After arriving in Memoria and getting caught up in a commotion, we decided to head towards the Healer’s Guild once things had settled down a bit.
Chris-san, who is scheduled to be the new Sub Order’s Master of Memoria, is at the Healer’s Guild, so we need to find out what happened from them.
I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on, but I still need to confirm it with them directly.
“W-what! H.R.H. Manalease, H.R.H. Yuriana!”
Chris, who was lying on a bed in the Healer’s Guild’s second floor, sat up as soon as they saw Mana and Yuri. However, they still seemed to be recovering, as they were swaying.
“Stay lying down. The Order’s Master told me you were here at the Healer’s Guild, so what exactly happened?” Mana instructed Chris to lie back down before asking directly what had happened.
“Yes. I was investigating Jezal’s background in Memoria when I encountered a woman being attacked by an assailant in an alley. I intervened, and to my surprise, the assailant was Jezal himself, along with his Followers, who are Orders. I managed to fend them off, but the Order’s Master overheard this and approached me, suggesting I not report it.”
“What the heck, the Sub Order’s Master was trying to assault a woman in an alley? That’s completely out of line. And with his Followers too, what about public safety? And then for the Order’s Master to say something like that, it’s nothing but a lawless zone.”
“What did you say?”
“Of course, I refused and returned to my lodging to write a report, but during that time, I received a report that large Monsters were approaching Memoria. I quickly prepared my equipment and headed for the gate. However, I was caught off guard on the way…”
“The large Monsters were most likely Athena. There were no Dragonians in Amister, so in a way, it’s understandable that the Orders mistook a dragon-transformed Dragonian for a Monster. But we had sent word, so they shouldn’t have definitively concluded it was a Monster.”
“Let me ask you one thing, did you see that large Monster?”
“Yes. But it wasn’t a Monster, it was a Dragon carrying a Beast Carriage, so I recognized it as the Dragonian we were notified about. I also clearly remember that H.R.H. Manalease, H.R.H. Yuriana, and Marquis Frederica were on the Beast Carriage.”
“So, they let their guard down and were caught off guard. But Chris is level 47, so even if they were caught off guard, they shouldn’t have been outmatched so quickly. Even if Jezal had attacked, they were investigating him, so they wouldn’t have been careless. No, I can’t imagine anyone else attacking Chris.”
“Who attacked you?”
“Jezal.”
“As I thought. Chris was heading to the gate alone, but along the way, they met up with the Order’s Master and confirmed the Beast Carriage that Athena was carrying. So, there was no need to rush, but then Jezal appeared with his Followers and apparently advised them to intercept without hesitation. Jezal had also confirmed the Beast Carriage, and judged that it was being transported by Monsters as spoils of war, so it’s no longer just a matter of Orders’ misconduct.”
“Chris and the Order’s Master naturally rejected Jezal’s suggestion, but for Jezal, Chris was someone who would take away his position. So, the story is that he thrust his sword into Chris, who had forbidden him from attacking from behind.”
“The Order’s Master also didn’t expect Jezal to go that far, but at that moment, they had also joined up with other Orders, so they couldn’t finish Chris off. Moreover, they even tried to hide their actions by cutting down their own Followers. It’s incredibly shallow, but Chris lost consciousness after confirming all of that.”
“Hearing all of this, as expected, Rika-san is looking pale.”
“I see. It looks like we can’t leave Memoria right away.”
“That’s right. At the very least, we can’t move until the Orders from the headquarters are summoned.”
“The Sub Order’s Master was about to kill an investigator. Furthermore, the Order’s Master witnessed this, but didn’t tell us about Chris until Mana questioned them, so it’s beyond a matter of misconduct.”
“Fortunately, we have time. I’ll have Eos fly to bring the Grand Order’s Master, as Yuri needs to stay in Memoria.”
“Eos can fly there in about an hour and a half, so even with preparations, they should be back in Memoria before sunset. But I can’t let Mana and Eos go alone.”
“In that case, I’ll go too.”
“Me too. Yamato is an O-Rank Order, so it’s better for them to stay here.”
“That’s right. However, for the Float, it would be better to have testimony from the Order, not just from Mana-sama, so I will also accompany you.”
Flam, Prim, and Meena, who are officially married to me, volunteered to escort Mana. Indeed, Meena is an Order and was promoted to S-rank yesterday, so she should be easy to contact. Flam is an archer, so they can handle anything even if attacked by flying Monsters. Furthermore, with Prim, an Ancient Foxy, accompanying them, there will be no shortage of guards.
“Understood.”
“I’m sorry to trouble you, but please. Chris, about the report?”
“It’s still in progress, but it’s in storage. However, concerning the matter of me being wounded…”
“That’s unavoidable. But for pointing a sword at an investigator, that alone is enough to have Jezal dismissed. No, more than that, they’re definitely a criminal slave.”
“Even criminal slaves have a weak subservience magic effect on High Class, so in this case, it would be capital punishment. There are also Followers, but they should be fine as criminal slaves if they are Normal Class. There may be others besides those who were cut down, but it’s completely their own fault, so who cares.”
“I need to return to the mansion and confirm with Mother about the public safety in Memoria.”
“Then, we will go to escort Rika-sama.”
Raus, Rebecca, Carol, and Yuria volunteered to escort Rika-san. However, since Carol and Yuria are neither Hunters nor Orders, Lidia will also go.
“That’s right. But the Beast Carriage will be used by Mana-sama and the others, so we’ll have to go on foot?”
“In that case, I’ll have Jade go with us as well, to act as escorts.”
Jade and the other familiars are already on the Beast Carriage, so there’s no need to summon them.
“No, since Yuri-sama will also be present, Honest would be better. I was also staying at the Marquis Amatista family’s別邸, so I should at least pay my respects.”
As I was thinking this, Apricot-san spoke up. It’s true that Apricot-san was staying at the Marquis Amatista family’s別邸 while in Feel, so it’s understandable they would think that way, and Honest can carry about five people, so that would be better.
“Understood. Then, I, Athena, and Ludia will escort Yuri with Jade. I still have some concerns.”
“Yes, please take care of that. Well then, we’re off.”
“Let’s go too.”
Mana got into the Beast Carriage with Prim, Meena, and Flam and left Memoria. Oh, Ed and the others are on the Beast Carriage working, so they’re accompanying them, and Marisa-san is also going. Rika-san is on Honest with Apricot-san, Carol, and Yuria, with Lidia, Raus, and Rebecca escorting them, heading towards the Marquis Amatista family. Jade looks lonely outside, but with Ludia, Athena, and Viola going, they should be fine.
“Chris, what happened to the Healer Master?”
“They are at the orphanage because they are short-handed. However, I have heard that the Healer’s Guild has been neglecting healing recently, so the Healer Master is quite exhausted.”
“As I thought. Chris was stabbed in the abdomen with a sword, so to heal that, Noble Healing and Blood Healing would be used. Even so, they need to rest for a while, but it wouldn’t lead to a situation where they can’t get out of bed. Yet, since Chris is in such a state, only High Healing was used, and Blood Healing, which restores blood, was probably not used.”
“That’s right, the healing magic used on me was only High Healing. It was still a case under investigation, but it seems that quite a few high-ranking healers were colluding with Jezal, and I’ve heard they are inciting fear among the townspeople.”
“Is that so? In other words, Jezal has even monopolized the Healer’s Guild?”
“Probably, only.”
Yuri is on the verge of getting angry, but I understand how they feel. The Healer’s Guild was founded by Yuri’s great-grandmother, Sayuri-sama. Sayuri-sama never became the Grand Healer Master, but she still travels to towns and villages with few healers to provide treatment. Yuri was inspired by Sayuri-sama to become a healer, so it’s natural for them to be angry, and this is a matter that could easily turn the Royal Family into an enemy.
“Chris-san, is the orphanage that the Healer Master is so busy with perhaps the one Rika-san prepared the location for?”
“Yes. To be precise, the previous Marquis Amatista bought and renovated a vacant mansion and is using it as an orphanage. Not only the Healer Master but also other Guild Masters have agreed and are cooperating, but the former Order’s Master reduced security because there was no point in using valuable Orders, and that seems to be continuing. As a result, I’ve heard that thugs are gathering around the orphanage, threatening the children and extorting money and valuables.”
“I’ve also heard that Hunters from the orphanage are patrolling, but even after being caught multiple times, they keep reappearing. That’s definitely Jezal pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
“I see. In that case, our first destination will be that orphanage.”
“Right. I don’t have the authority to restrict the actions of the Order’s Master, but still, as an O-Rank Order, I should be able to do something until the Grand Order’s Master arrives.”
“No, Yamato-kun. I’ve heard that even as an Outside, an O-Rank Order has considerable authority. At least, I think we could apprehend any Order who took problematic actions, even if they were the Order’s Master.”
“Is that so?”
“I don’t remember hearing about that… Ah, right. After the investiture ceremony, Tolman-san gave me the contract for the Order’s Guild. Perhaps it’s written there?”
I opened my Stalling and confirmed that the contract was stored in my storage before taking it out.
“What does it say… Oh, seriously. And it also lists the Knight Magic that I’m permitted to use.”
The contract stated exactly what Chris had said, and it also listed the Knight Magic that I could use. Surprisingly, it seems I can also use Scanning, but I hadn’t even considered it because I can already do that with my Bestowed Magic Magic Eye. I couldn’t do things like Hearing or the magic to move within Amagi Castle used by the Royal Order, though.
“Well, it was right before the standing buffet, and the next day was the wedding ceremony with my sisters, Meena, and Flam, so my attention was probably focused on that…”
“Still, you should have at least confirmed it…”
Yuri and Chris’s gazes are piercing. In reality, for the exact reason Yuri stated, I had completely forgotten about the contract until just now. Furthermore, afterward, I got caught up in trouble because of Lux, the High Hunter who betrayed Amister, so I didn’t have the luxury to recall it. However, if I can restrain even an Order’s Master for problematic actions, I should deal with that first.
“I think that’s fine. As you can tell from the fact that the Order’s Master couldn’t stand up to Jezal, they are generally a timid person. Also, the reason they told me not to report Jezal’s problematic behavior was because they didn’t want to lose their position as Order’s Master. And since they had delegated the orphanage’s supervision to Jezal, they probably think they were doing a proper job of overseeing it.”
“No, that’s a problem in itself. To tell someone not to report things for self-preservation, what kind of Order is that? And to completely hand over the orphanage matters to Jezal, that’s just a clear violation.”
“You can’t even mention the word ‘Order’ in front of them. That alone is sufficient reason to dismiss the Order’s Master. Chris, you are scheduled to be appointed as Sub Order’s Master, but how about becoming the Order’s Master instead?”
“I’d really rather not. While my child is about to reach adulthood, my child with my current wife is still only five years old.”
“Chris, you’re married? And if your child is about to reach adulthood, does that mean you’re almost forty years old?”
“Yamato-kun, you look like you want to ask something?”
“No, nothing at all.”
I replied reflexively, but my gaze was filled with murderous intent! Asking a woman her age is nothing short of suicidal, so even I wouldn’t make such a reckless move.
“Is that so? However, since your family will also be moving to Memoria, it seems manageable.”
While Order’s Masters are often men, it’s not entirely impossible for women to hold the position. The reason is that when women become pregnant, they can no longer fulfill their duties as Orders, and it’s not uncommon for them to take leave until their children are somewhat grown. This also applies to Sub Order’s Masters, so Rosemary, the Sub Order’s Master of Feel, will be retiring as Sub Order’s Master upon marrying Rex, the Order’s Master. However, once the children are older, they can return to their duties, and there’s no problem with them taking on the position of Order’s Master then. I recall that the Order’s Masters of the Earl’s territories of Crystallos and Ballman were such women.
“That will be up to His Majesty and the Grand Order’s Master, I suppose. I certainly didn’t expect the Order’s Master to have been involved in misconduct as well.”
“Probably not. However, since they condoned the Sub Order’s Master’s arrogance, I believe there are likely candidates.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
“Alright then, I’ll take Athena and Ludia and head to the Order’s Guild headquarters. After a stern warning to the Order’s Master, we’ll go to the orphanage.”
“That’s right. But before that, ‘Blood Healing’. How about it, Chris?”
“Oh, right. Chris was only treated with High Healing and can’t get out of bed, but with Yuri using Blood Healing, they can now get up. Originally, Noble Healing should also be used, but using Noble Healing on a High Class consumes a considerable amount of Mana for the healer. While it wouldn’t incapacitate them, they couldn’t avoid exhaustion, so they probably didn’t use it, thinking about the future.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. I feel much better.”
“But please, don’t overexert yourself yet. My sisters are flying there on the Float, so the Grand Order’s Master should also arrive in Memoria today.”
“I’ve heard that Manalease-sama has also made a contract with a Dragonian, but I never imagined that they could travel to the Float so quickly. The dragon transformation of a Dragonian is truly amazing.”
“The ability to transport the Beast Carriage itself is also a strength.”
Well then, let’s head to the Order’s Guild headquarters. Chris would normally need guards, but thanks to Yuri’s Blood Healing, their lost blood has returned, so while they can’t overexert themselves, they should be able to manage some defense. Moreover, even if there are healers in Jezal’s pocket, Jezal has already been captured using subservience magic, so if there are any sharp-eared individuals, they might be planning their escape by now. Just in case, once we get to the Order’s Guild, I’ll ask some trustworthy Orders to escort us. After that, we’ll go to the orphanage and hunt down any thugs we find.
