"I see, so they agree on letting Saint Louis to come over here" [Ash]

"After detail explanation, yes they all agree to it" (Though I'm sure there's another reason he didn't state during our conversation) [Rumia]

Strange, if he only wanted to ascertain for himself about the ten heroes, then Rumia telling him that is more than enough. I'm sure Saint Louis have something else in his mind, but what? It won't be anything bad that's for sure

After having a short conversation with Rumia, I went outside to the nearby guard post inside Diana's hall since I heard some commotion going on. I can hear Jacks and the female paladin adventure who is now once again, bestowed the title of paladin by both Diana and Rumia, thus completely severing the ties between her and her old master. Not only that, her courageous action during that night also make her become an A rank adventure (previously B rank)

"Here another group of them" [Jacks]

"And here as well" [New female paladin adventure]

"I see. Thanks" [Ash]

Ever since the news of those siblings of mine being the ten heroes spread out, there are multiple reports of suspicious movement from the True Beastman Group as well as the dark guild, and not to mention, the dirty underhanded work of Royal, Noble and Merchants from both inside and outside of Estel. Well, I guess it's unavoidable, and since I can't be there for them 24/7, I put on a request to adventure guild, asking for their help. While I'm glad they wanted to help for free, let us not take advantage of their kindness, since kindness alone won't put a food into their table

"Haha, excellent work dear adventures" [Seraph]

"And what are you doing here?" [Ash]

"Well, I'm simply dying out of boredom, so after eating my breakfast at the inn, I come to help those adventure on tracking down Motra, Drant and other miscellaneous thing" [Seraph]

"I see. Appreciate it" [Ash]

While waiting for thing to settle down, Seraph here currently stays at Alice's parent inn. He will occasionally come to the orphanage or the hall to conduct class about music and art, which is free for all. Guess Diana and I can offer him the position of music and art teacher should he interested. Well, that will all depend on the upcoming meeting. Right now, we are waiting for Aries to fully recovered. Her injuries are quite deep and severe, but with the help of Flinar and the young healers (who are about to graduate) as well as Rumia, she's recovering at a rapid pace

"Right, I have other things to do first, can I leave them to you?" [Ash]

""Sure"" [Jacks, paladin]

"Thanks" [Ash]

Well, if possible, I don't want to do this since assassination isn't really my strong point. Well, it might not be assassination to begin with as Alaric and the other vampire guards, Linda and I are trying to capture those people who work behind the scenes for First and Second Queens and their princes of course. Motra's assault causes some delays for putting them under trial and the vampire guards of Diana did mention they will likely flee the country for good. While the idea of them no longer in Estel is a good one, I hate it more should they escaped from punishment

(I did remember she once said I don't need to help her in this kind of thing, but I guess I shouldn't be picky right now) [Ash]

Going to the designated area, I noticed that the other vampire guards are already prepared, hiding inside shadow of surrounding building. Alaric and Linda will be with other teams, and I am here with the remaining vampire guards, just that

"Why are you here again..." [Ash]

"Boredom, plus, this look interesting" [Seraph]

Sigh... whatever. His actions do arouse suspicion but I can trust him.

This place here is the hiding place of those old follower and isn't as secluded as I thought it would be. I don't know why they chose this area out of all possible places, maybe because they're overconfident that they can operate inside the country once more with the help of second queen, but alas...

"Agnes? Motra?" [Ash]

"Indeed, I can detect Motra's mana inside, and I can sense high concentration of space mana as well! All of you, charge and disturb them! We can't let them escape!" [Seraph]

"Right!" [Other]

Why are there here? Plus, based on what Seraph said, they're attempting escape. Before I can even slam the door open, multiple iron staffs flew outside with a tinge of strong explosion and thunder magic, before

"Earth wal... no, earth needle!" [Ash]

Screw defense, Agnes here's know I will reflexively use earth wall to defend myself, so let just take some damage so that I can disturb their teleportation magic, plus

~Boom~

~Current discharge~

"Huh, you take less damage than I thought. Must be because of the Bunny golem there" [Agnes]

"We meet again, behemoth slayer, but good bye for now" [Motra]

"So that's the behemoth slayer" [Mysterious witch]

"AGNES! MOTRA!" [Ash]

I threw my scythe towards the group, but Motra simply deflect it, but

"Haa!" [Vampire guard A]

The vampire guard quickly leap out from the shadow, use my scythe and drag them outside from teleportation circle. Just that, this special scythe of mine can't be used properly by those who aren't recognise by God of Death, so his aim become a little off. Instead of dragging Agnes and Motra with the scythe, he dragged two of the old follower.

"Not yet!" [Seraph]

Seraph try his best to disturb the teleportation with his guitar, playing out strong melody filled with space disturbing mana, but

"Farewell" [Agnes]

Dammit, they escaped, well, not all of them. The old follower leader and Rafiah's friend are still here. Looks like the vampire dragging them out and Seraph interference causes them to be left behind

"Just why didn't we noticed Motra is with them?" [Vampire guard B]

"That's strange..." [Vampire guard C]

"Well, there's residue of strong mirage mana, maybe that interfered with our perception" [Vampire guard A]

"That, as well as the mysterious witch. My gut feeling telling me that she is also responsible" [Ash]

Motra did mention that his/her body had been modified by a witch. So, if that witch I detected with them is indeed the same witch he/she mentioned, then I guess it will be plausible for her to play with others perception as well

"That aside, I guess I can just drag you around, Mr leader" [Ash]

"Behemoth slayer! Let me go!" [Old follower leader]

"Ahh, how I didn't miss this voice of him even one bit. In fact, it annoys me even more now" [Ash]

"How about this lady?" [Seraph]

"She did try to warn Rafiah and other during the orphanage incident, so I guess I can somewhat tolerate her" [Ash]

"No. It's fine... Just do whatever you want to me. Just, give me a chance to talk with Rafiah" [Old follower B]

"Well, if you said so but I can't really promise you that. Nonetheless, I will try my best" [Ash]

~Nod~

It still is dangerous to let her meet Rafiah, maybe I should be there when they're talking, or at least have one of the vampire guards be with her

Making an earth cage with tires, I drag them toward the guard post inside the castle, when

""!!"" [Second Queen, Second Prince]

"Oh, you seem surprise. Well, I believe you didn't really "know" about them still inside Estel, aren't you" [Ash]

"Tchh..." [Second Queen]

"Your highness, please save us!" [Old follower leader]

"What nonsense. You aren't supposed to be here! Aren't you exiled by the king!" [Second prince]

"Well, there you have it. I wonder what information will we get from these two. Wish us luck" [Ash]

"Wait! Let us handle them!" [Second Queen]

"Oh my, I can't do that" [Ash]

"And why is that?!" [Second Queen]

"I got a direct order from the king to capture them, so it should be him the one that decide everything" [Ash]

A lie, and a serious one at that. I just realized that I used the king name without his permission... Let just hope nothing severe will come. Well, I can just explain the situation to him and beg for his forgiveness

"Then I will ask father to let me handle it" [Second prince]

"Sure. Good luck, I'll be "rooting" for you" [Ash]

"Tchh!" [Second Queen]

"Damn traveler pisses me off" [Second Prince]

"Your highness, please don't left me behind!" [Old follower leader]

"Yeah, please don't leave him behind. Poor guy is pissing in his pant right now" [Ash]

As they quickly left to find the king, I drag the cage toward the nearest guard post inside the castle and coincidentally

"Huh. All of you are here" [Ash]

"Only two people?" [King Estel]

"Where are the rest of them?" [Diana]

"Well..." [Seraph]

Alaric, Linda and the remaining vampire guards had successfully captured those related to the first queen. That's good, and I'm glad. Seraph and I explain what just happened, with me whispering to the king about me using his name just now. He seems rather furious but seems to understand the situation. Normally, one would get severely punished for freely using the king name but thankfully, he just left me with a strict warning. Thank goodness for that. I feel bad though as I feel like I bring nothing but trouble for him

"You guys, what going on?" [Lisa]

"You guys seems busy" [Aries]

"Is it really alright for her to walk like this?" [Ash]

"She's fine now" [Flinar]

"Plus, the Aries that we know aren't that weak" [Erinmorlin]

"Will you go to the orphanage?" [Qis]

"No. I don't want those kids, especially Kara and Mara to see me like this. I'll go when I am fully healed" [Aries]

"Let me know about it, and..." [Ash]

"Yes. I'll tell Kara and Mara. Don't worry about it" [Aries]

"Sis..." [Lisa]

Guess I should brace myself as well. On the other note, I kinda wanted to see how Alaric will squeeze information from that old leader, but I get this feeling I won't sleep peacefully should I go.