Chapter 572 – Daryl's Consideration

“Hmm. With this amount, it should be fine if we shovel the snow tomorrow morning.”

The area around Mother’s grave was usually well-maintained and clean. It would probably be enough to just brush off the light layer of snow covering the tombstone.

The snow had been properly cleared and piled up, and even the finer details like the tombstone had been thoroughly cleaned.

Harold and Cynthia had said their work became easier thanks to the Levitation Magic Tool, and it seemed they were making full use of it.

Since they’d recently shoveled snow, only a thin layer covered the ground around the area, but if we started shoveling at this level, it would never end. There shouldn’t be anything particular to do at this point today.

“Thank you both.”

“Not at all. This is our job.”

“We’re happy to hear you say that.”

The sibling gravekeepers smiled.

“Would you show me the magic tool when we get back? I’ll at least do some maintenance on it.”

“Thank you very much.”

The two bowed their heads quietly.

“Well then, shall we head back for now?”

“Yes.”

Grace smiled softly and nodded. We all walked back through the snow-covered grove to Mother’s house.

“Theo. I need to return to town for now.”

“Understood, Father. I’ll visit the mansion later.”

“Hmm.”

Father seems quite busy with various matters. He said he had a lot going on, so that must be it. We’ve already discussed who will stay at Father’s mansion and such, and the greetings are done, so there shouldn’t be any issues on my end. Now then—what about Caduceus?

Having taken bird form to cross the outer wall—I had him land on a suitable rooftop. After confirming there were no eyes around, Caduceus lost his form. Sliding along the buildings, when he reached a narrow alley, a black cat emerged from the shadows.

I had him stroll leisurely through the Count’s territory.

Normally I avoid the Count’s town area since I prefer not to get involved… but it shouldn’t be too different from the town I remember. The people coming and going seemed normal, with nothing particularly unusual visible.

The number of soldiers moving about might be slightly higher… perhaps. If I go to the soldiers’ guard post, I might be able to hear something. That would mean needing to have him return near the outer wall area.

I might hear some related rumors before arriving, so let’s start moving.

Even if things in town appear normal, problems could be occurring outside the outer wall. There are various concerns for a lord, like bandits or monsters and such.

While pondering and observing the town’s situation, I spotted soldiers walking while talking. They were heading together toward the direction of the guard post.

I immediately had him tail the soldiers.

After having him enter an alley and become amorphous, I had him get slightly ahead.

Timing it with their movement and the building shadows, I had Caduceus blend into the crowd. The plan was to listen to their conversation while tailing them.

“So, they found all of them?”

“Yeah. So we can breathe a little easier now. Henry-sama seemed pleased too.”

“That’s good, but where were they hiding in the end?”

“In a shed near the outer wall, apparently. They were probably waiting for a chance to get out of town?”

I could hear the soldiers’ conversation like that.

Hmm. Someone ran away… is that what this is about? Since they said all of them, it probably doesn’t involve Byron.

“Then checking outside the wall was the right move after all.”

“Though it meant walking around in the snow. Seriously, I want to get back quickly, change clothes, and warm up.”

“What a nuisance. Coordinating a group runaway like that.”

“Absolutely.”

Group runaway…?

Given that they said everyone was found, the urgency seems low. Father probably prioritized coming here after receiving that report. Well, King Melvin’s visit is quite significant too, so Father must be having a hard time going back and forth within his territory.

“So, they must have had some reason for doing that, right?”

“Well… they won’t say. They’re under protection at the guard post now… but there’s definitely something going on there.”

“Their parents?”

“They’re out on business or something, apparently. We’re looking for their whereabouts now—”

While listening to this conversation, we arrived at the soldiers’ guard post.

Hmm. A group runaway with circumstances, huh. It’s not the Pied Piper of Hamelin, but there are monsters or demons with abilities close to brainwashing, so I don’t have enough information to feel relieved yet.

I had Caduceus move away from the soldiers, sliding through gaps in the stonework to move through the ceiling shadows.

I roughly know the guard post’s internal layout. They said protection, but to prevent escape, they’d likely confine them in a deeper location. Since it’s protection, not prison.

That would mean a room matching those conditions with guards posted.

While moving Caduceus through the guard post interior… found it. It matches the conditions, and there are two guards posted. Probably that room.

Carefully moving Caduceus slowly to avoid the guards’ notice. Through the gap above the door, threading inside like a string.

Stretching Caduceus’s body thin to avoid detection, infiltrating from outside the room to inside like pouring in.

…Good. Neither the guards nor those inside the room have noticed.

The room seemed to have been used as a storage room originally, with items scattered about. In the back was an old sofa, where five children were huddled together. Definitely looks like they hastily cleared space.

Four boys and one girl. There’s probably no heating in the storage room, but the children are wrapped in provided blankets and seem to have been given warm drinks. At least they don’t appear to be cold.

“…What do we do now, Carter? We got caught like this.”

“I’m thinking of a way to escape right now.”

The boy who voiced his weakness was answered by the leader-type boy—Carter. His reply showed no hesitation or uncertainty. …I see. Definitely circumstances involved.

“What about that window?”

One of them pointed to the skylight in the storage room corner.

“Too high. If we move or stack things, the noise would alert the guards.”

“What about telling the truth…?”

“That’s no good. If we say we eavesdropped on Daryl-sama’s… that conversation and decided to do this, it would cause trouble for Daryl-sama, right?”

…So Daryl’s name comes up here. But it doesn’t seem like Daryl instigated it or anything like that.

To summarize, Daryl was talking to someone about something, and they overheard it. Because of that conversation, they decided to run away as a group… that seems to be it.

“So all of you, absolutely don’t mention Daryl-sama’s name.”

“Got it.”

“Won’t say a word.”

The boys and girls nodded to each other at Carter’s words.

“Will they bring our fathers, I wonder?”

“Maybe. This might make them willing to listen.”

“I wonder…”

Saying this, Carter shook his head.

“Even if we escape… will Theodore-sama meet with us?”

“I don’t know. But even if our fathers don’t intend to… we have to go. From hearing Daryl-sama’s story and seeing Harold and Cynthia… I think he’d at least hear us out.”

…I see. Ah, I understand. I get it now.

Indeed, Daryl… after our relationship improved, he’d been thinking he wanted to do something about the territory’s people too.

Whether he asked them to visit Mother’s grave, or just went to ask what they thought about that time and what they planned to do now.

I don’t know how detailed Daryl’s story was… but they must have overheard it.

To spur their parents into action? Or to apologize to me on their behalf? Or maybe out of rebelliousness, or perhaps after already having arguments with their parents. Anyway, the result is they coordinated to run away and tried to come see me.

…Daryl is surprisingly either a worrier or duty-bound.

When we returned from grave cleaning, Daryl was sitting in the living room drinking tea… but he might not have heard from Father yet.

Father might have some idea from knowing who ran away, but since the full picture isn’t clear, I understand why he wouldn’t tell me. He’s being quite considerate about my relationship with the territory’s people.

I do understand that I have distorted aspects myself… and that the people around me are concerned about it.

Since my position and power relationship with the territory’s people has changed, I have no intention of doing anything and no expectations of them. That’s all.

First of all, the runaway children are the children of the people involved… I don’t think of demanding responsibility from them. But—

“—Daryl”

“Hmm? What is it?”

When I called his name, Daryl looked at me. The reason he hasn’t said anything to me might be because there are no results yet. That makes sense. From Daryl’s perspective, it’s probably a rather delicate matter. But regardless of the outcome, it shouldn’t affect Daryl’s actions or feelings.

“No… thank you for everything.”

When I said this with closed eyes and a slight smile, Daryl looked puzzled, not understanding what I was referring to.