Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 194: Encounter

"A girl……… . . Wearing dress? 」

The village chief repeated Lucius' question with a pale face. Seeing the unusual pallor, Lucius looked at the village chief with sharp eyes, and questioned the village chief with unusual patience.

「Ya, a girl in her teens. Her hair color is light purple and for a noble lady, she is a person who rarely looks soft, but .....

「…………」

As the village chief listened, his face turned pale.

「What's up？ You look unwell, village chief. Is it related to you stopping all the villagers from doing their job? 」

Lucius grinned as he continued to look at the village chief, his eyes holding a glint of victory in them.

「T-No! This is………… . . What is his name again ... Uhm ………. The truth is…… . 」

The village chief stuttered, trying his best to explain or find an acceptable reason to give to Lucius.

「Oh well, no need to rush. You can take the time to tell us about your story. In return, I will tell you about our matters as well, however, it is not something that can be spoken out in the open, especially since we are operating under the direct orders of this kingdom right now. Therefore, it is best if we go to a safe place like your house to talk to each other. Don't tell me you're gonna make somebody listen to your story without inviting him to sit down? 」

Lucius said, cunningly glancing at the first prince of Paladia kingdom, Duran Paladia, to subtly inform the village chief of his presence.

「R-Royalty ………. . Is he the prince? 」

The village chief stiffened as he looked at Duran, disbelief clearly visible on his face.

「Huhm」

Duran flashed a cold smile as he looked down on the village chief.

「Hyiiiii ………. . 」

Fear filled the existence of the village chief, and it was demonstrated through the unintentional steps taken by the village chief. Meanwhile, sensing the unusual atmosphere surrounding their village chief, the faces of the villagers also stiffened.

「Hahaha, as you can see, Your Majesty is a friendly person. He won't be unreasonable until it requires you, the farmer, to show some manners in front of him. However, depending on your connection with the girl, you may be executed …………. 」

In contrast to the content of his speech, Lucius smiled widely.

「........... No, that's why ………. . Please come to my home first 」

Fatigue lined the face of the village chief because he had absolutely no idea how to treat this kind of guest in his village. Therefore, he decided to follow the previous orders to find a private space to talk, so he finally invited Lucius and his companion to his home.

"I saw . Then, please show me the way. Let's go, Your Majesty ……… .All of you stand here. And while we do, you should also check out every home. 」

Approving an invitation from the prince and on his behalf, Lucius did not forget to order the knights around the prince and himself to investigate the village.

"YES SIR! 」

The knights answered excitedly, showing their incredible military might. Then, Lucius acted as if he had just realized something, and turned to the village chief.

「You have no problem with that right, village chief? 」

Lucius asked too late, as if asking for the village chief's approval. However, it is clear that he only asked for ex-post-facto approval to investigate the village, and that the decision itself will remain in effect regardless of whether it is approved or not.

「You-Yes. I don't mind. Then, here's ………. 」

Knowing that, the village chief gave his approval, and he helplessly led Lucius and his comrade with staggered steps. Just before he left, he sent a brief glance to the villagers who were with Lucius and his companion before they arrived.

The short gaze he sent, asked them about how far they had told these people the situation? However, the villagers were too afraid, therefore they turned their eyes away, not answering the implied question.

Meanwhile, Duran and Lucius only followed the village chief in silence, observing the silent exchange between the village chief and the villagers with a cold gaze. Suddenly, the voice of someone interrupted the strange silence that had fallen.

「B-Bring me too, pop! 」

Will asks permission to follow them inside.

「You don't have to come! 」

The village chief refused Will's request on the spot, but—

「Yes, please don't say that, village chief. Because he calls you "Pop", that means he's your son, right? Let her come with us so that you will be able to teach her more about the community, to show your parents love for her and all. After all, he is the next village head candidate, right? Or, am I wrong? 」

Lucius easily overrides the village chief's decision and gives Will permission to come along.

「T-But ……. . While I feel regretful and deeply ashamed to say this, I wonder if you can forgive his abusive behavior. He really hasn't been taught manners. 」

"What are you talking about? His Majesty doesn't mind such things. He wouldn't hit a stupid peasant farmer for not knowing manners. After all, I am also not a noble, I am a mercenary. We don't mind such things either. 」

In response to the stubborn refusal of the village chief, Lucius indifferently said his part, blocking any excuse. .

「. My deepest thanks for your generous consideration. 」

The village chief lowered his head, to convey his gratitude to them. But after that, he stared intently at Will, using his gaze to tell him to shut up and not to say unnecessary things.

Thus, the four of them headed towards the village chief's house, leaving behind the knights and the other villagers.

「To begin with, I have to tell you about his lineage, and it is not something simple. Her full name is Flora Bertram. Have you heard of Bertram before? 」

Even before they reached personal space, Lucius began to talk about Flora's bloodline and identity. He even asked the village chief and Will if they knew about Bertram or not, and the two of them could only follow his talk.

「....... Uhm, I only know his name. I happened to hear that it was the name of the Kingdom located in the southeast of this Kingdom. 」

The village chief could only answer him with a stiff voice.

「You know your stuff, it's a big royal name. Now, you should know about the Rubia kingdom located in the southwest of this kingdom, right? I believe you also know about the hostile relationship between them and the Kingdom of Paladia. However, did you know that supporting the Rubia Kingdom from the shadows was the Bertram Kingdom? Frankly, the Bertram Kingdom supported Paladia's enemies. Now that I explain up to this point, you should be able to guess the lineage, right? 」

Lucius smoothly explained, a smile still firmly lingered on his face.

「Can't be ......... She is Bertram's royal daughter? 」

After Lucius' revelation, the voice of the village chief tensed as he spoke.

「Yes, you have guessed correctly. While, there was a reason why he was forced to remain in the rural areas of the warring country, the Paladia Kingdom could not ignore his existence in his territory. Instead, we will use all means to secure it. Do you understand my point? 」

「………. . Y-Yes. That's natural. He can be used as a powerful negotiating tool, right? 」

The village chief understood that their goal might be to use him as a hostage.

"G . You are sharp, as expected of the person who became the village chief. 」

「A-Not anything …………. . 」

The village chief acted humbly, rejecting Lucius' praise.

「Currently, we know that Princess Flora is hiding in the forest near this village, however, there are many villages near this forest. Therefore, we checked the village, one by one 」

"G . But it's quite difficult because we haven't got the information we're looking for. He should not be able to move too far from the forest and should be stranded in one of the villages around the forest, but ………. 」

Lucius paused for a moment, building up tension before he continued speaking nonchalantly.

「I don't want to think that a certain village might purposely hide its presence from us. Therefore, I can only think that this princess used her beauty, who was famous for her, to mislead some innocent young villagers. After all, as long as he disguised himself as a noble with special circumstances, I was worried that simple young men would be gullible to believe him. Don't you think so, son? 」

After speaking so much on the detour, he suddenly asked Will, who had been quietly following them until now.

「……………. Ah, no, how should I say I wonder? He may be in a village you haven't been to. 」

Surprised, Will replied with a trembling voice. Anxiety filled him and it was visible from his expression. Right now, even if he wanted to say something to refute no one would believe it, especially considering his extremely pale complexion. In addition it–,

「……」

The village chief sent a side glance towards Will as he was basically leaking their secrets. After all, from Will's way of speaking, one could deduce that Flora had been in this village and she was just protecting him.

"Fast right . There are some villages we have not visited. We also do not want to kill indiscriminately. So, will we consider it that way? 」

Lucius agreed with a blank smile on his face.

（You foolish child How can you be so careless with your words ......）.

The village chief was getting more agitated. Fortunately, Flora was no longer in the village, and she had already made the choice to pretend not to know about her whereabouts. On the other side of – she is considering telling the truth to them, but …

There was a risk of being slaughtered to keep their mouths shut if he did choose to speak. Therefore, the village chief hesitated to reveal the truth. This was no longer a problem that a mere village chief could handle. When he thought of all this, the house of the village chief came to take a look.

「I-That's our home. It was just our humble abode, but please come in. Will's. You go to the barn to tie their horses there. 」

After giving such instructions to Will, the village chief opened the entrance and asked them to enter in in a timid voice.

"Excuse me"

Lucius and Duran gracefully dismounted from their horses and entrusted Will to lead their horses to their place.

「A-Nothing, I'll take care of them」

Submissively, Will received the horse harness, his head lowered unable to meet Lucius's passing eyes for a moment. It is not known if it was due to a guilty conscience or any other reason.

「Let's go home, Your Majesty. And then .... Ah, the village chief. Can we see the inside of your house? Just to make sure"

After he entered the house with Duran, Lucius' lips loosened from the state of eternal smile from before. And without the slightest sign of respect, they asked for permission to search the house.

「..... HUH?」

Caught off guard, the village chief involuntarily groaned stiffly,

（C-Sial! Dresses and gems are in the room ....）.

When he thought of the jewels and clothes that Flora had left behind as gifts, he fell into despair.

"What's the problem? You certainly wouldn't mind us looking around your house, would you? 」

Lucius looked at the village chief, a cold smile tilting his lips.

「Ah, no, I mean a bit messy now …………. 」

The village chief could do nothing but make a weak excuse.

"No problem . We don't mind that. Please wait here for a moment, Your Majesty. 」

Lucius said, then he immediately barged into the house without waiting for the village chief's permission. Before he could move any further, the voice of the village chief sounded hurriedly.

「PLEASE WAIT A MINUTE! 」

Panicked, the village chief stopped Lucius from moving further into the house.

"What's the problem? Do you have something inside that you don't want me to see? 」

Lucius asked playfully, a smile still engraved on his face, however, he resisted the urge to laugh out loud.

「Uhm, as you say. The girl was indeed in this place …………. . 」

Finally, the village chief admitted defeat and confessed with a haggard face. After that, while preparing for the punishment that might befall him and his village, he heard something that was completely beyond his expectations.

「Ha ~, contrary to my expectations, you gave up quickly. 」

Lucius said, scratching his head while making a disappointed expression, confusing the village chief.

「He is indeed in this village. This bet. Mine . 」

Smiling, Duran finally opened his mouth and spoke to Lucius.

「………………」

The village head looked at their exchange with a dumbfounded face.

「You're not bad, village chief. However, do you really think that you can hide that fact from us? It seems obvious that you are trying to hide something from first sight, but the suspicious activity of your village does not hide it, you know. Since that's the case, Your Majesty and I decided to bet on what you're hiding from us. 」

Sighing, Lucius then moved to the village chief's room and opened it.

"No way…………"

Meanwhile, the village chief was at a loss for words. However, before he could gather his wits,

「Where is princess Flora now? What the hell happened to him? Don't try to hide anything from us and be brief. If you lie, you die. Do you understand? Now, answer me. 」

Duran spoke in a piercing cold voice.

「B-At the time he arrived in our village, it seemed like he was exposed to some sort of illness and decided to rest for a while in our village! When he still hasn't improved after a while, I advise him to rely on our master. However, before I could do that, he had already left his room this morning! 」

In haste, the village chief began to divulge the exact situation, not setting aside any details so that the village could survive.

「……………. . Huh So that's the reason for the commotion that happened when we just arrived in this village 」

「Yeah, maybe it is, but ……………. From your tone of speech, you haven't found it yet, Village Chief? 」

Lucius agreed with Duran's words, then turned to the village chief and asked another question.

「Eh, no........ We found him, but we judged that he could not be saved, so .................」.

The village chief averted his gaze, not speaking any further.

「KUH-HAHAHAHA, YOU LEAVE HIM! OK! ? 」