Chapter 56 [Baron Elgin's Territory 1: A New Complication]
After concluding discussions on the design of Cravas's new dungeon, we found ourselves leisurely relaxing when another complication came our way.
"An aristocrat's child?"
"Yes. They were mixed in with the liberated slaves from Vazari. Both we and the beastmen find ourselves at a loss, and we would appreciate your advice."
Apparently, a child from a noble family had been among the slaves freed in Vazari. Both the beastmen and elves refused to take them back to their villages, sympathetic as they were to the slave's plight. Consequently, Horn took charge, and currently, the child is lodging in a cave in the forest beyond Count Vazari's territory.
For now, I instructed me to maintain the status quo and consider contingency plans on our end.
"So, that's the situation. We don't know the details, but for now, if anyone has opinions on what to do, please speak up."
"Really, you seem to pick up troubles one after another."
"I'm not actively looking for trouble. Anyway, do any of you have suggestions?"
"Well, how about making them a familiar, Master?"
Everyone, including myself, stared in astonishment at Rai's outrageous suggestion.
"Um, Rai...? Making them a familiar... but where would you keep them?"
Ignoring the awkwardness of the term "keep" from Keen, I actually found merit in the suggestion, considering the minimal risk of my information leaking while protecting the child. The child's will wasn't considered from the beginning. However, it wasn't a bad proposal from the perspective of my safety.
"The problem lies in whether I should take in the child or not."
"A noble's child... don't you know their background?"
"Horn asked, but he seems troubled, giving no response. He followed orders passively, showing no sign of running away."
"Hmm, seems to be a complicated matter."
"I don't want to pry too much. I have a feeling that getting involved will only lead to more trouble, no, I'm convinced."
I don't need to set up any more strange flags.
"So, what do you think, Master?"
"Pawning them off on Horn as is would be pitiful... but..."
...
Anyway, since we couldn't understand the situation and couldn't deal with it, we decided to fly to Horn's location. Rai and Keen accompanied me as guards as usual.
Before the meeting, I instructed to put the child to sleep with magic. Then, I asked Horn about the situation.
"Even so, I don't know more than I told you the other day. I accidentally let slip that he's from Manastella..."
"Manastella?"
"Do you not know about the Elemental User? Manastella is the neighboring country, and there was a recent change in kingship."
"...I have an even stronger feeling that it's going to get more troublesome. Have you tried forcibly extracting information with magic?"
"I've heard there are spells in dark magic for that, but I'm not familiar with them..."
Well, can't be helped. Maybe it's time to use the truth serum I brought from Earth.
After using the truth serum, we found out that the boy's name is Marl, the third son of the Cleaver, the former Duke family in the Manastella Kingdom, which seems to have been dismantled He is now the only surviving member of the duke's family. He escaped with the help of supporters in Manastella, disguised as a slave, and infiltrated this country. He was supposed to be rendezvous with a noble named Holbeck in this country. However, just before meeting the envoy, he got caught up in this unfortunate incident.
"Do you have any idea about Holbeck, Horn?"
"..."
"..."
Huh? Rai and Keen's reactions are strange.
"Um... Elemental User, Holbeck Elgin Otto is the lord of Elgin territory, including Edge Village, where the Elemental User resides."
... Well, this is bad.