I Want to Be Useful
Til flew ahead, checking from time to time to make sure we were still following.
“Looks like Young Master Reinhardt’s intuition was right.”
“It’s not certain yet, but something’s going on.”
The place we arrived at was a building on the far edge of the blacksmith workshop district.
“In the blacksmith district, adventurers and merchants delivering materials come and go all the time. Even if someone isn’t from this city, no one pays much attention.”
“First, we need to confirm who goes in and out, and who owns the building.”
Til returned to my shoulder.
“We can’t move until we check things first, so wait a little longer.”
He stayed quiet, as if he understood.
Two knights went to investigate, and we returned to the mansion.
All we could do now was wait for their report.
When I got back with Til, Henry saw me and said, “Your father and the others ask that you come to the study,” and brought me there.
“So this is the Til we were informed about.”
“Yes.”
I told them the place Til led us to was on the edge of the workshop district, and that two knights were confirming things now.
“Never seen one before, but it’s a charming little thing.”
He is basically a cockatiel, I thought—when suddenly something heavy landed on my lap.
“Too heavy,” I muttered, and Luan’s face filled my vision all at once.
“Whoa—Luan, I keep telling you not to suddenly shove your face that close,” I said, leaning back on the sofa.
“She says it’s rude to call her heavy.”
Atre translated.
“I suddenly felt weight on my lap from nowhere. Of course it feels heavier than normal.”
“Vio never says such things. I’ll tell Vio.”
Vio is my mother.
“Fine, sorry. Anyway, what do you want?”
“If you’re scouting, we’ll do it.”
“You mean infiltrating the building?”
“Yes. Lucia and I will go.”
“Just because it worked last time doesn’t mean it’ll work this time.”
“We’ll be faster. Take us with you.”
Father also warned Luan it was dangerous, but said it would be good training for Lucia.
When Mother came in with Lucia and heard the situation, she simply said, “If Luan says she’ll do it, then just let her,” and approved it instantly.
“Luan wants to be useful sometimes too.”
Our family’s crest on a carriage would stand out, so we boarded a different one and headed toward the destination.
“Luan, Lucia—if you sense anything dangerous, retreat immediately,” I said as we sent them off.
The door didn’t open at all, so how were they planning to get inside?
Captain Kyle boarded the carriage, bringing the knights’ report.
The building was owned by a major trading company within the domain, and a merchant and some adventurers—likely guards—were staying there.
Supposedly they were waiting for a colleague who had gone to Eminira to purchase goods, and had temporarily rented this building so the colleague could stay too.
They even had an introduction letter from the trading company.
But the knights said the adventurer-guards had a rough look to them.
Could they be kidnapping people in Eminira as well?
“This might turn into a large-scale arrest.”
“Any suspicious rumors about the trading company renting out the building?”
“None.”
We had no choice but to wait for Luan and Lucia.
After about an hour, something tapped the carriage.
“Looks like Luan and Lucia are back,” Atre said.
Captain Kyle opened the door—but no one was there.
“Luan, Lucia,” I called.
They appeared beside Captain Kyle.
He must have been surprised, but he showed no expression as he shut the door again.
According to Atre’s translation, there was one woman locked in a room.
She wasn’t tied up or injured.
“No one else like her in the other rooms?”
Apparently not.
One man had said, “Don’t lay a hand on the woman. If you do, you get no reward this time.”
“How many people are inside the building?”
Six.
“Captain Kyle, what do you think?”
“If their story about a colleague in Eminira is a lie, we should arrest them.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Young Master Reinhardt, you’ll come too?”
“I’ll enter last with the others. If the woman is weak, healing magic might be necessary.”
“But—”
“Atre and the others are with us, so it’s fine.”
“… Understood. But please, don’t do anything reckless.”
What do you think about this chapter?
