Chapter 90

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Let's go back a little in time.

In the knight's outpost, Delita and Caine were seated across from each other at a table.

The room was set up like a simple reception area, and the treatment was satisfactory.

Two knights stood at the entrance to the room, preventing any escape.

"So, what's your name?"

"---Caine."

"To confirm, can you open your status for me?"

"---No."

"Even if I ask you as a representative of the duke's family, who governs this city, it's still no?"

"---No."

No matter how many times he was asked, Caine's status was something he could not show. If he showed it carelessly, he might be punished by the king.

Sighing, Delita took a sip of the tea provided and asked again.

"Why not? Even if I threaten to punish you?"

"It's just not possible. If you really want to see it, ask Lord Eric. If he gives permission, I will show it."

Hearing Eric's name, Delita's eyes widened. It was impossible not to be surprised that Caine, dressed as an adventurer and without any companions, knew his father's name.

"Why do you know about my father? You're about the same age as Silk, so perhaps Silk also knows?"

"Of course. Silk is in the same class as me at the academy."

"If that's the case, there's no reason not to show it. My father is scheduled to return to the mansion tomorrow. I will hear your secret after he arrives. If what you say about knowing my father is false, it could be considered a serious offense. I'm afraid you'll have to wait in a separate room until then."

Caine reluctantly nodded.

He was led to a cell. Or rather, a cell-like room.

It was semi-underground, with a bit of sunlight filtering in from near the ceiling.

The cell was a private room, cleaner than he expected. There were no partitions, but it had a toilet and a bed.

There was a sofa and a table, and among the cells that were more like common rooms, this luxurious private room was probably due to Delita's consideration.

Honestly, the reason he came to Marveik was solely to create a transfer point. He could have transferred back to the capital directly, but since he had mentioned his name, it was necessary to meet Duke Eric when he heard that he would come to this place.

Suppressing his disappointment at not being able to enjoy the hot springs, he lay down on the bed.

He lounged on the bed, passing the time. Since lunch was not provided, he secretly took out bread and a cup from his item box and used water magic to satisfy his hunger.

Outside the cell, a single guard was stationed to watch over Caine.

To pass the time, Caine decided to talk to the guard.

"Hey, guard. How long do I have to stay here?"

The guard was a bit annoyed by Caine's question but, being bored himself, decided to engage in conversation.

"Until Lord Delita gives permission. Lord Delita is the second son of the duke's family but has joined the knights and is the captain, maintaining the security of this city."

"Is that so? Lord Delita said Lord Eric will come tomorrow. I can't leave until then, right?"

"If Lord Delita says so, that's how it will be."

Lying on the bed, Caine took out a snack from his item box and ate it while talking.

This snack was a cookie with dried fruit that Sylvia had made for him before.

"Right... I wanted to go to the hot springs..."

"The hot springs in this city are the best—what are you eating?"

"Huh? A snack. Do you want some?"

Caine offered the remaining snack to the guard through the gap in the cell.

"Sorry, wait! You have an item box!"

Caine nodded, his mouth still full.

The guard hesitantly took the snack from Caine's hand and put it in his mouth.

"Wow, this is delicious."

Satisfied, the guard accepted a cup from Caine, who poured juice from his item box.

"Here, please. I don't have any alcohol since I'm still a minor, but this is juice I bought in the capital."

"Thanks, I'll have some."

Before long, the guard and Caine were chatting more freely.

"Lord Delita is not a bad person, but he's very straightforward. He only listens to Duke Eric. He even has a competitive spirit against his older brother, Noelle, who acts as the lord's representative."

"That must be tough."

Caine listened to the guard's complaints, nodding along.

"But he treats commoners without discrimination, which is good. However, he tends to judge people in extremes, which can be a problem. It would be nice if he could be a bit more flexible like Lord Eric."

Caine smiled wryly, thinking of Eric's face.

As they were talking, there was a knock on the door, and it opened.

"Is it time for dinner? Oh... Lord Delita!?"

The guard, thinking it was dinner, was surprised to see Delita enter. He quickly put down the cup he was holding, stood up, and saluted.

"My father arrived earlier than scheduled and decided to conduct the verification immediately."

In front of the cell, Delita stood ready to draw his sword.

Then, Eric entered with two guard knights.

Eric and Caine met each other's gaze in front of the cell.

"Hello."

Caine only replied with that one word. Eric's face quickly turned red, and he burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... My stomach hurts. Caine, why are you in here? Hahaha, this is too much..."

Seeing Eric laughing uncontrollably, Delita, the guard knights, and the guard were all taken aback.

"Father, do you know this Caine?"

Delita asked hesitantly.

"Yes, of course. He's Silk's fiancé, Caine von Silford Drinthur, the Viscount, and the son of the Margrave of Garm."

Hearing this, everyone except Eric turned pale.

This was because the inclusion of the fief in the name indicated that, despite his young appearance, Caine was the head of a noble family. Even if Delita was the second son of the duke's family, he needed to treat the head of a noble family with respect.

"Wait... a viscount!? The Margrave's!? Silk's fiancé!?"

Delita couldn't process what Eric had said.

"Still, Caine, why didn't you show your proof of being a viscount? If you had shown that, you could have proven you were a noble."

Eric asked, still laughing. Caine had been asked about his status so many times that he had completely forgotten about the proof.

"Indeed. I was always being asked to show my status, so I forgot about it."

Caine scratched his head and took out the proof of being a viscount from his item box.

Upon hearing Caine's words, Eric's smile instantly disappeared, and he directed a cold gaze at Delita. The atmosphere in the room changed dramatically.

"---Delita... did you see Viscount Caine's status?"

Surprised by the sudden change in expression, Delita shook his head.

"No, he firmly refused, so I had him put in this cell. I thought he might be the child of a noble, so I put him in this room."

"That's fine. If you had seen it... Delita, depending on the situation, you could have been sentenced to death."

Hearing Eric's words, Delita's eyes widened in shock.

"Viscount Caine is that important. That's why he was ennobled at such a young age and is the head of his family. Do you understand? Still, for Caine to be in a cell... Please release him quickly. I need to report this to the king when we return to the capital... Haha."

Eric's cold expression disappeared, and he started laughing again.

The guard, realizing Caine was a noble, hurriedly unlocked the cell door.

"Guard, it was fun. Thanks."

Caine smiled at the guard, who looked embarrassed and bowed his head.

"Caine, let's go to the mansion. I'll introduce you to the family."

Led by Eric, Caine headed to the mansion.

Delita stood there, shocked, for several minutes.

Thank you always.

Even the always-smiling Eric can be serious when necessary. He is indeed a duke.

If Eric hadn't been there, Caine would have probably used a transfer to escape.