It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 26: Trap

Episode 26: Trap

After being thoroughly jostled around, the conversation returned once again to Pamela’s magical aptitude. I just thought of something—what happened to the request for me? Could it be that it was just an excuse to summon me, and it wasn’t actually that serious?

“Light attribute and lightning attribute, huh. I’ve heard rumors that there are rare people who can use them. But I never noticed that Pamela had aptitude for those two attributes. And ice magic is an upper-ranked attribute? No wonder some water magic users can use it and some can’t.”

The Count was seemingly convinced. He crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly.

“Now that you mention it, I can use water magic myself. But I can’t use ice-based magic at all,”

The Countess said airily. Among water attribute users, there are many who can also use ice. It seems they are researching whether there’s a connection in this country as well.

However, in our country, it’s already known that there is a connection. And further research on that is underway. At this rate, all water attribute users will probably be able to control the ice attribute as well, without exception.

“Pamela, could you show us something as a test?”

The Count leaned forward. He was full of interest in his daughter’s abilities. The Countess also seemed curious and couldn’t sit still.

“Of course,”

Pamela said. She then used a magic that lit up the surroundings. A bright light appeared in her hand—bright enough to be seen even during the daytime. It was like sunlight reflected by a mirror.

“This is amazing. You can really control light.”

“El-sama can even change its color. Like orange, or pink… He taught me many things when we were in bed together at night.”

Pamela said dreamily. Her expression was somehow ecstatic.

Stop it, Pamela. Please stop saying things in ways that cause misunderstandings. And that face. It’s scary—your silent smiling face, Mother-in-law, is scary.

“L-Light attribute aside, what is lightning magic like? When I hear lightning, I think of the kind that happens in the sky.”

“You’re not wrong. But I can’t use something that large-scale yet. El-sama showed me once how it’s used—it had a tremendous sound and light, and vibrations. I thought it wasn’t something to use casually. It’s for using on large monsters like Dragons.”

Recalling that moment, she spoke with a trembling voice and a pale face. The Count’s face stiffened. Well, if someone who can use such a high-powered magic is right in front of you, it’s natural to make that kind of face.

I’ll have Pamela use a safe “just a little spark” type of magic.

After carefully instructing Pamela, she used lightning attribute magic. She extended both index fingers in front of her chest.

*Zap, zap*—small bolts of lightning danced between her fingers. Seeing that, the Count and Countess raised their voices in surprise, “Ohhh!”

“Never thought Pamela had such talent. If we had known back when she was still attending the academy…”

The Count seemed to know that Pamela, despite being a Count’s daughter, had been looked down on at the academy for only being able to use one attribute. Perhaps he regretted not being able to do anything for her back then.

“There may be others who are struggling with the same thing,”

The Countess murmured with a deep frown between her brows. That’s true—sitting next to her, the Count responded with a thoughtful, muffled voice.

“Sir Ernest, would it be possible to ask you to examine the attributes of other people as well?”

“I refuse. That’s not my job. I’m just an adventurer. My job is to defeat monsters and protect the safety of the people.”

“I see. That’s a shame.”

The Count let out a sigh and took a sip of the tea that had been placed in front of him.

He looked genuinely disappointed. But I really don’t want to take on a job like attribute assessment. It takes time, and there’s no benefit for me. I only did it because it was Pamela. If it were someone else, I absolutely wouldn’t have done it.

Let’s change the subject. The mood’s gotten kind of heavy. So now’s probably a good time to steer the conversation in that direction.

“May I hear about the request?”

“Ah, that’s right. Bring the request papers.”

The Count gave an order to the servant. And several sheets of paper were soon spread out on the table. Pamela leaned forward to look at them.

The papers laid out described how a giant red Dragon-like shadow had been seen near the border with the neighboring territory. However, the neighboring territory reported that no such thing had been confirmed.

In addition, there were several reports from investigation teams who had gone to look into it. They said that the figure could not be confirmed.

“Who was the first one to see the creature that looked like a Dragon?”

“That is… we don’t know. Before anyone realized it, there was a huge commotion in the villages and towns near the border.”

“If that’s the case, isn’t it just that someone somewhere is spreading false rumors?”

“I think that possibility is high. But, there’s always the ‘what if’. We can’t ignore it.”

Saying that, he let out a groaning sound, furrowed his brow, and closed his eyes as if troubled.

It’s certainly a troublesome situation. Unless the anxiety of the people is dealt with, even more bad rumors could start.

But still, it doesn’t seem to be an emergency. I was wondering why no one was panicking despite talk of a Dragon appearing. But it seems the Count also thinks it’s a bit suspicious.

“I understand. I’ll go conduct the investigation. I can use detection magic, so I believe I’ll get results quickly. If there are any suspicious monsters, I’m allowed to dispose of them, correct?”

“Of course. Depending on the type of monster, I promise to give you a reward that matches it.”

I nodded silently. That’s pretty generous. Normally, it’s not a variable system like that—it’s fixed. Otherwise, if it turns out to be a big one, there’s a chance they won’t be able to afford the reward. As expected from a Count’s house.

Ah, maybe this is partly to pay me back some of the ten platinum coins I paid when I bought Pamela. If that’s the case, it makes sense.

“Well then,” 

I said, standing up—but I was immediately stopped.

“El-sama, where are you going?”

“Where? To the investigation, of course.”

“…What will you do after the investigation ends?”

After the investigation? Well of course…

“I’ll report the request completion and submit it to the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“And after that?”

“After that? I’ll go home, of course…?”

“Grrr…” 

Pamela frowned and let out a low sound. What’s wrong, Pamela? You weren’t the type to make that kind of noise. Did I say something wrong?

Pamela kept glancing at the Count. It was as if she was signaling something with her eyes.

“Sir Ernest, you must be tired from traveling today. There have been no reports of damage so far. There’s no need to rush the field investigation. Please relax here for now.”

Noticing what Pamela was trying to say, the Count added that.

I see. Maybe this was the true goal all along. To call me to the Count’s house and evaluate what kind of person I am—or perhaps to create a fait accompli and make me their son-in-law.

This is bad. Seems I’ve already stepped into their trap.

What should I do? For now, maybe I should just go with the flow. It’s probably time for me to decide my own future too. If I drag things out too long, Mother might start picking out a random fiancée from somewhere. That, I definitely don’t want.

I don’t want a wife who judges by appearances only. Don’t look at how I look—look at who I am.

“Thank you very much. I’ll gladly accept your kind offer.”

When I said that, Pamela quickly lifted her head. Her eyes were moist, her cheeks were light pink, and she had a full smile on her face. Her hand pulled my arm toward her. My arm got caught between her rich chest. That soft, sinful, indescribable sensation. I never get used to it, no matter how many times it happens.

“El-sama, I will show you around the mansion.”

“Yes, I look forward to it. Lady Pamela.”

Pamela glared at me sharply. Uh-oh. Looks like I stepped on another landmine. How many times has it been today?

“El-sama, it’s *Pamela*. Pa–me–la. No need for ‘Lady’.”

“G-Got it, Pamela. Is that better?”

“Yes!”

She looked happy and satisfied. The parents sitting across from us watched us with grins on their faces. Of course, no one scolded us for it.