Chapter 17: HospitalityWe were just clearing the table when Alina snuck downstairs, looked around and darted out the front door. We continued as before and pretended not to notice. After sneaking around for a while, she climbed into a nearby tree, probably to keep track of us. I set the covered pot of the remaining soup just outside the house and got ready to head out to the byrinths with the guys.

  I’d really like to go back to Nordselm to see what was going on over there. Sounded like Jakob was on the low-end of some shady business. Considering the state of the surroundings, I doubt that there was any w enforcement or official care. If Alina manages to trust us, she might share something that will help us clean up or at least know who to call for back up.

  Walking outside and not looking in her direction, I announced, “There’s food here if you want it. We’ll be heading out for a while. Whether you stay or go is up to you.” After that, we went around the corner, just out of sight and warped to Curatar’s Labyrinth.

  Here on the fifth floor, with the lollipop monsters, it was te enough in the day that I felt comfortable using magic. We made it to the boss room and defeated it easily. The only down side is that the damn thing was a Colge Coral, not Keratin. The sixth floor introduced the bull-on-steroids we fought in Vale’s Labyrinth. It’s called ‘mino’, which is short for ‘minotaur’, I guess. Still can’t tell if the monster names are meant to be profound or just silly.

  After it felt that we’d been gone long enough, we warped back to a spot a bit further out from where we had warped out — a little caution isn’t paranoia. Looks like Alina is hiding in the empty horse stall now. Some of the soup was taken — good that she trusted us enough to eat. Honestly, not being tied up when she woke up should’ve given us some credibility.

  Well, she’s free to move at her own pace. Speaking of trust, I’m going to block the door to my bedroom in case anyone decides to the get rid of the perceived pervert before he gets her. Hmm, I wonder how Tessa’s doing.

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  Day 17

  “Morning, guys. Thanks for getting breakfast ready.”

  “Sure thing, Boss. Did Alina come back?”

  A quick check of my map suggests that she’s in the mini-barn.

  “Nope, but I’ll go check on her.”

  Walking over there, I stood just outside the horse stall and spoke to our stow-away with a calm voice.

  “Good morning Alina. Would you like to come in for breakfast.”

  Still concealed, “Um, would it be OK?”

  “Well, the porridge will be better now than after we leave.”

  Finally coming out from her not-so-secret hiding pce, Alina stayed a few meters behind, but followed me inside.

  “Alina, these are my fellow party members, Marcus and Theo.”

  “Hello, Alina. I’ll get you a bowl.”

  “Um, thanks.”

  “…”

  “Alina, would you like to rest here a bit longer or are you ready to leave?”

  “You’ll really let me go?”

  “Of course. In fact, if you want to stay a long time, you’ll need to work.”

  “You mean, in a brothel?”

  “…no. That’s not at all what I meant and it seems unlikely that you work for one.”

  “Of course not!”

  “Then why?”

  “Well, Jakob has probably already figured out that you’ve betrayed the other brigands by stealing me. So I thought…”

  “Oh, we’re not criminals of any kind. What made you think that?”

  “Then how do you know Jakob and his boss?”

  “I just caught the name ‘Jakob’ and faked the rest. Basically, I lied to get you out of there safely.”

  “Then what were you doing there?”

  “The other byrinths were too crowded.”

  “Do you really expect me to believe that and just trust you?”

  “Well, that would have been nice, but I see that this is going nowhere.”

  “…”

  “It’s time for you to leave.”

  “Huh?”

  “Do you want to be taken back to Nordselm or to a bigger town? If you’d rather go alone, the vilge center is straight down the main path.”

  “You’re just going to dump me somewhere?”

  “You’re safe and fully recovered. Why would you stay here with people you can’t trust?”

  “…I understand. Can you take me to Selmer’s Castle?”

  “Sure. Gather your things and meet us out front. Guys, I’d like you to come along for support. I’ll change into my fancy clothes.”

  A few minutes ter, we were all assembled in front of the house. “Alina, please close your eyes and turn away so you don’t see the exact departure point.” With that, we warped to Bode’s adventurers guild. I found Rolf and paid him to take us to Selmer.

  “Alina, do you need someone to help you expin what happened?”

  “Um, I can’t really ask you to do that, after what I said. Anyway, Jakob must have reported my disappearance by now.”

  “It’s OK. I’m a witness, after all. Guys, wait out here for a bit. You’ll probably make the guards nervous.”

  Walking up to the gate, I tried my best to look important and announced, “Hello, my name is David Moreau. I have an matter to discuss with your captain.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No. It retes to an event that occurred just st night.”

  “Well, the captain isn’t avaible. Come back when you have an appointment.”

  Alina interjects, “Is Lady Rutina avaible?” [1]

  “Yes, Alina, but you can’t bring an outsider with you. Wait here.”

  I was expecting to see someone like a head-maid, but a slender, elven teenager wearing an ornate dress approached us with a stern look on her face. Better find out who we’re dealing with:

  [Rutina Nordbrun Anselm][Female, Age: 14][Vilger: 1]

  Fourteen? Well, that’s almost marriageable for an isekai, particurly if she’s sheltered enough to still be at level 1. But, since even a noble child outranks me, I’d better show some artificial respect. With luck, my extensive knowledge of GoT will pass as proper etiquette. Too bad I didn’t just leave Alina on the doorstep and run.

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  “Alina! So, you came crawling back after all. Jakob said you wouldn’t, but I knew better. You’ve already been repced, though.”

  “My Lady, that’s not what happened. I was attacked.”

  “No, don’t even try to make up stories. There were witnesses.”

  “My Lady, may I introduce David, the man who rescued me.”

  “Guards! Seize him!”

  One grabbed my arm while shouting, “Show me your Status Card!” and the other recited the incantation.

  “OK, OK, calm down already. Mind your manners,” I admonished.

  “He’s not a Bandit, My Lady. In fact, he’s a Mage.”

  (Crap crap crap! I forgot to switch back to Explorer.)

  Still in view of the gate, Marcus and Theo witnessed this event and started sprinting towards us.

  “Pardon me for interrupting, but it seems that my personal guards may have become concerned for my safety.”

  “You’re a Mage? Guards, release this man at once!”

  “Marcus, Theo, stand-down. It’s just a little misunderstanding.”

  “Oh, ah, yes, of course. Please come up to my study so we can talk in peace.”

  “Men, stand-by near the gate — protocol three.”

  Always quick on the uptake, Theo responded to the fake order, “Yes, My Lord.”

  Rutina seemed to accept this as standard, which it actually could be for all I know.

  Once seated in a small, warm room, she ordered a servant through gritted teeth, “Find Jakob and bring him here, immediately.”

  “Now then, please pardon that dreadful misunderstanding. We haven’t even been properly introduced. I am Lady Rutina of House Anselm.”

  It’s good that I didn’t just dismiss her as just a well-dressed commoner. I’ll try to sound important without actually lying.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Rutina. I am David Moreau, a Mage from a distant nd. I do hope that we can resolve this matter amicably.”

  “Yes indeed. Now then, Alina, let’s hear your version of the events.”

  Alina told of how she had seen Jakob meet with someone she didn’t recognize and how this had apparently angered Jakob. Alina was then abducted and taken to some forest she didn’t recognize.

  “Jakob and four guys from the kitchen staff were beating me till this man showed up. A moment ter, I was picked up and carried away. Just before passing out, I felt certain that my life was over. Instead, I woke up in Da… Lord Moreau’s home. I was fed, healed and sheltered before they returned me here.”

  “Alina, that is quite different than Jakob’s story, but I have never known you to lie.”

  Head bowed, Alina continues, “My Lady, I must confess that I have been terribly disrespectful to Lord Moreau. After being rescued, I continued to suspect the worst and refused his hospitality till not long before coming here. I am truly sorry for my terrible behavior.”

  Oh Alina, that really didn’t help your story. I really should have prepped her and maybe been a bit more patient. Hoping that this won’t be the prelude to a public flogging. I jumped in, “No, Alina, I was at fault for not properly expining myself. Your caution was only natural.”

  “You really are too kind, Lord Moreau, but Alina is right, she must pay for her offense. But first, Lord Moreau, may I hear your side of the story?”

  “Certainly, Lady Rutina. Near Nordselm, my party happened upon this young woman being cruelly assaulted by four men, who seemed to be doing it out of amusement. Not knowing the full details, I decided to try to convince them to leave voluntarily.”

  “How did you manage that?”

  “I happened to catch the name of the apparent leader, Jakob, and told him that the ‘boss’ needed to see him. Furthermore, he should ‘give’ the girl to me. The implication was clear that she would never return. It was absolutely horrible of me to frighten the helpless Alina like that, but it seemed to be the best way to minimize bloodshed and insure her safety. The rest is as Alina expined.”

  “How dreadful, but who is this ‘boss’ you speak of?”

  “I have no idea. Jakob didn’t look like he’d be at the very top of a criminal organization so I simply assumed he reported to someone higher up.”

  “These are very serious accusations, Lord Moreau. I’ve known Jakob for several years but Alina as well so I don’t know what to think. Guards, send Jakob in now.”

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  Jakob seems to have no idea why he was dragged here.

  “My Lady, what ever is the… Hey, that’s him! That’s the brigand who attacked me out by the horse stalls. Alina was in on it too. The boys from the kitchen staff saw it all.”

  “Lady Rutina, this man, Jakob, has provided false testimony and wrongfully accused me of a crime he himself committed. I demand satisfaction.”

  “Why is he acting all fancy? This outsider has no right to question my word.”

  “Lord Moreau, if you’re asking for a duel, Jakob doesn’t have the social status to accept.”

  “Wait. What’s going on here, My Lady? Don’t take his side. He’s obviously lying. Those fancy clothes were probably stolen.”

  “Be quiet, Jakob.”

  Actually, this sheltered, little dy is handling this whole matter surprisingly well. I guess being a low-level Vilger doesn’t mean that she also scked off with her diplomacy and management studies.

  “Yes, of course, Lady Rutina, but Jakob certainly has a superior who is responsible for him.”

  “Um, well, that would be me, actually.”

  “Ah, perfect. Then, may I suggest that Jakob be designated as your champion in this matter?”

  “What?! Hey, I can’t fight an actual Bandit or much of anyone really. I have no fighting experience.”

  I wanted to end this guy so I goaded him, “Oh, afraid you’d lose to a Mage?”

  “Um, what? You’re a Mage? A Mage who demands a duel? Even I can beat a Mage! Ha ha, I accept. I get to keep his stuff, right?”

  Alina’s turns to me in fear, “No Da… Lord Moreau. You can’t do this. Not for me. A Mage can’t possibly…”

  “Alina, an official challenge has been decred. Do not interfere. If you are certain, Lord Moreau, I accept. Public or private?”

  “Private and as soon as it would be convenient, Lady Rutina.”

  “Very well. We shall go now then. Please follow me, Lord Moreau.”

  Jakob seemed to see this as an opportunity, “Ha ha, yes, let’s do it right now so he can’t run away.”

  We walked out to a small courtyard where a Knight would act as the marshal. Marcus and Theo saw this and followed. I didn’t really want to fight in my fancy clothes, but this really shouldn’t take long.

  Alina looked worried and probably a bit guilty, but Theo whispered something to help calm her down. Neither of my guys looked the least bit concerned — hey, Jakob could secretly be Zorro.

  Jakob had a two-handed, copper sword and looked ready to rush to get to me before I could finish an incantation. I stood calmly before him, armed with just a wand.

  The marshal called the start and Jakob made a mad-dash at me with his sword overhead. I mumbled some very short, fake incantation and used wind magic to create an invisible wall between us, a breeze wall. Completely unaware of this, Jakob smashed into it head-first and crumpled in an almost cartoonish way. He managed to pass through, but not unscathed. Jakob dropped his sword, fell to his knees and finally flopped face-first at my feet.

  I ended the duel by mercifully snapping his neck.

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  [1] Rutina gets introduced much ter in the LN (day 120) under very different circumstances. Her age is not stated in the LN but the WN puts her at 15, at least on day 120. Considering that she has not yet been introduced to her fiancé, she’s probably 14 now (day 17).