The Incident in the Middle of the Night
夜中の事件
With backings from the [Hunter’s Guild], the matters about the faulty crimes such as treason and embezzlement are slightly alleviated. Well, it can’t completely disappear as the one who has circulated the allegations are nobles, but the church who has somehow backed the claims of the couple’s innocence had made it easier to deal with small time merchants in need of local trade.
The market also became available to us, providing us with the necessary ingredients and materials for our menu. Certain departments also opened to us giving us more leeway to do business trade with the [Merchant’s Guild] for additional equipment and tools needed for the remodeling of the mansion.
While I still hunt and forage in the forest, I only do it whenever the [Lumberjack Department] needs to enter deep into the forest. Since this will become the job the [Hunters] will do soon, I think hunting in the area will become a problem if I don’t restrain myself.
With business moving on our side, a redo of the Soft Opening was in order, to accommodate some new customers who had not even tried to get too close to the [Lover’s Nest] due to the Town Elder’s influence. To lure the hesitant ones, we slightly lowered the price which many took bait.
There were also those who are quite happy that the [Hunter’s Guild] will be operational in town again. Without the Guild, the townspeople had to rely on the [Local Militia] for escorts who would then do it for higher escort fees.
With the [Hunter’s Guild] the pay will be metered by both distance and danger associated with the area traveled. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the payment will be of fair assessment for both the client and the Hunter.
With budget from the Guild, left behind by Albia Folbes to ensure the mansion will be ready to operate the [Hunter’s Guild Amarante Branch] before the selected [Hunters] be sent here week’s time, we were able to do more renovations.
With that, the [Lover’s Nest] can add more tables and remodel the entire first floor to accommodate both a diner and a reception. The reception area will handle transactions regarding [Hunter Operations]. Requests from locals, which will then be handle as quests by Hunters.
Thankfully, the local carpenters had willingly taken the job as per recommendation from old man Arldo. It will probably take a while before the diner can accommodate a larger crowd, but for now, there should not be any problem regarding the operation of the diner.
*****
“The actual Guild Operation can only start after the remodeling of the mansion.” This was Albia Folbes farewell. “6 Hunters will be dispatch as your primary agents.”
The Guild doesn’t want to have a lot of fledgling Hunters in a newly opened Guild House, as there is a need for instructors to teach the ropes of being a hunter to the entre levels Hunters, but the real reason lies with the fact that a treasure trove secretly lies deep in the forest. That is why the Guild has arranged for Ranked Hunters to join as Local Hunters to survey the dungeon as soon as possible.
“Don’t worry, I will ensure to select the Hunters who have knowledge about your current circumstances and could also act as your bodyguard at the same time…” Albia assured the couple, but then trailed off to look at me. “But then again maybe it is unwanted.”
“We will be in your care.” The couple could only respond. I don’t know why, but I sense a little sorrow from their answers. But, for now I did not dwell on it too much.
“And I don’t think I need to remind you to keep about that ‘thing’ a secret, yes?”
“We will.”
And… with that Albia Folbes left Amarante, in a seven days’ time the six selected Hunters will come in her place.
Now, with the dual protection from the Church and the Guild, the Romaria can finally conduct their business in peace. Or so that was how we had imagined, but never in our wildest thoughts that the noble in control of this place is quite persistent and would do something to get what they want or erase anyone they want a day after the contract from the Guild has been closed.
2 days after the redo of the soft opening, while the veteran hunters could arrive were still weeks away, we had unwanted visitors cloaked in the dead of the night.
*****
The 18th bell had just sounded which marked the closing of the Lover’s Nest. Removing the grease from the kitchen’s grease trap, thoroughly cleaned toilets, and the dining hall sanitized. We then checked for ingredients and did minor preparations to ensure that our opening will be slightly easier. After our rounds doing sanitation and preparation for tomorrow a well deserve rest was in order.
It was then that I had noticed an anomaly just outside the mansion. I thought this was just grudge from those who hated the couple, so ignored it but while we were resting, two shadows came and enter the kitchen.
“If you are here for food then I am sure the Lady and his Lordship will provide for you” unfortunately for them, my Danger, KI, and MANA perception was already at a high level that I noticed them even before they entered the house. “However, if you are here for another reason, I’m afraid I will have to dispose of you.”
“Ran, light it!” the taller of the two, a male named Ran started to frantically light his torched with a mechanical flint. While the other a female started to dash towards me with a dagger on her hand.
“Hyaaaa!”
She was fast for her age if it were an amateur, they would had been killed right there and there from her hands. Unfortunately, she was dealing with no amateur. After she had lounged, I quickly sidestepped, flicked her wrist, and removed the knife from her hands.
The one named Ran was still trying to light the area with the magical flint. Unknown to him, I had opened the magical refrigerator and dampened the air making it hard to light a fire.
With the girl immobilized. I used her body and rammed her against the boy named Ran subduing them both.
*****
“Ace, is something the matter?” The commotion was greater than I expected as Lady Anna and Sir Heid went down to the kitchen. Only to find me wrestling with two children.
“Yes, unfortunately we have unwanted guests.” and gestured at the two who were pinned down on the floor.
“We can’t talk to them if they are in that state.” While Lady Anna was shocked seeing the flint and the knife on the floor, she was a bit concerned with the kids restrained and instructs me to let them sit on the chair.
“Are you hungry?” trying to lighten the mood Lady Anna then looks them at eye level and asked them a simple question.
The two however did not answer. They did not even bother to look her in the eyes. Unfortunately, their own bodies betrayed them.
guuuuu
I could see the girl turn red on her cheeks, while the boy just lowered his head. I guess they were just that hungry.
“Well, battles are first fought in the stomach. We still have some leftovers that can be reheated, why don’t you two wash your hands for some light dinner.” Sir Heid also tried to brighten the mood. “Ace, why don’t you help them wash their hands, I will help Anna prepare the food.”
So, we busied ourselves for our unwanted guest. I helped the two wash their hands making sure that they feel my presence to stop them from running away. With the lights turned on, I was able to see the face of the two. They were twins.
Resembling each other both had silver hair. However, that was the end for their similarity, while the boy named Lan had his hair cut short, the girl -Ran, had her long hair freely flowed at her back.
The boy was slightly taller but for some reason, the girl seemed to be more dominant.
While we are on the subject, although I was glistening at their silver flocks, I was not too shocked about it. I mean Lady Anna’s chamomile and sir Heid’s fiery red hair already took me by surprised. I could only say, ‘As to be expected of another world’.
Upon closer inspection, both twin’s hands were riddled with lash marks, if I am to guess the two are probably abused to the point that fear has crippled their own judgement. Noticing that, I then cut off their restraints. Both were stunned with my action, while they could have made a run for it, a call from the diner came. “Food is ready.”
Upon hearing those words and smelling the aroma that came with it, both their stomach had growled yet again, making them unable to run even if they wanted to.
With the foods served, their hunger clearly became evident as the two instantly devoured them as if they were nothing.
The amount they had eaten was so much that I think we will have to wake early to do more preparations. Well, it can’t be helped, the two in question seems to be satisfied… or perhaps looking at Lady Anna’s face made me realize that if she was okay with it, waking up early was of no consequence to us.
Since the two has finally eaten their share. Questions were finally in order.
“Now can you tell us why you are here?” Sir Heid did not even mention the words assault or burning the house. Despite him slightly on the younger side and the fact that he has no children of his own, he is surprisingly good at questioning children.
“Paid… burn… house!” the younger male spoke just with fragmented words. From the way they talked, I thought that they were at least educated. They must have been unable to talk normally for quite some time. Just as I did when I first came back from the mysterious island. “Will be separated… if not succeed.” The older female continued for his younger brother all the while clutching her brother’s hand even harder.
These kids were probably disposable pawns. For the master plan of burning the mansion to the ground. Even if caught, they can just push it aside saying that the children are petty thieves or cons trying to swindle for money. The two probably know this but proceeded anyway as they were threatened to be separated.
“What were they thinking, sending these kids!?” Anger and frustrations were swelling within Sir Heid. I could not agree more, the same detest was visible on my face. As a teacher in the previous world the thought of sending children to do vile acts for adults made me revolt in anger. From the looks of it, this two had probably prepared to die together too in case they had failed.
“Can you tell me your names?” Lady Anna, who also looked concerned, continued the conversation by inquiring for their names.
“Len.” the boy probably 13 or 14 spoke first. His voice did not betray the malice that was evident when they had tried to burn the place.
“…Ran.” The girl who was quite unsure followed with her name after eyeing her brother and couple, she did not bother looking at me though.
“Since it is already night.” Sir Heid wanted to ask about the perpetrators, but there really was no point questioning the two, as they probably did not know why or who sent them. So, he moved to close the issue with them for now and wait for morning to do the things that needs to be done. “How about you stay here for the night, if you feel like going back to where you were before, we won’t stop you. However, know that you are welcome to stay here.”
It said well, it was a stronger bind than the ropes I used earlier. I could see that the two were a bit hesitant but after a few silent deliberations, the twins opt to stay here even if the world does not want them to.
The twin’s bed was beside the couples, I was slightly away since the bookroom had become my quarters. I am positive that the two will do no harm to the couple, but I still could not completely fall asleep as I was thinking about this issue a little bit more.
“Now what to do with this?”