Chapter 411: Investigations

「Oops, It seems i talked too long, I was excited to see the Black Lightning Princess in front of me. Please take a seat」

「Nn」

Prompted by the Count, Fran sits down on the sofa again. The Count sits in front of us, with Colbert to the right and Velmeria and Frederick to the left of the Count.

「Well, it seems to have been an unfortunate encounter, but I'm not going to blame it」

That's good to hear. We slammed our thunder magic into Velmeria, the daughter of the Count. If we were blamed for that, we would have a lot of trouble.

「But if possible, I would like to know what's your purpose for? We are investigating Marquis Ashtner, and it's almost over. If you make a flashy move there, what we've been secretly doing so far will be wasted」

Count Bailleys said he was investigating the treason of Marquis Ashtner at the behest of the kingdom. In particular he was suspected of his own research and search of magic swords, and illegal manufacturing and smuggling of narcotics.

「It's all because of Black Lightning Princess――Fran, we can uncover a part of Serdio Receps sins」

They haven’t able to grab Marquis Ashtner tail until now, but it seems that various things have begun to appear in the wake of Serdio's death.

「It seems that he run out of his luck up until now. Serves him right」

Count Bailleys said so and laughed with joy. He is completely hostile to Marquis Ashtner huh.

「I heard from Colbert that your acquaintance may have been captured by Marquis Ashtner」

「Nn」

「Can i know his name?」

(what to do?)

Well, with the help of the Count, we might be able to get information about Gallus.

Besides, when it comes to the investigation by the order of the country, if we do something wrong and get in the way, there is a possibility that we could be criminals.

『Fran, we'd better talk about Gallus here』

(Nn, understand)

In the first place, as long as we can find Gallus, it doesn't have to be on our own. Fran would want to rescue Gallus on her own, but I’m okay if Count Bailleys rescued Gallus from Marquis Ashtner.

「Looking for Gallus the blacksmith」

「Gallus…Maybe the Kranzel Kingdom Honorary Blacksmiths, Gallus?」

「That’s him」

「…Surely a while ago, Marquis Ashtner had invite Gallus under the pretext of a public project…Frederick?」

「Sir, According to the investigation, Marquis Ashtner requested it should have been for repairing magic tools of the Great Barrier」

The Great Barrier is a magical tool that creates a huge barrier that covers the town developed by Marquis Ashtner. It is not completed yet, but it is said that i has been put to practical use.

It seems that this is also one of the factors that Marquis Ashtner is suspected for treason against the kingdom. In other word. It is thought that they intended to use it as a trump card when it comes to a fight with the country.

Although the information is handed over at the request of the country, the doubt seems to remain.

「At first, it is a secret of the Marquis, so we don't know where and how long the work was done」

「So, the repairs already done, right?」

「Yes, about Gallus, he has already been released」

In other words, he means that he has been released but they are still confining him?

「Gallus is likely to have been confined in Count Olmes's villa」

「Huh? Is that true?」

「Nn. A mansion with a war maiden glared at by a scorpion lion. That is where Gallus is」

「I see, that's certainly the mansion」

It seems he understood immediately because his mansion was related.

「How did you get that information?」

「Gallus told me」

If it's him, it wouldn't be a problem to tell him. We tell them that there's a letter secretly written on the scabbard exhibited by Gallus, and what written on it was "a mansion with a war maiden glared at by a scorpion lion."

Bailleys seems to have believed us by showing him the actual scabbard.

「So that's how…can you give me one day? we're going to investigate it」

「Can you get anything on one day?」

「I've spent a lot of time keeping my hands around Marquis Ashtner. I'm going to do my best to find out」

It seems that he has taken a long time to prepare. That's why he wants to avoid Fran from ruining his effort.

「If he's detaining the kingdom's honorary blacksmith, Gallus, he can be charged with a clear national treason」

(Master, what to do?)

『Hmm, I’m sure it's bad to rush it』

I don't even know where he's being confined in the mansion. Moreover, i we do something to the noble's mansion, it becomes a big crime. So, it would be less dangerous to have Count Bailleys investigate.

「If Gallus-shi is confined, it must be related to the research of magic sword, if so, we can investigate by the route they used to procuring the supplies necessary for blacksmithing from somewhere」

He seems to be quite confident. This seemed to be worth for a one day waiting.

「I understand, will wait 1 day」

「That's helpful, I will send you a messenger tomorrow night」

「Nn」

But what can we do until tomorrow? is there anything we can do to help?

「Do you need helps with the investigation?」

「Rather, adding an unfamiliar person might confuses the field. If you won't do anything――No, can you spend your day normally?」

「Normally?」

「Umu, I'm talking about the scabbard, I don't know how much Marquis Ashtner knows. At worst, he may be monitoring Fran. Ah, but in here you are safe. This mansion is our base for investigation, cause I’m paying really close attention to it. But, i won't know in your daily life. There's a possibility that there's a watchful eye in the inn or in the town」

「I see」

「In that case, it would be more deceptive to the other side to go sightseeing. It's fine to participate in the auction, right?」

Well, he does have a point. And to tell the truth, i was really grateful for his word. After all, magic stone auction will be held tomorrow. In this situation, i was hesitant to participate. But if he asks us to keep it normal, I can't help but do that, right?

「Nn, then tomorrow I’ll be normal」

「Do that please, Ah, I’ll be putting surveillance over you, so please don't attack them」

「Surveillance? over me?」

「No, I'm trying to keep an eye on the spies which is monitoring Fran. I don't know how much information Marquis Ashtner has about Fran. But if it done well, I might be able to grab the tail of the other person」

So, Fran become a decoy huh? Well, we don't really care, there is no harm here. We have to talk with telepathy as much as possible, otherwise, when Fran is alone, she will be thought as a loner with a lot of monologues.