Kent and his companions arrived at the guardhouse.
Inside, the situation was quite chaotic with tending to injured persons.
“My apologies, Deputy Lord. We are currently busy and were unable to greet you.”
“Thank you for your hard work. Please continue with your duties without minding us.”
“Yes, sir!”
The guards, realizing Kent and his companions were there, tried to gather. However, Kent stopped them, telling them to return to their work.
“It looks like things are quite chaotic,” Caro observed.
“It does,” Kent replied.
Caro also looked around the guardhouse, surprised by the unusual atmosphere.
“Kent, Caro, it seems we just missed the messenger. I apologize.”
“It’s an emergency, so it can’t be helped. However, in the future, during emergencies, this kind of chaos is not acceptable. We need to establish a proper communication system.”
“You are absolutely right. It’s quite embarrassing.”
“We’ll take over from here, so you can return to your house.”
“Understood. Thank you for your help from now on.”
Bernna’s older brother, who had just passed them, remained at the guardhouse. Kent reconfirmed the future tasks and, after receiving instructions from Bernna’s brother, looked for Chuck, the Captain of the Guard.
“Is the Captain of the Guard here?”
“I apologize for the wait. Deputy Lord, Caroline.”
Chuck, unlike his usual self, gave a brief greeting and proceeded to explain the situation.
“You’ve likely heard from the messenger, but the unpleasant screaming came from our training grounds. As for the damage, one guard is in critical condition, unconscious. Five other guards lost consciousness but have recovered and are now resting in bed.”
“Understood. And what about the plant that caused this?”
“Yes, we have determined it to be dangerous and have instructed the guards not to approach it.”
Kent listened to Chuck’s explanation.
“So, Al, is it safe to approach?”
“Yes, it only screams when pulled from the ground, so it’s safe.”
“Is that so? I seem to recall someone making eerie noises every night, complaining about the cold?”
“I’ve forgotten all about that.”
Al had a convenient way of forgetting things.
“Then, please guide us to the site.”
“However, we cannot put you all in danger…”
When Kent requested guidance, Chuck seemed hesitant, considering the safety aspect.
“I will take full responsibility, so please guide us.”
“Understood… This way, please.”
At Kent’s insistence, Chuck reluctantly agreed to guide them. The training grounds were in a state of disarray, with weeding work left unfinished and uprooted plants scattered haphazardly.
“Oh, how cute!”
Caro found something discarded in a corner of the training grounds and picked it up.
“Uu… Uu… Uu…”
The creepy, carrot-like brown object let out a groan as it nestled in Caro’s hands.
“This child is whimpering! It’s so cute.”
Caro’s actions cast doubt on her sense of aesthetics, but upon seeing the object, Kent was certain.
“It’s a Mandrake, just as I suspected.”
“Didn’t Catherine buy one at the market before?”
“I’ve heard rumors… I didn’t realize this was it.”
Hearing Kent’s words, Caro and Chuck observed the Mandrake. While a plant called Mandrake exists in Kent’s original world, this Mandrake differed, taking a shape closer to those described in fantasy. In fantasy, when a Mandrake rooted in the ground is pulled out, it lets out a scream which is said to be fatal to those who hear it. However, this world’s Mandrake, according to Al, does not possess such potency.
“Master, it seems some of my seeds, which I threw here for attack purposes before, have sprouted… Oops.”
Al whispered to Kent. It seemed to be from when Al and Chuck fought here previously.
“Hey, is that child of yours, Al?”
“Well, it’s not wrong to call it a child… It’s more like a subordinate that will grow into one. But don’t worry, it rarely grows. In this state, it has no use other than as material for strange potions. Hehe.”
“You know, I heard Al was sold as an ingredient in the market?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Al, sweating on his forehead when pressed, explained that before growing, the Mandrake was apparently sold in the market as a rare ingredient, according to Catherine, who had bought it.
“You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”
“Ugh, I can’t just say that when it’s crushed and mixed into food, it becomes an aphrodisiac that keeps you excited all night… It’s apparently quite valuable to aristocrats, though.”
“Is it possible Catherine knew that when she bought it?”
If she deliberately purchased it, Catherine might be quite a strategist. It was fortunate that Al was by his side now, but Kent wondered what would have happened if the purpose Al mentioned had been exploited.
“It’s the same as always…”
“Master gets excited with someone every night.”
“Don’t say unnecessary things.”
“Ouch!”
Kent playfully hit Al.
“So, Kent, what should we do with this Mandrake?”
“Al says it’s an aphrodisiac, should we take it back?”
“Kent!”
Caro said, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“Captain of the Guard, what are your thoughts on handling this Mandrake?”
“From our perspective, it’s treated the same as any other weed we pull. If the Deputy Lord wishes to take it, we have no objections. Although, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind enjoying it with my wife! Hahaha.”
Chuck, the Captain of the Guard, said with a hint of a joke.
“Then I will take custody of this Mandrake. Now, let us go and check on the condition of the injured guards.”
“Yes, this way.”
Kent and his companions were led to the infirmary by a guard, where they confirmed the condition of the injured soldiers. According to Al, they were not in mortal danger and would likely wake up in a few days, so they left them in the care of the guards and decided to return to the Mayor’s office.
“So, apart from some minor confusion at the guardhouse, it seems there were no other damage reports, which is good.”
“Yes, according to all the reports, that’s the situation.”
Kent and his companions returned to the Mayor’s office, made final confirmations, and resolved the matter. In the end, due to the time spent dealing with the incident, the planned farm work for the day was cancelled. Afterward, they found themselves with some rare, relaxed time.
