Chapter 14: Who is to Blame?
I waited for the carriage to catch up before attempting to explain, but I was preemptively apologized to.
“Kaito, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I went to that shop before, but I was turned away when someone blocked my way. I meant to tell you, but I was a bit late. Let’s try a different shop another day.”
After being dropped off in front of the hotel, I parted ways with the two of them. Now, if a Magic Pouch exists, I want to get my hands on one. If it has dimensions of 6 to 8 meters in height, width, and depth, I could carry a small house that resembles a rock. Not having to expend mana to set up a campsite every time would be a significant advantage.
However, I can’t help but wonder if the light novel author is someone who reincarnated from this world to Japan. I haven’t heard anything about demon lords or heroes, so that’s a relief. Now, shall I retreat once more to enhance my mana? Where should I go this time?
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“My lord, the president of the Hoen Trading Company wishes to apologize to Hyalda and Fiene. What shall we do?”
“The Hoen Trading Company wants to apologize to Hyalda and Fiene? Call them here.”
“Father, is there something you need?”
“Father, what is it?”
“The president of the Hoen Trading Company has come to apologize to you two. Do you have any idea why?”
I explained the incident that occurred when Hyalda visited the Hoen Trading Company, along with what I had heard.
“That company has a reputation for bad rumors. Perhaps we should consider shutting it down. It seems unnecessary in this town. Bring Hoen here.”
The president of Hoen, guided by the butler, arrived and bowed deeply before beginning his apology.
“Viscount Hamawar, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience caused to your siblings due to a misunderstanding.”
“Hmm, I’ve heard the story. You’re the one who kicked Kaito out of your shop twice. Once could be chalked up to a mistake, but treating our benefactor with such disrespect twice in less than ten days? Do you plan to bow your head to them and call it a day? If you’re going to apologize, there are others you should apologize to first. Also, I’ve been hearing persistent bad rumors about you and your shop. Are you considering retiring or closing it down soon?”
The color drained from Hoen’s face as it turned pale. He had thought he could brush off the matter of a single boy by apologizing to the siblings, but now he was being threatened with retirement or closure? Bad rumors…
If they became public, there were far too many offenses that could lead to serious consequences, and he had no idea which ones were being referred to.
“It seems you think you can do as you please while evading my gaze, but I’ve been hearing various things about your actions, and investigations are underway.”
Hoen’s complexion shifted from pale to white, and his knees trembled slightly. While coldly observing him, I asked the siblings what business they had at that shop.
“They wanted to see the Magic Pouch we possess, so I guided them to the Hoen Trading Company, but suddenly, he started shouting at Kaito. Previously, when we visited through the introduction of the hotel manager, I heard the staff yelling at the employees not to let that ‘filthy little brat’ into the store. I was foolish to have brought Kaito to such a place, even if I didn’t know.”
“What? If it was just a Magic Pouch, I would have given it to you if you had just asked. You’re as greedy as ever.”
A foolish sound escaped Hoen’s lips. To think he would offer to give a Magic Pouch to a mere adventurer boy, not even his own child. Hoen realized how the boy he had looked down upon was treated by the Viscount’s family, and cold sweat began to pour down his back.
The Magic Pouches sold at Hoen’s store were high-quality items measuring over 8 meters in height, width, and depth. Typically referred to as class 8 or 8-class, the price of a Magic Pouch would not be less than 700 gold coins. Even those below that, class 6 or 7, were items that first-rate adventurers would struggle to acquire. Even high-ranking adventurers usually only possessed items of class 4 or 5.
With a trembling voice, Hoen pleaded, “Viscount Hamawar, please… I beg you to intercede on behalf of Kaito.”
The president of Hoen knelt before the Viscount, nearly prostrating himself, and strained to voice his request. From the Viscount’s words, he interpreted that if he failed this time, he would face imprisonment, confiscation of his assets, or worse, becoming a criminal slave. Desperately, he clung to Hyalda and Fiene, pleading for their help.
Viscount Hamawar looked down at Hoen and then smirked at Hyalda and Fiene. Hyalda understood her father’s smile and chuckled softly, while Fiene tilted her head, trying to comprehend the meaning behind their laughter before nearly bursting into giggles.
“Speaking of which, Kaito expressed interest in the Magic Pouch not for storing medicinal herbs or adventurer essentials, but because he said he could carry a shelter for sleeping. The campsite we saw that day had a basement larger than a hotel room, complete with beds for about twenty knights. It would be a hassle to construct something like that every time, so he thought it would be easier to just keep it in a Magic Pouch.”
Hearing Fiene exaggerate about Kaito, Hyalda joined in on the fun.
“Considering Kaito’s campsite, when he learned about the Magic Pouch, he immediately said he would buy it if it was at least class 10 or 11.”
Viscount Hamawar casually chimed in, “If it’s Kaito, he wouldn’t hesitate to make such a purchase. He could carry an entire hotel room for camping.”
“This time’s camping was quite comfortable, wasn’t it, Father?”
I kept my thoughts about it being a bit too luxurious to myself.
“To think he would want to carry something like that.”
Hamawar thought that apologizing to the siblings and handing over ten or twenty gold coins would easily resolve the matter. That was his miscalculation. The words of arrest, imprisonment, confiscation of property, and criminal slavery echoed in his mind, and if a high-quality Magic Pouch could save him, he would be willing to offer five or ten.
“Hoen.”
“Y-yes?”
“First, go to Kaito and apologize to him. Apologizing to Hyalda and Fiene comes after that. Kaito has been given a room at the Egdra Hotel; he dislikes living in this mansion because it feels too formal. Obtain Kaito’s forgiveness first, then come back. Now leave!”
As the butler, Efor, urged him on, Hoen stumbled out of the office. Once the door closed, Hyalda burst into laughter. Fiene followed suit, and even Viscount Hamawar couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“I was struggling to find evidence for the bad rumors surrounding the Hoen Trading Company, but thanks to Kaito, it seems we can finally put an end to it.”
“Are they really that bad?”
“Fraud, assault, violence against women, confinement, human trafficking… there are countless rumors, but they are cleverly concealed. When he comes to apologize to you, make sure to have his person detained while simultaneously searching the shop and the mansion. Keep it a secret from anyone but Orlan; it seems there is an informant among us.”
“Understood. Should we temporarily seal the gates during that time?”
“Granted. I look forward to seeing your skills in action.”
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After leaving the Viscount’s residence, President Hoen considered fleeing but quickly dismissed the idea, realizing he had too many belongings to leave behind. He thought that if it was just a boy, he could somehow appease him by gifting a bag of gold coins along with the desired Magic Pouch. If that didn’t work, he considered using seduction, but he understood that overt methods would lead to his ruin.
Upon returning to the shop, he retrieved a class 8 Magic Pouch from the vault behind iron bars, but recalling Hyalda and Fiene’s words, he reluctantly picked up a top-class class 12 pouch. Given Kaito’s financial power, even a top-class pouch would not suffice if he went to apologize with just one.
With trembling hands, he opened the door next to the vault where the Magic Pouch was stored. Neatly arranged on thick shelves were leather bags. He hesitated for a moment before placing one leather bag into the Magic Pouch, then added another after a brief pause. After glaring at the remaining leather bags on the shelf, he stuffed in one more, gritting his teeth as he exited the basement.
He regretted not having stored all his wealth in the Magic Pouch. However, if he tried to flee now, it was clear from the Viscount’s tone that arrest was inevitable. He had to bow his head to that filthy little brat and somehow weather this crisis.
Ordering the staff to prepare a carriage, he set off for the Egdra Hotel.
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Kaito had just finished a slightly late dinner and was enjoying some tea.
“I wish to see Kaito.”
From the reception counter, I heard a voice that made me turn around. There, I saw a face I didn’t want to see, pale and glistening with cold sweat. As the owner of that unwelcome face hurried over, he dropped to his knees and shouted an apology.
“Kaito-sama, I beg your forgiveness for the numerous offenses, even though I know you were unaware of them. The employee who acted disrespectfully has been dismissed immediately. I sincerely apologize for the shortcomings in my training that led to this outcome.”
All I could do was sigh. What an idiot!