The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Excuse us!"

Afternoon.

After having lunch and taking a short break, we immediately visited the Schreine viscounty.

When I knocked on the gate and called out, a young female servant immediately peeked out.

It was our third encounter, so the servant looked troubled. Fat Dad came out from behind her, as she didn't even try to approach us.

"You lot again! How many times do I have to tell you that I won't let you see Saaya! Go home, go ho--"

"I apologize for the other day. I heard that a letter of introduction was necessary to see the viscount, so I've brought one with me."

I hold up the letter of introduction with the Ketaaru family crest and Count Babel's personal note.

Ha ha ha, can you not see this crest?

Ignoring Fat Dad, who had frozen in shock, I speak to the young servant girl.

"So, please inform Viscount Schreine."

"Y-Yes, right away!"

The servant girl hurriedly opened the gate and guided me in.

"Hello, I am Karl Schreine, the head of the family."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ruruk, an adventurer. This is fellow adventurer Elenora, and behind us is Roze, a civilian baggage carrier."

"Thank you for your politeness. Please, have a seat. My wife will bring tea shortly, so please wait a moment."

The gentle-mannered Viscount Schreine said this and leaned back in his chair.

Fat Dad was standing behind Viscount Schreine, glaring at us, and the servant child was probably helping the ladies, as she was nowhere to be seen.

Of course, Saaya wasn't called.

"Ruruk-kun, weren't you helping with the soup kitchen at the evacuation center the other day?"

While I was trying to find a topic to discuss as we couldn't get into the main subject while waiting for tea, Viscount Schreine surprisingly brought up a topic.

This is helpful for a socially awkward person like me.

"You're well-informed. Perhaps you were there too, Viscount?"

"Yes, I was also doing what little I could to help."

It seems I wasn't mistaken after all.

"And Ruruk-kun, if I may ask, haven't you been going around to evacuation centers and donating a lot of support money? It's becoming a rumor in town."

"Is that so? Indeed, I've been donating as much as I could, thinking I should do what I can..."

Count Babel didn't mention any such rumors.

But come to think of it, it's strange for a noble to know about rumors from commoners' evacuation sites. It's not something nobles usually do, engaging in reconstruction activities without guards and for free, especially when public safety has deteriorated.

The words of Count Babel calling Viscount Schreine kind-hearted might be correct.

When I nodded, I felt like the viscount's eyes softened a bit.

As we were talking about the state of reconstruction volunteer work and the current situation in various areas, his two wives came in carrying trays with tea. The young servant girl was also trudging along behind them. It seems she wanted to help but couldn't. She looked like an unlucky child.

Once everyone had their tea,

"Now then, welcome once again to our viscounty. We can't offer much hospitality, but please make yourselves comfortable."

"Thank you very much for accommodating our sudden visit despite your busy schedule. If it's alright with you, I'd like to get straight to the main topic."

"Yes, please go ahead."

"Then, please look at this."

I presented the letter I received from Count Babel.

What was written there was concise:

- First, there are two notifications from the Ketaaru earldom to the Schreine viscounty.

- The first is that, under the authority of the Ketaaru earldom, the adventurer Ruruk has been given the right to negotiate directly with Viscount Schreine himself.

- The second is the content of the negotiation. The details are as follows:

1. The Schreine viscounty will send their heir presumptive, daughter Saaya, on a three-year warrior training journey as an adventurer with Ruruk. This will primarily respect Saaya's wishes.

2. In return, the adventurer Ruruk will pay in a lump sum the taxes that the Schreine viscounty is scheduled to pay during Saaya's three-year training period, as well as the special reconstruction support money for this time. Any shortfall or excess will be settled after three years.

- This negotiation will become invalid only if Saaya herself does not wish to accompany Ruruk, or if Ruruk is unable to make the lump sum payment. Therefore, Viscount Schreine himself and his family members, excluding Saaya herself, are forbidden from raising objections to this negotiation.

That's what it said.

What I had asked of Count Babel was written there exactly as I had requested. Well, I did make such a generous donation. Of course, he wouldn't show even a bit of leniency.

The viscount, after reading the document, remained surprised for a while. Fat Dad, who had snatched the letter from his hands and was reading it with bloodshot eyes... well, let's ignore him for now.

I ask the viscount:

"What do you think?"

"What can I say, since I'm Ketaaru's subordinate, it seems I have no right to refuse. Moreover, given these favorable conditions, if Saaya wishes it, I'm inclined to let her go. It doesn't seem to be a loss for our viscounty either... Meline, could you call Saaya here?"

"Yes, certainly."

One of his wives left the room.

"However, Ruruk-kun,"

"Yes?"

"Saaya is my beloved niece. Being an adventurer comes with dangers, doesn't it? If danger approaches, will you protect Saaya?"

"Absolutely. Even at the cost of my... no, my life."

No matter what dire straits we fall into, I have no intention of letting her die.

Neither Saaya, nor Elen of course.

"I see. If you can swear those words with those eyes, then I have nothing more to say."

"This is ridiculous!"

Fat Dad, who had finally lost his patience, barked.

"An adventurer? For three years!? I have no intention of letting her go on such a dangerous journey! Do you have any idea how much trouble I went through to raise her to this point? I won't let her go!"

"I understand your concern as a father. But you see, this is an order from the count..."

"Brother, you don't understand anything! You think these dirty commoners got cooperation from the count? That's impossible! They must have used some underhanded means--"

"Be quiet. Any more and you'll be insulting the count."

It was the older brother who stopped the younger brother's outburst, his atmosphere becoming sharp as a blade.

Saaya's father's mouth opened and closed as he broke into a cold sweat. He seemed to have lost control of his body.

...Probably an intimidation skill. And judging by its effect, it's a high-level skill.

Indeed, if he had said any more, I wouldn't have been able to stay silent either. Degrading us during negotiations would be degrading Count Babel, who entrusted us with the negotiation rights.

Silencing him by force was probably an act of kindness from an older brother.

"Ruruk-kun, I apologize for my brother's rudeness. I'll have him leave as he's unsuitable for this place, so please wait a moment."

When Viscount Schreine gave a look to the young servant girl, she supported Fat Dad's body as if caring for him and led him out of the room.

"...I truly apologize. Please forgive him, as it was out of parental concern."

"Don't worry about it."

I really didn't mind. I had considered him a roadside pebble from the start.

Just as we reset the atmosphere, Saaya entered.

"Ruruk!"

"Saaya-san. Sorry to keep you waiting."

Saaya came next to me as if leaping. She sat down almost touching me.

Elen on the opposite side frowned and pinched my thigh.

Ouch.

"So Ruruk, what happened? Can I go with you?"

"Yes. Everything's settled. We just need to confirm your intention, Saaya-san."

"From the looks of it, Saaya had already agreed, hadn't she?"

The viscount, who had realized this from our conversation, said with a happy expression:

"I haven't seen Saaya look this happy in a long time, even though we live together... I see, you're really looking forward to going with Ruruk-kun, aren't you?"

"Yes, Uncle! Ruruk and the others are really amazing, you know!"

"Is that so. From the amount of donations and all, it seems Ruruk-kun has already achieved great things despite his young age."

"You're too kind. ...Now then, Viscount, since we've obtained Saaya-san's consent, could you please calculate the payment amount? Please include your seal as well."

"Certainly. However, it might be difficult to prepare it today, so I'll definitely have it ready by tomorrow. Two copies were needed, right? One for you, Ruruk-kun, and one for Count Ketaaru?"

"Yes, please. Then we'll visit again at noon tomorrow."

The negotiation is complete.

I shook hands with Viscount Schreine.

"Eh? Am I not going today?"

"You're in a hurry, Saaya. The contract with Ruruk-kun starts after the payment is made."

"What? Was I bought with money? Am I a slave? I'm not a slave, right!?"

Saaya clings to my arm, crying.

Come to think of it, I hadn't explained it to her yet.

Before Elen could tear off the flesh from my other arm, I peel Saaya off.

"No, that's not it. As a condition for taking care of you, Saaya-san, I agreed to pay the Schreine family's tribute in a lump sum for that period."

"That's money! You still bought me with money in the end! I don't want to be sold off!"

"This much is necessary for appearances! Do you think a commoner could take care of a noble's child for free?"

"No! I don't want to fall from nobility to slavery!"

"Please calm down!"

Saaya, messing up her hair and yelling.

Me, trying to calm her down by holding her shoulders.

Elen, stomping on my feet repeatedly.

Watching us, Viscount Schreine smiled happily.