Chapter 201: Old Men Talking

“Time is of the essence.”

Kathe stood up and ran out of the room. Her tail was moving happily up and down.

She was going to head for the water dragon settlement in spite of it being night time.

“Kathe! Wait a minute.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

I called to her. Kathe turned around with a puzzled expression.

“It’s already late. You can go tomorrow.”

“But it would be better to hurry.”

“That’s true, but if you went out now, everyone will be surprised and wonder what’s going on.”

Kathe thought about it and then nodded.

“You are not wrong.”

“Right?”

“Very well. I will head there tomorrow then.”

“That’s better.”

“And so I shall play tonight instead.”

Kathe said as she ran off. She was probably going to return to the children.

“Groof-groof!”

Grulf immediately reacted to the word ‘play.’ He followed after her.

“Hmm? You want to play too, Grulf?”

“Groof!’

“You should go then.”

We had things to talk about here.

A pup like Grulf would find it boring.

“Cluck-cluck.”

On the other hand, Lord Gerberga sat on my lap with a cool expression.

It was as if he were making a show of not being a child.

I stroked his feathers and then turned to Danton.

“Perhaps I should inspect the mansion and make sure no magic tools have been brought in?”

“Would you really do that for us?”

“Of course. I do not mind at all.”

Danton thought about it.

“…But, it will be a lot of work. It is a large mansion.”

“I’ll manage it.”

“No, Locke. Considering the reason, you will have to search through the other houses as well. Not just the mansion. Surely that is too much work for you.”

Danton was right.

It was true that most information came from the mansion of the chief.

However, it was also possible to gather information by planting magic devices in the other houses as well.

“I always meant to check the other houses as well. Of course, I realize that it may not be the most welcome thing for the residents…”

“I don’t mind that… But it does not feel right to have you do so much, Locke…”

“It’s why I came all the way here. If I’m going to do it, I should do it right.”

“So you really don’t mind?”

“If I’m only going to search for magic devices, then Magic Search should be enough.”

I could use Magic Exploration to find out what a device does once it had actually been discovered.

So it shouldn’t be that much trouble.

“In that case, may we rely on you?”

“Yeah, I have plenty of time. I could even reinforce your walls with magic while I’m at it.”

“…You would do that for us?”

“Sure. You know, Miss Shia and Nia have helped me a lot.”

“Thank you.”

The mansion of the beastkin chief was an anti-vampire fortress.

It would be good to strengthen it.

After that, Danton, the old chief, and I discussed the order that things would be done.

“Well then, it is settled.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Sorry for troubling you, Locke.”

“Don’t mention it.”