Chapter 92

Zayid led his troops to the wetlands, so he’s not in the village.

So, we headed to Mr. Jabeel’s mansion to gather information and entrust Maïna to him, but there we encountered a tall, imposing man arguing with Mr. Jabeel.

It seems he’s in the middle of a conversation, but our matter is urgent, so I apologize as I call out to him.

“Mr. Jabeel? It’s Craft... Are you busy?”

Before Mr. Jabeel can turn to us, the tall, imposing man speaks.

“What is it? My busyness depends on the matter at hand.”

“I didn’t ask you, did I?”

I called out to Mr. Jabeel, but the man who answered is a tall, imposing figure in what looks like a captain’s uniform, with red hair.

Hey, who are you?

Mr. Jabeel, who turned around, notices me and Kyle, and his expression brightens.

“Oh! Craft... and even Kyle-sama! Welcome, welcome!”

Mr. Jabeel runs over to us as if he’s trying to escape. He’ll fall if he’s not careful.

Oh, he fell.

I rush over to help, but the red-haired man is faster, easily picking up Mr. Jabeel.

“Hahaha! You’re as clumsy as ever!”

“Ugh! Be quiet!”

The imposing man, laughing with his hands on his stomach, and Mr. Jabeel, whose face is red with anger.

Hmm. This doesn’t sit well with me.

Mr. Jabeel brushes off the dust and stands in front of Kyle, bowing gracefully.

“It’s been a while, Kyle-sama.”

“Yes, it has. I’ve heard many things through Craft. I’m relieved to see you well.”

“Even I, with my limited abilities, couldn’t cure your illness, but I’m here to celebrate your recovery.”

“That’s not true. If it weren’t for your efforts, Mr. Jabeel, I would have long since passed away. I offer my deepest gratitude.”

“What a kind thing to say...”

Wow!

What a beautiful scene!

If Persia were here, she might have cried!

“Ho, so you’re Kyle... You’ve grown.”

Just as this touching scene unfolds, an unseemly interruption occurs!

Hey, you!

And you’re being way too familiar with Kyle!

“Excuse me... Have we met before?”

The moment the man reaches out to Kyle’s head, a naked blade blocks his hand.

“You! Who are you... What!?”

The one who drew the sword in an instant is, of course, Alphard. I didn’t even see it!

Alphard stands between Kyle and the man, pointing the blade at him.

Or rather, he was supposed to.

“Huh?”

“What?”

The man, who was supposed to be there, had vanished.

It’s not just a matter of quick movement. He literally disappeared.

Or rather, it seemed that way.

“Oh.”

“Hahaha! You’ve grown!”

“What the...!?”

The man had somehow moved behind Kyle and was roughly ruffling his hair.

Not just me, but Alphard, Jitaro, and Reifan were all trembling with shock.

We made a mistake leaving Raidock with the main party!

This guy is definitely on Raidock’s level!?

Maybe even higher!

Everyone related to Kyle, present here, drew their weapons simultaneously.

“You! Step away from Kyle-sama!”

“You! If you don’t let go of my Kyle, I’ll melt you!”

“No... The distance between them is too close...!”

In the midst of this tension, the man alone remained calm.

“Hey, I’m not doing anything. It’s been a while, and I’m just nostalgic.”

“Excuse me... Do you know me?”

An acquaintance...?

“Yeah. You were just a kid back then, so you probably don’t remember. Jabeel! Do something!”

The disheveled red-haired man scratches the back of his head, looking troubled, and turns to Jabeel for help.

“Oh! Really! Really now! Kyle-sama! Craft! And the guards! This man is safe! Sheath your weapons!”

Respected as he is, Mr. Jabeel’s words are... well...

“Mr. Jabeel, who is this guy?”

“Oh, this man...”

Interrupting Mr. Jabeel’s hesitant words, the man barks out.

“My name is Van! Adventurer Van Vine!”

An adventurer?

Given his strength and appearance, it’s a believable answer.

But...

“An adventurer...?”

“Yeah! That’s right!”

Still, he seems suspicious!

Kyle also looks confused.

“Excuse me, do you know me, Mr. Adventurer?”

The red-haired man grins slyly.

“Yeah! I’ve even served as a guard for the Ortheros Margrave! ...Yeah, that’s right. Now I’m Jabeel’s guard. Isn’t that right, Jabeel?”

“Umm... Yes, that’s right.”

Mr. Jabeel’s expression is terribly distorted!

That’s definitely a made-up story!

“Mr. Jabeel, if you’re troubled, I’ll do my best to get rid of this guy?”

I can’t do it alone, but Alphard, Reifan, and Jitaro are here. Together, we can manage.

“Get rid of him!? N-no! Absolutely not, Craft!”

“Huh? If you’re okay with it, Mr. Jabeel...”

“Yes! Understand? Kyle-sama must not order an attack either!”

“Y-yes.”

I don’t sense any hostility, but is it really okay?

But Mr. Jabeel is so desperate.

Alphard’s expression is also grim.

“Mr. Jabeel, is this man really safe?”

“Yes. I guarantee it.”

There seems to be some backstory, so I’ll refrain from pressing further.

“Kyle, is this okay?”

“Y-yes. It seems fine...”

This guy has been ruffling Kyle’s hair the whole time.

If he had any ill intentions, he would have killed him already.

“So, you seem to have brought troops. Are you finally here to defeat Zayid?”

“No!?”

Kyle is unusually flustered.

He’s been on the back foot since we arrived.

“We came to exterminate the monsters in the wetlands. We came to confirm with Zayid, but we heard he went to the wetlands.”

Finally, we’re back to the main topic!

Mr. Jabeel frowns, and the red-haired man grins slyly.

“Yes, I was worried about his long absence.”

“Excuse me, but is Zayid’s strength... sufficient?”

Mr. Jabeel folds his arms over his flat chest.

“To be honest... it’s tough.”

“Indeed...! Craft, we must mobilize all our forces to rescue him!”

I was about to nod, but Van, looking interested, interrupts.

“Rescue? Just leave him. Kyle, Zayid is just a hindrance to you, right? Your position as the heir to the margrave would improve.”

This guy...

He seems to be an adventurer, given his appearance and strength, but he could easily be a former noble. He knows too much about the situation.

“Mr. Van. There seems to be a misunderstanding. I have no intention of succeeding my father... the margrave. My father has clearly stated that the successor will be Flattan or Zayid. I won’t abandon my family for a position.”

Kyle’s firm declaration.

Ah, that’s the kind of person you are. If Persia were here, she’d be crying at how noble you are!

Van bursts into laughter.

This guy. I’m going to punch him.

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