Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~ - Chapter 108: Hectain’s Whereabouts

Chapter 108: Hectain’s Whereabouts

“That bird’s really clever, isn’t it…”

“Yeah, well…”

Ugh… I’ve thought about telling her about Cui someday, but it’s getting harder to bring up…!

‘First, the conclusion. Hectain, Amberta’s brother, left the capital last night.’

“What!?”

My outburst draws a puzzled look from Erinabel.

Crap, crap, gotta keep a poker face…!

‘I heard from rebel agents in the capital. Seems Hectain approached Amberta specifically for the Crystal Spirit Staff Selbirim.’

As expected… Erinabel and I figured as much.

‘The agents are acting like Hectain’s still in the capital. They’re spreading lies to patrolling soldiers, saying they saw someone like him at some shop.’

Hmm…? Amberta-neesan should’ve reported when her brother stole the staff.

If Hectain really left last night, a lot of time’s passed. You’d think he’s long gone from the capital.

So why spread misinformation that he’s still here? To buy time before pursuers look outside the city…?

‘I checked the castle too. Seems Amberta reported the staff was stolen this morning.’

“What!?”

This morning…? But he left last night—that doesn’t add up!

‘Just my guess, but Amberta likely lied to delay pursuit of her brother. Maybe sibling affection, who knows.’

…

Reuniting with her long-lost brother, she reported it as this morning to give him time to escape…

Got it. The Ministry thinks Hectain’s still in the capital.

With patrols frantically searching based on rebel lies like “I saw him over there!”, it keeps attention locked inside the city…

(But that means the patrols are chasing false leads. Total waste. If Hectain left last night, no point sending pursuers now.)

No clue which direction—east, west, south, north—he went. The staff’s probably gone for good.

(If this keeps happening, I won’t be able to chill and enjoy sex with Kurumi and the others in Japan… No choice, huh.)

Vaguely, the outline of what I need to do here takes shape.

Sigh… I didn’t plan to get tangled in empire drama…

But I’m already deep with Erinabel and the others, so too late. Plus, it’s for the women I love!

“What’s up, Touya? First time I’ve seen you look so serious.”

“Nah, I’m always serious…”

Geez. Now, how to break this to my master, Erinabel…

Locking eyes with her, I keep that serious expression she mentioned.

“Erinabel.”

“W-What?”

“If I said I just figured out where the stolen staff and Amberta-neesan’s brother are… would you believe me?”

I learned of the theft during lunch. Since then, I’ve been by Erinabel’s side, not taking any action to gather info.

Saying “I know where they are!” lacks credibility. Can’t help it.

So, I’m checking if she’s open to listening first.

“…I’d believe you.”

“Seriously?”

“Why’re you shocked…? You’re from another world, and I believe you’re the prophesied hero. For you to say this now, there’s gotta be something. I’ve got questions about how, but the conclusion matters more than the process.”

The conclusion’s credibility hinges on the process, but she says she trusts me.

No need to poke at that—it’d be tactless.

“To think my master trusts me so much. I’m tearing up here.”

“What’s that about? I don’t need a reason to trust my own retainer. So, what’d you find?”

Gratefully accepting her trust, I speak.

“Hectain, who stole the staff, isn’t in the capital anymore.”

“What…?”

“He’s already outside. Chasing him now would be tough.”

…

Erinabel’s expression turns serious, lost in thought.

If my words are true, the patrols scouring the capital are pointless.

“Any way to prove it?”

“There is. Rebel agents in the capital are spreading lies that Hectain’s still here to throw off patrols. I can pinpoint and apprehend them.”

Interrogating captured rebels would prove Hectain’s gone.

But I’ll keep quiet about him leaving last night. Mentioning it could get Amberta-neesan in trouble for lying.

(Not covering for her exactly… but my words could affect her situation…)

Amberta-neesan did save me once on Flower Seller Street.

If the rebels blab “Hectain left last night!” during interrogation, oh well. Can’t take responsibility for that.

Though it’d come down to believing rebels or a high noble…

“Fine. Touya, lead me to where those rebel agents spreading lies are.”

Standing, Erinabel grabs the great axe from the wall—Gilded Radiant Axe Arcmald.

Damn… she looks badass…

“Got it. Let’s go.”

Guided by Cui, I race through the capital with Erinabel.

*

At the same time, Avies met Filmeria in the imperial palace.

In Avies’ private room, Cerialis waited outside.

“What did you think of Touya-sama?”

“…Hard to say. But he’s worth watching.”

The topic, naturally, was Touya. Filmeria introduced him as the prophesied hero, and Avies met him days ago.

Filmeria probed for Avies’ impression of him.

“No magic aura, nor particularly trained physically. Not untrained, mind you—his sparring with Erinabel’s become castle gossip.”

Still, no proof he’s a hero. Yet, he’s got a track record of defying Filmeria’s foresight.

Pure strength? Cerialis has no equal. But even she couldn’t likely counter Filmeria’s visions.

Different measures of strength—Avies understood that.

“Regardless, I granted him a noble title. If he’s truly a hero, I expect he’ll shine soon.”

“Yes. If only the lost prophecy book were here…”

The prophecy book, once kept by the Fimirune family, was taken by royals due to its contents.

Over time, it vanished. Rumor says an emperor burned it for unfavorable predictions.

But it’s not the only lost treasure. Several Illustrious Imperial Artifacts are missing, like the Mechanical Greatsword Raidel, used by Alkrom.

“By the way, Avies-sama. I’m thinking of working.”

“…What?”

“I’ve been holed up in my mansion too long. I want to see what I can do as a high noble in this empire. And how I can help Touya-sama.”

…

She’s changed, Avies thought. Filmeria wasn’t one to step into the spotlight, wary of noble gazes.

Now, Touya’s sparked her to break out of her shell. As a friend, Avies wanted to cheer her on.

(If Touya’s the hero, is Filmeria’s change part of guiding him…?)

No answers. No proof.

But the balance between empire and rebels is slowly shifting. Where will the new era’s tides lead? Around what?

Avies deepened her thoughts, determined not to miss it.