I Became a Crazy Swordsmanship Instructor in the Game
Chapter 63:

Philip observed Lisriel’s expression. She had the look of someone who had everything planned out, and her eyes were closed as if she knew what was about to come.

“Is there any way?”

In response to Philip’s whisper, Lisriel nodded her head.

“We might be slightly delayed on our journey, but for now, we’ll have to submit to arrest. After all, it’s likely that my sister will be blamed for this incident.”

As she let out a deep sigh, Lisriel was about to say something to Sethian, the commander, when the Official stepped forward.

“Given the circumstances, there’s nothing else we can do. We will come clean.”

“… Officer?”

Caught off guard by this turn of events, Lisriel called out to him with a bewildered expression.

“I apologize, my lady. But I can no longer deceive my conscience.”

“What nonsense is this…?”

It seemed that no matter what Lisriel did, the official had no intention of stopping. He approached Sethian, knelt down, and flattened himself on the ground.

“I will confess everything, please show leniency…”

The Official remained prostrated as he began to speak about Lisriel’s past actions.

“Our lady here has been secretly trafficking numerous elven slaves to the black market, and I have been entirely responsible for keeping it hidden. To prevent any leaks, I hired mercenaries who were then paid handsomely and eliminated one by one…”

Suddenly, as if his mischievous nature had been triggered, Philip sent a doubtful glance toward Lisriel, questioning if she had truly done what was being confessed. In response, Lisriel glared at him with tears welling up.

‘I shouldn’t have joked about it.’

It seemed that she had placed a considerable amount of trust in the marshal. Philip formed the shape of his lips into the words “I was joking” and redirected his gaze to the official.

The performance of the seasoned merchant was impressive enough to leave even Philip in awe. He was masterfully portraying himself as if he were attempting to reverse his own guilt for the sake of the young lady he had served for so long.

‘Using a traitor, quite an elaborate scheme.’

Deluan Joseph’s plan was rather formidable.

Of course, if they were to leave this place and go to the city, the situation would likely be properly concealed. However, in the current circumstances, even attempting to hinder the departure of the trading caravan held significant meaning.

A merchant’s reputation was their lifeline, and any delay in fulfilling promised trade agreements would deal a severe blow to that reputation.

Among the many factions on the continent, Lisriel Joseph’s faction was the only one that had established a certain level of trust with the elven race.

‘To sacrifice the entire reputation of the faction just to sink Lisriel… The idea is quite surprising. What could they possibly hope to achieve by going to such lengths?’

One thing was certain: to completely resolve this situation, Philip would need to step forward. He looked at Castler Morrela and gave a slight nod.

Sir Sethian observed the carriages and Lisriel alternately with a serious expression. After a moment of contemplation, he bit his lip as if he had made a decision.

With both evidence and testimony presented simultaneously, there was no choice but to take action.

“Damn it, is this really happening?”

“Captain? Captain? What should we do?”

The mercenaries of the Foundation Corp delegated the decision to their captain, Bottom. As a 15-year veteran mercenary, Bottom found himself in a once-in-a-lifetime dilemma, sweat forming on his forehead as he struggled with the conflict.

‘… Dammit. What should I do? No matter how I think about it, this can’t be right. Who the hell brings their kid along for a slave hunt?’

Moreover, Philip was a formidable force, capable of single-handedly beating an ogre like a dog. The idea of driving him away was daunting.

‘What is it that bothers me so much that why would he kidnap elves secretly, dragging even the child into this mess?’

With Philip’s abilities, he could pledge allegiance to any influential noble and swim through a sea of gold and silver.

‘For now, let’s observe. Something about this doesn’t seem right.’

Bottom calmed his mercenaries with those words. Philip’s expression was too composed for the situation.

Receiving Philip’s signal, Castler Morrela raised his right hand to help diffuse the tense atmosphere.

“Whoa, whoa. Everyone, please calm down. Sir Sethian. They are not like slave hunters.”

When Castler, Morrela’s direct descendant and also the quartermaster of the Crimson Tower, stepped forward to settle the situation, Commander Sethian inwardly heaved a relieved sigh, but gave him a stern look.

“What are you saying, Castler?”

Castler Morrela smiled gently and raised his hands slightly above his shoulders.

“It’s a simple story. You see, that young man over there is someone I know. Sir Sethian, would you believe me if I said that I, too, was selling elves as slaves?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t believe that.”

Castler Morrela was someone who couldn’t be an intermediary seller even if he had malicious intentions and desired to obtain elven slaves himself. If money were the goal, there would be no need to engage in slave hunting.

“Same here. He is Phillip Oswald, a member of the Oswald Family and also an instructor at the Privia Academy. We spent some good time together not long ago. Isn’t that right, my love?”

As the Castler turned around and called, Cynthia Morrela, who had worn a robe, removed her hat and stepped forward.

“That’s right. Honey. Lately, I haven’t seen a young man as loyal and good-hearted as he is.”

She wasn’t the only one on the horse. Someone with a small build tightly clung to her waist, and when that person opened their mouth, Phillip immediately recognized their identity.

“Instructor wouldn’t do such a thing!”

“… Janice?”

As Phillip muttered, Castler smiled awkwardly.

“She was insisting on coming along.”

Janice Morrela descended from the horse and ran over to where Phillip and Lisriel stood.

Seeing her embrace Phillip lightly, it seemed that Sir Sethian had made his judgment. He drew his sword and pointed it at someone.

“… No, this is not right. I cannot lie in a situation like this, can I? That person knows nothing and has come here innocently. You mustn’t do this. If you don’t make a wise judgment, someone else will take on my role.”

The Official trembled in fear as the knight’s sword was aimed at him. Sir Sethian paid him no attention and glared at the man named Calber.

“Looks like we have a lot to talk about. Restrain him and disarm him.”

“What the hell!”

Calber spat out a curse and immediately tried to mount his horse, but he couldn’t escape from the dozen or so soldiers surrounding him.

As the soldiers closed in around him, Calber’s sword emitted a faint aura. It was feeble to call it an aura, but it was strong enough to pierce through the shoddy armor worn by regular soldiers.

“If you run now, your family will all be sold as slaves, Calber. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

Upon Sir Sethian’s words, Calber’s hand holding the sword trembled before releasing its grip.

Soon, the longsword he held dropped with a feeble sound.

* * *

The Official and Calber remained firmly subdued, kneeling with their heads bowed deeply.

“This is outrageous. I never thought my sister would pull off something like this. It’s like cutting her own flesh to bind me.”

Lisriel murmured beside Phillip.

“Why didn’t you ask why he betrayed?”

Phillip inquired, and Lisriel lowered her head.

“Well, he had a good reason to betray. I hadn’t treated the Official with satisfaction, yet he proposed an offer I couldn’t refuse. When it comes to merchants, they’ll betray even their parents for money.”

“Miss, wait a moment. I never intended to harm you. This is the truth.”

The Official called out to Lisriel with an earnest expression, but her gaze didn’t turn toward him.

“… This has truly been a breach of etiquette. If it weren’t for the Castler and you not knowing each other, there might have been a violent clash.”

Sir Sethian bowed his head to Phillip and Lisriel. He looked angrily at Calber and clenched his jaw.

“I don’t know which damn fool dared to deceive a retainer of the Marquis, but they’ll pay the price for it.”

“It’s probably my sister, Deluan Joseph. Only she could benefit from doing something like this.”

Lisriel replied.

“Are you telling me that she involved the marquis family in the heir competition of a mere trading association?”

Sir Sethian burst into bitter laughter as if he couldn’t believe it.

“She probably wouldn’t have gotten caught if it weren’t for us. Perhaps she thought the same.”

“She lost her nerve. She surely isn’t a noble. If it weren’t for the Castler and Instructor Oswald, there would have been a significant clash. I will return to the estate and report all of this to the Marquis.”

‘In that case, Deluan will be in a tight spot with the professors. Not that it’s any of my business.’

If she were to disappear at this time, their future actions would become somewhat easier.

“Ah, are you leaving?”

Castler Morrela, who had been talking with Cynthia and Janice, suddenly interjected.

“In that case, could my wife, my little sister, and I accompany you? My adorable little sister wants to see the Elphenia Forest. We’re willing to pay any price if needed.”

Lisriel raised her hand as if to ask what was going on.

“Of course. If you hadn’t helped, we would have been in big trouble.”

Several companions with their status assured could have easily joined the group. Moreover, with the situation not fully resolved, it was uncertain what schemes Deluan might have employed on her way back. If it were the Morrela Family’s mage, they would have been a significant force.

“I appreciate this. Janice, you should thank them too.”

“… Thank you.”

Sethian smiled briefly at Janice’s shy greeting, then instructed the soldiers to tie up the official and Calber with his words.

“Well, we should say our goodbyes here. If possible, please stop by the Marquis’ estate and testify about what happened here to the Marquis.”

Phillip nodded firmly.

“Right, well, take care.”

After a brief commotion, the group set out on their way again. They still had a long way to go to reach the Elphenia Forest, needing another half day’s journey.

Phillip gave up his seat in the carriage, and arranged for Cynthia and Janice to ride in it. Phillip mounted the horse rode by Cynthia and traveled alongside the carriage.

“Why aren’t you riding in the carriage? It seems like Janice could have ridden alone.”

Asked by the Castler, Phillip showed an embarrassed expression.

“A single girl in her teens I can endure, but two would be a bit much.”

The Castler quickly understood and nodded. Regardless, once they were all in the carriage, the interior was filled with the constant sound of chatter.

“Janice is an adorable child. She chatters away like a little bird, but sometimes it can give you a headache.”

Phillip, who had been driving the carriage for about an hour, soon saw someone leaping out from inside. It was a pale-faced Privia.

“How can she keep chattering incessantly without a break? I can’t understand it.”

She shook her head, shooed away the noise that lingered in her ears, and lightly hopped onto the back of the saddle where Phillip was seated.

‘Even dragons can’t withstand kids, huh.’

Phillip chuckled and welcomed her.

“Welcome aboard.”