Chapter 166: Receding Footsteps

“Alright, that’s fine.”

Ricardo readily accepted Lutz’s request, much to Lutz’s surprise.

This place was a budget apartment for adventurers. Catching Ricardo before he left for his morning training was a stroke of luck.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t expect much in terms of rewards, especially after the city was attacked.”

“Well, consider it a favor to you then.”

Lutz refrained from mentioning that this request came from Samurai Mask. Ricardo had accepted it not because it was from Samurai Mask but because he trusted Lutz. Introducing someone was, in essence, a way of building trust.

Ricardo owed Lutz a favor, and Lutz would collect it from Samurai Mask, aka Donald. That’s how relationships grew stronger, and you couldn’t easily ignore people like this – that’s what a “fateful connection” meant.

“What’s more concerning, though…”

Ricardo suddenly tightened his expression.

“They say a gigantic orc, about three meters tall, has appeared.”

“Yeah, it’s an unbelievable monster.”

“Do you remember? The first one to be cursed by ‘Tsubaki’ was also a giant orc.”

“Yeah, I remember hearing that kind of story.”

“If one appeared as a sudden mutation, I could understand. I might not agree, but I’d understand. Well, it’s not great, but I could get it. But when a second one appears, the story changes. They can’t just keep popping up one after another. Or do female orcs have groins big enough to fit a log?”

“Don’t be so vulgar… What you mean is clear. You suspect that the appearance of giant orcs is not a mere coincidence but has some underlying reason, right?”

“Until we remove that reason, it might not stop at a third or fourth; we might even face an army of giant orcs. It’s a worst-case scenario, but you never know.”

Mmm, both of them grunted and fell into silence. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn, and dealing with Samurai Mask’s atonement might not be enough.

“Alright, let’s go to the materials storage right away.”

Lutz stood up impatiently.

“I thought we were meeting in the afternoon?”

“That’s the idiot we’re talking about. He can’t sit still at home, and it’s highly likely he’s already here. Maybe he even slept here last night without returning.”

Saying so, Lutz rushed out, and Ricardo followed him, grabbing two swords.

As expected, they caught Samurai Mask, who had been brooding at the materials storage, and then Lutz and Ricardo visited Castle Gerhardt. Since Lutz, Gerhardt, and High Knight Josel were all present, the room was crowded, so they gathered in the lounge rather than the enchantment workshop.

“…So, that’s why we want to borrow Ricardo for a while.”

Lutz explained the situation, while Samurai Mask, also known as Donald, stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, and listened quietly.

“Hmm…”

This strategy was to maintain a nihilistic, cool, and mysterious persona, thinking that if he acted in such a way, Josel would not approach him first. So far, he had successfully avoided talking to Josel, the insufferable former superior. Josel seemed puzzled, but he didn’t seem to have recognized Samurai Mask as Donald. It was a complex feeling – not being recognized by his former boss, which was both sad and a relief.

“So, you’re the one the guild has been grateful to for proactively taking care of difficult requests. Samurai mask”

This overly optimistic thinking didn’t work, and Donald was talked to first. Samurai Mask didn’t know what to say and signaled Lutz with a thumbs-up, silently pleading for help.

…Can you please say something?

…Seriously?

While still smiling behind his mask, Samurai Mask didn’t know what he was saying. The mask was indeed a convenient tool.

“Don’t mention it. The people’s smiles are the greatest reward. I doubt I’m as greedy as to want more than that. Fufu…”

“Y-yeah…”

Gerhardt was taken aback by the response. It was understandable – even Samurai Mask himself wasn’t sure what he was saying.

“Well, yeah, that’s right. I understand the situation. I’m concerned about the story of the giant orcs as well. I’ll tell the Count about Ricardo’s expedition….”

“Please do.”

Lutz and Ricardo, and a little later Samurai Mask also bowed their heads.

“A group led by a giant orc, or, if possible, we’d like to send more forces… ” 

Gerhardt cast a brief glance at Josel before shaking his head quietly. 

“If we unilaterally send knights from our side, it might be seen as military intervention. We’ll have to stick within the scope of hiring adventurers, I suppose.”

“Isn’t it possible to solve the issue with the count’s strength alone?”

Ricardo asked, somewhat angrily, why they were taking such a carefree attitude.

“Whether it’s possible or not is up to the lord. We can’t just send troops without a request for assistance from them.”

“But there are casualties among the citizens!”

“Politics works like that… Hey, don’t look at me like that, youngster. I don’t believe that this is the right thing to do. But, you see, who can prove that there is no intent of invasion from our side? And if we establish a precedent that allows us to send troops without authorization, what will happen?”

“Mmm…”

Ricardo wasn’t satisfied, but he couldn’t argue with that and fell silent. Instead, Lutz glanced at Josel and continued.

“Well, we can’t help it if they can’t come. It’s better than being told not to go by the adventurers.”

Josel’s shoulder twitched in response to the phrase “we can’t help it.” Lutz seemed not to notice and continued with the conversation. Time was of the essence.

“More importantly, could you lend us a carriage?”

“Very well, come with me.”

Gerhardt left the room, and Lutz and Ricardo followed him. In the discussion room, Josel was the only one left.

“It can’t be helped, huh…”

Despite being from another territory, there were people suffering from monster attacks. However, as a high-ranking knight of Count Zander’s territory, he couldn’t act. It couldn’t be helped.

…Is that really fine? Is this something to be proud of as a person, as a knight, as a man? Josel repeated these questions to himself. What Gerhardt said was right. If he acted on his own, it would cause trouble for the entire count’s territory. It was an absolute thing not to do.

So was he just staying behind, leaving the crisis of the orc attack to Lutz and the others?

“It can’t be helped, huh…”

He murmured again. There was no sign of agreement in his words.

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