From Mercenary to King

Chapter 121: The Days Toward the Rostingia Marcher Lordship (5)

“An invitation huh....”

“We've prepared a very grand banquet. I'm sure you'll like it, Sir.”

The envoy didn't seem to be waiting for an actual answer as he provided one immediately. Shatien let his voice trail off and glanced at Branch Manager Marhen. He was signaling for her to do something. However, even Marhen didn't have a clever solution.

Refusing such an invitation would be more of an insult.

It was the duty and honor of a local noble to entertain a noble visiting from afar. In a small sense, it was to show off one's reputation internally by hosting an outside noble, and in a larger sense, it was to hear about external affairs.

If they refused, it would result in a significant loss of face.

Furthermore, they were currently entangled in a matter that pricked their consciences.

If Count Joberham suspected something later and conducted a separate investigation, it'd be a massive headache.

“Could you do anything about it?”

“Well, I suppose it's true.”

In the end, Shatien and Marhen had no choice but to sigh and agree. They'd just have to be as careful as possible and look for a chance to escape.

“Sounds good. Lead the way. Thanks to Count Joberham, I'll be able to get some good rest after a long time.”

“Hahahaha. Thank you, Sir! I'll be happy to escort you. Please, come this way.”

* * *

“Did you finish the cleanup well?”

“Sniff.... Well, I handled it so there aren't any traces for now.... I don't know. Why? Are you anxious?”

“Naturally.”

Contrary to what people thought, disposing of bodies wasn't easy. Disposing of a corpse always leaves traces, and if it's done on a large scale like this, it's even easier to find.

“Those... the ones who looked like nobles had to be handled separately at all costs.”

“I already had the boys send them far away. It'll be hard to find them for a while. They'll spend an eternity digging up the burial sites, so by the time they find them, the bodies will have completely rotted.”

That was a relief in the midst of misfortune. At Miles's words, Shatien finally let out a sigh of relief.

Count Joberham wasn't someone who wouldn't notice if his youngest son went missing during a banquet. He'd surely drive his people crazy searching for the missing boy.

‘Eventually, they'll find them. The bodies.’

Based on the circumstances, they'd think we killed them, but it would be just that. Without evidence, they wouldn't be able to push too hard.

“By the way, do you know much about Count Joberham, Branch Manager Marhen?”

“Hmm. Let's see. Colorless and odorless. I don't think there's a better way to describe the Count. For someone of elven noble origin, he isn't particularly good at fighting, nor is he very social with others.”

“Peculiar huh?”

“Right? But that makes him even scarier. I can't tell what he's thinking. He's the type to step back from every incident, watching suspiciously and testing the waters.”

“Hmm....”

Just hearing about him made Shatien feel tired. Shatien felt a sense of foreboding that this visit might hinder their schedule.

‘Hmm... let's think about that when it happens.’

Worrying about something that hasn't happened yet is just buying trouble. After all, wasn't Marhen the one in charge of the group? If they were asked for a favor in exchange for the banquet, Marhen would be the one in trouble, not him.

‘Let's just enjoy the hospitality. Hehehe.’

Shatien thought that way and quickly spurred his horse. Fortunately, the lord's castle wasn't very far.

After marching for about two hours through two somewhat desolate villages, a fortress built of stone walls appeared on a fairly quiet hill. As if proving the long history of the family, the colors of the stone walls in each section were different due to continuous expansion, which gave it a certain charm.

“It's quite a large and sturdy fortress.”

“I heard the family has been around since the days of the ancient empire. That architectural style has continued until now.”

“Certainly. It has a classic taste to it.”

Shatien said this as he entered the fortress, or rather, the lord's castle, guided by a servant.

It had a different flavor from the stone walls influenced by the church that praised God. It was a bit softer and filled with curved, elegant beauty.

“In the days of the ancient empire, curves were considered the symbol of beauty. That's why you can see countless arches and dome-shaped structures.”

Just then, an unfamiliar voice was heard from behind.

“Ah, Your Excellency Count Joberham.”

“Glad to meet you. Are you Sir Shatien? The one who bestows death upon knights?”

“It's an undeserved title. Please just call me Shatien of the Black Raven.”

“Humility! It's an excellent virtue rarely seen in a young knight. Hahahaha.”

Count Joberham stroked his beard with a kind smile, looking more like a gentle person than a typical elf.

“It's not much, but please come in and eat. I've prepared this specially for you, Sir Shatien. Branch Manager Marhen.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Fortunately, the beginning was warm. And the food provided was indeed excellent. Grilled meat seasoned with various spices and wine made from high quality grapes were being served, which didn't seem possible in the barren Northern region.

The bread being served also had a very fragrant, soft, and savory taste, as if some special recipe was mixed in.

In many ways, the level of food provided at the banquet was outstanding, and the host, Count Joberham, was leading the atmosphere calmly with conversation that made everyone feel comfortable.

Of course, as time passed....

‘Hmm.... It's stifling.’

Shatien felt a bit bloated. He kept feeling an unknown pressure. He thought it might be because of Count Joberham, whose mouth was smiling, but whose eyes remained cold.

And it seemed he wasn't the only one thinking that.

“It's a bit... strange, isn't it?”

“Do you feel that too, Branch Manager Marhen?”

“Yes. I feel like I'm going to get indigestion. Phew.”

Marhen scanned the surroundings as if she felt stifled. Everyone was laughing, chatting, and drinking happily, but the unique atmosphere of this banquet hall was choking her.

Laughs that were somewhat exaggerated or awkward. It felt as if everyone was working hard to 'act' out a pleasant banquet.

“Isn't there something going on in the fief?”

“I definitely saw it when we passed through the village earlier, the atmosphere wasn't very good.”

“You're saying they're hiding something?”

“Probably?”

However, they couldn't just ask. They just wanted to quietly finish the banquet and slip out. But just then.

“Uwaaaaaah! Where is he! Where's my son!!”

Suddenly, a huge commotion broke out. A woman dressed in white mourning clothes began to cause a scene while sobbing.

“M-Madam.”

“You can't do this here.”

“Ehehehehehe! Madam? You're calling me Madam? Me? Are you talking to me?”

“Please....”

Her status seemed quite high, as the servants were at a loss and didn't dare to handle her.

Then, Count Joberham suddenly rose from his seat and strode toward the woman.

“Now, now. My lady. Come here, you look very exhausted.”

“Brother! Our child. The child is gone. What should I do. I can't live without the child. You know that!”

“Yes. I know. Calm down.”

“No! No! Uwaaaaaah. Bring me my baby!”

The woman seemed to be losing her mind. At times she acted like a child, and at times like a lady of her age, she shouted hysterically.

They wondered what on earth was going on, but looking at the people around them, it seemed they were already used to it. They were just eating their meals while sighing and clicking their tongues.

“What the....”

Consequently, Shatien and Marhen felt even more suffocated. A woman who seemed to have lost her mind. No matter how they looked at it, she seemed to be the mistress of the house... and they had suddenly become part of a family secret.

‘What should we do?’

‘I don't know. Why is he showing us this?’

It was just absurd. Why was he sharing something that would tarnish his honor now?

After a long struggle, the woman was dragged out of the banquet hall by the servants.

“I'm sorry. I've shown you something you shouldn't have seen.”

“Ah, no. Your Excellency.”

“No, indeed. You look quite shocked. Hahaha.”

Count Joberham still wore a kind smile like a good man.

“Do you know?”

Count Joberham asked after taking a glass of red wine from a servant and wetting his throat.

“Why my wife became like this?”

“Ah, ahahaha.... I’m not sure?”

They didn't want to know, but he seemed determined to tell them. Count Joberham was still staring at Shatien with eyes that were impossible to read.

“My wife and I had a fairly decent child. He was a wonderful kid who was to inherit the family.... but he died in an accident, most unfortunately. He fell from his horse while out hunting. God is quite heartless.... Anyway, since that day, my wife has lost her mind. As you've just seen.”

“Mmm....”

“My condolences.”

Shatien and Marhen had no choice but to say that in response to the sudden, heavy topic.

“Well, it's a story that has already faded from memory, so it doesn't mean much. The child's death is fine. However, what isn't fine is....”

Count Joberham whispered while sipping his wine again.

“The only thing that helped my wife regain some of her senses was the youngest son I had with my second wife. He was quite a troublemaker, but he resembled the deceased firstborn so much. You won't know how happy I was when a smile returned to my wife's face because of that child.”

“……”

“……”

At this point, Shatien couldn't help but feel the pressure.

‘Did he notice?’

The fact that they killed that youngest son. It seemed someone had made it back alive. And if that was the case, it was a big deal.

“He's a child who visits my wife every day. But he wasn't there today. It's as if he vanished into thin air. It's quite a regrettable thing.”

“Could it be that he just went far away?”

“Far away? Hehe. That punk who just drinks and causes trouble every day? He's a brave knight only with his words; in reality, he's a blowhard who can't even ride a horse properly.”

Contrary to his thoughts, Count Joberham didn't seem particularly enraged. He just continued to stare at Shatien with those unreadable, calm eyes.

“I've heard there are many groups of bandits lately.”

“That's right, Your Excellency. We were attacked by many bandits on our way here as well.”

“Is that so? I've heard that a group of defeated soldiers numbering in the hundreds has gathered in our fief. Honestly, I was quite worried that you might be targeted by them.... I'm glad. Did you deal with them all?”

Did he already know everything?

Shatien was slightly flustered, but he soon nodded calmly and told the truth.

“Yes. We killed them all in a nearby forest. They dared to target the wagons.”

“I see... so that's what happened.”

Count Joberham nodded with a bitter smile. He had learned the truth of the incident. Then he slowly continued while looking at Shatien.

“I've known for a long time how the curse that fell on my wife started. And I knew well how my youngest son was using that favor to turn the fief into a mess.”

“Hmm.... Is that so?”

“Yes. I've called for a mage from the forest. I've called a mage known as a sage, so this curse will also be treatable. However, I need another kind of strength. Physical strength.”

Now, Count Joberham's gaze changed quite blatantly. He looked with that unique high-pressure and authoritative gaze that only high-ranking nobles use when issuing a threat.

“Blood for blood, but... life isn't always like that. My childish youngest son loved to suppress the villages said to be cursed. But coincidentally, last night, he left with a few knights, saying he'd go suppress one himself. Can you believe it? That childish bastard getting such an idea?”

“To suppress a village with just a few knights. He's gone on a very difficult journey. The chance of failure must be high.”

“Yes. You're right. It seems he failed. And you... happened to find my son's body there 'by chance.' What do you think?”

By chance....

As expected, this insidious noble must've had an objective. Of course, the situation he laid out was a trap that Shatien or Marhen would find difficult to refuse.

“We could find him by chance. However, we are on a mission to restore the trade network under the orders of Viscount Ragnarsson. It's difficult to move the troops recklessly.”

“Hahaha. Don't worry. My fief is also an important location in the trade network, isn't it? If you help with this matter, I'll gladly lend my strength to building the trade network. How about it?”

The ball was now in Marhen's court, not Shatien's. Shatien turned slightly to look at Marhen.

Then Marhen nodded.

“Sounds good. Then shall we negotiate the details?”

Even though it was an uncomfortable meeting, this would be mutually beneficial. Relations between high-ranking nobles were usually like this. A murky business relationship that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.