Chapter 100: The Royal Messenger
The royal messenger had driven his carriage from the royal capital Leclerc to Lynas—normally a seven-day journey—in only three days. He burst into the Arclight estate.
“By order of His Majesty the King! Summon a representative of Count Arclight!”
The butler rushed in, having not received warning from the gate guards in time, and was immediately yelled at.
“Lord Klein Arclight, who is acting in the Count’s absence, is currently out patrolling the town. We will call him back at once. Please wait just a moment.”
While ushering the messenger and his guards into the office, the servants were sent out to search for Klein—but finding him quickly would be difficult.
As a noble, it wasn’t wrong for him to train in both the literary and martial arts. But after hearing reports of beasts overflowing from Rosenne and Korche—and even dragons appearing—he became fired up and spent his days leading seasoned adventurers on monster hunts.
With the head of the family, Count Arclight, and his heir Romand stationed at the border town of Blange, Klein should have been staying in the manor to handle affairs. But he preferred chasing military glory over fulfilling his duties. Telling him otherwise never helped.
A royal messenger was here. If Klein made a blunder, the Arclight family’s honor would suffer—but there was nothing the butler could do except wait, restless and anxious.
Meanwhile at the Adventurers’ Guild
As usual, I brought in today’s hunt. While Steve and the others drank ale, Mintz and Scott went to get the appraisal papers.
Just then, around a dozen men entered the tavern—half adventurers, the rest knights, plus what looked like their young master. Wealthy nobles who hired adventurers for thrills. Loud and attention-seeking as always.
Mintz and Scott returned, saw the group, and their faces immediately tightened as they sat with us.
“You’re not drinking?”
I asked.
Scott grimaced.
“Don’t feel like looking at that one’s face.”
Mintz added.
“He wouldn’t remember us, but dealing with idiots isn’t worth it.”
“Who is he?”
I whispered.
“Klein Arclight. The Count’s second son. Loves the arts and combat but…”
Scott shrugged.
“Oh yeah, you said he had a troublesome personality before, didn’t you?”
“Good memory. He likes literature well enough, fights poorly but thinks he’s talented, and has all the arrogance of a noble. Looks down on everyone.”
“Got it. Then let’s quietly slip out.”
We finished our drinks and left unnoticed.
Back at the Arclight Estate
“Klein-sama, where are you in a time like this?”
The lady of the house demanded.
“I believe he is out hunting beasts with the adventurers he hired.”
The butler answered.
“Why didn’t you stop him?”
“He currently governs in the Count’s place. I may advise him, madam, but I cannot stop him. If possible, I would be grateful if you also spoke to him.”
Klein Returns
Klein eventually rushed home after learning the royal messenger had been waiting over half a day.
“I—I deeply apologize for the delay. I am Klein Arclight, acting in my father’s stead.”
“What were you thinking, leaving the territory unsupervised in an emergency!?”
“I heard that beasts were overflowing from Rosenne and Korche—and even dragons appearing. I was verifying the safety of the area around Lynas.”
The butler whispered the proper greetings and excuses into Klein’s ear as they hurried to the office.
The messenger explained that royal messages must be delivered in a secured place, so the butler had brought him to the office.
The messenger took out a sealed document bearing the royal crest. Klein stared blankly until the butler jabbed him and hissed, “Kneel!”
The messenger’s expression contorted with anger, but he began to read.
“By order of His Majesty the King: Immediately investigate the adventurer known as Leon, born in Lynas. Report all findings directly to Chancellor Brighton. If his location is confirmed, attempt to recruit him into service. If he refuses, deliver the enclosed letter and parcel to him at once.
If even that is refused, forward the parcel to the Chancellor. Under no circumstances are you to use force or violate guild agreements.”
Klein sat frozen, unable to process the order. The butler nudged him again: “Accept the command!”
The royal messenger handed the letter to the butler.
“This is to be given to Leon. Touch neither the letter nor the parcel until then. Do not fail.”
He then hurried off toward Blange—half a day wasted thanks to Klein.
The Search for Leon
“Lord Klein, please sign this letter requesting Leon’s registry information from the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“O-oh… right.”
Klein absentmindedly tried to shove aside the parcel on his desk. The butler stopped him in panic.
“You must NOT touch the parcel!”
Klein, who usually just signed documents handed to him, had no idea what was happening.
At the Adventurers’ Guild
The butler arrived with Klein’s written request.
The submaster frowned.
“A formal request from the Count’s house? First thing in the morning?”
The guildmaster read the letter—and froze.
“Hey, Submaster… Leon. Isn’t he the one good at catching birds?”
“Yes, that’s him. Why?”
But after reading the royal order, his eyes went wide.
“Oy, Eugen… is this some kind of joke?”
“This is an official royal request. We must confirm Leon’s identity and location, and we must deliver a royal message directly.”
The guildmaster sighed.
“If it’s official, we have to cooperate.”
Then added with a smirk.
“Though didn’t the Count’s household demand he be handed over years ago? And he ended up fleeing town?”
The submaster corrected him:
“He’s back. Shows up in the tavern most evenings.”
The butler bowed and left—after being reminded by the guildmaster not to bring nobles and adventurers in to show off again.
Report to the Chancellor
Later, the butler presented the guild’s reply to Klein.
“Lord Klein, this contains all information the guild provided. Please sign it so we may send it to the Chancellor.”
“Is this enough? Shouldn’t we add something?”
“As I said before, we must report everything as we learn it. Leon is currently in this town. Please gather what information you can from the adventurers you employ.”