Chapter 89

Fredo wrote a letter to his younger brother and was rubbing his shoulder, saying, "I finally got to do some writing after a long time."

"Where did Ed go?"

"He went to the Commercial Guild to use the communication magic tool to inform Clovis that he secured a reply."

We decided to call Edward "Ed" because his name, Edwart, sounded unnatural for a commoner. We also explained the cover story we would tell others: "Fredo, who fled from a slightly wealthy family's succession dispute, and Ed, his former servant and childhood friend who was close to him even when he was at home." Since Ambur can't keep secrets, we decided to only tell her this much without revealing the truth. Actually, there's no lie in it at all.

By the way, at this time, Ambur was absent as she was studying reading, writing, and arithmetic at the orphanage, which is why we could have this conversation.

However, coincidentally, it seems that all of us are a party of people who have run away from home. Ambur says she was kicked out to go on a training journey, but from the detailed story she told later, it felt like she took the threat of "if you don't change your behavior, I'll send you on a strict training journey until you become strong enough to return" and went berserk.

Or perhaps her aunt, who felt that she really needed training, sent her out of the house as a harsh treatment.

If I ask Ambur herself, I only get a subjective story mixed with strong emotional opinions, so my speculations are included... but I do think it would be nice to visit Ambur's hometown someday.

"Did he just go to inform them that he received a reply?"

"I think that's the case for my part. Ed came to this town under the pretext of 'inspecting the artificial magic stone industry,' and Clovis said he was actually interested, so he might be combining that business communication as well."

"…Wouldn't it be faster to just convey the content of the letter using the communication magic tool instead of bringing it back in a letter? Is that not possible?"

"Hmm, I'm officially missing... considering that public communication across borders must go through the country, it might be a risk that it could be discovered. I'm a bit scared and want to avoid it."

"Oh, right. I didn't think about Fredo's situation... that was quite thoughtless of me."

"No, no. It's natural not to think of it, as most people wouldn't be cautious about such things."

Indeed, it might be an overreaction to think that all communications are constantly monitored, even in peacetime, but it's not impossible. Now that things have finally settled down around his brother, it wouldn't be right to take the risk.

If it were a communication magic tool used by the military or between countries, it would probably be safe, but we don't have the connections for that.

Apart from public communication, each store has its own communication methods, but these are even more prone to information leaks.

I feel bad for his brother, who has been waiting to hear from his family and establish contact, but he will have to wait a little longer.

While listening to Fredo and Anna's conversation, I was thinking about Fredo's situation and ended up asking.

"Fredo, do you really not need to go back to your hometown at all?"

"Yeah. We can now communicate secretly. I did think about eventually returning home, but... I thought it would be after my brother has an heir and ascends to the throne. Besides, if I show up now, it will definitely cause problems again."

"That's true..."

"Right?"

I see. Fredo doesn't want to bring any more trouble to his brother. Indeed, the people who caused Fredo to leave the country... Ed said his brother dealt with them, but not all of them are gone, and some might try the same thing again. It's a frustrating situation where they are so close and care for each other, yet they can't communicate openly.

What should have been resolved between them has been turned into a big problem by a third party.

It's really inconvenient that they can't communicate openly despite being close. Feeling frustrated, Fredo muttered, "If only I could do something to my mother, all the problems would be solved."

"F-Fredo?!"

"Ah, no, it's not that violent... I was just thinking that if she were confined, it would be better. Actually, it's Clovis's mother, Elizabeth, who works as the queen... No, sorry, I shouldn't have said that in front of you two."

Even after rephrasing, it was still a very violent statement...

Fredo, who usually doesn't show such hostility and clearly speaks ill of people. I've seen him angry at Duke and his father, but he never showed this level of disdain. Thinking that he might dislike them even more, I felt hesitant to ask.

...If he wants to talk about it. If listening to his story can make Fredo feel better, I want to hear it. Since I didn't have proper friends other than Anna, I'm not sure how to judge this. ...Ed would know, but I don't want to ask him behind Fredo's back. I hope I can muster the courage to ask Fredo himself someday.

"Leana!!"

"Ah, Ambur, welcome back."

Anna and Fredo also greeted her with "welcome back." However, Ambur, who seemed to be in a hurry, didn't say "I'm back."

"Leana, I want you to take the orphans to the forest tomorrow!"

I thought she had learned to greet properly and say "thank you" and "sorry."

It seems Ambur still has a long way to go. I decided to give her another chance and prompted her, "Ambur, welcome back."

"You see, a graduate adventurer came to the orphanage today."

"Ambur, you should greet first."

"A, e, ...I'm back..."

But before she could realize, she started talking about what she wanted to say, and Anna stopped her.

I could see the look of regret on her face, but it was too late to redo the greeting. It seemed that Anna's lecture couldn't be avoided.

But I can't leave it all to Anna. Since this is about my disciple's manners, I need to properly reprimand Ambur with my own words.