Volume 3 Chapter 26 Lord
When I returned home carrying the battered Windy, I found Ridge sitting alone on the living room sofa, looking down.
She seemed completely on edge. Sandra, still nursing minor injuries, was glaring at her, who was trembling and frozen in place.
"I'm back."
As I said that, Sandra widened her eyes and said, "Welcome back, Wade."
"You're carrying some ragged cloth. Not cool."
"No, this is Windy."
I casually dropped Windy on the spot, and they slumped down.
Ridge gasped. Clay, who had returned sensing my comeback, was also speechless at the severity of the situation.
"Huh? ...This is bad."
Even Sandra could only say this much, making me realize how much trouble I had caused. I never thought Windy's arm would be severed by a punch.
"S-So, what are you going to do...?"
In response to Clay's question, I will answer.
"After everyone's treatment is done, fix it while you're at it. Hey, are you listening? Endure it until then. Otherwise, die."
"Uh..."
Windy groaned. Assuming I had received approval, I sat next to Ridge.
"..."
Ridge's trembling reached her peak. She was crying silently, tears streaming down her face.
"Now, Ridge. Wasn't it you who caused all the commotion this time?"
"Uh, ah..."
Unable to speak due to fear, Ridge, I called out to her.
"Try to come up with some excuse. Don't end up like Windy."
"I ordered it! It's all my responsibility!"
"Well done, you said it well."
I comforted Ridge. Ridge, unable to move, began to cry with a contorted face, saying "Uwaaaa..."
Then, I continued.
"But, that's not it. Ridge is not to blame. Because, Ridge, you're still a child."
"Eh...?"
"Go get your parents. When a child makes a mess, it's the parents who have to take responsibility. Right?"
"..."
Ridge looked up at me with a pale face, then quietly nodded.
Then, Ridge extended her hand. On her hand, she wore a white glove. She was dressed just like a noble, I thought, as Ridge began to remove the white gloves.
Underneath, a ring appeared.
"What's that?"
"It's a Calling Ring... It's synced with my father's Calling Ring, so we can talk..."
"It's a popular artifact. Quite an expensive one."
Clay added, and I nodded.
"Can you lend it to me?"
"Of course..."
Ridge removed the ring and handed it over. After asking how to use it, I rubbed it three times and then spoke.
'Hello? This is adventurer Wade. Your daughter has been identified as the mastermind behind the kidnapping of my daughter. We have subdued and are currently holding her.'
After that, a few hours passed.
"..."
Ridge and Windy were sitting side by side on the couch, with a solemn atmosphere like a wake. With Windy safe and sound, everyone's treatment was already completed.
Since all the women in the party seemed completely exhausted, I put them all to bed. Clay seemed like he could still move a bit, so I planned to have him assist in the negotiations.
The phone call was brief. It was about my request, with Ridge personally vouching for it. It was declared that it was not a kidnapping but merely protection. With these arrangements, it was decided that the lord would visit our house.
And at dusk, the doorbell rang. I had Windy come out to greet him. "Oh, you really are free to move around," said a surprised voice as a nobleman and a maid entered the house.
A nobleman with a mustache, exuding an air of sophistication, and a maid entered the house. He was Ridge's father, the lord of this city.
He sat next to Ridge and spoke up.
"It seems there was a serious breach of etiquette this time, and I truly apologize for it. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Maze Labyrinth Noble Karditsa. I am the head of the Karditsa Margrave family and serve as the lord of this dungeon city, Karditsa."
With a smile on his lips, the lord introduced himself. I also gave a faint smile and introduced myself.
"Nice to meet you, city lord. I'm Wade. And this is Clay."
"Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. Now, I'd like to hear more details... Ridge, what does it mean that you tried to kidnap Wade's daughter?"
"..."
Ridge hid her lips in her mouth, looking embarrassed and fell silent.
I looked at Windy. Windy straightened up and began to explain to the lord.
"I'll explain it to you. Wade-sama's daughter here is not his real daughter, but rather a humanoid dragon known as a Metamorph Dragon. The young lady who found it intriguing desired that."
"Metamorph Dragon...! I see, it's not surprising that she wanted it. So, a kidnapping?"
"Yes, that's right. And now, we've gathered here to prevent that from happening."
"I see..."
The city lord nodded in agreement with me, scanning the room. My face, Clay's face, Ridge's face, Windy's face.
He spoke up.
"Wade-dono. This situation may seem calm on the surface, but it's probably just a facade, right? It's the first time I've seen Windy, who's always so confident, with such a look on their face. It seems like they've been through quite a lot."
"There's no evidence. Right, Windy?"
"There isn't! Lord, please refrain from making baseless assumptions...!"
"Ah, I see. Thanks. I get it now, this conversation has been through an unimaginable process."
Even as he spoke, the lord didn't change his expression. Calmly, he asked,
"So, what do you wish for here, Wade-dono?"
"If Ridge-sama, your esteemed daughter, and yourself, Lord, can promise not to lay a hand on our daughter again, then..."
The lord, with a strange expression, replied,
"Humble, yet it could be seen as arrogant. Trying to restrict the actions of nobles as commoners, huh?"
"Whether it's humble or arrogant doesn't matter to me."
I stared at the lord intently.
"Kidnapping someone's daughter is an inhumane act. Lord, when you were summoned today, you must have been anxious, right? Worried if something happened to your daughter. We're just the same."
"...Ah, I see, when that's mentioned, I feel vulnerable. Indeed, my heart skipped a beat when I heard your voice from the calling ring, and I felt a chilling sense of unease."
Once again, I apologize. Lord nodded. Can we continue with the agreement as planned?
Thinking so, Clay softly said, "I knew Wade-kun was kind, but he's too soft. From here on, I'll take the lead."
Huh, what? I was puzzled for a moment. Clay then smiled deeply and began to speak.
"Now, let's casually mention his personal request, and then discuss how to resolve this matter. Let's talk about it."
In response to this behavior, the lord blinked several times. Then he muttered, "Ah, I see. It's good that I caught myself before slipping up."
"Did you say your name was Clay-dono?"
"Yes. I am the third son of a certain Baron family, so I am somewhat accustomed to these kinds of discussions."
"Ah, I see, a noble. That's impressive. I tend to slip up a bit and say too much myself."
Lord shook his head with a troubled expression. Clay just smiled deeply. I was a bit lost in the situation, feeling bewildered.
"Yes, indeed. For now, we had a few misunderstandings, but I hope we can get along. Since we have been given the opportunity to talk like this, I don't intend to let this chance slip away."
"I see, I see... I understand your thoughts for the most part. Yes, that's right. If you can lead us in that direction, I would be delighted."
In that case, yes. Lord pondered for a moment, took something out of his pocket, and gently handed it to us.
It was a silver necklace. I widened my eyes and said, "Is that it?"
"Oh, as you know, it's the adventurer's proof of the Silver Stealth Weapon."
"Are you looking to hire us?"
"Clay-dono, is this the kind of arrangement you desire? However, this is just a gesture of apology and a sign of getting closer. Suitable for adventurers aiming to defeat Windy. For now, please accept it as a connection between us."
Lord hands it to me. Seems like it's just a gift. Well, if it's free, I'll take it...
"Here is a switch. When pressed, a small hidden blade comes out, along with releasing a magic to repel people. I've heard it can also drive away monsters. Please use it as needed."
"Ah, thank you..."
"Next."
Lord's story is not over yet.
"I am truly sorry for what happened this time with my daughter. I deeply felt my lack of education. I am extremely sorry. I don't know how much compensation would be enough."
"Yes. Please make sure something like this doesn't happen again."
"―――Um, so, like, Clay-dono was saying, would you be interested in working for me?"
I tilted my head in confusion. On the other hand, Clay's eyes were sparkling with excitement.
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