Suspicion

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Quiller bid farewell to the captain of the Southern Star before heading towards the entrance, where he saw his father's carriage slowly approaching.

He stood quietly at the door, waiting for his father to disembark from the carriage.

The carriage halted at the entrance, and Marquis Foster stepped down.

"Father!"

His younger son greeted him.

"Father?"

The Marquis seemed lost in thought, only responding after his son called twice.

"Oh, Quiller! Why are you standing outside?"

"Paul's ship has arrived, so I invited the captain for dinner aboard this ship and just saw him off."

"Oh, Earl Grayman? Then you should entertain him well these days; after all, he's our partner. I've already had dinner; I'll retire to my room."

The Marquis's attitude puzzled Quiller. Previously, he had attached great importance to the cooperation with the Northwestern Bay and had even planned to introduce several merchant representatives to him.

Seeing his father's troubled expression, could it be that something was bothering him?

He suddenly remembered a recent major event and asked his father, "Is there still no progress on the matter concerning the Duchy of Eaton?"

With a troubled look, the Marquis decided to confide in his son about his current worries.

"Ah, there's been absolutely no progress! Now, the agreement that was about to be signed between the two countries is likely to fall through."

The incident concerning the Duchy of Eaton referred to the disappearance of the younger sister of the Duchess of Eaton.

A week ago, the Duke of Eaton had visited Niceport with his wife and sister-in-law and held talks with senior members of the Alliance. However, just as both sides were about to reach a series of political and economic agreements, Baroness Fanny, the 11-year-old sister of the Duchess, was abducted while sightseeing in the city.

According to the recollections of Fanny's attendants, she had been strolling along the central avenue and stopped in front of a jewelry store where the staff actively approached to promote their goods. The guards were initially about to drive them away, but Fanny suddenly became interested and decided to enter to take a look.

Thus, along with her attendants and guards, a large group entered the shop.

Later, these attendants and guards were found unconscious inside the jewelry store. In the store's warehouse lay several individuals confirmed to be the true owner and staff of the store.

A few of the unconscious guards tightly grasped weapons that had been drawn, though most had not. There were traces of a minor scuffle in the store, along with a peculiar smell. According to the alchemists involved in the investigation, it appeared to be a potent form of narcotic.

However, what followed was quite bizarre. When the unconscious individuals regained consciousness, they seemed to collectively have lost several hours of memory. The store owner and staff could only recall opening the store in the morning, while Fanny's attendants and guards could only remember entering the store's entrance.

Were they collectively covering up their guilt to evade punishment? Or were they originally accomplices of the thieves? However, those selected as royal guards and attendants were all known for their loyalty and reliability.

In any case, no one currently believes their accounts. At the time, the attendants, guards, staff, and owner are all languishing in prison, enduring endless days of interrogation.

Events occurring within Alliance territory naturally implicated the Alliance itself, prompting the Council to order a nationwide search. The Duchy of Eaton also mobilized significant resources for the investigation. Yet, after several days, there has been no progress.

Now, they have resorted to desperately issuing commissions at the Adventurer's Guild, seeking the help of civilians.

As a member of the Council, Marquis Foster has been feeling immense pressure lately. Several agreements with the Duchy of Eaton had already been negotiated, but after this incident, those agreements have been indefinitely shelved.

Under these circumstances, it's no wonder he has no inclination to focus on business cooperation with Grayman.

...

The next morning, Ladia led her mother and Lisa to the dock area of Niceport. After a brief inquiry about a "strange ship with no oars and tall masts," they quickly located the berth of the Southern Star.

The sailor on duty at the gangplank immediately recognized "Mr. Dilac" — the female advisor now disguised as a man, with an additional small mustache on her lips.

Captain Quik disembarked promptly to greet them.

"Mr. Dilac, are these your family members?"

Quik had already prepared himself for the presence of female companions, despite his inner reluctance. This was a direct order from the lord, and he could not disobey.

Ladia introduced them, "Hello, Captain. This is my mother, Setia, and this is our shop assistant Lisa, accompanying us on our journey to the Northwestern Bay."

Quik performed what he considered a gentlemanly bow.

"Hello, Mrs. Setia. I am Captain Quik of the Southern Star."

Setia, though in her middle years, was still a striking beauty, exuding a mature charm that surpassed the youthful innocence of many maidens. It was no wonder she had given birth to such a handsome son as Mr. Dilac.

But behind her beauty, Quik sensed an indescribable aura.

Xela returned the greeting in Aldorian, "Hello, Captain Quik. Thank you for taking care of my child. We will continue to trouble you for some time. I apologize for the inconvenience."

TL Note: Xela Setia is Ladia's mother's full name, I wasn't sure about the translation before, and this is how it will be from now on...

Quik quickly waved his hand, "No trouble at all. Welcoming you to the Northwestern Bay is one of our missions on this trip."

Ladia asked, "Captain Quik, how many days will the Southern Star stay in Niceport?"

Quik pondered for a moment.

"The return date is uncertain, but I think at least 5 days. The merchant representatives seem determined to thoroughly investigate the market of the South. Are you in a hurry to return?"

Ladia felt relieved and waved her hand, "I'm not in a hurry. In fact, I have some matters to attend to myself, but it will only take a few days."

"Captain Quik, what do you think of this plan? I will find a nearby hotel for my mother and Lisa to stay in for now. When the Southern Star is ready to depart, I will bring them aboard. In the meantime, I will attend to some personal matters."

Quik agreed readily, "That sounds good, Mr. Dilac."

After all, it was somewhat inconvenient for two women to stay on board. It would be better for them to come aboard when they were ready to depart.

So the three temporarily bid farewell to Quik and went to find a hotel.

After settling Xela and Lisa in, Ladia said apologetically to her mother, "I'm sorry, Mom. I have to leave you for a while."

Xela understood and affectionately touched her head, "You've always cared about others. Go ahead, Ladia. After all, your relationship with her is deep. Helping out is the right thing to do. But remember to know your limits."

"Yes, I understand."

Thus, the female advisor bid farewell to her mother and Lisa, leaving the hotel to head towards the embassy district of Niceport.

(End of the Chapter)