Volume 5 Chapter 12
「Alright, take them to the station!」
The captain gave the order, and the guards dragged the three men out.
「Marquis Kisaragi, you can leave the rest to me. I will run word to the castle first thing in the morning」
「Un, thank you. I will explain the situation to His Majesty as well「
「Ha! By the way…… Can I shake your hand? I’ve been a fan for a long time, it is an honour to finally meet you」
He held out his hand shyly, I gave him a smile and shook his hand.
「It’s an honour to meet you too. Thank you for having my back, I’ll leave the rest to you「
「Yes, sir! Excuse me」
The captain hurried to catch up to the rest of the guards.
I let out a breath I did not know I was holding.
I guess this fiasco is over now…… Glad everyone got out of it safely.
「Touya-san」
Saya hugged me strongly, and I gently placed my hand on her back and hugged her.
「So relieved. I made it in time……」
「Yes, I did not doubt you would come for me, Touya-san…… You are my hero after all」
She looked up with her arms still around me.
「The children will be overjoyed as soon as they see you. The ones who were taken along with you are with Lumina, safe and sound」
「That is true. But for now, let me stay like this for a little while」
Saya buried her face in my chest.
I slowly stroked her silky hair and she closed her eyes pleasantly.
After hugging her for a little while, we both left the mansion.
Outside, the guards were tying the hands of the private guards behind their backs one by one. They did not have the nerve to fight back now that Viscount McGrath had also been captured.
A carriage was waiting to carry all of them, and they were all packed inside together.
The three prime suspects, Viscount McGrath, the Chairman of Suane Merchant Guild and the superintendent were among them.
Viscount McGrath eyes followed me, staring at me with burning hatred. I cannot say I deserve it, considering the circumstances.
The superintendent and the Chairman looked down in shame, probably out of despair for what is to come.
Punishment for those found involved in human trafficking are either a death sentence, a beheading, or to work the rest of their days in a mine. Viscount McGrath had heftier punishment coming his way.
I doubt that His Majesty will have an inkling to forgive him, on the off chance he does, I will not forgive him.
How many children were sold before this discovery? I can’t imagine. I’m sure the interrogation will reveal.
I stood in front of the three men.
「What you have committed is unforgivable. I will personally report to His Majesty tomorrow. You can expect severe repercussions」
Viscount McGrath averted his gaze from, but the superintendent looked up at me and spoke up.
「Wh, why didn’t you reveal who you were until now……? Even during the audit, you pretended to be only an adventurer……」
「That’s because I don’t have jurisdiction over orphanages. That’ll be Viscount McGrath over here. If I had revealed my status, the audit would not have been considered. That’s not what I want. They may be under my protection, but they’re still a regular orphanage」
「…… I see. That’s why……」
The superintendent looked down once more, looking defeated.
A small misdeed in this world can be overlooked. I could act like a normal adventurer, and not a noble, to even offer an official bribe, in the end it’s trivial evil.
A matter of human life is a different story. It is disgusting to treat children as mere commodities.
And this time, he attacked Saya and her children. I will never forgive them.
We bid farewell to the captain and returned to the orphanage.
Kokuyou had been waiting at the side of the compound. I climbed on his back again, taking Saya into my arms.
「Kokuyou, let’s go back to the orphanage」
He lifted his chin up slightly and began trotting slowly toward the orphanage.
When we arrived, the children all came pouring out.
「Saya-neechan!」
The children embraced Saya as a group. The children who had been captured by the Suane Merchant Guild were part of them.
Lumina was the last to come out.
「It’s Touya, figured as much. Glad to see you back safe, Saya」
「Yes, Lumina, thank you for taking care of them」
「No, I knew I couldn’t save you by myself. You can always count on Touya」
I shook my head at what she was suggesting.
There was only so much I could do on my own, even at the Suane Merchant Guild, to retrieve the children.
Lumina’s presence was the only reason we could save the children right away.
When I honestly put it into words, Lumina’s cheeks turned tinge of red, looking bashful.
「Touya…… It’s not fair to hit on someone at a time like this…… Even if it is you……」
No…… I’m just honestly thanking her, why would I be hitting on her?
I’ll only invite trouble if I am that careless.
As I scratched my cheek realizing my predicament, Kokuyou suddenly chewed on my head sweetly.
I think he thinks I forgot about his part in this whole rescue mission.
Yes, I should thank him too.
「Thank you to you too, Kokuyou」
His tail wagged happily from words of gratitude.
「Touya-niichan, thank you for saving Saya-neechan」
The children who had been hugging Saya surrounded me before I knew it.
「Ah, Saya and you guys are important to me. I’ll help you if anything should happen」
I patted the children who had come to embrace me on the head in turn.
「Look, it’s almost morning. I’ll cook breakfast for you guys today!」
「「「Yay!」」」
I went inside the orphanage, with a bright clear sky overhead and the happy children around me.
◇◇◇
After breakfast with the kids, I headed to the castle in the early morning.
I greeted the guards and went straight inside. I was guided to the reception room and waited, and then His Majesty came in with the Crown Prince and Char.
I stood up to greet them, but His Majesty with a hand gesture ordered me to take a seat.
「Details of yesterday’s events have come to my attention, although they were brief. May I hear it from you, Touya-dono?」
「Yes, of course」
I tell them what has transpired up until this point. I did however leave out the part about bribes I had given to the officials. Trivial detail.
「I did not expect this from Viscount McGrath…… His father had a great love for children, so much so that he was in charge of the Imperial orphanages. Sadly, he lost his life in the last war. I did not know that the child who succeeded him would turn out like this…… I am sorry for your troubles, Touya」
「No…… The orphanage I patronize just happened to get involved……」
「Hmmm…… So, about his successor, Touya, why don’t you take over?」
I appreciate his faith in me, but I am still an adventurer. I have no intention of supervising a government office.
I will spend some time in the Capital, but there will be times when I want to leave the Capital on requests.
「About that…… Why not leave it to Her Highness Charlotte?」
「Eh!? Me!?」
Even though she is surprised, I knew that she often escapes the castle to visit the orphanage.
She always had Al as an escort everywhere, but at the orphanage, Charlotte mostly played with children, more than taking care of them.
If it is Char, I would feel safe entrusting the children to her.
「If the royal family is protecting them, it is very unlikely that something like this will ever happen again. I’m certain Her Highness Charlotte will be able to keep the smiles of the children」
His Majesty thought for a moment and then nodded understandingly.
「Indeed…… Charlotte isn’t doing anything at the moment. With an escort, we shouldn’t have any problem. I’ll leave it to you, Charlotte」
「Yes, Father. Leave the children to me. It will be perfect practice for when I have children with Touya-sama」
I and His Majesty chuckled at Char’s statement.
「……O, Okay. I’ll leave it to you」
There is nothing wrong with it since we are officially engaged, but she’s being rather quick.
I get up from my seat, not risking what more can be said if I stay longer.
「I’ll take my leave now」
「Eh, since you are here, I wanted to discuss our future plans as well……」
I leave the room, not exactly hiding that I am running away from Char’s words.
I looked up at the beautiful blue sky, smiled to myself and decided to go back to my residence.
Ruuùnnnnnnnnnnnnn