Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 291

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 291 – Leonard, Batz, and the Playboy (Woman) Part 1

“So, you’re saying you don’t know anything? I find that hard to believe.”

It was approximately two hours after the battle between Chris and Man-Eater.

At the Baron Albero mansion, located near the port of Strohm—

“I told you, I don’t know. Or what? You don’t believe me, even when you look into my eyes?”

“To be honest, I don’t believe you one bit.”

“Hmph… Really? You’re as noble as I am, yet you’re so stubborn.”

The two of them sat facing each other in the grand hall of the mansion. Leonard and Laila Albero, formerly known as Light.

Batz stood guard behind Leonard while the Black and Royal Knights secured the perimeter.

Growing increasingly weary, Leonard sank into the soft sofa. His gaze hardened as he watched the cheerful young lady dressed as a man before him.

“The head of the house and his wife vanished. It’s not normal for the sole heir to know nothing about it, is it?”

“That’s true, but I think… Listen, nobles have many secrets. Maybe Father and Mother simply couldn’t bring themselves to tell me their secret. Isn’t that enough?”

She swept her ruby-colored hair aside and smiled with practiced ease.

Although this was essentially an interrogation, not a trace of tension emanated from Light.

“I understand what you’re trying to say. However, this time, the matter is different.”

“Hmph… I know it won’t get through to you civil officials and knights. But you see, nobles have so many pointless constraints—”

“My father is Duke Fors, the current head of the Ministry of Justice. The man behind me is Baron Crim’s son. He commands several forts in the western part of the continent. Sorry to say, but we’re not the commoners you’re talking about.”

Leonard felt uneasy flaunting his father’s power, but the other side had also used their status as a shield.

Leonard nodded to Batz, who stepped forward.

“So, yeah. Our rank isn’t that high, but we’re both baronial houses. Anyway, let’s get along.”

“Huh… My apologies.”

“Don’t give Leonard too much trouble, okay? He might seem cool-headed, but he can get heated quickly. I’d like you to spill the beans before he cracks.”

Leonard then jabbed Batz in the side. When Leonard told him not to say unnecessary things, Batz gave a sheepish, awkward smile.

“How old are you guys? I just turned seventeen this summer.”

“Cut the small talk. Get to the question.”

“It’s fine, just this much. I don’t tell the girls in town my age, so this is special just for you two, okay?”

His—or rather, her—smile always drew attention when used in front of the guild, but unfortunately, it didn’t work on the two of them.

“I’m fifteen. Leonard will be fifteen after the new year.”

She and Leonard didn’t get along.

Noticing this, Batz cut in before Leonard could say anything.

“So, should I call you Light?”

“Of course. I go by Light outside.”

“Well, we’re inside now, but whatever. I heard that you process materials from hunted monsters and add value to them, like a merchant guild. Where does that money go?”

“No idea.”

“Huh? You don’t know?”

Light’s voice, answering Batz, was bright and cheerful, as if it were perfectly natural.

“Don’t you find it strange that I could become an adventurer? I’m a noble, you know?”

“Well, the crown prince who leads the war effort is nearby. Sorry, but I don’t find that remarkable.”

“Ah, His Highness is amazing, isn’t he? I’d love to have a chance to speak with him, even just once.”

“Don’t make fun of me. So, what’s your point?”

“I’m not trying to make fun of you, you know. It’s simple. I can only be an adventurer if I gave ninety percent of my earnings to the house.

That was incredibly unreasonable.

Even with the remaining ten percent, she wouldn’t earn much unless she was a top-tier adventurer.

Batz and Leonard exchanged perplexed glances.

“I’ve made some amazing discoveries, too. Like a beautiful mirror studded with jewels? I thought, ‘Wow, this is incredible,’ only to realize the jewels were actually my own face.”

“Well, that’s great. If you don’t stop joking around, I might just hire a craftsman to work on your face, too.”

“Haha, you have better taste than this guy!”

Whether the sarcasm was understood or met with more sarcasm, Light’s expression remained refreshingly unburdened.

At the very least, it didn’t seem like she was acting or hiding anything.

“…So it’s not your ears; it’s your head that’s the problem?”

The word “exasperation” flashed through Leonard’s mind as he felt drained by their exchange.

It might sound good to say the venom had been drained, but deep down, he still couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility that it was all an act.

“That’s hurtful. If you’re here as a messenger to this mansion, shouldn’t you value courtesy a bit more?”

“Sorry, but that’s unnecessary. If you want me to be courteous, you should at least answer seriously.”

“I think I’m being perfectly serious, don’t you? I’m answering you, who showed up out of nowhere, with all due courtesy, aren’t I?”

Then, perhaps because Leonard’s patience was nearing its limit, he abruptly stood up.

“—So you, you—”

“…Hey, calm down, Leonard.”

Batz restrained him with his large palm.

Pushing Batz aside somewhat forcefully, Leonard leaned his body forward.

“All right, first things first. Just to be safe, I’m going to have you walk me through how the money came to you again.”

“Ah, that would be a big help.”

“And—”

Deciding to reset the situation, he ignored Leonard, who was getting worked up, and said,

“Don’t butt in too much. If we’re going to have interrogations like today’s from now on, we’ll have to change our methods.”

“Hmm, like what, for example? I’d appreciate it if you didn’t do anything that might scar my pretty face.”

Such actions weren’t typically taken against nobles suspected of minor offenses.

That was why Light stood there confidently, her expression relaxed. She’d probably just shrug it off, even if she lost her title.

Knowing this, Batz grinned back, looking downright mischievous.

“We’ll approach the guild. Stripping you of your adventurer status? Well, it’s not impossible.”

“H-hey, hey, hey… W-wait a minute… That’s got nothing to do with this, right!?”

Her panic stemmed from her attachment to being an adventurer. Batz calmly pointed out that she had chosen this path and sacrificed substantial rewards.

“If you don’t like it, I’d appreciate it if you answered more seriously next time. Well, that’s enough for today. See you later.”

Leonard and Light both looked displeased, but Batz pulled Leonard away, ending the fruitless interrogation.

Once they stepped outside, Leonard brushed Batz’s hand away.

“How long are you going to drag me around?! Honestly!”

“…Honestly is the word for you. What the hell are you doing?”

A fist swung lightly and connected with a thud against the back of Leonard’s head.

“Where’d your usual cool head go? You’re useless today, Leonard.”

“Wh—what—Batz! What are you suddenly—!”

“You know why. You’re just chasing after that guy anyway. But calm down.”

“So, what are you—”

Batz gently placed a hand on Leonard’s head and lowered his voice as if to admonish him.

“You’re rushing to get results because of Ain, aren’t you?”

“…That’s not—”

“It is, isn’t it? Damn it! You were like this during the monster field training, too. You’re surprisingly weak under pressure.”

“…”

“He’s not the kind of guy to leave his friends behind. How many years have we been buddies?”

“But His Highness personally requested this—”

Leonard was too honest.

Usually, that worked in his favor, but in situations like this, when things got big, his lack of experience showed.

Not even graduating second in his class from the top academy in the great nation of Ishtalika could change that.

“Besides, I’m the one who’s fallen the furthest behind. Roland’s the one who’s advanced the most, right? That guy’s amazing. He’s become a famous engineer all over the continent.”

Leonard was the star of today’s job. Batz had merely come along as an escort and hadn’t been asked or assigned any work.

Batz showed a hint of self-mockery, but his concern for Leonard outweighed it.

“Besides, you know those adventurer types? Some of them are smooth-talking troublemakers. I just happened to get along with them because of my dad. I bet you could’ve handled it better than usual.”

“…Are you trying to comfort me? I haven’t fallen so low that I need your pity!”

“Ah, fine, fine. I’ll expect the usual Leonard next time.”

“Being comforted by you… Well, whatever. I suppose I’ll accept a little gratitude.”

Brushing off Leonard’s feigned embarrassment, Batz stepped ahead and said,

“Let’s swing by Ain’s place on the way back. I want to report today’s events to Marco.”

“Hey! I told you before, use ‘sama’ for his title!”

“And if he has time, maybe we can hear some stories about Ain on the way back.”

The rest would be left to the Royal Knights. Most likely, an official dispatched from the capital would visit Light’s residence tomorrow for questioning and such.

Leonard was disappointed that things hadn’t gone as planned, but Batz’s words quickly lifted his spirits. The two left Baron Alberro’s mansion without delay.

They set the carriage in motion, heading for the mansion where Ain lived.

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