Chapter 28
On the way back from the Adventurers Guild, we bumped into Alfred-tousan.
He was eating a skewer and talking with one of the stall owners on the main street.
Al-kun!
Hey, Julia. Have you finished your business?
Yes, what about you?
Ive finished making my greetings, so I waited here for you two.
Because this was the way from the Adventurers Guild to the Viscount Chrebl estate, there was no chance of us passing by each other.
The man in black is about to be interrogated.
Since I mentioned that we seem to be targeted by
Its not really something to show to women or children, but you two are probably curious too, right?
Of course, lets go, said Mum.
I also nod vigorously.
After Dad confirmed our responses,
Well, shopkeeper-san, Ill be going now.
Oh, you have such a beautiful wife, Im jealous. Come by again.
The two exchanged their farewells and we left.
We headed towards Fauno Citys guardroom where the citys peacekeeping knights were.
As you go around the perimeter of the city council hall, the rustic building at the back is the guardroom.
Im coming in.
With a carefree attitude unbecoming of a Lord, Dad walks into the guardroom.
We have been waiting, Milord.
A young, honest-looking knight responded to Dad.
It is this way.
The knight guided us to the basement of the guardroom, where the cells are located.
Inside a cell on a plain looking bed was a man wearing black clothes, bound with bandages and rope.
Since the molars containing poison were removed, he wasnt wearing a gag.
We used an anaesthetic to slacken his jaw, so theres no need to worry about him biting his tongue, said Dad.
The man in black looked this way after hearing his voice.
When he attacked us, he was wearing a mask that covered the lower half of his face, but now his full face is exposed.
He looked tough and strong-willed, but had an average face.
He glanced at us, who had stopped outside his cell.
Errwhat was his name again?
[Appraisal]
Lucretio:YatagarasuSeventh Squad, Squad Leader. Level:33.
Ah, yes, Lucretio.
Yo, how are you feeling, Assassin-kun?
Dad asked.
He looked scary despite the smile he had on.
Assassin? What are you talking about. Im just a kidnapper.
Hmm. Then you admit to being a companion of the people who were kidnapping children around Riverette Village?
Dont know them.
So you insist that you were working alone?
Thats right.
Hes clearly lying.
However, it seems like it will be difficult to make him tell the truth.
Then Melby suddenly revealed herself.
I will also help.
Eh-?
Im surprised by the sudden proposal.
These guys spread rumours about how we fairies kidnapped children, right?
Y, yeah
Then they are enemies of mine as well.
You say you will help, but how?
I can just use [Fairys Eye].
Since I will know for sure when he is lying, we can try asking him some questions.
At Melbys words, Dad nods.
That will help. I leave him to you, Melby-san.
Dad used -san for Melbys name.
Fairies are supposedly well respected by elves.
Since Pioneer Elves made fairies, I thought that elves were descended from the faeries masters, but it doesnt seem to be that simple of a story.
As a side note, when Melby asked to take me to the Fairy Garden once a month, Dad immediately gave his consent.
The story about me wanting to free Melbys sealed master also concluded during the journey.
Dad added the condition that Julia-kaasan or himself were to accompany me, but I saw no harm in it.
Ah, but being seen chiseling away at the barrier for ages wouldnt be that good though
Anyway, Dad is going to interrogate the Man in Black Lucretio now.
You are a member of
.. Ive been trying to tell you thats wrong.
Thats a lie.
At Melbys words, Dad and Mum look at each other and nod.
By the way, Lucretio cant see Melby.
I wonder what position in
Like I said, I dont know any
Hes lying.
You, as an underling of
Thats because I dont know any
Lie.
In
Youre wrong.
Lie.
You know the kidnappers who took the children at Riverette Village.
Im saying I dont know.
Lie.
You were in a position where you could lead the kidnappers at Riverette Village.
Wrong.
Truth.
Okayso you worked separately from the kidnappers.
Lucretio closed his mouth to hide his agitation.
His mouth was quivering, probably due to the anaesthetics paralysis.
You knew about the kidnappers failure, and were ordered to hunt us, who knew the circumstances, down.
k, Wrong!
Lie.
The Archbishop of
Youre wrong! Wrong wrong wrong! Archbishop-sama is a holy person!
First half, lie. The second half was the truth.
You finally showed your true colours. Youre a member of
What about it?
Truth.
Then lets have you spit out everything.
Who would say those things. Even if you torture me, I wont tell you.
Well, well, youre pretty professional arent you? A filthy assassin who worships The Evil God in high regard and goes around killing innocents is
Dad said as if he was boasting about his own faults, laughing as if he were mocking the assassin.
Since his natural face is beautiful, this face has a lot of impact.
Of course, this should be for the purpose of provoking Lucretio so he spills the beans.
We are proud messengers! What do you know!
We must defeat the devil!
If we dont defeat the devil, this world will fall to ruin!
We who commit to that liturgy, what did you just call us!?
Filthy!?
That would be you people!
To not even look at the sacred duty bestowed by Founder-sama, people who eat like dogs and sleep like pigs like you are the filthy ones!
Damn minions of the devil!
Release me from my admonitions!
I will make you an offering to the one who continues to battle against the devil, the holy Evil God, Monguenues-sama!
Lucretio snapped at Dads provocation.
He has way too little resistance against mocking.
If he snaps at this level of provocation, he will never get good at fighting games.
Butit came to Monguenues, huh.
On top of that, The holy Evil God who continues to battle against the devil, huh.
Butwhy were these guys kidnapping children?
Lucretio continued to spout nonsense after that, so Dad had no choice but to temporarily stop the interrogation.
Fu~. Well damn.
It had gotten completely dark by the time we were heading back, and Dad was complaining as we walked behind the city council hall.
The light that Mum made with (Light) was directed at and illuminated the ground for a few metres in front of us.
With the hand that wasnt maintaining (Light), Mum held my hand.
Melby was floating in the air next to me.
Dad continued to grumble.
Hearing his story makes me feel as if were in the wrong.
I should tell the knights who are in charge of interrogation to continue in shifts instead of persevering at it.
Thats true, he definitely seemed convinced of the existence of The holy Evil God who continues to battle against the devil.
If someone were to stay with him for too long, they would probably go crazy as well.
Whats an evil god?
I asked, with a face like I dont know.
Ah, so Ed doesnt know.
The Evil God is a legendary being who calls himself Monguenues and is trying to incite mankind into destroying the world with their own hands.
Legendis it?
Well, who knows.
Since Gods that have been called Benevolent Gods exist, it wouldnt be strange if an Evil God exists.
But, the story about the Evil God fighting a Devil, thats the first time Ive heard it.
Al-kun, it would be best not to seriously believe what that man in black says.
Well, its not like I took it seriously but it seems like it may have affected me a bit.
Dad shook his head with a frown.
If youre talking about an Evil God, then there is one.
Melby suddenly said.
Eh? Really?
Said Dad.
Really. The one who sealed my master should have been an apostle of the Evil God.
Hmm
Among the Evil Gods apostles, there seems to be one with the ability to influence other people through hearsay.
If Alfred-san felt persuasiveness in that mans words, then maybe that man has an apostle of the Evil God supporting him.
The Evil Gods apostle!?
Dad couldnt believe Melbys words straight away.
From my perspective, I thought that Melbys apprehensions seemed plausible enough, but it would be hard to convince Dad of that.
I dont think I will be able to explain about the incident with Goleth well either; we still havent even talked about it yet.
Edgar-kun, arent you tired?
Mum came to ask.
Im fine.
Indeed, Ive been walking around with Mum all day, a normal 3-year old would be completely worn out.
Since my [No Fatigue] is working perfectly today as well, my bodys condition is no worse than how it was at the beginning of the day.
If anything is strangeits that Im a little hungry.
Edgar-kun, you have quite the stamina, dont you ?
Even Julia-kaasan cant believe it.
While looking at Mums state, I think.
I might be reaching the limit of how long I can hide it for.
In regards to that, Ive already secretly asked Melby for advice.
Um, sorry, I might not be able to help.
Is what she said.
For a fairy who cant lie, its hard to keep secrets anyway.
Thus, she has never had to worry about how to reveal a secret.
Thinking about the other persons feelings is important but As I expected, honesty is best, right?
Even if she says that, the content of the secret isthat, so
As I was thinking and walking, I didnt notice Mum stop walking and almost fell over.
That is
Mum murmers as she looked into the darkness.
I belatedly follow her line of sight.
At the entrance of an alley, a servant-looking young woman and a man wearing traveller garb are huddled together.
But it doesnt seem like they are lovers.
The man brings his face closer to the woman, pressing her with a sharp tone.
I look at the womans face again and feel that I have seen her before.
That girl is one of our servants, isnt she?
At Dads words I realise.
[Appraisal].
Marcella Rinne: Chrebl Viscount House Servant.
Marcella-san
You remember. Yes, thats her name. And the man is?
[Appraisal] that was what I had planned on using, but Mum walked forward and blocked my line of sight.
Mum continued to walk towards the two.
Since Mum was still using (Light), the two spotted Mum quickly.
Hey. What do you need from our servant?
Mum asked the man.
The man spoke as if he was spitting the words out.
Its none of your business.
Didnt I just say she is our servant? If youre too stubborn
Mum lights the tip of her finger with a flame.
I will become your opponent?
. I was just bringing that person a message.
Mum asks the servant with her eyes.
The servant, after hesitating, said this,
Y-yes. That person is a messenger from home, Madam Julia.
Really?
Yes
Mum warily observed the man and,
Marcella-san is from the capital right?
How has the capital been, Messenger-san?
Hmm. The capital has been dangerous, recently. When I left, rumours of the Demonic Ripper were everywhere. The guy who awakens every few years, the apparition of the capital.
Demonic Ripper?
When I murmured as I walked closer, the man grinned,
Thats right, kid. If a brat like you wanders around in the middle of the night, a scary ladywill appear and say I will cut your mouth with these scissors.
Isnt that the Slit-mouthed Woman?
Huh? What did you say, kid?
No, just that its scary.
Keh. A brat who isnt scared by threats.
So, Madam, if your doubts have disappeared, can I leave?
I suppose so.
When Mum reluctantly nodded, the man turned his back to us and left.
I look at the man as if disciplining him, and cast the familiar [Appraisal]
!!
As I try to [Appraise] the mans back, Im frozen.
The man turned around right when I was about to use [Appraisal].
Was I found out? No, it has to be a coincidence.
Our gazes meet.
The man grinned, raised his index and middle fingers, and gestured like he was trying to cut something.
At the same time, he moves his mouth.
Snip.
Even after the man disappeared into the alley, chills run up my spine and dont seem to go away.