Chapter 44 of 100
Chapter 44
14 min read3,463 words
After the attack on the Obock Manor, to accuse the Count Obock of his crimes, Germain headed for the capital.
The misdeeds of Count Obock, the lord of the city of Ainzas, became known throughout the country.
Count Obock was captured alive but was later executed in the capital.
While repeated violations of the kingdom's laws and massacres were serious crimes, what was most significant was his involvement with the anti-state organization, the 'Flute-Playing Devil.'
The shock of the fact that Count Obock, a person of high standing in the kingdom, had funded an anti-state organization was immense.
The kingdom's vigilance against the 'Flute-Playing Devil' increased, but the organization was large in scale, and some were merely claiming to be part of it to enhance their reputation.
Moreover, even those who were supposed to hold high positions within the organization were only informed about the areas they managed, and the true nature of the organization was completely unknown.
Even with ongoing investigations and countermeasures, the scale and purpose of the organization remained entirely opaque.
The only thing that became clear was that the 'Flute-Playing Devil' was not just a group developing magic banned by the state, as it had been thought before.
Following the execution of Count Obock and the dissolution of his family, other noble families with strong ties to Count Obock came under suspicion, and the capital's knights were sent to investigate. However, the investigation was difficult due to the number of high-profile targets.
About two months later, a new lord appeared in the city of Ainzas, and the country began to regain its stability.
It was during this period that Germain visited the city of Ainzas.
Germain met with Fiona, Lloyd, and Lily, the trio who were key members of the guild 'Twilight of the Spirits,' at a tavern.
"It's been a while, Guild Master."
When Fiona bowed her head, Germain smiled wryly.
"…I actually suited that role better. Unfortunately, I had to take over the title of a dissolved family. I'm being selfish, I know."
Germain was originally from a baron's family but was targeted by Count Obock, framed, and his entire family executed.
Germain, who had left home to become an adventurer, managed to escape by abandoning his original name.
While receiving the title again was unexpected, if he were to give it up, the family name would truly disappear this time.
Originally, he had left home because he didn't fit in, arguing with his parents and running away.
Still, Germain chose to revive his family.
"Eh… Guild Master… Germain, you were… a noble?"
Lloyd, who hadn't fully grasped the recent events, asked Germain with his mouth agape.
The name Germain had used, which was a pseudonym to hide from Count Obock, he didn't bother to correct.
"I heard a new lord was coming to Ainzas, but I didn't expect it to be you…"
"No, that's not the case. Ainzas is an important city, even if it's corrupt. They couldn't entrust it to someone like me. They chose someone from the royal family's relatives to prevent another Obock from privatizing it."
Germain shook his head in response to Fiona's question.
"Seriously… I was counting on you coming back as Guild Master to get more work…"
Lloyd rested his cheek on the table and sighed deeply.
Lloyd and the other members of 'Twilight of the Spirits' weren't particularly skilled.
Originally, Germain had become the Guild Master of Ainzas to gather information on Count Obock.
Their abilities were, at best, average, with Germain being the only exception.
Re-registering with other guilds was difficult due to their connections, and few guilds wanted them without any clear strengths.
"Lloyd, really, bringing that up now…"
Lily said in exasperation, and Fiona smiled wryly.
"If you're willing, I'd like to hire you as knights for my family. I need the help, and it would be a great relief to have familiar faces around. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Lloyd stood up in amazement.
"R-really? Germain… no, Lord Germain!"
Being a knight for a minor guild and a noble family was a world of difference in terms of prestige and treatment.
Of course, it would come with more responsibility, but it was a significant promotion.
"Lily, Fiona, you're coming too, right? Right? Come on!"
Lily nodded silently, while Fiona showed some hesitation before shaking her head.
"I appreciate the offer, but I want to continue being an adventurer for a while longer. Perhaps in a different place. I'm sorry."
"I see. It's a shame, but… I expected as much from you, Fiona."
After saying that, Germain slightly lowered his eyebrows and looked around the tavern.
"Is that man… no longer in Ainzas?"
"…Yeah, old man Lambert hasn't been seen since that day. He just… vanished like a ghost."
"I see. Given his complicated background, I thought he might disappear at any time, but I wanted to see him one more time."
"Are we just a bonus because you want to find old man Lambert?"
Lloyd said with a slight pout.
"That's not the case, but he is a benefactor. Besides, that man isn't the type to serve under anyone."
"If we have a connection, we'll meet again. Surely."
After the attack on the Obock Manor, Germain told them what had happened there before heading to the capital.
Lambert had stormed the manor, almost single-handedly decimating the private army, and after a fierce battle, he had killed Hector in front of Count Obock.
It was a story that would be hard to believe under normal circumstances, but knowing Lambert's exceptional strength, they were surprised but somehow calm, thinking it must be true.
However, from that day on, Lambert disappeared from the city of Ainzas, as if he had never existed, like the ghost he claimed to be.
His unreal strength combined with the fact that even Germain, who had witnessed and benefited from it, sometimes wondered if it had all been a dream.
In Germain's mind, the image of Lambert, who had leaped up and slashed down with a massive sword to cut Hector in half, floated.
There was a sense of awe and quiet excitement, as if he had witnessed a part of history.
Germain looked out the window, spotting an armored man in the crowd and staring in surprise, but realizing it was someone else, he smiled wryly at his mistake.
"…Maybe it was real after all."
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