“Is this about the Northern Gustav Warriors…?”
Ugh! I’m sorry. I truly feel bad about this.
I’ve already asked the Golden Sheep Trading Company to gather information in nearby areas, but since their activities revolve around our territory, they don’t have much information about far-off regions.
That’s why I have to rely on you, Wolf.
The distance involved in investigating Count Castaren’s domain is nothing compared to this.
“…Understood.”
Wolf seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then made up his mind and agreed.
“I really appreciate it.”
I hope I’m overthinking the prince’s last words, but if the Gustav Warriors start moving, the northern regions will descend into chaos.
I want to gather information about them now so we won’t be caught off guard when that happens.
“I do have one favor to ask.”
Wolf bowed deeply as he made his request. I felt a pang of guilt since I had just made an unreasonable request of my own. I asked him to raise his head.
“And what is this favor?”
Of course, if it’s something I can do, I want to help. I’ve been assigning him some pretty dangerous missions, after all.
I waited, curious about what kind of favor it might be, when Wolf grinned.
“I’d like to ask it… once I’ve completed the mission.”
Huh? Not now?
Seeing my confusion, Wolf chuckled softly.
“I assure you, it won’t be an unreasonable request.”
Judging from the fact that he didn’t tell me now, it’s probably not something that involves money or time. But I can’t help being curious.
Well, there’s no helping it. I let out a small sigh.
“All right… I’ll wait.”
“Thank you.”
Wolf smiled in satisfaction at my reply.
Well, considering I just threw an unreasonable task at him, I’ll accept a bit of an unreasonable request in return.
“Now then, I’d like to get started right away.”
“Ah.”
I called out to Wolf as he stood to leave.
He turned to me with a questioning look.
I hesitated, but if we’re not going to see each other for a while, I need to say this now.
“Did you hear from Alte about the Arieist religion?”
Even if Wolf already knew, if he didn’t, I thought he had the right to know. That’s why I asked.
Wolf seemed a little surprised but nodded.
“…Yes. Of course.”
Well, I figured as much. He knows.
But that wasn’t all I wanted to tell him.
“It might be tougher than I anticipated, but I haven’t forgotten your wish, Wolf.”
Yes, his ultimate goal: the liberation of the beastfolk slaves.
It sounds simple when put into words, but there are countless obstacles in the way. Even so, I wanted to make a change.
The reason I sat beside him and spoke at eye level was to show through my actions that I viewed the beastfolk as equals.
“Your words… have reached me.”
Wolf smiled gently.
“I must devote myself to this mission for your sake as well, my lord.”
“Just don’t do anything reckless. I’d hate to see Alte upset, and Leila would be heartbroken.”
He’d recently grown close to Alte, but even more than that, ever since the tea party, Leila and Alte had been chatting often and getting along well.
“Of course.”
“That’s good to hear.”
I could see a sense of purpose in Wolf’s eyes, but I also understood he wasn’t planning to throw his life away.
“Then, I’ll be off.”
With that, Wolf left the office through the door.
…Judging by the lack of screams beyond the door, it seemed he’d finally learned to leave through the front entrance.
