Chapter 86

A few days later, I visited the mansion to receive a report from the guard.

The client was hooded, and while it was clear they were male, their features were unknown.

Well, I can't help it. It's not like it would be that easy to know.

The attackers were adventurers, but they were D-rank. According to information from the Adventurer's Guild, they didn't seem to be receiving many requests, and it was speculated that they specialized in underground jobs.

In the end, the identity of the client remained unknown.

"Well, nothing was found out... If only I were targeted, it wouldn't be a problem, but if I'm not there when they head to the orphanage, I won't be able to respond."

I thought it would be fine since Lumina was staying there, but she might not be there during the day.

Recently, she had been taking requests from the Adventurer's Guild...

Maybe I should consult with her...

A few days later, I arranged to meet with Lumina at a bar in a corner of the guild.

The orphanage would have been fine, but because it was a suspicious matter, I couldn't let Saya hear, so we met at the guild.

Well, there were some conditions...

"Toya, first, cool this down for me."

She pushed a mug filled with ale towards me.

With a wry smile at the ever-unchanged Lumina, I used magic to cool it, including my own.

"Well, let's cheers before we talk. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

We clinked our mugs across the table and brought them to our mouths.

Ale is definitely better when it's cold.

"Phew! Cold ale is the best. If only I could form a party with Toya and always be together... But you're a noble, so that's not possible..."

"Let's not talk about that for now... We're old friends, after all."

Lumina appreciated that our relationship hadn't changed despite the lack of attention.

While there were friendships among the adventurers at the guild, given my status as a marquis, no one would overstep, and I could feel that they were cautious.

Moreover, those who had taken the same requests had seen a glimpse of my strength and felt even more cautious. While Shal and Al were currently living in the castle and wouldn't take requests with me, Lumina treated me as an equal adventurer.

She sometimes said strange things, but sharing a drink with one of the few people I could trust in this world was indeed pleasant.

After a bit of drinking, we moved on to the important matters.

"Toya being attacked... That's pretty stupid. If they just completed requests, they would have heard about you eventually. They might really only do underground jobs..."

"Yeah, I've asked the guild master to investigate. There must be someone behind it."

Lumina crossed her arms and started to think.

My gaze briefly lingered on her arms as they rose slightly.

"Got it. I'll try to stay with Saya and the others. I plan to take nearby day trips, and if I take a multi-day request, I'll let you know in advance."

"Yeah, that would help a lot."

"By the way, I have a question about the orphanage."

Among the many orphanages in the capital, one place I visited was unusually luxurious, and the priest seemed to have a lot of valuables. The children were constantly working and seemed less lively than at other places.

As I talked about what I found suspicious, Lumina's expression darkened.

"No matter how much donations they get from large merchant guilds, they shouldn't be that luxurious. There must be something going on... Ah, maybe..."

Lumina seemed to have something on her mind.

"What's wrong, Lumina? If you have something, please tell me."

"Yeah, actually, there was a guild request to investigate illegal transactions with other countries, which included human trafficking. While slavery is not recognized in this empire, it is legal in neighboring countries, like the Imperial Kingdom."

"...So, it might be connected to that merchant guild...?"

"Well, it's just a possibility..."

Thinking about the orphanage, I realized that there were indeed fewer children nearing adulthood. At fifteen, they had to leave the orphanage. Normally, they would work for a connected merchant guild or become adventurers, but if they were being sold into human trafficking...

I clenched my fist tightly.

"Toya, don't look so serious. How about we take that request together? I think it was a C-rank request. We should be able to handle it. I didn't take it before because I was alone, but with Toya, it should be fine."

"Yeah, I'll take it with you. I can't forgive human trafficking."

"Got it. I'll take the request tomorrow. Can you meet at the guild at noon?"

"Sure, see you then."

After discussing the request with Lumina, we decided to part ways for the day.

The next day, I called Darius to investigate the suspicious orphanage.

"That orphanage... I believe it's the Vanish Merchant Guild that has been dealing with them. Their main transactions were with the Imperial Kingdom."

"Is that so? Can you tell me more about the Vanish Merchant Guild?"

"Yes, the Vanish Merchant Guild—"

Darius had more information than I expected. I could only be grateful to the emperor for introducing such a competent steward.

Dressed as an adventurer, I met with Lumina at the guild.

The guild's investigation request was still ongoing.

Since it was just an investigation, the reward wasn't very high. Moreover, the merchant guild to be investigated wasn't even determined, which explained why it was on hold.

When I asked to meet the guild master, the receptionist frowned.

"The guild master is very busy. You can't just meet him easily."

"I understand. If this doesn't work, that's fine."

I placed my guild card on the table.

The receptionist's face turned pale when she saw the golden A-rank card.

"A-rank!? I'm sorry. I'll check immediately."

The receptionist hurried up the stairs. A few minutes later, she returned, sweating.

"The guild master will see you. Please follow me."

"Thanks. Lumina, let's go."

"Got it."

We followed the receptionist.

After knocking and receiving permission, we entered the room with the receptionist.

"Hey, Toya. It's been a while. I thought you were done with the adventurer business."

"Grycia, you're still the same. I thought you were slacking off and drinking again."

"Hey! Don't say that! That was then. I'm working now."

Grycia smiled and extended his hand, which I shook lightly.

The receptionist looked surprised at my casual conversation with the guild master.

"Oh, you don't know Toya?"

"Yes... I don't know him..."

Few people in the guild knew about me. To Grycia, the fame of being a "hero" and a "marquis" was only a hindrance to being an adventurer.

"Well, you should remember. This is Kisaichi, the Marquis and the 'Hero of the Nation' of this empire."

"Wh-what!? Wh-what!?!?"

The receptionist, who was about to kneel, was stopped by me.

"...I'm sorry for earlier... Even though I didn't know, I was rude..."

"It's fine. I'm an adventurer now. It's understandable since I haven't been doing much recently."

"Thank you. Still, meeting the hero is an honor. Could I have a handshake...?"

"Sure, why not..."

I shook her hand, and she left the room with a broad smile, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.

"Sit down. What's the matter?"

"Yeah, about the request we're taking."

I explained that we had taken the request to investigate illegal transactions and shared the information about the Vanish Merchant Guild and the orphanage from Darius and Lumina. After I finished, Grycia crossed his arms and started to think.

"The Vanish Merchant Guild is indeed thriving from trade with the Imperial Kingdom. Still, collaborating with an orphanage for human trafficking... It's possible..."

"Yeah, there might be other merchant guilds, but we plan to focus on the Vanish Merchant Guild and the orphanage."

"Even if it's just an investigation, I think Toya will solve it. Alright, if you solve it, I'll increase the reward."

"I haven't said I can solve it yet..."

"No, I think only Toya can solve it."

Grycia's confident statement made Lumina and me raise an eyebrow.

"Why can only Toya do it?"

"Well, because—there's a noble behind it. If a regular adventurer tries to handle it, they'll be silenced by the noble. In the worst case, they might be punished for disrespect. But Toya is a marquis. No one in this empire can punish him."

"...That's true."

Grycia's grin made Lumina nod deeply.

Indeed, no noble could challenge my position. Moreover, if I confirmed the illegality, I could even punish them on the spot.

This showed how powerful high-ranking nobles were in this empire.

Of course, I wouldn't just punish people on a whim. I would confirm with the emperor first.

"This long-stalled case will definitely be solved now."

"Hey, don't decide so easily."

"Well, of course. The hero who saved this empire should handle such cases easily. Oh, by the way, do you have that wine? I've been trying to get it, but I can't find it..."

The wine I had... We had a toast with it when I saved the empire.

Reluctantly, I took a bottle from my timed storage and placed it on the table.

"Wow! This is it! I knew you had it. Thanks a lot!"

Grycia's excitement made Lumina look curious.

"...Toya... What is this wine? I've never had it."

"What? You've never had it even though we've known each other for so long? It's amazing."

"..."

Lumina's silent gaze was painful.

I sighed and took another bottle from my timed storage, placing it in front of her.

"Of course, Toya. You understand."

"Lumina, this wine is great. I got a bottle from Toya, so there should be an open one. Want to try it?"

"Guild Master, that's a good idea. I want to try it too."

"Wait a minute," I said, and Grycia brought a half-empty bottle from a shelf, along with three glasses, filling them slightly.

"Hey, Grycia. Isn't it against the rules to drink on the job? You got in trouble for that before, didn't you?"

"Toya, don't worry about the details. This is work. I can't refuse an invitation from a marquis, can I?"

His convincing excuse made me sigh.

"Well, let's drink. To the completion of the request, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"...Cheers."

The three of us took a sip from our glasses.

The aromatic flavor spread in our mouths.

It was indeed delicious...

Lumina's eyes widened after her first sip.

"Toya, what is this wine!? It's strong, but the aroma and the flavor are amazing. Why did you hide it from me!?"

"Well, you only drink cold ale..."

Lumina only went to bars to drink cold ale.

I couldn't bring my own wine to a bar, so I never brought this out.

"It's good, right? Here, have another glass."

"Guild Master, thank you."

The tasting session with Grycia and Lumina continued until other guild staff came and scolded Grycia.