D-DAY: 0.5
Liam's goal in Life
-Be a mob character.
-Be a hidden superpower
-Leave the barony to my siblings
-Open a coffee shop
-Get a beautiful wife and live peacefully
So, where the hell is it written that I'm becoming a criminal? And not just a small-time one with some thousands of kottars as bounty, but a one with 100,000,0 kottars as bounty.
Yes, a fucking 100,000,0 kottars as a bounty.
'What did I do to deserve this?'
"Ugh…"
"Liam, are you alright?"
Ah, right. There are my siblings too, beside Alina in the carriage with me.
"Yes, I am fine, sister. I just… got nervous because of the ball tonight and fainted, so you don't have to worry, sister."
"Heh, that's why you should go out more."
"Hey! James, you have to encourage him instead of saying that."
"AND! Why should I?"
Haaa…
They are at it again. Can't they just be quiet for a moment without insulting each other? I mean, I just woke up.
'They must have a reason to be always doing this right?'
"Master, what will you be doing now?" Alina whispers in my ear with a hushed voice.
"We do nothing."
What should we even do by this point? It's not like I can go and threaten them to take back all the posters. If I do that, I will only create more problems, and they will be more proactive in hunting me down.
"Yes, master. But… master, if I may ask, what did you even do to get wanted?"
"I don't know, I just…"
…
…
After Alina's inquiry about how I got such a huge bounty over my head. I recounted everything that happened last night, from how I went to the auction house to how I got a skill and a new friend for our Alina.
Of course, I omitted parts like when I got bored and threatened the fat noble for the skill bone; instead, I told her I found it lying on the floor.
Talking about the skill bone, I got the skill 'adjustment' that can help me hide the mana cores that I have formed and the purity of my mana.
It really is a useful skill to perfect my disguise more, to make me look like an average boy, and I can also hide other people's strengths. Besides, I don't have to worry about someone using something strange on me and finding out about my strength.
'It really was a skill tailored for me.'
"I see… I think I know why you got that huge bounty on yourself, master."
"Really?"
"Yes, master, it must have been because someone must have seen you and thought you were the mastermind."
"Ahhh…"
"And, um… master, can you use your… skill on me?"
"Yes, I can. Do you want me to hide your strength, too, Alina?"
"Yes, master."
"Okay, then give me your hand."
"Here."
Taking Alina's, I closed my eyes, concentrating all my focus on Alina's mana cores and their purity.
Her mana purity was at the bright green stage. So, I slowly turn the bright green into bright red. Once I disguised the purity of her mana, I shifted my focus to her mana cores.
She had three mana cores. One residing in her Skull, the second near her heart and the last one in her abdominal area. I slowly conceal the presence of the cores residing in her skull and her heart.
"Huuu…"
Exhaling, I slowly open my eyes and take my hands back.
"How do you feel, Alina?"
"I don't feel any changes, master. My strength feels the same, but when I concentrate, I can see that my mana cores and their purity have either been concealed or disguised."
"I see."
"Hey! What have you two been talking about, and why did you hold Alina's hand, Liam?"
"Hmph! Why should he tell you what he talked about or why he held Alina's hand?"
Ohhh, right, I completely forgot that they are here too.
"Alina was just helping me to calm my nerves, sister. By giving me words of encouragement and holding my hands."
"I see."
***
The dukedom of Crossblades.
"Put the tables there!"
"Bring that candle stand here!"
The preparation for the birthday banquet was in full swing. Servants were coming and going to design the hall to perfection as it was their young lady's birthday banquet, and important guests were going to come, so even if they wanted to, they couldn't slack.
"Bring grape juice too for children!"
They shouted and sometimes even argued when there was a mistake with the decorations.
A shadowy figure watched it all happen, then took out a communication device.
Beep!
Beep!
"Hello, boss."
-"Yes, Cron. Are all the preparations ready?"-
"Yes, boss. Everything is going according to the plan for now."
-"I see. When will you bring me my test subject?"-
"Boss, we will bring her to you as soon as possible."
-"Good, then do you have anything else to report?"-
"No, boss."
-"Then I will cut the communication. Don't disturb me unless it is important."-
"Yes, boss. Bye"
Beep!
Beep!
***
Our journey to the dukedom was very peaceful.
"You gremlin-looking monkey!"
"You birdbrain!"
Ahh... Yes, quite peaceful. Ignoring the fact that my siblings threw insults at each other like breathing air.
"Master, I think we will soon reach the dukedom."
"Hmm, really?... How do you know that, Alina?"
I asked her with a surprised expression, as it was news to me.
"I heard that the dukedom of Crossblades has beautiful trees with pink leaves."
"Now that you mentioned it, I did see quite a lot of trees with pink leaves. But where did you hear that information from, Alina?"
"I heard from the maids working on the mansion."
"I see."
…
…
A silence settled between. It wasn't the awkward type of silence. No, in fact, it felt quite comfortable, but that silence was soon broken by Alina, who pointed her finger outside toward a wall.
"Oh, Master. Look, I think that is the dukedom of Crossblades."
"I see."
"Master, I heard that the Crossblades have two children. Both were born with a remarkable talent, and we will be attending the birthday of their eldest daughter, named Celeste."
How the hell is it possible that she is more knowledgeable than I, who has been living in the mansion for years?
My pride was hurt.
Badly hurt.
I mean, it didn't make sense.
I didn't even know their name properly until recently, Alina said it.
So…
I resolved myself.
'Liam, it is now or never. Just ask her.'
"Uh... Alina… how do you know so much?"
"Yes, master?"
"I mean… how do you have so much information?"
"Oh, that is because the servants at the mansion gossip a lot when they get bored while working, master."
Ahh…
I see. That makes sense, as there is a lack of entertainment in this world. People usually read books, gossip, train, or do their jobs.
"Anything else that you know about them, Alina?"
"Let me think, master…. Right, as their name suggests, they are proficient at wielding two swords."
"I see, thank you, Alina."
After that the time quickly passed, and the night came. Liam and his family reached the Crossblades mansion.