The Count Family's Young Master
Chapter 34 - Hayden Children

In the morning Valias could see a collection of soldiers and mages through the window of his room.

Starting already?

Valias was done preparing and the door was knocked. Kalim was present in front of the door with Kei behind him. Kei wore black clothes, but with Hayden's badge. His brown-coated sword was still hanging on the belt on his waist. This time Kei looks more like a royal commander than a bandit leader on the run. Valias did not hide his smile.

"Good morning." Valias. Kei gave his eyes a look before turning away.

Kalim took them to the place where the soldiers and the mage were gathered.

"My sister."

Frey wears a red plush outfit with a badge and plenty of insignia on the outside. His golden eyes looked bright and his silver hair was glistening under the morning sun. He looked like a real king.

Valias gave a small smile. "Sister."

Kei was confused by the call of the two people but said nothing.

"You're resting well?" Frey let everyone there see his familiarity with the red-haired teenager

"Of course, brother. You did a great job preparing these talented individuals."

Frey is startled by Valias' words but returns to show off his grin.

"Everything. I, Frey Nardeen will tell you what we're going to do today. The children of our kingdom, experience injustice and suffering in our region. You will move under the command of my brother, Valias Bardev. We're gonna clean up the misappropriation in Hayden.

"My father, the late Chalis Nardeen is gone, and I, the next king-to-be, will begin a new reign. From today on, I will begin my move to become the leader of Hayden kingdom. Let's show everyone that the knight army and the palace mage will hunt those who commit unjust acts in Hayden's land."

The knights and mages previously had no idea why they were being asked to gather in front of the palace.

Now, however, in front of the line formed by them, the crown prince gave his speech. Appointing a Count's son, whose name has become a heated conversation at the palace, later this week as their commando.

An 18 year old teenager. With red hair and a frail body.

But Frey's words have encouraged them. All this time, they just stayed in the palace without doing anything. But finally, today the future king called them before him in order to get rid of the abuses in Hayden.

They did not know for sure what the man standing before them meant. But for sure, when the man tells them to get rid of injustice, then what will be in their hearts and minds is just the spirit to make it happen.

"Ready!!" The knights exclaimed without command and the mages gave their bow. Vetra, standing at the front row, could see Valias again. He was already thinking about how the war would be in Hayden. After being busy with his thoughts for a full day and a half, he and his fellow magi were finally summoned to face Frey.

The injustice?

Vetra has seen so much injustice in the mage town where it originated. That's why he decided to leave. If Valias Bardev, appointed by Frey, would bring him to fight injustice at Hayden, then Vetra would gladly move under his command.

In fact, by becoming a private mage while Valias, he was brought to see the existence of a creature that he had thought only existed in books by imaginary crazy writers.

Vetra was impatient to see what else she would witness by working with the red-haired teenager.

Valias on the other hand, was surprised by the sudden remark of the young man who told him to call him big brother.

Whahuh? Me? Did I hear wrong?

Why is Frey pointing at him? The plan is he'll just go along to monitor Kei's movements. Because Valias was worried that Kei would make an unnecessary fuss with how chaotic the young man's mindset was.

But now Frey's pointing me to give these people orders?

Valias couldn't believe what had just happened. But, the words have been thrown out. And it is not good that a great figure draws his words. If Valias wants Frey to be respected and obeyed by everyone, then Valias must at least act according to the silver-haired man. Anyway, just for today. There is nothing wrong with being the leader of a group like when he was in college.

Valias saw Frey standing tall beside him giving a grin at him. Valias felt he had just been cheated by someone two years younger than him.

"Mage, you will take the soldier and my brother Valias and his friend to the Arlern region on the border of the Solossa Kingdom. From there you must follow whatever the man on my right has to command."

Valias set his expressionless face. Kei watched his half-brother's speech from the side with Kalim beside him.

"We understand." Vetra as the leader of the mage in the palace replied firmly.

Vetra and his friends began to move in a circle around the knight line.

"Young master Valias." Vetra gave a friendly smile to the teenager who parted with her two days ago.

Frey nodded and placed his hand on Valias' shoulder. "Hurry back."

Valias gave a small smile. "certain. Kei."

Kei heard Valias calling him and without a sound left Kalim in his place. Kei followed Valias standing before the knights standing tall and a huge halo of light illuminated the front area of the palace. Frey watched how the large crowd in front of him disappeared from before him.

"SILLY!!!"

Wistar, from a distance ran in clothes similar to Frey towards him.

"SILLY! WHERE ARE THEY?!"

Wistar asked with sweat on his forehead as well as an expression of disbelief. Frey replied to her with a look of disdain.

"You. I knew you'd force me to come."

"SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY THE WAITER SAID BROTHER TOLD ME TO DRESS UP??!!!"

Wistar was betrayed by his brother. He heard from the servant that his brother was going to send Valias and his half-brother to a place with the soldiers and the mages. Wistar wanted to surprise Valias but she heard from the waiter that her brother told her to dress up.

He excitedly put on his proud prince clothes and walked over to Valias, only to find his friend and everyone had already been sent away.

"SILLY!!!" Wistar. Frey put his hand on Wistar's whining face.

"Shut up, Wissy. Your existence as a prince will only provoke unnecessary attention from the people there. Valias and our brother as well as warriors and palace mages are enough. I even hope that those people are unaware of Valias and Kei's whereabouts."

The county lords of Hayden had been acting out of his control for too long. He will show his reign as the new king of Hayden from today's actions.

"...Is that so?"

Wistar quickly gained his composure. Her brother's words made sense. If that is the reason, Wistar will not protest again.

"Wistar, you really are.." Frey still did not believe in the personality of his sister who so easily replaced his mood.

Frey breathed. "Let's pray that your friend and my sister can get things done there smoothly."

...***...

When Valias opened his eyes, he and everyone were already in a settlement with rows of house buildings extending on the left and right sides. On his left side a high wall covered the landscape of the region behind it. The borders of Solossa kingdom are on the South side. Valias wondered if every border Hayden had was bounded by high walls like the one in his vision now.

"Young master. Is this really the place?" Vetra.

Valias nodded. "It's true, miss. You and your friends are doing a great job."

"Young master, my name is Javas, the late noble Chalis appointed me commander of the palace soldiers." A burly man with dark brown hair with Hayden's golden badge on his body armor bowed towards Valias.

Valias looked at the hunched man for a while before speaking. "Greetings, Mr. Javas. I hope you can help me lead these knights in today's affairs."

Javas nodded while bowing. "I understand, young master. Please just tell me what I have to do."

Kei observed how Javas bowed to Valias. His hand touched the hilt of his sword like whenever he felt uncomfortable.

Valias' group could see how the people around them were observing them from where they were standing. Surprised by the sudden appearance of a large group of people in their residence.

Valias took his foot to walk in the middle of the road until a man ran over him.

"Young master. You look like royalty. What's your purpose here?"

The man nervously asked the skinny, red-haired teenager in front of him. His nervousness increased after seeing the knight troops with silver armor and spears in their hands as well as the group of people in mage clothes standing behind the teenager.

"What's your name, sir?" Valias asked kindly.

"S-I? N, my name is Lout, young master. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"There was. Commander Javas."

"Yes, young master."

"Good." Valias could hear Javas giving orders to everyone and the footsteps of the soldiers who started moving.

"T-Young master?" Lout never thought this day would come. During this time the palace never showed their leadership. Even after the news of the death of king Chalis Nardeen was heard, Lout did not hear any movement from the palace. Viscount Arlern has been keeping this illegal business a secret. If the Viscount had not reported to the palace, then there had never been any inspections done here, why had today suddenly the royal army come here?

And with their numbers, as well as those mages, they look like someone has come to believe in this illegal business and finally decided to take an ultimatum action today as well.

Javas saw how the troops with silver armor divided themselves into groups with one mage in each group. They all broke down the locked door of the house.

"Commander! There's kids down here!"

"Here too!"

"Here too!"

Javas finally found out what injustice Frey meant in his speech. In a loud voice Javas exclaimed. "Check every building here! Get those kids out!"

Lout saw how the palace troops entered every house and all the children who had been hidden down there walked out with weak steps and lethargic faces. I wanted to cry right then and there. But then he noticed a tall man, with black hair approaching him with a sinister aura.

Valias saw how the man who was as tall as him shuddered with a horrified expression on his face. When he was about to turn his head, Kei was already beside him, with his hand about to pull the sword from its sheath.

"Key?"

"You.. You deserve to die."

Valias. "Key. No need to use your sword."

"Soge away."

Gosh darn.

Valias immediately stood facing Kei with one hand in front of Lout's body.

"Key. We still need him."

"You want to work with him?"

Valias was almost anxious with how Kei's mind was running. "Key. Some kids are sold. You don't want to know where they're sent?"

With the words of Valias, Kei stopped pulling the sword that showed half the shiny blade.

Feeling Kei understand his words, Valias turned around. "Mr Lout. You just asked me if there's anything you can help." Her speech. "Give me the children's report you've sent and where these kids come from."

Valias believes some are abducted, orphaned, or are the children of the people who live here.

"Y-Yes?"

"You will be arrested but if you give me what I ask, we will guarantee your life. How's it?" Valias has no trouble changing his style of speech. Lout still shuddered after realizing that she had just taken one step toward death.

"I'll prepare it! I'll do all your orders! Please don't punish me!" Imploringly.

Valias breathed. On one hand feel sorry for the men in front of him because he was born as a villain made by the writer. But after seeing the condition of the children brought out by the knight ruled by Javas, Valias preferred to pity the children rather than the one who was now begging in front of him. The children deserve justice. How could this man not be punished?

"Hurry along. Kei. Can you watch her?"

Valias won't risk the man named Lout running away. He's an important person that Valias needs to get information on. And Valias was pretty sure Kei understood his point. Making it won't kill Lout anytime soon.

Kei glanced at Valias briefly before re-inserting his sword and telling Lout to start moving in a cold voice. Lout shuddered but still obeyed the words of the person who was just about to cut her body with a sword.

"Young master, these kids.." Vetra approached Valias with a face that wanted to cry.

"Young master. How did your Highness Frey know about this slave trade? One of the kids told me." Javas is talking.

"This is one of the power abuses in Hayden." Valias. "From now on, His Holiness Frey will seek out and take action against those who are behind the abuse." Valias gave the answer. "We will return these children to their homes, if they exist, and bring others to live in a place that the noble Frey has provided. My friend will bring you a note about these kids. We might as well have to go to Solossa to bring back the sent children."

Javas rounded his eyes. I can't believe what he just heard. "Solossa? These kids were sent to Solossa?"

"Kids from Hayden?" Vetra did not expect this.

The two of them finally understood the intent behind Frey's speech. Hayden kids, they're kids here. And also those who have been sent to the outer kingdom.

Vetra clasped his magic wand firmly. "I'll save them! We have to save them!"

Imagining himself as a slave since childhood and sent to the outer kingdom when he still did not know anything made Vetra angry. He dislikes injustice in his hometown, and this illegal act makes him want to destroy everything behind it.

Valias nodded in satisfaction with Vetra's determination. "You're right. You have to save them." She smiles. "Wait until a man named Lout comes back with his report."

"the Lout? Is he behind all this?"

Furious Vetra.

Vetra did not know that Lout was only one of the causes of the slave trade. Valias nodded originally. "That's how."

He carried his eyes observing the large group of children in seedy clothes and lethargic faces. He grimaces in the heart. He had never seen a child as pitiful as them. All Valias wants to do is take them to a place where they can take a bath, wear decent clothes, and eat a lot of good food.

These kids. How long have they been hidden down there?

Valias does not know because the story is not explained. But just those kids, how they didn't die was already a thing worth admiring.

Some knights and mages are talking to the children. Vetra and Javas have left Valias to approach the boys. Vallias is standing in the spot waiting for Kei's return with Lout.

Fifteen minutes passed and finally the two men appeared from behind a corner. Lout carried a pile of books and papers in her hand.

"Young master. Everything is here."

"Bring it in there." Valias told the grown man to go into one of the buildings and put the pile of paper on a table. Valias came in and began researching the completeness of the document.

There is a list of names, ages, genders, and height and weight. Then a proof of payment. And a list of names of children sent to various places. The name of the place is mentioned but the buyer is not written.

"alright. Kei. Have you seen him take all the documents?"

Kei silently did not reply with an aura of intimidation before deciding to answer Valias' question. "It."

Valias nodded in satisfaction. Calling Vetra to save that pile of documents for him. Vetra took a drawstring pouch the size of a palm out of his pocket and miraculously all the documents could fit inside.

"This is the bag I've given you spatial space magic, young master." Vetra smiled at him.

"Well.." Valias forgets the fact that he is in a magical world.

They came back out of the building. Lout hesitantly followed where Valias had gone. Strange, but he felt that he would be safe as long as he was near the red-haired teenager.

Valias stood on the side of the road with everyone there taking a look at him.

"We're going to go. Take all these kids with us. Mr. Lout. You can stay here. Make sure something like this never happens again."

"Young master, don't we take him to the palace?" Vetra wants to protest.

Valias. "Give her the scout magic. Make it so that we can know the existence of this master at any time."

Lout shuddered. But it's still better than dying.

Vetra with a look of disdain cast a spell on the man's nape before then taking out a map inside his drawstring pouch. ¹The green mana connects between the nape of Lout with the map in Vetra's hands.

"Young master. With this you can come to this person whenever you want. You can ask me or whoever the mage is. They must understand this magic." Vetra.

Valias nodded in understanding. Take a map that has a green dot in one part of the hand of Vetra. "good job. Thanks." Say it with a small smile.

Vetra gave a satisfied smile. "Thank you back."

Valias' group regrouped with the children in their midst. The mages formed a circle, and they left Lout with the other citizens watching them disappear with blank gazes.

"Done it already."

Lout muttered weakly in place.

26/04/2022