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?