Chapter 39
As the adventurers filed out, I stared Aizasu down.
"What does a noble want with me?"
"Who do you think you are, speaking to me that way?"
Aizasu furrowed his brow.
"E-Elymas-san, what's gotten into you?! I could tell you'd been in a bit of a bad mood, but you can't act like that toward Count Aizasu-sama! I-I'll apologize too, so come on!"
Ruche hurriedly bowed to Aizasu.
"You... You're awfully familiar, hanging around Elymas. What are you to him?"
Malice stretched her neck forward and leaned in close to Ruche.
"A-Are you acquainted with Elymas-san?"
Malice didn't answer, simply staring intently at Ruche's face.
Sensing something ominous, I stepped in front of Ruche.
"Ruche, wait outside. I can't let you get dragged into this."
After hearing me, Ruche glanced at Aizasu and Malice, then turned back to me.
"If I'm just in the way, then I'll leave... But when you say you don't want me to get dragged into it, it makes me want to stay. Elymas-san, you're the first companion I've ever truly felt I could trust. Maybe my being here won't change anything... but I think being there for each other in moments like this is what companions do!"
"But this matter..."
I was grateful for how she felt, but this was an issue for House Edvaughn.
I had no idea why Aizasu had come after me now, but I was certain it wasn't for anything good.
If this turned into a problem that dragged on, Aizasu might set his sights on Ruche, too.
"But, Elymas-san... ever since those two arrived, you've looked so troubled. I can't leave you here alone!"
"Ruche..."
I touched my own face.
I realized my cheeks were tense.
It was true that I might not have been calm since seeing them.
Thanks to her, I felt a little calmer.
"Does a mere commoner intend to meddle in our affairs? Leave at once, like the other adventurers, girl."
"Father, let's let her stay. She seems quite close to Elymas... She may have something to do with the matter at hand. The more mouths we have, the easier it will be to make him slip up."
Aizasu tried to drive Ruche out, but Malice stopped him.
But she called him Father, huh.
"I don't see any point in keeping a girl like that here, but... judging by what just happened, she's clearly connected to this matter. I promised to leave the decision on how to deal with this fellow to you, Malice."
The Guild Master, who had been ushering the adventurers out, came over to us.
"Count Aizasu-sama... Did you have business with that adventurer? Perhaps you heard he was a promising prospect and came to recruit him as a private soldier? How quick you are! This adventurer is polite and courageous... and, above all, he's already had a string of remarkable successes that will go down in this city's Guild history..."
"He supported a D-rank adventurer on his first large-scale Raid Quest, contributed to defeating a 【Lv: 40】 monster, and was promoted to E-rank at an extraordinary speed. Is that right? Absurd. A brat who only just completed the 〈Blessing Ritual〉 couldn't possibly have done such things."
"No, that's not all, Count Aizasu-sama. Elymas, alongside that Jester adventurer over there, has just defeated a 【Lv: 50】 〈Dream Lord〉 and been promoted to D-rank! Elymas has more than enough ability and potential to serve the Count's family as a private soldier!"
"What did you say...?"
Aizasu flared his nostrils and glared at me.
"Hmph. I'd considered that perhaps you'd simply been lucky, but now I know for certain. Guild Master, stop this shameless act. You already know, don't you? That man is a member of House Edvaughn."
"W-What do you mean...?"
"Though whether you know that he's only a former member now—and no longer the heir apparent—is another matter. What did he tell you?"
"W-Wait, I haven't done anything... I'm sorry, I don't understand what's going on..."
The Guild Master turned pale, stammering out a defense.
"So it wasn't you? Even so, there must be an employee who colluded with that brat. Someone he deceived and brought into the fold by throwing his title around, helping him build up a record. Seize any employees involved and bring them here! Now!"
"T-That can't be... I-I'll do it at once!"
The Guild Master hurried off into the back of the Guild.
"Elymas-san... c-could it be that Count Aizasu-sama is... your..."
"My father. Though I wish I could deny it."
Aizasu had been glaring after the Guild Master, but soon turned his gaze back to me.
"You disgrace to House Edvaughn! I let you off with nothing more than expulsion because I at least trusted you not to do anything foolish! Have you forgotten what I told you? If you ever again call yourself a member of House Edvaughn, I will cut off your head!"
Aizasu shouted angrily.
"So that's what this is about."
In other words, I'd been doing too well since coming to Rondalum.
Hearing of my unusual promotion, Aizasu had come to investigate, afraid I'd tarnish the name of House Edvaughn.
Even so, he really did get information and take action quickly.
I couldn't believe the head of the family had come in person over something so trivial.
A sarcastic remark almost slipped out, but I held it back.
Maybe I was getting too worked up myself.
If I caused any unnecessary trouble now, Ruche could get caught in the crossfire.
Besides, there was nothing to gain from needlessly angering Aizasu in the first place.
If I kept things calm, proving this was all just a misunderstanding shouldn't be difficult.