(Not to the body though)
That said, even if his mouth tore, there was no way he could have said 「I didn’t kill them」. That was not only to protect himself, but also for Erika.
「Fuh, worthless」
But as Erika’s crying face flashed in his mind, by the time Kazuki realized it, he was already asking Juno about Erika’s condition.
「How’s the condition of the girl with the weak constitution?」
「That is, today her condition has gotten worse ～. As Harold-sama had told, it might be good to consider going back to the Sumeragi territory so that she gets better ～」
「By the way, does Harold-sama know about the cause of Erika-sama falling ill ～?」
「As if. I’m not a doctor」
「That’s a pity ～. Since you could create that medicine, I was sure that you were quite knowledgeable in illnesses ～」
「If you’re worried, ask your family doctor to examine her. Even if you stay here, it’ll simply be needlessly prolonged」
(From the report given by the scout division, it seems as though he has been frequenting the agricultural sector ～………)
(She isn’t able to move due to the fear and confusion)
「After finishing that, inform the kitchen to prepare a light meal. And also, call Norman here. Don’t tarry」
「Ye, yes!」
「I’m sorry for being late」
「Sit down and wait」
「You woke up late today. Maybe the fatigue is piling up?」
「There’s no problem. I just had some trouble falling asleep」
「Then, it’s fine」
「Well, because of that, I had some time to rack my brain」
Kazuki (Harold) raised the corners of his mouth. Looking at that expression, Norman understood.
「Is it regarding the shortage of personnel?」
「Right. We talked about bringing in people from the outside and having them co-operate, right?」
「Is there a plan we could use?」
「I called you here to confirm whether it wold work or not」
「So, regarding the people co-operating from outside, is it possible to form a contract with merchants based on the rights of LP farming method after showing how beneficial it is?」
Norman, while admiring Kazuki’s (Harold’s) plan, enquired about the part which bothered him.
「So, do you any leads regarding a company?」
「No. Including that, I wanted to hear Jake’s and your opinion」
「With no intermediary, if we suddenly approach a company with the proposal, they wouldn’t accept it. If it is an administration by an individual merchant, as expected the manpower wouldn’t be enough……」
If it was an intermediary, Harold’s parents knew many of them. However, for the proposal to be properly conveyed, they must make the existence of LP farming known, and Kazuki thought that it was still premature for that.
「So, this means that we still haven’t found a way to implement it at the present state」
「Unfortunately. But I think that allying with a merchant is a good plan」
「Then, we’ll concentrate the talks towards that direction. Convey the plan to Jake too」
「Understood. The problem is how to find a merchant who can be trusted」
After that, the 2 people talked about this and that, but the discussion didn’t progress any further.
◇
But the person himself, who seemed as though he wouldn’t even mind that poisonous tongue, walked with a pace as though he had gotten used to it, until he came in front of the door and though he knocked on it, strictly ordered to do so by the owner of the room recently, to check whether he was present inside, there was no answer.
「Harold-sama? Are you there?」
「Hello, Erika-sama」
Turning around with sluggish movements, as though noticing Zen’s existence only due to that voice, Erika widened her eyes by a little.
「Good day. You are………」
「Ah, I am called Zen. What happened to Juno-san?」
Seeing Erika alone which was unusual, he asked that question. No way, maybe she got into an argument and is dispirited- he guessed wildly, but it was completely off the mark.
「She is going towards the town for some personal business」
「So it was like that. And so, why are you here……… maybe, do you have some business with Harold-sama?」
「Don’t you know?」
「Err…., regarding what?」
「That Harold-sama killed a servant by using magic」
「Re, regarding that, how should I say it……..」
「Aah………..although I have heard that kind of plausible rumor being spread about in public, it can’t be confirmed whether it is really true or not and since its authenticity isn’t definite, I’m hesitant to ask Harold-sama………」
「Harold-sama confirmed that that rumor was true. In the first place, since the one who was killed was a person working here, even you should know that it is the truth, right?」
「Uhh………」
「And yet, why do you……..No, by doing what could one follow Harold-sama like you do?」
Although she understood it, wavering between her responsibility and emotions, Erika didn’t know how to convince herself.
「Erika-sama, can you come with me?」
That was why, even though the unreliable adult (himself) had poor ability, if he could support them, then even if he incurred Harold’s displeasure or even if he was abandoned, he wouldn’t mind it.
「Just a little bit, please give me your time. There is a matter that I want you to listen to」
Author –
For the time being, the plan is to have the misunderstanding regarding Harold completely solved next time.
