The Chronicles of a Lost Man in His Forties Founding a Nation ~Commonsense is Hindering Me From Becoming TUEE~ Chapter 73

“Apologies for the late hour. We are members of the Filsand Knight Order. Our protection target, the daughter of the Duke of Filsand, Elizabel-sama has gone missing. We request permission to inspect your room.”

From the other side of the door comes words beyond anything we had expected.

Reflexively, we exchange looks, but there is only bewilderment on everyone’s faces.

“Something like th-......”

As Claura was about to spit out a sharp, n.o.ble-like rebuke like her usual self, I raise a hand to silence her.

Then I pose a question in a serious tone, directed at everyone in the room.

“I’m asking this just in case, but…… Is anyone here in possession of the knowledge of the Duke’s daughter’s current whereabouts?”

“ “......” ”

Naturally, they all shake their heads in unison. And neither do I have a clue.

Incidentally, Ted and the three newcomer soldiers were a.s.signed rooms on a different floor, so they are not here.

“We are willing to cooperate with your search. However, a thorough explanation of the situation will be provided, yes?”

“Of course.”

Based on my reply, everyone inside the room understands that I intend to let these people in. Without any delay, they each lay hands on their weapons and equipment. That is a good reaction.

After receiving the Wizardry Staff that Leiha offers towards me, I nod at her.

“We will open the door now. Pay utmost care that you do not visit any disrespect towards Margils-sama.”

“Excuse us.”

While replying in a voice almost cold enough to be freeze when touched, Leiha opens the door, at which several knights wearing light armor enters the room.

“...... She’s not here.”

“Not here either.”

“We apologize for the bother.”

After the knights check out the bedroom and other rooms in the rear (I am apparently being treated as a VIP, so I was a.s.signed an entire suite), a veteran knight gives us an explanation.

“We are the Stars and s.h.i.+eld Knight Order, belonging to Filsand. I am Adahd, a True Knight. We have been unable to confirm Elizabel-sama’s whereabouts as of 1 hour ago. There has been no contact from the two knights that had been on escort duty…… which is why we are searching around like this.”

“...... Fumuu.”

There isn’t much more information than what they had already revealed with their first statement, but perhaps they themselves have yet to fully grasp the details of their current situation.

“With how large this Senpu Village is, is it not too hasty to be worried after going only a few hours without contact?”

So asks Claura with both hands on her waist, looking decidedly irked.

I think she has a point, though. It feels like I’m cooperating with a police investigation, but considering my standing, perhaps I should raise a word or two in complaint.

“That is…… no, Hime-sama is an important person for Filsand. It would not be strange for her life to be targeted at any given moment. Even though we have been given strict orders from the Duke of Filsand to not allow her out of our sight for even a split second……”

The True Knight Adahd must be very worried about Elizabel

-jou indeed. I see his face growing pale as his voice lowers into a mutter.

Still, to think that she would be targeted now. I needed to talk with her tomorrow about the trade route to Filsand, so the timing is truly the absolute worst.

On second thought, regardless of that, a young girl’s life is in danger. Though I barely know her and have yet to exchange even a proper word, I believe I should offer my aid here.

“Adahd-dono. If it is alright with you, we are also willing to help look for Elizabel-dono. Would that be fine with you?”

“Wh-......?!”

Caught off guard, Adahd opens his eyes wide. Is there a need to be that surprised?

“Um, that’s…… we have already caused you enough trouble. The safety of Hime-sama is our own duty, so……”

“Fumuu?”

What? Why is he refusing?

Which reminds me, the only knights that I know are in the Carbanera Knight Order, but even I am aware that they are a bit…… unique. Are most other knights in Sedia inflexible like this?

“However, isn’t your current top priority to confirm Elizabel-jou’s safety? I have a few spells in mind that would be useful for the search, but……”

“That is, umm…… Pardon me for saying this, but I don’t see how helping us would benefit you in any way……”

“I actually have a proposal that I wish to bring to her tomorrow, you see. It’s problematic for me if she is gone.”

“I see. But still……”

What is up with this guy, he seems more and more suspicious by the minute. More like, is this actually the plot twist where the knights that were supposed to protect her turn out to be after her life?

If only I had the ESP Medal in hand. But unfortunately, it’s inside my sling bag, which is currently inside the closet.

“Adahd-dono.”

As I turn reproachful eyes towards Adahd, a new knight flies into the room.

“——t——nd. ———se————her.”

“Is that so. Understood.”

The new knight whispers in Adahd’s ear to make sure we don’t hear, but when I look towards Leiha, she smiles and gives me a nod.

“Please pardon us, Margils-dono. We have determined Hime’s current whereabouts, and need to make our way to receive her now. We will come again at a later date to offer a formal apology.”

He must have been quite uncomfortable. After extending his farewells so quickly that we didn’t even have time to say anything in reply, he rounds up all his knights and promptly leaves my room.

♥♦♣♠

“What on earth was that?! I felt like I was watching a jester acting out a skit t.i.tled ‘Suspicious’!”

“I agree, nothing at all indicated their worry for Elizabel-hime.”

It seems that Claura and Irudo are largely in agreement with my opinion. Leid also has a sour look on his face.

“ ‘The two escorts have been found. It seems they were drugged. Hime-sama has apparently fled Senpu Village on a horse. We are currently making preparations to pursue her.’ ”

“Wh-?!”

“That is the message pa.s.sed onto Adahd just now, my lord.”

I whip around at hearing the voice of the knight who had come to report just now, but only see Leiha standing there looking slightly proud of herself. Oh right, she’s not only got sharp ears, she’s also a very convincing actress.

“Well done, Leiha.”

“Thank you very much.”

But with things like this, how should we move?

It seems that that Knight Order really is after that young lady’s life…… or at the very least, we know for sure that they used the term ‘flee’ to describe her departure.

Though the circ.u.mstances has changed a bit, there is still no way I can do nothing while knowing that a child might be killed.

Back when I first transferred over, I was quite hesitant about actively sticking my head into trouble. However, if I am to continue interacting with this world as a Great Wizard, this is no time to balk at something of this degree. But with that said, it’s not as simple as just going around acting as ‘an ally of justice.’

“Give me your opinions. Do you think it to be beneficial for us to go help Elizabel?”

“As we do not understand the full situation, that would be hard to answer. If she has committed some crime according to Filsand law, then it would hurt us to cover for her. On the other hand, if the Knight Order, or the person behind the Order, is plotting to a.s.sa.s.sinate her, then we would gain a huge favor from Filsand.” (Irudo)

“The way I see it, regardless of the circ.u.mstances, it would be greatly beneficial for us to first find her and confirm her safety. That’s how important someone related by blood to a ruling authority is, after all.” (Claura)

“Don’t ask me.” (Leid)

“Everything should be as my lord wills.” (Leiha)

It really hurts that we don’t have all the facts. Judging by the situation and atmosphere, this story seems to be that of a misfortunate young lady and the group of bad guys after her, but if we are talking about possibilities, we don’t know that she isn’t a serial murderer or a traitor to her country.

In other words, we can’t know the young lady’s true character if we don’t save her.

“Very well. Then allow me to change my question. Do you think we should help Elizabel?”

“Of course we should. She is a young girl around the same age as Mora, right?” (Irudo)

“More like, are you even considering abandoning her as a viable option?” (Claura)

“Do whatever you want.” (Leid)

“Everything should be as my lord wills.” (Leiha)

Hearing each one of them give the exact answer I had expected, a grin steals across my face.

If I was someone who would actually entertain the option of abandoning a young child, I’m sure everyone here would have already chosen to walk down a wiser path in life.

But of course, if this young lady truly turns out to be a criminal, then we will need to formally apologize to the Duke of Filsand, but…… at that time, we will have to catch her again by ourselves.

“My decision is that we will now all move to save Elizabel-jou.”

I immediately begin to mentally search for the skills that would help me to locate a Duke’s daughter riding a single horse through the dark night.