The Adventurer Who Lacks Magic Power

In the center of the dining hall, the president of the Hohen Trading Company, dressed in a posture resembling a bow, began desperately apologizing to me, a child. Seeing this, the manager quickly approached.

As the surroundings were filled with individuals of various social statuses enjoying their meals and drinks, we became the center of attention.

“Manager-san, if there’s an available room, I’d like to rent it.”

“We have a reception room for negotiations. Please use that.”

Guided by the manager, we headed towards the negotiation room. The president of Hohen Trading Company, with a pale face and dripping with cold sweat, followed like a cow being led to the slaughter.

In this city, Hohen Trading Company held a certain status, including a notorious reputation. It seemed that despite being the subject of everyone’s curious gaze, the president was not bothered.

In the negotiation room, facing President Hohen, I asked why he suddenly started apologizing.

“Dealing with a filthy brat like me, is there something you need? Also, I don’t recall you introducing yourself.”

“I apologize. It was all due to my lack of education for my employees.”

“Huh, I’m a brat planning to become an adventurer. Even now, I’m mostly collecting herbs in the grasslands to ensure my safety. My senses are heightened to their fullest. My ears are good too; I heard your voice when I visited the store before, scolding your employees from behind for letting in a ‘filthy brat.’ The employees were just following your instructions, and they did nothing wrong. Yet, they were fired. Seems unfair, doesn’t it?”

While listening to the harsh irony, I looked at Kaito. He was wearing fine clothes with no apparent unnaturalness. The several clothes tailored for him when he visited the viscount’s mansion were of high quality, but in Japan, they would be considered off-the-rack. However, Hohen wouldn’t know that.

Hohen realized that he had made a big mistake. This was a situation where he couldn’t use tricks and decided to quickly apologize and try to appease me, the usual straightforward method.

“Kaito-sama, I have committed various rudenesses. I am deeply sorry. As an apology, I have brought a top-notch Class 12 Magic Pouch and 300 gold coins. If you can forgive me, I will immediately prepare another 200 coins. This is the best apology I can offer. Will you pardon me?”

“Why would you apologize with such valuable items to a brat like me?”

“If I don’t have your forgiveness, I won’t be able to do business in Viscount Hamawarle’s territory. If banned from trading in one territory, it means I can’t do business in the entire Nagayar Kingdom. Please forgive us with your generous heart.”

It seems he threatened the viscount considerably. If I don’t forgive him, the viscount won’t forgive him either. If I forgive… it would mean something else scary, dealing with nobles is frightening.

“Fine, I won’t shut down your store. Forgive you. Also, apologize to Hyalda and Phine, and tell the viscount about it.”

“Thank you very much. I won’t forget this favor for the rest of my life. Please accept the 200 gold coins, which will be delivered to your family immediately. I will go to the viscount’s mansion to apologize to Hyalda-sama and Phine-sama.”

As I watched President Hohen leaving the reception room, I thought, “Now it’s up to you, Viscount Hamawarle,” and saw him off with a wicked smile. The rest is none of my concern.

Sighing, I received another cup of tea and, once again, heard a voice mentioning my name.

Bothered by this, I continued drinking my tea without acknowledging it. The man appeared with a small package, guided by the manager.

“Kaito-sama, I have brought an apology gift from President Hohen.”

What was offered was the same Magic Pouch I received earlier, with slightly simpler patterns. When I inquired, I was told it was a Class 10 pouch, and I was asked to check its contents.

Two leather bags came out, but I nodded without bothering to confirm.

The man saluted and left the hotel.

Putting the leather bags back into the Magic Pouch, I threw it on the table and sighed, leaning back on the chair.

In times like these, it’s best to have a glass of whiskey and go to sleep. But I wondered if such a thing existed in this world. Two Magic Pouches all of a sudden, and 500 gold coins. It’s laughable.

—

After receiving forgiveness from Kaito, President Hohen visited the viscount’s mansion to report and apologize to Hyalda and Phine. Guided by the butler, he was led to the study, but Viscount Hamawarle was not present.

Before long, Viscount Hamawarle, accompanied by Orland and four knights, appeared. He sat heavily on the chair behind the desk, with Hohen flanked by knights on either side and behind, and an eerie atmosphere caused Hohen’s complexion to change.

“Viscount Hamawarle, what… what is the meaning of this?”

“You, have you obtained forgiveness from Kaito?”

“Yes, I am deeply grateful for Kaito-sama’s generous heart.”

“Then, that matter is settled. Hohen, there are numerous accusations against you, such as abduction, assault, murder, and more. Do you remember any of it?”

“Viscount, I swear by the heavens, I have done nothing wrong.”

“I see. Then, you have nothing to worry about. Right now, Hyalda and the knights, along with the city’s security forces, are conducting a cursory search to prove your innocence regarding the accusations against the main store and branches. It’s about time they are barging into your store, questioning your employees and the bodyguards you usually accompany. They are also raiding your homes and shops where you and your acquaintances reside.”

Knowing that he was caught in a trap and desperately thinking of an escape, Hohen’s hope was cut off by the viscount’s words.

“Your top lieutenant told me quite a bit. Take him away! Strip him naked, thoroughly investigate whether he has Magic Pouches, and throw him into the cell.”

By now, a group led by Hyalda had stormed into the Hohen Trading Company, restraining all employees and initiating a search. Another unit raided the branches and hideouts of the bodyguards, securing their persons.

The homes and shops of Hohen and his close associates were not exempt, facing searches conducted by the security forces.

From hidden rooms and basement chambers, several people were rescued and brought out. Of course, all individuals related to the accusations were detained, and their families and employees were placed under house arrest.

Stores and houses belonging to those involved in the illicit activities were subjected to the same thorough searches.

The city of Egudora buzzed throughout the night, but by morning, it had regained its composure.

However, strict inspections were taking place at the city’s entrances and exits, with suspicious individuals being unceremoniously detained for interrogation.

Even at the hotel where Kaito was staying, the city’s turmoil was quietly discussed. Kaito, seemingly at the center of the disturbance, was observed from a distance, but since he was usually alone, nothing much had changed.

Being an infrequent guest at the hotel, Kaito rarely spent time there. Occasionally, he could be seen in fine clothes, quietly having a meal alone. As he had no acquaintances, neither the manager nor the staff below him, being under the Hamawarle family’s hotel, showed any concern and maintained their calm demeanor.

While in the midst of the incident, Kaito, who seemed to exist in a vacuum, remained oblivious to the developments, and he didn’t care.

After ten days passed with no word from the viscount’s mansion, Kaito, considering going outside the city for four to five days, announced his intention to leave the hotel in the guise of an adventurer. Just at that moment, a messenger from the viscount’s mansion arrived, inviting him to visit.

The hotel guests, witnessing Kaito’s departure in an adventurer-style different from his usual self, observed him with curious eyes.

The conveyance sent to pick him up was a carriage bearing the viscount’s family crest.

—

Welcomed by the butler, Efor, Kaito headed directly to the study of the viscount, where he was greeted by the viscount himself and Hyalda.

“Viscount Hamawarle, here is this.”

Sitting on the sofa, Kaito handed two Magic Pouches to Viscount Hamawarle.

“What’s the matter with these?”

“I confiscated them from Hohen. It’s part of Hohen’s assets.”

“Ah, that’s a service fee. Keep them.”

“Well, there are five leather bags with 50 million dollars each, and Class 12 and Class 10 Magic Pouches.”

“Kaito, what did Hohen say when he handed these to you?”

“…Well, it’s something like that.”

“I can’t just take what was given to you as an apology by Hohen. This happened before Hohen was captured. Register the users of the Magic Pouches.”

“Then, please teach me how to register later without hesitation.”

Watching him store the items in the spatial storage, Hyalda muttered with a disgruntled expression, “That’s more than ten times what he confiscated.”

“You seem quite tired.”

“When it comes to Kaito, things always go beyond common sense.”

“Kaito provided the clues, so we needed him to a certain extent. After capturing Hohen, we conducted searches on the main and branch stores of the trading company, as well as various other affiliated shops and businesses associated with Hohen. This was implemented immediately after capturing Hohen—searching establishments where the so-called guards were stationed, including their hideouts.”

The viscount continued flipping through documents.

“We arrested and searched six Hohen Trading Company stores within the territory, eight affiliated stores with various trading companies, five brothels, and establishments where guards and related individuals were stationed. From all these stores and businesses, we found dozens of individuals who had been captured and confined, sold as slaves, or forced to work as prostitutes. There are likely more who were thought to have been killed. The seized items from just the main store of Hohen Trading Company include 430 bags of gold coins and numerous Magic Pouches with precious stones. This is only from the main store of Hohen Trading Company; including those from other companies and stores, the scale becomes terrifying.”