Chapter 70: Crucible Street (part seven)

Harlan Slayson.

The lord of Margraviate of Urs which was located at the western boundary of the Lucanrant region.

A big man that looked like a wolf.

It was said that he was a merciless and ferocious man who seemed to match his outer appearance.

 

It was said that he kidnapped the population of his fief without regards to gender and age, and killed them mercilessly.

It was said that many young children, who lost their parents due to the Devil Hunting that was carried out in the fief, were took into captivity and taught them the arts of murder.

It was said that a maid who appeared in the mansion of Margrave of Urs’ subordinate, was tortured for a long time under suspicion of demonic possession, and her body was thrown into the sea.

 

A man who constantly had such bloody rumors around him, that was Harlan.

 

“All the advance payments paid by Earl Nibelheim have been stolen.

He planned to earn back by using the silverware industry, but as long as he doesn’t have the mining rights, even that is doubtful.

If Harlan knows the status quo, I don’t know what he would do.”

“N-no way……”

 

Harold was at a loss after hearing Gilbert’s report.

It was understandable.

Harold probably knew the danger of the person called Harlan better that I did.

 

“Did Earl Nibelheim only borrowed money from Harlan?”

“No, he also borrowed money from some of Knot Reed merchants.

It wasn’t as much as the amount he borrowed from Harlan, but it was quite a reasonable amount.

They may give him some more time, but what will happen if Harlan moves too?”

 

Then, the partner who Earl Nibelheim said would meet earlier was probably a neighboring merchant.

While looking at us alternately, Gilbert told us the good news at last.

 

“There is only one good news.

Earl of Nibelheim insured his silver vein with Turm’s insurance company.

If we can show a prove about this fraud crime, the insurance will be issued.

My older brother is working as a higher-up in the insurance company, so if it goes well then we may be able to skip some procedures.

It might even cover the amount of money needed to contract new mining veins, Botchan.”

“Insurance!”

 

Finally, Harold’s cheeks got reddish.

By the way, Knot Reed was a city full of insurance companies for merchants and nobility, including maritime insurance.

As expected from Trade City Knot Reed.

 

“Okay, let’s go to the site if you decide so.

If this is a big deal, the Sorcery Tag should remain in the mine.

If we look at it, won’t it become a clue for something?”

 

Sorcery Tag was a type of magic used in contracts such as commercial transactions.

It did not give a magical enforcement to the contractor, as you might imagine from the name, but it would record contract information in the goods and places.

Basically, Sorcery Tag wasn’t used alone, it was used in conjunction with the corresponding document.

If it was a big contract like mining rights of a mine, it was certainly possible that they used Sorcery Tag.

 

『Do you know the location of the mine?』

“Uh……that is, because I was preoccupied with my father……damn it, I should have realized it sooner……”

“Wait, wait, maybe there is something like that here.”

 

Gilbert took out several papers from his bag.

The documents spread out on the desk looked like the actual documents used by Earl Nibelheim for this contract.

Huh? Was this an information leakage then?

 

“Gilbert-san, why are these important documents here?”

“There is my seventh brother in the Notary Guild……well, that happened. Please keep it a secret?”

 

How about easily leaking information because you are a relative, I swallowed the words I wanted to say.

Now was the time of emergency, so I couldn’t say such a thing.

 

“The location information is here. Argene territory’s……that’s pretty far, Aniki.”

“No, according to this document, there is a transition magic circle that can take us directly from Argene territory to the silver vein.

It seems that the Sorcery Tag is installed in two places, inside the transition magic circle and inside the silver vein.”

“Well then, the destination is those two places.”

“Aah, but it seems a bit strange for an outsider like us to enter the silver vein……ah, no, there is Ojou-san.”

 

I nodded.

Since I was the heiress, it would not be an illegal invasion.

I wouldn’t hold back my cooperation after coming this far.

 

“Is the distance to the transition magic circle far?”

“No, because it’s just outside Argene territory……if we use a boat or a horse-drawn carriage, it’s about one or two hours each trip.”

“Alright! Let’s go and check it out!”

 

Harold stood up quickly from his chair.

Gilbert shook his head quietly.

 

“Wait, even if we go right now, it’s evening. The sun will set while we check it out.

The place is a dangerous place, it’s risky to head out right now.”

“Then, tomorrow?”

“There will be the launching ceremony tomorrow. Anyway, Botchan, Ojou-san came to Knot Reed for that reason.”

 

Then, the day after tomorrow.

As they quarrel for a moment, I felt sorry that I would hold them back at this time.

When I thought so, Tirnanog cut into their conversation.

 

『No, it is possible in the early morning of tomorrow.』

“Eh, is that alright with you?”

『From my conversation with the shop owner some time ago, he said that the launching ceremony will be held at noon.

A group of Ignitia has arrived, but they said they would like the dragons to rest before the ceremony.

If we go there at sunrise, won’t we be able to return at noon even if it takes time to investigate?』

“Yes, that’s right. Then I will be able to come with you.”

“Alright, it’s decided. If we can return by noon, the Notary Guild will also be able to move at the same day.

Let’s present the evidence gathered while sending Ojou-san there.”

 

Gilbert stood up while putting the documents into his bag.

We would leave early in the morning tomorrow and return by noon.

We would barely be in time for the launching ceremony.

In worst case, even if we were a little late, there was Palug that could substitute for me.

 

“Then, I will arrange our means of transport with my older brother’s connections.”

“I will also ask my father casually about the matter of Argene territory, Harold.”

“Duke Aurelia, huh……it is also because of the compassion of Erica’s father that the matter of the fraud has not widespread yet.

Speaking of our fathers, have they noticed what’s going on?”

“I think that my father cannot move carelessly until the circumstances are clear.”

“Aah, but thanks to that, Harlan hasn’t entered the fray yet.

It seems that Earl Nibelheim is getting a great deal of time extension by himself.”

 

This fraud was serious because of Harlan’s involvement.

Every time his name came out, everyone felt unnatural fear.

 

“Then, tomorrow’s early morning, shall we meet in front of the pickaxe and goblin bridge of Goblin Street?”

“Thank you very much, Aniki……!”

“Hey, hey, calm down, Botchan. Let’s do our best while there is a way to solve this.”

 

Gilbert beat Harold’s back and went out of the storehouse.

He worked fast, what a reliable person.

 

“Fuh……”

 

I sighed along with a blue-faced Harold.

I wondered if my complexion was also not very good.

While giving a sidelong glance towards my face, Harold opened his dry lips.

 

“I’m sorry I bothered you. Because my father……no, it’s not just my father, but my house’s fault……”

“It wasn’t any of your fault, this is a terrible experience. The partner of this contract is simply malicious.”

 

People who got caught in a fraud would blame themselves.

But the bad one was the criminal who did the fraud, not the victims.

As I said that, Harold had a face that looked like he was about to cry.

 

“T-thanks.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. If there is something I can do, I will cooperate as much as possible, so please tell me anything.”

“Yeah……but, why would you do so much for me?”

“That’s……”

 

I could have told him a suitable lie, but I didn’t want to do that right now.

It was because I felt somehow awkward lying to Harold who was in such a state.

I wanted to be trusted by him.

 

“If I speak honestly, it will be a very long story. So, I’ll talk after this incident has been settled.”

 

As expected, I couldn’t tell him about my previous life nor about the otome game.

But I would tell him about the future that might happen.

And then, if I was treated as a crazy person and exhausted his amiability, then that was that.

 

“What’s with that……you’re a pretty strange person. Well, that’s fine though.”

“Besides, we’re partners, aren’t we? If you are in trouble, I have to help you.”

“Hahaha, that’s true……haha……”

 

When I said that, Harold smiled.

A tear dropped down from his eye.

Harold gently wiped it with his sleeve.

 

However, the tears wouldn’t stop and were dripping down his cheeks.

He wiped them once again. And again.

Before I knew it, Harold distorted his face and began to cry while restraining his voice.

Surely, he had been thinking that it was difficult and scary all this time.

Now, his tension thread had snapped.

 

I rubbed Harold’s back.

From sobbing, he turned into crying loudly.

Tirnanog and I listened quietly to his cries for a while.

 

After crying for a while, Harold regained his calm.

 

“I, even if there is a painful thing, the tears have run out.

It’s pathetic. I, I am a man.

But, I decide I will only cry this once.

I have decided my resolution. To be able to endure even the most difficult fate.”

 

After wiping his face with his arm, Harold faced me directly.

I couldn’t see any timidness from his expression.

 

“Me too……I will do what I can. That’s why, Erica, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Harold. See you tomorrow. Let’s settle everything tomorrow.”

 

Encouraging each other briefly, we left the wand store.

 

The City of Canals was painted with orange colors of the setting sun.

On top of the water surface that was shining golden, a small boat was moving as if gliding.

As the town was wrapped in dusk soon, Tirnanog and I returned to Water Palace.