The Strongest Wizard Becomes a Countryside Guardsman After Taking an Arrow to the Knee - Chapter 379

– The Agent’s Questioning

Timisoara glided into the room following Belda’s steps.

「I am Duchess Timisoara of the ancient dragon throne. Thank you for having me.」

「It is my honor to receive such a distinguished dragon as yourself.」

They then clasped hands in greeting briefly.

「And this person in the lion mask is my “follower,” Alra.」

「It is my pleasure, Alra.」

「The pleasure is all mine.」

After the appropriate greetings were finished, Belda said,

「I have heard that you have suppressed someone that attempted to take the title of Demon Lord. The crown sends his deepest thanks.」

「Hm? How did you come to find out about that information?」

「I heard that viscounts Linmia and Langow, as well as you, aided in his capture.」

Linmia was Yureena’s family name, Langow was Luka’s.

Seems like the information left me out of the story.

「Well, there’s no mistake in the information. Other adventurers in Elkay helped as well. I didn’t do much, myself.」

「Is that so? I have to thank these adventurers and your followers, though.」

Belda was a beautiful woman with a long, blonde ponytail. She spoke a bit like a man, though.

She had hidden her royal heritage and had risen in the ranks of the knights to vice-chief, as a woman.

I guess that’s why she spoke a bit roughly.

「Please, Viscount Timi, please be seated along with your “follower.”」

「Thank you.」「Thank you very much.」

「Millia, please sit as well.」

「Thank you very much.」

After having us sit down, she had Millia sit as well.

It wasn’t normal for a commoner like Millia to be offered a seat by an agent like this, however.

And Vi-Vi was left to stand, as she was the guard.

After speaking to Timi for a bit, Belda then spoke to Millia.

「I’d like you to explain who those people in the jail are.」

「They were under the employ of the so-called Demon Lord, and were given exclusive access to buy and sell all goods to and from Elkay.」

「Oh?」

Millia also explained the crimes they had committed.

She was very intelligent, so she explained every charge very clearly.

Belda listened to it all silently.

「…I see. I have many things to ask…but I wonder which to ask first.」

She thought a bit, then said,

「My workers have found that the condition here in Elkay has improved quite a bit. This is mainly due to the Wolf Wholesaler. I must thank you as the crown’s agent.」

「No need to say. It is our pleasure.」

「However, this Wolf Wholesaler…I’ve never heard of before.」

「It was only created a bit ago.」

「A bit ago? Why did you choose such a name, Millia?」

「I did so at the bequest of Linmia Trading.」

「Oh, Linmia Trading? And the capital for this store?」

「Oh, it came from Marquise Conradine.」

「Oh! The fabled hero! For her to give her own money to the people of Elkay like that! Quite generous of her.」

Belda looked genuinely moved.

She then moved on to the fighting power of the wholesaler in the jail.

「To be honest, my guard and the viscount’s follower might have more information than me.」

Belda looked over to me.

「Then I’d like to hear it.」

She also looked at Vi-Vi.

「A direct answer is fine. No need for pleasantries.」

After I explained about the wholesaler’s guards and zombie army, Belda looked stunned.

「A zombie army of orcs and ogres?!」

「Yes, 14 orcs and 15 ogres.」

「You did well to dispose of them. It would be a difficult job even for the dragon knights.」

「It’s my follower, after all.」

Timi said proudly.

「I see. With a follower of the ancient dragon viscount, I guess it is of no surprise.」

Belda said, with me adding,

「Viscount Langow was also here in Elkay, fighting.」

「I would expect that from that holy maiden as well.」

Belda said, nodding.

From when was Luka called the holy maiden before? I had never heard it.

Timi said to Belda,

「After the so-called Demon Lord and his demon adviser were defeated, we also went around with the adventurers to find and purge the zombies from the town. In other words, that wholesaler in the jail was using them as his own minions.」

「…and that heavy crime will be repaid heavily, I can assure you.」

「One of the two seemed to have quite the skill in changing people into zombies.」

She continued peppering us all with many questions.

I could feel that Belda was going to treat the community of Elkay fairly, though. She looked very serious about her responsibility.

She also ended up paying the adventurers that watched the jail herself.

With one segment of questioning done, she ordered refreshments to be brought in.

「Tea and food will be brought in. You may all be seated now.」

Vi-Vi then looked to take a seat.

「May I?」

「Certainly.」

Even though she was a royal, she was quite relaxed.

The public questioning about the affair was over. That’s why she didn’t allow Vi-Vi to be seated.

However, now she would ask us questions off the record. I thought it was a good choice to ask whatever else in a more relaxed way.

The snacks were brought out, and Shiggy was looking intently at them from inside my pouch.

She could smell them coming.

「…quiet.」

I whispered to her.

She stayed quiet.

She was very smart for a baby. I would give her a lot to eat later.

We had the snacks, drank tea, and Belda continued with the questioning.

「Oh? You know another place with good food like this? I’d love to try it.」

I guess it was more like smalltalk than questioning.

However, she still was searching for information.

She was a very sociable royal.