CH 269

“I wonder where we’re going? We’re gradually going into a lonely place, aren’t we?”

“I think we should just wait and see. There was something wrong with him from the start. And I don’t think he’ll be able to handle us. The problem is that we have more to think about.”

“More problems?”

I nodded as Makina, sitting next to me, looked into my face and asked. Basleigh-sensei also seemed interested, with a serious expression on her face.

“It’s about Lux. I asked Zanbia on the assumption that he had already been captured, but he said, “I don’t know”. It’s possible that he’s under house arrest, but considering the lack of urgency in the three of them when I brought up Lux, I have a feeling that he really doesn’t know.”

“‘Come to think of it, they did say we should let me know if we found out …… Remembering that mother and her son, and I’m getting annoyed. They’ve got way too much attitude.”

“!!”

In the cage, Sephiro was also upset.

Well, my father is the lord of the Gust territory, and the Oriola territory I saw recently, Hugel-san was a little sloppy, but he wasn’t arrogant. 

My father said there was no reason for him to be arrogant to the people of his domain or the townspeople. After all, we can’t maintain the town if we don’t get the people to pay their taxes, and if we keep acting like that, people will leave the town. If that happens, we will be forced to reduce our territory, or worse, be taken away.

“Going back to the topic, If they don’t know where Lux is, it means that he hasn’t been caught yet. Furthermore, I have some doubts about the story that Basleigh-sensei told me earlier that he almost killed his mother. A few minutes ago, that mother said something that raised Varnish and lowered Lux, but don’t you think she should be more agitated when Lux’s name is mentioned than that?”

“Yes, that’s true. It’s not surprising that when I say I’m a minister, they didn’t do anything strange when we started talking about Lux-kun. It’s strange to think about it now that the mother, who was almost murdered and yet she appeared so calm in public.”

What Basleigh-sensei said was also true. If Lux hadn’t been caught, it was conceivable that he could still be targeted. In that case, to be so brazen about it, you either have to have a lot of guts, or you should think, “It never happened in the first place.”.

“Ho-ho, then the key is to find that Lux before they do.”

“Yes …… I hope Lux is okay.”

Just as we were finishing our conversation, the carriage slowed down and then stopped.

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

Meanwhile, at the lord’s mansion.

“It’s gotten troublesome now …… For the minister came to come inspecting without telling us. And Lux? Damn it, even though we’re looking for him as well.”

“Varnish is right. Darling, you’re looking for him seriously, aren’t you? If we don’t get that thing he took, we’re in trouble …… The Inquisitors are coming too, we should have banished him when he came back from the academy.”

Varnish is annoyed, and Sonia follows suit, biting her nails and mumbling as she walks around the room. Zambian, who was sitting on the sofa with his arms crossed in front of him and thinking about something, looked up and said to both of them,

“Either way, it’s true that Minister Basleigh is here and the inquisitors are on their way. We’ll just have to be quiet for a while. Where the hell is Lux and Naja ……”

“Father, can we stop talking about those two already? Lux will be exiled or hidden away as soon as he is found …… As for Naja, marry her off to a suitable nobleman and use her as a tool for making channels–“

“Varnish…… even though they’re from different mothers, they’re still your little brother and little sister, you know? It’s not the kind of thing you can say. I’m not sure why he disappeared with that thing, but it’s not too late to find him and talk to him.”

But when Sonia heard Zanbia’s words, she screamed and denied it.

“What are you talking about! The only legitimate child you and I have is Varnish, and we don’t need any others. That’s right, let’s have the clan I know who’s coming over next time look for them while we’re at it! That would be a good idea!”

“You mean that adventuring group you mentioned ……? I hope they can be trusted. But it’s true that there are a lot of monsters and the crops are yielding worse than usual. My head hurts.”

“…… Of course. They’re very skilled and I’m sure they can make it work.”

And as she says this, her eyes turn suspiciously toward Zanbia, and she continues.

“…… Isn’t it time to let Varnish take over?”

“Oh, that’s right, Mother. I think I’m doing pretty well, but what do you think, father?”

Varnish brushes his hair with pride. Zanbia puts his hands on his head and sighs as he watches the flesh on his stomach sway.

“It’s true that you work hard, but you’re still a chick in my eyes. And your belly, it’s so sloppy. You should think about fixing that, too.”

“Tch ……I understand, father. I’ll be leaving first then …….”

“Madam, you have a visitor. He said his name is Albatross, but do you know him?”

As soon as Varnish left the reception room, the servants came inside in turn. Sonia chuckled and walked quickly to the servant.

“Darling, it seems they’ve arrived. I need to talk to them, so please wait here.”

“…… Okay.”

While watching Sonia walk out with a light step, he let out another sigh and mutter to myself 

“It’s true that Varnish can do a good job, but Lux came back, even though he was younger, he’s mentally bigger than Varnish …… Naja used to go to the tournament every year, but maybe it’s a good thing she moved away from the academy at Sonia’s request …… Nevertheless–“

“I’ve brought them here.”

“Mu ……”

Before he could gather his thoughts, Zanbia was forced to deal with his guest–

She hadn’t been able to reserve anything.