Ch.209209. As expected, this guy was a friend of Jawill Wilson.

“Lord Selden Alphonse, are you really sure about this?”

As night fell and darkness enveloped everything, Wortman, who had begun guiding the way, looked back with worried eyes.

I waved my hand in the air with a relaxed smile.

“I told you I’m fine. Why are you so concerned?”

“B-but you just put everyone who was following us to sleep with magic! When they wake up, they’ll surely report this to Village Chief Loris…”

“Those guys will think they just dozed off briefly when they wake up. The magic I used wasn’t sleep but hypnosis.”

“Hypnosis magic… that’s truly impressive.”

I grinned at Wortman as he let out an exclamation of admiration.

“Besides, I left Jawill Wilson behind just in case, so even if they wake up early, they won’t know we’ve left.”

As I spoke nonchalantly, Wortman stopped in his tracks and turned around again.

“By the way, forgive me for asking, but have we met somewhere before?”

“…Huh?”

“I feel like I’ve encountered you before, Lord Selden Alphonse. It feels familiar somehow.”

Oh ho, this guy has good instincts?

I thought he’d be a dull bear like Jawill Wilson because of his large build.

Maintaining my smile, I continued speaking.

“Well, I guess that means we’re destined to meet.”

Since the territory was small, we soon arrived at the Pandera territory’s prison.

Most prisons are located in the basement of the lord’s mansion or annex, but this one was uniquely situated a bit away from the village where the territory’s residents lived.

“If you cross through those trees, you’ll see the prison right away.”

“The security seems surprisingly lax.”

“Since this is Pandera territory, they’re more concerned about prisoners escaping than outsiders breaking in, so the internal security is actually stricter.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Plus, there aren’t many criminals, so they probably have guards stationed one-on-one with each prisoner.”

“What’s the skill level of the prison guards like?”

“It’s a mix of knights and mages, but on average, they’re at a moderate level.”

I stroked my chin and tilted my head.

“I’m not sure what ‘moderate’ means as a standard. Are they stronger than you?”

“The mages are tricky, but among the knights, there probably isn’t anyone stronger than me.”

“Wow! That’s some confidence!”

When I raised the corner of my mouth mischievously, Wortman’s face turned bright red, not matching his large build.

“Despite my appearance, I’m a fairly skilled knight in Pandera territory. Of course, I’m no match for Berik and Clara.”

I know that.

That’s exactly why I’m trying to bring Berik and Wortman to Lake territory.

Clara followed by Berik and Wortman coming to Lake territory as knights and mages?

Then Rio and Luna’s vacant positions would be filled instantly.

I barely managed to suppress the laughter that was about to escape.

“If the guards are weaker than you, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

“…Pardon?”

“Nothing, you said they’re weaker than you, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“That means I’m stronger than you, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Wortman gaped at my relaxed expression, seemingly dumbfounded.

“…Being stronger than me isn’t the issue, is it? It’s not like you’ll be fighting the guards one-on-one. If you’re exposed, you’ll have to face multiple opponents.”

I stared at Wortman as he rapidly fired words with a reddened face.

“Why do you think I’m trying to enter that prison?”

Wortman tilted his head with a face that said, ‘What nonsense is this?’

“Aren’t we going to rescue Berik?”

“When did I say I was going to rescue Berik? I said I was going to meet him.”

“I-isn’t that the same thing?”

“What are you talking about? They’re clearly different.”

“So you’re saying you’re going to the prison just to meet Berik without rescuing him?”

As Wortman’s voice grew louder, I gestured for him to lower his voice and continued.

“What do you think would happen if I rescued Berik now?”

“…Pardon?”

Sigh…

I take back what I said about his good instincts.

As expected, he was Jawill Wilson’s friend.

I let out a short sigh.

“Let’s say I go to the prison now and rescue Berik. What do you think would happen?”

“Well… Pandera territory would be turned upside down.”

“Then suddenly you and I would become accomplices who helped a potentially criminal person escape, right?”

“I-I guess that’s true.”

I clenched my teeth, suppressing the urge to smack him.

I could educate him after bringing him to Lake territory.

“If that happens, we’d only have rescued Berik, but the case wouldn’t be solved at all.”

“…Pardon? I don’t understand… could you explain in more detail?”

“Sigh… what I’m saying is, if I rescue Berik now, you’ll immediately be branded as an accomplice. That means you won’t be able to live in Pandera territory again.”

Despite my clear explanation, Wortman still tilted his head in confusion.

“What does that matter? If we can rescue Berik, I don’t need to live in Pandera territory.”

“…Huh?”

“This is my hometown, so I do have attachment to it. However, my friends are far more important to me. Village Chief Loris is suspicious, but since nothing has been proven yet, rescuing Berik is the priority. Even if I can never set foot in Pandera territory again.”

Oh?

I didn’t expect this.

It would certainly be beneficial for me to bring Berik and Wortman to Lake territory right now, regardless of what happened to the missing people.

But.

If I helped Berik escape from prison and diverted talented individuals like Wortman and Clara from Pandera to Lake territory, Village Chief Loris might plot something later.

It seemed best to tie up all loose ends definitively.

I cleared my throat at the unexpected response.

“Ahem! Then let’s make one promise.”

“What is it?”

“If I successfully rescue Berik, come work for me.”

“You want me to serve as a knight for House Alphonse?”

“Well, if that feels burdensome or complicated, you could join my mercenary group. It’s a bit more flexible there.”

Wortman spoke with a bewildered expression at the sudden proposal.

“…I’m not anyone special, so why would you make such an offer…”

No, you are special.

The problem is that you underestimate yourself, perhaps because Village Chief Loris has brainwashed you since childhood.

Feeling that telling him the truth might make him too proud, I spoke indirectly.

“You’ve been close with Jawill Wilson since childhood, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“Wouldn’t Jawill Wilson be happy if you came to Lake territory?”

“…Lord Selden Alphonse, you really take good care of Jawill Wilson.”

Though the direction was slightly different from my intention, as long as the destination was the same, it didn’t matter.

I scratched my head in embarrassment.

“Anyway, do you promise?”

“Alright. If you rescue Berik, I’ll dedicate my life to Lake territory.”

“However, I might not rescue him right away.”

“…Pardon?”

“If I talk with Berik and find definitive clues to solve the case, I’ll prioritize solving the case first.”

Wortman stammered with an expression of incomprehension.

“S-so you’re saying you’ll sneak into the prison and have a peaceful conversation with Berik?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I can manage it just fine.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Having mostly finished our conversation, I took a step toward the prison and spoke.

“How many floors does the prison have?”

“…It’s underground, but even I don’t know exactly where Berik is being held.”

“That’s enough. I’ll be back.”

Just as I was about to move, Wortman grabbed my collar firmly.

“W-wait a moment.”

“Ah! What now?”

“…Are you sure you don’t need my help?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“How are you planning to enter the entrance…”

“Just wait here quietly.”

I shook off his grip on my collar and trudged forward.

Wortman still seemed anxious, hiding behind a tree and biting his lip.

‘Has he been deceived his whole life?’

After giving Wortman a pitying look, I headed straight for the prison.

After pushing through trees with tangled branches, the prison came into view.

It must have been used as Pandera territory’s prison for quite some time, as the outer walls were old and covered with vines.

Perhaps that’s why?

It exuded a somewhat dark atmosphere.

‘A three-story prison…?’

The second and third floors were probably where the guards rested or slept, while the basement would be the actual prison, as Wortman had said.

From now on, agility was key.

“Lord Selden Alphonse…”

I reflexively turned my head at the sound of someone calling me from behind.

It was Wortman, still with a worried look in his eyes.

In an irritated voice, I whispered rapidly:

“Sigh… I told you to wait, so why did you follow me here?”

“But I still think it would be better if I—”

“Do you want to die?”

“…Pardon?”

“When you rescue Berik and come to Lake territory, I’ll treat you to a feast starting with the finest dishes. Look forward to it!”

“…WHAT?!”

Looking at Wortman’s expression full of question marks, I curled up the corners of my mouth.

“Invisibility.”

*Invisibility: When this skill is used, you become invisible. However, it is dispelled when casting magic or making physical attacks.