summerpeanut
patreon
Chapter 35: Identity
🕑 Added 2022-05-09 18:08:40 +0000 UTCTL:SummerPeanut
This is the 4th chapter today. 10q 4 de pear-nuts BobTheLost end Marcus.
====================================
When I opened the door, the Knights, including Count Beetle, got down on one knee and apologized to me.
“I apologize, Mars. To be honest, we were a little suspicious of you.”
The Count and the Knights bowed their heads.
“Uh, is there something wrong? I'm not quite sure what's going on here…”
“We knew in advance that Baron Dames was going to revolt. We were monitoring you because we thought you might be involved.
Of course, we believed you but we had to keep an eye on you as insurance.
The fact that you felt uncomfortable is only natural, since you were being monitored by two parties: Baron Dames's subordinates and us. As of this morning, you had been completely cleared of suspicion but I wasn’t able to send the message.”
“I have some responsibility too as I am not able to explain some things to you. So I accept your apology.”
I took Count Beetle's hands in mine and asked him to stand up.
“Would it be alright if I give my report first?”
“Right. I will hear your report at my detached residence. I have something to tell you as well. Is that agreeable?”
“Yes. I understand.”
After that, we headed for Count Beetle's detached residence by carriage.
As we were heading for the villa, I noticed that Baron Dames was also accompanying us.
Except that he had a noose around his wrists. Did he do something again?
It did not take long to reach the detached residence of Count Beetle.
I thought it would be quite luxurious because it was the Count's house but it wasn't. It’s to the point where the Bryant family’s residence in Irgusia was larger in comparison.
I arrived at the Count's residence and was shown into a large room.
There were six other people there who were being tied up in addition to Baron Dames.
There were also two members of the Lampard family, Gray and Erna.
Neither of them had been handcuffed so it was not as if they were here because they messed up or anything.
Clarice noticed their presence and happily ran up to them.
Their faces, which had been tense, fell when Clarice came to them. They were crying with happiness. Naturally, they must have been very worried.
“Father, mother, I have returned.”
“I'm glad you're safe. I'll hear your report later alright.”
Seeing them busying themselves, I gave a bow and reported to the Count first.
“We conquered the boss room today. The bosses were two goblin kings. These are the goblin king's magic stones.”
The goblin kings dropped only the goblin king's magic stones so I handed that to Count Beetle.
“Thank you, Mars. The same for Miss Clarice too.
As I said before, let me apologize again. I had my suspicions that you might be working with Baron Dames there to do stir up something no good.”
That meant that Dames really had done something.
“But this morning Mars showed up an hour early for the meeting. This is something I would never have done if I had been the one cooperating with Baron Dames. Since that would ruin his plan. I wasn’t that suspicious of you that much to begin with but nevertheless, it's true that I doubted you a little. Forgive me.”
“Yes, sir. As I said before, I accept your apology.”
“Thank you. Now let's move on to the reward. Have you thought of what you want?”
“No, I haven’t thought of anything as of yet...”
“Well, then, let me tell you what we have decided.
First, the Barony of Barker shall be dethroned! In addition, the Barkers' six adventurer registrations will be canceled, and they will all be enslaved along with the Dames Barker.”
Oh, I think that's quite the drastic decision, and then Dames started to make a fuss.
It seemed that they had no more use for the Dames, etc so the Knights grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and took them away.
“Now that the riff raffs are gone, I have one more thing to say.
Grey Lampard, from this day forth you shall be a baron.”
This surprised me. I couldn't help but let out a small yelp.
The person himself might have heard about it beforehand since he didn't seem too surprised.
Was that why he had been so nervous earlier?
Clarice's eyes lit up.
“Hooray! Father, mother. Please do your best for the people from now on.”
“O-oh, somehow even though we did nothing so it's a complicated feeling.”
“Don't say that, Gray. The two parents are undoubtedly the reason why Miss Clarice has grown up to be such a fine young woman. The official knighting ceremony will come at a later date but I will allow you to call yourself a baron from this day forward.
If possible, I would like you to hear the answer to the request I mentioned earlier but have you made your decision? Of course, it is not an order so you may refuse.”
He must have been told something beforehand. I am curious as to what was said.
“Yes, I'm still trying to make up my mind.”
“I see, but as you know, we probably don't have much time. I'll get in touch with you soon again. You should go home today and spend some time with Miss Clarice for the first time in a while and discuss it together properly.
Mars, you will be staying at this house today. Is that okay?”
I nodded and Gray said
“Yes, sir. I will go home and talk about it together.”
Gray replied so before turning to me and saying his words to me.
“Thank you for watching over Clarice today too, Mars. I really can’t say thank you enough.
There’s nothing I can do for you right now so please wait a little more.”
“No, it's enough that you let me stay and if you allow me to spend another fulfilling time next time.”
Well, I had to pay some money later on but it came with the signboard girl. It couldn’t be worth more.*1
“Well then, we shall take our leave now.”
With that, Gray and Erna left.
Clarice also said, "See you later" and left the room.
“Then, Mars, we have a lot to talk about, but first, let's take a shower and dinner first.”
“Thank you very much.”
I showered and went to the dining room where many meals had been prepared.
A number of the Knights were invited too and the dinner experience was lively and very enjoyable.
I appraised each ingredient just to be sure but there was no poison in it.
During the meal, one of the Knights said to me
“I am sorry but I have been monitoring your movements. Forgive me.
But that just proves that you are a very nice person.
Many people in the city, including us Knights, are grateful to you for supplying us with potions and ingots at the usual or even lower than the usual prices. We are really thankful to you.”
With that as a sign, the reports from when they had been monitoring me were raised one after another.
Apparently, all the Knights here were the ones who had been watching me.
After that, the Knights gave thanks and compliments one after another.
I was a little embarrassed but everyone was happy so I was too.
The Knights seemed to have work leftover so they returned to their posts after this.
When I was alone with the Count, he asked me a question.
“Let's get down to business, Mars Bryant.”
====================================
Author’s note:
The next one will be posted at 8pm.
I will post the last chapter(36) of volume 2 today.
I’ll be happy if readers who followed up until chapter 36 could give your ratings.
Thank you very much.
TL’s note:
1. Might be a bit confusing but basically, Mars was treated as a guest first and stayed for free. Later on, he paid some money to stay and treated the place as an inn where he got accompanied by the silver-haired (loli) signboard girl. At least that’s what I think the author is trying to say.
