At the Northern Fort V4C15

At the Northern Fort V4C15: A Strange Incident (3)

The messenger who had come from Grandpa Lord’s place was promptly led to Branch Captain’s office.

In the room were Branch Captain-san, the messenger, the One-Eyed Knight, and I, who was riding on the One-Eyed Knight’s shoulder. 

“You said that Sharon-sama disappeared from the Lord’s mansion?”

Seemingly in disbelief from the suddenness of the news, Branch Captain-san asked that as his brow furrowed.

“Though you say she disappeared, it should be quite difficult for Sharon-sama to leave the mansion by herself or for someone to take her away from it, should it not? She has Royal Guards with her, and I’m sure the mansion also had a lot of knights guarding it.”

The One-Eyed Knight also followed with a stern tone of voice.

Being questioned by the Icy Branch Captain and the austere Iron Man of the Northern Fort of the same time seemed to have frightened the messenger, as he panickedly responded.

“Y-Yes……! She had plenty of escorts and guards, and we by no means lost focus ourselves, yet Sharon-sama still disappeared unexpectedly……”

“What happened?”

“Sharon-sama was staying in a guest room of the Lord’s mansion. Last night, she went to sleep in that room, but by the morning she had disappeared.”

Branch Captain-san followed up by asking,

“Was Sharon-sama staying in the room alone?”

“Yes, a room was prepared for His Highness Aske and his wife to stay in as a couple, while Sharon-sama was sleeping in the room next door. We had heard that they had similar arrangements at home after all.”

“Were the guards in the hallway? How many were assigned?”

“There were five guards in the hallway. Two Royal Guards who had come with His Highness Aske, and three of our knights who serve the Lord. The five of them were standing guard right in front of His Highness Aske and Sharon-sama’s rooms throughout the night. In addition, there were patrols going through the night within the mansion, and naturally, gatekeepers keeping an eye on the gates. Since royalty was staying in the mansion, there were double the usual number of night guards.”

There, the messenger took a breath and then continued speaking.

“However, what is strange is that nobody saw any suspicious figures. They also did not see Sharon-sama walking around on her own. The knights standing in front of Sharon-sama’s bedroom also did not sense any abnormalities. They didn’t hear any sounds, or Sharon-sama screaming from the room either.”

“Were there any traces of someone infiltrating from the window?”

“There weren’t. It was locked from the inside, and there weren’t any abnormalities.”

“There weren’t any signs of someone trespassing or of Sharon-sama leaving of her own accord either, huh.”

Seeing Branch Captain-sana wracking his brain, I spoke.

“If Sharon was taken away, then I’m sure the culprit is the same one responsible for those ‘stwange incidents’. Because it seems like that culprit hasn’t been seen by anyone when kidnapping the children either. This time seems to be the same, so wouldn’t it be the same culprit?”

“Yeah, that’s true. The probability of it being the same person is high. Mil really is smart.”

Despite the fact that it was something that anyone could have guessed, Branch Captain-san praised me. And then, he continued.

“Sharon-sama is blonde and cute after all. Her characteristics match with the children that have been targeted by the culprit. Only her age is a little high compared to that of the other children.”

Branch Captain-san said to the messenger, whose face had stiffened.

“If it is the same culprit responsible for the recent strange incidents, then Sharon-sama should return safely, but we cannot simply wait around carelessly. If Sharon-sama is the child that the culprit is looking for, then she might not be returned safely. On top of that, since it is the daughter of the King’s younger brother who has gone missing, this is a national emergency. We will also cooperate with the investigation.”

“Thank you very much. As a matter of fact, that is what I came to request. The Lord said that we should borrow the strength of the robust knights of the Northern Fort.”

“I will have them prepare to set-off immediately.”

After nodding at Branch Captain-san’s words, the messenger added on hesitantly.

“Also……this is not a request from the Lord, but something I would like to ask personally. Please, support us so that the Lord is not suspected of kidnapping Sharon-sama. Those of you of the Northern Fort should know of the Lord’s good personality, and should be aware that he is not the sort to plot a kidnapping incident like this after all.”

“Naturally. However, that is something that His Highness Aske and the others should be aware of as well. There’s no way that simply because she disappeared from the Lord’s mansion that he would so simply distrust the Lord……oh, but she is his beloved daughter, so His Highness may have lost his composure too……”

“Yes. He has not openly blamed the Lord yet, but he probably holds some doubts. I do understand that it is only natural for His Highness Aske to hold some suspicions if it is for the sake of getting back his daughter though.”

“It won’t be good for the stability of the country if there are some lingering negative feelings between the two. The Count who acts as the Lord of this region has taken care of us as well, so we will do what we can.”

“Please do.”

And then, about 20 of the fort’s knights went together with the messenger back to the Lord’s mansion. Among them was Branch Captain-san. Branch Captain-san was the son of a noble, and he was familiar with both His Highness Aske and Grandpa Lord, so he apparently decided it’d be best if he went with them to solve the problem.

However, with his departure, the fort had lost its person in charge. As the Vice Captain, the One-Eyed Knight had to step up to stand in for the Branch Captain, and thus had to stay at the fort. Thus, he was house-sitting.

On the other hand, I decided to accompany Branch Captain-san. This was because Branch Captain-san asked me, “The atmosphere between them might get cold, so please come to help calm things down”. 

His Highness Aske, who was probably in a rage at his daughter’s kidnapping, and Grandpa Lord, who might be doubted by His Highness. I don’t think that I will be able to soften the air between them, but I’ll do what I can.

Branch Captain-san carried me with one of his arms as he rode his favourite horse, Ilus. As he did so, I began to use my tongue to groom my fur so that it would be as fluffy as possible. The fluffier my fur, the more it might be able to relax the tense atmosphere between everyone.

“Now then, let us go.”

As Branch Captain-san started moving, the other knights manipulated their horses as well, charging forwards to Grandpa Lord’s mansion.

“Mil, don’t go off on your own.”

The One-Eyed Knight said worriedly.

I temporarily stopped grooming and raised my right forepaw.

“I know! I’ll be off!”

“Don’t act on your own.”

“Okay, got it!”

“Stay with Branch Captain.”

“I got it!”

I waved back at the One-Eyed Knight, who kept giving the same warning in different words, as we departed. Among the approximately 20 knights that were coming with us were Tina-san, Rekka-san, and Kix as well.

On the way there, Kix began talking to Branch Captain-san.

“It’s been about four days since my little sis’ temporary disappearance. Sharon-sama disappeared yesterday, right?”

“It’d either be yesterday night or this morning. She had to have disappeared at some point during the time when Sharon-sama entered her bedroom yesterday to when a servant went to wake her up this morning.” 

“Meaning that if it was the same culprit, they only had about three days between the time they returned my little sis home to when they took Sharon-sama away.”

I resumed grooming while listening to the conversation between the two.

“But if they had three days, then they should be able to make it from Kix’s hometown to the Lord’s mansion even if they walked.”

Tina-san then interjected.

“And if they had a horse, they’d be even faster. We managed to get back within half a day after all.”

Nodding at Tina-san’s words, Rekka-san also said this. 

“It seems like Sharon-sama also went on the hunting trip yesterday, so the culprit may have caught sight of her during that time. She’s bound to have encountered all sorts of people by going outside after all.”

Branch Captain-san listened to the conjectures of Rekka-san and the rest before summarising it like this.

“The chances of it being the same culprit is high, but we still can’t conclusively say that. We must keep in mind the chances that it is a different culprit. Now then, let’s hurry.”

Raising his horse’s speed by another level, we hurried to the Lord’s mansion.

After about one hour, we safely arrived at Grandpa Lord’s mansion, but unfortunately, my fur had gotten all messy. 

Though I had worked hard to fluff up my fur by grooming it in order to calm the atmosphere, I wasn’t able to groom it as well as Kugalg, and ended up grooming it into a wretched state. To begin with, the difficulty level of grooming while riding atop a horse was incredibly high. It swayed up there, and there was wind too.

Drool ended up stuck in various places, so my fur was pointing up in various places. I won’t be able to provide much of a healing presence with this kind of punk look.

“Mil, you’re not too tired, are you? …….what…happened to your fur?”

When we arrived at the Lord’s mansion, Branch Captain-san looked down at me and was astonished at my appearance. My fluffy fur had grown pointy over the course of our trip. Of course it was surprising. 

And, at that moment, Grandpa Lord came to the gate with a grave expression.

“Cromwell, you’ve arrived. Thank you. We still haven’t found Sharon-sama, but for now please come inside.”

Kix and the rest remained on standby at the entrance, while Branch Captain-san carried me and followed Grandpa Lord into the mansion.

We were guided to a spacious drawing room, and inside of it were the Royal couple, Prince, His Highness Aske and his wife, as well as Branch Captain-san’s three family members.

However, Commander-san wasn’t here, and the number of Royal Guards had also decreased. I’m sure that they were currently searching for Sharon.

His Highness Aske’s wife was hanging her head with teary eyes as the Queen and Branch Captain-san’s Mama comforted her.

On the other hand, His Highness Aske’s brow was furrowed, and he was making a stern expression that had a mix of anger and impatience within it.

“Cromwell.”

Branch Captain-san’s Papa’s eyes turned to his son as Branch Captain-san entered the drawing room. Everyone else also turned towards us.

“You brought Mil as well?”

“It seems something rather comical has happened to her fur.”

“How did it get that way?”

Branch Captain-san’s Papa, the King, and then Branch Captain-san’s Older Brother spoke in turns. 

When they did so, His Highness Aske also turned to look at me, at which point his expression relaxed slightly.

“We’d better untangle it with a comb.”

After saying that, the furrow on His Highness Aske’s brow lightened faintly. I suppose I’ve managed to relax him a bit with my grooming fail?

But he was naturally still worried about his daughter, so his expression soon returned to its stern state.

“That child is one I finally had after growing rather old.”

I was placed on top of the Prince’s lap, and as he watched him untangle my fur with a comb, His Highness Aske began reminiscing.

“As Elder Brother is aware, my wife and I had difficulties in having a child. We anguished quite a bit, wondering whether or not we would be able to become parents. As all of our acquaintances had children one after the other, we were the only ones who remained completely childless.”

In my previous life, I still hadn’t reached the age where I would want a child, so I couldn’t imagine the pain of being unable to have a child. 

However, as I looked at the anguished faces of His Highness Aske and his wife as he spoke of their past feelings, I believed that it was far more painful than I could even imagine.

“That is why, when Sharon arrived in my wife’s belly, we were truly happy. However, our worries were endless. After managing to get pregnant, then we had to worry about whether she’d be born safely, and after being born, we feared that she’d die from sickness or an accident. Even now, when she’s grown up somewhat, every day is filled with worry. Will she get sick or injured? Will she experience something sad? When we’re not by her side, will she be kidnapped by someone…….”

There, His Highness Aske placed a hand on his brow, as though trying to hide his eyes.

“To think there would be a day where that worry became reality. There is no way that Sharon would leave of her own accord, so I’m certain that she was kidnapped.”

“I am sure that Sharon will come back safely like the other children.”

The Queen said in an encouraging manner, before continuing.

“But, to think that they would steal into her bedroom. I couldn’t even imagine that happening.”

“I had thought that it would be safe here.”

The one who said that while biting her lip tightly was His Highness Aske’s wife. Seeing how tears were about to overflow from her eyes, I moved from atop the Prince’s lap.

Then, arriving at His Highness’ wife’s feet, I cried, “Kyun kyun” to console her. At these times, crying out like this is convenient. Because I wouldn’t know what words I could say to her right now. 

“My……how kind. Thank you.”

His Highness’ wife extended a hand and stroked my head.

On the other hand, Grandpa Lord said this in an apologetic manner.

“I am truly ashamed……our defence was supposed to be flawless.”

And there, His Highness Aske raised his head and looked towards Grandpa Lord.

“……I know of your personality, Count, and I had trusted you. But……”

Pausing, it appeared difficult for him to say, but eventually he resolved himself and opened his mouth.

“Could the culprit truly infiltrate this mansion without anyone witnessing them, figure out where Sharon’s bedroom was among the many rooms in this building, and take her away so easily? While I do not want to suspect you, was the Count not involved in some way? Unless someone was lending them assistance, there’s no way that the culprit could have taken Sharon away.”

“No, there indeed isn’t. Your Highness’ doubts cannot be helped, but I did not participate in such a matter.”

While HIs Highness Aske spoke sternly, Grandpa Lord responded sincerely.

And then, the King also defended Grandpa Lord.

“Aske, the Count is a man of character. He wouldn’t do something stupid like kidnapping your child. He is a wonderful lord who has managed to govern this northern region where a spirit lives for many years without any problems after all. To begin with, what would the Count gain from kidnapping Sharon?”

After being told that, His Highness Aske once again placed a hand on his brow and shut his eyes in pain. Then, he began to speak.

“Yes, that is true, Elder Brother……my apologies, Count. I cannot keep calm after having my beloved daughter kidnapped. I of course know that you are not the sort of person to do that kind of thing. My apologies……”

“No, please do not worry about me.”

His Highness Aske had apologised for the time being, but the atmosphere of the room was still rather delicate. Until Sharon is safely found and the culprit is caught, I’m sure that the doubts His Highness Aske is harbouring against Grandpa Lord will not be completely cleared. Grandpa Lord may also be aware of that fact as well.

This time, I ran over to His Highness Aske’s side and began to cry ‘kyun kyun’ at his feet. When I did so, His Highness smiled a little bit.

“Yeah, thanks. Thanks to your presence, some of the pain in my heart has been alleviated.”

After His Highness Aske stroked me, Grandpa Lord quietly began to speak.

“I am not the culprit, but it is certain that Sharon-sama disappeared from ‘my mansion’. Though the Royal Guards were also present, most of the security was left to my knights, so I am responsible for the culprit having infiltrated the mansion so easily. I do believe that I must take responsibility in some way.”

The room once again fell silent.

This time, I hastily ran over in Grandpa Lord’s direction as he hung his head. And then, I began to cry, “kyun kyun” to cheer Grandpa up.

—and in that instant, two quick knocks sounded on the door of the drawing room. Then, one of the Lord’s knights and a Royal Guard rushed into the room.

Then, the two of them said together,

“Sharon-sama has been found unharmed!”

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