TERMS 30

Chapter 30

“I don’t know how to comfort you. I heard everything from your wife,” Ben said.

Hearing that even the stall had been protected, Ben let out a small sigh of relief this time.

“I thought Peter and the stall were both stolen. But you protected them and even sold the goods… thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Here’s the money from the sales. Everything sold. By the way, how is Peter?”

Ben’s eyes trembled again as he took the money.

“There can’t be many men around here wearing worn-out overalls,” he muttered.

Ben slumped onto the wooden crate I had moved aside and buried his head in his hands.

“I asked around all day, trying to find any trace, then reported it—but the guards wouldn’t move quickly. They said they were too busy, and to only report if I found something suspicious.”

It was an utterly ridiculous response.

“In the end, I went to the lord. He happened to be at the mansion’s gate, so I begged him for help, saying a child had been kidnapped.”

I knew what the lord’s reply would be.

He would probably say it’s hard to find kidnappers and that he’d watch the situation carefully, only pursuing it if he had a clear reason.

This is usually what incompetent or uninterested lords say to avoid troublesome situations.

But my expectations were completely wrong. Ben shook his head.

“He said nothing like that could happen in the territory… and even called me shameless.”

“…What? Why?”

“That I, a mere street vendor paying petty taxes, dared to consider using the lord’s authority on mere suspicion.”

The baron frowned deeply.

“What!?”

“Apparently, I barely make a living as a lazy vendor who can’t even properly care for my own child,” Ben added.

Hearing that, my anger boiled over.

“What?! Is he crazy? How can a lord act like that?”

Ben looked shocked at my reaction, his eyes wide.

“Oh,” I realized I’d raised my voice and quickly covered my mouth, glancing around.

As expected, some passersby stared at me, surprised.

“Hey, did you hear that?”

“Did she just insult the lord?”

The murmuring around me was strange, so I spoke loudly to make sure they heard.

“No matter if it’s a story! Sir, that character doesn’t suit a lord! Please rethink it!”

“Right,” Baron quickly chimed in.

“Even in fiction, a worm-like lord is too small and lacks dignity.”

Ben cleared his throat awkwardly and scratched his head.

“Uh… so maybe that part is impossible?”

“Yes, worms are… hmm, how about changing it to a wyvern?”

“A wyvern?”

Baron raised his hands.

“Big sister, a dragon! Dragons are cooler, aren’t they?”

I stumbled over my words, trying to adjust to the sudden suggestion, but Ben reacted appropriately. People shook their heads and went on their way.

“Oh, what was I thinking? Almost made a mistake,” I muttered.

“They thought you’d get a reward for reporting it.”

“Looks like the street vendor writes novels? Surprising.”

I sighed, watching the group walk away.

‘This is a world of social classes,’ I thought.

Not everyone in the territory supports the lord, but some are loyal. Also, apparently, people could get a reward for reporting anyone who insulted the lord.

So it would never be good for the lord to hear criticism.

Once the crowd moved on, Baron sighed quietly, and Ben scratched his head.

“Phew, you almost had to deal with trouble because of me,” Ben said as he tidied up the stall.

“Thanks, and sorry about that. I probably won’t be able to reopen the stall until we find Peter. It might take a long time.”

That made sense, so I helped with the stall and asked,

“How do you plan to find him?”

The lord isn’t helping at all, so there’s only one option left: subtly give Ben the information I know so he can find Peter.

I felt nervous it might differ from the story, but…

“I’ll check around and ask people,” Ben said, letting out a deep sigh but forcing a small smile.

“This spot is good. If I leave it, someone else will take it.”

Then Ben said something surprising.

“How about you take this spot instead?”

He explained that if a woman and child occupied the stall, no one would dare take it at first. A strong adult man staying nearby would prevent interference, letting the spot naturally be yours. That’s what he had done initially.

It seemed like he was ready to give up his business.

I had an idea. I could go to the Gomchi restaurant, observe the area, and “accidentally” spot anything suspicious. With many witnesses, the news would spread fast, and Ben could report it to the guards.

‘The guards will investigate since they already made a statement.’

If things go badly, we can return safely.

“Thank you for taking care of us. By the way, it’s almost dinner—have you eaten yet?” I asked.

Ben gave a wry smile. Of course, he couldn’t eat with his child missing.

“You need energy to search. I heard there’s a good restaurant nearby?”

“…”

“How about we eat there, get advice about the stall, and then search together?”

“I appreciate it, but I’m too distracted. And Susan, my… wife, is waiting nearby.”

He glanced at her. She looked pale, and I understood immediately.

“Great! She can come too!” I said, taking Susan’s hand to comfort her.

“You need to eat well to have energy. Also, tell us what kind of child Peter is.”

Susan met my gaze and nodded weakly, tears in her eyes.

“Good. You said it’s near the harbor? Let’s go.”

We headed to the harbor.

The sun had set, but the harbor was bright with lights from shops serving fishermen and boats.

Baron asked as we walked, noticing me looking at restaurant signs,

“Sister, are we going to a restaurant you know?”

“Huh?”

“You seem lost.”

“Well… I heard about it from others. It’s called Gomchi Restaurant, with a sign showing coral and a moray eel.”

Ben scratched his head awkwardly.

“I haven’t seen that sign at the harbor. Just go ahead?”

“No,” I said firmly.

“They said it’s delicious. Kids like it too.”

“Who told you that?” Baron asked.

“Um… a passerby?”

“?” Baron narrowed his eyes, skeptical.

‘I know it sounds weird…’ I thought, sweating, but smiled.

“Also, it’s near the poultry farm.”

Susan pointed in the right direction.

“I know the farm. We need to go past the harbor street’s end.”

“Then let’s go there,” I said.

Ben and Susan exchanged doubtful looks, but I insisted we eat first and then search, and they followed reluctantly.

At that moment, a voice called from behind.

“Oh? Baron? Hailey? Where are you going?”

It was Raven.

“Ah, Raven! Fancy meeting you here.”

“I was checking the harbor for some work,” he said.

“Work?”

“Yes… a market survey.”

“I see. But you’re still working at this hour?”

“Ha, running around like this, it got late.”

Raven looked between us and Ben and asked cautiously,

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah… well…”

I hesitated to tell him about Ben’s personal matter. But Baron spoke up boldly,

“Ben’s son Peter has been kidnapped!”