Volume 2

    Chapter 128.1

    The next day after parting with Ven  Reis flew southeast .

    After arriving at the post town used by Arein as a base, Reis held a secret meeting with Arein in a certain inn .

    「How’s your progress, Arein? 」

    「We found some who knew about the leader but, a majority of them aren’t worth much . They didn’t look like they could single handedly beat several knights . For the time being, there is one group of travelers who have caught my attention, but……… . 」

    Reis and Arein had their secret discussion which got drowned by the surrounding noise of adventurers coming to have breakfast .

    「Uhm, what is it about them that is worrying you? 」

    「Despite them knowing about our leader, they barely took the bait . They retreated  when our side approached and didn’t seem to be interested in that topic at all . The other’s took interest when we said the leader’s name, but were the type who were excited to be contacted by us…… . My deepest apologies, the result of my investigation isn’t very satisfying . 」

    Maybe because he felt unsatisfied or disappointed by the results of his investigation, Arein replied with an awkward tone .

    「What’s with that face, you found the person you’re looking for right?　You’ve been narrowing down the candidates . You can even say that the search is heading in a  favourable direction . Good job . 」

    「Thank you very much . 」

    「I’m speaking the truth . Now, I want to ask you to do something for me . 」

    Reis said so without any expressions on his face .

    「…………… May I hear what is it? 」

    Arein’s expression stiffened as Reis only showed this sort of expression when he had something important to do .

    「Please don’t be that stiff . I’m only giving an additional objective to your current task . 」

    「And what might it be? 」

    「Do you know about the first princess of Bertram kingdom? 」

    「Yeah, only by name as I used to live in Bertram kingdom . Her name should be Christina right?」

    「Exactly . What I’m about to tell you right now is an open secret in Bertram kingdom royal castle but, it’s a fact that princess Christina has escaped from the royal castle . 」

    Arein’s eyes opened wide when he heard Rein say it with a nonchalant expression .

    「In short, doesn’t it mean that what the Bertram kingdom army that is staying in Creia is searching for………… . . 」

    「Most probably princess Christina」

    「A~h, what are we doing rampaging behind the scenes, isn’t this kingdom slowly drifting towards it’s demise?」

    Arein said so with a wry smile on his face .

    But, Reis slowly shook his head in denial .

    「The thing called “country” won’t be ruined so easily you know . However, The matter of this kingdom currently suffering from a major political blow by duke Euguno is troublesome . Do you get what I mean? 」

    「Yeah, well, that is only natural . 」

    「I’m glad that you’re smart . The main problem starts from this point on . Though the Bertram kingdom army is currently staying in Creia to look for the princess at the north and east highways, they are yet to find princess Christina . On the other hand, here we are, gathering at an almost abandoned south highway . That’s definitely not a coincidence right? 」

    「Yes, it’s as you say . 」

    「When it comes to that, there’s a possibility that they’ll send a search team to look for the princess at the south highway as well in a few days . But, it would be too late by that time . Since the difficulty in finding her will keep increasing drastically as time passes . 」

    「Right . 」

    Arein had a wry smile as he agreed with Reis, since it was true that it becomes harder to find someone as time passes .

    「And this is where you guys come in, just in case, I want you to look for princess Christina along this route . 」

    「I don’t mind doing that but, does it mean I have to postpone my current duty? 」

    「No, I never said that you have to find her but, it is possible that the one we’re looking for may be related to princess Christina . Rather, the possibility of him having something to do with princess Christina is higher . 」

    The person they were looking for was definitely Rio . Although it was nothing but his intuition, Rein’s was usually on the mark .

    「…………… . In short, that is an additional task along with the previous one? 」

    「Probably . Since she is most likely travelling along with attendants and there should be a few of them . Maybe the one who spoke the name of the leader is amongst them . Our target should be avoiding public attention . 」

    When Reis said so, Arein suddenly ――、

    「…………… I happen to know a group of  travelers who fit your description . All of them were hiding their faces . 」

    So he told Reis .

    「Hou .    Where are they right now? 」

    Reis’ eyes opened wider as his lips formed a grin .

    「Lucci is tailing them . Since they took the east route from the junction to the south from here, maybe they’re just few hours away if we use a griffon . 」

    Arein replied after calculating Rio-tachi’s movement speed in his head .

    「I see, east route huh . The goal of their party should be Marquis Rodan’s territory, if the princess is amongst them but, there’s a possibility that they’re going to take the north route as a shortcut for their journey or going in a roundabout way via the east route towards Galwark kingdom……… It’ll be troublesome if they choose the latter right?」

    Reis squinted his eyes as he pondered in low voice . Arein quenched his thirst with the fruit water during that time .

    A few seconds later――,

    「Arein, you go and join Lucci for the time being . 」

    Reis suddenly gave that kind of command to Arein .

    「With pleasure . 」

    Arein readily accepted that order as that was his duty .

    「Don’t stop following them even if you have to use slightly overbearing means .   Investigate and make sure whether princess Christina is with them or not . 」

    「……… What should I do in case princess Christina isn’t with them? 」

    「Let’s see, depending on how my work goes, I’ll join you two later . Since my business will take a few days, I’ll give further instruction after I join you guys . In case they’re about to cross the national border and head towards Galwark kingdom before I join you, I’ll leave it up to you to decide on how to obstruct them . Well, there should be no problems . 」