The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

As soon as Guild Branch Manager Tamerik finished handing over the quest rewards and buying the materials, he dashed out of the room.

It seems he went to arrange the meeting with Count Ketaaru that I had requested.

However, even if the negotiations go well, the count's family has their own schedule and position as nobles, so an immediate meeting wouldn't be possible. Since it's an urgent matter, they should be able to arrange a schedule by this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Judging this, I decided to take Saaya back to the mansion for now.

If she wasn't there at lunchtime, they'd probably suspect she had run away and start searching for her again.

"So, I'll escort Saaya-san back. Master and Elen, please wait here."

"Understood."

"Mm... be careful."

I parted ways with Roze and Elen for now.

We headed towards the mansion through the still-recovering town, without making any particular detours.

"Will I be okay when I get back home?"

"I think you'll be fine. If you pretend to have reflected on your actions, I don't think they'll do anything to you again."

"That's not it. I'm wondering if I can hold back from punching him in the face when I see him."

"Saaya-san, it's about controlling your emotions, just as the master said."

I answered with a wry smile. I can understand her feelings to some extent.

She still looked worried, so I added something to reassure her.

"If the negotiations with the count go well, I'll come to pick you up soon. Depending on how the negotiations go, it could be as early as tomorrow afternoon, or at the latest, it shouldn't take more than three days, so please hang in there until then."

"Tomorrow! Okay, I'll do my best."

"I said 'as early as'."

I emphasize this point.

The 10-year-old clenched her fist with a snort, her breath rough.

We hid in a place near the mansion where no one could find us, then immediately teleported with Saaya to her room.

The room was unchanged from before we left.

It doesn't seem like anyone unlocked the door and came in.

"Well then, I'll be going now--"

"H-hey, Ruruk. Did you... sleep in my room...?"

Saaya looked down at the bed where I had carefully made the sheets this morning, hugging the black-haired doll to her chest with her ears turning red. She looked at me shyly, as if hiding behind the doll.

"Yes, I thought it might be rude, but I borrowed it to rest my body."

"I-I see... Of course. Yeah."

"Of course, I changed the sheets after I woke up, so you can rest there as it is."

"Thank you! Ruruk, you're such a gentleman."

She's fidgeting for some reason.

At 10 years old, girls probably start to be conscious of the opposite sex.

When I was around 10 in Japan, I used to play in the park without caring about others' eyes, getting fully naked and playing in the water. It was just fooling around with childhood friends, but looking back, I feel drained thinking about the difference in maturity between boys and girls.

Saaya is still embarrassed, burying her face in the doll, so it might be better to leave her alone.

I said a short goodbye and teleported back to the front of the mansion.

I should return to the guild.

When I looked back once, Saaya was waving from the window, so I waved back.

There's no need to hurry, so maybe I'll take a little detour on the way back.

I checked the contents of my wallet and headed towards the church. Of course, it's the Holy Kianus Church, which is the state religion.

The square in front of the church was open as an evacuation center. It was just before noon, and preparations for soup kitchens were beginning. About half of the church entrance had collapsed, and it seemed the reinforcement wasn't complete yet. A young sister was spreading her arms to stop a young child who was trying to approach. She was desperately trying to control the children running around.

It's good to see children energetic even in times like these.

I left the church after making a considerable donation, feeling warm inside.

Afterward, I went around to other places that had become evacuation centers, donating until I had used up all the quest rewards I had just received.

On the way, I saw Viscount Schreine and his wives helping with the soup kitchen at one of the evacuation centers, but of course, they don't know me, so I passed by without meeting their gaze.

The next morning.

I, Elen, and Roze were visiting Count Ketaaru's house along with Guild Branch Manager Tamerik.

We were guided to a reception room on the first floor. After waiting for a while with some high-quality tea, a man with an unusually large and square body outline entered.

An overwhelming muscular body.

"Well, well, Count Ketaaru. I apologize for the suddenness of this meeting."

"Hmm. So, these are the demon-slaying adventurers I've heard about?"

The count crossed his arms as if to show off his well-trained physique.

What impressive muscles. It's like, you know, a practitioner of end-of-the-century martial arts who leaves no regrets in life.

His body and face were so intense that he seemed to be drawn in a different art style from the rest of the room, like a gekiga comic. He looks strong even without magic, and could probably defeat a Gray Wolf with just a punch to the gut.

Oops, this isn't the time to be mesmerized by his magnificent muscles.

I need to greet him properly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Count. I am Ruruk, a B-rank adventurer. This is fellow adventurer Elenora, and behind us is Roze, a civilian baggage carrier."

"Hmm. I am Babel Ketaaru. You may be seated."

"Excuse us."

We sit down.

Count Ketaaru glanced at my small frame with his intense gaze and growled lowly.

"I heard you were young, but not to this extent. You seem to understand etiquette, but... you lack muscles."

Gufuu!

I almost burst out laughing. I managed to cover it up with a cough.

With that face, saying I lack muscles... this guy is serious.

Without the help of "Calm and Collected," that would have been dangerous.

"Now then, Ruruk. I hear you slew a demon. Is this true?"

"Yes. Would you like me to show you here?"

"...No, that's fine. The floor would get dirty. Show me in the garden later."

The count answered with composure, though he probably wanted to see it.

I guess that means he believes me for now. Well, it's a lie that I defeated it, though.

After Count Ketaaru exchanged greetings with me, Branch Manager Tamerik excused himself. As his role was just to make introductions, he probably prioritized his work as the Adventurers' Guild branch manager.

As Branch Manager Tamerik left, I felt Count Ketaaru's gaze become even sharper.

Well, that's fine. Let's get to the negotiations--

"Before that, I have a question for you, Ruruk."

"Yes, what is it?"

"I hear that the day before yesterday, you went to eradicate a Gigant Ant nest in the Shaboom Mountains to the north, and at the same time, defeated Beelzebub."

"Yes, that's correct."

"And the following day - that is, yesterday morning - you came to the guild with the corpse of the white-armed demon. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"It's hard to believe."

The count's eyes flashed.

They were eyes accustomed to discerning truth from falsehood in the harsh noble society.

"Even if you hurried, it takes half a day on horseback just to reach the foot of the Shaboom Mountains. A round trip would take at least a day. And during that time, you cleared out a Gigant Ant nest, defeated the King of Flies, and hunted a demon by the next day? That's quite a stretch."

"With all due respect, it is the truth. We have a means of travel faster than horses."

"...And what might that be?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer that due to it being a confidential technique."

I respond firmly without hesitation. It's a breach of manners to ask an adventurer about their methods. That applies even if the other party is a noble.

The count's thick eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Even in these circumstances, you say you cannot answer?"

"Yes. However, I can prove it."

"...How do you intend to do that?"

The count looked skeptical.

I looked out the window, searching for something suitable. Now, which one should I choose, as the God says...

Alright, I've decided.

"Well... Count, when was the last time you had the trees in your garden trimmed?"

"Hmm? It's been half a year already. Come to think of it, it's about time they need to be tidied up."

"I see. Then, please wait a moment."

Saying that, I stepped out into the hallway alone and closed the door.

The count frowned at my sudden action, but a few seconds later, the door opened again.

There I stood, holding a single branch.

"I apologize for the wait. Count, this is a branch from the tallest tree in your garden that had grown a bit too long. I took the liberty of pruning it."

"What... is that true?"

"Specifically, it's the branch extending to the left on the second tier from the top of the tree, as seen from here. Please take a look and confirm for yourself."

As I suggested, the count approached the window and peered outside.

It's a large garden, so it's hard to see from a distance, but if you squint, you can just about make it out.

"Hmm... Indeed, now that you mention it, it does seem that only that part has been tidied up, but..."

"My lord,"

The elderly butler who had been standing by interrupted.

"If I may speak, regardless of the truth, this person's manner of speaking is typical of fraudulent techniques. It's a common tactic in deception to make one believe uncertain contexts through ambiguous evidence."

"Hmm... indeed. That possibility exists."

Oh, as expected of the count's butler. He has a cool judgment.

It's true that I brought it using relative teleportation, but unless I show them, they probably won't believe me.

But I have no intention of teaching them the teleportation technique... what should I do? For now, I need to smooth things over.

"If you say so, I have no means to prove it. Of course, I ask for your understanding that showing you our method of travel would mean losing our advantage as adventurers."

"Hmm. ...Well then, Ruruk, if you claim to have the skill to defeat a demon, prove that skill to me."

"...How specifically?"

"Fight."

The end-of-century overlord-- no, the end-of-century count stood up and said.

"Face my private army in battle. I will make my judgment based on the outcome."

"Understood."

So it comes down to this after all.

I had a feeling it might, so it's fine.

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Author Notes:

Afterword Tips ~ Religious Stories Part 1 ~

Saint Keanus Church

The largest church in the world, worshiping the god of time and space, Keanus, who is one of the pillars of the creator gods. The headquarters is located in the Holy Nation of Holywood at the western end of the continent. The princess priestess of the Holy Nation is very lovely and is popular all over the world. She is also known as the Holy Maiden.

Of course, there are other churches besides the Saint Keanus Church. For example:

Saint Brat Church

Saint Arnoldgar Church

Saint Wilmiss Church

Saint Leorio Church

Robaro Church

Tomx Church

These churches exist in the Kingdom of Mataisa and have a fair number of followers.

Incidentally, only churches that worship one of the eight pillars of the creator gods can use the name "Saint ○○ Church." The names and roles of the eight pillars of the creator gods will be described in detail at a later time.

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