By Zephyria 
Was I mistaken?
Our party was not so oblivious as to not notice someone following. Benjamin, looking puzzled, occasionally met my gaze and glanced behind us, while Hugh Benson and Elvin Brooks looked straight ahead as if they paid no mind.
With the two seniors leading the group showing such an attitude, we couldn’t apprehend the one following us.
My nerves tensed at the presence I sensed amidst the clatter of hooves. I pressed close to the carriage, subtly pulled back the curtain, and signaled to Ruben. The child immediately put on the veil they had been wearing and adjusted the decorations on top. Only after confirming it several times did I draw the curtain closed again.
Marianne, who had been chattering away beside Teddy, also fell silent.
Hugh Benson, looking at the suddenly quiet party, let out a sigh and raised his right hand, clenching it into a fist. Tedros stopped the carriage without a word. Elvin immediately leaped off his horse and apprehended the pursuer.
The man, who offered no resistance and was led out meekly, appeared to be just past his prime.
With both hands raised high at shoulder level, he showed no sign of fear. He grinned, glancing between Hugh and Elvin. Puzzled, I watched him without a word.
“Wow… You really are my brother.”
“Why are you here? You were supposed to be…”
“‘In Sol’? When was that? It was swallowed by ‘Aol’ three months ago.”
Hugh Benson, who had intended to question him further, closed his mouth again.
Then, Benjamin circled around from behind the wagon and rode his horse towards Ikyun. The young man now handled horses as if they were extensions of his own limbs. With a leisurely and unhurried demeanor, Benjamin, his gaze looking down from above, fixed his eyes on the stranger.
He knew the stranger treated Hugh and Elvin lightly, so he intended to intimidate him. Benjamin and his horse were unusually large, and his eyes were fierce. To us, who knew his gentle nature, it was amusing, but it was a very effective method for this insignificant fellow.
The man, who had been chuckling, quickly became subdued and began to stammer out an excuse.
“No… Andy said he thought he saw you sneak into Owen. So I came to see if it was true. Why would you need to sneak into Owen like this, of all places?”
“And if it’s true, what would you do?”
“Ah, are you going to be so cold to me? Huh?”
Hugh Benson’s face showed a cold smile as he looked at the man questioning him.
“So, damn it, what kind of relationship do you and I have that you’re chasing me and causing this shit?”
“Hey, why are you drawing such a line? It’s not like I’m going to interfere.”
“Your very existence is interference, you bastard. If you’ve confirmed what you needed, get lost.”
Amidst their bickering, the sound of hooves echoed from behind.
The road we were on was a major thoroughfare leading into Owen’s capital, Bardiol. What good would it do to be noticed by others? Hugh Benson let out a deep sigh and gestured with his eyes. Elvin then placed the stranger on his horse.
Elvin’s horse moved back, keeping a distance from the party. However, the stranger’s chattering voice could be heard continuously. “It’s been a while, brother, but you’re still the same,” he said, familiarly nudging Elvin, while Elvin remained silent, his attitude grating on my nerves.
Bardiol was an elegant city.
Most buildings in Shierun were either square or pointed upwards. The buildings in the various cities we had passed through were similar. However, the buildings in Owen Bardiol were different. The roofs were all rounded, and the windows and walls were heavily decorated with colorful glass.
No, it wasn’t glass. Upon closer inspection, they were all fragments of Mana Stones, broken and clear, that had been used as decoration.
Perhaps because it was a city that hunted many monsters, they used such colorful Mana Stones as decorations. It was hard to tell whether the Mana that permeated the streets was due to the foothills of the Yuil Mountains or the abundance of Mana Stones scattered on the ground.
Those who appeared to be high-ranking individuals in Owen were draped in lustrous silk robes. The clothing of passersby was so varied that it was difficult to distinguish who was noble and who was commoner. The sleeves, densely embroidered, gleamed, and both men and women wore wide-fitting garments, making it difficult to distinguish them from behind.
Following Tedros’s guidance, we arrived at Daru, a four-story building.
As this was an unexpected development, we couldn’t split the party to entrust the carriage and wagons separately. However, Tedros, without a moment’s hesitation, called out a specific employee of Daru and entrusted them with the token, keys, and wagons.
After all, she was originally an informant for Owen. She must have had more than a few people to help her. Thanks to that, I felt considerably relieved. First, I carefully took Ruben, who was sitting elegantly in the carriage, out and held him.
As I carefully held Ruben, who nestled in my arms, trying not to let the stranger touch him even with a fingertip, the man let out a gruff sound. Annoyed, I shot him a glare, and his contorted face stammered in fear.
“Ahaha, no… I was just a little curious. It’s my first time seeing Felix’s new bride…”
“I never gave you permission to look.”
“Yes. I apologize.”
I could hear Ruben stifling a laugh from within my embrace. I didn’t know why the child found it amusing, but I let it slide, as it was a good thing.
Daru, where we entered, was shaped like the one I had seen in Shierun before, with walls on all four sides. In the large room, which could accommodate the entire party, there was a round table, and several potted plants with neatly tended flowers were placed around it.
Elvin closed the open window and seated the stranger in an inner spot from which escape would be difficult. I seated Ruben as far from the man as possible and adjusted his skirt and veil. After the rest of the party had taken their seats one by one, Hugh Benson spoke.
“…First, I apologize for getting you involved in my business.”
“…”
“This guy is someone I knew in Owen. I’m from Bardiol originally.”
“…Ah.”
Upon hearing that and thinking back, the end of his flippant tone bore a slight resemblance.
I had heard very little about Hugh Benson’s past. I only knew that he was of commoner origin, that something had happened that made him decide he wanted to become a noble, that he had succeeded in entering Shierun Academy at a late age, and that he had achieved a good enough rank to receive the Single Ascent Title of Count.
…Even though I thought I knew quite a lot, the fact that he still had secrets left was even more surprising.
“‘Sol’ and ‘Aol’ were just names we used when we were playing house here. Nothing special.”
“…”
“This guy’s name is Raul. He has no surname, and you don’t need to know it.”
“Ah!”
Raul, who had been called someone unnecessary to know, burst into indignation. However, Hugh Benson didn’t even flinch.
“He seems to be trying to latch onto me because we knew each other, but I’ll handle it from here, so just accept it. I’m telling you this in front of you all to avoid any misunderstandings, given the circumstances.”
“…Yes.”
“Yes.”
Seeing our party’s hesitant replies, Raul gripped the edge of the table and leaned forward.
“No, can’t you at least listen to me! Just because you got that title, how can you change so much! Do you like Shierun that much? What kind of relationship did we have that you can discard me like an old shoe!”
“Damn it, what kind of relationship did we have? We were just like dog-like neighbors. I was always trying to get rid of you.”
“So you weren’t kicked out of Shierun?”
Raul, who had been whining, suddenly changed his expression and sneered. Hugh Benson realized his mistake and closed his mouth.
“But why did you return as a merchant of Felix? A knight of Shierun.”
“What business is it of yours?”
“What business? I can help you. Huh? We should help each other. Who are you looking for? I have a strong hold on Bardiol, you know. Tell me about it.”
No one spoke.
Looking at Hugh Benson and Elvin Brooks, it seemed he was untrustworthy.
However, I was very familiar with such situations. In the Central Plains, it was common for those of low and high status to trip each other up. If a matter could be resolved, it was resolved; if punishment was due, it was given.
Also, even though Tedros was a renowned informant in Owen, she was still a Shierun person, and this was a foreign land. If Raul’s group was like the Haomun of this land, they would be of help to us. Although their methods and actions were unpleasant, they were not unusable.
Rather than revealing our situation, it would be better to first understand the reason why they were so desperate. With that in mind, I stepped forward.
“Let’s hear it.”
Hugh Benson’s gaze, which had been silent, turned to me. He gestured and expressed his annoyance with his expression, but I insisted again with more force.
“You can dismiss it if it’s unreasonable after hearing it.”
I deliberately did not call Hugh ‘senior.’ It was a ploy to conceal our identities as much as possible. Indeed, Raul did not question further and quickly leaned towards me, grinning.
“Ah, here’s someone who can talk.”
“If you’re just going to spout nonsense, I’ll be leaving.”
“Oh, no, of course not. This… it’s just that I got caught up in this damn situation… Do you know about the Divine Revelation that just came down in Owen?”
What?
The entire party remained silent. Raul continued to chatter.
“Ah, you don’t know? A rather strong Divine Revelation came down throughout Owen this time. All the priests, at the same time, mumbled the same words: ‘Beware the mark on your wrist.’ But as with all Divine Revelations, it’s a bit vague. How many marks are there?”
“…”
“There was talk that the mark on the wrist was the certificate that Shierun Academy graduates wear on their wrists, and then there was talk that the Defense Artifact worn by the Lord of Milang on his left hand was the problem. Then, the Lord of Vites lost a hand in a one-on-one duel for his territory and cut off his opponent’s head. That became the problem and caused an uproar.”
“…”
“Up to that point, it had nothing to do with me. I just thought, ‘Oh well,’ but the day before the Divine Revelation, Lady Diamang, whom I am currently serving, made a very large expenditure at an auction. And that became a problem.”
Marianne, who had been listening quietly, let out a weak groan. Even though she knew I would tell her everything if asked, she added an encouraging remark as if she couldn’t bear her curiosity.
“What kind of problem did it become?”
“What Lady Diamang bought wasn’t an object, but a person. A beautiful man with strange tattoos on both wrists, adorned with all sorts of jewelry.”
300 – 300
There are no slaves on this continent.
There had been slaves before, but that was hundreds of years ago. It was the same for the Sierran Empire and the five kingdoms. There were beggars, but no slaves. Buying and selling people for money had been forbidden long ago, and it was considered highly strange to say one had purchased a person.
Yet, that man sold himself.
There was a large auction house in Bardiol. That auction house was filled with people eager to buy and sell all sorts of rare and beautiful things. Those who won Territory Wars sought to acquire precious treasures with their newfound wealth, while those who lost had to sell the treasures they managed to keep to survive.
The man submitted an application to sell his jewels at the auction house. It was common for someone of unknown origin to sell treasures they had acquired and then flee. The auction house simply brought the man, who was covered head to toe in a robe, onto the auction stage.
And then, on that very ornate platform, the man threw off his outer garments.
Wearing only a thin robe over his bare body, he was adorned with precious jewels and acted coyly, plying his trade to sell himself. He sang and danced, seeking a noble patron who would treat him dearly. Everyone present thought it was a playful jest, but the man was serious.
One by one, people placed bets as a game, and soon everyone was clamoring to possess the man.
The one who acquired that beautiful man was none other than Rodia Diamang, the legitimate daughter of the Diamang family, whom Raul served.
Everyone listened to Raul’s impassioned speech with disgruntled expressions.
What does that matter? I’ve seen several romance novels where people were desperate to become each other’s possessions. I, too, have thought about wanting to keep Ruben by my side, but it’s a futile desire. I simply wanted to live without knowing about such things others did.
“Yes…”
“Ah… I see. Mmm…”
As the group stammered, unable to find words to respond, Hugh Benson suddenly became enraged.
“What the hell, so what? What’s the problem if your master brought home a pretty man? Is it adultery?”
“Ah, it’s not that, but the man is completely insane, so that’s the problem!”
“Of course! What else would you call someone who suddenly strips and dances at an auction, offering himself for sale?”
That was true. Everyone nodded in agreement with Hugh Benson, but Raul alone, feeling wronged, slammed his fist on the table.
“Not that kind of insane person, but, well, no, damn it, there must be something going on. Ever since he arrived, strange things have been happening!”
“What, pray tell?”
“As soon as he entered the Diamang mansion, somehow Lady Diamang started collecting jewels for him.”
How many people are there who collect treasures for a beautiful person? I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
Well, I suppose he had some talent. Many butterflies and bees are drawn to a flamboyant flower. What problem is there if the right kind of insect is attracted to a branch that’s gone wild trying to emit its own fragrance? Everyone was indifferent.
However, Raul seemed genuinely frustrated by our nonchalant reactions.
“Ah, I didn’t pay much attention at first, thinking, ‘How good must he be?’ Then, he suddenly started collecting rare beasts. I didn’t pay attention to that either. Even if they went bankrupt, it would be the Diamangs, not me. But then, he started gathering people.”
“…What?”
Those who had been laughing one by one stopped. Raul continued to chatter.
“I don’t know, he said he was lonely, so he suddenly started looking for mercenaries. We just thought it was an excuse? We figured he might want to expand his territory by attacking a neighboring domain.”
“…”
“But the mercenaries who went into the mansion aren’t coming out. Isn’t that incredibly suspicious?”
Elvin, who had been silent all along, spoke up.
“How many?”
“As of yesterday, eleven. Even Kudrang Dan is among them. I wanted to see what kind of face could have charmed him, so I went in to see, promising to tell me about it afterward, but he’s not coming out… It’s chilling and strange… I was considering running away, but then I saw you guys and followed.”
“Third-rate mercenaries?”
“Kudrang Dan went in. That means they aren’t third-rate. Even if they aren’t Sword Masters, they’re people who can roam the 40mp zone. Did they fall into a honey pot in the annex of the Diamang mansion? They aren’t showing their faces. I have no idea how that’s possible, but it’s already out of my hands.”
Raul placed his clasped hands on the table. He leaned forward, staring intently at me across the table. Did he think I was the decision-maker at this table?
“Please help me out just once. I’ll help you too. Who are you looking for?”
Hugh Benson grabbed Raul’s shoulder, making him look away from me.
Hugh flicked his fingertips as if he had touched something dirty. Raul smiled slyly again and shrugged his shoulders. I couldn’t know what had transpired between them, but at least I knew Raul trusted Hugh Benson’s abilities.
However, no matter how triumphant or affectionate Raul acted, Hugh Benson was as cold as the wind that sweeps through a twenty-year-old pine tree on a winter day.
“Alright, get out.”
“What?”
“I said, get out. We need to talk amongst ourselves.”
His entire body radiated an unwavering resolve not to give a definite answer, so the others said nothing.
Raul looked at Hugh with a deeply wronged expression. He hunched his thin shoulders up high, then let them droop, whining. Like a child, he pouted his lips and sulked.
“Ah, if you have loyalty, then even if I don’t care, you shouldn’t abandon Dan. You know? He liked you so much.”
“Damn it, I said get out.”
Raul was a grown man. I couldn’t understand why he was deliberately acting childish. He tried to stay put and not leave, but only after Hugh Benson cursed and hit him on the head did he slowly get up.
“If you decide, put any color ribbon in mailbox number 3 on 5th Avenue. Then I’ll come find you.”
“Any color?”
“You know.”
Raul winked one eye. Hugh Benson clicked his tongue and nodded. Following Hugh’s nod, Elvin took Raul and led him out. The intention was to prevent them from hiding nearby.
Everyone remained silent for a long time until he was a considerable distance away. Even with the door closed, it was a world full of people with all sorts of peculiar talents.
Only after Hugh Benson dragged his chair back with a sigh of exhaustion did everyone relax their expressions.
Marianne was the first to speak.
“Who is Dan?”
“…Just someone I knew when I was younger.”
“How much younger?”
“Around ten, fourteen. Around that age.”
He covered his eyes with one hand, letting out a deep sigh. He looked so troubled that the other children couldn’t take their eyes off Hugh Benson.
This time, Benjamin asked Marianne.
“With Black Magic… can that happen?”
“Uh, there’s something called Enchantment, but… that’s also forbidden magic, so it’s not something that’s easily passed down. We’ll have to see…”
“…Ha…”
“Ah, but it’s a bit funny. This… is this really an incident that should just fall into our laps like this?”
Indeed. It was incredibly suspicious.
Did someone investigate Hugh Benson? Was this incident planned for us, or did we just stumble upon it? I was only curious about what happened with that Divine Revelation and where the slave man came from.
Rubel, who had been suppressing his presence under a veil, turned towards Hugh Benson.
“It would be best to confirm.”
Rubel’s voice was elegant and gentle. The sound echoed muffled from beyond the veil.
Hugh Benson, who had been covering his face with his hands, looked up at the child. I also looked at Rubel, but I had no way of knowing what expression he had when he said this.
“…I am not a fool who walks into a trap when it’s obvious.”
“Neither am I.”
“Then, why?”
Rubel did not hesitate.
“We cannot stand by and watch the enemy expand their forces, can we?”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. At the very least… he is connected to that Black magician in some way. If he is gathering jewels and people for some ritual, we must stop him quickly.”
Just then, Elvin opened the door and entered. Everyone looked up at him from their seats.
Elvin closed the door behind him and explained in his usual calm voice.
“I’ve taken him back.”
“Where to?”
“1st Avenue.”
Only Hugh Benson among the group immediately understood the meaning of those words. He let out a groan and rested his chin on his palm, propping his elbow on the table. His bangs hung down like a curtain, obscuring his face. Nevertheless, his troubled expression was unmistakable.
This time, I asked.
“What is on 1st Avenue?”
“The auction house the guy mentioned earlier. And… well, a few pubs where the back-alley types gather.”
“…What does that mean?”
“He doesn’t intend to go back to Diamang. He plans to hand everything over to us and run.”
Benjamin asked again.
“Do you think that person has also fallen to the Black magician?”
“Hmm, no. There were no traces of Contaminated Mana. The situation is coincidental, though.”
Marianne, following Hugh Benson’s example, rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin. With her other hand, she idly drew circles on the table, then let out a sigh and looked up at me.
I tensed, wondering what she was about to say, but Marianne asked with a serious face.
“So, when do we place our order?”
“…Excuse me?”
“We can’t just occupy a table without ordering anything at a restaurant. Let’s eat something first and then think.”
“…Ah.”
That was true. I was momentarily dazed, then I readily opened the order sheet.
It was a meal in a private room after a long time. I had hoped Rubel would remove his veil and eat freely, but since the child wanted to keep it on just in case, I dutifully served the meal.