Chapter 24 - <4>
Leaving behind the dining hall, which had been steeped in a somewhat awkward atmosphere, Ritz retreated to his room, flopped onto the bed, and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. In the adjacent bed, Franz was sleeping as if he were dead.
Just what secret was Dill’s mother hiding? And why, when her child was in danger, did she remain silent? He just couldn’t figure it out.
He understood that there was some reason connected to this treasure. But what was she trying to accomplish by setting the town’s influential figures against each other, fanning the flames of conflict, and ultimately causing a commotion that could split the town in two?
If she needlessly stirred up chaos, she herself could be arrested by the military on suspicion of inciting a riot. In fact, Heath had already departed for the Royal Capital with a report stating that there was a risk of exactly that.
Did she understand that if things went wrong, her own secret could turn her, a mother, into a criminal? Had she not even considered the possibility of being imprisoned, leaving her child behind?
Several hours passed, and just as Ritz was beginning to doze off, a hesitant knock came at the door. Answering with bleary eyes, he found Net, the innkeeper. The man’s complexion and expression were different from when he’d been napping; he seemed shaken with bewilderment.
"You have a visitor…"
"A visitor?"
Ritz sat up. For a moment, the face of the letter’s sender flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed the thought. Heath had left for the Royal Capital this morning; there was no way he could have arrived yet.
He woke Franz and went downstairs. Anna, who was still learning to cook, was looking at the dining hall with a puzzled expression, apron still on, alongside Lira. It seemed Anna didn't recognize the person at the center of their gaze, either. Ritz lightly tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
"Yo."
"Ah, Ritz."
"You coming?"
When he asked, Anna gave a firm nod and took off her apron. Franz, who had appeared from somewhere behind them, followed along, though it couldn't be helped that he was stifling a yawn.
Upon entering the dining hall, three men were waiting for them. A single glance was enough to identify them: they were from the Faldina Garrison Unit.
A man in his fifties sat in the center, flanked by two others in the same uniform. The man in the middle bore the rank insignia of a colonel.
"My guests, the soldiers said they had business…" Net said, looking troubled as he introduced the man.
"This is Commander Hellebore."
As Net spoke, the man in the center stood and offered Ritz his hand. He had a calm air about him. Befitting his station as commander, he exuded an atmosphere that blended gentlemanly conduct with a stern demeanor.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Hellebore, commander of the Faldina Garrison Unit."
Ritz shook the proffered hand.
"I'm Ritz Alster. A wandering mercenary."
"Ritz Alster?"
Hellebore tilted his head slightly. Ritz felt a momentary pang of anxiety. Could he be from a generation that knows my name? That would be a problem. Ritz forced a smile to cover his unease.
"A pleasure, Colonel."
To divert his attention, Ritz deliberately used Hellebore's rank. Hellebore looked at him with a suspicious eye. Good, I managed to change the subject.
"…You can read rank insignias?"
"You could say that."
Ritz gave a faint, knowing smile and gestured to the two behind him.
"These two are my companions, Franz Lucina and Anna Myers. They're spirit users."
"Nice to meet you!"
Anna greeted him cheerfully, while Franz gave Hellebore a slight nod. Despite the two clearly being children, Hellebore politely offered them a handshake as well. He seemed to be a man of considerable character.
Once the introductions were over, they exchanged probing glances.
Ritz and the others had intended to go to the barracks tomorrow. They couldn't understand why the soldiers had come here before they’d even made a move.
The letter of introduction, of course, was still tucked away in Ritz’s pocket.
"Well, please sit. I'll get some tea," Net urged.
Hellebore and the three of them obediently took the offered seats.
The two attendants remained standing.
"Colonel, sorry to be so direct, but we have something to discuss with you. We were planning on coming over tomorrow."
The moment he sat down, Ritz addressed Hellebore. It seemed quicker to take the initiative.
"With us?"
"Do you know Heath Adonis?"
"Adonis… is an apprentice in my unit."
Ritz paused and glanced at the men standing behind Hellebore. The colonel seemed to understand.
"I will be fine. You may return to the barracks ahead of me."
Though they showed a moment of concern, the two men gave a slight bow at Hellebore’s words and departed.
Now, Heath’s matter could be kept a secret between the commander and them. It would be too cruel for so many people to learn of his failure.
After Net served the tea, Hellebore asked him to leave the room as well before finally speaking.
"Has our Adonis caused you some trouble?"
Ritz silently retrieved the letter of introduction from his pocket and handed it to the commander. As Hellebore read it, his brow furrowed. When he finished, he let out a sigh.
"My apologies. It seems we’ve caused you trouble."
"Nah, I don't mind. As long as I have a way of getting my money back."
Hellebore nodded at Ritz’s words, took out his wallet, and placed the exact amount loaned to Heath on the table.
"Franz."
At the call, Franz took the money, confirmed the amount, bowed to Hellebore, and put it in his own wallet. Franz was likely relieved that it was recovered so easily.
"When did Adonis leave this town by carriage?" Hellebore asked.
"Noon today. By carriage, it’ll take three days to the capital at best."
Hellebore sighed again.
"I see. No matter how rushed, it will take two weeks for a messenger to arrive from the capital. The procedures there are not simple."
Ritz scratched his head at Hellebore’s bitter words. The letter Ritz had given him wasn't so leisurely.
"No, I gave him a trump card. It'll be five days at the latest."
Ritz gave a wry smile to the dubious-looking Hellebore.
"I have an acquaintance high up in the Kingdom Army. I arranged for it to be delivered directly to him."
Hellebore’s eyes widened, and Ritz just smiled vaguely. He couldn't think of any other appropriate expression. If he told him it was the Prime Minister, Hellebore would either fall over in shock or view them with suspicion, thinking it impossible.
Sensing Ritz's desire to avoid the topic, Hellebore didn't press the matter further.
"…It seems Adonis was quite fortunate."
"Well…"
A strange silence hung over the four of them. After a while, it was Hellebore who spoke again.
"I came here for one reason. I must ask you to leave this town at once."
Ritz's eyes widened at the sudden words. He had never expected that.
"The reason?"
When he asked calmly, Hellebore sighed.
"It’s about Dill."
"Is helping him a problem?"
"Rest assured, I do not blame you for that. In fact, I am personally grateful. But it has taken a strange turn."
Hellebore let out a small sigh.
"When you saved Dill, it seems Azaroth Rusan and Neset Siglet were present. Do you know of them?"
He didn't recognize the names, but he had an idea who they were. Ritz remained silent, but Franz muttered under his breath.
"Could it be… the rich guy and the landowner?"
That seemed to jog Anna's memory as well.
"Oh, the people who are fighting in this town!"
"Well, 'fighting' is…"
Hellebore smiled faintly at Franz’s words.
"If you call it a fight, I suppose it is."
"So those two want us to leave?"
When Ritz brought the conversation back on track, Hellebore nodded with a troubled look.
"No. They apparently saw you push through the crowd. They were impressed by how you controlled the situation and silenced the people. They’re convinced you must be renowned warriors."
He said you guys, so it couldn’t have just been Ritz. Ritz held back a laugh, but Anna blurted it out.
"Franz, a warrior? No way!"
Anna laughed without reservation. She knew Franz's true abilities. The man had never even held a sword.
"…Do you know who’s paying for our stay here?"
At Franz’s cold voice, Ritz and Anna quickly stifled their laughter. Going against the wallet was a fatal mistake.
"So, what did they have to say?"
Ritz, having suppressed his laughter, asked. Hellebore shook his head with a grave expression.
"No, it wasn't those two who told me. It was the owner of the weapon shop."
"The old man from the weapon shop?"
Ritz tilted his head. He hadn’t thought the weapon shop owner would have come out to watch the commotion after they’d rushed out of his store.
"According to the shopkeeper, after you left, Rusan—the one you call the rich guy—proposed hiring you to take the treasure by force. He figured mercenaries would move for money."
"What?!"
Anna cried out, but Ritz could only manage a wry smile. It was true that Ritz looked like a mercenary, and there were plenty of mercenaries who moved for money. Hellebore continued with a sigh.
"But Siglet—the landowner—was also there. Of course, he wouldn't just stand by and allow that."
"…And?"
"Siglet also declared he wanted to hire you. To bring you along for 'negotiations' to hand over the treasure."
"Heh… Wants us to be his muscle, huh?"
As Ritz muttered, Hellebore groaned as if spitting out the words.
"Their words may differ, but it's ultimately the same thing. Both sides want to use you as a tool for intimidation to seize the treasure from Mrs. Sabatieri. It’s absolutely outrageous!"
Hellebore slammed his fist on the table, the anger welling up inside him. The cups rattled loudly.
"Whoa, calm down, Colonel."
Ritz instinctively clapped Hellebore on the shoulder. He regretted it for a moment, but Hellebore, after a brief flicker of caution, turned it into a sigh.
"Ah, forgive me. I seem to have lost my composure. Net, could I have another cup of tea?"
He called out loudly, and Net popped out from surprisingly close by.
"What are you doing, eavesdropping?"
"My apologies, Commander. Ah, I’ll get that tea right away."
Net deftly cleared the four teacups and went into the back.
"My apologies, I seem to have startled you."
Hellebore reverted to his gentlemanly expression and apologized to them.
"It’s fine. If I saw some scoundrels trying to do that to a lady, I’d knock 'em flat myself."
Ritz had a soft spot for the elderly, children, and women. And he found the idea of many against one utterly detestable.
"Indeed. I am truly sorry to have involved you in this town’s troubles when you are in the middle of your journey."
After that, Hellebore fell silent for a time. Ritz didn’t press him, patiently waiting for him to continue.
He spoke again only after Net had served the tea and left.
"For that reason, I want you to leave this town immediately."
"…"
Sensing Anna and Franz’s dissatisfaction, Ritz quietly accepted the words. If the root of the trouble disappeared, the town could avoid a major disturbance.
And when Heath returned with the inspector, the case would be solved. A perfect outcome. In other words, Ritz and his party were in the way.
But that was a problem for Ritz. Having written in the letter, I'll be here until you arrive, he couldn’t just disappear. In fact, Ritz had received several letters from the king over the years, indirectly urging him to return to the capital. But he had lacked the resolve to face his friend and had politely ignored them.
Now, he had informed the king of his whereabouts. Of course, he meant it as a letter to say he was well, but the recipient, the Prime Minister, would surely come. If Ritz didn't show his face then, he would be betraying his friend.
He had run and hidden, ignored him for so long, but Ritz simply couldn't lie to his friend, the king, nor did he ever want to betray him.
In the unlikely event that the Prime Minister cornered him and dragged him back to the capital, their destination was the same anyway, so it would save on travel expenses. Not that he wanted it to happen, of course.
But he couldn't say that to Hellebore. While the colonel was silent, Ritz had been trying to find a way to stay here.
"Colonel, I've got a good idea, if you're willing to hear it."
At Ritz's proposal, Hellebore looked up.
"A proposal? Will it lead to a resolution of this disturbance?"
Ritz nodded plausibly and continued.
"I think the trouble would die down if we left, sure, but I'm waiting to meet someone in this town, so I can't leave. Sorry, but it's a matter of trust, so please understand."
Hellebore sighed in disappointment.
"So, I thought of a way to keep Mrs. Sabatieri—was that her name?—from being harmed, without us having to leave."
"Oh? I would certainly like to hear it."
Ritz called over Net and Lira, who were necessary collaborators, and began to explain.
"Let's set off some spectacular fireworks!"
Ritz declared it with extreme cheerfulness and brightness.
"…Huh…?"
Everyone's face was utterly bewildered.
"In a week, the inspection team will definitely be here. It's my trump card, so it's a sure thing. That means we just need to get through one week safely, right?"
"Well, yes, but…?"
Ritz stated firmly to the perplexed Hellebore.
"Then let's turn that week into a festival. To draw their eyes away from Mrs. Sabatieri."
"…Huh?"
Once again, everyone was confused. Ritz began to explain, a smile still on his face.
"They want to hire me and Franz to be their muscle, so let's split me and Franz in two."
Everyone present, except for Ritz, stared at him with blank expressions, not understanding his intent.
"If we get into a fight and go our separate ways, they can't hire us both together, right? Then they'll each approach one of us."
Surveying the clueless faces, Ritz added a supplementary explanation.
"If we're together, they'll hire us together, and we'll end up at the Sabatieri house right away. There'd be no reason to delay. But if it's one by one…"
Hellebore, understanding the intent first, nodded in comprehension.
"I see. You wouldn't be able to act immediately, and you could make some excuse to your respective employers about each other… is that it?"
"Exactly. I think there's a high chance we can keep the woman from harm until the inspection team arrives."
"Hmm… let me hear the rest."
After nodding with a grave expression, Ritz began to explain the plan.
"First, we'll need Lira and Net's cooperation. I want to use this inn as our base."
As Ritz spoke, Net popped out from behind the counter again.
"You were hiding there again…"
Net gave an embarrassed laugh at Hellebore’s sigh.
"My apologies, Commander. But Dill is a friend of hers."
Lira peeked out from beside Net. It seemed the father and daughter had been hiding and listening together.
"This is troublesome."
Hellebore sighed, but for Ritz, this saved him an explanation. Ritz looked at Lira; Lira looked straight into Ritz's eyes. The desire to help her friend Dill was painfully clear.
"Alright, I'll explain. First, Lira, your job. First thing in the morning, go outside to clean the front of the inn. While you're there, set up a mirror in a position where you can see the street from inside the shop."
"Okay."
Lira also nodded seriously.
"Net, let me know if you see someone connected to either party reflected in that mirror. Unfortunately, we don't even know what they look like."
"Hmm, understood."
After confirming that the two understood their roles, though they didn't quite grasp the whole picture, Ritz turned to Hellebore.
"Colonel, sorry to ask, but could you lend Franz a sword that suits him? We have to at least look the part."
"Understood, I will lend you one."
The ones who were most confused were Anna and Franz.
"First, Anna. You're going to pretend to be a distant relative of Net's, here for a visit."
Anna tilted her head, not understanding.
"It's not yet known that you're one of us. So, the most logical story is that we were mercenaries hired to escort you here."
Anna shook her head from side to side, looking even more confused.
"Ritz, I don't get it. Can you explain it more simply?"
Ritz placated Anna, saying he'd explain to Franz first, and continued.
"Franz, you'll get hired by one of them."
For a moment, Franz looked as if he didn't understand what was being said, but the instant he did, he shouted.
"What the hell is that?!"
Ignoring Franz's anger, Ritz continued.
"Alright, now I'll explain the overall flow of the plan!"
"Listen to me!"
The full scope of Ritz's plan was this:
First, Net would confirm that someone connected to one of the parties was reflected in the mirror Lira set up. If that person acted suspiciously, as if trying to peek inside, it was almost certainly a scout.
At that point, Ritz and Franz would have a dramatically over-the-top fight, making a show of their falling out, and Ritz would storm out of the inn. They would do this deliberately in view of the scout.
Then, information would surely reach either the rich man or the landowner. Ritz would then be hired by the party whose scout came first.
Franz, who remained, would wait at the Green Forest Inn for the other party's scout, or the man himself, to come negotiate. This way, Franz would be hired by the other side.
While Ritz would completely leave the inn, Franz would insist to his employer that he would continue staying there, making the Green Forest Inn the primary base for information gathering.
The messengers would be Anna and Lira. Two young girls wouldn't arouse much suspicion. They would also be responsible for relaying messages if anything unexpected happened.
Once hired, Ritz and Franz would both make a fuss, claiming their dispute wasn't settled and demanding to fight each other. They would somehow steer the conversation so that the winner of their duel would be the one to negotiate for the treasure with the woman.
Ritz would mainly handle that part. He would bamboozle the opponent, make them anxious about Franz's presence, and push for a confrontation.
Of course, they would take plenty of time before then, ensuring that the inspection team arrived and resolved the situation before any actual duel took place. That way, the townspeople would be thrilled by the prospect of this duel, waiting with bated breath for the outcome.
The public's interest would be directed toward a more thrilling confrontation than Mrs. Sabatieri, ensuring her and Dill's safety.
After hearing everything, Ritz saw Franz collapse onto the table with a sigh and gave a wry smile. It might be too difficult a task for Franz, but since they wouldn't actually be fighting, Franz would probably manage somehow.
"Do you really think this will work?"
"If it doesn't, we'll think of another way. In everything, you have to be flexible."
If they weren't going to leave town, they had to be prepared to endure this much and take countermeasures. Besides, it seemed like a good way to kill some boredom. But Franz seemed completely unconvinced.
His blue, sanpaku eyes stared resentfully at Ritz.
"You could be a swindler or an actor."
He probably meant it as an insult, but Ritz wasn't the type to care about such things.
"The fact that I didn't become an actor is the art world's greatest loss."
"…"
"What if the duel happens sooner than planned? Franz can't possibly win, right?"
From Franz's perspective, it was none of her business, but from Anna's, it was a valid concern.
"It won't be a problem if Anna secretly helps him from the shadows, right?"
"So, it's okay if I trip Ritz?"
Ritz, though somewhat reluctant, grudgingly nodded at Anna, who was fully intending to use the Earth Spirit. It was a subtle but likely effective method.
"And can I use the Water Dragon?"
"…Are you trying to kill me?"
"Ehehehe. Of course not~".
With a strong feeling he was going to get done in, Ritz sighed. Not even Ritz was confident he could survive an encounter with a Water Dragon. Scratching his head, Ritz looked at the sullen Franz.
"So, that's the plan. What do you think, can we do it?"
Franz nodded with a sigh.
"Alright then, we start tomorrow morning. Let's eat and get a good night's sleep."
With numerous anxieties still lingering, the secret meeting was adjourned with Ritz's final word. Net and Lira hurried to prepare dinner, and Hellebore rushed back to the barracks to retrieve the sword.
When Hellebore reappeared, Ritz, Net, and Lira were just starting their meal. In his hand was a slender sword.
"This is the only light sword I have that's easy for a beginner to handle. I'm sorry, but please use this."
What Hellebore handed to Franz was a rapier, about eighty centimeters long and two centimeters wide. Moreover, it was adorned with rather expensive-looking decorations.
"This looks expensive. Are you sure you want to lend it to this novice?"
Ritz, who had taken the rapier to inspect it, asked Hellebore. The colonel smiled and nodded.
"It is mine. I received it long ago and have kept it on display, unused. It would be better for you to use it than for it to rust in my room."
If it came to actually using this sword, that would be a problem in itself. Ritz carefully handed the rapier to Franz. Franz, too, seemed to recognize its value and accepted it gratefully.
"…It's light…"
Franz let out a voice of admiration. He gripped it lightly and swung it around. The rapier weighed about a kilogram, if that. Compared to Ritz's greatsword, which was over ten kilograms, it was unbelievably light.
With this, even Franz might become somewhat proficient with practice.
"I will borrow it. Thank you very much."
"Use it well."
After smiling at the bowing Franz, Hellebore turned back to Ritz.
The smile vanished from his face, replaced by the tense expression of a commander heading into battle.
"Only a part of my Faldina Garrison Unit will be informed of this plan. I will not be able to provide any backup, but I ask for your understanding."
Ritz nodded and extended his right hand.
"Thanks for indulging our selfish request, Colonel."
Hellebore clasped Ritz's hand.
"I wish you good luck."