Chapter 77

Today's update as well ('ω')

"Lord Clauda?"

"Yeah. My blood-related grandfather. But, in reality, a stranger."

"Rain, you were a noble?"

At Nene's surprised voice, Rain shook her head.

"I'm a bastard, and I was exiled."

After a pause, Rain began to speak slowly.

It was a story often heard in the wind.

Rain's mother, who worked as a servant in the noble's mansion, became the mistress of the eldest son of the Clauda family.

It must have been a headache for the Clauda family. Moreover, during their several trysts, Rain's mother became pregnant. Fearing the rumors about the young and promising heir, Lord Clauda immediately fired Rain's mother, gave her some money, and sent her back to her hometown.

"Mom passed away from an epidemic when I was little... She went up to the sky. I entered the magic academy through a connection and became an adventurer afterward. Why now..."

Rain looked at the letter with an indescribable expression.

"Should we check the contents first?"

"Yeah. That's right."

Nodding slightly, Rain opened the folded letter.

"..."

As Rain's eyes scanned the letter, her face gradually became stern, and in the end, she placed the letter on the table with a stunned look.

"What is this?"

Rain, looking down, was trembling slightly. Her behavior was strange.

"Are you okay?"

"Not okay. That raccoon, what does he think I am...!"

Tears streaming down her face, Rain, unusually emotional, pounded the table. I patted her back.

"Can I see the letter?"

"Unwillingly... but, go ahead."

The letter, pushed out, was read by everyone.

"–Your treatment has been decided."

The letter started with such a sudden opening.

The following words were devoid of any affection.

"The honorable Second Prince of Salmteria, Master Mastoma, desires you."

"Finally, you, who have been of no use until now, can be of service to our Clauda family."

"As a member of the Clauda family, you should rejoice in the honor of contributing to the prosperity of the kingdom and our family."

"However, you need at least some education. Immediately quit your job as a rash and thoughtless adventurer and return as soon as possible."

...What is this? It's hard to believe these are words directed at a granddaughter they had cut ties with and ignored.

I've heard that the nobility have a different color of blood than us, but I never imagined they could be so inhuman.

"What should we do about this..."

"Why not just ignore it?"

"Huh?"

To the bowed Rain, Marina said nonchalantly.

"There's no need to acknowledge it. After all, this... doesn't even have Rain's name written anywhere. It's a case of mistaken identity."

Marina smiled mischievously and looked at me.

Marina, who usually seems a bit lacking in thought, sometimes has surprisingly quick thinking.

...It makes sense.

"Alright, let's go with that. There's no seal of the Clauda family on the letter, and no one has confirmed that it was received. Let's say a letter bird flew in during our party's action, and I opened it."

Looking closely, there really is no address like 'To Rain' anywhere.

In other words, it wouldn't be strange if I, mistakenly thinking it was for the party, opened it, and then, finding the content incomprehensible, discarded it.

...After all, adventurers are known for being rash and thoughtless.

"We received a prank or a mistaken letter... and I, the clumsy one, accidentally lost it. Got it?"

"Yuek?"

I threw the letter into the small fireplace in the cottage and smiled at Rain.

"I didn't see anything."

"Oh, teacher, the letter fell into the fireplace."

"I don't know anything about it."

Marina and the others also smiled at Rain.

Seeing this, Rain, with large tears streaming down her face, hugged me.

I gently hugged her back and stroked her head.

"Don't worry. We'll figure something out."

"Yeah."

Well, I said that, but we still have no plan.

What should we do?

After all, we're dealing with nobles and the royal family of Salmteria.

The power balance is already tilted, and it's a tricky situation.

To begin with, the approaches we can make are limited, or rather, almost nonexistent.

Even if we crumple up the letter here, if they take action, we might be on the back foot.

We need to take our moves in advance.

"Hey, Nene."

"What is it?"

"Can you ask Mamar to gather some information on Lord Clauda and Prince Mastoma, the Second Prince of Salmteria?"

At my request, Nene's face turned pale.

"W-Why...? Mamar is just a receptionist, you know?"

"Nene, you understand. I mean, through other channels."

"...It'll probably cost a lot."

"I'll make the souvenirs more luxurious."

Nene sighed deeply and nodded.

"I'll do something a bit illegal. I'll use the relay here, so please apologize to the Guild Master later."

With that, Nene left the cottage.

First, we need information. Without it, we can't decide how to proceed.

"Alright, next is..."

"Hya!"

I picked up Rain, who was still clinging to me, and headed for the door.

"I'm going to see Maniela. Silk and Marina, stay here and prepare for the next attack."

"Understood."

"Got it!"

I nodded to the two of them and left the door with Rain in my arms.

As I walked from the campsite to the command cottage, I asked Rain, who was in my arms.

"Hey, Rain."

"What?"

"I'm planning to do something quite reckless... If it's not okay, please tell me now."

After giving that warning, I explained the plan I was about to execute.

To be honest, it's not a commendable move.

But it should be quite effective in protecting Rain.

"…!?"

Rain, still in my arms, looked slightly surprised.

"Is it really not okay?"

"It's fine. Yeah, it's fine. Let's do it."

The girl, who had been depressed until just now, blushed softly like a flower and smiled gently.

How was it ('ω')?

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