Code Red
When I entered the reception room, my father and mother were waiting, along with Gray, Sarah, and Zack. I sat beside my mother, while Bass and Toto sat across from me.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Joan’s mother, Margaret. Did you have enough to eat?”
""Y-yes.""
“Hehe, that’s good to hear.”
“I’m Joan’s father, Stanley Lampail, a Margrave. You don’t need to be so nervous… though I know that’s easier said than done. Now then, I’d like to ask you both some questions. Is that all right?”
At my father’s words, the two nodded silently.
What he asked was exactly what I had heard earlier. I had reported it through Gray first, so this seemed like confirmation. Most of the answers came from Bass, but Toto did her best to explain the times she had almost been kidnapped.
Listening, my father and mother sometimes furrowed their brows or clenched their hands tightly.
“… I see. Thank you for recalling such painful memories. You may stay at our home for a while. Once things settle, you can return to Ania, or if you wish to stay here, we’ll do everything we can to help.”
""Thank you.""
“Gray, take them to the guest room.”
“Yes, sir.”
""!!""
When Gray answered, the two of their ears twitched, and their faces turned pale.
“Are you all right? What’s wrong?”
I asked, concerned.
“Umm… the men… they were talking. On the ship.”
“Those men… the kidnappers?”
“Yes… the ones who… took us…”
My father listened quietly as Toto spoke, not pushing her to continue.
“Yes. That’s right…”
Then Bass continued, describing the kidnappers’ disgusting behavior:
Man 1: Hey, they’re alive, right?
Man 2: They’re fine. Just sleeping now… Still, making beastkin slaves… nobles really are twisted.
Man 1: Absolutely. But I heard they put the girls in the hands of a faction that treats them well.
Man 2: A tribute, huh. So that’s why they specified the female beastkin.
Man 1: They probably want to hear ‘Master~’ from them.
Man 2: Hahaha, not much different, huh.
“I see… So the planned perpetrators must be some nobles… Gray, Code Red.”
""‘‘‘!!""”
My mother, Sarah, Zack, and I all held our breath.
“Yes, right away.”
Gray hurriedly left the reception room.
“Joan, take care of them. Maggie, after the meeting, I’ll go to Alec. The rest is up to you.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Understood. Take care.”
My father nodded deeply and left the reception room.
“All right, you two must be tired. Let’s show you to the room you’ll be staying in tonight. Sarah.”
My mother spoke brightly, deliberately changing the dark mood, and gave instructions to Sarah.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll show you to your room.”
""Y-yes.""
“Bass, Toto, rest well. See you tomorrow.”
With that, the two nodded and followed Sarah out of the reception room.
“Mother…”
“Yes, I understand. The summons will be from the royal capital residence. Joan, Zack, you prioritize them. Until it’s over, you’ll have to stay away from the academy. Don’t leave General until then.”
""Yes.""
Code Red
A Lampail family code meaning an emergency summon.
When activated, all Lampail affiliates—family, servants, and the Shadows—receive notice and are summoned.
“Mother, after sending Miu, I’ll go to the royal capital residence to prepare a late-night meal. Zack, please look after the two of them in the meantime.”
“Understood.”
Knock knock knock “Anny here. I’ve brought Miss Miura.”
Miu, escorted by Anny, entered the reception room and noticed my mother, performing a curtsey.
“I-I'm sorry for the delayed greetings. Long time no see, Baroness.”
“Welcome back, Miura. I apologize for letting Joan drag you into this. Here’s a token of thanks and an apology. Please accept it.”
On the desk were an envelope with money and something wrapped in cloth.
“Thank you. And this…? Eh, really?”
Inside the cloth were scissors, razors, and combs for haircuts.
“That’s great, Miu.”
“Yeah. Thank you, Marchioness.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased. Joan and Zack have been taken care of by you as well. You may be asked again for haircuts in the future, so consider this an investment. Hehe.”
On the carriage back to the dorm via the royal capital residence, I handed Miu a small, pochette-type magic bag as a thank-you from me.
“A cute pochette… Eh? This is a magic bag?”
“Yeah, I thought you might want to carry scissors and razors around.”
“Really? Thank you. I wanted one.”
“Good… Ah, I remembered! ‘The Four Sisters of the Knight Department’!”
“Ah, you found out?”
“Geez, you startled me!”
“Hahaha, sorry, sorry. I didn’t expect it to be so popular. But because of this, Rebe said she wants to become a writer.”
“Rebe? … Well, she does have a way with words.”
“Right?”
When the carriage arrived at the dorm and Miu got out, I hurried back to the mansion.
What do you think about this chapter?
