The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"You saved me, Ruruk. Consider the debt from when we were kids paid in full," said my half-brother with a smug look. I tilted my head and replied:

"...I don't remember owing you anything, Gavin?"

"Huh? I was the only one looking after you since you were tiny!"

"...What?"

"Come on! I was the one talking to you and playing with you when you were all alone!"

"Huh, wasn't that bullying?"

"As if I'd break Father's orders just to bully you! I may have disliked you, but I was still your big brother, you know!"

Wait, is this for real?

...Well, it's true that Gavin never physically hurt me, even though he did bully me. Probably because of our Muuteru family precept: "Never raise a hand against family, no matter the reason." He followed that rule, but always broke the one about not associating with me.

So Gavin's attitude when we were young... was because he cared about me? What kind of tsundere is he?

This might be the most shocking truth I've learned in this second life.

"Gavin, you're way too hard to understand," I said.

"Like I care! Forget it, you damn bean sprout! Here I was trying to thank you sincerely..."

Gavin pouted with a sullen expression.

As I made a strained face, Maple bowed her head next to Gavin.

"Ruruk, I'm truly grateful. I'll properly thank you again later. Saaya, thank you for this skirt too!"

"It's fine. It had gotten too small for me, and the clothes are happy to be worn by Your Highness."

"You're so generous! May I invite you next time there's a party?"

"Yes, please do. Let's chat together."

Saaya had bonded with Maple over these few hours. Being closest in age, she seemed to have taken a liking to her. As expected of a social butterfly, making friends even with a princess so quickly. I wish the shy dragon princess would learn from her.

By the way, we had teleported back to the Mataisa Kingdom's Guild Headquarters. We could have teleported to the royal castle, but we refrained from doing so.

The royal guards who received the message quickly arrived with a carriage, so we said our farewells and sent the two off. Luna's figure had also disappeared at some point.

Phew. It had been a while since I'd dealt with Gavin. I'm exhausted.

"So, the special emergency quest is complete. I'm going to check in with the Guildmaster. What about you?" I asked.

"We'll go too. Given the situation, I suspect we might be asked for something else," Saaya said with certainty, noticing the guild was busier than ever before.

As she predicted, when we went to the Guildmaster's room, Tanya was there. The Vice Guildmaster was also present.

"Ruruk and everyone, perfect timing! We just received a designated request from [Rozewill] and were in a bind!" Tanya exclaimed.

"From where?" I asked.

"From the royal palace. Given the nature of the content, it'll be a special designated quest this time, but..."

"Let's hear the details first."

We were led to the inner room. Beyond the Guildmaster's office was a conference room heavily protected by soundproofing devices, just like Bargia's. We, along with Tanya and the Guildmaster, took our seats.

"So, this request is quite challenging too—"

Tanya, who was also my assigned receptionist, explained that it was yet another recovery quest.

Apparently, Prince Grill, the third prince who was being pursued, and his kidnappers had gone missing. It seems they were using a sacred relic to enhance their horses, so they couldn't move at the ridiculous speed of drones, meaning they were likely still within Mataisa's borders. They lost track of them last night, near Muuteran in the Muuteru domain.

That's around my hometown. Coincidence?

So, relying on our movement speed and search skills, it seems the royal palace has made a designated request.

Hearing this, I frankly spoke my mind:

"What are the knights doing? Isn't this their job?"

"...Honestly, they seem to be short-handed. Half of the knights were severely injured during the palace attack. Though their wounds have been largely healed by magic, most of them are still unable to move."

"But isn't the 'Flash Knight' at the border?"

"If they tried to break through directly, there's a high chance he could stop them. His unit is excellent."

"Then—"

"The enemy must know that too. So, I don't think they'll use a straightforward approach."

Tanya explained with a troubled expression.

"The opponents aren't fools. Even if they attack simultaneously, there's a possibility they can't break through his unit, said to be the strongest in the knight order. So when the enemy learned they were facing the First Knight Division, they immediately changed their strategy. His Majesty predicts they intend to use Princess Hani as a decoy first, gather information, and then break through with their main target. Or they might abandon their horses, advance through the forest, and secretly cross the border."

"...That certainly makes sense, but..."

The Maguu Empire probably wants to abduct even one member of the royal family. They can't afford to fail after coming this far.

Undoubtedly, Prince Grill, third in line for succession, is the most valuable. They're likely willing to sacrifice the other to ensure the success of their operation.

"Conversely, this is our chance while they're in hiding. The enemy is dispersed and we can catch them off guard. But they're struggling to find someone capable enough who can move to the Muuteru domain immediately. Horses are far too slow, and Lord Cardel can't go directly because she needs to protect His Majesty."

"I see. I understand the situation."

"I didn't want to accept such consecutive designated requests either, but we're dealing with the royal family, and they came to us quite humbly with their plea, so we couldn't refuse. Ruruk, you're angry... right?"

Tanya said apologetically.

"Of course I'm angry."

I'm a citizen of Mataisa, but more than that, I'm an adventurer.

I think it's unavoidable to occasionally accept designated requests that are difficult to refuse. But when it happens two days in a row, it's a different story. This almost seems like the royal family is trying to exploit adventurers.

The Guild understood this when they accepted, which is why both Tanya and the Guildmaster look apologetic. Emergency quests, which have compulsory power and can be issued in times of crisis, can't be used repeatedly for the same issue. That's why they had to issue it as a designated request this time.

Normally, a guild not affiliated with the state could have chosen not to accept.

But the Guildmaster is an SS-rank adventurer who was active in this country and a member of the court magician's party. They probably couldn't refuse due to that position.

"Shouldn't the Guild have refused in the first place?"

"I know... I'm sorry. Of course, the Guild will fully support you so there won't be any disadvantages if you don't accept. If there's even the slightest interference from the state towards you guys, we'll protest with all our authority. So please, forgive us."

Tanya apologized, on the verge of tears.

I sighed and said, "No, I'm not blaming you, Tanya-san. It's just the first time I've felt constrained by being an adventurer when I became one for freedom. ...Well, I'll accept if you can convey that there won't be a third time."

"I'm sorry. Thank you, Ruruk."

"Please don't apologize. If anything, I'm sorry for making you play this unpleasant role just because you're my assigned receptionist. Let's go eat something delicious later as thanks, including for your usual help. We'll invite Mamared-sama too and make it a teacher team outing."

"Yeah, thank you... Ah, I think I understand now."

Tanya smiled faintly with tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Understand what?"

"Why Ruruk is so popular."

"Huh? Why's that?"

"Well, I have reception duties to attend to, so I'll excuse myself. Guildmaster, I'll leave the rest to you."

"Hmm."

Tanya ignored my question and left the soundproof room.

Daisoma began speaking instead.

I had said that to Tanya, but I understand that protecting the royal family also means protecting my hometown. I don't care about Father or Gavin, but I have no intention of slacking off for Lilith and Rina's sake.

"Now then, I'll explain. The mission given to [Rozewill] this time is—"

This time, all of us party members would take on the special quest together.

The Muuteru domain is located in the northwest part of the Mataisa Kingdom.

To the north, a massive mountain range towers, with freezing mountains separating the territory from the Maguu Empire. To the west is the Teruzu Earl's domain, and beyond that is immediately the Stoania Kingdom.

The Patzucol Margrave's domain is to the east.

As befitting a margrave's domain, it occupies a considerable portion of the vast undeveloped northeastern part of the Mataisa Kingdom. Although they're gradually developing it, strong monsters keep coming down from the mountains in the margrave's domain, which is called a "realm of demons."

The Patzucol domain is characterized by its daily expanding battles against monsters. Due to the nature of the land, there are many strong adventurers, and monster resources are abundant.

The Muuteru domain regularly provides aid to the margrave's domain.

They offer substantial assistance to the margrave's domain, including food support with grains, dispatching adventurers and mercenaries through quest requests, and expeditions of the domain's military unit. In return, they seem to receive monster materials.

Because of this relationship, the Duke of Muuteru and the Margrave of Patzucol get along exceptionally well. They're apparently mocked as "country bumpkin comrades" at social gatherings in the royal capital, but in reality, these rural lords are quite united.

Due to this relationship, the margrave's eldest daughter, Lady Konel, often visited the Muuteru family mansion in the past.

I think Konel visited several times a year without fail. Being the same age as Lilith, both the parents and daughters seemed to hit it off.

Konel was quite intelligent. Although I tried to avoid meeting her as much as possible, the margrave naturally knew about my existence since I was born, and Konel seemed interested in me at first.

From the few times I remember meeting her, my impression was that she was a somewhat yuri-yuri girl who looked at Lilith with passionate eyes.

In any case, because the Muuteru domain is bordered by these two territories on the left and right, the atmosphere differs considerably between east and west.

The domain capital, Muuteran, is on the western edge because of the dungeon, but the surrounding area is a grain-producing region. There are hardly any monsters, and it's peaceful. However, near the margrave's domain on the eastern side, the forests are teeming with all sorts of creatures.

"If the enemy is hiding, it's likely on the western side given the distance to the border... but let's start with Muuteran," I said.

This time it's more troublesome than the Maple rescue operation.

After all, we're searching for someone that even the Luney Trading Company lost track of. If it weren't for Elenora, I probably would have refused.

"[Full Scan]"

I don't know the Luney Trading Company's information gathering methods, but they're probably using advanced or royal-class detection skills.

The enemy probably isn't using concealment techniques at the forbidden spell level, so Elen's scan shouldn't miss them. If they were, we'd be out of our depth.

However, Elen, who has never met Prince Grill, can't identify individuals. We're looking for either someone hiding with concealment techniques or a special race like the Shadow Demon tribe.

"Did you find anyone suspicious?" I asked.

"Just humans," Elen replied.

"Anyone hiding with concealment techniques?"

"None."

"I see. What should we do next... The main target is likely on the west side, right?"

I pondered, arms crossed.

The ones that even Luney Trading Company lost track of. I don't think it'll be easy to find them...

"So this is Ruruk's hometown~" Saaya said, looking around curiously.

We were in a park in the western district. I could see a few families taking walks or playing, but as I remembered, the population was sparse. It was a spacious park.

"Hey, is that large mansion Ruruk's family home?" Saaya asked.

"Hm? Yeah, it is."

"Your father is in the royal capital, right? What about the rest of your family?"

"There's no one at home right now. I heard the domain is being managed by a viscount family raised by my father."

"I see. I thought we might be able to greet them~"

"No need for that."

Even if my father were here, I have no intention of stopping by the house.

I'm an adventurer, after all. I didn't come back for a homecoming.

"Master's house..." Seori murmured.

"Are you interested, Seori?" I asked.

"Foolish question. This is the place where my lord descended upon the world... In other words, a holy site!"

Seori struck a pose towards my house.

You get it, don't you? That's right, this is our holy ground! In other words, this is a pilgrimage!

As I went along with Seori, Nagi looked exasperated.

"I'm going to the Holy Nation right now to apologize to the real holy sites."

"It's fine because it's a different kind of holy site," I replied.

"...Does 'holy site' have another meaning?"

"Don't you know? You're so uncultured in otaku culture."

"That's right, Nagi. That one's a holy site too, but this one can be a holy site as well," Saaya added.

"...I don't understand at all," Nagi said with a confused look.

"Well, let's keep the jokes to a minimum. It's already dusk, and apparently, the kidnappers and the knights are going to clash at the border tonight. Elen, can you take us to the next town?"

"Mm. [Meteora]"

Our bodies shot up into the sky, following magical lines as we began moving westward through the air.

This was the movement technique Cardel had used. When I told Elen about this method of travel, she had mastered it in just a few days.

According to Elen, [Meteora] is a royal-class water-wind combination spell. It creates a small box-like structure with a windbreak wall that maintains constant air pressure, then envelops it in an extremely thin water ball and launches it. I was quite surprised by the idea of putting ourselves inside the magic and flying.

The reason we don't feel gravity inside is apparently due to the properties of water magic.

Water magic, despite having considerable mass, somehow doesn't seem affected by gravity even at the beginner level when launched. Elen explained that unlike other spell formulas, water magic can create large masses and imbue them with properties, and in the process, it almost completely cuts off external interference from non-spell elements.

Simply put, the inside of water magic spells doesn't change gravity. This movement magic applies that principle.

Of course, it seems to require considerable skill to master, as one must simultaneously perform three delicate operations: projecting neutral mana ahead, creating a wind box, and maintaining an extremely thin water ball.

"Master~"

"Yes, yes. Hold on tight."

Since we're flying through the sky in a transparent box, the scaredy-cat Seori is clinging to me.

As I pat Seori's head, I'm using [Eye of Illusion] to search the surroundings. We're moving at bullet train speeds, so honestly, I can only search a small area, which is like a drop in the bucket.

"The next town is Lask, right?"

"Mm," Elen confirmed.

It's the town where Elen and I first met.

Like the royal capital, it's built along a river, but it's much smaller in scale. However, it's prosperous due to trade, so it's overflowing with various goods.

We arrived in Lask in less than thirty minutes. We landed in front of the gate, showed our adventurer cards to the surprised guards, and were let in.

"[Full Scan]... No one," Elen reported.

"Alright, let's move on. Let's continue along the northwest road to the village near the border."

"Mm. [Meteora]"

I didn't need to explain in detail; this was the route Elen, Roze, and I had taken five years ago.

Elen seemed to remember as well, starting the movement without hesitation.

However, we found no traces of anyone hiding along the way or in the village just before the border. At this rate, we'll reach the border where Lalahaine and two S-rank adventurer teams are waiting.

For now, we held a strategy meeting in front of the small hut-like guild where an old lady was at the reception.

Ignoring the stares of the villagers, I asked, "What about inside the forest?"

"No one," Elen replied.

"Ruruk, isn't it strange that we can't find Princess Hani either? This is the only route to Stoania, right?" Saaya pointed out.

That's true. We haven't seen her at all.

Maybe they're moving faster than we anticipated.

"What should we do? Should we go to the border and exchange information with the knights, or should we go to Luney Trading Company first to get the latest information?"

"That won't be necessary," said Pentan, the area manager, appearing as if it were the most natural thing.

With a very serious expression, he said, "Ruruk-sama. I'm terribly sorry, but the designated quest from the royal palace ends here."

"Eh? Can I ask why?"

"Just a while ago, the kidnappers who took Princess Hani away faster than expected reached the border and started a battle. Lord Lalahaine and the S-rank adventurers engaged them and successfully protected Princess Hani. The enemy was captured. Upon interrogation, the enemy confessed to having killed Prince Grill. We've verified this, and have accepted the confession as truth."

"What?"

Killed? I never imagined they would kill him after all the trouble of bringing him this far, especially when they weren't even cornered.

Pentan continued, his voice mixing anger and confusion:

"I apologize to [Rozewill], but this concludes the quest. Since Prince Grill passed away last night, it will be treated as a success, and you'll receive the usual reward. We're terribly sorry for not being able to provide accurate information this time."

"N-no, please raise your head. I don't think anyone could have predicted this turn of events. If the Maguu Empire's aim from the start was to assassinate the prince, they could have done it in the royal palace."

What could their aim be?

It seems pointless to think about it, but the fact that the third prince was killed is quite shocking.

"...This might lead to a full-scale war," I muttered, my thoughts slipping out.

Pentan shook her head at my words.

"Unfortunately, it has already begun."

"What?"

"The imperial army, leading numerous monsters, has set out from the foot of the Katedra Mountains towards the Stoania Kingdom. The monster army is expected to pass through the Katedra Mountains and reach the border area by tomorrow night. It seems the Maguu Empire intends to repeat what happened in the Stoania War about a thousand years ago."