Chapter 99

This time, it's from Bran Clowd's perspective ('ω')

"Isn't this ruining our plans!"

In the carriage, while wiping the wound on his cheek, he vents his uncontrollable frustration at the knight sitting beside him. If these guys were just a bit more competent, we could have had the upper hand.

"To be outmaneuvered by mere adventurers, you should know shame. It's unacceptable for you to be unscathed while I am injured!"

"I apologize."

"But, damn... Rainys."

He recalls the face of his detestable niece, who looks at him with cold eyes. Her rebellious attitude towards her uncle must be due to the mixed blood and environment.

Really, if she were at least obedient like her mother, she wouldn't be such a handful.

...But, I can't afford to miss this opportunity.

After all, the second son of the Salmteria royal family is the target. If the amount offered for the transfer is secured, the Clowd family won't have to worry about money for a while. For me, it will also mean no longer being mocked behind my back as the second son of a poor noble family. To achieve this, the current deal must succeed.

Based on our preliminary investigation, I was almost certain that the girl was Rainys, but after meeting her directly, my suspicion turned into certainty. Her facial features, tone of voice, and hair color resemble the maid, and her gray eyes are a characteristic of the Clowd family. Moreover, it doesn't matter anymore whether she is really Rainys or not.

...I have already received the advance payment.

Even if the girl has no connection to our family, she must be handed over. Whether she is Rainys or not, the 'product' they want is that woman. The other party is just an adventurer, so there are plenty of ways to handle it.

Just as I was thinking this, the carriage stopped. I let out a deep breath, checked my appearance in the mirror provided in the carriage, and then got out. Regretting that the plan didn't go as intended, but there's nothing to be done.

I put on the Salmteria kilts, and the armed men looked at me with puzzled eyes. This large Salmteria-style building, which would attract attention even in Dunna, was prepared for a certain man.

—The second prince of the Salmteria Kingdom, Mastoma.

One of the candidates for the next king in Salmteria, who seeks to prove his worth through 'adventures.' That's why he desires someone like Rainys, who is an adventurer.

"I am Bran Clowd, the envoy of the Clowd family. Please announce me to Prince Mastoma."

"Enter, proceed, I have heard."

A soldier who spoke broken Wellmerian opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

"Wait here."

"Yes."

Leaving the guard knights behind, I proceeded into the mansion. The interior, uniformly painted with white stucco, felt like a foreign country, and the furnishings were entirely different from those in Wellmeria. The strangely stimulating scent that irritated my nose—what could it be? I hope it's not poison to the Wellmerians.

"Please, this way."

Guided by a lightly dressed man who spoke fluent Wellmerian, I walked through the mansion. The numerous jewels and gold furnishings that caught my eye—how much money has he spent on this temporary lodging for his adventures?

While thinking about this, I arrived at a circular room with a skylight. In the center of the room, covered with a carpet with unique patterns, was a large cushion-like sofa without legs. The master of the house was reclining on it, smoking a water pipe, surrounded by several beautifully dressed women who looked entranced.

"Welcome, Bran. So, where is the item?"

The handsome man with tanned skin looked at me with an expectant gaze.

"About that, I would like to request a little more time..."

"Well, isn't it about time for the agreed date?"

His mood suddenly plummeted, and the second prince looked at me with a cold aura.

"Since she is an adventurer, she has a bit of a temper. When I tried to inform her that I would come to Prince Mastoma today, she hit me with a magic spell."

"A woman hitting a man. Wellmeria is truly a land of ignorance."

The second prince sighed, looking down on me.

"Perhaps the education is lacking?"

"Haha, exactly. I will prepare it as soon as possible, so please wait a little longer."

"Very well. That girl has a use that no other wife has."

Mastoma was saying something, but I was feeling uneasy. The pressure was so intense that it felt like my stomach acid was burning my throat.

"Hey, Bran."

"Yes?"

"Can you also get the women around Rainys?"

"Huh...?"

What is he talking about? Rainys is one thing, but the other women too?

"The price will be triple... no, quintuple. She can't be a queen without noble status, but she has her uses."

"That... that..."

This is no joke. While I can claim ownership of Rainys as a Clowd family bastard, the other women are different. Their backgrounds are unknown, and even if I could somehow make it happen, it would be like kidnapping. As the second son of a noble family, I can't do such a thing.

...No, wait.

If I eliminate that Yuke Ferdio and somehow get the whole party, it might work. Adventurers are like managed vagrants, a job taken by those without skills and in need of money. They have no significant backing, so with the power of the Clowd family... a noble, it should be easy to get them.

I can make up some reason like a designated request and bring them to this second prince. Adventurers often disappear during missions, so it won't be a problem.

"I will do my best. Please wait a little longer."

"Very well. You may leave."

With a gesture as if to dispel a curse, I was prompted to leave. I left the second prince's mansion with a slight sense of frustration.

How was it? ('ω')

This is how salespeople take on unreasonable orders (laughs).

If you found it interesting or want to know what happens next, please give it a ★★★★★ to show your support!

Thank you very much.