Chapter 14: Demon’s Lair – 08
“I see, so it seems that you, Soushi, have taken on quite a dangerous role. I commend you for bringing Ryusha this far. You will likely receive a reward from His Excellency the Marquis for this.”
Inside the swaying carriage, the leader of the escort, Earthlin, bowed his head. He was a man in his thirties, a seasoned warrior with short-cropped hair, exuding the aura of a battle-hardened adventurer.
According to what I heard, he was directly under the Marquis, acting as his right hand. However, his intelligent gaze and manner of speaking were far from that of a commoner. He must have been of noble descent, perhaps.
At present, we were riding in a carriage heading toward the Marquis’s domain. Incidentally, this carriage belonged to the Slave Hunters. Fortunately, no one was captured, but the restraints like shackles were ominously stored in a wooden box, making it all too clear what it was used for.
“I merely executed the Guild Master’s request, but I am glad to have been of service to His Excellency the Marquis. However, the danger was not as great as I expected. It seems the security in the Royal Capital was rather lax.”
“Under that king, the soldiers could hardly muster any spirit for their duties.”
“About that, I apologize, but I am somewhat ignorant of the political situation. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me on the current state of the Country of Mecalinan.”
When I tentatively asked, Earthlin’s expression grew somewhat grim as he glanced at Ryusha. The boy seemed to nod in response.
“The Country of Mecalinan lost its previous king two years ago—”
According to Earthlin, Mecalinan had once accepted the use of slaves as a labor force to some extent, but the late king had intended to gradually reduce and eventually abolish slavery.
However, the previous king’s sudden death left no clear successor, leading to the ambitious Duke Gizelfa, the king’s younger brother, taking the throne.
The problem was that Duke Gizelfa was not only ambitious but also a proponent of slavery. He reinforced the institution, establishing harsh regulations to increase the number of slaves, forcibly turning those who violated the rules into slaves themselves.
As a result, the people in the Royal Capital and its surroundings were forced to live in dire conditions, while the nobles and some wealthy merchants and farmers thrived on the benefits of slavery.
“That certainly explains the situation in the Royal Capital. But the Marquis’s territory is different, correct?”
“Indeed. Marquis Lagantz was a good ally of the late king. Currently, he opposes Duke Gizelfa’s policies and continues to govern as before. However, how long that will last is uncertain.”
“Are you suggesting that the king might resort to some form of force?”
“Precisely. You must have noticed that all the Slave Hunters were failed adventurers, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Duke Gizelfa has somehow managed to co-opt the Adventurers’ Guild in the Royal Capital, gathering failed adventurers to serve as his pawns. He has even hinted at using adventurers for an invasion of Oz.”
“Now that you mention it, there were many rough-looking adventurers known as ‘Special Duty Soldiers’ in the guild. Were they failed adventurers?”
“Indeed, those Special Duty Soldiers are precisely that. Normally, failed adventurers should not be able to operate as adventurers, yet they are being involved in material collection and other tasks, even drawing in the guild.”
“I see… But the idea of invading Oz is terrifying. I’m worried about my party members who are still there. If they cannot leave the country, I want to at least let them know I’m alive…”
“Hmm, if that’s the case, you might be able to ask the Marquis for help. I can also request permission for the use of a Magical Communication Device on your behalf.”
“If possible, I would greatly appreciate it.”
I had already asked Danken about the Magical Communication Device, but it was impossible to send messages due to government censorship in the Royal Capital’s guild. If I could at least inform my party members of my survival while in the Marquis’s territory, they would surely feel more at ease.
However, it was quite a turn of events to find myself in Mecalinan, a country on the brink of civil war, and to become deeply involved with such significant figures so soon. Even for someone seasoned, this was no easy situation to navigate.
The carriage arrived at the capital of Marquis Lagantz’s territory just before sunset.
The capital was indeed a fortified city, and as the closing time approached, the gates were half-closed. However, Earthlin seemed to have a level of authority that allowed us to pass through without stopping.
Due to it being dinner time, the streets were quiet, and the carriage made its way through the city, entering what appeared to be an upscale residential area in the central district.
Before long, we reached the second city wall. The gates were closed, but after Earthlin spoke with the guards, they opened immediately, allowing us inside.
Within the walls, a garden spread out, and in the back stood the marquis’s residence, resembling a castle. Although the garden was well-kept, it had a relatively modest atmosphere, and the marquis’s residence appeared more practical than opulent.
When the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, I, Earthlin, and the boy disembarked. The other adventurers, who had been tense throughout the journey, seemed to relax, their expressions easing.
Soon after, the front door of the marquis’s residence opened. A woman of a certain age appeared, accompanied by an elderly man who seemed to be a butler, along with two women who appeared to be servants.
The leading woman, dressed in attire befitting a high-ranking noble, appeared to be in her late twenties. With long chestnut hair tied at the back of her head and sharp, beautiful features, she commanded attention.
“Earthlin, you’ve done well. However, I thought you were sent to drive off the Slave Hunters. What has happened on that front—”
The noblewoman turned her gaze toward me, then widened her eyes upon noticing Ryusha.
“Could it be… Ryusha-sama!?”
“I couldn’t help but come after hearing that Myuera was going to fight,” Ryusha said with an awkward smile.
The noblewoman, startled, quickly knelt and bowed respectfully.
“I never expected you to come in person to rescue us, Ryusha-sama. How did you manage to get here?”
“I slipped out of the castle myself. I almost got caught along the way, but with the help of Danken from the Royal Capital’s Adventurers’ Guild, and this adventurer, Soushi, along with many others, I made it here.”
“What a dangerous thing to do. While it’s good to see you unchanged, you must be more careful. But I’m relieved to see you safe. Welcome to my territory, my mansion. We wholeheartedly welcome your presence, Ryusha-sama.”
After the noblewoman bowed again, Ryusha placed a hand on her shoulder and knelt in response.
“The situation in the Royal Capital is dire. If things continue this way, our country will soon be in ruins. Please lend your strength to the Marquis for the sake of this nation.”
“Of course. With you here, Ryusha-sama, it is as if we have the will of the heavens on our side. We will surely restore Mecalinan to its rightful path.”
After exchanging those words, the two stood up.
Ryusha was then led into the mansion by the butler-like man.
The noblewoman turned back to me after watching the boy’s retreating figure. Her gaze was probing, but that was to be expected.
“You are Soushi, I believe? I am Myuera Lagantz, the one holding the title of Marquis in the Country of Mecalinan. For now, please feel free to relax in my home.”
“I am Soushi, an adventurer of B rank. I am grateful for your kindness, Your Excellency.”
As I bowed my head, Marquis Lagantz seemed slightly surprised and exclaimed, “Oh.”
However, I never expected that a young woman would be the one to oppose the king.
The surprises from the Country of Oz were flooding in like a deluge, and I hoped they would soon come to a halt.