Chapter 89

" Hmm? It's Orun Dula. Could it be that you've also gotten information on the misdeeds of this merchant guild? Impressive. Perhaps I made a mistake by letting you leave the hero party."

Duke Foggas, upon spotting me, smoothly spoke as if reciting lines he had decided beforehand.

"......It's been a while, Duke Foggas. Might I ask what misdeeds you have uncovered?"

"Hmm, yes. I believe you have the right to know, given that you are here. In fact, I have been hearing dark rumors about the Flockhart Merchant Guild for some time now. It's a guild I have been on good terms with for many years. I suspected that someone, out of jealousy, was spreading false rumors about the guild, so I had been investigating. Then, just a moment ago, my subordinate brought me information that the guild is indeed involved in human trafficking—"

"Wh-What are you saying!? This must be your order!"

Pascal, interrupting Duke Foggas, spoke with a trembling voice, insisting it was Duke Foggas's order.

Most likely, Pascal is right.

But—

"Me, giving such inhumane orders? Don't insult me! To suggest that I would order such a lie is outrageous! I am ashamed to think I was ever friendly with such a person."

"......"

Pascal looked as if he had seen something unbelievable, his expression one of shock.

"Does this person claim it was on Clive's orders? Is it really a lie?"

A stern-looking man in the armor of the Central Army, who had arrived with Duke Foggas, spoke up.

(This must be Duke Foggas cutting ties with the Flockhart Merchant Guild. However, whether this is the Duke's own will or if he had no choice, that will make a big difference in the story.)

◆

The stern-looking man who had arrived with Duke Foggas is a famous military figure known as the 'Purifier.'

His name is Lester Haston, and he serves as the commander of the Fourth Division of the Central Army.

The Central Army is the military force under the royal family, consisting of four divisions from the First to the Fourth.

Each division has its own characteristics, and the Fourth Division, while smaller in number compared to the others, is known for its agility and primarily focuses on intelligence operations.

Why the commander of this division is called the 'Purifier' is because he mercilessly punishes those who commit misdeeds, regardless of their noble status.

He is highly trusted by the royal family and is considered a difficult target for the nobles to touch.

Conversely, he is quite popular among the common people.

It is a bit strange that the head of an intelligence-focused division is so well-known, but it could be part of a strategy to use the division's reputation for information manipulation.

And I don't like Lester Haston.

Indeed, he does the right thing.

He has been known to mercilessly punish those who commit misdeeds, regardless of their noble status, and has saved many oppressed citizens.

However, his actions only go as far as the punishment.

He leaves the aftermath to others.

Seeing someone commit a crime and punishing them—that's all he does.

I don't think that's inherently wrong, but I have heard numerous stories of victims suffering even more after the punishment, which is why I don't have a good impression of him.

◆

Given these points, it's possible that Duke Foggas cut ties with the Flockhart Merchant Guild because he was about to be caught by Commander Lester, and had no choice.

"Of course. I could never have given such an order. Pascal, if you are trying to frame me, you must have solid evidence, right?"

"W-Well, it was all verbal..."

"Hmph, that's not good enough. Lester, you wouldn't believe such nonsense, would you?"

"......It seems we have a false alarm this time. However, I will expose your crimes in broad daylight, Duke Foggas. —You, arrest the four people lying on the ground and the guild master of the Flockhart Merchant Guild for the crime of child abduction."

"“Yes, sir!”"

"There are plenty of other things for you soldiers to do besides looking for something that doesn't exist."

Pascal, muttering "It's a lie, it must be a mistake," was arrested by the soldiers without resistance.

The girl who had been drugged was also freed from her handcuffs and carried by one of the soldiers.

This is a rather unpleasant ending.

In the end, the Flockhart Merchant Guild will be charged with child abduction and will undoubtedly collapse.

"......Duke Foggas, please answer one question."

I had to ask Duke Foggas something I really wanted to know, speaking in a way that the Central Army wouldn't hear.

"Alright."

"Was this a sudden decision? Because I got involved in this matter?"

"Hmph, your self-esteem has certainly grown. When you were in the Dawn, you had low self-esteem and only thought about supporting Oliver. Well, that will probably change after this Harvest Festival. You can't beat Oliver."

"......Please answer the question."

"The answer is no."

'No,' meaning that the decision to cut ties with the Flockhart Merchant Guild was made from the beginning.

But why?

Based on the information I have, I can't see any benefit for Duke Foggas in cutting ties with the Flockhart Merchant Guild.

Has the situation changed significantly in the two months since I left the hero party?

After answering my question, Duke Foggas left the room with the Central Army, leaving me and Fuuka behind.

"Let's go outside, then. Still, why did things turn out this way just because we were walking around the stalls..."

While grumbling, I climbed the stairs and heard noisy voices.

It seems the army has started a thorough investigation of the guild.

To avoid getting involved in any trouble, I quickly left the premises, erasing my presence.

"I'll return to my clan's headquarters. What about you, Fuuka?"

"I'll go home too. I'm satisfied because I saw what I wanted to see."

...What she wanted to see? I don't think there was anything in that scene that Fuuka would have wanted to see.

Well, there's no point in thinking about it.

"Alright. Then let's part ways here. —Oh, as I said before, please keep what you saw and heard here confidential."

We no longer have a reason to keep quiet, but that doesn't mean we should talk about it.

"Okay, I understand. See you, Orun."

"Yeah, see you."

We exchanged our final greetings and went our separate ways.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Since today marks the start of the Golden Week, I plan to update every day during the Golden Week period (April 29 to May 5)!

The next chapter will be from a different character's perspective and will take place immediately after Chapter 78.

It will also touch on Orun's secrets, so stay tuned!

Also, I have revised Chapter 38.

The main plot hasn't changed, but if you're interested, feel free to check it out.