Chapter 39

As the adventurers cleared out, I was locked in a staring contest with Aizas.

"What does a noble like you want with me?"

"How dare you speak to me like that? Who do you think you are?"

Aizas furrowed his brow.

"E, Elma! What's wrong with you!? I've been feeling that something was off with you since a while ago... but it's not good to speak to a viscount like that! I'll apologize with you! Look!"

Luze bowed her head to Aizas in a panic.

"You... You're being so familiar. What are you to Elma?"

Maris leaned in, stretching her neck to get closer to Luze.

"Do you know Elma?"

Maris didn't answer, just stared intently at Luze's face.

I sensed something ominous and stepped in front of Luze.

"Luze, go outside. I can't have you getting involved."

After hearing my words, Luze glanced at Aizas and Maris, then turned back to me.

"If you say I'm in the way, I'll leave... but if you say you don't want me to get involved, I want to stay. Elma is the first person I truly trust. Even if my presence doesn't change anything... I think this is when friends should be together!"

"But this is... a matter of the Edvand family."

I appreciate your concern, but this is a problem of the Edvand family.

I have no idea why Aizas is after me now, but it's clear it's not a good thing.

If it turns into a lingering issue, Luze might also catch Aizas' attention.

"Elma... ever since those two arrived, you've looked so troubled. I can't leave you here alone!"

"Luze..."

I touched my face, noticing my cheeks were tense.

Indeed, I might not have been calm since seeing them.

Thanks to her, I feel a bit more composed.

"Do you, a commoner, intend to meddle in our affairs? You should leave immediately, little girl."

"Father, let her stay. She seems close to Elma... she might be related to the matter at hand. It might be better to have someone who talks a lot to get her to slip up."

Aizas tried to make Luze leave, but Maris stopped him.

However, "Father"...

"I think it's pointless to keep such a girl around... but from what I've seen, she's definitely involved. As for how to handle this one, Maris... it was agreed that I would leave it to you."

The guild master, who had been clearing out the adventurers, approached us.

"Lord Aizas... did you have business with this adventurer? Perhaps you heard he's a promising adventurer and came to recruit him as a private soldier? No, you have good ears. This adventurer is polite and brave... and has already achieved remarkable feats that will be recorded in the guild's history of this city..."

"He assisted a D-rank adventurer on their first large-scale mission, contributing to the slaying of a [Lv: 40] monster... and was promoted to E-rank at an exceptional speed. Is that correct? Nonsense, a mere child who just completed the <Ceremony of Blessing> couldn't do such a thing."

"No, that's not all, Lord Aizas. Elma... along with the jester adventurer, slew a [Lv: 50] <Lord of Dreams> and was promoted to D-rank! He has the skills and qualities to excel as a private soldier for your family."

"What...?"

Aizas flared his hawk-like nose and glared at me.

"Hmph, I thought it might just be luck, but now it's confirmed. Guild master, stop your insincere act. You already know, don't you? That this man is from the Edvand family."

"W-What do you mean...?"

"Of course, that's only the 'former' part... I doubt you know that he's no longer the heir or anything. How were you convinced?"

"Wait, I didn't... I don't understand what you're talking about..."

The guild master turned pale and tried to defend himself.

"You didn't? Even if that's the case, there must be someone among the staff who colluded with that child. Someone who used their position to deceive and involve him in building achievements. Bring the staff member involved here! Right now!"

"T-That's not possible... No, I'll do it immediately!"

The guild master hurriedly ran to the back of the guild.

"Elma... could it be... Lord Aizas is... your..."

"Father. I don't want to acknowledge it."

Aizas had been glaring at the guild master's back but quickly turned his gaze back to me.

"You disgrace to the Edvand family! I only exiled you because I believed you wouldn't make such a foolish mistake! Have you forgotten my words? If you ever claim the name of the Edvand family again, I will cut off your head!"

Aizas shouted.

"So that's what this is about."

In short, I had been doing too well since coming to the city of Rondalme.

Aizas, hearing about my unusual promotion, came to investigate to prevent the Edvand family's name from being tarnished.

Still, the information and action were incredibly fast.

It's surprising that the head of the family would come in person over something like this.

I almost let a sarcastic remark slip, but I held back.

I might have been getting too heated myself.

If I cause any more trouble, it might affect Luze.

Besides, there's no point in unnecessarily angering Aizas.

If I handle this calmly, it shouldn't be difficult to prove it's just a misunderstanding.