Not much time passed before the royal castle of Yggurle Kingdom was informed of Takumi and his companions’ visit to Sophia’s parent’s home.
First, they’ve been informed that the Dragon Horse Tsubaki and the Arachne Kaede who was said to be over S rankーー races which had no documentation of ever being tamed in the long-lived elves’ recordsーー had been tamed. Especially the Arachne Kaede, as it was not possible to predict how much damage it could inflict in Yggurle Kingdom where there are many forests.
The people in the royal castle of Yggule were racking their brains on how to deal with Takumi’s group.
Viscount Hordia who displayed his prowess in logistical support by leveraging his assets in the war 50 years ago, had risen to an Earl. The King intends to give consideration to Earl Hordia, formerly Viscount Hordia, who comes from a prestigious noble family with a long history.
Forselty van Yggurle
He has reigned over Yggule Kingdom as its king for over 200 years. Among the insular elves, he is said to be a wise king who promoted trading with Valkyra Kingdom and Lomaria Kingdom, and brought prosperity to Yggurle Kingdom.
「Your Majesty, what shall you do to the people who appeared at the Sylphide territory?」
「I will do nothing. The daughter simply returned home.」
It was an aged elf who inquired of Forselty. From the appearance of the aged elf, he is presumably over 700 years old. The man talking to Forselty was the prime minster of Yggurle Kingdom, Balza. A man who supported the kingdom for a long time.
「Our country does not prohibit the entry of adventurers. There is no action required from us.」
「Well, that is so, however the return of Miss Sophia is slightly troubling…………」
「Viscountー no, Earl Hordia, is it? Having aged much, he is still after that Sophia? If I remember rightly, that Sophia receiving serious injuries and becoming a prisoner during the last war was the deed of Earl Hordia.」
「………… Yes, as one would expect, there was no evidence that remained, thus he could not be held accountable. Furthermore, Miss Sophia receiving such a serious injury to the point she had become disabled was likely outside of Earl Hordia’s calculations.」
「Owing to that, Miss Sophia must have been spared. That man is lustful, dissimilar to elves.」
「Yes, had Miss Sophia been in perfect health, I assume he would locate her no matter which slavery company she was hidden in.」
Due to their longevity, the elven race has a low birthrate. Individuals advanced in age still full of carnal desire like Earl Hordia are few. Royalty and high ranking nobility have a duty to marry several wives, but elves that surround themselves with not just several wives but even mistresses like Earl Hordia likely did not exist.
「Still, is that old person truly an elf? Wasn’t he an orc mistaken for our kind?」
「Pfft, Your Majesty, it would be a problem if you were to say such things to retainers.」
「Balza, you laughed too. Haa, but the question is who cured the disabilities and dispelled the curse of Lord Sylphide’s daughter, Miss Sophia.」
「Individuals from a foreign country who can cure physical defect aside from our country’s treasure, Mimir-sama are,…………, that one certainly is a problem.」
To supplement, dispelling the Curse of Sealing is possible but not simple for anyone aside from Mimir. Those in Yggurle can be counted with one hand. That much is because Yggurle Kingdom is the country of elves proficient in magic, but that number of people is unimaginable in Valkyra Kingdom and Lomaria Kingdom. One could also assert that it can’t be done by quasi-priests of the Divine Empire of Sydnia.
「By the time the information reaches Earl Hordia, Miss Sophia would be returning to Valkyra Kingdom. It wouldn’t be a trouble.」
「And, there is. Miss Sophia’s master not only cured her physical disabilities and dispelled her curse, I heard he even released her from slavery. He is quite the personage.」
「Yes, and he also possesses the ability to make an arachne his familiar. Our country must keep a watchful eye.」
Having already caught hold of some information on Takumi, the intelligence division of Yggurle Kingdom appears to be excellent. They’ve grasped that Sophia’s disabilities were healed, and that she was released from slavery. As well as Kaede’s existence, an Arachne Unique Species which is a monster that has exceeded S rank.
「We can only pray that Earl Hordia does not do anything unnecessary.」
「Yes, truly……………」
Three days after Takumi and his companions’ visit to the Chevalier Sylphide territory, they were on their way home. It was then that a rumor had reached the ears of a certain man.
In a gorgeous mansion set up in one plot in the noble district of the royal capital was Earl Hordia whom had risen in rank from Viscount. In the master bedroom decorated by gaudy ornaments, an elderly man with an appearance of a deteriorating elf was yelling loudly at his subordinates. His body, which grew slack from habitual overindulgence and extravagance, shook as he scolded his subordinates.
「Why had you not brought her here!?」
「Iー, we, when the information reached us, they had already crossed the border……」
「Then locate her and bring her here!」
Bang!
Earl Hordia slammed on his desk and continued scolding his subordinates. The information from the subordinate stated that Sophia’s disability was fixed, and that the Curse of Sealing was also dispelled. The fact is that the beautiful Sophia from 50 years ago had been brought back; Earl Hordia will not hesitate.
「Master, Miss Sophia had once been bought as a slave. More so after that, it appears she’s serving a human now. It would be difficult to persuade her………… 」
「Are you a fool?! Who said to persuade her! I said to bring her here! Bring her here even if you must abduct her!」
「However, they have already set out to return to their country and have left the country. Furthermore, the creature pulling their carriage is a Ryuuma. It is not difficult, but impossible to reach them in the savage lands.」
Earl Hordia fell into a fit of rage at his subordinate who only commented negatively.
「Take her even if you must chase them to the ends of the earth!」
「Y-yes, I will make preparations immediately.」
Earl Hordia saw off his flustered, departing subordinate with a scowl.
The subordinate had issued instructions to the dark guild they’re connected to in Valkyra Kingdom. Given how elves mobilizing in a foreign country would be too conspicuous, they always make use of the dark guilds of different races for their dirty work.
This elderly man did not realize.
The strength of the A rank adventurer.
The significance of a monster exceeding S rank having been tamed.
Regarding Earl Hordia who had lived only within the small world known as Yggurle Kingdom, he would realize that his long life was of no use whatsoever in the outside world.
***
Sphy’s Note:
And so, that marks the end of Volume 3. I will take this time to take my usual break. I’ll be back in 1 week / 2 updates’ worth of a break, then coming on 3rd update (July 13-14 depending on where you are) for the start of Volume 4. ?
p.s. IMO facts about Kaede are not really a secret at this point considering they never tried to hide it. lol