I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 6 - Misconception ②

Chapter 6 – Misconception ②

Just when the man arrived at the inn and fell asleep like mud…

“I’m glad… I’m really glad you’re okay…”

“F-Father doesn’t have to cry so much… How long is Father going to cry anyway?”

At a luxurious and gorgeous mansion on spacious grounds…

Inside the mansion, there was Karen, who was the daughter of Duke Diggoth, who was having a drawn-out look on his face.

Without brushing off the hands placed on both her shoulders, Karen furrowed her brows and said,

“Father’s dignity would be ruined if the servants see this.”

“That doesn’t matter for now… I was really worried for you.”

“Father knows how much I admire him who is always so imposing, right?”

“I-I apologize. Yes… Yes, that’s right…”

The Duke wiped away his tears with his wrinkled hand, cleared his throat and sat back in his chair.

His eyes were still red, but his appearance was no longer unusual.

Karen, watching the good change of appearance, giggled and moved her legs to sit in the chair in front of The Duke..

“You really are…cured.”

“Yes. You must have been surprised. I returned safely, and even my crippled legs are healed.”

Karen, who moved her right leg effortlessly, curled her red hair with her index finger somewhat shyly.

“So, that Legendary Elixir was truly used… After utilizing my power for a decade, I couldn’t even find that medicine anywhere…”

“I never understood it. He just came out with the Legendary Elixir with a look on his face like it was normal. He didn’t even hesitate.”

Karen gave her father a vivid recount of her kidnapping.

“That’s not all. He didn’t even ask for anything in return. When I tried to show my gratitude…he said something ridiculous like, ‘Do it some other time.’ Did he not realize I am the daughter of The Duke? It’s unbelievable.”

“…I don’t think we will ever see someone with as much integrity as he has.”

“I know. He’s so sincere that it’s scary.”

Duke Diggoth and Karen had no way of knowing.

While Karen was shedding tears after her limp legs healed, the man had made a light-hearted remark, “I wonder what you’ll have to thank me for when I get you home safe and sound.”

The man said, “Do it some other time” because he just wanted to get some rest as soon as possible.

And he didn’t even know Karen was from a ducal family.

“Just to confirm again, that guy who saved Karen, he identified himself as a spy, didn’t he?” 

“Yes, he revealed himself to us. Father helped us out, didn’t he? That man told me.”

“Of course, I had my ways of making things happen… But if I had a connection with that person, then I wouldn’t have to panic and I could have obtained the Legendary Elixir early.”

“!”

With these meaningful words, Karen realized that there was no relationship between her father and that man.

“B-But! He said, ‘Thank your parents’…”

“This is only a guess, but it was probably to provide mental support for the return trip. I think that just hearing those words may have eased some of your burden.”

“……”

It was so true that Karen couldn’t refute it.

In fact, from the moment she believed that the man was someone related to her parents, she became extremely relieved.

“T-Then why did he save us…? Nina and Remy didn’t seem to know him either.”

“Based on the information that he was a spy, he must have heard the information while infiltrating the criminal organization, Red Freed, and went to rescue you.”

“T-Then… W-What about his undercover mission…”

The man stayed with the girls all the way back to the city.

In other words, he put the rescue ahead of the mission he was given, and he would be rightfully punished—

“Actually, we received word two days ago that all the people who abducted Karen and the others were captured in the vicinity of Wafer Town.”

“W-Wafer Town…”

At this moment, Karen’s thoughts flashed through her mind.

—It’s just a speculation, but I think the enemies who kidnapped you are probably keeping watch near Wafer Town.

—That’s why we’ll take a little detour. Not through Wafer Town, but through this village.

Those were words the man said when he rescued Karen.

“That man… He expected the bad guys to be there. That’s why we took the long way…”

“I suppose he could have predicted that.”

“What?”

“It seems that Red Freed was captured by Vertal, who is directly under the control of the Imperial Capital.”

“V-Vertal, you say!?”

“Yes, that organization that criminal gangs fear the most.”

Vertal.

That is the name of the secret organization under the direct control of the Imperial Capital whose purpose is to maintain public order and security that is known by everyone who lives in this world.

It is primarily formed by the highest ranks of treasure hunters, the elite of the elite.

“It all makes so much sense. You can see it now, can’t you?”

“That man is a member of Vertal… T-That’s why he had the Legendary Elixir…”

“Otherwise there would be no explanation.”

“……”

“What’s terrifying is that he holds a commanding position even among those Vertal, allowing him to act freely. The moment we take any action that displeases him, we would likely be eliminated in an instant…”

Duke Diggoth’s voice was trembling. His face was so serious that it left no room for doubt.

“Listen, Karen. Don’t tell anyone who he is. The reason he gave you his identity as a secret spy so lightly was to reassure you and get you out. Do not betray that goodwill.”

“Y-Yes.”

Karen’s voice was tense at the tone of warning that she had never heard before.

“It goes without saying, but we have to show him our utmost gratitude… Karen, what is his name?”

“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t get his name.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. He’s part of Vertal, so that’s only natural…”

The Duke was convinced that the man was trying to keep himself lowkey.

“I guess we’ll just have to find out his whereabouts by his jet-black equipment…”

The man said to return the favor some other time, but The Duke couldn’t just take his word for it. To show their sincerity, they must find him.

“Karen, can you go and get Lyfia?”

“My sister?”

“Yes. I’ll let Lyfia know about this too. When we find that man, you’ll both be invited.”

“Y-Yes.”

The talk came to a conclusion and Karen left the room.

“I wonder if that man will be reprimanded for saving my daughter…”

Duke Diggoth muttered to himself with his head in his hands.

What if it was his sole decision to use the Legendary Elixir?

What if he thought that he wouldn’t be able to get everyone back safely without using the Legendary Elixir?

What if that man’s reason for postponing The Duke family’s gratitude was because he had to report this matter to his superiors as soon as possible?

What if that man has to bear alone the responsibility of having used such rare items?

It’s possible that the man is so sincere that he decided to carry the burden alone…

“That man saved my daughter’s life… I will return the debt, even if it takes me decades to do so.”

Duke Diggoth was convinced that The Ansage Family and the Albrella Family must’ve reached the same conclusion.