Chapter 2-19 : Dance, Party, And The Villain (part 1)
ーBack to Kako’s perspectiveー
「What!? The auction hall was attacked!?」(Kako)
Father called me to his office room and told me the shocking news.
「Yes. Someone from the Merchant Guild contacted me. They said the venue was attacked by bandits.」(Elvent)
「Bandits… Are they Keemariq Bandit Group?」(Kako)
「Most likely.」(Elvent)
「Did they hurt anyone?」(Kako)
「Fortunately, they came when the auction finished, so there were no casualties among the visitors. However, a few guards guarding the goods got attacked.」(Elvent)
「Are the guards alright?」(Kako)
「Lucky for them, they are professional fighters, so none of them died, though a few of them got some serious injuries.」(Elvent)
「I see… Still, no one died. That’s a relief.」(Kako)
Potions exist in this world, so I’m sure they will be fine.
Even if you are injured, there is nothing to worry about as long as you are alive.
「No one died because they didn’t come to attack people. They came to steal, right?」(Maitena)
Maitena onee-sama suddenly came into the room and joined the conversation. It seemed that she was called by Father too.
「Yes. They are thieves after all.」(Elvent)
「Father, did they steal…」(Maitena)
「…As we expected. They stole Kako’s magic sword.」(Elvent)
「Eh!?」(Kako)
They stole my sword?
I made it as bait to lure Count Oglan, but still, it doesn’t feel good when someone stole my creation!
「Father, that means…」(Maitena)
「Yeah… Our guess seems to be right, but we can’t be too sure. Not yet. We still need more evidence.」(Elvent)
When I was still in shock, Father and Maitena onee-sama were talking as if they knew it would happen.
「Umm, what are you two talking about?」(Kako)
「Kako, it’s just our guess, but we think that Count Oglan and that bandit group are connected.」(Maitena)
「Wait, what!?」(Kako)
「Just think about it. How do you think he managed to get himself the weapons stolen from the blacksmith village?」(Maitena)
「…Aa, I see!」(Kako)
In the first place, the reason why we are trying to get Count Oglan’s attention is because we got information that he has the weapons that were stolen from the blacksmith village. We are trying to get into his upcoming party to find those stolen goods.
It didn’t cross my mind but Father and Maitena onee-sama suspected that he had a connection with Keemariq Bandit Group.
「Still, it’s nothing but a speculation. I tried to investigate deeper, but it seems that he managed to hide the evidence so cleverly. He made it as if he legitimately bought those weapons from a merchant somewhere.」(Elvent)
「However, the fact that those bandits stole your magic sword made our hypothesis stronger.」(Maitena)
「What do you mean?」(Kako)
「Kako, your magic sword has successfully drawn Count Oglan’s interest. He bid on it but lost to someone richer than him. Those bandits stole the sword after he failed to bring it home. You know what it means, right?」(Maitena)
「So… You think that he hired them to steal my sword?」(Kako)
「Exactly. He is a nobleman who is known as a dedicated weapon collector. It’s hard to imagine that he would let go of a rare magic sword like your quicksand sword so easily.」(Maitena)
「I see…」(Kako)
「I’m also guessing that Count Oglan has ordered those thieves to steal other items too as a disguise to hide his true intention, but they didn’t make it. After they got your sword, they tried to steal another item, but more alerted guards came and prevented it from happening. Unfortunately, they managed to fight their way out and escaped.」(Elvent)
「So other people’s items are safe then. Thank god.」(Kako)
「「…..」」(Elvent & Maitena)
When I said that, Father and Maitena onee-sama looked at me with their eyes wide open for a second and then smiled.
「Umm… What’s the matter? Did I say something weird?」(Kako)
「Fufu. No, Kako. It’s not like that. Your sword was stolen, but you don’t look frustrated at all. Instead, you’re happy that other people’s items are safe.」(Maitena)
「Well, my sword is the only item they managed to steal. Isn’t that good news?」(Kako)
「Yeah, you’re right.」(Maitena)
「That’s my daughter! You’re such a kind-hearted little angel!」(Elvent)
「Ahaha…」(Kako)
They’re exaggerating. I couldn’t help but scratch my cheek with my index finger and looked away shyly.
If Mother was here, she would probably hug me tightly.
Father said they tried to steal other items to hide Count Oglan’s intention. I’m just glad they failed.
My sword was the reason why those bandits attacked the auction. I would feel bad if someone lost their precious goods because of that.
Besides, now that I have Arcel-san working for me as an alchemist, I can make the same sword or even stronger swords anytime I want, so it’s not a big deal for me.
「In any case, we can’t let those thieves have Kako’s sword. Father, we should get it back!」(Maitena)
「Of course. Don’t worry, when I got the news about the bandits, I immediately sent a few men to track them down. I should receive their message any minute now.」(Elvent)
ーKnock knock
Soon after Father said that, I heard someone knocking on the door.
「Come in.」(Elvent)
The door opened. It was Marqise.
He approached Father and whispered to him.
「…I see. Good work.」(Elvent)
「Father, what is it?」(Maitena)
「They’ve already found those bandits’ hideout.」(Elvent)
「That was quick!」(Kako)
「Wow! As expected from your subordinates.」(Maitena)
「You know that I only hire excellent people, right? Anyway, we know where they’re hiding. We can retrieve Kako’s sword, but not now. There’s something else we need to do first.」(Elvent)
「You’re right. We need to get more evidence and expose the relationship between Count Oglan and Keemariq Bandit Group.」(Maitena)
「Exactly.」(Elvent)
That’s right. Even if we catch those bandits and they reveal everything after we interrogate them, there’s no way Count Oglan will admit that he hired them.
We need to get strong evidence that will leave no room for Count Oglan to deny it.
「Marqise, tell them to keep an eye on those bandits for now and try not to get spotted.」(Elvent)
「Understood.」(Marqise)
After receiving the order, Marqise bowed and left the room.
「So, Father, do you have a plan?」(Maitena)
「Of course.」(Elvent)
Father replied to Maitena onee-sama and began to explain his plan to us.
「ーEehh!? Is it okay to do something like that!?」(Kako)
「Father, are you sure!?」(Maitena)
「Trust me. There won’t be a problem.」(Elvent)
He replied to us with a smirk.
He looked confident, but…
I didn’t expect that Father would come up with such a nasty plan…
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