W1.A1-29: Settling the Mission

"Will you stop it already?"

Seeing that Lena and I were still laughing at her, my mother couldn't help but blush a little.

"Dan, your mother is so cute!" Lena commented after her laughter had barely subsided.

I also chuckled as I looked at my mother's pouty expression.

"I'm sorry, Mom." I walked to my mother, who had turned her head to the side in a seemingly angry way. Wrapping my arms around her to hug her lightly, I said, "But just as Lena said, you're really cute."

"Hmph, don't open your mouth if you're not going to say anything useful."

"Alright, fine," I said while looking at her slightly flushed face. "Actually, it was not your fault. It was because we have been used to living in the capital for so long that comments like yours have really become somewhat of a rarity."

My mother had finally raised her head to look at me, but she didn't say anything and waited for me to continue.

"I know you only think of mana experts as strong people, but they are not all the same." I began to explain as my mother listened attentively. "Some are only slightly stronger than strongmen among ordinary people, while some are strong enough to go against a whole kingdom."

My mother nodded as a deep curiosity hung on her face. I didn't keep her waiting either. "That's why each kingdom has to keep a thorough check on such individuals of power, so they created the guidelines using which both sides can enjoy mutual benefits." I thought for a bit before adding, "For example, my master is a freelance Sword Saint, but was recruited by the kingdom to act in case of emergencies while getting provided with resources in exchange."

"Then that means…" My mother had a thoughtful expression on her face as she said, "You work directly for the royal family?" Her eyes lit up at the thought.

But a disdainful expression appeared on my face as I retorted softly, "What's so great about the royal family?" I scoffed. "My master can take care of half of their forces without even breaking a sweat."

"Your master must be an amazing person!" My mother commented in astonishment.

"Yeah." I nodded.

Then I showed a strange smile as I asked, "Do you know why we were laughing?"

My mother shook her head. "I still don't understand."

I smiled, and instead of explaining it to her, I asked, "Do you remember the bull meat I brought back?" Seeing her nod, I continued, "Then do you know how much that costs in the capital?"

My mother had a pondering look on her face for a while before she shook her head. "Although I had realized earlier that it was quite different from anything I have ever eaten, I still can't guess its value."

I chuckled and prepared myself to enjoy her reaction.

"Well, the one I caught was roughly enough to be equal in value to half of our cherry orchard."

A bewildered look appeared on her face as she asked, "Come again?"

I smiled at her predictable reaction but still explained, "It was actually a peak master class beast; even in the capital, it would have been sold for a good price." Then I gave her a look while raising my eyebrows. "Now, do you still think you need to worry about money?"

My mother looked at me in a daze before shaking her head dumbly.

"Besides, I wouldn't be able to leave you behind even if I wanted to," I said after some thought.

"Why?" My mother asked with doubt.

"Well, as I already told you, my identity as a Sword Saint's disciple is only known to a select few people, so now that you know about it too, according to the protocol, you would have to come with us."

My mother was looking at me in suspicion when Lena came forward.

"It's true, madam," she said. "Our master cares for Dan very much and has ordered us to do everything in our power to keep his identity a secret, at least till he becomes a grandmaster-class swordsman."

I gave Lena a praising glance, as her words seemed to have worked. Although what she had said was true, it was not that serious, as I trusted my mother completely.

"… Fine, then." After some hesitation, my mother finally relented.

A happy smile appeared on my face as I further assured her. "I know you are also worried about Aunt Yena and the others, but don't worry; we can also take them with us if you want."

"Really?" As I had thought, it was really the thing that had worried her the most. After all, those maids had accompanied her for so long that they were basically like her family.

"Yes." I nodded. "But they would have to wait for the next time, as I will have to purchase a residence in the capital first."

"Then where do you live now?" My mother then thought of something as she added, "With your master?"

I nodded. "That's right, we both live with our master."

Just as we were about to continue our talk, I suddenly heard someone's footsteps coming closer from outside the room.

Knock! Knock!

"Master, I'm sorry for disturbing you, but the remaining guests are getting a bit restless." The butler's voice came through the door, sounding anxious.

Only then did I remember that we still had people to deal with outside.

Using my mana to change my voice a bit to match Vilet's, I said, "Wait for five more minutes before sending them in."

"As you wish." The butler didn't suspect anything, as he hurriedly left after receiving his orders.

My mother looked at me in amazement. "I never knew you had such a talent, Danny!"

"I do not have such a talent, Mom." I chuckled. "I only used my mana to alter it a bit."

"Oh." She nodded in understanding, although how much she really understood was a wonder.

"Let's get this over with."

Lena and I once again donned our masks, while my mother also asked to stay as she seemed curious regarding our job.

I had thought to let her rest in one of the spare rooms, but hearing her request, I let her stay. It wasn't much of a bother anyway.

Then, as my mother observed, we kept inviting people into the room before interrogating them.

Some were easily persuaded after we showed our strength, while the others had to be handled by being hard-handed.

My mother looked amazed behind her mask as she saw us deal with the scum of society that leeched on commoners and filled the pockets of their noble supporters.

We didn't actually kill anyone; we just neutralized them with a special drug that Lena carried. It will let them stay unconscious for a couple of days without any need for sustenance, enough for us to call for assistance from the nearby city.

Of course, not all of them were the bad guys; many people had just come to catch a glimpse of the royal they had heard their friends bragging about.

We let people like these go with a stern warning before shifting them to a temporary room so that they could not, intentionally or otherwise, inform the rest of the attendees about our motives.

After dealing with the final person in the party, I called the butler into the room.