Chapter 80

I have rewritten the 26th update. If you read it before 10 PM yesterday, please take the trouble to reread the updated "Discovery" section. I'm really sorry.

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"I'm home~"

"I'm back... but, the atmosphere feels heavy... Did something happen?"

I had been lost in thought, staring at the unopened envelope on the table, when I was brought back to reality by the voices of Kohaku and Fred. Looking outside the window, it was already evening. I had returned from the viscount's mansion just after noon, yet I had been lost in thought until they came back from their mission.

"That's..."

Anna, who had been watching over me since she handed me a towel to wipe away my tears, was explaining the situation to Fred. However, all she could tell him was that "my family found out where I am and is coming to pick me up."

"Since they might come to take you back if they find out where you are, we were supposed to get a noble to back us to protect you... Can I hear the details? Or should we wait a bit longer?"

"... Kohaku, let's go to the café downstairs. It's before dinner, but it's special today."

"No... I want to hear too, Kohaku. As a party member, I want to hear the story here..."

I stopped Anna, who was gently trying to keep Kohaku away. Kohaku had heard about her family, but I had only vaguely mentioned my own. Especially about me running away and using a fake name.

Until now, I had been careful not to let anyone overhear in case I accidentally revealed the truth, but recently, I've been able to keep secrets well during missions. There was even a test where guild staff tried to get information, but Kohaku didn't fall for it and kept the mission and client information confidential. She's even being promoted to Gold rank this time, as am I, though I haven't been able to act as an adventurer since that incident.

So, since Kohaku seems to have grown a bit, I thought I'd share my past with her. Now that the viscount already knows, it's not a big deal if Kohaku finds out.

"Let's order something from room service and talk while we eat."

I suggested this after saying "Kohaku too," but Anna's words had already made Kohaku think we were going to the café for sweets. Kohaku's stomach growled loudly, so I added to my suggestion.

"Hmm... Was Reina, when she was with her family, not that great?"

Anna and Fred ordered coffee, and I ordered tea. Kohaku, eating Milka's sherbet, gave a simple explanation of my life before leaving home. I told her that my family were all geniuses in their respective fields, and I had been taught by them directly since childhood. Despite my efforts, I had never been praised by them, and our family relationship had always been strained. Things worsened when my step-sister joined the family, and an accident at a hunting event led me to run away.

Kohaku, who had been listening quietly, asked this, but I didn't understand the intent of her question.

"? I think I've grown since I left home, but I don't think I can do much more than before."

"Kohaku, Reina was already as knowledgeable and capable as she is now when she was with the Agget family. In studies, magic, and swordsmanship, she was the best in all fields among her peers, as far as I know."

I tried to correct her, saying that wasn't true, but my words were ignored, and the conversation continued.

"Really?! So, the Reina Kohaku knows, who knows everything and can do anything... was never, not even once, praised?!"

"That's right! It's really unbelievable, isn't it, Kohaku!"

Kohaku seemed to be unable to understand why my family never acknowledged me, hypothesizing that they didn't praise me because I lacked ability at the time.

However, her statement that anyone should praise me made me feel a bit flattered. It was nice to hear.

Anna and Kohaku, who were getting heated up, were a bit overwhelming, so I looked to Fred for help.

"No, I also thought Reina's family was really messed up when I heard that..."

"Fred-san, you too?"

"Ah, sorry for speaking ill of your family."

Fred, who suddenly spewed venom with a smile, surprised me, but I tried to get back to the topic. I had run away, but due to an article about artificial magic stones, my family found me. They contacted me, saying they would come to pick me up, but I really didn't want to see them and was at a loss.

"Reina's talent... I thought it was only a matter of time before they found her, so we should have a noble on our side to protect her in such situations, right?"

"Yes, the viscount said he would protect me from my family, who contacted me unilaterally to come and pick me up... but I don't really think he can do much."

"... Ah..."

He pretended not to know when they inquired, "Is it the alchemist Rio, I mean Reina?" But even at the award ceremony, I felt uneasy, thinking he might eventually give in to my family. Fred agreed with this concern.

Indeed, I have a contract with the viscount that he will protect me as long as I manufacture and sell artificial magic stones. That's why he arranged this well-guarded hotel to protect me when the incident happened. It was his duty.

However, this is a contract used between a noble sponsor and a commoner, with limited freedom. It's meant to prevent other nobles from interfering and to bind the noble sponsor to specific support and fair treatment.

I included in this "support" that "if a family member or third party tries to abduct me, the Viscount Betametal will send his private army to protect the alchemist Rio and Rio's companions." I had anticipated certain situations, like if my family tried to forcibly take me back. But it's not enough to prevent a foreign noble from entering the territory without doing anything.

The viscount will intervene between me and my family, but the biggest problem is that I can't see a future where the situation improves after he intervenes.

"So, that timid guy is useless in hiding Reina from her family, right?"

"Kohaku, he's a noble... you shouldn't say that outside."

"I know."

Kohaku's words made me reflexively deny, but I reconsidered and only gave a warning.

"Ah... This town is a good place to live, so I made it my hometown. It's a good place for adventurers... or commoners to work. Taxes and prices are not too high, and the adventurer's guild is strong, so you're well-protected from unfair treatment. I think the same applies to the alchemist guild, merchants, and craftsmen."

"Yes, I think it's an attractive town from a commoner's perspective."

Anna, who was angry with the viscount over the award ceremony, agreed on this point. I also thought he was a good person because he talked on the same level and didn't act superior, especially when I solved the kidnapping and received thanks, or when I started the magic stone business.

"The town is livable because the commoners' voices are reflected... which means the viscount who governs this town has been accepting the guilds' demands."

"... I see."

It made a lot of sense. ... Ah, that's it. I felt he was a good person because he wasn't like a typical noble, both in good and bad ways. He listened to people's opinions, even to his own detriment, and put a lot of pressure on those around him. Even the viscount's wife complained, "I told you to cut ties with the Gord family during our engagement."

"No, I'm really... sorry."

"? Why are you apologizing, Fred-san?"

I was startled by Fred, who put his hand and forehead on the table in a beautiful, flowing motion, and asked, not knowing what to say. Anna also looked puzzled.

Kohaku glanced at Fred and, having finished her sherbet, was diligently scooping up the last drops with her spoon.

"I brought Reina to this town..."

"Ah, ... no, that's true, but it's not your fault..."

"Besides, I suggested getting a noble's backing without fully considering the situation. If I had been more careful about who to ask for help, Reina wouldn't be in this situation."

I couldn't see his expression with his forehead on the table, but I could tell he was genuinely sorry. Indeed, if it had been a more typical noble, my family troubles might have been avoided. But I don't think I would have wanted to live in a town where I didn't feel at home. Besides, I made the decision myself. I was the one who decided to approach the viscount about the artificial magic stone business.

I was about to say it was okay, but...

"No, that won't do. If I say that, Reina will definitely forgive me. Sorry, let's pretend I didn't say that."

"Huh, eh, what?"

Fred suddenly lifted his head and, flustered by his words, I couldn't get a word in. ... Indeed, I was about to say it was okay out of fluster. I was impressed by how well he understood me. He might understand me as well as Anna.

But that's not good, and he doesn't want to be forgiven. I understood that much, so I decided not to bring up the topic again.

"... At least, since it's my mistake, I'll try to make it up... I'll research the next place we go to make sure this doesn't happen... and I'll listen to your hopes and give you several options..."

"Eh?"

I interrupted Fred, who was trying to regain his composure, with a question. Fred, looking as if he had just realized something, frowned.

"Are you planning to stay in Lindemen? I think you shouldn't... but if you've made up your mind, of course, I'll support you..."

"No, that's not it... but, are you coming with us, Fred-san?"

We stared at each other in silence for a while. Fred, who had been frozen, deliberately looked away and tried to change the subject.

"Ah, sorry. I guess I got flustered thinking it was my fault. I was talking as if I was going to follow you, but let's pretend I didn't say that..."

"Absolutely not!"

"... Uh..."

"No, I mean, I don't want to pretend you didn't say you'd come... I want you to come with us..."

I tried to correct my confusing response, but I ended up saying more than I intended. As I spoke, I realized the meaning of my words, and my ears turned hot.

Damn... I shouldn't have said something that would put Fred in an awkward position...

"I can give up the artificial magic stone business, but I don't want to leave the town..."

"That's what you thought, right?"

I had built good relationships with the workshop staff, made many acquaintances in the neighborhood, market, and regular shops. I didn't want to say goodbye to Miel and the children at the orphanage. I had made friends at the adventurer's guild and the alchemist's guild, and I was working on my second book with Dereau from the publishing company. I didn't want to leave this town, even though the viscount was unreliable.

But suddenly, the sadness of leaving the town was reduced by half. I didn't understand why, even to myself.

I tilted my head in thought until Anna suggested, "Let's have dinner soon."