Chapter 75

(Long)

Soldiers clad in matching leather armor approached in five rows, quickening their pace.

They seemed to be wearing the same armor as the soldiers patrolling the city. Though called armor, it was more like leather clothing. If not for the uniform decorations, they might have been mistaken for well-dressed townspeople.

Of course, townspeople don’t march with swords at their waists and spears in both hands.

The leader, who stood out in his better attire, approached.

"Is there a person in charge here!"

He shouted in a clear voice.

"Y-Yes, I’m Grieva, the person in charge."

Grieva, the unfortunate lion, sprang out from among the workers.

"What is going on here?"

The leader pointed to the dead buffalo.

"What do you mean... It’s just as you see, isn’t it?"

Yeah, exactly, it’s obvious just by looking.

"Why is the buffalo dead? Did it just die suddenly?"

"That’s impossible. Those two over there took it down."

The leader glared at Hagg and Yarai, who were standing here.

"Hmm... Those two took it down?"

"Yes, it was amazing. The speed and power they showed, despite the buffalo’s massive size, were incredible. As a beastman, I can only admire them."

As always, this lion’s head is a stark contrast to his appearance.

"Hmm..."

The leader placed his hands on his hips and pondered.

"Is the minister coming soon?"

He asked one of his subordinates behind him.

"Yes, he’s coming soon... in that carriage."

Avoiding about 200 soldiers, a carriage came smoking down the road. Unlike the one Chelina used, this one was built for speed and was sturdy and robust. The leader raised his hand, and the carriage stopped to the side.

A middle-aged man descended from the carriage. His attire was simple but very clean and high-quality, giving off a businesslike air. The middle-aged man asked the leader.

"What’s the matter? Have you already taken down the buffalo?"

The middle-aged man alternated his gaze between the buffalo’s corpse and the soldiers.

"No, upon arrival, it was already like this. It seems these dwarves and elves took it down, but I’m not sure if that’s true."

The leader gave a slight bow and answered the middle-aged man, who seemed to be a superior.

"That’s Minister Sowar... Special Envoy Minister Brow Sowar."

Chelina whispered to me.

"Minister?"

"He’s the former merchant who took charge of the country’s finances, as I mentioned before."

"Oh, he’s the one."

He must be the only successful case of the Pig King and the former merchant Chelina harshly criticized, who was forcefully appointed.

"So, what’s he doing here?"

"I’m not sure..."

The three of us, including Grieva, talked for a while, but during that time, Brow kept glancing at Chelina. They must know each other. Chelina, standing next to me, seemed uneasy.

Sure enough, Brow approached us.

"It’s been a while, Miss Veriello."

"Yes, it has been. Minister Sowar."

"Please, don’t call me that. Call me Brow, as you used to."

"That’s inappropriate... to call the king’s right-hand man, Minister Sowar, by his first name..."

Brow smiled wryly.

"I see... Let’s put that aside. We have a bit of a problem now."

"A problem?"

"Yes, a significant one."

"What’s the issue?"

"As you can see, the buffalo was hunted without permission."

"Without permission... but self-defense is allowed, right?"

"Of course, if this were an uninhabited wilderness, that logic would hold. But this is right under the kingdom’s nose, so it doesn’t apply."

"But..."

"Moreover, a hunting party was already dispatched. Hunting without a request from the Commercial Guild is a serious issue."

Indeed, it could be a problem.

The army, no matter how well-prepared, takes time to mobilize. The fact that they were already gathered at this point suggests they had been preparing to capture the buffalo for quite some time.

The kingdom must have acted quickly. If the buffalo was hunted just before the army arrived, it would be a blow to their reputation.

This is going to be a hassle. No, it definitely will be.

"I need to speak with the dwarves and elves involved in the unauthorized hunting. May I also ask why Miss Veriello is here?"

"I’m here for an inspection."

"Of the timber? The price of timber has indeed dropped recently, but there’s no demand for purchasing. Firewood is made from scraps, so the price hasn’t changed much, and it’s not a particularly attractive commodity."

"Of course, you’re the former top merchant of the kingdom. You’re as knowledgeable about the market as ever."

"It’s just common knowledge for someone in charge of the treasury."

"Flattery aside..."

"So, Miss Veriello’s presence here is just a coincidence?"

"That’s right."

Brow, the Special Envoy Minister, nodded slightly.

"Then the incident was the work of those dwarves and elves."

"What?"

I couldn’t help but speak up.

"Who are you?"

"Excuse me, he’s my advisor, Akira."

"...I see. You are..."

What? Why does a minister or someone important know about me?

"Nice to meet you, I’m Akira."

"I’m Brow Sowar."

Brow stared at me intently. I have no intentions, though.

"Akira, is there a problem?"

"Huh?"

"Regarding this incident, you seemed dissatisfied."

Exposed to Brow’s sharp gaze, I flinched for a moment. But the mental fortitude I developed at a black company isn’t for nothing. I managed to smile without showing my unease.

"No, when you called it an incident, it sounded like a crime."

"Yes, it is a crime. Is there a problem with that?"

He said it bluntly.

"As Chelina mentioned, this was a necessary act of self-defense. If we had known the national army was involved, this tragic accident wouldn’t have happened."

"I see, so you consider this an accident."

"Yes."

"Hmm, very well. We’ll determine if this was an accident or an incident by taking those dwarves and elves into custody."

"Wait a moment."

"What is it?"

"They are my bodyguards. If they are at fault, I, as their employer, should be held responsible."

"Akira-sama?!"

"It’s fine."

I silenced the startled Chelina with a hand gesture. I have no basis for saying it’s fine, though.

"Hmm... I see."

Brow’s usually stern face twisted slightly. Was that a smile?

"Then, Akira, I’ll need you to come to the castle for questioning. The dwarves and elves will stay here to observe the on-site investigation by the national army."

"Understood."

"Akira-sama... then..."

"I can’t let my saviors be arrested. I’ll leave the rest to you."

"I’ll clear up the misunderstanding."

"That’s reassuring. I’ll be back."

"..."

Leaving the worried Chelina behind, I was led to the carriage Brow had arrived in by the soldiers. Brow also got in. Feeling a bit annoyed, I decided to make a snide remark.

"Hey, is it okay for a minister to ride in the same carriage as a criminal?"

"I have confidence that I can subdue you if you try anything."

Wow, that’s a strong counter.

"...I see."

He looks like an ordinary middle-aged man, but he might be incredibly strong. If he’s a monster like Hagg, that would be too much...

Of course, I wasn’t serious, so we both let it go with a light laugh.

Now, what should I do?

Shaken by the carriage, I enjoyed my first arrest in this world.

Thinking back to the time I was arrested by a police car, I almost cried.

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(Third Person)

In the afternoon of the city-state of Piratas, the city was bustling with the circulation of a large amount of meat, a rare sight in recent times.

It had been three days since the large buffalo was hunted.

By the order of King Piratas, the buffalo meat was distributed at a low price, restoring smiles to the faces of the Piratas citizens.

The various merchant guilds, located in the best position right next to the city gate, were busy securing temporary workers to cut up the buffalo meat, bringing a renewed sense of vitality to the city.

However, in one room of the Veriello Trading Company, which benefited the most from this, the atmosphere was as gloomy as a funeral or wake.

"Melvin, any word from the castle?"

"...No, nothing yet."

How many times had this exchange been repeated since morning? Counting the large logs floating down the Liberi River might have been more productive.

"..."

There were five shadows in the room.

One of them was Chelina Veriello, the temporary head of the Veriello Trading Company.

She was dressed in her usual red leather armor, red chains, a short red skirt, black spats, and red leather long boots, creating a monochromatic look. Her beautiful face, however, was clearly anxious, with dark circles under her eyes.

"Melvin, any word?"

"Still nothing."

It hadn’t been a minute since the last time. In fact, Melvin hadn’t spoken to anyone in between. Asking him wouldn’t yield any new information, but no one pointed this out, understanding Chelina’s feelings.

Hagg, the muscular dwarf, fiddled with his beard, while the tall, lean, handsome elf, Yarai, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, eyes closed. His unique Native American-like attire and braided hair somewhat detracted from his good looks.

Melvin, Chelina’s aide, was busy refilling tea and communicating with people outside the room.

And in the room was one more person, Naria, the only daughter and waitress of the Whale Inn, sitting in a small chair.

Though not directly related to the Veriello family, she had been invited to a meal once and, unable to bear her concern for Akira, had come to Chelina with Hagg and Yarai. Normally, she would have been turned away, but Chelina welcomed her into the company.

"Veriello..."

Hagg raised his head while fiddling with his beard.

"Is there no trial in this country?"

"Of course, there are trials, but if the king makes a direct ruling, it’s a different story. ...This case, being not even poaching, should be a matter for the police, with a fine at most."

"Have you inquired with the police?"

"Of course. I’ve bribed some people, so any information should come in quickly."

Naria, who didn’t understand the meaning of "bribed," looked puzzled.

"Any information at all?"

"...The carriage that took Akira-sama definitely entered the castle, but there’s no word on what happened after that."

Hagg fiddled with his beard in frustration.

"Damn... to be protected by the one we should be protecting is pathetic."

"I agree."

Yarai, who had been silent, spoke up.

"I’ve informed the castle that we have bail money prepared for Akira-sama’s release, but there’s been no response. The lack of response to a significant amount is concerning."

"What are the possibilities?"

"Considering the normal course, it would be an interrogation or questioning. But there’s also the possibility of... torture..."

At that, Chelina’s teeth ground together.

"Another possibility is a direct ruling by the king. This determines all crimes and punishments by the king’s sole discretion. It should be a formal process after a thorough investigation, but since the reign of Piratas II, that principle has been largely ignored."

Chelina drained her cold herbal tea in one gulp. Melvin, worried, refilled her cup with fresh tea.

"Even if he was taken as an important witness, three days of detention is too long. Especially since Hagg-sama and Yarai-sama were released on the spot that day, and the on-site investigation and buffalo dissection have already been completed. There should be nothing left to ask."

"Meaning we know nothing..."

"...Yes."

A heavy silence fell over the room. No one moved. The time passed in a frozen state, but Hagg slowly stood up. Yarai also stepped away from the wall.

"Where are you going?"

"To the castle."

"You’re not thinking of storming it, are you?"

"Hmph. That’s exactly what I’m thinking. Is there any other way?"

"You’re just bodyguards. There’s no need to risk your lives."

"No, Akira is a friend."

"Even though I share the elf’s opinion, I can’t abandon him. I’m not that calm a person."

Hagg picked up his massive iron hammer from the wall.

"Wait!"

"It’s useless to stop me."

"No, rushing in without a plan is meaningless. I’m going too."

"You’ll be a hindrance."

"Who said anything about fighting? I’m just going to talk."

"Miss! You can’t go! Going to the castle now will achieve nothing!"

"No, I have one plan."

"A plan...?"

Melvin frowned.

"Yes. I’ll offer my marriage to the king in exchange for Akira-sama’s release."

Determination shone in Chelina’s eyes.

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