A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation (穏やか貴族の休暇のすすめ。)

Episode 10

"Eleven's Request"

This is your payment for the job.

Also...

I looked into that matter for you.

Impressive as always, Stud. You work quickly.

Shall I tell you here?

If it won't cause trouble for you.

In that case...

You had a long talk with him again this morning.

I'd asked him for a small favor.

Here.

It's your third of the reward.

What?! I wasn't planning on getting paid.

You worked the hardest. It's only proper.

Are you okay with that, Blade?

It's our leader's decision.

Then don't mind if I do.

Welcome.

Hello.

The usual?

Yes, please.

May I discuss something private?

Do you need the room?

No, I'd like to speak with you.

Merchant's guild staff and adventurers have met in that room, yes?

Please.

There are a few groups.

They meet roughly once a month, carrying luggage.

I can't be sure, but a group matching that description has been here.

When did they last come?

About a month ago.

Then they'll come again soon.

What time do they arrive?

Always around this time.

Welcome.

Two glasses of that whisky.

I thought they'd come today or tomorrow. What good timing.

Don't do anything crazy.

I won't.

I'm meeting someone.

He's already here.

Nice night, isn't it?

How long do they normally stay?

Thirty minutes at most. They don't stay long.

Perhaps I should've brought someone with me.

It's hard to pass the time at a bar when I can't drink.

Thank you.

If I'm to tail one... it should be this one.

Adventurers tend to stay in the same area, so I won't seem unnatural.

He turned? I don't think there are any inns that way.

He could be luring me into a trap.

How did he know?

Perhaps I shouldn't today.

I knew it. You're tailing me.

You're the Blade's...

If you were tailing me, does that mean you know?

Are you doing something you don't want me to know about?

Screw you!

You're just the Blade's toady. Don't get fresh with me!

People still think I'm a toady, do they?

Don't kill him.

That's how you're begging for your life?

Die!

No, you die.

Will he be okay?

He'll be fine.

Thank you. You saved me.

I heard you were tailing some weird guy and came running.

Oh, are you still having me watched?

Then you probably haven't noticed this either.

At least act a little flustered.

I knew it was you.

You didn't notice at first, did you?

I never would've noticed if you were serious about tailing me.

I wasn't trying to avoid detection.

I noticed him.

Well, I'm not like you two.

So, who is this guy?

Do you recall how the merchant guild's staff

stole labyrinth goods from Judge's shop?

But he's an adventurer.

Yes, an adventurer connected to that staff member.

He'd get caught if he simply sold the stolen goods,

so he gave them to an adventurer to sell to the guild.

That's why nothing turned up on the black market.

So I had Stud look into it.

I found exactly what you described.

Recently, this party has been bringing in labyrinth goods above their rank.

He belongs to that party.

I have one request.

First thing tomorrow, could you confess what you've done to the merchant's guild?

Listen...

No.

They have to go there themselves.

I don't want to rouse suspicion by hurting them.

Want me to do it, then?

What?

You can do that?

You want it done tomorrow morning, right?

Don't worry. I won't leave any visible marks.

In that case, perhaps I'll have you do that.

I've got this.

This is your last chance.

Will you confess your crimes to the merchant's guild tomorrow?

I will. I will, so please—

That's a shame.

It's really such a shame.

Don't hurt him too much.

I know.

His party's in on it, too. Please get all of their names.

Got it.

Make sure he won't say we threatened him for information.

And don't give him a reason to hold a grudge.

Yeah, I know.

Move him.

Take him to base number two. It's soundproof.

Was one of them watching me, too?

D-Don't!

We'll have this resolved by tomorrow morning.

It's a bit late now, but should I have asked him to do that for free?

Why not? Think of it as his way of making it up to you.

I see.

And don't go places like that by yourself.

Oh, please. I assumed you'd be coming with me.

I wonder if they won't take me seriously again.

But Mr. Lizel might want the stolen goods someday.

The merchant's guild has really gone downhill.

I heard the damage was pretty severe.

They say someone went to complain every day.

I can't believe it was a high-ranking staff member.

Could it be?

Hey! What's the meaning of this?

How are you going to take responsibility for this?

We demand a guarantee!

An apology won't cut it!

Excuse me...

One moment, plea—

We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience caused by our incompetence!

What?!

All the stolen items have been recovered.

This way, please.

These are those items.

Once again, we're terribly sorry for what happened.

Please raise your head.

Thank you for recovering the goods.

Again, we're terribly sorry.

So, may I ask what happened?

Of course.

This morning, a group of adventurers came to the guild.

They confessed to working with guild staff to sell stolen goods.

Because they named their accomplice, rumors spread instantly.

What happened to the staff member?

He noticed the commotion and attempted to flee.

He was arrested by some officers who found him suspicious.

We'll work with the police to ensure the staff member is justly punished.

We'll let you know as soon as a decision's been made.

Th-That's all right. I'm just glad I got my goods back.

If you'll excuse me.

Thank you for stopping by.

So that's what happened.

I was worried since you'd seemed down recently.

I'm sorry.

So, um...

Oh, me?

I'm Eleven, and I'm currently convincing them to let me join their party.

Nice to meet you!

What?!

Why are you so surprised?

B-But...