Chapter 62

Before Lord Nazel could even process the situation, a portly man came walking from across the street, shouting at the top of his lungs.

“Oh, My Lord! Welcome, welcome! Thank you so much for saving my daughter. Please, you must come to our manor!”

Henry approached a skeptical Lord Nazel and whispered a warning about the pair.

“Those are the meddling nobles I mentioned. I wonder what’s behind this sudden change of heart, inviting us to their estate? It’s highly suspicious…”

“If I recall correctly, there were allegations of corruption against them, weren’t there?”

“Indeed. Their cash flow is strangely abundant. They aren’t earning tax revenue from governing territory, nor are they running any major businesses to turn such a profit.”

“Perhaps they’re receiving funds from an outside source?”

“As of now, that remains unclear. There are many dark rumors surrounding the House of Baron Kigyonne, but we haven’t been able to catch them red-handed.”

“In that case, should we try an undercover investigation? For my part, I’d prefer Agnes to stay somewhere clean and safe.”

“True, the town is unhygienic, and there’s a risk of magical beast attacks. Public order has worsened since my last visit as well.”

As the two of them conversed in hushed tones, Kelly interjected.

“Please be careful, Lord Nazelbert. They are undoubtedly ‘black.’ Especially that man’s emotions…”

Kelly’s magic allowed her to roughly sense the emotions of others. By “black,” she likely meant they harbored a fair amount of malice toward us.

“Thank you for the warning, Kelly.”

Lord Nazel was hesitating. He was likely moving cautiously because I was present, but he clearly had a strong desire to investigate these suspicious nobles for the sake of his people.

“It’s alright, Lord Nazel. I can cast magic on myself and everyone else, so I won’t be a burden. Let’s head in.”

“But, Agnes…”

“The state of the town is terrible. We can’t just leave it like this. I want to take action as soon as possible to help these people. I’ll be fine.”

Even so, Lord Nazel continued to worry. Kelly also seemed opposed to going to the noble’s manor.

However, a new voice called out to us right then.

“Well, well! What a coincidence, My Lady!”

“Eh?”

I turned around to find a man carrying a large pack of luggage, raising his hand toward me in a friendly greeting.

“You are…”

He was the merchant named Bell, the one who had bought all the junk from the lord’s manor.

While Kelly and I were acquainted with him, this was the first time Lord Nazel and the others had met him.

“Lord Nazel, this is the merchant who bought those strange statues and things from the manor.”

As I introduced him, Lord Nazel’s expression shifted to one of suspicion.

“A merchant? This man?”

“Yes, is something the matter?”

As for Bell, he wore his usual shady smile while shrugging his shoulders as if troubled. Even under Lord Nazel’s dubious gaze, he maintained a completely nonchalant attitude.

“I am a perfectly legitimate merchant, I assure you.”

For some reason, even Torre seemed to be acting restless and fidgety upon seeing him.

I wondered what was wrong—did he need to find a restroom?

“My, My Lady, what a coincidence to run into you again in a place like this. If you happen to be heading to the Baron’s manor, would you mind if I tagged along?”

The atmosphere shifted as Bell pushed his way into the conversation with such persistence.

After that, Lord Nazel consulted with Henry and his subordinates… and as a result, it was decided that we would head to the Baron’s estate.