The Knight of Clingy Young Ladies

106.

I released the bindings of those I had restrained.

I don’t fully trust them, but it’s to use the rough plan Kalen came up with.

Of course, this was only possible because I was confident that even if they all attacked at once, I could still win.

Kalen returned to where Laris and Beribit were.

Since Laris wasn’t shouting or anything, Kalen didn’t hurry.

“Nadil… brother…”

Just as Laris and Beribit came into view, Berun muttered beside him.

When Kalen glanced at Nadil in response to that muttering, it seemed to make sense why Berun reacted this way.

Kalen hadn’t known about their past when he was suppressing Nadil, but he had noticed something awkward. Still, that wasn’t a reason to just leave Nadil alone.

Considering how Nadil was being suppressed and there were ice spears floating above him, it’s no surprise that Berun and the others were shocked.

“Miss.”

“Ah, Kalen…!”

When Kalen called out to Laris who was talking with Beribit, Laris turned around and smiled brightly.

Then she approached Kalen with Beribit, walking quickly.

“These people…”

“They’re the ones I mentioned earlier.”

“Ah… this many…”

Laris seemed surprised by the number.

It wasn’t unreasonable; even they were amazed by this many. Even Nadil, who was following Flab’s orders, was surprised, wasn’t he?

However, Kalen casually glanced at Nadil with little reaction.

“They’ve been pretty quiet, it seems.”

“Ah, yes. They’ve been answering all our questions well.”

“Good.”

“Um, so now…”

Laris, who glanced at Kalen’s slight smile, hesitated and hid her hand behind her back.

“M, may I tell them…?”

“…Yes. Please do.”

Kalen nearly questioned what she was talking about but fortunately recalled it before he asked.

Before Kalen went to deal with the remaining assassins, he had said he would listen to the situation from Laris.

Something clicked when he saw Laris’ face full of anticipation.

Kalen nodded, and Laris, pleased with his response, cleared her throat before speaking.

“First, these people are indeed from the Rial Trading Company. And Flabber Rial’s order was to assassinate us.”

“Does that include me?”

“Yes. It was mentioned how the Rial Trading Company has been monitoring my every move, right? Since you came with me, you must have been caught up in it… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“For now, that’s the big picture. The rest is a bit deeper. These people were orphans gathered by Flabber Rial…”

All of what Laris said was something Kalen already knew.

If he had only brought the remaining assassins, he might not have known, but Kalen had already learned everything from Berun.

However, watching her small mouth earnestly explain, Kalen didn’t want to disappoint Laris’ expectations.

Though he wasn’t quite sure what was so satisfying about summarizing the situation, perhaps it was the sense of accomplishment from sharing something she had discovered on her own.

Kalen was confident in his listening skills.

After quietly listening to Laris until she finished, he nodded.

“Thank you, miss.”

“It’s nothing special. I’m actually the one who should be thanking you for protecting us. Kalen.”

“Yes. It’s fortunate that the lady is unharmed.”

“Thank you for your care.”

After confirming with Beribit too, Kalen slowly approached Nadil.

When he cleared the ice spears from Nadil’s shoulder and back, Nadil flinched.

“You can move now.”

“Ugh… Berun… you all…”

Once Kalen gave his permission, Nadil looked behind him and seemed to recognize Berun and the others.

Judging from the sympathetic look in Nadil’s eyes, he probably assumed they were captured by Kalen.

Misunderstandings only complicate matters.

Fortunately, Berun was about to explain the truth after catching Kalen’s hint, but Nadil moved faster.

Thud.

Though not loud, it was still a sound that would give some impact.

The source of the sound was without a doubt Nadil.

Nadil suddenly knelt down.

“… Please… save my siblings. If only I could be the sacrifice…”

Kalen let out a sigh so quiet it was almost inaudible. He already felt a headache coming on.

*

“…So, we’ll probably end up in a fight.”

“Is that so…”

On the way back to the Plache Family.

The number of people had increased more than originally anticipated.

Initially, there was no plan to return to the family at all.

But now, the group included Beribit, Nadil, Berun, and his crew.

Kalen had cleared up Nadil’s misunderstanding.

Laris and Beribit, who were by his side, also needed to hear what he’d said.

Kalen pulled Nadil and Berun’s group back and explained the incident in the alley to Laris and Beribit.

About returning to the Plache Family and possibly fighting Flabber Rial.

Laris’ expression wasn’t particularly dark.

Because she had already considered the possibility of confronting the Rial Trading Company and the Plache Family’s head.

In fact, leaving like this might serve their enemies better.

The Rial Trading Company had wanted to erase Beribit and Laris from their family.

Even if the head of the Plache family had tacitly agreed, Laris volunteering to disappear would be welcomed.

But there’s a problem with Beribit.

Just burying Beribit’s necklace would have been enough reason to quarrel with the Rial Trading Company.

Especially since Beribit had returned alive during these events, they were bound to fight even if not specifically over Flabber’s ‘children’ once they decided to return.

Laris’ only concern was one thing:

Kalen’s safety.

It might be satisfying to avenge her father,

But apart from that, the head of the Plache family is strong.

Neither the power of the Rial Trading Company can be underestimated.

Laris was indeed surprised.

Because she hadn’t known Kalen was so skilled in combat.

Kalen’s domination against Nadil was absolute.

Completely different from the incident at Latia Waterfall.

There, there was no adversary worthy of the name ‘enemy’.

The danger of the waterfall itself was the challenge, and knowing now Beribit was part of that danger.

This was the first time Laris had witnessed Kalen in combat.

And her impression of Kalen in battle was… impressive.

Laris thought it wasn’t just her own impression.

Anyone who saw Kalen fight would find it impressive.

Thus, though still uneasy, her worries had lessened.

Still, the head of the Plache family and the Rial Trading Company were on a whole different level.

The leaders of the five great families, excluding Lady Cinat, all possess immense power.

The great mages who supported the empire in the past reached the sixth tier.

The current leaders are near the fifth tier.

Though Plache and Hiart heads are exceptions, they wield ancient relics—swords at levels above standard.

With the Rial Trading Company adding numbers to their strength, it’s understandable to feel hopeless.

Yet, for some reason…

Though logically it seems unlikely and there is concern for Kalen’s possible injury,

Kalen seems unlikely to fall into grave danger.

Laris recalled the waterfall incident.

The boy’s determined attitude and actual accomplishments.

There must be a strategy, a rather positive one.

“…I trust you.”

Therefore, Laris dismissed her doubts.

Being anxious now would be like criticizing herself for being with Kalen.

Laris smiled, ensuring Kalen wouldn’t worry.

“Kalens is my protector, he will protect me, right?”

“Yes.”

Even Beribit watching couldn’t help but smile at that.

*

Kalen’s plan was simple.

The reason he had to release Nadil and Berun’s group was for an act.

They had to pretend to be captured.

Flabber Rial had already guessed Laris’ intentions and sent assassins.

This meant dialogue was no longer possible.

Thus, Kalen abandoned the idea of meeting with the head of the Plache family, showing Beribit, and leaving the family quietly.

If they were to fight anyway, nothing was more effective than inducing the enemy’s complacency.

To simulate capture, Kalen and Nadil would deliver Kalen and Laris to Flabber. Then, at the moment Berun stabs Flabber with an ice spear, they would break free from their loose bindings and launch a surprise attack.

There would be ample justification for attacking one of the five great families.

Though Kalen felt a bit embarrassed to say it, he believed that three out of the five great families would side with him.

Moreover, Flabber’s ‘education’ methods, according to Nadil and Berun, constituted severe torture.

The empire wouldn’t sit idly by while children are mistreated.

Thus, as long as no killing occurs, just suppressing them enough to escape with our lives would suffice.

The master’s restrictions were also lifted.

Her advice to be cautious until reaching the fifth tier was close to absolute truth for Kalen.

We have justification and the advantage of surprise.

Just before reaching the mansion, Kalen loosely bound himself with Laris.

“Kalen… this is…”

“It’s my spirit.”

Beribit was the exception. Bringing her from the start would disrupt the plan, as the head of Plache would surely recognize her even if Flabber Rial wouldn’t.

Naturally, the head would come upon hearing of Laris’ capture.

Kalen summoned Felicious and Tia-se and asked them to guide Beribit to safety.

“Can you hide until I signal you and then bring her to me?”

“Understood.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kalen needed his spirits to break through the power of the fourth tier.

The force of fourth tier contract magic.

The real power derived from the mental imagery connected to it.

That requires Felicious and Tia-se.

Since Laris and Beribit couldn’t understand the spirits’ language, Kalen only briefly explained the task to Felicious and Tia-se, noting there’d be time for further discussion after everything was resolved.

Having done all this preparation, Kalen finally looked at Berun.

“If your story is a lie, be prepared. Seriously.”

“…Yes.”

Though he wouldn’t kill, he wouldn’t ensure safe passage either. This is assuming Berun’s story was part of a scheme with Flabber.

After final confirmation, Kalen looked at Laris.

“Do you have anything to say to Father?”

At this, Laris seemed slightly startled but soon softened with a gentle smile and nodded.

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“Then, let’s go.”

A young boy and girl were brought as captives to the Plache Mansion.

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