Chapter 51

After tying up the thieves with ropes, I spent some time doing nothing.

After all, there wasn't much conversation. It's not that I dislike children or have anything against Mui. While it's true that I don't have much interaction with them, there were apprentices around her age when I taught swordsmanship at the dojo, so it's not like I'm particularly bad with them.

Still, the situation was just too much. After suddenly breaking into a thief's house and capturing everyone, there was simply nothing to talk about.

So, with the groans of the men I had knocked out faintly echoing, I had no choice but to maintain silence. Lucy, come back soon.

"…I..."

"Hmm?"

Just as I was thinking this, Mui began to speak.

Following her voice, I turned to her, and she had a hard-to-describe, stiff expression, moving only her lips slightly.

"What should I do from now on…?"

I didn't have a clear answer to her question.

I couldn't just throw out irresponsible words. Mui is still a child. Even though she's a child, she has her own experiences and values, however short they may be.

An option that aligns with her way of thinking, the reality, and is also socially acceptable. While it would be a lie to say I had no idea, it wasn't a problem I could solve with my responsibility alone.

"Well, we'll figure it out. That's the responsibility of adults."

So, it's not just me, but all the adults who got involved will share the responsibility. Conveying this sentiment was the only response I could give at the moment.

"…Ha, right."

In response to my answer, Mui laughed weakly.

It was impossible to gain her trust with such words. After all, we hadn't even built a trusting relationship, and there hadn't been time to do so.

However, at least my feelings were genuine. Once the adults had all extended a hand, we had an obligation to help. It would be inexcusable to turn a blind eye after getting this involved.

"I'm back."

After the conversation, silence fell again. How long had it been?

Lucy reappeared with a much more relaxed voice, unlike mine and Mui's.

"Teacher, good work."

"Thank you, Alyssia."

Behind her, the figure of Alyssia, the commander of the Reberio Knights, and a few knights were visible. They all wore imposing plate armor and had serious expressions. Well, the situation was almost under control, after all.

"…These people?"

"Yes. I think we can treat them as confirmed."

Alyssia cast a cold gaze at the men we had restrained.

The commander's gaze, usually reliable and even more so in emergencies. I'd rather not be on the receiving end of such a look from Alyssia. I want to live quietly and peacefully from now on.

"Those guys have other crimes as well, I think. I have some business to attend to, so I'll participate in the interrogation."

"Yes, understood."

Lucy casually secured a spot in the interrogation.

Well, as the head of the mage guild, she probably has some leeway. Probably.

"Then, let's take them away."

"Understood!"

At Alyssia's command, the knights who had been standing by carried away the thieves. Some of them regained consciousness and struggled, but against the well-trained knights, they stood no chance, being tied up as they were. They were taken away without incident.

I don't know what kind of interrogation awaits them. Alyssia wouldn't do anything like torture, I'm sure.

Lucy, I don't know. She seems like the type who might go a bit overboard.

"…By the way."

Now, while I'd like to say the matter is settled, there's still a current issue.

At the sound of my voice, Alyssia and Lucy turned around.

"What should we do about Mui?"

That's right.

She has nowhere to stay.

We know she was using this house as a base, but it has already been searched by Lucy, me, and the knights. It wouldn't be right to leave her here to live on her own.

On the other hand, it wouldn't be right to just abandon her irresponsibly. Since we got involved, it's only natural to take care of her until a suitable point, I thought.

"There are places to stay at the knight headquarters, but…"

While the knights were taking away the thieves, Alyssia said.

I often go there, and it's not impossible to stay, but it's not a suitable place for a girl to stay alone. There are also concerns about the environment.

Moreover, only a few people, including me, Alyssia, and Lucy, know about Mui. Throwing her into the middle of the knights could cause unnecessary friction.

"I'm staying at an inn right now…"

Even if I were to take her in, it would be difficult.

If this were my hometown, Bident Village, I could manage, but unfortunately, this is the capital, Baltrean, and I'm staying at an inn.

Most importantly, Mui wouldn't agree to living with an old man like me. If it were the only option, she might have to put up with it, but even then, there would be a limit to how long it could last. My wallet has its limits too.

"She's a young mage, right? I can take her in for a while. I have a housekeeper."

In the midst of a vague, dark atmosphere, Lucy said casually.

I hadn't thought about where Lucy lives. As the head of the mage guild for a long time, she probably has a decent place. She mentioned having a housekeeper too. I don't know how much the mage guild earns, though.

The knight headquarters isn't the best option, and Alyssia's and my sleeping arrangements are a bit complicated. Leaving her here is out of the question.

So, it seems we have no choice but to rely on Lucy's suggestion.

"…Hmph."

Mui, who had been watching the adults' proceedings, snorted.

Hmm, this reaction is hard to interpret as either welcoming or rejecting.

However, it seems she understands that relying on Lucy might solve the current problem. She doesn't seem to be actively opposing it, though she's not exactly happy about it either.

"…Well, let's head back for now."

In the brief silence, my words echoed strangely.

In any case, it's hard to just disband here, so I want to return to a more comfortable place. We all headed for the knight headquarters.

"That's right. We can't stay here forever."

Alyssia responded and gave orders to a different knight.

While the thieves were captured, there might be others left. Therefore, it was necessary to secure or manage the scene until a certain point, and she was giving orders to the knights for that purpose.

"I've worked enough today, so I'll head back too."

"You say that, but…"

Lucy laughed heartily.

I did most of the work, I think. There were about five or six of them, even if they were amateurs. Well, given the unknown strength of Yoiyami, I might have failed, but that's a different story.

"…Tch."

Perhaps disliking the harmonious atmosphere, Mui let out a small sigh.

No, it's not that she dislikes it. She's just not used to it. She's spent her life in a world that's the opposite of this warm atmosphere.

I still don't know much about her circumstances, but I want to do something if I can. I feel it's the responsibility of the adults who got involved, and from my perspective, Mui seems like someone who shouldn't be left alone.

Not to the point of going off the rails, but she seems like someone who might fall apart if not kept within reach of someone's eyes and hands.

This is partly a gut feeling. In the limited environment of a rural swordsmanship dojo, I've seen quite a few children.

If I'm wrong, that's fine too. If I'm right, I want to share this with Alyssia and Lucy subtly.

"Let's go, then."

As I said this, I instinctively reached out my hand.

She's still a child who needs adult guidance, no matter how tough she acts. I know she won't take my hand, but I couldn't help it.

"…Hmph."

As expected, Mui didn't take my hand.

Well, walking around Baltrean holding hands with an old man like me would be unbearable for her.

However, her expression after snorting didn't seem particularly unhappy.

If I can understand that much, it's enough for now.

Well, let's head back to the headquarters for now.

Regarding the book, I'm grateful for the positive reception to the old man's appearance. I appreciate your support for the old man in both the web version and the book.