Chapter 63: Diversion.

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Diversion.

Chapter 63: Diversion.

But after posting the mission, on their way back, they were ambushed in the night. They both parted in the chaos, and when things settled down, Vlaric realised his best friend was nowhere to be found.

Vlaric tried returning to the guild in search of help, only to learn that the mission they posted had long since been taken down.

He returned to the town, devastated.

Feeling regretful of his best friend’s demise, he began following in his footsteps, trying to garner attention from neighbouring settlements.

Days after he began, he began noticing bad things happening to him one after another. His livestock would suddenly die one after another. He would receive threats day after day.

Eventually, even his house got burned down in the process.

Vlaric tried reaching out to the townspeople, blaming everything on the Baron’s family. He believed at the time that his current development was Osborne using the Baron’s family to get back at him.

The townspeople naturally didn’t believe him, even calling him mad for thinking a noble would indeed spare such time on him.

In the end, he was reduced to such a filthy state.

Not long after, townsfolk began disappearing one after another.

Vlaric had tried to warn them, but with his credibility gone, no one listened, all claiming him mad and foolish, believing the people would return like before.

And yet... Even now, none had ever returned.

---

’That settles it. Those bastards really are up to something,’ Osborne said to himself.

It didn’t make any sense for bandits to suddenly kidnap and release people. Moreover, he doubted Vlaric was lying about this.

In the time since he’d regressed, he was confident enough to believe that he could see through lots of people, not to mention someone like him.

’Which begs the question, just what are they doing to be kidnapping people, and what does it have to do with the glowing golden eyes I saw before in the woods...’

’Also, why did my second heart react so strongly towards that thing in the woods...’

No matter how much Osborne thought, he couldn’t come up with a plausible explanation for everything.

"So this is where you went." Osborne turned around to see one of the people who had accompanied Sebastian before suddenly approach him.

"We’ve been looking everywhere for you, young sir." The man offered an apologetic bow. "Please do forgive us for failing to find you sooner."

Osborne let out a sigh before standing up straight.

’I was hoping to look around the town a bit more, but I guess it can’t be helped now...’

"Might I ask what you’re doing with that madman, young sir?" The man asked.

Osborne noticed Vlaric trembling in anger at being referred to in such a way. Nevertheless, the man didn’t react, which was strange.

’Did he recognise him, perhaps? Maybe this isn’t the first time they’re meeting each other.’ It appeared Vlaric had encountered people from the Baron’s house more times than not.

"This filthy thing actually dared to attack me. I was in the process of teaching him a lesson before you arrived." Osborne scoffed as he began walking out of the alley.

"I apologise, young sir. I’m afraid things like this are bound to happen when meeting trash." The man glared at Vlaric.

’Oh? You’re not even going to try and kill him?’ Osborne thought secretly.

Someone in his position would naturally try to appease him. After all, the target was but a filthy commoner. No one would complain if such a person were to be done away with.

’So they really do plan on continuing to make use of him.’ Osborne didn’t find it strange, since if Vlaric were left alive, the townsfolk would continue to believe that all he said was indeed wrong, refusing to believe that they were all in imminent danger, and news would never spread.

With that in mind, Osborne’s determination to uncover just what the McClains were trying to hide grew even more.

---

The man then escorted him all the way back to the others.

"Young sir, I’m glad to see you’re alright." Sebastian let out a sigh of relief on seeing him.

"You have no idea how worried this heart of mine was when you left so suddenly."

"Please forgive me. I apologise, but I simply couldn’t stomach that foul stench and ended up giving it some breadth," Osborne said with a disgusted expression.

"So long as the young sir is fine, everything is fine." Sebastian said with a nod. "Since this town must be getting on your nerves, we’ve decided to head back to the mansion." He said with a smile.

"But what about the investigation? We still haven’t found anything." Osborne frowned. "The lord won’t be pleased to hear that."

"No need to worry, young sir. While you were away, word came in that one of our people was lucky enough to chance upon some vital intel regarding the bandits’ whereabouts." Sebastian let out an excited laugh.

’So it’s really come to this...’

’Did that man tell him about my run-in with Vlaric? Is that why they’re in such a hurry to send us away so soon?’ Osborne’s heart turned cold.

The fact that they were acting so anxiously meant that they were in a rush to hide what they had been keeping from them all this time.

’I can’t let them send us away so soon. Who knows when I’d get the chance to come back here again.’

’Even if I return under the guise of a visit, by then, they must have already finished with whatever they’re doing.’

’If there’s any chance to catch them, it’s now.’

"Then what am I still doing here?" Osborne let out a laugh. "Let’s head on back to the mansion. I can’t wait to relay the news to my lord." He said while smirking as if he was planning on taking credit for the entire thing.

"Of course. Please follow me, young sir." Sebastian didn’t seem to mind, leading them downstairs so they could board their carriages and return.

---

They soon returned to the mansion.

"Well, this is a surprise. It’s an honour to be greeted by the young master upon our arrival." Osborne looked pleased to see William the moment he stepped out of the carriage.

Not only him, it appeared he was accompanied by his sister as well.

"Hey! What do you two think you’re doing?!" He yelled at the carriage in the back. "Come down here and pay your respects!"

"That’s alright, Mr. Osborne." William waved while showing a harmless smile.

"I was just curious to hear how your investigation went. I must say, I wasn’t expecting you to return so soon. Your swiftness speaks volumes of your capabilities." William spared no effort in complimenting him.

Osborne shyly rubbed his nose, a prideful smirk on his face. "Thank you, young master. I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the aid of the men you lent me. They really are quite capable."

"Isn’t that right, Mr. Sebastian?" Osborne turned to the middle-aged man.

Sebastian let out a quiet laugh. "Indeed, young sir."

"As we speak, our people are raiding the hideouts of those villainous bandits, all thanks to you. I’m sure your lord would shower you with praise after learning of this." Sebastian said.

"You flatter me." Osborne laughed lightly.

"I was hoping we could spend more time together. It’d be a shame not to know such a brilliant mind like yours." William chuckled before letting out a sigh. "But knowing his lordship, I’m sure he has his sights already set somewhere else. There’s no point in wasting time in our little barony." William shook his head lightly.

"What are you saying, young master? I’m sure my lord thinks quite highly of your territory. I know I do."

"I mean, the reception has been top-notch since we arrived, not to mention the beautiful scenery. Even your vassals are all educated and superb. I must say I’m jealous." Osborne shook his head lightly.

"Why, thank you, Mr. Osborne." William said.

"It’s only natural." Osborne said lightly.

"Besides, I doubt my lord would be in such a rush to leave so soon." He said.

"Oh? What makes you say that?" William said calmly, yet his gaze couldn’t help but stiffen for a moment.

"Well, for one..." Osborne began, his gaze shifting past the two men to land on Vanessa up the stairs.

His face suddenly heated up a bit as he said, "There’s more here than meets the eye."

The atmosphere instantly turned silent. Sebastian looked at Osborne, speechless.

To think he would say such a thing.

Clawdeth’s brows furrowed for a moment.

Gilhound’s face turned pale as if he had seen a ghost.

Vanessa, who was above the stairs to the mansion, turned her gaze from the distance towards him.

"Mr. Osborne.... I’m afraid I don’t understand." William’s expression darkened.

"Please, I meant no ill just now."

"As a fellow member of nobility, I meant what I said just now."

"From the moment I arrived here, The only thing I could think of, was lady Vanessa."