Chapter 60: I Tried Talking About How to Deal with Kyl.
After leaving Claris-san, I safely departed from the Dukedom’s mansion.
I then went to meet Emma and Kanon at our rendezvous point.
“You both did well.”
“Seriously, that was tough.”
“This time was a real pain.”
Both of them looked exhausted, sitting at the designated meeting spot.
The fact that I couldn’t see their respective subordinates meant they were probably elsewhere.
“Any casualties?”
“None.”
“Ah, I figured if we all gathered in one place, the Dukedom’s guards would get suspicious, so I had them spread out.”
“As expected. I’ll be generous with both your bonuses.”
“I’m lookin’ forward to that.”
“Please take care of your subordinates too.”
While praising them, I knew we needed to discuss our future plans.
First, Kyl’s movements.
“Also, Lord Serios, an urgent message arrived from Faina.”
“From Faina?”
Kanon handed me a letter. As I read its contents, I was shocked.
“Liese is missing?”
Kyl had been in contact with Liese, then Kyl vanished, and now Liese is missing.
I felt a sense of urgency. But, somewhere inside, I had thought something like this might happen.
“Emma.”
“I know. The Dark Guild’s reputation is on the line here too. Uchi won’t forgive Kyl. The results of my investigation suggest he’s hiding in the Dukedom.”
“Hiding in the Dukedom, huh…”
I repeated Emma’s words, organizing the information in my head. Kyl’s disappearance, and then Liese’s. It was clear this wasn’t a coincidence.
And the reason he fled to the Dukedom was likely because its security is tight, and he considered that we wouldn’t be able to lead troops to search for him there.
“If Liese was the last person Kyl contacted, is there a chance they’re in the Dukedom together?”
“I think it’s high. Kyl’s never done anything like this before. It’s conceivable he made his move after contacting Lady Liese. This probably ain’t a coincidence.”
It seems Liese, acting as the main heroine should, managed to move Kyl’s heart.
Emma was seething with anger towards Kyl. She probably sensed that Kyl wasn’t just a fugitive, but had some other objective.
“Uchi won’t forgive anyone who drags our name through the mud.”
Emma narrowed her eyes and nodded with a stern expression.
“Kanon, gather the Knights. Send half back to our territory and have them thoroughly investigate the scene to find out under what circumstances Liese disappeared. I’ll need the other half as my guards.”
“Yeah, got it. Leave it to me, Lord Serios.”
Kanon also stood up, looking at me with sharp eyes. Her reliability was especially reassuring at times like this.
“Lord Serios, if this were a simple kidnapping, it would be straightforward, but I don’t think that’s the case. For Kyl of the Dark Guild to just commit a kidnapping… I feel like there’s something more to it.”
Kanon added. Indeed, if this wasn’t mere coincidence or impulse, but something planned, we had to hurry.
“…Yeah. I think so too. This isn’t a coincidence. Something is happening in the Dukedom.”
I clenched my fists. I was worried about Claris-san too, but right now, I had to do everything in my power to protect Liese.
“Emma, I’ll contact you again when I’m ready to make my move. By then, find Kyl’s exact whereabouts.”
“Who d’ya think Uchi is? I’ll find out quick, so don’tcha worry.”
Emma stood up with a faint smile.
“Kanon, tell Faina I’ll be moving soon.”
“Understood.”
Kanon also understood my instructions and immediately began preparations to move.
Spread before me were the tangled threads of a complex conspiracy. Amidst it all, I had to figure out what Kyl was plotting, and protect Liese.
◇
《Kyl’s Side》
The silence of the Forest was pleasant to my ears. As the sound of stepping on dry leaves continued rhythmically, my thoughts wandered, my back to the receding Hideout. That place wasn’t mine anymore.
Right now, Liese’s face repeatedly surfaced in my mind, only to fade away.
(That smile… what was it…?)
An innocent smile I’d never seen before. That there are people who want to help others without being ordered to. I was only now realizing how strange, how unsettling, that was.
I had lived by killing my emotions. If I didn’t, I couldn’t survive in this world. I had killed people, and I had killed my own heart.
But when Liese’s hand covered my Wounds, something inside me stirred, however slightly.
(That warmth, just once more…)
But, even harboring that thought, I couldn’t allow myself to return to her.
Emma’s words echoed in my head.
“I’ll help you regain a human heart.”
I didn’t know if I truly needed such a thing. Emotions were just a symbol of weakness. The moment I embraced them, I would cease to be a “Tool.”
Would I have any value if I were no longer a Tool? Even as I left the Hideout and hurried towards the Royal Capital, this question swelling in my chest wouldn’t disappear.
(Am I… the one who can protect Liese’s smile?)
When I stopped walking, the night sky spread out above. The star-filled heavens seemed to be looking down on me, and my anxiety eased just a little.
The realization that I was acting for her sake made me feel a little closer to being human.
It was ironic how the bustle of the Royal Capital felt familiar against my skin. Weaving through the crowds, I searched for leads to gather information. Emma’s instructions were clear.
“Investigate what’s happening behind the scenes with the Dukedom and the Margrave. It’ll lead to your next big score of gold.”
I didn’t care about gold. But to protect Liese, I needed a reason to act. Right now, that reason was Emma’s order.
In a corner of the Royal Capital, in a shady tavern, I met with a familiar informant. I requested information in a low, hushed voice.
“What’s going on between Duke Everett and Serios von Aegrid?”
The informant grinned. That smile spoke volumes about the gravity of the information to come.
“The Duke is taking every possible measure to maintain his influence over the Royal Family. But it seems he’s not satisfied with just the kingdom; he’s apparently considering dealings with other countries too.”
“Dealings with other countries?”
As I frowned, the informant elaborated further.
“Duke Everett isn’t just obsessed with his position within the kingdom. If the Royal Family tries to cast him aside, he’s prepared to maintain his power even by allying with other countries. And that Serios von Aegrid from the frontier, there are rumors he’s a rotten noble who imposes heavy taxes and buys women with gold.”
The moment I heard those words, alarm bells rang in my head.
(Dealings with other countries… What does that imply? And Serios von Aegrid is the worst kind of noble.)
Just thinking about the possibility of Liese, who is in the frontier, getting caught up in this made my chest tighten. I couldn’t see the full picture of the Duke’s aims yet, but one thing was certain.
(I want to act to protect Liese.)
Leaving the Royal Capital and returning to the Forest, a cold night breeze caressed my cheeks.
My thoughts wouldn’t stop. Liese, Serios, Duke Everett. Their intertwined relationships were too complex; I didn’t even know where to begin.
Just then, her voice suddenly came back to me.
“Take care, Kyl. I’d be happy if we could meet again somewhere.”
Those words pierced my heart. Her Kindness was too dazzling for me. But still, accomplishing something for her sake was my only salvation.
(I’ll protect her… I definitely will.)
Telling myself this, I walked on. I didn’t know what awaited me down this path. But to create a future where Liese could smile, I had no choice but to move forward.