Chapter 164: The Mail Carrier Is Busy
After finishing in Pajies, next to Dunise, I headed west. The marquisate had been postponed, and although the next destination was another duchy, I passed that one as well.
According to the route map, my next destination was Jouelin, a royal domain.
Checking the map, I confirmed my target: the magistrate’s residence.
The magistrate’s grounds were about the size of a viscount’s estate, but the building itself was compact, more like the administrative office from which the entire town was governed.
While descending, I glanced at it. The main gate was wide open, and guards stood on both sides of the entrance.
This already felt troublesome in a completely different way…
I descended and stopped about ten meters in front of the main entrance.
The guards were startled by my sudden descent, but quickly remembered their duty and leveled their spears.
“You suspicious man floating in the air!”
“Who are you!?”
“Can you not see this banner?” I asked in exasperation, lightly shaking the royal banner.
Only then did they finally notice it. One guard dropped to his knees, while the other panicked and pointed at me.
As expected of a royal domain, they reacted quickly once they recognized the royal banner.
“I’m His Majesty’s herald. Summon the magistrate, Hoplin Schenkel!”
The kneeling guard shouted, “Yes, understood!” and ran into the building.
The other guard was still frozen, pointing at me. I almost laughed.
Soon, a man rushed out from the mansion. His clothing resembled that of a royal attendant, and the crest on his chest was also the royal emblem.
“I… I presume you’re the royal herald?”
“Indeed. I carry a royal command. Ensure this matter is kept strictly confidential.”
I landed as I spoke and handed him the order.
“Follow the instructions without error,” I added with suitable importance, then waved and departed.
Honestly… doing this same routine over and over was starting to get boring.
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The magistrate watched the herald disappear into the western sky, remembered the words “royal command,” and immediately ordered the guards to remain silent before hurrying to his office to open the document.
The order concerned a nationwide crackdown on illegal slave trafficking by local merchants.
The instructions were extremely detailed—timing, procedures, arrest lists, and even how to handle rescued victims.
Even interrogation priorities and reporting formats after arrest were meticulously written.
The more he read, the more he shivered.
So this was why the royal family had sent a herald.
Then he suddenly remembered that the man had flown away through the sky.
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Next came the territories along the Blange Highway—and yet another royal domain.
I was thoroughly tired of the routine, but Bilung came first, followed by Zandra.
Just like Jouelin, things went smoothly, which was a relief.
Still, Zandra seemed strangely entangled with my life. Maybe it was some sort of spirit curse.
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My final stop for the day was Adèle, though the order was to be delivered in Kreis, the preceding city.
I didn’t want Duke Barland to see me in this outfit, but there was no avoiding it.
I wanted to finish work properly and quickly, so I descended toward the familiar ducal estate.
I landed in front of the main gate carriage circle, holding the royal banner.
This time, there were no alarm bells or panic—just silence.
Soon the main doors opened fully. A familiar man appeared with Butler Nilbert beside him.
He knelt.
“My lord, Duke Griffen Barland, is presently in the royal capital. I, his heir Dirks Barland, will receive the order.”
He bowed toward the royal banner, though it was obvious that he had no desire to bow to me personally.
I landed, dispelled the balloon magic, and handed over the order.
“Keep the contents of this order strictly confidential until it’s executed. That’s His Majesty’s command.”
“Understood. You have our gratitude for your service.”
He looked slightly annoyed—his cheek twitching—but he was clearly the type who takes duty seriously.
I gave Nilbert a brief nod, then rose into the sky again.
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“So he’s serving as a royal herald now… What exactly is that man’s position?”
“More importantly, the royal family is issuing direct orders through a herald. This is no ordinary matter.”
“Understood. Let us go to the office.”
Inside the office, after reading the document, anger appeared on his face.
“That man has disgraced the Barland name.”
“Has Leon-sama done something?”
“No. I mean the magistrate of Adèle.”
He trembled with anger.
So this was why Father had been summoned to the capital.
Now I had received a royal order to handle the matter in his place.
If I couldn’t manage something like this, I was unfit to inherit a ducal house.
“Nilbert, read this. Then investigate everything surrounding the magistrate of Adèle.”
Nilbert’s expression grew steadily more severe as he read.
“If this is true… we must act carefully, or evidence may be erased. I’ll send agents to Adèle immediately…”
“That won’t work. That’s exactly why the man is being used. Many lords will move at once.”
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The next morning would be brutal: Narcier, Lynas, Folka, and Gerande, in reverse order.
I flew as far as I could, but the sun set near Randol, so I stopped to rest.
Early to bed and early to rise are part of an adventurer’s life—or so I told myself as I drank and collapsed at sunset.
Thanks to that, I left at dawn and reached the magistrate’s residence in Narcier shortly after sunrise.
The town was still half-asleep. Even the guards looked drowsy.
But when they saw me approaching with the royal banner, they immediately prepared themselves.
Before a commotion could begin, I stopped in front of them and ordered them to summon the magistrate.
The magistrate soon emerged, still clutching a napkin from breakfast, and knelt.
“Read the order carefully. Don’t speak of this to anyone. Execute it quietly.”
“Understood.”
Yes, this man understood the significance of the royal banner. A model official.
The only unfortunate detail was the napkin still in his hand, but I decided not to mention it.
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After a long absence, I returned to Lynas.
I landed before Count Arkwright’s mansion.
The guards were already used to me dropping from the sky, but they still panicked when they saw the royal banner.
I waved them down and told them to fetch the count.
Count Arkwright, Romand, and Eugen came outside and knelt.
“How’s the situation in the town?”
“We’ve captured about half of the escaped collaborators and underlings, but nothing beyond that yet.”
“That’s fine. The ringleader is already secured. The rest will be caught eventually.”
“And my home…?”
“Your mother and older sister are furious and want to know what you’re doing. Eugen told them that you’re carrying out royal business and will be away for some time.”
Ah… My sister was going to be a problem again.
I had better prepare an excuse, or I might end up being punished again.
I quickly finished the report and departed.
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“It seems Leon-dono was right, but we can’t relax until the lid is opened. Don’t neglect the city’s security.”
“The compensation has kept the market workers and adventurers calm,” Romand reported. “They also bring us immediate reports of suspicious people and lawbreakers.”
“Good. Continue the operation without lowering your guard.”
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From there, I flew to Folka and landed before Count Radcliffe’s mansion in Werner.
“I’m the representative of His Majesty King Wilfred Sutherland! Summon Count Clyde Radcliffe!”
The guards hesitated—but seeing the royal banner, they quickly complied.
The count soon arrived and knelt.
Since he was already familiar with me, the exchange went smoothly.
I handed him the order, but as I turned to leave, he stopped me.
“Leon-dono… what exactly is happening?”
“I’m afraid I can’t say. Please read the document and follow the instructions without error.”
Gerande was the only destination still remaining.
Once I delivered the order to its magistrate, this round would be complete.
After that, the noble-related troubles would begin, so we could talk at leisure another time—if the opportunity arose.