Chapter 12: Fear Is Still Fear

The entourage sent from the Opsidio Trading Company to act as my escort consisted of the young clerk who had initially helped me at the shop, and a swordsman armed with a short blade.

“Master, which way next?” the clerk asked, glancing back at me.

“Left. Keep going straight until we reach the main street,” I replied.

“Understood,” he said, nodding.

The clerk led the way, followed by me and Rugena, while the swordsman brought up the rear. From the outside, it looked like a simple escort, but the arrangement could easily be mistaken for a kidnapping if someone looked from the wrong angle. I never realized how unnerving it could be to have someone with a weapon trailing you so closely.

Returning to the inn from the Opcidio Trading Company would have been a longer route, but our current destination was elsewhere.

“Just straight ahead from here,” the clerk said.

“Eh? This way seems a bit—”

“Don’t worry. We’ve been through here before,” he reassured me.

We were only a short distance from our destination now. The question was, how would we gain entry once we arrived?

“Stop right there!”

One of the two gatekeepers noticed us and commanded us not to move as he approached.

“Are you sure this is really okay, Master?” Rugena asked, her voice tinged with unease.

“It’ll be fine,” I replied calmly.

For some reason, the clerk moved behind me. I thought, A guard shouldn’t hide behind the person they’re supposed to be protecting, but I let it slide for now.

What mattered more was addressing the gatekeeper. Since no prior arrangement had been made, there was a real risk we could be detained… though, in some strange way, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.

“What brings you close to the gate here?”

“Hello. I’m Arthur, son of Martine,” I said, raising my right hand in as childlike a greeting as I could manage, hoping to show both respect and harmlessness.

“Hm? Ah, the boy from yesterday. But what of Lady Martine and Stefana?”

Good. It was the same gatekeeper as yesterday, and he remembered me. That recognition alone eased my tension slightly. Before continuing the conversation, I had to ensure the so-called escorts could leave.

“Thank you for accompanying us this far,” I said, turning around and bowing politely, signaling that they could leave.

“Oh, yes… right. I’m glad we got you here safely. W-we’ll take our leave now,” the clerk said, looking slightly flustered. He had no way to do anything at the baron’s mansion, so he simply departed.

At least they left, but I couldn’t be certain they wouldn’t continue to watch us from a distance. That could very well have been part of their assignment.

“…What were they thinking?” Rugena whispered.

“Well, including that, I’ve come to ask Lord Tobias for a favor,” I explained.

“Huh? To Lord Tobias?”

Naturally. Even if a child requested something from the baron’s heir, most adults wouldn’t take it seriously. But if this gatekeeper knew my mother, perhaps he would relay the message for me.

“Yes. And I want to meet with my mother, too. But Rugena is already known to them, so she can’t go fetch her. Could someone be sent to get her?”

If we weren’t being watched, we could have returned to the inn and decided our next steps in private. But returning with those men still present would make the night terrifying.

“…It seems this isn’t an ordinary matter. I cannot make a decision on my own. Wait here while I check inside,” the gatekeeper said, motioning for us to remain by the gate.

“Yes, please,” I replied.

He left, entering the baron’s mansion while we waited outside.

“Master Arthur, what shall we do now?” Rugena asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“…I didn’t want to rely on them, but if the baron’s household protects us, we might be safer,” I admitted.

“I thought the same… but you seem strangely calm for that,” she said, puzzled.

“If I show fear, who knows what they might do? I forced a smile as best I could,” I confessed.

If they thought me weak, they could brandish weapons and demand negotiations by force. And if that happened, I wasn’t sure Rugena could protect me alone.

“I’m back. The Lord says he will meet you once his duties are complete. Also, a carriage will be sent to fetch Lady Martine,” the gatekeeper returned with the update.

At least we had made it this far; the next challenge was negotiating safely.

“Understood. What should I do now?”

“Wait in the pavilion. I’ll guide you,” he instructed.

“Alright, thank you,” I replied.

—[Meluestat, Baron Merlot’s Mansion, Pavilion]—

We rested in the pavilion for a while before a maid from the baron’s household brought us lunch. The meal was thoughtfully prepared for outdoor dining: sandwiches made with soft rolls filled with meat and vegetables, a hearty soup with potatoes and meat, and fresh fruit for dessert.

“Thank you. It was delicious,” I said sincerely.

“I’m glad it suits your taste,” the maid replied with a polite smile.

Rugena received her meal as well, though it consisted of only two rolls and water. It was likely due to her status, but seeing it made me uneasy. Still, considering we were at the baron’s mansion, I should be grateful that she was provided anything at all.

“Al!”

“—Mother,” I exclaimed.

As I dozed lightly after eating, my mother appeared. Half asleep, I jolted upright at her sudden voice.

“I was so worried when I heard you were at the baron’s mansion,” she said, her tone a mixture of relief and concern.

She had planned to return to the inn immediately after shopping, so I could see why she was startled to find the baron’s household had come to fetch me.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“I’m just glad you’re safe,” she said, holding me tightly. Being embraced by my mother felt like coming home to a place I truly belonged.

I had gotten carried away thinking my newfound alchemy skills meant I could handle anything. But now, I remembered all over again how powerless I was in battle.

Fear prickled my skin, and my hands shook despite my memories from my past life. No matter the knowledge I carried, some fears remained undeniable.

“…uh…”

I clung to my mother, stifling my sobs.

“Shh… it’s alright, Al,” she whispered.

It felt pathetic, but I couldn’t stop. Slowly, I began to calm under her embrace.

“…Mother,” I murmured.

“Are you feeling better?” she asked.

“Y-yes,” I nodded.

I tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let me. Instead, she gently guided me to sit on her lap.

“Mother…?”

“Sometimes, it’s okay to lean on someone,” she said softly.

“…Alright,” I whispered.

A little embarrassed, I abandoned any thoughts of escape and sat on her lap, explaining the day’s events and why we had come to the baron’s mansion.

Ideally, I should negotiate directly with the baron, but I doubted we could even secure a meeting if we arrived unannounced. Tobias might be similar, but given my mother’s connection with Lady Rosanne, I thought at least a conversation might be possible.

By retreating to the baron’s mansion, we had evaded surveillance, but we couldn’t afford to leave things unresolved. I couldn’t reveal the creator, and even if I handed over the glasses’ information, the trading company might silence us to prevent leaks—or worse, capture us entirely.

It might seem like overthinking, but a company that mixes intimidation into business dealings wasn’t trustworthy.

(Mother, what do you think of the baron’s household?) I whispered, seeking her insight.

(Let’s see… The baron values tradition but isn’t bound by it. Lady Julianna is a loving and wise wife. Tobias is overly serious but tends to trust people too easily. Lady Rosanne, from a knightly family, is strong-willed, just, and skilled in combat.)

From what I could tell, their human qualities were good, even if they weren’t adept at noble political maneuvering—except for the baron himself.

(Mother, is that okay?) I asked softly.

(Given there’s no one else to consider, it’ll have to do.)

It was hard to involve them in this, but I hoped to repay them with the eventual benefits of our actions.

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