Missing Person 1
Before the stacked documents, Riley was massaging his temples in an attempt to alleviate his throbbing headache.
“So, Captain Danhill, Captain Brendon, and Austin, what is the reason you’ve brought this to me?”
“The Chancellor seems to be quite busy,” Danhill replied.
In front of Riley's desk stood Austin Ealdred, his childhood friend, along with Danhill Calvert, the second squad captain, and Brendon Carey, the seventh squad captain. Danhill was the one to answer Riley’s question.
“It’s true that the Chancellor has been especially busy lately,” Riley agreed.
“There are rumors that the Chancellor’s office has even more documents piled up than here, so it’s a bit of a problem for us in the Border Barony if these documents get lost in the pile.”
Danhill’s response made Riley furrow his brow and tilt his head.
“I don’t think Lord Calvert would ignore your concerns.”
“Yes, that’s true. My father has received exceedingly generous words from both the previous and current Majesty. However, even the greatest of men can be careless from time to time, and Lord Calvert has been reclusive in the Border Barony for the past few years.”
Danhill’s casual demeanor made it difficult to read his true feelings. However, it was clear that the three in front of him had no intention of reporting this to the Chancellor. Riley glanced at the report again.
It mentioned that there had been an increase in reports of missing persons in the border of Calvert Barony. Specific names were listed, and most were not of the noble class. While there were women and children among the victims, there were more men according to the report. If it were human trafficking, it would be more profitable to abduct women and children. The fact that there were more male victims suggested it was not typical human trafficking.
“Is it difficult to handle this within the Border Barony?”
Riley’s question was reasonable. Normally, such minor issues wouldn’t be brought to the palace unless they involved nobles. However, the answer returned was “there are concerns.” It was Brendon, who had been silently giving Riley a sharp look, who spoke up.
“I’ve heard that similar reports are coming from the border of Kenneth Barony as well.”
Danhill and Brendon, who had little contact with Riley, were initially opposed to bringing this matter to him. Especially Brendon, who had clearly told Austin that he did not trust Riley. However, Austin, who usually showed respect to senior officers, strongly insisted that they should consult Riley rather than directly appeal to the Chancellor.
Thus, the three found themselves in Riley’s office, but Brendon, in particular, displayed a stubborn attitude through his demeanor.
Riley pursed his lips, then squinted as he examined the details of the missing persons listed.
“Are the missing persons immigrants?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that the missing persons in the Kenneth Border Barony are also immigrants. Since they are not familiar with the land, their disappearance often goes unreported, and even when reported, it is significantly delayed from the time they went missing.”
“So, there is a discrepancy between the time of disappearance and the start of the investigation.”
Riley sighed in understanding of Danhill’s explanation. Casting a questioning glance at the three, he murmured to himself, “I see.”
“So that’s why there have been reports of missing persons in both the Calvert Border Barony and the Kenneth Border Barony.”
Danhill and Brendon remained silent. However, both were surprised and blinked at Riley, realizing that he was not as lacking as the rumors suggested—indeed, he seemed quite perceptive for his age.
The Calvert and Kenneth Border Baronies were both crucial to national defense and had significant human traffic. Despite their vast areas, documents such as tax ledgers were meticulously maintained to keep track of the population. In contrast, other territories did not have such records. Even if they did, they were not as well-managed as in the two Border Baronies. In both Border Baronies, tax records were reviewed at regular intervals and were more detailed compared to other regions.
“I haven’t heard any reports from the Clark Duchy. Austin, how about the Ealdred Duchy?”
“I’ve heard there are no reports. My older brother said he would check again just to be sure.”
Riley nodded in understanding. Apart from the Calvert and Kenneth Border Baronies, only the three major Duchies managed relatively detailed tax records. However, no reports about missing persons had been received from these Duchies.
Even though the three Duchies were more detailed than the Border Baronies, their record updates were less frequent and less comprehensive. Therefore, there might have been delays in identifying missing persons.
Considering this, Riley gave the three a suspicious look, as if trying to read their true feelings. After a moment of uncomfortable silence for Danhill and Brendon, Riley finally spoke up.
“There have been reports of an increase in immigrants recently. What about in the Calvert and Kenneth Border Baronies?”
“Yes, the numbers have been rising,” Danhill confirmed.
Danhill nodded. Brendon shook his head, indicating he did not know. Austin responded, “There have been no such reports from the Ealdred Duchy.” While there were immigrants, their numbers seemed to be consistent with previous levels. Riley nodded.
“Understood. I’ll confirm the situation in the Kenneth Border Barony from our end. I’ll take responsibility for this matter. Please keep this confidential. And, Austin, if you don’t have any other plans, I’d like to confirm something with you. Please stay.”
Danhill and Brendon gave a silent nod to Austin, granting permission. Austin responded, “Understood.” As an apprentice knight, Austin required permission from the squad leaders to leave his duties. With the captains’ approval, there would be no objections.
After the two captains had left, Riley motioned for Austin to come closer and lowered his voice.
“Austin, be honest with me. Do the two of them—no, do the Calvert and Kenneth Border Barons—distrust the Chancellor?”
The issue of the missing persons should have been reported to the Chancellor. Even if not, it would be appropriate to report it to the relevant officials and raise awareness throughout the kingdom of Slibegrad. If the Calvert and Kenneth Border Barons believed it was necessary to report it to the palace, it suggested that they had sensed something more than just disappearances.
Moreover, it was peculiar that Riley, despite being a nine-year-old heir, was entrusted with this matter. It suggested that they might be evaluating Riley’s suitability as the future king.
The Calvert and Kenneth Border Barons were influential figures in Slibegrad, remaining neutral until a suitable candidate for the next king appeared. This contrasted with the three major Duchies, such as the Ealdred and Clark Duchies, who were more aligned with specific factions.
Austin smiled wryly.
“I can guess what you’re thinking. You’re half right and half wrong. I don’t know all the details, but one thing is clear—Lord Clark was a favored man of the previous king.”
Austin, like Danhill and Brendon, did not know what the two cunning Border Barons were plotting. They probably did not understand their full intentions either, and even if they did, they would not reveal it to Riley and Austin.
However, there were still inferences to be made. What Austin mentioned was based on what he had deduced from Danhill and Brendon’s conversation.
“I see. A capable man, huh.”
Riley sighed.
The previous king had favored capable individuals. It was the previous king who had promoted the current Duke Clark to Chancellor, recognizing his achievements and granting him his current position. It seemed that straightforward thinking might not be sufficient; it was better to assume that “the deeper you go, the less conventional the situation becomes.”
“If I talk to Clyde and Liliana… I wouldn’t be able to understand it.”
“Ah, Clyde has studied land management to some extent, so he might be able to provide some reference,” Austin replied.
Liliana, being only seven years old, likely wouldn’t have much understanding of land management, Riley agreed. After a moment’s thought, Riley turned to Austin.
“I’ll speak with Clyde soon. Please be present for that discussion as a precaution.”
“Understood.”
With that, their conversation ended. Riley had remaining duties, and Austin had knight training. Although the two captains had granted permission, neither wanted to avoid training without a valid reason. They exchanged brief words and went their separate ways.
Riley decided to send a letter to arrange a meeting with Clyde. It was natural to assume that Liliana was unaware of these matters.
*****
Liliana noticed that Marianne, who had brought tea and snacks to the room, looked unusually distressed. Normally, Marianne was a cheerful person. Curious, Liliana asked about her demeanor, and Marianne hesitated before speaking.
“Actually… it seems that my younger brother is currently in the capital, but one of the children who came with him has gone missing.”
The unexpected news made Liliana tilt her head. “Gone missing” was a serious concern. After a moment’s thought, Liliana asked for confirmation, <You mean he’s disappeared?>
Marianne nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. My family has a residence in the capital, and they were staying there while sightseeing. However, it seems the child didn’t return a day or so ago. Being a commoner, he was used to wandering around freely, so my family wasn’t overly worried at first. But by last night, they began to fear he might have been involved in some incident.”
Liliana gasped. That was a significant issue. However, something else troubled Liliana.
<Your family is a border barony, so how close are they to commoners?>
Marianne gave a wry smile. Liliana’s observation was valid. Normally, nobles with titles did not maintain close relations with commoners. Even nobles with a low sense of class distinction generally didn’t become too familiar with commoners. Taking commoners on sightseeing trips in the capital was clearly an excessive form of interaction.
“My family is somewhat unique in that regard. Although we hold a barony and our territory is extensive, my father and the rest of us frequently interact with commoners. Particularly, the knight order is merit-based, whether individuals are commoners or nobility. My brother is currently an apprentice in the local knight order and made friends there.”
I see
This explanation made sense. Liliana nodded and then asked Marianne further.
<Have you filed a missing person report?>
“Yes, but…”
Marianne’s face soured. She explained, with a hint of frustration in her tone, why the situation was troubling.
“The report has been filed, but since the missing person is a commoner—specifically an immigrant—the investigation hasn’t been very thorough. The paperwork was received, but if we truly want to find him, it’s more reliable to search for him ourselves.”
Yet, it was not feasible to divert personnel from the barony for a single missing child. Marianne’s brother was said to be pale with worry and unable to sleep at night. Although Marianne was concerned, her work prevented her from helping.
Without hesitation, Liliana checked Marianne’s schedule from today until the day after tomorrow. Fortunately, there were no engagements such as sessions with the crown prince or tea parties.
<Marianne, could you introduce me to your brother?>
“Young Lady?”
Marianne looked confused, tilting her head as if she didn’t understand Liliana’s request. Liliana smiled warmly.
<I will offer my assistance. Let’s find him together.>
“Wha—”
Marianne was stunned as she read the straightforward note. Unable to believe it, she read it several times, but the message remained unchanged. By the time she considered protesting, Liliana had already left the room to speak with Gild and Olga.
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