The time goes back a bit (a bit earlier).
Delita and Cain are sitting across the table in the Knights' packing room.
It was like a simple reception room, and there were no complaints about their treatment.
Two knights are standing at the entrance of the room, making it impossible for them to escape.
'So what's your name?'
It's Cain.
"Just to make sure, can you open your status, please?
I can't.
'Can't I ask you this not as a knight, but as a duke who rules this city?
I can't.
No matter how many times he was told, Cain's status was not something he could show. It's because if you show it poorly, you could be punished by the king.
Sighing with a huff, Delita took a sip of the tea that was prepared and then asked again.
'Why not? Can I tell you that I'm going to beat you to the punch?
'Because I can't help it. If you must see it, ask Master Eric. Then I'll show you.
Delita's eyes widen at the sudden mention of Eric's name.
She shouldn't be surprised that Cain, dressed as an adventurer and without a companion, was mentioned in her father's name.
'How did you know about your father? Is the year about as close to silk as you can get, or maybe even silk?
Of course. Silk is in the same class at the school.
'Then there's no extra reason not to show it to you. Just tomorrow, your father will return to the house. I will ask him about your secret when he arrives. If I have lied to you about my knowledge of your father, it will be questioned and may be considered impolite. I'm sorry, but until then, I'll need you to wait in the other room.
Cain had no choice but to nod honestly.
And he was led to a prison. It's not just a jail cell.
It is a semi-basement, with a little sunlight shining in from near the ceiling.
The prison is a private room, and it was cleaner than I expected. There is no partition in it, but there are toilets and beds.
There are sofas and tables are arranged, and there is a prison like a small fish room, but I think it was Delita's consideration that made it so luxurious and private.
To be honest, the only reason I came to Malbeek was to create a transition base. I could have transitioned straight back to the royal capital, but as long as I mentioned the name Cain, I needed to meet face to face with Duke Eric after hearing that he was coming to this place.
I suppressed my disappointment that I wanted to take a hot spring bath and lay down on my bed.
I leisurely lay in bed and passed the time. Lunch wasn't served, so he sneaked out a loaf of bread and a cup from the item box and used water magic to fill his stomach.
There was only one guard waiting outside the prison to keep an eye on Cain.
Cain decided to talk to him to pass the time.
'Hey, hey, guards. How long do you think we should stay here?
The guards were a little miffed by Cain's question, but after all, the guards were also bored, so they were willing to talk.
''That is until Delita-sama's permission is granted. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
'Really? Lady Delita said earlier that Eric will be here tomorrow. I wonder if I can't get out until then: ...
If Lady Delita says so, so be it.
I lie in bed and talk while eating a pastry from the item box.
This pastry is a cookie with dried fruit on it that Sylvia made for me earlier.
'I see. ... I wanted to go to the spa. ...
The hot springs in this town are the best-- so what are you eating?
'What? Sweets. Do you want some?
Cain offers the guards the remaining pastries through the gap in the prison.
'Sorry, no! You've got an item box!
Cain nodded, even as his mouth moggled.
The guard fearfully takes the snack from Cain's hand and puts it in his mouth.
'Ooh, this is good.'
I give the satisfied guards more cups from the item box and pour the juice.
You can also have this one. I'm still underage so I don't have any liquor with me, but it's the juice I bought in the royal capital.
Sorry, I'll take it.
Before long, the conversation between the guards and Cain, who had opened up to each other, gradually became more and more lively.
''Delita-sama is not a bad person, but her character is in line. The only person who listens to what he says is Duke Eric. It's so much so that he's even rivaled the eldest son, Noele-sama, who is acting as the lord's representative.
'Oh, well, that's a lot of work,'
Cain listens to the guards' complaints as they minister to him.
'But he's a nice guy who treats the commoners without separating them. But sometimes it's the extremes that get me in trouble because I judge them on a good or bad basis .... It would be nice if you could be a little more flexible like Master Eric: ...
Cain chuckled as Eric's face came to life.
As he was talking, there was a knock on the door and it was opened.
'I guess it's time for dinner. And ... Master Delita!
The guards thought it was a dinner offering, but it was Delita who walked in.
He hurriedly placed the cup in his hand on the table, stood up and took a salute.
'Father has arrived ahead of schedule. And it was decided to check in early.
At the front of the prison, Delita waited so that she could get past the sword quickly.
Then Eric came in with two knights in his escort.
In front of the prison, Eric exchanged a glance with Cain.
'Hi,'
Cain only returns that one word. As he looks at it, Eric's face becomes redder and redder. And then, unable to resist, he began to laugh hysterically.
The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you have a ... stomachache. It's a good thing that you're in a place like this, Cain. Hahaha, it's really no good anymore: ...
Delita, the guard knights and guards are all stunned that Eric is laughing so hard by himself.
''Father, this Cain, do you know him?''
Delita asks fearfully.
'Yes, of course. 'Because you're Silk's fiancée, right? And he's Viscount Cain von Silford Drintle. He's also the son of the Earl of Garum Frontier, you know?
Hearing those words, everyone except Eric turned pale.
Because the fact that the name of the territory is after his name means that he is the head of a noble family, even if he still looks young. Even if Delita was the second son of the duke's family, she still needed to be sincere to the head of the family.
''Eh ... Viscount! The frontier count! Silk's fiancé!
Delita's thoughts couldn't keep up with Eric's words.
'Anyway, Cain-kun, why didn't you produce the viscount's certificate? You could prove you were a nobleman by showing it to me.
Eric asks with a laugh. Cain had been asked only about his status, so he had forgotten all about it.
I can't find it even on a physical examination, as I usually keep it inside the item box.
''That's true. The whole time I was asked to show the status, I refused, so I completely forgot about it.
Scratching his head, Cain produced the viscount's certificate from the item box.
And after hearing Cain's words, Eric's earlier smile instantly woke up and turned his cold gaze to Delita. In an instant, the air in this room changed.
''--Delita ... Did you see Viscount Cain's status?''
Delita shook her face in surprise at the drop in her expression.
'No, he adamantly refused, so I asked him to enter this prison. I just thought you were a child of the nobility, so I gave you this room.
'Very well then. If you had seen ... Delita, as the case may be--you could have been guilty of death.
Delita's eyes widened to such an extent at the words Eric told her.
It's a good thing that this Viscount Cain is such a talent. That's why he was knighted at this age and made the head of the family. Do you understand? But still, I didn't know Mr. Cain was in jail... let him out of there as soon as possible. I have to report this to the king when I return to King's Landing ... pfft.
The cold look on his face disappeared before he knew it, and he started laughing again, returning to his usual expression.
When the guards learned that Cain was a nobleman, they impatiently opened the lock and opened the prison door.
''Guards, it was fun. Thank you.'
When Cain smiled at the guards, the guards made a horrified expression and bowed their heads.
''Cain-kun, then, let's go to the mansion. I'll introduce you to my family.''
Accompanied by Eric, Cain headed for the mansion.
Delita was so shocked that she stood frozen in place for several minutes.