Ch.156156. Half Was Truth, Half Was Lie.

“What’s going on?”

“How did you come with Lucien?”

“We just happened to come together.”

“You have no idea how worried I was when Lucien suddenly disappeared.”

Jawill Wilson, who followed me into the study as soon as I returned to Lake Estate.

He looked so worried that his dark circles seemed to extend all the way down to his lips.

“You know that man I told you to keep an eye out for, the one I described?”

“Ah! He’s staying at the inn right now.”

“Yes, Lucien came to tell me because he thought it was urgent.”

“….Are you saying Lucien went all the way to Sertena Estate!?”

“Yeah, I met him a day before arriving at Sertena Estate, so it was almost the same.”

Tears welled up in Jawill Wilson’s eyes, showing how much he had been suffering.

“Ha! I had no idea and searched everywhere for him!! I even went to the Forest of Death alone.”

“You, who are so fearful, went to the Forest of Death alone!?”

“Lucien might have taken a wrong turn and wandered into the Forest of Death, don’t you think?”

“Wow…. I had no idea your love for your nephew was so great.”

I clapped my hands in admiration, causing Jawill Wilson to droop his shoulders with a gloomy expression.

“If he was going to see you, young master, he could have at least told me….”

“He probably didn’t tell you because he knew you would object.”

“I guess Lucien didn’t realize I would worry. What does my love for my nephew matter? It’s not like I get anything in return….”

I looked at Jawill Wilson with disdain as he lamented his situation.

“Come on, why do you think Lucien came all the way to Sertena Estate?”

At that, Jawill Wilson tilted his head in confusion.

“….Pardon?”

“Seeing your urgent expression, Lucien came to inform me of the situation quickly.”

“So, are you saying Lucien traveled all that way because of me?”

“Lucien told me he came because Uncle Jawill Wilson seemed anxious.”

“Ah….”

“It’s obvious. When the man I mentioned arrived at the inn, you must have been fidgeting like a puppy that needs to relieve itself.”

Jawill Wilson covered his face as he seemed to recall his actions.

Then, he shed tiny tears.

“My nephew traveled that dangerous road because of his incompetent uncle….”

This guy always has such extreme emotional swings.

I shook my head and continued speaking.

“I’ve already scolded Lucien, so don’t you scold him too.”

“….What!?”

“He transformed into a dragon and followed me without permission. That’s why I already scolded him.”

“W-what did our Lucien do wrong? Is it a crime to act out of beautiful concern for his uncle?”

“Still, scolding is necessary. I can’t just say he did well.”

“How could you hit such a small child….”

I looked at Jawill Wilson with an incredulous expression.

“I said I scolded him, not that I hit him.”

“Words can stab the heart like a dagger!”

“And ‘small child’? If you knew how I traveled from Sertena Estate to Lake Estate, you wouldn’t say such things.”

“….I don’t know what you mean, but I’m going to comfort our Lucien.”

“Suit yourself.”

After sending Jawill Wilson out of the study, I put on my coat.

Now it was finally time to meet the protagonist, Serion Raikers.

Thump-! Thump-!

I couldn’t tell if it was excitement or nervousness, but my heart was pounding as if it would burst.

However, I mustn’t act rashly.

I couldn’t afford to make a mistake and end up in the worst-case scenario where I fail to hand over Luna and Rio.

‘Hmm, since it’s the first day, should I go alone?’

I immediately set off.

The building had a first floor where one could have a light meal and a drink, while the second and third floors consisted of rooms.

As I stepped into the inn, the innkeeper saw me, rushed over in his socks, and bowed as he spoke.

“Oh my, young master! To think you would visit such a humble place….”

“Have you been well?”

“Of course! Thanks to you, the inn is much cleaner and better than before. Thank you so much.”

“Hmm, quite crowded, isn’t it?”

“All these customers are also thanks to you, young master!!”

Even though I had just exchanged brief greetings with the innkeeper, the eyes of everyone seated in the dining area turned toward me.

-Is that Selden Alphonse? The one who stopped the monster wave?

-No, he’s smaller than I expected.

-My friend, does one stop a monster wave with size? It’s done with brains!

-He was once famous as the rogue from the edge of the Eastern Continent!

-Wow! I never thought I’d get to see Selden Alphonse in person at Lake Estate!

-But what business does Selden Alphonse have here?

All the whispering people were tourists visiting Lake Estate.

They had all come to see the place where the monster wave had been stopped.

So, it was natural for them to gossip about me.

Swish-!

I rolled my eyes around diligently, trying my best not to pay attention.

Then, I saw Serion Raikers sitting alone at a table, quietly sipping his drink.

Curling up the corners of my mouth, I directed my gaze toward everyone seated in the dining area.

“I am Selden Alphonse. I came to eat because I am acquainted with the innkeeper. I apologize for causing a disturbance with my sudden visit.”

I bowed at a 90-degree angle, causing not only the innkeeper but also everyone in the dining area to be taken aback.

Even Serion Raikers glanced at me once, seemingly interested.

With an artificial smile, I continued.

“As an apology for disturbing your meal, I will cover the cost of all the food eaten today, so please enjoy your meal to your heart’s content.”

-Wow! Talk about good luck!! What a windfall!

-Who spread the rumor that Selden Alphonse was the rogue from the edge of the Eastern Continent?

-Oh my, Lord Selden Alphonse! We’ll eat with gratitude!!

-I’m so glad I came to Lake Estate!

-It’s an honor just to meet Selden Alphonse in person, let alone receive a free meal….

The response was indeed enthusiastic.

Even Serion Raikers gave a small smile and applauded.

I bowed once more, then straightened up and turned my gaze to the innkeeper.

“Is there a seat available?”

“Of course! Even if there weren’t, I’d make one for you, young master!!”

There were two empty tables left in the dining area.

With a knowing smile, I continued.

“I came alone, and it would be rude to sit at an empty table.”

“Oh, no! You’re covering everyone’s meal costs, so we can’t make you sit with a stranger!”

It felt like the scenario was falling perfectly into place.

I pointed at Serion Raikers.

“As it happens, there’s someone dining alone, so I’ll just sit over there.”

“You don’t have to do that….”

“I just don’t want to eat alone.”

The innkeeper bowed his head deeply at my stubborn insistence.

“Ah…. Very well.”

“Then I should first get permission from him, right?”

“Ah! I’ll go speak to him right away.”

The innkeeper went to Serion Raikers, had a brief conversation, and then came back with a bright smile.

“The guest says it’s fine.”

Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the table where Serion Raikers was dining.

Upon arrival, I saw that dishes were just being placed on the table.

I bowed politely and sat down.

“Excuse me.”

“Haha, not at all.”

Finally, this was the moment I got to see Serion Raikers up close.

I felt like I could be described as a “successful fan” at this point.

“Are you a mercenary?”

“Oh, how did you know?”

“There.”

I pointed to the scabbard leaning against the table, causing Serion Raikers to scratch his head with an embarrassed expression.

“Ah…. Well, I live something like a mercenary’s life.”

“I see. Since we’re seated together by chance, let’s introduce ourselves.”

“I’m Serion Raikers.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Selden Alphonse.”

“I know. You’re the great person who historically stopped the monster wave for the first time.”

Serion Raikers gave a thumbs up.

I shook my head and waved my hand in the air.

“How could I have done that alone? It was all thanks to the Alphonse family’s knights and mercenaries.”

“Humble as well…. And I’ll enjoy the meal.”

“Not at all. Please enjoy.”

My ordered dishes also arrived, and I savored the food slowly, matching Serion Raikers’ eating pace.

“By the way, what brings you to Lake Estate?”

“Ah…. I wanted to see the place where the monster wave occurred.”

“For tourism?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It was half truth and half lie.

Serion Raikers had come to investigate the Forest of Death, where the monster wave had originated.

However, the Forest of Death was a restricted area that ordinary people couldn’t enter.

Naturally, he had to hide this from me.

I wrapped my hand around my wine glass and smiled knowingly.

“Then would you like to visit the Forest of Death with me?”