Chapter 45

Since it's a bit short, I'll post another chapter.

In the Turquis family's parlor, guests were being entertained from early morning.

It was Gaius Rosen, the third knight of the Filfarria Kingdom.

He had come to cross-reference part of the report he had taken yesterday and to report on subsequent developments.

In the parlor were Shiro, Gaius, and the members of "The Giant of the Earth."

"Don't be so tense."

"Y-Yes..."

Gaius, smiling at the nervous adventurers, sat down on the sofa in the parlor as Shiro suggested.

The members of "The Giant of the Earth" also sat down, following his lead.

"I've mostly received reports from my subordinates, but..."

Gaius casually compared Shiro's report with other reports he had in hand.

He already knew they were not at fault.

"You won't be held accountable. Rather, it's our country's fault. I apologize."

Gaius bowed deeply, and Morgan hurriedly waved his hands.

"N-No, please don't worry about it. We're fine, after all..."

Though he said this, the relief on his face was evident now that he knew they wouldn't be punished.

However, the next words from Gaius made Morgan and the others widen their eyes.

"...as the king himself said."

"Wh-What!?"

Morgan and the others couldn't help but burst out laughing.

In front of them, Gaius placed a small cloth bag and a list.

The moment he placed it, a jingling sound came from inside the cloth bag.

"Normally, I should have come in person to apologize, but the timing is bad. Would this be acceptable...?"

"Y-You're too kind..."

Morgan, with a strained expression, broke into a sweat at Gaius's words.

He never expected that the king of a country would come to their aid over this matter.

Morgan hesitated, looking at the cloth bag, then turned his gaze to Shiro.

Seeing Shiro nod silently, Morgan tentatively reached for the cloth bag.

It felt heavy in his hand.

The hush money was likely included in this as well.

"Thank you very much."

Morgan bowed deeply and accepted it.

Seeing this, Gaius smiled.

"I'm relieved you accepted it. Honestly, carrying 100 gold coins around is unsettling."

"Wh-What!?"

The members of "The Giant of the Earth" gaped at the amount.

That was ten large gold coins or one platinum coin.

Even divided four ways, it would cover more than a year's living expenses.

"That's quite generous..."

Shiro's voice was slightly exasperated, but he wasn't surprised because of his past as a top-tier adventurer.

Gaius, readjusting his position in the chair, turned his gaze to Shiro.

"It's because of your good work... You gave us a chance to corner the Earl of Caldor."

"Huh...?"

Morgan, not understanding, gave an ambiguous response, and Gaius began to explain.

The person who had caused trouble with Morgan and the others was the son of the Earl of Caldor.

There was information suggesting that the Earl of Caldor was plotting something nefarious in secret.

However, they couldn't catch him red-handed and had been at a loss.

"The troublemakers we caught the day before yesterday didn't know the details, but many of them expressed suspicion about Caldor. The number of private soldiers was too large, and the pay was good. Where would he get the money to hire more than that?"

Even as an earl, he didn't hold an important position.

While it's not uncommon for a titled person to hire private soldiers, it would be impossible for him to afford so many with his income.

Naturally, it was assumed there was something suspicious going on.

"This incident was a stroke of luck. Rick took immediate action with the king's approval."

Rick, also known as Chancellor Felix, had the king's permission to summon the Earl of Caldor's son, Gram, to the castle.

He was ordered to appear the next morning, which was yesterday evening.

"Evening...?"

Shiro tilted his head.

Normally, a royal summons would be issued in the morning to allow time for preparation to meet the king.

Since they were in a position to be held accountable, it would be acceptable to send troops to the Earl of Caldor's residence immediately.

Shiro, puzzled, looked at Gaius, who smiled.

"I asked Rick the same thing... It seems it's to expose Caldor."

"What do you mean?"

"If we just sent troops, even if we could enter, the search for Gram would be the limit. If he wasn't there, they could claim innocence, and we wouldn't be able to search the mansion further."

Caldor would be capable of such a move, Gaius snorted.

"So, what happens when we show a welcoming attitude to an opponent who is on guard for a day...?"

"You can't defy a royal summons. However, being summoned in the evening is unusual... I see..."

An audience at that time would be impossible.

There would be no time to file an objection.

"Until now, Caldor had been covering up all the trouble caused by his foolish son. There might be some parental affection. If Caldor were to come to the castle today and file an objection, he could be arrested on the spot for defying the king's order. If he's plotting something, this would expose him. But even if he tries to cover up this incident, the opponent is too formidable."

Gaius gave Shiro a sly smile.

Even as a minor noble, challenging the royal family and getting involved with someone under their protection was a bad move.

Who would willingly confront someone who could single-handedly slay a dragon?

Gaius would never do it.

"In other words, he's in a bind..."

Gaius nodded in response to Morgan's muttered words.

"Well, this should bring a bit more peace to the capital."

Gaius smiled contentedly, and Shiro also smiled inwardly.

(Except for you...)

He muttered to himself.

He had known Gaius was coming, so he had arranged for a special guest today.

"Knight Commander, since we have guests, we're having a light lunch party today. Would you like to join us?"

Cecilia, Stella, and Rosa had been preparing lunch since early morning.

Hearing this, Gaius wouldn't refuse.

"Cecilia's cooking! That's great! I'll join you!"

"Cecilia will be happy to hear that!"

Cecilia apparently started cooking after getting married, and her skills have improved rapidly.

She had always been interested in cooking, but as a noble lady, she wasn't allowed to enter the kitchen.

So now, Cecilia was happily serving food.

In any case.

(The bear has fallen into the trap! Be prepared!)

Shiro smiled wickedly and triumphantly to himself.

Unaware of the great events that would follow.