Volume 9 Chapter 10 Bone Retrieval
A week later in the evening, Al returned to the border city of Lester with Brook after finishing the bone retrieval job. They took the same path as before, so it took a bit longer, but there were no major problems.
Brook was a squire serving the Viscount Eugene family. Knights are hereditary and belong to the noble class, while squires have a similar status but are ranked based on their achievements, and only for one generation.
When they arrived at the lord's mansion with the porters, they reported to Joseph, the butler of the Viscount Eugene family. After bowing respectfully to the coffin with Henry's bones, he checked inside and nodded.
"Brook, good work. Please prepare a detailed report later. Mr. Alfred, thank you for your cooperation. Viscount Eugene will surely be relieved."
Brook and Al bowed politely. Then, a man named Conrad brought a tray with scrolls and gold coins.
"Mr. Alfred, the 'Fly' spellbook arrived safely yesterday. Also, here is the payment for this request, the promised 3 gold coins. Please take both and sign the receipt."
'Yay, Ally! Finally, "Fly"! Now I can get a body!'
Glee's voice sounded happy. Al came to the lord's mansion, but he thought he wouldn't meet the Viscount today, so he kept his assistant device on him since he came to report directly about this city.
I finally got the 'Fly' spell! Al couldn't help but smile widely. He gently touched the spellbook and quickly put away the gold coins.
"Thank you very much."
"Mr. Alfred, I appreciate your cooperation."
Brook gave Al a proper bow, as if he were a knight.
"No, no, I'm just glad we could finish the job without any problems."
Al smiled back. Even though Brook didn't talk much, he gave clear instructions and confirmations. He wasn't arrogant at all, making him really easy to work with.
"That's because Mr. Alfred is skilled as both a scout and a magician. It's hard to believe you're only 15. Plus, it really helped that you helped prepare the meal. I used to think any food was enough during missions, but I didn't realize how much it affects morale. It was an eye-opener."
Helping with the meal meant he practiced the 'Thermos' spell he just learned. He warmed the bread he brought and made soup. The hard bread was much tastier when warmed up. Anyone would feel more motivated to try harder, but Al had only worked with porters a few times. Did it really make that much of a difference?
"Ahaha. I'm glad to hear that."
Al scratched his head and answered so.
"Well, that's true. If there's another chance, I hope you'll help me again."
Al smiled and nodded at Brook's response. Unable to hold back his excitement, he thanked Joseph and the others and left the room.
* * *
'Fly! Fly! Fly!'
Al kept repeating this in his mind as he hurried back to the (Red-Faced Sheep) inn. He was about to head to his room without even greeting anyone when Iris rushed to stop him.
"Mr. Al, welcome back! Since 3 days ago, 2 people claiming to be messengers from Ms. Joanna and Ms. Ruella have come by many times looking for you. They both said to contact them as soon as you returned."
He wondered what happened. Joanna was worried that Viscount Eugene and Serena might ask about Patricia, and there could be news about that. Ruella probably had the same message. They wanted him to contact them quickly, but it was almost night now, and it wasn't a good time to visit women.
Al hesitated but decided to stop by the Levy merchant guild. If something unusual happened, he might get information there. By the time he arrived, the sun had set, and the front entrance to the guild was closed. However, when he went around to the back, that entrance was still open.
"Good evening. Is Ms. Barbara here?"
Fortunately, Barbara seemed to be in the office, and as soon as Al asked, he was let in. There was no one else in the office.
"Thanks for coming. A servant of Lady Ruella is on their way to get you. They should be here soon."
"I just got back. I was a bit lost at this time, but I thought it would be good to show my face here anyway..."
Barbara nodded at Al's answer and offered him a seat. Even at this hour, Ruella wants to see him. Is it really an emergency?
"That's a relief, Al. I actually had something I wanted to talk about too."
What does he mean by "something"? If it's an emergency, shouldn't that come first? Al felt a lot of questions as he sat down in the chair across from Barbara.
"Actually, about the room you found at the (Golden Dragon) Inn, we managed to negotiate and check it out. But, as expected, there was almost nothing left. However, you know..."
"You know what?"
Al leaned forward, curious.
"At a fancy inn, they usually have a laundry service, right? They used that service too. I noticed the leftover clothes were different from what we have here. They have decorations, and instead of buttons, they use strings. So, I looked into it. I think those clothes were made in the Tempest Kingdom."
If the clothes are from the Tempest Kingdom, does that mean those people are spies? Al nodded at Barbara's question.
"That's right. But I don't understand their intentions. I couldn't even follow the footprints after that. They might just be checking on Margrave Rain's movements. Sir Naresh has been quite noticeable lately. Since the Levy merchant guild is also helping Sir Naresh, it might make sense. But there's one more possibility."
Barbara stared intently at Al. It could be about Patricia. The Marquis Prentis, who took over the Tempest Kingdom, is probably looking for her. It makes sense to watch in the border city of Lester, where her relatives are. Al felt anxious and tightly gripped his chest, where his assistant device, Glee, was.
"So that means..."
Just as Al was about to say that, Ruella came in with a maid.
"Good evening, Alfred. I'm glad you could come. Sorry for the sudden question, but I want to ask you something. What do you think about Lady Patricia?"
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