Chapter 7: Unable to Return from the Viscount’s Manor
Just as I was about to unleash a Stone Lance, the boss raised its head and looked at me, then jumped and twisted in mid-air. I targeted the airborne boss and unleashed a flurry of Stone Lances, striking it repeatedly as it fell to the ground, its body bouncing erratically.
I felt the impact, but I had no certainty. I pressed my face against the bars of the cage and strained my eyes, but I couldn’t see anything. After firing six shots twice, if it were still alive, I could only manage one more volley before it would retaliate. I conjured a light and brought it closer to the boss, but the feeble glow combined with the numerous corpses made it hard to discern anything.
The knights, sensing my intent, summoned their own lights and directed them toward the fallen bodies.
“That must be the boss; the one that’s significantly larger is down. Well done, kid.”
The knights silently gazed in the direction of the corpses. The late moon began to rise, and everyone watched in silence as the moonlight crawled across the ground, inching closer to the remains. Suddenly, a wolf’s howl echoed, and one by one, the howls harmonized into a chorus of dozens before abruptly fading away, the presence of the wolves dissipating.
“The pack is leaving… I think the boss is dead.”
A sigh escaped my lips; I had survived. Everyone was silently looking at me.
“Is it true? Are you sure?”
“Yes, the wolves’ presence has vanished. Just to be safe, let’s stay here until morning.”
Finally, the moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the fallen Black Wolf that lay in a heap.
“It must be hard to see. After all, it’s a Black Wolf.”
Upon hearing my mutterings, Orlan burst into laughter, and soon the knights were all clutching their stomachs, laughing as well.
A gentle hand rested on my shoulder from behind, and a sweet voice whispered in my ear.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, everyone would have perished. I will report this to my father and ensure you receive a proper reward.”
She whispered that and then stepped away.
“Hey, kid, I didn’t catch your name.”
“It’s Kaito.”
“Are you registered as an adventurer?”
“I’m only 15, so not yet. I can’t register until July next year.”
“Fifteen, huh? And you have such impressive magic.”
“My mana grade is only 40, though. So, after receiving my magic, I’ve been practicing desperately for the past three months. But I run out of mana quickly, so I use the remaining mana to defend myself while attacking.”
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With the early sunrise, a carriage arrived from the city. It was a noble-looking carriage, accompanied by over twenty knights, with the city’s adventurers riding behind them.
Once the cage was broken, everyone headed toward the welcoming carriage. I stayed behind, waiting for the adventurers to arrive when I heard the lady call out to me.
“I need to take care of the Black Wolf we defeated.”
“That’s all yours. I’ll inform the guild, so please come with me.”
With Orlan saying that, I found myself with no escape route.
“Kaito, get in the carriage. You need to meet my father and receive your thanks.”
Oh no… this is turning into the worst possible scenario. Ever since I was attacked by the carriage wheels, it feels like a series of unfortunate events. It seems getting involved with Gil and the others was my downfall; that damn bastard! Surrounded by maids with pale faces after drinking potions, I sat uncomfortably as the carriage began to move.
“Kaito, where are your parents?”
“My dad is around, but he’s always drunk. I’ve been earning my own living since three years ago, and I haven’t been home since the Bestowal Ceremony, so please leave him be. Getting involved with him will only lead to trouble.”
With a heavy heart, the carriage carrying me passed through the city gates and made its way to the Lord’s Manor. It pulled up right at the front entrance, which made me nervous. One of the drivers stepped down, set up a footstool, and opened the door. A butler, dressed impeccably, bowed politely to welcome the lady.
As I followed the maids out of the carriage, I was met with suspicious glances.
“Lady, who is he?”
“This is Kaito, my savior. If it weren’t for him, everyone would have died. I won’t allow any rough treatment.”
I entered the grand foyer, greeted by the not-so-friendly gazes of the maids and butlers. The lady ordered me to be shown to the guest room and then disappeared to change and report to the Viscount.
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This is so uncomfortable. The intricately designed sofa and the table were adorned with expensive-looking tea sets, steam rising from them. The maids stood by the walls, not smiling, making it clear this was no place for a filthy adventurer child.
As I waited, my empty stomach cried out for food, causing the maids to stifle their laughter.
The door opened, and the man from the church entered, holding the door open for a well-dressed gentleman and the lady to follow.
I stood up, waiting for the Viscount and the lady to take their seats.
“Rude child! Kneel! You are in the presence of Viscount Sharda Hamawal and his daughter, Fiene Hamawal!”
Wow, I thought, but in a world where defiance could cost you your head, I hurriedly knelt. I almost found myself bowing deeply.
“Enough, it would be inappropriate to make my daughter’s savior kneel. Kaito, was it? Please stand.”
“I apologize, Viscount. I am just an ignorant fool who doesn’t know proper etiquette.”
“Don’t worry about it. I am grateful for your help in saving my daughter and the knights.”
The Viscount bowed his head, which was rare for a noble.
“While I happened to assist, I also earned quite a bit by taking down a significant number of Black Wolves. There’s no need for thanks.”
“No, I cannot let you leave without acknowledging your contribution. Once the fallen knights and drivers are taken care of, I would like to offer you a proper reward. Is there anything you desire?”
This was my chance; I steeled myself to speak.
“Then I have just one request. During the Bestowal Ceremony, I received Earth Magic, Spatial Storage, and Transfer Magic. However, my mana grade is only 40. The priest instructed me to come to your household’s servant entrance in three months and introduce myself. If I prove useful, he mentioned I could be employed by a noble. If I could decline this offer, then I would not require any reward.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
The Viscount’s face darkened, and I could see cold sweat trickling down as he turned pale.
“Call Orlan!”
He commanded a maid to fetch Orlan. Something serious seemed to be unfolding, but I wondered when I would be able to leave. My stomach growled, and I felt embarrassed as it made a loud noise. The lady nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it in.
Just then, Orlan arrived.
“I need to ask Zamaia something, so keep him in the office for now. Excuse me, Kaito, let’s have some breakfast.”
I was taken to the dining room where breakfast was served, but the tension made it hard to eat. Still, I filled my stomach. After finishing my tea, I was taken to the Viscount’s office to discuss Zamaia in detail. Here I was, wanting to go home but unable to; I felt like I was at the bottom of a pit of misfortune.
Upon entering the office, I saw Zamaia standing in one corner, flanked by knights. It felt like a comfortable form of house arrest, but I kept that to myself.
“What I told you about Zamaia at the church is as I conveyed earlier. If you ask the priest or those who were present that day, you will find it to be the truth.”
With that, I concluded my testimony. Zamaia, the man, mumbled something about not intending to do that, but the Viscount was furious.
From the flow of the conversation, it seemed Zamaia had been using the Viscount’s authority to recruit talent elsewhere and sometimes even reduce them to slavery.
That was close… I’m glad I practiced Transfer Magic. If it comes down to it, I can make a run for it. Zamaia was taken away somewhere, and I thought I could finally leave, but I couldn’t.
“Kaito, the bounty for the Black Wolves you defeated has been communicated to the guild, so take your time.”
“Ugh…”
“Don’t make that face. I won’t force you into employment.”
As we were discussing this, a new figure appeared. He was well-dressed and bore a striking resemblance to the Viscount, unmistakably the young master.
I tried to stand, but he gestured for me to remain seated.
“You must be Kaito. I was sent by my father to the guild, and I must say, your accomplishment in taking down 21 Black Wolves is impressive.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“I heard from Orlan that with a single strike, the leader of the pack was taken down in two rapid shots. It was a wolf much larger than the others, and four shots pierced its body. Even the Adventurer’s Guild staff were astonished.”
“Isn’t this story getting a bit exaggerated? I have a bad feeling about this. Um…”
“My apologies, I am Hyalda Hamawal, the legitimate son of Sharda Hamawal. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
What am I supposed to do with ‘it’s a pleasure to meet you’? I must have shown my confusion on my face, as he smirked at me.
“There’s no need for formalities with nobles among us.”
That was a direct statement from the Viscount himself, but there are bound to be noisy people around, like that old man Zamaya. You know the type—those who use others’ status to secure their own position.