Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: A Date with Farne and the Dark Side of Eclava

The engagement party ended with great success, and afterwards, I was able to rest leisurely at Fernande’s mansion.

During dinner, arrangements were made with Count Fernande to recruit immigrants to the Arnoldt territory.

Probably within a month, people will gather.

With this, the Arnoldt territory will further expand.

Count Fernande and Farne discussed, and it was decided that she would come to my territory a week later. Farne happily mentioned that by then, the mansion being built in my village would likely be completed.

Surely, Volg is still working hard, overseeing the construction of the mansion.

“Kurt-sama, since it’s a date, please try to look more cheerful.”

“I apologize, Farne-sama.”

Since we wouldn’t see each other for another week, Farne and I went out to the city of Eclava.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to come along? Kurt-sama, Farne-sama?”

Tina, walking behind me, asked hesitantly.

“I said it’s fine. Kurt-sama wouldn’t enjoy himself without you. It’s better for you to be together.”

Initially, Tina was supposed to stay behind.

But Farne insisted that she come along.

According to her, she intends to win me over fairly, without resorting to underhanded means.

What a manly mindset.

“Farne-sama, I’d like to escort you, but unfortunately, I’m not familiar with this city. I don’t know where to take you to make you happy.”

“Leave it to me, Kurt-sama. This place is like my own backyard. I’ll guide you to a wonderful spot.”

Farne took my hand and led the way.

“How dependable you’ve become.”

“Also, Kurt, please refrain from speaking like that. You are the person who will become my husband. And that has been publicly acknowledged. From now on, please speak to Tina as if you were addressing her.”

Although it’s still just a formal engagement and whether we will actually get married is not decided, Farne understood that and expressed it in that way.

“But, our statuses…”

“Before being the daughter of a border count, I am your fiancée. Therefore, you are the one of higher status.”

“…I understand. I’ll try to make it easier for us to talk.”

With that, Farne smiled.

“Yes, that way of speaking makes you more charming. Please do so. Now, over there is our favorite theater. The play this time is a story about the legendary hero’s party, ‘The Tail of the Demon Sword.’ I’m looking forward to it.”

“That sounds interesting.”

Farne is excited.

Well, that’s fine. If it makes her happy, it’s worth it.

As I was thinking that, Farne bumped into a small boy.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Farne stumbled and then looked worriedly at the boy before speaking.

“Please don’t mind. Are you hurt?”

“…I’m fine. I’ll be on my way.”

The boy apologized briefly and disappeared.

“Farne, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I got a little too excited.”

Farne blushed shyly.

“It’s fine to be excited, but you need to be careful in the future.”

“Yes, you’re right… Oh.”

Farne’s face turned pale.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think… that child just now was a pickpocket. My wallet has been taken.”

“Is that so?”

I thought it was odd how he hurriedly left after the collision, but that explains it.

If he managed to snatch the wallet in that split second, he must be quite skilled. Undoubtedly a repeat offender.

“Tina, I’ll leave Farne to you. I’ll go after that kid.”

“Understood. Please leave it to me, Farne-sama.”

With Tina, who can use magic, accompanying her, I feel reassured.

“Kurt-sama, please. The money itself is not the issue, but that wallet was an important gift from my father.”

“I understand, I’ll go and retrieve it.”

I quickly headed in the direction the boy had dashed off to. I’m confident in my memory.

I’ll probably be able to find him.

◇

With all my might, I sprinted and managed to find the boy who had bumped into Farne earlier.

The boy, noticing me, tried desperately to flee, but he was easily caught when he entered a deserted alleyway.

“Let go of me, let go!”

“I’ll let go if you give back the wallet you took earlier.”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

He was determined to deny everything.

With a wry smile, I searched his pockets and managed to find the wallet Farne had been using.

“This belongs to my friend. I’ll be taking it back.”

“Oh.”

Perhaps realizing he couldn’t argue with evidence, the boy hung his head.

“Kurt-sama!”

Tina arrived at that moment.

Farne was behind her.

“Tina, why are you here?”

“Farne asked me to chase after you… I followed your scent.”

Tina’s sense of smell is sharp. If it’s my scent she’s familiar with, she can probably track me from quite a distance.

“Well, I guess that can’t be helped. Farne, I’ve retrieved the wallet.”

I released the boy and handed the wallet to Farne.

“Thank you. Kurt-sama, for getting back my precious wallet.”

Farne hugged the wallet tightly.

The boy looked at us with resentful eyes.

“Aren’t you going to hand me over to the guards?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to get involved in such trouble. Just go ahead and run off.”

I didn’t want to waste time dragging him away or getting caught up in questioning.

“Is that so? Well then, I’ll be off.”

As the boy was about to respond, several other boys and girls appeared.

“Hey, Johann! Mil, Mil’s been hurt badly, it’s a terrible injury, come quickly!”

“He’s covered in blood, he might die if we don’t hurry!”

“He was beaten up by some scary guys, and they took it from him!”

The boy who had been spoken to by the others turned pale.

“Mil!? Damn it, I’ll be right there!”

He dashed off with the boys who had come to fetch him.

From their appearance and behavior, I could roughly deduce what these kids were up to.

They were a group of orphans who resorted to crimes like pickpocketing to make a living, and because of that, one of their companions had gotten into serious trouble.

It’s their own fault; I have no obligation to help.

But…

“Kurt-sama.”

Farne looked straight at me.

She probably wants me to chase after them and help the boy named Mil.

I sighed.

“I have a bad feeling about this, but…”

“Even so. It’s necessary for me to know what’s happening in my city.”

Her gaze was filled with determination.

It’s pointless to argue.

“Fine. I’ll go after them. Tina!”

“Kurt-sama, it’s okay. I’ve memorized their scent.”

If it were just me, I could easily catch up, but Farne is with me. I’d rather have Tina memorize their scent and ensure a reliable pursuit.

Taking Farne, who can’t fight, along doesn’t sit well with me, but as long as Tina and I are together, it should be fine.