Chapter 214 – At the Count's Mansion

I applied Sealing Techniques to both the Marksman and the Magician to prohibit their use of Magic, then restrained them by hardening the ground with Earth Magic. I don’t know if the Marksman can use Magic, but I did it just to be safe.

I’ll deal with their punishment later. First, I used Levitation to move the unconscious gatekeeper and Knights inside the wall. I notified everyone via the Communication Device that the enemies had been subdued.

Then I landed in the courtyard with Lindwurm and greeted Father.

“It’s been a while, Father.”

“Theo… You came to help me?”

“Forgive my presumption, but I obtained information about suspicious individuals and have been keeping watch over your safety. Are either of you injured?”

“I’m… fine. Kathryn, you…”

Father was holding Kathryn’s shoulder as she trembled with a pale face, speaking to her about something. Kathryn nodded, and Father looked at me and said.

“She seems to be alright. Are you okay? It looked like you jumped off the Wyvern’s back…”

“I’m fine as well.”

At any rate, I’m glad neither of you seems to be hurt. Scanning the area, I spotted the fired arrows lying on the ground. I collected them as evidence.

…Something’s coated on the arrowheads. Poison, perhaps? Judging from the angle and trajectory, the arrow aimed at Father was targeting around his shoulder area…

If it’s poison, it would be a surefire assassination attempt. If it’s something like a sleeping drug or paralytic, then this was likely an attempted kidnapping. If we can identify the type of poison, we might be able to determine whether it was meant for murder or abduction.

“…Why… would you… for someone like me…”

Kathryn looked stunned. She had clearly seen the arrow being fired, so she seemed to have realized that I was the reason it unnaturally veered off course.

“Because I wanted to protect Father.”

“Th-that was just… instinctive…”

“That’s not an issue.”

Even if it was an action she herself didn’t expect… that precisely means her concern for Father’s safety outweighed her own self-preservation, and that there truly is affection for Father within her.

“I… I… after treating you so… terribly… I… to you…”

She trailed off, bowing her head.

Kathryn seemed to want to apologize to me… but not out of pride—rather, she appeared unable to form the words due to a childlike weakness, as if afraid of being scolded.

…That’s right. Kathryn is surely weak. That’s precisely why she couldn’t resist the interference from the former Marquis Broderick. There might be other factors too, but her awareness that she’s betraying Father has distorted their relationship.

Certainly, I suffered because of that weakness too. So from my position, I won’t defend her now, but neither will I condemn her.

“Please consider not betraying Father’s kindness and trust as your apology to me. I choose to believe in your earlier action of protecting Father.”

When I told her this, Kathryn bowed her head, tears streaming down, but nodded and clearly spoke.

“…I’m… sorry.”

“…I accept those words as well.”

But let’s leave this matter here for now.

Since the situation isn’t yet resolved, I need to switch gears.

“First, let’s move to the mansion. We don’t know the enemy’s objective. It would be best to bring the personnel here along too. I’ll provide escort to the mansion.”

Leaving Kathryn here as she is would be problematic. More importantly, Harold and Cynthia are still in my care. First, I’ll contact everyone via the Communication Device and arrange to gather at Father’s house.

“…I’m sorry, Theo.”

“Not at all.”

“Please use this room. If you need anything, have the servants prepare it.”

“Yes.”

We headed to Father’s mansion. I was shown to the parlor and had to wait a while until everyone arrived. I sat facing Father, drinking tea while we waited.

“I’d heard various rumors… but your movements earlier surprised me. As your father, I don’t want you taking too many risks.”

Come to think of it, this was the first time Father had seen me fight.

“Thank you for your concern. However, for this matter, could you leave it to me and coordinate the soldiers’ movements? I want to capture all the enemies without any casualties on our side.”

If we mobilize the soldiers, the personnel movements would inevitably become hectic, and the fact that their comrades were captured around Kathryn’s house would also be revealed to the enemy.

And more than anything, I won’t be satisfied until I’ve thoroughly crushed those who dared to pull such a ridiculous stunt with my own hands.

“Do you have some leads?”

“Our comrades are gathering information to locate the enemy’s hideout.”

There were regular communications from Sheila and Irmhild via the Communication Device too. I’ll trust that they’ll deliver results.

“…You work quickly. It hasn’t been long since you contacted me.”

Then Father bowed his head to me.

“At any rate, you saved us. Not just me, but… regarding Kathryn too, I must properly thank you.”

“Not at all.”

“And not just for this incident. I must have some softness as a lord. Because of that, I’ve caused you hardship.”

Soft… huh. Perhaps that’s true. But Mother described it with different words.

“No, that’s—”

Just as I started to say that, a knock sounded at the door.

It seemed the servant had brought Grace and the others. I see. Well then, let’s leave this conversation here. I’ll save what I want to tell Father for after the incident is resolved.

“It’s been a long time, Henry-sama.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. It’s good to see you’re well, Grace. Ashley-sama, you look unchanged as well…. But to have so many distinguished guests arrive at once… Under normal circumstances, I would be in a position to offer my utmost hospitality, but…”

Yeah. Looking at the assembled group, I understood that hosting—or rather, proper reception—would be difficult.

Grace is a Knight, and Ashley is also a lord. Marlene and Rosemary have their own circumstances, but royalty is royalty.

So we had planned to visit Father’s place a day later to avoid causing a commotion, but with this unforeseen situation forcing us to gather, it’s only natural that preparations aren’t complete.

Well, this isn’t the time for such formalities. Still, from Father’s position, he can’t be discourteous.

“We appreciate the Count’s consideration. However, this is an emergency. Moreover, I have already lost my right to the throne.”

Rosemary said quietly and bowed. Marlene, for her part, picked up the hem of her skirt in greeting and smiled.

“As for me… once this matter is concluded, I must offer my apologies to the Count.”

“To me—no, I understand. Let’s set that matter aside for now.”

After brief greetings to Father and introductions to those meeting for the first time, we moved on to countermeasures.

Rosemary’s apology to Father would have to wait, but with thieves hiding in the territory and having made their move like this, we need to act quickly. That can’t be helped.

“Marie. Can you tell what this is?”

I laid out the Marksman’s belongings on the table and brought forward several small bottles containing chemicals and the actual fired arrows.

Rosemary examined the arrowheads and the Marksman’s possessions. She wafted the scent from the chemicals adhering to the arrowheads and those filling the small bottles.

“…From this smell, and judging by the types of antidotes… this appears to be some kind of paralytic. This bottle here… might be a sleeping drug.”

“A paralytic and a sleeping drug… So the objective isn’t assassination but kidnapping?”

“In that case… could it be for ransom? Or perhaps…”

Ashley frowned.

“I don’t know. Neither the Marksman’s sniping skills nor the Magician’s movements were bad, I think. They should have plenty of legitimate ways to make a living without crossing such a dangerous bridge.”

Kidnapping for ransom. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible, but it feels somewhat unsatisfying. I suspect there might be another reason.

“I also considered the possibility of it being related to Silvatoria. While sending a Thief group could be part of sabotage operations, if they’re attempting a kidnapping in Gartner County with such small numbers—”

—Don’t tell me. Could this be related to Mother? If there’s something connecting Gartner County and Silvatoria, that would be the only link. If Mother’s something-or-other is the target, it wouldn’t be strange for them to think Father knows about it.

But my various speculations had to end there. Because a communication came through the device.

‘Enemy hideout discovered.’

From Sheila and the others. They really do good work. I informed everyone of the communication’s content, we exchanged looks, and nodded. We can extract information from those guys and do all sorts of speculations later, after we’ve crushed them.