Chapter 139: The Troubles Are Over

　When I returned to the mansion, Mira flew over. Apparently, she was waiting for me to come back. Did she want me to play with her?

“Kyu!”

“I’m home, Mira. Things are going to be taken care of, so we’ll be able to go back to Mt. Claire again.”

“Kyu!”

　Mira flew around me. She seemed to be happy. Of course, it would be impossible to go there now. We should at least wait until we get some information before we go.  Now it’s just a matter of how much information we can squeeze out of those spies. I don’t know how to get information out of them.

　Maybe I could make a truth serum or something?　But hey, I feel like making a magic potion that would manipulate  another person’s thoughts is somehow against my policy. For now, I’ll just quietly watch and wait.

　I don’t know how they interrogated him, but it seems that they were able to get some information out of him that day. We also found out where they were based, and soon the knights who were available went there. As a result, one additional spy was captured.

　It seems that this is all of them. Of course, the base has been searched and everything that was there has been confiscated.  I hope this solves the chain of events starting with the poisoning case.

　While I was playing with Mira in the salon, I received a call from father. It must have been about the case. I told Mira to wait in the salon and then headed for the office where he was waiting.

“It’s Julius.”

“Come in.”

　Father was the only one in the office. I sat down on the reception couch, somewhat aware of the situation. Then father came and sat down in front of me.

“Thanks to you, this matter seems to be under control. The person we captured was, after all, a secret agent of the Lazar Empire.”

“I see.”

“But I’m sorry Julius, but I can’t tell you any more than that.”

　Father’s mouth is tied in a straight line. His face is also serious. He is not going to say it no matter what. I thought it would be like that.

“That’s fine. As long as there is no problem with the territory, that’s fine.”

“I see. Julius is really strange.”

“Odd?”

　I twisted my head at the unexpected words, and my father nodded broadly. Then he stared at me. What do you mean?　Is he trying to figure out who I am?　But that would be impossible.

　If I had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, they would want to know where I’m from, where I grew up, but I was born Julius Heine. Nothing more.

“you’re too good a listener. You were expecting this from me, weren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true. But even if you tried to talk to me, I would stop you.”

“I see. You don’t want to get into unnecessary trouble.”

　Father grinned. I responded with a smile. It was not for a mere ten-year-old to get involved in a dispute between countries. It’s best to leave such troublesome matters to the adults.

“I’ve  decided to send the Lazar Empire’s secret spy to the royal capital. It is up to His Majesty the King to decide how to use this.”

“I see. Now there is no need for me to take your place. I finally feel a weight lifted from my shoulders.”

“Not so fast.”

“eh?”

　Huh?　I thought the mastermind was the Lazar Empire, and the neighboring Kingdom of Lund Al had nothing to do with it. If so, I thought my role was over, but maybe not?

　I had thought that from now on I would be going to Mount Claire with Mira, going out to gather materials, and making new magic potions.

“Julius has a good reputation, and they are asking you to show your face again. So I will continue to ask you to act on my behalf.”

“Oh, I see.”

　It seems that I tried too hard. Of course, in order not to smear my father’s face with mud, I responded with a smile so affectionate that it almost made my face flush, and I tried to talk politely, but I never thought it would end up like this.

　I failed. I should have been blunt and brusque. I thought it would finally lift a weight off my shoulders, but it didn’t. This summer would end with me not being able to do anything in particular. I returned to my room with my head hanged in disappointment.

　The next day, as father had asked me, I made the rounds to greet the guests. From this time on, I was accompanied by my father. I thought there was no need for me to be there, but he seemed to need a mascot, so I reluctantly went along.

　And at this point, I realized something. After all, the neighboring Kingdom of Lund Al has nothing to do with this incident. Otherwise,  father would not be here having to strengthen the defense of the border line and monitor it.

　It seems that Father has decided that there is no need to be so vigilant on the border with the neighboring country.

　That’s a relief for a start. It seems unlikely that this will suddenly lead to a war. It seems unlikely that the Margrave Heine territory will be ravaged by war for some time to come.

“Father, may I go to Mount Claire after I’m done with my round of greetings?”

“Hm, yes. ……”

　Even though the spies were captured all at once, it would be difficult to do so right away, right ? But I can’t make Mira wait any longer.

“I will allow you to go. But be sure to have an escort before you go.”

“I understand. Thank you!”

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