It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 38: Anger and Intimidation

Episode 38: Anger and Intimidation 

When we returned to the Count’s mansion and reported what had happened, Count Reinach jumped up in surprise. It seemed he was astonished that the Red Dragon actually existed. And he was dumbfounded that I had defeated it. 

“No way… to think that Dragons really exist…” 

Hmm… Dragons generally inhabit deep forests and mountains, though. Well, maybe because there are still so many undeveloped areas on this continent, there aren’t many chances to encounter one. But once development progresses, encounters should increase. 

After that, we discussed the reward for the request, and I received twenty platinum coins. Just as expected, it was likely the combined total of the money I paid when I bought Pamela and the reward for this request. Pamela was surprised at the amount. And at the same time, she had a worried expression. 

“Pamela?” 

“El-sama… You’re not going to buy a new slave or anything, right?” 

“I won’t! Pamela alone is more than enough!” 

Looking happy, she clung to my arm. No, well, I’m happy too, but… is it okay to do that in front of your father? Look, even the Count has a wry smile on his face. This is getting a little awkward. The request is done, so let’s head home. 

At that moment, a soldier rushed in, clearly in a panic. 

“My apologies for interrupting your conversation!” 

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” 

“Yes, sir! The culprits we captured have committed suicide. It seems they had hidden poison somewhere.” 

“What!?” 

“So they went that far to keep something hidden…” 

The Count stood up but quickly sat back down on the sofa, as if he had reconsidered something. His wife looked at him with a worried expression. Pamela… had turned pale. Looking closely, her shoulders were trembling slightly. 

I pulled her close with a firm arm around her shoulders. But the trembling wouldn’t stop. It seemed she had a significant trauma. 

I want to ask what happened in the Count’s household in the past. But, asking Pamela now would be too cruel. I’ll secretly ask her parents some other time. 

But still… to think they committed suicide. Where in the world were they hiding the poison? Their belongings should have all been confiscated. Was it hidden in their teeth or something? But would a normal person do something so dangerous? I don’t think so. 

Which means… they were killed. Most likely, with dark magic. 

How careless of me. Since someone from my country was lending them a hand, I should’ve considered the possibility of dark magic being used. I let my guard down because barely anyone in this country can use it. If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve extracted their memories right there. I didn’t want to do it, but still… 

“My apologies, Sir Ernest. We’ve lost a valuable lead. I don’t know how to make it up to you…” 

“There’s no need to apologize to me. My job is to exterminate monsters. The request has been completed. So I’ll excuse myself now.” 

The Count and his wife looked somewhat lonely. But on the other hand, Pamela looked relieved. She clearly wanted to get away from this place as quickly as possible. 

Maybe wanting to be with Pamela just a bit longer, I couldn’t refuse when the Count and his wife said they would see us off to the entrance. 

When we descended to the entrance hall, there was some commotion outside. It seemed inconvenient to go out through the front now. If so, let’s go out through the back. 

Just as I was thinking that and was about to turn back, the front door burst open with a loud noise. 

“Is Count Reinach here? I heard a Dragon appeared. But no worries! I shall gallantly defeat it myself!” 

“Duke Hiddink!? How do you know about that?” 

“Oh! There you are, Count Reinach! Hmm? Could that beside you be Pamela!?” 

The voice full of cheer belonged to a large man with curly blond hair and dark brown eyes. He looked to be in his forties. Probably about the same age as Count Reinach. 

When he called her name, Pamela’s expression completely drained away. It was like a mask of a smile had been pasted onto her face. 

“Duke Hiddink, the Dragon has already been slain by the Platinum-ranked adventurer Ernest standing right there. Your generous offer is appreciated, but unnecessary.” 

“What!? That’s absurd! There’s no one capable of defeating a Red Dragon!” 

With a “good grief” expression, Count Reinach gave a signal. And soon, the Red Dragon’s head was brought forth. 

Seeing it, Duke Hiddink shrank back. It seemed the overwhelming pressure it still gave off even in death had overwhelmed him.  

And yet he talks so big about slaying a Dragon. Also, the way he spoke made it sound like he already knew it was a Red Dragon. But that information should only be known to the people in the Count’s mansion… 

This is feeling suspicious.

“Ernest, you say? Never heard that name before. Requesting help from an adventurer—doesn’t that disgrace the name of nobility? Being unable to deal with it using your own forces is simply unacceptable.”  

Duke Hiddink spoke harshly. He stared this way, scrutinizing me. It wasn’t a friendly gaze.  

“What do you think His Majesty the King would say if he found out about this? He might forsake you.”  

Count Reinach gave a wry smile. If the king would abandon someone over something like that, then he’s not much of a king. I wonder if Duke Hiddink realizes he’s indirectly insulting the king? Probably not. The Count likely caught on, which is why he’s smiling wryly.  

“Besides, wasn’t Pamela supposed to be missing? I should have been informed the moment she was found… Don’t tell me, is that man the one who kidnapped her!?”  

He pointed straight at me. Hmm, I see. So his target was Pamela all along. That’s why Pamela came to me under the status of a slave—to escape from him.  

If I remember correctly, Duke Hiddink already has a legal wife. Which means… he probably intended to take Pamela in as a concubine. That lines up with what was said the other day—about a noble wanting to make Pamela his concubine.  

For Count Reinach, or rather for the Reinach household as a whole, marrying Pamela off as a concubine to someone of similar age as the Count himself must have been absolutely out of the question.  

Now that I’ve more or less grasped the situation, I feel like I understand why Pamela had been trying so hard to create a “done deal” between us.  

When I looked over at her, her beautiful, slender eyebrows were raised in anger. I’d never seen her face like that before.  

“El-sama would never do something so shameless!”  

She raised her voice loud enough to echo through the wide entrance hall. She was clearly furious. But even angry, a beauty is still a beauty. That’s a little surprising.  

“Are you trying to defend a criminal? Adventurers are nothing more than a band of ruffians. Cutting off his head would be easy. But… let’s see. If Pamela says she’ll become my wife, I’ll let this go just this once.”  

At Duke Hiddink’s threat, Pamela flinched. She turned to look at me fearfully. Tears were already welling in her eyes.  

I can’t just let this slide.

As Pamela’s husband, there’s no way I can ignore my wife’s tears.