Chapter 70

"Alright, take them all to the detention room!"

The captain gave the order, and the guards led the three away.

"Lord Kizaragi, please leave the rest to me. I'll send a message to the castle first thing in the morning."

"Sure, thanks. I also plan to explain the situation to His Majesty."

"Hmm! And... can I shake your hand? I've been a fan for a long time, so it's an honor to meet you."

He shyly extended his hand, and I smiled and shook it in return.

"It's an honor for me too. Thanks for coming. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Yes! I'll be on my way then."

The captain ran off after the guards.

I couldn't help but let out a big sigh.

Is this finally over...? At least everyone is safe.

"Mr. Touya..."

Saya suddenly hugged me, and I gently wrapped my arms around her back.

"I'm glad. You made it in time..."

"Yes, I believed you would come, Mr. Touya... As I thought, you are a hero to me too."

She looked up at me with her eyes wide.

"We need to show the children that we're safe soon. The children who were taken with you are also being protected by Lumina."

"Right. But let me stay like this for a little longer."

Saya buried her face in my chest.

I slowly stroked her silky hair, and she closed her eyes in contentment.

After a short while, we left the house together.

Outside, the guards were tying the hands of the private soldiers behind their backs. It seemed that everyone was obedient after the capture of Viscount Magglar.

Since there were many people, they had prepared carriages, and they were all gathered in one place.

Among them were Viscount Magglar, the senior auditor, and the head of the Suwen Trading Company.

Viscount Magglar glared at me with hatred. Given the circumstances, it was his own doing.

The senior auditor and the head of the company were looking down in despair, perhaps thinking about their future.

In general, those involved in human trafficking would face execution or, at best, become slaves in the mines. Viscount Magglar, in particular, would receive a severe punishment.

I don't think the Emperor would easily forgive him, and if he did, I wouldn't.

We don't know how many children have been victims before this was discovered. That will become clear during the interrogation.

I stood in front of the three.

"What you did is unforgivable. I intend to report to the Emperor tomorrow. Expect severe punishment."

Viscount Magglar looked down in resignation. However, the senior auditor looked up at me and spoke.

"Why didn't you reveal your identity until now...? Even during the audit, you acted as an adventurer..."

"That's because the orphanage is not under my jurisdiction. It's under Viscount Magglar's. If I had revealed my identity, the audit would have been over quickly. That wouldn't have been right. The application for the orphanage is a formal one, even though it's under my protection."

"Is that so... That's why..."

The senior auditor looked down in resignation.

In this world, small misdeeds are trivial. That's why I approached them as an adventurer and even bribed the officials.

I don't mind such things and don't take them seriously.

However, when it comes to human life, especially the lives of children, it's not something I can tolerate.

Moreover, they attacked Saya and the children. I absolutely won't forgive them.

After greeting the captain of the guards, we decided to return to the orphanage.

I mounted Kokuyou, who was waiting by the side of the house, and held Saya in my arms.

"Kokuyou, let's go back to the orphanage."

Kokuyou lifted his head slightly and slowly started walking towards the orphanage.

When we returned to the orphanage, the children came out energetically.

"Saya-nee!"

The children hugged Saya one after another. It seemed that the children who had been captured by the Suwen Trading Company had also returned to the orphanage.

Finally, Lumina came out slowly.

"Of course it's Touya. I'm glad Saya is safe."

"Yeah, I owe you a lot this time."

"No, in the end, I couldn't help them alone. Touya is reliable."

I shook my head.

When I went to retrieve the children from the Suwen Trading Company, there was only so much I could do alone.

Thanks to Lumina, the children were protected immediately.

When I said this sincerely, Lumina blushed slightly and looked embarrassed.

"Touya... It's unfair to flirt at a time like this... If it were you..."

No... I'm just expressing my gratitude, why does it sound like I'm flirting?

I'm the one who's uncomfortable with this...

As I scratched my cheek, Kokuyou suddenly nipped my head gently, as if to say, "Don't forget about me."

Right, I should thank you too.

"Thanks, Kokuyou."

When I expressed my gratitude, his tail wagged happily, as if to say, "Of course."

"Big brother Touya, thank you for saving Saya-nee."

The children who had been hugging Saya had surrounded me.

"Yeah, Saya and you guys are important to me. I'll always help you if something happens."

I stroked the heads of the children who were hugging me one by one.

"Look, it's almost morning. I'll make breakfast for you guys!"

"Yay!"

I entered the building with the children, who were cheering, and looked up at the brightening sky.

◇◇◇

After having breakfast with the children, I headed to the castle early.

I greeted the guards and went inside. I was quickly led to the reception room, where the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Charlotte were waiting.

I stood up to greet them, but the Emperor gestured for me to sit down again.

"I've heard a brief account of what happened yesterday. Can I hear the details from you, Touya?"

"Of course, I'll tell you everything."

I recounted the events. I omitted minor details, such as the bribes I gave to the officials.

"Who would have thought it was Viscount Magglar... That father was very caring and was in charge of the orphanages in the empire. He died in the previous war, and his successor turned out like this... I owe you, Touya."

"No... My orphanage was also affected..."

"Indeed... Regarding the successor, Touya, would you consider taking the position?"

The Emperor's offer was appreciated, but I am an adventurer. I have no intention of supervising an office.

I plan to stay in the capital as much as possible, but I will sometimes leave on missions.

"However... How about Princess Charlotte?"

"Huh? Me?!"

She looked surprised, but I knew that Charlotte often sneaked out of the castle to visit the orphanage.

With Al as her bodyguard, I was reassured, but Charlotte seemed to be more played with by the children than taking care of them.

I could trust the children to Charlotte.

"If a royal is in charge, something like this won't happen again. The children would be happy with Princess Charlotte too."

The Emperor thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Indeed... Charlotte isn't doing anything now. If we assign a bodyguard, it shouldn't be a problem. Charlotte, I'll leave it to you."

"Yes, Father. I'll take care of the children. I'll study before I have children with Mr. Touya."

Charlotte's words made the Emperor and me chuckle.

"Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Since we are formally engaged, it's not wrong, but it's a bit premature.

If I stayed, I was afraid of what she might say next, so I stood up.

"Then I'll take my leave."

"But we just met. I wanted to talk about our future..."

I left the room as if fleeing from her words.

I looked up at the clear blue sky, smiled, and decided to return to my house.