Chapter 71: Marigno Town
"This will do! Guild members will arrive from the Guild soon. Please take care of the two of them, Arisa."
In the carriage, besides Arisa, two other girls were captured. Arisa decided to stay behind, as it would be better to have someone who understood the situation, despite the fact that she had asked the harpies, summoned beasts, to guard the others.
The other two girls seem to know Arisa, so I feel somewhat relieved. My sister is quite famous, it seems.
Leaving the three in the forest at night is worrying, but with over 20 harpies at level 200, they can easily fight off griffins, and if necessary, they can instantly return using teleportation.
By the way, the men have their hands and feet bound. It's easy to kill them, but we need information to dismantle the human trafficking organization.
"It's alright, big brother. More importantly, aren't there many people on the carriage ahead? Go quickly and help them."
"…I understand. Well then, I'll go, but if anything happens, call me immediately."
"Yes, I know."
Arisa nods with big sparkling eyes. It's cute, but it's a bit hard to leave her behind.
"Kazane, I'm entrusting the three to you."
"Don't worry. Even at the cost of our lives, we will protect them, Your Majesty."
Kazane is secretly my favorite harpy, with her peach-colored hair and captivating eyes. I do like peach-colored hair.
For some reason, Arisa is glaring at Kazane with a sharp gaze, but it's probably just my imagination.
"…Big brother, the way you're looking at Kazane-san is so lecherous!"
Oh no, as expected of my sister, she saw right through me… I guess.
"Oh, Your Majesty? I'm ready to handle anything at any time…"
Kazane blushes.
What exactly is Kazane-san okay with? It's nice, but not now!
"Muu, big brother, you pervert! By the way, you had two sisters, right? Explain that later!"
In this world, Arisa is 16 years old, so there's no age difference from her past life. Her hair is a bright brown, her eyes are brown, and her appearance is completely different, but now that her memories have returned, she can only see Arisa.
I gently stroke Arisa's angrily puffed-up head and then teleport to Tsubasa, who is keeping an eye on the carriage ahead.
"Arisa had such a handsome older brother, huh…"
"Indeed… Um, Arisa, could you please introduce me to your older brother?"
(Oh no… More women are getting close to big brother. I have to protect him…)
"Well, maybe later."
Honestly, big brother, you're too popular!
***
"Tsubasa, has anything changed?"
"Your Majesty, nothing significant. We've taken a break once, and there haven't been any strange occurrences."
"Understood. Thank you, Tsubasa. Let's continue tracking."
"Uhm, Your Majesty… By the way, why are you hugging me like this?"
After teleporting, we ended up in a hugging position. Of course, it wasn't intentional.
"It's just that the teleportation put us in this position. Sorry, I'll let go—"
"No, stay like this! It's fine like this! If possible, hold on even tighter or, well, grab on."
Tsubasa, blushing, instructs me. She looks cute when her face is red. Oh, can't you fly?
"Hauu… Your Majesty, that place is…."
"Master, we've found the hideout."
While I'm hugging Tsubasa in the air—oops, while we're keeping watch, I receive a telepathic message from Fleurige. Seriously, he's still so clueless.
"Got it, I'll fly there! Tsubasa, I'll leave this to you."
"Understood, Your Majesty. Until later."
Reluctantly, Tsubasa gives me a kiss on the forehead.
I'm sad to leave, but I shift my focus to Fleurige and initiate teleportation.
***
Barbaros Marchioness Territory, Marigno Town
"...I can't believe the whole town was their base..."
Marigno is a quiet town of about 5,000 people, but it's close to Fisteria and thrives as a trading point and rest stop. The roads extend not only to the capital but also to various parts of the country, making it a perfect cover for human trafficking.
"With this scale, it's probably best to consider the town mayor as part of the scheme."
Certainly, as Chloe says, there's no doubt that someone in power is involved.
"But it's a bit more complicated... It would've been easier if this was Primera territory."
Yes, even Eva is concerned. This is the Barbaros Marchioness Territory. It's impossible to just crush a town all of a sudden—however...
"We're lucky. We have just the right person."
We're currently at a large tavern in the town. There's one person who stands out as out of place—though she's dressed like a town girl, she looks more like a princess in a village girl's cosplay.
I approach this suspicious cosplayer and strike up a conversation.
"Um, I'm an adventurer named Kakeru. I have something I need to discuss with Princess Rizelotte—"
"Huh? Rizelotte, who's that? I'm Rize, just a town girl."
...I don't think anyone who's just a town girl would say that about themselves...
"Oh, I see. Well, I know your true identity through Appraisal, so you don't need to hide it."
"Huh? T-Then just say it sooner! Aren't you embarrassed to know that... So, what's up? I'm busy with an undercover investigation right now..."
Muttering to herself, Rize blushes. This girl is quite charming. But is it really okay to be investigating alone?
"Princess Rizelotte, I need to borrow your ears—"
Rizelotte is the eldest daughter of the Barbaros Marchioness. I explain the situation and the impending arrival of a carriage with the abducted people.
"...Is that true?"
A serious expression crosses Rizelotte's face, and she blushes. Wait, did I do something?
(Our faces are so close! And he's whispering in my ear...)
"It's true. My companions are still keeping watch."
"...Fine. How dare they deceive me and commit such atrocities... I won't forgive them! I'll arrest every one of them!"
Rizelotte trembles with anger. Good, this should resolve everything—wait!
"...By the way, you guys are strong, right? I'm all alone now... Can you help me?"
Oh no, my plan didn't work! Why is the marchioness's daughter investigating alone?