Chapter 52

The moment he arrived at the Karr residence, Ethan looked over at the documents as if he was pressed for time. Then, he opened his lips and spoke with an indifferent tone.

"It's not a huge problem because it's just a small group of kobolds."

Kobold were monsters that did not have much intelligence, and so they could be handled even with just a squad of probationary knights.

So, actually, it's not an exaggeration to say that what happened in the Karr estate was just a really light incident.

Standing next to Ethan, Lehman nodded and placed a palm over his cheek.

"However, even after those monsters have disappeared, other monsters continue to appear only in our estate… Everyone has become nervous."

Five hundred years had passed ever since the existence of 'monsters' had diminished due to the overall decrease in magical power.

During that time, most monsters had evolved into animals that did not have any magical power within them.

Additionally, this magical power had been driving the orcs and ogres crazy before. But since it had disappeared, these comparatively intelligent monsters were now living within their own primitive societies.

However, in the areas where magical power was still particularly evident, mutants—or, 'monsters'—still tended to surface.

The Karr household's territory, which had the rapids of the forest right next to it, was one of those places.

"Still, it's a relief that there was no damage. Other people will come in later, they'll clear away the kobolds' bodies."

"Yes. Thank you for always extending your aid."

"Then, I'll be on my way."

After Ethan coldly ended the conversation like that, he turned around without waiting for what the other person might answer back.

Lehman quickly caught Ethan.

"Deputy Director. Perhaps, are you headed to Cressen?"

Ethan halted.

How did this guy know?

Feeling guilty for no reason, Ethan answered a beat late.

"…No. I am not headed there."

"Ah… What a shame."

If Ethan was his normal self, he would have sharply retorted with, 'Why are you asking me that kind of question anyway?'

However, was this not a prime example of a Freudian slip?

"…Do you have any further business with me?"

"Huh?"

Lehman's eyes went slightly wide with surprise.

'I just said that offhandedly, but… Ah… Ethan's part of the nine households too, so I guess he cares about what's happening in Cressen?'

Lehman's echoes had hit the nail on the head.

So, in an attempt to hide his own intentions, Ethan roughly made up a story and yammered about.

"The forest's magical power surges up around this time in the summer. If you're thinking about going there, try and consider the thought once or twice more. It's a dangerous place."

Of course, saying such things was still very much out of character for Ethan, the man nicknamed the 'cerulean freak'.

Fortunately though, Lehman didn't continue to cast any suspicions on him. Instead, there was a strange expression of both regret and relief on his face.

"Yes, I see. Thank you for your concern."

"I'll be on my way then."

'Anyway, should I go and have a separate carriage prepared? They'll be out of the rapids of the forest soon, so they should be leaving for Cressen right about now.'

…What?

Ethan turned around and stared at Lehman again, though on the back of the other man's head.

'I can't believe I'll have to leave again and go to Cressen this time…'

Did this mean that Lehman was going to join the Cressen group?

'It's a shame that I'll be joining after the event's over, but I guess this is better than having to enter the rapids of the forest.'

"..."

Damn it. Looks like things have gotten a little complicated.

Perhaps because Ethan had said it with such a firm tone, but Lehman seemed very convinced that Ethan would not be going anywhere near Cressen.

But then, if Ethan were to go to Cressen first then have to greet Lehman there again…

"..."

Ethan became resentful for the lie that he spat out. It's as if he had just shot himself in the foot.

'…Crazy.'

He'd just be a laughingstock if, right now, he were to say, 'Actually, I'm also headed to Cressen.'

So, in the end, there was only one answer.

'…I just have to go past Cressen.'

The only option he was left with wasn't very pleasant.

No, if he were to be honest with himself, it was an extremely unpleasant option.

"Deputy Director?"

While Ethan was lost in thought, he had become as hard as a stone statue. The person opposite him blinked in a daze, then called out to him carefully.

"Is there anything else that I need to know?"

Yes. Don't go to Cressen. Because I'm going there.

That's what he wanted to let that guy know.

However, the rational, logical Ethan pushed these words back down his throat.

"…No."

"Then, please return safely."

Lehman usually would cling to Ethan and wouldn't let go of him, but that wasn't the case today. And for this, Ethan felt resentful.

And Ethan resented him even more because it was starting to seem like that guy was the cause of all this.

Still, Ethan was a rational, logical man. So, the perfunctory smile on his lips did not slip off when he turned around.

As if he had not a lick of interest in going to Cressen, he got into his carriage like a man with no regrets.

And when he closed the carriage's door without losing hold over his dignity, the secretary waiting inside quickly asked.

"Will you be heading towards Cressen now, Deputy Director?"

"Yesn't."

"Ye…eh…?"

The secretary sitting across from Ethan froze the moment he heard Ethan's weird answer.

"..."

Seriously, why the hell was he being like this.

Just a second ago as well, he said something that wasn't like him at all. And this time, what slipped through his lips was even more unbecoming.

Embarrassed by the laughable scene that he personally created, Ethan's expression went stiff for a moment, then he had to force himself to reply.

"What I said was, 'I won't go'. Let's head straight back to the capital. I abhor repeating myself twice, so do not ask any more questions."

"Uhh… Yeess… I understand."

As the secretary tried to process Ethan's words, he blinked dazedly but soon nodded his head.

He opened the small window to the coachman and delivered the change in destination.

Ethan turned his gaze out the window, letting out a heavy sigh.

'I'm going crazy.'