“Prince Harold, this way, please.”
After parting with Christia, I was led by Monica to a residential area in Royal Capital Kaditt, lined with townhouses belonging to nobles.
Of course, I didn’t come to the Chevalier family’s townhouse. Sandra is in the dormitory, so I haven’t seen her lately.
“So… what business does Lord Hal have here?”
“Ah, I guess I haven’t explained it yet.”
I stopped in front of one of the townhouses and began explaining to Sandra and Monica.
Eh? You’re wondering where Lyra is? I’ve asked McLaren to keep an eye on that guy. He tried to escape using [Teleportation Magic] the other day, so we need to keep an even closer watch on him.
Thanks to that, Lyra has been relentlessly demanding a ‘recharge,’ which is a bit too stimulating for a sixteen-year-old like me.
“…So, the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius originally belonged to a noble living here?”
“That’s right. I was really surprised when I saw it at the Casino.”
In the original Scenario, “Save the Slums!”, the event was supposed to progress from the point where Earl Louis Harding, a noble living here, had the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius stolen by the Baltian Church.
But the Casino owns that UR weapon, and Earl Harding, who should have been desperately searching for it in “Save the Slums!” with a high reward, hasn’t shown any reaction.
Of course, I suspect that King Aival is involved in this matter, which is why he can’t be assertive, but I need to confirm it just in case.
The situation and methods will change significantly depending on whether Earl Harding joins the fray or not.
“Well, let’s go.”
We spoke to the guards at the entrance and were led inside the mansion.
The guards initially looked at me suspiciously, but as soon as they realized I was Harold, they hurriedly let us through.
And then.
“Ahem… I, I apologize for the wait. Earl Harding is currently away, so I, Iris Harding, will speak with you in his stead.”
It wasn’t Earl Harding who appeared, but his daughter, Iris.
White-blonde hair in a short bob, aquamarine eyes, and skin so pale it could be described as translucent.
Her body was also delicate, as if she would break if touched.
As you may have guessed, she is one of the main heroines of EnHaza, and “Save the Slums!” is also a Scenario for her.
“So… what brings you here today?”
“I apologize for the intrusion. I’ll get straight to the point. Lady Iris, regarding the treasure called the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius…”
“I don’t know anything about it.”
Before I could finish speaking, she stated with a straight face.
No, that alone is as good as saying, “I know.”
“Is that so… By the way, were our visit a bother to you? You don’t seem to be feeling well either…”
“There’s no problem. Is that what you came here to ask?”
Iris directed a sharp, hostile gaze at me.
But… her condition really doesn’t seem good.
That’s no surprise.
Her health is only protected by the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius.
“Not at all. I was just saying that Lady Iris seemed eager to end the conversation, so I couldn’t get to the point.”
“I apologize for that. Then, since I won’t interrupt this time, would you please state your business?”
It’s clearly not the attitude one should have towards the Third Prince, but she must be desperate.
She probably thinks that if the Harding family is known to possess the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius, it will be confiscated.
“Thank you. Actually… when I went to the Casino the other day, I received a consultation from the owner, Baron Orlando. It was about the disposition of the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius he had obtained.”
“!”
The moment I said that, Iris’s expression changed instantly.
Her aquamarine eyes were filled with relief, anger, and perhaps anxiety? Various emotions were mixed together.
“I, I see. But why would Prince Harold tell us this?”
“Do I need to explain?”
“…………………”
It seems she intends to play dumb, but she really doesn’t have time for that, does she?
Without the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius, you’ll be bedridden. You probably want to go and take it back right now.
“As I mentioned earlier, the disposition of the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius has been entrusted to me and the Fourth Prince Owen by Baron Orlando… and by extension, King Aival. In other words, how we handle it is up to me and Owen.”
“Ah…”
She finally realized that here.
Iris wore an expression of astonishment, and then.
“P, Prince Harold! Please, could you retrieve the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius for our family… for me!”
Iris jumped from her seat and performed a perfect dogeza.
Thank you for reading!
If you found it even a little bit interesting and want to read more,
I would appreciate it if you could bookmark it and change the [☆☆☆☆☆] below the ad to [★★★★★]!
The evaluation button is a source of motivation, so please support me!