Chapter 82: Let’s Hear the Chicks’ Information (Part III)
The commercial city closest to the royal capital Barlon. That was this town of Barlere.
Besides the highway from the Tarbal territory, there was another highway to the south leading to the Crotela Count territory, and another to the south leading to the Splur Count territory. Barlere was also the key transportation hub for those leaving Barlon toward the west.
Because of its extremely important location, even though it wasn’t as grand as Fortress City Felbane, the town had outer walls and was enclosed.
On the way here, we had stayed overnight in villages with no monster or thief attacks, and it had been very peaceful.
『Why is there no monster or thief attack while I’m on guard... It’s such a waste of a chance to show off my real power~』
Garbo complained while dramatically sighing.
Yeah, it was safer without attacks during travel.
Logan and the others who had gone to Bahana village had already returned and joined the group.
So Garbo returned to his original position from the temporary leader role.
This commercial city of Barlere had the longest line of carriages in front of the entrance gate of any town so far. And for the first time, we saw a carriage stopped in front of the noble-only gate.
"As expected of a commercial city like Barlere. A lot of people coming and going. Even nobles must be the same."
Lord Fenberg muttered while looking at the gate.
As we got closer to the capital, the flow of people clearly increased.
We arrived in Barlere as dusk was falling.
We were supposed to head straight to the inn for the night and rest our bodies and horses tomorrow. So tomorrow we could walk around town and shop.
...Of course, it depended on the report from the Chick army that night.
After dinner, I quickly went to the assigned room and locked myself in.
Then I waited for Chick Captain to arrive with the information report.
Knock knock.
"Chick Captain, good work."
『Haha! All Ten Generals are here!』
"Ah, thanks for coming. Then I’ll leave the report to you."
『Understood. Report will begin immediately...』
Chick Captain started calling out the ranks as usual, but...
『Bo-Boss! When will we reach the royal capital?! Mami-chan from Mamma Miya is in trouble! Mami-chan is in trouble!»
『Rina-chan the dark elf is in trouble! Rina-chan is in trouble!»
First in Rank Leopard and Second in Rank Crusader were crying tears of complaint and pleading with me, completely ignoring their report.
Hey, what happened to your royal capital information?
『Boss! Sister Henri from the orphanage is in trouble! Sister Henri is in trouble!»
『The widow of Baron Harknar! Duke Teraelo’s hand is already right in front of her!»
Third in Rank Cromwell and Fourth in Rank Centurion pushed past Leopard and Crusader to plead.
『The sisters at Poporo Restaurant are at their limit!»
『Poor Alie-chan... she’s so pitiful...』
Fifth in Rank Vickers and Sixth in Rank Carden were still going strong.
No new information at all. I was getting a headache wondering if they were even doing their job.
I was holding my head when Seventh in Rank Callor and Eighth in Rank Kurecia jumped in.
『Boss, please help!』
What happened?
『Marin-chan, who works collecting garbage in the south district, seems to be injured in her leg and is really affecting her work. I want to help her, but...』
A new rescue request had appeared!
『The royal capital security captain who just took office, Clarice Spellcio, is being pulled down a lot by the people around her and conspiracies. If this continues, it might cause trouble for the royal capital security. We need countermeasures, right?』
For now, leaving aside Callor’s Marin-chan, the fact that Clarice, the royal capital security captain, is in trouble is actually pretty important information.
Whether Clarice is excellent and envied, or just a scheming person who climbed using flattery and backroom deals, would change how we respond.
『Kurecia. While I’m in the capital, dig up all the information on Clarice Spellcio. From birth to becoming captain, her personality, and why she’s being held back. Everything.』
『Understood.』
Kurecia always does the best work.
『Boss, Ninth in Rank Tiger and Tenth in Rank Sentinel were sent to check the Caso village and spring area.』
『『Haha!』』
Tiger and Sentinel answered Chick Captain’s explanation.
I had a bad feeling... The way they were phrased sounded a bit off.
『We confirmed the Caso village and spring area.』
"I see. How about them?"
『The village, the spring, and the temple are all peaceful and safe!』
"..."
I knew it! I had a feeling that would be the answer!
Even if it’s peaceful, of course there’s no complaint!
『Later, the temple is overflowing with vegetables donated to Boss.』
『Have the chief of Caso village distribute them among the villagers.』
『Hahaha!』
Hahaha?! No way!
If the temple has a mountain of vegetables that no one there can eat, it’s just a waste!
Do I even need to think about rules for the temple...?
I felt like I had picked up another headache.
—-
Morning——
Waking up felt complicated.
Yesterday night’s Chick army report...
Not only had the number of rescue requests increased, but I had even publicly declared that my own "my home" was a temple, leaving me drained.
On top of that, Chick Captain himself was apparently going to Cassina Princess’s place again and was passionately saying he wanted to save her.
"Even if I jumped from here right now, wouldn’t I turn into a bird?"
That was what she said, wasn’t it? "Suicide is bad! Absolutely!" I had to persuade her not to do it, which was tough...
Even if they said things like that, it was still a problem.
But there was good information.
Or rather, there was actually no new information.
What I mean is that my presence in the royal capital wasn’t being talked about much at all.
According to Lord Fenberg, the King personally wanted to see me, and the royal family had summoned me for the audience.
I was worried that someone in the castle or palace might say something like "Who the hell is this guy?" but Chick Captain’s report showed no such reaction.
Among the nobles gathered in Barlon, there was apparently no information about anyone especially hostile to me.
...Still, looking at the Chicks’ reactions recently, I can’t say I’m 100% confident in the accuracy of the information.
