. Then, seeing me sitting silently with my arms crossed, he let out a low sigh.
"...Alright, if that's your wish, my lord." Beldin looked around once more and lowered his voice.
"We must protect Longville."
That again.
"I told you I understand. If we gradually wear them down with guerrilla tactics, no matter how many of those Anupad bastards there are..."
"My lord, no."
The young scribe cut me off with a firm voice.
"I'm not talking about Anupad. Of course, they're dangerous too, but right now we need to deal with other bastards."
"Other bastards?"
"Randall, Norman, Sorgil, Regan... The pack of wolves eyeing the territory. The mercenaries, I mean."
Somehow those names sound familiar.
"...The mercenaries who were on the bulletin board for the Hunting Festival, right? They're after the territory?"
"They're threatening the Baroness. Demanding that she hand over the rewards."
"Rewards? From the Hunting Festival?"
"That's right. Especially Randall, that bastard is claiming that his cousin has become the lord's heir. Saying he won the Hunting Festival."
Randall. He was the one with veteran subordinates that couldn't even be compared to Amias's gang. Wasn't his cousin studying at a university in the capital?
"With the lord's position vacant, he's singing about how he should govern Longville on behalf of his cousin."
Atalante, with a distorted expression, opened her mouth.
"What nonsense is that? The Hunting Festival isn't even over yet, why distribute the rewards?"
"According to Randall, since the host died, the Hunting Festival is over."
"The host, you mean the lord?"
"Yes. Since he went missing in battle, the chances are high that he's passed away."
Beldin's expression darkened.
"I mean, that's what Randall is claiming."
"Lu mawzirabun."
Atalante muttered something. It sounds like Nude, but I don't think it's anything good.
"So, what was the Baroness's response?"
"Of course, she refused. She can't hand over control of the territory to wandering mercenaries."
"That's a relief."
Atalante let out a small sigh of relief and brushed her hair back.
...Is this really a relief?
If she's determined not to give control even to mercenaries of the same race, what would happen if Atalante, a foreigner, steps up?
As I scratched my eyebrow, the scribe continued.
"It's too early to feel relieved. We don't know when the mercenaries might invade the lord's mansion."
"Surely not. Unless they've gone mad, would they go that far?"
"Generally, it's impossible, my lord. It would be an act worthy of having gold coins hung around their necks."
Beldin added with a gloomy expression.
"But with Anupads rampaging everywhere, it's difficult to deal with properly. Moreover, this issue is related to inheritance, and Randall isn't entirely without justification..."
This has become a headache.
It seems things are getting complicated due to what Baron Malory set in motion before he died.
"The lady hopes that Lord Phoenix will come to Longville. If you come, those shameless mercenary bastards won't be able to act recklessly."
...Hmm, what should I do?
My immediate goal wasn't to save Longville but to cross the Graduel Mountains. In other words, it shouldn't matter to me who becomes the master of Longville.
"The lady will greatly reward you. And isn't serving a noble lady the true joy that a knight can experience?"
True joy, he says. That kind of persuasion won't work on someone who's a knight in name only.
Even as I thought that, I couldn't help but think of Dionea. More precisely, her eyes.
That pitiful gaze...
Like an abused dog that wags its tail with a tearful face but is too scared to move its feet.
As I recalled the woman who trembled and collapsed at my few small kindnesses and one kiss, Atalante asked with a stern face.
"What are you going to do?"
"...Well, I'm thinking about it."
"I need to go."
After saying that, Atalante drained her beer mug and slightly raised her hand. As if they had been waiting, a Nude warrior appeared with a servant.
"I need to protect my rights."
"You're going to Longville? Now?"
"No. First, I need to get my equipment back and take some warriors with me."
Atalante seemed to be in a hurry.
Well, she must be anxious since all her hard work so far is about to go to waste. But...
"Get your equipment back? From whom?"
Atalante closed her mouth for a moment and then gave a bitter smile.
"It's nothing. Anyway, it'll take time to go to the plains, so it's better to move right now."
As she gestured, a Nude servant placed a chest about the size of a shoebox on the table.
"50 gold coins and 200 silver coins."
When I opened the chest, it was filled with gold and silver pieces about the size of my thumbnail. As Amias's gang gaped at the enormous sum, I nodded and closed the lid.
"I've confirmed it. Go quickly."
"...You're not going to count it?"
"Are you going to wait until I count it all?"
Atalante stared at me with her amber eyes for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Alright then, I'm off."
"Be careful on your way."
"What are you going to do?"
I shrugged, pointing to the group around us.
"I'll have to talk to them now."
"Hmm."
Atalante made a nasal sound as she stood up, then gave a playful smile.
"I hope to see you in Longville."
"Why?"
"The Golden Knife Tavern there should be better than this place."
The tall beauty leaned forward. The breathtaking view through her loose cloth and the breath touching my ear...
I had to try hard to focus to hear the following whisper.
"The soundproofing, and the bed too."
"...Uh,"
Before I could continue, Atalante had left the tavern.
While massaging my calf over the thin cotton pants, I suddenly spoke.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Well. It seems to be getting better slowly."
The nonchalant tone and the half-lying posture on the bed were incredibly haughty. For someone who got drunk on just a few sips of beer, acting so proud...
I suppressed a sneer and maintained a calm expression.
"But is it possible to develop calluses on your legs just from walking that much?"
"...It's been a while since I walked. And we climbed stairs too. Who told you to get a room on the third floor?"
As if she wouldn't have thrown a fit if we'd gotten a shabby room on the second floor.
Not wanting to pick a fight with someone in pain, I swallowed my complaints.
"Aren't you sleepy? Didn't you say you sleep after eating?"
"I'm not sleepy yet."
Contrary to Ellen's words, drowsiness was hanging on her eyelids. With her large eyes half-closed, her arrogant expression was complete.
That's when it happened.
Squeak!
Turning to the sound, I saw the baby pig Lump struggling to climb onto the bed.
"Wow. Our Lump, did you finish eating already?"
The clay bowl that had been full of beans, oats, and boiled eggs was completely empty. As I stopped massaging her legs and picked up Lump, Ellen's eyes widened immediately.
"What are you doing?"
"Just wait a moment."
I sat Lump, whose belly had become round, on my knee.
"Why did you eat so fast? What if you get indigestion?"
Squeak.
I massaged Lump's limbs and stroked its back. It seemed to enjoy it and started purring.
As Lump burped after the continued massage, Ellen muttered as if in disbelief.
"...Geez, anyone who sees this would think it's your own child."
"Then whose child would it be if not mine? Right, my baby Lump~?"
When I playfully stroked its head, Lump buried its face between my thighs.
"Why are you hiding? Are you scared because big sister is glaring at you?"
Squeak.
"Aww, it's okay~"
As I lifted Lump and rubbed our noses together, Ellen was shocked.
"What are you doing, that's disgusting!"
"Hey, it's not disgusting at all. Do you know how often I wash it,"
"Regardless of washing, it's a pig!"
Ellen wrinkled her face as if she was about to vomit.
"And, big sister?"
"Huh? Ah. Zhanabas said so. He said it's female."
"...Didn't you say it was male?"
"Actually, I don't know much about pigs. I just thought it was male because I only saw its mom. Zhanabas figured it out right away though? Here, if you look here,"
Squeak!
Ellen, who had been watching me and Lump, burst into laughter.
"Ha, really, all sorts of things."
"Hm? What did you say?"
"...Nothing. Just put that thing away for now. I have something to say."
As Lump, with half an apple in its mouth, went down from the bed, Ellen started talking.
"What are you going to do?"
"About what?"
"About Longville."
I scratched my eyebrow for a moment.
After Atalante left, our group briefly discussed the Baroness's request.
Utequais and Amias were neutral. They didn't like the idea of mercenaries robbing, but they thought it was better not to get involved in political matters like territory inheritance.
Lanky Boonie and quiet Jenesa were negative. They argued that we've already earned enough money, so why take unnecessary risks.
Freckled Mira and bald Steedman were in favor. They seemed enticed by the Baroness's promise of a great reward.
"...To be honest, I want to help. For Atilia's sake, too."
As Ellen slightly furrowed her brow, I quickly added,
"Atilia saved my life in the Rift. She also paid 450 silver coins for two troll heads. If her clan doesn't get a settlement, all of Atilia's sacrifices, efforts, and money will be for nothing."
"Why do you care about that? We made a deal with Atilia. We repaid her sacrifice in the Rift by discounting the price of the troll heads."
"...Even so, a person died, and to repay that with money..."
"450 silver coins is enough to buy an entire small village. That's all the repayment we could give. The clan's settlement or whatever is not our responsibility."
...Ugh, everything she says is right, so I have no way to refute it.
As I remained silent, Ellen suddenly continued.
"I'd like us to accept the Baroness's request."
"...Huh? Then what you've been saying until now..."
"Let me be clear, the reason we should accept this request is not for Atilia's sake."
"Then why?"
"It's..."
Ellen fidgeted with her hands for a moment, hesitating. Then she bit her lower lip hard and spoke.
"Among Master Caslight's possessions, there's a 'Scroll of Analysis'."
"...Scroll of Analysis?"
"It's a rare item used to analyze ingredients used in alchemy or products made through alchemy."
"And?"
"I need it."
Seeing my confused expression, Ellen sighed.
"Remember how I said my magic poisoning would take quite a while to recover from?"
"Yes."
"What if that 'quite a while' means three or four months?"
"Three or four months?"
Not 3-4 weeks, but 3-4 months?
Momentarily speechless, I soon nodded.
"...Well, that's quite long."
"That's why I need the Scroll of Analysis."
"What does magic poisoning have to do with the Scroll of Analysis?"
At my question, Ellen took out three glass bottles from the sling bag at her bedside.
"Remember these?"
"They're from the relic room in the cave, right? Where there was that petrified mage."
"Right. Out of the five bottles then, two were magic recovery potions, which we used up in the Rift. These three are what's left."
There was one bright turquoise bottle and two murky brown ones. Ellen held up the latter two and continued.
"During my research in South Harbor, I found out that these potions have the property of dispersing magical power."
"The property of dispersing magical power... Is that special?"
"Of course it's special. It doesn't just disperse magic, or just disperse spiritual energy or vital force, or just disperse divine power or blood energy."
Seeing that I still looked puzzled, Ellen explained with a serious expression.
"It means it neutralizes all phenomena originating from magical power."
"Ah."
It's a 'Potion of Dispel'.
In the game, it was an overpowered item that removed all status effects...
"Wait a minute, then?"
I opened my mouth at the thought that suddenly crossed my mind.
"Then, what if we used that potion on the statue in the relic room?"
Ellen nodded gravely.
"If my guess is correct, the petrification spell would have been broken."
"... Crazy."
I got goosebumps at the fact that I almost encountered an ancient magician who lived before the 8th century.
Ellen spoke in a slightly smaller voice.
"Of course, I'm not sure. Ancient magic and alchemy were much more advanced than now, so I'm just guessing."
"... Anyway, you're saying that if you drink that, your magic poisoning will be cured?"
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded.
"Probably."
"But since you can't be sure if it's safe to drink that potion, you need the scroll of analysis that Master Caslight has, right?"
"... That's right."
"We can get that scroll as a condition for accepting the Baroness's request, right?"
"... Yeah. That's my opinion."
Gone was the triumphant expression from earlier, Ellen seemed somewhat dejected.
Whether it was due to the alcohol, her pale skin was flushed red like an apple, and her blinking blue eyes kept glancing at me.
As if choosing her words, her pink lips moved silently, and her long fingers fidgeted with each other for no reason.
As I stared at her, Ellen frowned, pouting her lips for no reason.
"... Why are you looking at me like that."
To substitute for the desire to hug and kiss her right away, I grabbed her cheeks.
"Ow!"
"Ooh, ooh, you cute thing!"
"What!"
"Why are you being so cautious as if you did something wrong?"
"I didn't say I was being cautious-"
As Ellen shouted and violently shook off my hands, I grinned and stroked her hair.
"Really, what makes you so cute, huh?"
"... Ah, stop it!"
Leaving Ellen writhing with a bright red face, I got up.
"Go to sleep now."
"... What?"
"I said go to sleep, we'll leave for Longville at dusk."
Ellen, who was fixing her hair, looked up at me blankly.
"Are you going to accept the request?"
"Of course."
Ellen furrowed her brow at my nonchalant answer.
"Is that it? We should discuss this."
"What's there to discuss? You said you need it."
As she closed her mouth tightly, I added as I opened the door.
"I saw that the arms merchant came earlier. I'll go check if there's anything useful while telling the guys to get ready, so go to sleep quickly."
Ellen silently covered herself with the blanket.
"... Are you already asleep?"
"... Come back quickly."
"Huh?"
"I said come back quickly. I won't sleep until you come back."
"... Ahem, alright."
My lips twitched for no reason, so I left the room after giving a response mixed with a fake cough.