"L-Let me see that!"
Ren snatched the letter from my hand. She tore the envelope open with trembling fingers and began to read intently.
"Let’s see... 'My comrades, first, let me apologize for my sudden disappearance. I had my reasons. Though I kept it hidden, I am the third son of the Lord of Lodesto. I founded this guild specifically to assassinate my father and brothers, who were plotting for war every single day.'"
The guild members began to murmur as Ren read the lines aloud.
"The third son of Lodesto?" Galilea mused. "Jade’s manners always did suggest a high-born upbringing. He could use magic, too. I knew he was no ordinary man..."
"Now that you mention it, we did attempt to assassinate that Lord several times because of his warmongering," another added. "Our guild was founded under the banner of War Crushing... so you’re saying that man was using us from the very beginning?"
"Kuku, I suppose it was a matter of mutual interest. Jade wanted to remove the thorns in his side, and we wanted a decent life."
"I... I’m just grateful to Jade for giving me a place to belong."
The Lodesto territory was located to the south of Saloom, and its ruling family had been notorious for their love of battle since ancient times. I recalled Albert and Charles worrying that the region was a powder keg. In the end, the Lord would die every time he prepared for battle, and the plans would return to a blank slate... I see. So the members of the Assassin’s Guild were the ones preventing the outbreaks of war.
"I’m continuing," Ren said. "'Of course, I never intended to kill them from the start. However, no matter how many times I tried to persuade them, they would not listen. I was left with no choice but to resort to force. For me, it was an agonizing decision. At any rate, after my father and brothers were gone, I immediately returned home and worked to settle the chaos. I was very busy during that time and could not contact you all. I am sorry. However, things have finally settled down, and I have successfully become the Lord. I believe this is all thanks to you. Therefore, I wish to welcome you all as my citizens. I want you to continue working under me. What do you think? If you will accept this offer, I will be hosting a banquet to welcome you all at the Lord of Lodesto's manor tomorrow evening. Please, do come.' ...That’s what it says!"
Ren’s face lit up instantly, her previous foul mood vanishing like a bad dream.
"See? There was a reason he didn't contact us after all! Isn't it amazing that our Jade has become a Lord? If we go to him, we can work there! We won't have to skulk around and live like fugitives anymore!"
However, in contrast to Ren’s excitement, the others were knitting their brows in suspicion.
"Hmm. The logic seems sound, but..."
"Yes, even if that’s the case, why now? Besides, we still don't know the truth behind the incidents that have been plaguing us lately."
"Silencing witnesses... that’s a possibility too. Kuku."
Galilea and the others didn't seem particularly convinced.
"This is a trap no matter how you look at it, Master," Grimo muttered to me. "It’s likely a way to silence the subordinates who have outlived their usefulness. If word got out that he hired assassins to kill his own family just to seize the title of Lord, his hard-won seat would be in jeopardy. He probably used the Assassin’s Guild's name to commit those recent crimes to make them wanted men again. When that didn't work, he lost his patience and decided to finish them off directly... that’s my take on it, sir."
Grimo’s logic was sound. However, there was one part that bothered me.
"Would someone who wanted to set a trap send such an obvious letter? Besides, if he already knows where the hideout is, there are much simpler ways to handle this—like sending a subjugation unit."
"Exactly! You said it, Lloyd!" Ren jumped on my observation. "Jade isn't the kind of person to spin those kinds of schemes! You all know that!"
"Well, if you put it that way, the guy was unusually good-natured," Galilea admitted. "A bit of a softie, really."
"He was an idiot who would jump into danger himself just to save a comrade who fell behind. And word is the crimes being committed lately haven't actually hurt anyone... I suppose that does sound like him."
"That is why we recognized him as our Boss... Kuku, it is true that if it were Jade, he might send a stupidly honest letter like this."
"I... I want to believe in Jade."
The group nodded in agreement. It seemed this Jade fellow was surprisingly well-loved.
"Either way, we have no choice but to go and find out for ourselves," Galilea said with a heavy sigh.
"I suppose so. If the letter is true, and we serve under a successful Jade, we might finally get a taste of the good life."
"We can just run away if things go south. Kuku, I can get in and out of any crack or crevice, after all."
"It’s not good to think only of yourself."
"I’ll do something if anything happens!"
"—It's settled then."
Accepting the group's consensus, Galilea nodded. Then he turned toward me and bowed deeply.
"That’s the situation, Master Lloyd. We’re going to try and see Jade. I know it’s incredibly selfish of us after everything, but please forget that talk about wanting you to be our Boss for a moment. Of course, I’ll take responsibility for my words and still let you use us for your experiments or whatever! I’ll cooperate as much as I possibly can. Can you find it in yourself to forgive us?"
I see. So they were returning to their former leader. As far as I was concerned, this was perfect—I wouldn't have to look after them, yet I could still proceed with my research. It was killing two birds with one stone.
Still, I couldn't just agree too easily.
"I see. It is certainly a selfish request. Therefore, I have one condition. Take me with you."
"What...!? B-But as you heard, there’s a risk! Besides, there’s no merit in it for you!"
I offered the stunned Galilea a thin smile.
"I was your Boss for a moment, after all. It’s only right to see things through to the end. Since you don't actually know what’s waiting for you, I’ll step in if anything goes wrong."
"Y-You...!"
Galilea’s eyes grew moist at my words. The others appeared equally moved.
"Lloyd...!" Ren was blushing for some reason. It seemed no one had any objections.
"Then it's decided."
"Thank you, Master. Even if you aren't our Boss anymore, we swear to serve you...!"
The group bowed in unison once again.
"Phew, I’m surprised, Master. I never expected you to say something so kindhearted."
"Well, I’d hate to lose their unique abilities if something went wrong. But more than anything, I’m interested in Jade’s power."
The way that letter had been delivered earlier—that was undoubtedly the result of Spatial Transfer. People born with this ability often found themselves 'spirited away' throughout their childhood, unable to maintain their own coordinates and shifting to random locations before they realized it.
Jade, however, was clearly controlling it.
Spatial Transfer was the foundation of Spatial System Magic. Despite years of research, the complexity of controlling it was so high that no human had ever managed to use it reliably. I wondered if he was combining a Spell Formula with his innate ability.
To control it perfectly... Jade was an extraordinary individual. Now I was interested not just in the magic, but in the man himself. I really wanted to meet him.
"I’m getting excited, Grimo!"
"Sigh... I figured it was something like that, sir..."
Grimo let out an exasperated sigh. I didn't see what he was so tired for. As always, he was an incomprehensible fellow.