Chapter 69

It has been two days since the investigation by the guards began.

There has been no progress, they say. The perpetrator has been arrested, but they have not yet reached the Suen Chamber of Commerce and Viscount Maggler, who are likely behind it.

Even if I were to storm the mansion, I would be met with a dead end.

While pondering what to do, I fell asleep, only to be woken up by Felis.

"Touya, we have a visitor. They seem to be in a hurry."

"U-uh... Okay. I'll get up."

I was still in my pajamas, but when I went to the hall, Luminia was there, out of breath.

"Touya! I'm sorry! The children and Saya... they've been kidnapped!"

Those words woke me up from my drowsiness.

"What! Luminia! What do you mean?!"

Breathing heavily, Luminia began to explain.

While completing a one-day job and sleeping at the orphanage, the place suddenly became noisy, and I went out of my room.

There, about ten men with their faces hidden had invaded the orphanage.

I immediately took my sword and confronted the men, but Saya and the children were taken hostage with knives to their throats, and I couldn't do anything.

Saya and about five children were taken away.

Luminia, looking regretful, collapsed, and I gently placed my hand on her shoulder.

"--- I know where they're going. I'll change quickly, so wait for me."

I changed quickly and got on Kokuyou with Luminia. Kokuyou, who usually dislikes carrying other people, allowed Luminia to ride, perhaps sensing my serious expression.

We passed through the noble district and the general district together.

Our destination is the Suen Chamber of Commerce.

I ran Kokuyou at full speed through the dark, empty streets.

After confirming that a carriage was parked at the back loading area, I had Kokuyou kick down the mansion's door.

Ignoring the door that flew open with a loud noise, Touya and Luminia entered the mansion.

Using the Search skill to investigate the building, I found that several people were gathered in one room, and I quickly located the children.

However, the loud noise of our entry caused the guards to appear one after another.

"Intruder! Gather quickly!"

More than ten men gathered at our location.

"... Touya, I recognize these guys. They're the ones who attacked the orphanage."

"... I see. Leave it to me. Luminia, protect yourself."

I slowly approached the men.

"You guys... I don't intend to forgive you. Will you return the children you kidnapped?"

"Hmph, I don't know what you're talking about. Do you really think you can do anything with this number difference?"

Each of them took out their swords and knives and got into position, but I was unarmed.

I took out a Buster Sword from the Storage and got into position.

The men tensed up at the sight of the sword appearing from nowhere but did not back down.

"Luminia, take care of the children. They're in the room at the back."

"Got it. Leave the children to me."

The men tensed up as Luminia correctly identified the location of the children.

"With this many, we're not afraid. Let's go, guys."

The men attacked all at once, but with one swing of the Buster Sword, three of them were split in half.

This time, I had no intention of holding back.

Taking advantage of the shock of the three men being killed, Luminia ran to the children's location.

She dodged the men and headed down the corridor.

I held the Buster Sword in my right hand and cast an Air Bullet with my left, creating holes in two men and blowing them away.

... Five left. It should be over in a few minutes.

I cut down one from above and then cut another in the same manner.

When only three were left, Luminia came out of the room.

"Touya! All the children are here! But Saya isn't!"

"Got it. Where did you take the other girl...?"

One of the men relaxed his mouth.

"Who knows? Maybe she's lying somewhere out there—"

I cut off his head before he could finish his sentence.

"Two left... Do you intend to keep quiet too...?"

The men, who were supposed to be ten, were now only two, and they dropped their swords and backed away, sitting on the ground.

"Please don't kill us. The woman was taken to a noble's place by the chairman..."

Indeed, they were involved...

"Got it... I won't take your lives."

I put away the Buster Sword into the Storage and cast Air Bullets at their thighs.

"Ow, ow, ow..."

"Gah..."

The two men desperately tried to stop the bleeding from their thighs.

After subduing everyone, Luminia came out of the room with the children.

"Touya-niichan!"

The children ran to me and hugged me. I patted their heads.

"You must have been scared. I'm here to save you, so you can relax now."

"But, Saya-nee was taken away. Touya-niichan, please save Saya-nee."

"I understand. I'll definitely bring her back, so wait at the orphanage."

As I was reassuring the children, the guards burst into the building.

They must have noticed the loud noise of the gate being broken.

"There are intruders in this mansion... Wait, you're the one from before?!"

"Yeah, I broke the gate."

"But this is...?"

The guards turned pale at the sight of the dead bodies.

"The orphanage where these children live was attacked by these guys, and everyone was taken away. I came to get them back."

"... Even so, to take on this many...? Were all the children taken from here?"

"No, a girl named Saya, who runs the orphanage, was taken to a different place. I'll go get her back."

"... Even if you say you'll get her back, we can't just let you go after this mess. Are you really Touya? Where do you intend to go?"

I nodded at the guard's question. However, I couldn't afford to waste time here.

"The place they were taken to... is Viscount Maggler's mansion."

The guard's eyes widened at my words. No matter how much they were told the children were kidnapped, it was clear that I was about to attack a noble's mansion.

They wouldn't let me through easily.

The guards drew their swords and pointed them at me.

"Even if you say you're going to attack a noble's mansion, we can't let you through..."

I took out the proof of nobility from the Storage and showed it to the guards.

"—I am Touya von Kisharagi, Duke. Is that enough for you?"

"What!?"

"Seriously!?"

The guards were surprised by my words, and even the surviving men were shocked.

"... We didn't know... We were fighting the hero who saved the country..."

"Yeah, that's right."

I turned to the two remaining men and told them.

"I apologize. I didn't know you were Duke Kisharagi. Please leave this to us. We'll contact the guards in the noble district immediately. Hey, someone, run quickly!"

"Yes, sir!"

A young guard ran off.

"Luminia, I'll leave the rest to you. I'll go get Saya back."

"Got it. I'll wait at the orphanage with the children."

Luminia extended her fist, and I raised my hand to meet it.

"We'll take the children back to the orphanage, so please rest assured."

"Thanks."

I bowed slightly and jumped onto Kokuyou, who was waiting at the gate.

"Let's go, Kokuyou! Our destination is Viscount Maggler's mansion!"

"Neigh!"

Kokuyou started running, retracing our steps and flying over the guards at the gate of the noble district, heading straight for Viscount Maggler's mansion.

We arrived at Viscount Maggler's mansion in a few minutes, but two guards were waiting at the gate.

"Break the gate down."

Kokuyou, understanding my words, kicked down the gate without slowing down.

"Aaaaah!"

I felt bad for the guards who were blown away, but I couldn't afford to stop now.

I dismounted Kokuyou at the entrance of the mansion and used magic to blow open the door.

I walked in and private soldiers started appearing.

I immediately used the Search skill to confirm the people inside the building.

I confirmed that four people were in a large room at the end of the second floor and headed there.

"Intruder! Stop him!"

I punched the approaching private soldiers and used magic to blow them away. The power was too much, and they disappeared after breaking through the walls of the mansion.

I went up the stairs and continued to punch the private soldiers who attacked me with their swords.

"I can't hold back now! Next time, I won't guarantee your lives."

I took out the Buster Sword from the Storage and used Body Boost to charge and kick down the door of the target room.

Inside the room were Viscount Maggler in noble attire, the senior inspector who had audited the orphanage, the chairman of the Suen Chamber of Commerce, and Saya, who was tied up.

"Touya-san!"

"What the hell?!"

I entered the room and stood in front of Saya, who was near the entrance.

"You guys... Do you know what you've done?"

I directed a killing intent at them, and Viscount Maggler, who was sitting on the sofa, fell back and started to retreat.

"You! Do you know what it means to attack a noble's mansion? It's a capital offense for disrespect!"

"That's right. This is Viscount Maggler's mansion. Do you think it's a place where adventurers can just walk in?"

Ignoring their words, I cut Saya's ropes.

"Saya, I'm sorry for making you wait."

Saya, with tears in her eyes, hugged me.

"Touya-san... Thank you for coming to save me..."

"Are you okay? You can relax now that I'm here."

"... Yes, I'm okay..."

I gently patted Saya's head and signaled for her to step back, then turned to face the three men.

"Your kidnapping is a current crime. The guards have already taken over the chamber. It's only a matter of time before they get here."

Viscount Maggler, who had stood up, snorted.

"Do you think the guards will listen to an adventurer? This is the noble district. My word is the law."

At that moment, voices and running sounds came from the lower floor.

"Is this the place!?"

Several guards entered the room with their swords drawn.

Viscount Maggler, thinking he had the upper hand, spread his arms wide.

"Guards, thank you for coming. Arrest the man who invaded this noble's mansion! I'll reward you later."

However, no one listened to Viscount Maggler and pointed their swords at the three men.

Viscount Maggler's face turned red with anger and he started shouting.

"Why can't you listen to me! I'm Viscount Maggler!"

One of the guards, still pointing his sword, stepped forward.

"... I understand that you are Viscount Maggler. However, as the main culprit in the kidnapping case, you will be arrested."

"Why! Why are you listening to him and not me?"

"Why do you ask...?"

The guard looked at me, and I stepped forward and showed my proof of nobility, which was more luxurious than Viscount Maggler's.

"I am Touya von Kisharagi, Duke. You attacked the orphanage I support. Do you have anything else to say?"

"What... You're... the hero who saved the country..."

"Unbelievable..."

"Can't be..."

Viscount Maggler, the senior inspector, and the chairman of the Suen Chamber of Commerce were all shocked and collapsed on the spot.

"Duke Kisharagi has confirmed and given permission. You are not nobles, but criminals. Arrest these three."

The remaining guards, following the order, tied them up with ropes, but they didn't resist and were tied up with their heads down.