Chapter 75

The Gord family, including Duke, was arrested and will be properly judged for their crimes. Even though they are relatives of the lord, such a major crime cannot be pardoned.

Moreover, it seems that the lord's wife, who had repeatedly asked to cut ties with that family, has reached her limit with this incident... She is reportedly taking an active role, even investigating past events, so it is expected that the judgment will be even stricter.

However, it doesn't seem that everything will be resolved just because all the wrongdoers have been caught, and I have been feeling uneasy deep down.

For example, the town's newspaper has been writing about this incident daily. Anna, after reading a newspaper left in the hotel's café, was fuming and said, "I will protest to the newspaper company!!" It seems that the newspaper had written something bad about me as well.

I understand that newspapers in any country tend to do this. Since it can't openly defame a viscount who has long protected a major criminal, it probably wants to write sensational articles about the Gord family. It seems to be writing about the alchemist Rio, a victim of this incident, in an entertaining way. It might be a form of retaliation for turning down all the interview requests that came to the hotel.

The article that I thought had the "most impressive imagination" was one that said, "According to information obtained through our exclusive channels, while the Viscount Bétemetal had a business partnership with the alchemist Rio, Rio sold the technology to a foreign country for military use, gaining wealth twice over. Although only the Gord family and their associates have been found guilty this time, our company will continue to pursue this suspicion."

While feeling exasperated by the baseless article, I thought, "This could be a good plot for a story," and made a note of it, keeping it a secret from Anna.

The reason my mood hasn't improved even after the incident is not just this.

It was revealed that the corruption had spread widely, involving the patrol team, the adventurer guild, the alchemist guild, and the town hall. In other words, too many people were held accountable.

Honestly, I didn't expect it to become such a big incident. I thought there were many collaborators, but I didn't expect there to be so many.

Many people will lose their jobs because of this incident, and their families will be in a difficult situation. Although I know intellectually that the people who committed the crimes are at fault and I shouldn't worry, I can't help but think negatively.

There must be many people who hate me. It would have been better if it could have been resolved more peacefully. It would have been nice if it could have been settled without making such a fuss, and in a way that would have saved the viscount's face.

Ah, I'm thinking too much again. But this is just my habit, so I can't help it.

"Hmm..."

"Liana-sama, do you really need to decide on a new property so quickly? I think it's fine to take your time. You can store the furniture in a rental warehouse and build a new house that you're satisfied with."

While saying "Hmm..." and pondering, I had a spread of documents in front of me, detailing the floor plans and rental conditions of properties introduced by the viscount, the adventurer guild, and the alchemist guild. It seemed like I was struggling to decide which one to choose.

"No, they are all good properties, but... it's just that..."

"Are you having trouble deciding?"

"Renting a room was never this difficult, but I'm really feeling the importance of renting a house... After all, it's a house. Building one is even more..."

I couldn't express my thoughts clearly and was getting frustrated. Anna, seeing my gloomy face, placed the tea she brought in front of me and sat down opposite me.

I started to talk to Anna about what I had been feeling recently. Originally, I came to this town without any particular plans or goals, just because Fred made this town his hometown.

I never thought I would buy a house or settle down so firmly in this town. However, I had security concerns in the rented room. I decided to move, but I needed to buy a detached house instead of renting. I couldn't strengthen the security as I wanted in a rented property. The best option would be to build a new house with a protective barrier in mind.

I don't want to be targeted by criminals like them again, and I need to prevent it before it happens. Journalists are also trying to contact me. I'm not worried about money, but I feel uncomfortable living in a hotel for a long time.

The hotel staff... I never thought that having other people frequently enter my living space would make me so uneasy. When I was in the duke's household, it was normal, but I had only one personal maid, Anna, while many other servants handled various tasks like serving, cleaning, and washing.

I seem to have gotten used to my current life. Or maybe I was better suited to a life like the one I had in Lindemen?

"I see, Liana-sama. If you think you might have to live here for a long time, you're not feeling very positive about it, are you?"

"Yes... that's right."

Just by talking to Anna, my thoughts became clearer, and I understood what I really wanted.

Living in a hotel for a few days was enjoyable, but living in a hotel is not for me. I need to buy a detached house for my next home, but I can't commit to living in this town for a long time.

It's sudden, and my thoughts are still not clear.

But I do want to stay in this town. That's for sure.

"I understand Liana-sama's concerns."

"...Anna too?"

"There are many good people among the residents here, but thinking about it as a town governed by that viscount... Honestly, I'm worried that he might cause trouble for Liana-sama again, given his tendency to be swayed easily."

I was taken aback by Anna's casual criticism of the nobility. I wanted to deny it, but I couldn't come up with a counterargument.

Thinking about it, I couldn't find a reason to defend him, so I passively agreed, "Well, that's true..." I can't say such things to others because he is the lord.

"If he had taken a firm stance, even as a relative, the situation would not have escalated to such a major incident, given the difference between nobles and commoners."

Indeed, if the viscount had abandoned them earlier, it wouldn't have come to this.

He had been paying Dreyton a salary under the pretense of being a caretaker of a government housing complex, even though Dreyton didn't do any actual work. The house was provided by the viscount, which ultimately came from tax money.

Moreover, the fact that he was involved in criminal activities behind the scenes is unacceptable to the townspeople.

The viscount's people were angry at Duke and Dreyton's crimes, but the viscount, who allowed it, also bears responsibility.

Buying a house and going into a joint venture... It would be a long-term commitment.

So that's why I wasn't feeling positive about it. This is a great town to live in as just an adventurer.

"The party tonight is also heavily using the name of the alchemist Rio, the developer of the artificial magic stones."

"But a noble who can protect you when your family finds you is necessary."

Actually, a party is being held tonight to honor and celebrate a few honorary citizens, including me.

I don't really want to be in the spotlight, but I couldn't refuse the repeated requests from the sponsoring nobles.

I was grateful for Anna, who was angry on my behalf, as if it were her own issue.

"However, Liana-sama, you didn't want to become too famous, so you declined the award, right?"

"At first... But it seems that influential people in this town and neighboring lords have been asking to be introduced to the developer of the artificial magic stones."

"Being asked to introduce you, the viscount is pressuring you to comply. He might not protect you when your family comes to take you back."

Anna's words made me freeze. ...Indeed.

I know that in such situations, the burden often falls on the person who seems more likely to tolerate it. I think the viscount himself is like that, which is why he almost went along with the Gord family just because they were relatives.

I felt a specific form of "bad premonition" taking shape. It's possible.

I have been in constant contact with Prince Rhineold since then. The messages are limited due to the small writing space, but we have a good understanding of each other's situations.

My family, for some reason, doesn't seem to have given up on me. It doesn't seem like the issue will resolve itself over time, and if I am found, they will likely come to take me back.

Although they never praised me, I understand that they actually recognized me. In other words, they think it's a "pity" to let me go.

It's true that it would be a waste to let go of someone who has received top-notch education and has acquired certain skills. The cost invested so far would be lost.

Moreover, I am related to them by blood, which means I can be very useful as a legal representative. There are jobs that even excellent apprentices, subordinates, butlers, or secretaries can't do, but I can.

My family members are all geniuses, and they find everything outside their areas of interest very troublesome. They are people for whom their hobbies are their jobs. They really struggled with tasks like meeting people for contracts or writing contracts, which can't be delegated to secretaries or close aides.

Using me as a representative for their work... If "Liane, whom they took the trouble to educate," is found, they will likely want to take me back.

I am truly grateful for the top-notch education I received. However, I am sorry, but I absolutely do not want to return home.

For that, I obtained the sponsorship of a noble. But I am actually unsure if I can fulfill this crucial role. My trust in Viscount Bétemetal has diminished that much.

No, I think, "He would likely give me up to the Agget family."

"Whether you go somewhere or stay, of course, I will accompany you wherever you go. Please don't think that your choice will bind me. I chose to be by your side of my own free will."

"Anna... I'm sorry."

"Oh, silly Liana. There's nothing to apologize for."

Holding my hand, Anna, who called me "Liana-sama" as she did when I was at home, made me feel tears welling up.

"Look, look, if you cry, your face will swell. You have to appear in public tonight, right?"

"It's fine, I plan to go out as an alchemist in a robe..."

"Oh! Just because you're going out as an alchemist doesn't mean you don't need to dress up! Since it's been a while since you've taken care of your skin, you should take a bath soon, considering the time."

Thus, I was pampered by the enthusiastic Anna, who made me say "Hee..." with her thorough care. It was enough to lift my spirits, which had been feeling gloomy as I thought about the future.