—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Ah, is that so? Then please let me know whenever you need me. I’ll be ready.”
Back at the mansion, after we’d settled in, I explained the earlier events to Gies, who was playing with his wyvern in the training grounds.
His reply was surprisingly succinct.
“You answer without a moment’s hesitation?”
“There’s no reason to hesitate. Of course, if you were asking me to charge into battle, that would be impossible, so I would have refused. But as you said, it’s not illegal, and it doesn’t go against the royal family’s wishes. There’s no reason not to help.”
Though he hadn’t explicitly stated it, Gies seemed to believe he owed a lifelong debt to Lagnis and I.
Not only because of the debt issue, but also because if he had remained entangled as he was, he would have been unwillingly involved in the rebellion.
“The rebellion? That would have been a disaster for my family. I still shudder at the thought. Even if they had succeeded, I doubt I would have fared well. I’m already willing to help you, Eldmia, even if you asked me to do something against the royal family, assuming it wouldn’t be discovered.”
“I realized this time that the royal family’s intelligence network is not to be underestimated. They’d probably know even if we asked discreetly.”
“In that case, please just consider it a sentiment and don’t actually ask. Hahaha.”
Gies, who could even crack jokes, was truly dependable.
Thanks to his willing response, the only thing left on my schedule for the day was to welcome Lagnis back after the trial.
With the sun almost setting, I figured we’d all have dinner together soon, laughing and chatting about the story of how we crushed Bosha’s lackeys.
I relaxed in Asirye’s room, reviewing my future plans.
However, my expectations were completely off.
Even as dinner time approached, those who had participated in the trial remained trapped in the courthouse.
“Just how long is this trial going to last…?”
“It’s a treason charge. They’ll both have prepared a lot, so it could go until dawn.”
Judging by Asirye’s matter-of-fact tone, it seemed my common sense was lacking.
“They don’t even eat?”
“That’s why they usually bring tons of food and drinks when they expect a long trial. I had to attend one once, long ago… It was dreadful.”
“It sounds dreadful just hearing about it. I can’t imagine actually experiencing it.”
I gave up trying to comprehend when I heard that some people even gave up, unable to prove their innocence or the other party’s guilt due to sheer exhaustion.
Perhaps I was the only one who experienced this culture shock.
The mansion staff began preparing dinner as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and we eventually joined them, eating and chatting with Gies.
Those who had participated in the trial returned much later, around midnight.
As soon as I stepped out after hearing from a maid, I saw their faces, haggard with fatigue, but clearly satisfied with a positive outcome.
“Ah, Eldmia. It feels like I haven’t seen you in three days.”
Lagnis, who received congratulations from Cheryl and the others, spotted me and waved. There was no energy in her gesture, and dark circles had formed under her eyes, which had been fine that morning.
“What kind of battle did you fight in there…?”
“A battle that made me pray I never have to enter a courthouse again. Gies, you’ve worked hard hiding for so long. After tomorrow’s trial, you’ll be able to return to your normal life. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly.”
Perhaps out of consideration for Lagnis, who was forcing a bright smile despite her exhaustion, Gies kept his greeting brief.
I also decided not to mention that she would have to return to the courthouse soon.
I was curious about what had transpired inside, but since most people were at their limit, those remaining at the mansion focused on providing them with a place to rest.
Most of them would have to return to the courthouse after a short rest.
However, Lagnis hesitated, as if she wanted to say something more, and was eventually ushered towards the mansion to rest.
“Father and the royal officials went straight to the palace. I think it will be like this until the trial is over.”
Cheryl, relatively energetic as a warrior, stayed behind to give me a brief explanation.
It wasn’t anything particularly new.
I had already pieced together how the trial was progressing from bits and pieces of overheard conversations.
The Noble faction had brought up this and that, but the Royalist faction’s defense had turned it into a counterattack.
Still, the news that Count Bosha seemed to have lost his composure was more than welcome.
“Keep up the good work for the remaining days. Keep an eye on Bosha and make sure he continues to suffer.”
“Just what have you been doing?”
“I’ve been taking down Bosha’s illegal businesses. I plan to deal with his hidden troops in the next couple of days.”
“That’s comforting to hear, but it feels like you’re saving all the fun yourself.”
Cheryl looked a bit sullen, as if she regretted not being able to join in my destructive activities.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
With the late return of the trial participants, the mansion finally quieted down as morning arrived.
As expected, nothing significant had happened overnight.
The only changes were that Lagnis was now staying at the Ogatorf mansion temporarily, and Renisa was attending to her every need.
The other servants had been sent back to the Levien estate, but Renisa seemed determined not to leave Lagnis’s side.
Hoping that today’s trial would end early, I saw them off and finished breakfast.
Asirye and I, with Mongsoon, presumably, tailing us, set out to take care of some miscellaneous tasks.
Most of them were personal errands.
I had some free time, so I visited the Adventurer’s Guild to inquire about the reward for resolving the abandoned dungeon incident.
I also went to the Dwarven District to leave a letter with Balkun for Shadowfoot, expressing my gratitude once again.
In the meantime, with Asirye’s help, I restocked my herb and tool pouch, which I had neglected recently, and prepared for the upcoming battle.
It wasn’t much different from what I had been doing for the past few days, but perhaps because it felt like we were on a mission together, Asirye seemed more cheerful than usual.
Since we didn’t have that much to do, we returned to the mansion around lunchtime.
“Eldmia-nim, I have something to tell you.”
Just as we were about to enjoy the comfort of the mansion and have lunch, Mongsoon approached us.
Having followed us all day yesterday without saying a word, her visit clearly signaled something.
“Did something happen?”
“Yes. I’m being followed, but it doesn’t seem to be Count Bosha or his associates.”
“Who else would be tailing me?”
“I suspect another information broker.”
I recalled Zikmel mentioning a couple of other information brokers who catered to nobles.
“Do you think Count Bosha hired them?”
The problem was that there was no way to know immediately whether they were following us on Bosha’s orders or simply out of curiosity.
Fortunately, Mongsoon answered that question.
“The Count distrusts information brokers. He cautions his subordinates against using them. I believe they are investigating independently.”
Since I hadn’t done anything particularly noteworthy outside, it didn’t really matter if Bosha was involved or not.
They would likely back off on their own once they learned what I had been up to recently.
“It doesn’t really matter, but it wouldn’t hurt to know another information broker. Can you follow them?”
“Yes. It won’t be difficult.”
Mongsoon replied with a calm yet confident tone.
As Asirye had said, she seemed to possess a professional’s pride.
“I don’t plan on going out again today, so I’ll ask you tomorrow or the day after. Get some rest until then.”
“Understood.”
Having said her piece, Mongsoon changed her expression back to her usual indifferent one and left the room.
It felt strange, almost like I had acquired a loyal subordinate.
“It feels like I’ve gained a subordinate.”
“A Dream Worshipper willingly cooperating? You’ve become quite the big shot, Eldmia.”
I would have simply laughed at Asirye’s playful remark, but considering Mongsoon’s self-proclaimed worth of 100 gold coins, I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Bro just has an op shapeshifter as a subject]
He really just got a free subordinate, that’s crazy