The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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Duke Honmani Akuninaru was in a panic.

Taking advantage of the confusion caused by the stampede, he had fled from the royal capital. He was traveling along the highway in a carriage with his wife, eldest son, several servants, and guards.

His involvement with the Maguu Empire's spies had begun quite a long time ago. At first, it was just selling information about rival factions to an informant. The relatively worthless information sold for high prices, so he continued out of spite.

It was only a few years ago that he learned the informant was a spy for the Maguu Empire. Although he realized it was a high-risk relationship, he had already exposed too many weak points to cut ties.

As he continued to buy and sell information, a threat arrived from the empire.

If he didn't want this relationship exposed, he should provide information from within the court.

Duke Akuninaru had anticipated this much. He hadn't intended to leave any evidence of his relationship with the spies. But the fact was that he didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble, so he leaked information that wasn't particularly important.

He realized there was no turning back when the dungeon core theft incident occurred.

A spy visited him with something called a pseudo-core, claiming they had stolen control of the dungeon. Apparently, with that, even someone of Savey's talent could control the dungeon. The order was to cause a stampede around a specified date using this.

Although Duke Akuninaru's blood ran cold, he learned immediately after that His Majesty had secretly begun an internal audit.

Lower-ranking nobles who had cooperated with him in accounting fraud were being caught one after another. The speed and accuracy of the audit results made the duke realize his turn would come soon.

He deliberately left only evidence of accounting fraud while thoroughly disposing of any evidence of connections to the Maguu Empire. Then he hurriedly prepared for his eldest son to take over so that even if he was punished, it wouldn't affect their domain.

It was then that the major incident of a royal family member being kidnapped occurred.

Furthermore, he learned that the Maguu Empire had advanced on Stoania.

The Maguu Empire was seriously trying to bring down Mataisa - the duke made this judgment and resolved to leave the royal capital. Although he held the position of duke, if the army of hundreds of thousands of monsters came this far, there would be no way for the Mataisa Kingdom to defend against it.

The duke ignored the summons and ordered his second son, Savey, to advance the day of the stampede by just one day. Then he escaped from the royal capital in the midst of that confusion.

It had already been three days since they left the royal capital.

Perhaps because they were riding the horses hard in their haste, his wife's health had deteriorated slightly. But they didn't have the luxury of time to rest leisurely.

The eldest son, who was nursing his mother, was an excellent man as an officer. But he was still immature, and his personality was too kind to become a lord, leaving him somewhat unremarkable.

"My lord, is it alright to continue heading towards Yaba like this? Bandits often appear on this route. Since we have few guards, it might be better to take the eastern road once—"

"It's fine. Keep going."

"...Understood."

The coachman drove on with an anxious look on his face.

The eastern road was a bit of a detour, but it was wide and served as a main road. However, there was a high possibility of encountering soldiers returning from Stoania, so they couldn't take that route.

The Akuninaru family's carriage was passing through a sparsely populated forest road - when it happened.

Suddenly, the horse neighed and the carriage shook violently, then quickly came to a stop.

"What's going on?!"

"I apologize! A ch-child suddenly appeared... no, jumped out? Anyway, a child suddenly came out in front of us!"

"Ignore it and keep going!"

"But they're standing right in the middle of the road, looking at us..."

"A local? Anyone so ill-mannered as to obstruct a duke's carriage can be run over!"

The duke raised his voice.

But there was no response from the coachman to those words.

"Hey, what's wrong—"

When he stuck his head out the window to look at the driver's seat.

"The, the head is gone!?"

The coachman's head and upper body had disappeared.

But there was no blood. Duke Akuninaru was confused as to what was happening. The surrounding guards were also perplexed, not knowing what to do.

Then a carefree voice interrupted.

"Are you surprised? I just thought of this the other day when stopping a carriage. It's shocking, right? A perception inhibition like a headless rider. But don't worry, the head is still attached. See?"

The adventurer-like child standing in front of the road clapped his hands as if playing a prank.

Then, as if the previous scene had been an illusion, the coachman's head returned.

To the still confused duke and others, the young adventurer said:

"Now, are you ready to listen? Well then, Duke Akuninaru, sorry to interrupt your escape, but shall we return to the royal castle? You can't say you're not aware of anything, right?"

"W-What are you talking about! Hey, he's a bandit! Kill him!"

"How rude to call me a bandit. Ah, but I didn't introduce myself, did I? I'm Ruruk, just your average adventurer."

The moment they heard that name, the guards who were about to attack the boy hesitated.

They were clearly shaken.

"What are you doing? Deal with this mere adventurer."

"My lord, we must not lay hands on that adventurer!" 

The one who hastily stopped them was the butler who had served for many years.

"What are you saying so meekly? It's just one person, isn't it?"

"That's not it! I heard it in the town we stopped at yesterday! The story of how the 'Child of Mystery,' Ruruk, annihilated an army of a hundred thousand monsters that had marched on Stoania with just a single strike! He's a boy already known as a new royal existence, whether even a whole country could match him... Please, at least hear what he has to say!"

"Wh-Why would you believe such a rumor! There's no way a child like that could—"

"Excuse me~"

It happened in an instant.

Ruruk, who should have been on the other side of the road, was opening the carriage door.

"Eek!"

"Mother!"

The wife was startled, and the eldest son shielded her.

The duke froze, but the butler immediately prostrated himself.

"Ruruk-sama! Please, I beg you to refrain from any violent actions! We have no intention of opposing you!"

"Ah, yes. I have no intention of using force if you don't attack me either. Excuse me, I'll sit next to you."

Ruruk sat down across from the duke with an impudent air.

"My, what an excellent butler you have. I'm envious."

"...W-Why have you come?"

"Do you want to know the details?"

Ruruk said, glancing at the wife. It was something like a threat.

The duke bit his lip and said:

"...My wife and son have nothing to do with this."

"That's not for me to decide. And I don't know about your eldest son there, but isn't your second son also your child? We've taken Savey-san into protective custody on the lowest floor of the dungeon."

"Is that child safe? W-Why in the dungeon!?"

The wife let out a shrill cry.

Ruruk shook his head.

"It would be better to hear that from him directly, Madam. More importantly, Duke, do you intend to keep playing dumb here? If you don't want your family to hear, it might be better for you to come to the royal castle with me. Besides, even if you return to your domain ahead, soldiers are waiting there anyway."

It seemed arrangements had already been made.

The response was surprisingly quick, but not unexpected. Recently, His Majesty has been relying on Luney Trading Company because their information transmission speed is abnormally fast. Duke Akuninaru had used their services a few times himself, so he was well aware of their convenience.

"If your family really has nothing to do with this, they can continue on and be taken into protective custody. I don't know what will happen after that."

"...What happened to Savey?"

"Rest assured, he's not injured. Well, we stopped the stampede right away, though."

"I see."

No wonder the response was so quick.

The duke's mind raced. It would probably be impossible to escape from the adventurer in front of him. Come to think of it, he remembered hearing about an adventurer who could use transfer magic. If this was that person, trying to escape would be a bad move.

"Very well. But remember, I am still a duke. Treat me accordingly."

"I understand. Nobles are troublesome to make enemies of, after all."

It was a tone that made the duke want to ask if he really understood.

But if this flippancy was his true nature, there might be an opening to exploit. To the duke, the boy in front of him appeared to be nothing more than a crude adventurer. He might have ability, but in noble society, physical prowess doesn't hold much value.

"...Well then, Ruruk. My family can return to Yaba as they are, correct? What about me?"

"Your family can go on as they are. I'll take you back to the castle, Duke."

"I see. By the way, may I ask whose orders these are?"

"Orders? Ah, no, I wasn't ordered by anyone. I just heard the story from Savey-san and came to bring you back while I was at it."

"I see."

Hearing those words, Duke Akuninaru inwardly smirked.

If it had been His Majesty's orders or an official quest, there would have been nothing he could do.

But if he had come to capture a duke on his own initiative, there might be a way to handle this.

"Then I'll get off here."

"Alright. Everyone, have a safe journey."

As the duke and Ruruk got off the carriage, the coachman, though hesitating, drove the carriage away.

The butler kept bowing his head towards them until the very end.

"Shall we go then?"

Led by Ruruk, the duke who had been fleeing for three days was being taken back to the royal capital.

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...How did it come to this?

I'm an adventurer.

I chose a free lifestyle because I disliked getting involved with power and national affairs.

To begin with, for me, a mere story otaku, internal politics, military strategy, and power struggles are other people's business. These are things I can enjoy when they're in stories, but it's troublesome to get caught up in such conflicts myself.

Of course, since becoming S-rank, there have been no small number of such interferences. I've been summoned by the Duke of Bargia or met nobles through personal requests. But I left negotiations and information exchanges to Saaya.

Even I think I might be inadequate as a leader, but I can't do it. That kind of hidden maneuvering really doesn't suit my nature.

After all, my thoughts immediately show on my face.

Deepening friendships (with fists) with the Dragon King, who's equally bad at hidden maneuvering, is just right for me.

That's why I really wanted to leave scenes like this to Saaya too.

"You are in the presence of His Majesty. Everyone, bow your heads."

"It's fine. This is an emergency, simplify the formalities."

"Then everyone, be at ease."

It was a small room even further inside the audience chamber of the white castle.

Following His Majesty's words, those present stood up.

It was a few hours ago that I had tried to take the captured Duke Akuninaru and his son Savey to Luney Trading Company to hand them over.

I was told to come to the royal castle with Pentan from Luney Trading Company to hand the two over to the royal family and to bring the pseudo-core to regain control of the dungeon.

It was a mistake that only I, as the representative, came along due to security concerns.

Cardel, who had been contacted, took the pseudo-core and left. Up to here was fine.

The problem was handing over the two Akuninaru family members.

The crime they're suspected of this time is treason against the state. Moreover, because it's a crime committed in the irreplaceable position of a ducal family, it seems they can't be judged through normal procedures.

So I was reluctantly asked to attend as a witness, but I was guided to the audience chamber.

Of course, His Majesty the King was there too.

Bured Di Mataisa. That person.

He was a sharp-looking man in his early thirties with a solid build. His actual age is over forty, but perhaps because he's quite well-trained, he looks considerably younger.

His eyes were powerful, and even sitting on the throne, he had quite an intimidating presence.

Next to him, my father - Digray - was standing guard. It was our first reunion in seven years, but we just briefly made eye contact without saying anything.

Well, it's natural since we're not exactly on reunion-worthy terms.

The thin man who seemed to be the prime minister spoke again.

"Then, Lord Honmani Akuninaru, step forward."

Duke Akuninaru, bound by soldiers, stepped forward.

After a few steps, he knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I am most relieved to see you safe."

"Indeed. I'm glad you and your son are uninjured as well."

"Your words are too kind."

"...Now then, Honmani. Would you tell me the reason you are here?"

The king fixed Duke Akuninaru with a sharp gaze.

I don't know how much he knows, but at least to prevent Duke Akuninaru from realizing, he's hiding his expression.

The duke shook his head pompously.

"I have absolutely no idea. Judging the current royal capital to be dangerous, I was in the midst of urgently sending my wife and son to our domain when I was forcibly brought back by that adventurer over there."

"I see. You hadn't received the summons for questioning regarding the fraud allegations?"

"What? I was unaware of this. Perhaps it arrived after I had left my mansion. I sincerely apologize."

I see, he intends to play dumb.

If what Savey says is correct, there should have been suspicions of collusion from the beginning. But since the detention and questioning were voluntary, there must not be any decisive evidence.

Duke Akuninaru seems to understand this.

"Well, that's fine. We've set up this opportunity to discuss the situation. Duke Akuninaru, I have a few questions for you. Answer them."

"As Your Majesty wishes."

"Do you have any connections with the Maguu Empire?"

"No, I do not."

"Then, what about your son?"

"At least, I am not aware of any."

"I see. I heard from Lord Cardel that your son had an item that could control the dungeon. How do you explain this?"

"This is the first I've heard of the existence of such a thing. I heard that my foolish son challenged the dungeon before the stampede occurred."

"Alone? Why did you allow such an action?"

"I heard it was for an extracurricular activity, and he had some regrets. My son thought it led to the breaking of his engagement, so he was challenging the dungeon to retrain himself. Since Savey is skilled, I let him do as he pleased as long as he didn't overdo it."

"I see. You there... Savey, was it? Is this true?"

"...Y-Yes, Your Majesty. While I was challenging the dungeon, the stampede occurred, and as I was descending to the lowest level to try to stop it, I found that item."

Savey, kneeling in place, answered with his head bowed.

Well, of course they would have agreed on that much of a story. If caught, they just need to treat it as a coincidence. Even if it's revealed that Savey had the pseudo-core, no one can know whether he originally had it or not.

The king, after confirming there were no contradictions, glanced at me.

"This differs from the information provided by the adventurer there. Do you have any explanation?"

"Yes. That guy appeared where I had picked up the item and spoke as if I were the mastermind behind causing the stampede. Then he forcibly, violently attacked me and framed me for treason!"

"...Hmm. Honmani, what about you?"

"I experienced a similar situation. That adventurer there suddenly appeared and relied on violence to bring me back to the royal capital. I was so shocked by such an outrageous act that I was speechless, but now I'm beginning to feel anger."

Duke Akuninaru turned to glare at me as if to say he had suffered an unreasonable fate.

Quite a good performance.

The king looked at me this time and said,

"Then, adventurer, let's hear your side of the story. First, state your name."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I'm the adventurer Ruruk."

"Indeed. Is there any falsehood in the information you conveyed to us?"

"No. It's as I reported."

"...So, the statements from both sides conflict. Adventurer Ruruk, you claim to have arrested these men for the sake of the country, certain of their suspicion of treason against the state. And you two claim to have been subjected to unreasonable violence and forcibly brought here. Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes! In fact, isn't he the ringleader?! I've heard he's a crude foreign adventurer, though skilled! He must have connections with the Maguu Empire and has been working behind the scenes to harm our country's interests!"

Duke Akuninaru raised his voice.

Oh, that's an unexpected reaction. To try to frame me in this situation, what a robust way of thinking. I suppose this is what it means to be a high-ranking noble, even if corrupt. This is why nobles are so troublesome.

The king, still without changing his expression, said,

"I see. So you're saying that the adventurer Ruruk might be the mastermind behind this recent stampede?"

"Yes! From what I hear, isn't he quite powerful? It wouldn't be strange if he knew how to control the dungeon."

"...So, Ruruk, how do you respond to this?"

"That's a false accusation. It's true that I know how to control the dungeon, and my companions have actually experienced controlling it. But we have no reason to cause a stampede in this land."

"S-See! He admits he knows how!"

The duke's voice rose in excitement, perhaps overjoyed that his bluff had gained some credibility.

"Your Majesty! You mustn't believe the words of a foreign adventurer! Surely this fellow has schemed to gather various false testimonies to make us, the Akuninaru ducal family, look suspicious and planned to pin the crime on us!"

A strategy to blame even the previous suspicions on me...!?

What a spiritually robust noble. I'm almost impressed by how rotten he is to the core.

"First of all, it's absurd to think that we, the ducal family, would plot treason against the state! We lack neither status, honor, nor money! We have sworn loyalty to Your Majesty and served the country as the Chief Financial Officer! What benefit would there be for me to commit treason? Who would you believe, this crude adventurer of unclear status or me?"

"...Hmm. So you're saying this adventurer is not worthy of trust?"

"Yes! No matter how capable he may be, you must not believe the words of a commoner adventurer!"

Duke Akuninaru declared loudly. Savey next to him was nodding deeply.

The king had been watching us expressionlessly for a while, but eventually, as if he couldn't hold back anymore, he started laughing.

"Kukuku... Hahahaha! I see, indeed, if that's your argument, then certainly. As a king, if I were to compare who is more trustworthy between a ducal family that has served for generations and a mere adventurer, there would be no comparison. As expected of a duke, I have no choice but to accept your argument."

"Th-Then--"

"But that would only be the case for an ignorant king."

The king narrowed his eyes sharply. The duke, who had been trying to brighten his expression, froze at that cold gaze.

The king ordered the prime minister.

"Let's end this farce here. Call her in."

"Yes, sir!"

The prime minister immediately spoke into his bracelet. That was undoubtedly a communication stone.

And in less than a minute, the one who arrived was the brown-haired angel - Lilith.

Even I was surprised by this. Why is she here?

"You called for me, Your Majesty?"

"Indeed. Lilith, things have unfolded as you predicted. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Understood."

Lilith walked over and stood next to His Majesty.

I wasn't the only one surprised. Savey's voice trembled.

"L-Lilith... what are you...?"

"Everyone present, please lend me your ears. I am Lilith Muuteru, the eldest daughter of my father Digray Muuteru standing behind. And--"

Lilith waved her hand and produced a mask from thin air.

It was a familiar mask that covered the eyes, one I knew well.

Needless to say, it was the trademark of Luney Trading Company.

"I am the chairperson of Luney Trading Company, known as Monon. I have been entrusted with this occasion by His Majesty, so please, I ask for your cooperation."

...

...Huh?

Lilith is Empress Monon?

I hadn't heard about this, you know?