Volume 9 Chapter 13 The Creeping Shadow
The next day, around noon, Al arrived at the lord's mansion, feeling sleepy. He wanted to see Joanna, but she hadn't visited his inn for two days. He thought he might find her here. Once he got there, he realized Joanna and Patricia had no way to contact him. He wandered around, hoping to see someone he knew, but he had no luck. Just as he was about to go home, he noticed a familiar face in an alley near the mansion.
It was one of the guards of a magician named Snowden, whom Al had seen before. The guard was in leather armor, and there was a shorter young man with him, possibly the driver Al hadn't seen clearly before.
They were standing in the alley, looking at the mansion's main gate. Al thought Snowden and his group had left the city after staying at the (Golden Dragon) Inn. Barbara and others must have tried to find them but failed. Al was curious about what they were doing there. Barbara had said they might be from the Tempest Kingdom, and it was risky to leave them alone. He wanted to contact the Levy merchant guild's people but worried he might lose sight of Snowden's group while going back and forth.
To keep an eye on them, Al moved to another alley for a better view. He remembered that last time, his 'Floating Eye' got too close and was spotted, likely due to a 'Detect Magic' or 'Detect Invisible' spell. He thought it would be safe today since there were no magicians around, but he knew they might have a magic tool to detect him. Eric had told him that detection magic worked within about 50m (≈ 164ft), so Al planned to stay farther away to be safe.
'Sensory Boost'──Enhanced Vision
'Magic Sense'
Al focused to observe the two from afar. One was about 180 cm (≈ 5 ft 11 in) tall, in his early thirties, with short dark brown hair. He had a long sword and a wide short sword at his waist. He looked strong but wasn't as muscular as Naresh. The other was about 170cm (≈ 5 ft 7 in) in his early twenties, with slightly darker blonde hair that fell above his forehead. He carried a dahher but seemed more like a scout than a warrior. So far, nothing had reacted to his 'Magic Sense,' meaning they probably didn't have any magic tools. The two did not look like magicians too, so it seemed unlikely that he would be found even if he got a little closer.
Now, Al found a quiet spot in the alley. He recast 'Sensory Boost,' used 'Physical Boost,' and activated 'Conceal.' Using 'Conceal' after another spell wouldn't break it, so he carefully approached the two. Since this was the city center, there might be magic tools in nearby buildings. After taking his time, Al got close enough to hear them.
"I wish it was time to switch already. Can I go check on the others?"
The younger guy sighed and whispered. His voice was quiet, but Al heard him clearly with 'Sensory Boost.' There might be other teammates nearby, and if a magician found him, it could be trouble. Al looked around. Outside the alley, many people were guards and merchants, so no one looked suspicious.
"You really can't wait, can you? It's still a long time until evening. Just stay put until then. By the way, the female guard hasn't shown up today. She was here for the last two days."
The man in his early thirties said this in a scolding tone. Who was this female guard?
"Maybe it's because Levy's daughter has been here since morning?"
"That girl? I heard she's the girlfriend of that guy in Parker who's been acting all high and mighty."
Is that Ruella, the daughter of Levy? If so, the one acting all high and mighty in border city Parker must be Naresh.
Ruella was at the lord's mansion this morning. Al wonders what she talked about with Patricia and Joanna. He remembers her sad face when she said she didn't deserve respect as a royal. It made his heart ache.
"Using money from women to look good in front of the refugees in Parker, huh? What a nice position to be in."
"Well, that'll only last for another week. Once it's all blown away, he won't be able to get any more money. Then he'll be in trouble. 'Brother' will become 'poor brother'."
The two exchanged glances and smirked. A week from now is the day of the Mushroom Festival. Are they planning to blow someone away that day?
"Oh, is it decided?"
"Yeah, it seems like a deal was made between Noble Veil and that stupid Viscount. At first, the stupid Viscount Was hesitant, but after Noble Veil gave a little threat, he agreed. Little Bird is going to the Levy merchant guild in a week."
Veil and the "stupid Viscount" are likely important figures in the story. The mention of honorifics suggests they hold high positions. Al is trying to connect them to a magician who broke his 'Floating Eye' spell. The only Viscounts in the city are Viscount Lester and Viscount Eugene. One of them might be linked to a leader from the Tempest Kingdom, who could be threatening the Viscount. Al suspects that "the little bird" refers to Patricia, and he wonders if the Viscount wants her to attend the mushroom festival at the Levy merchant guild next week.
Al feels confused and wants to check his thoughts with Ruella.
"From the start, we should have just used force. Noble Veil always does these confusing things, making it take longer, like using barbarians to create chaos. Don't you think so, Big Bro An?"
"Enough with the nonsense. I'm going to talk to the kid at the main gate. You just stay quiet."
The older man, known as Big Bro An, lightly patted the young man's shoulder and walked towards the back of the alley where Al was. He passed right in front of Al but didn't notice him.
After he went by, Al thought about what to do. If he felt strong enough, he could capture the young man and interrogate him. But the only spell Al could use was "Magic Missile," and that would only work if he caught him off guard. If Al killed someone near the lord's mansion, it would create a huge problem, and it would be hard to prove he was innocent.
Luckily, the guy said the shift change would be in the evening. That meant he would be around long enough for Al to talk with Ruella and Barbara. So, Al decided to leave and head to the Levy Merchant Guild.
* * *
“Al, it seems that Lady Patricia is coming here for the Mushroom Festival in a week. That's great!”
When Al arrived at the supply room behind the Levy Merchant Guild, Barbara greeted him. Al smiled a little and asked her to call Guildmaster Levy and Ruella for a private discussion. Barbara noticed Al's unusual behavior and agreed, leading him to the conference room at the back of the shop.
Once inside, Al quickly shared the news he had just heard. When Guildmaster Levy, Ruella, and Barbara heard it, they exchanged worried glances and turned pale. It seemed Al's guess was accurate. Guildmaster Levy shook his head in disbelief.
"Is it true that one of the Viscounts is in contact with the Tempest Kingdom? I know Viscount Lester well, and he cares for Ruella. I don't want to believe this is happening while Sir Naresh is working hard in Parker. If it is true, it must be Viscount Eugene. But he is very trusted by the Margrave, so it's hard to think he would betray him..."
Barbara looked seriously at Al.
"What situation did you hear that from? Was there any sign they wanted you to hear it?"
Al shook his head at Barbara's question. He couldn't say he had learned the 'Conceal' spell, so he could only say he approached quietly, but she knew the effect of the 'Sensory Boost' spell too. When he explained that, she had to nod in agreement.
"So, is that why Sir Stroud's (Margrave's second son) proposal was canceled? They say Lady Patricia firmly refused because she already has a fiancé. But don't Sir Stroud and Lady Serena (Al's classmate and daughter of Baron Rain) know this? Lady Serena is coming for the Mushroom Festival and might get caught up in this too." (T/N: Rev: Celina is Patricia's mother not Serena)
Even in her own crisis, Ruella worried about others.
"That's not good. Lady Patricia is arriving at the same time Sir Stroud, the Margrave's second son, will speak in front of Sir Henry's remains. They thought it would be less noticeable with everyone gathering elsewhere, but the guards will focus on that. Trustworthy adventurers are being gathered for security there, making it hard to arrange security here."
Barbara sighed deeply as she spoke.
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