Chapter 308
So, I was leading a busy life, training the Western Hero, weaving schemes against Duke Boldorinde, and handling his own affairs.
The other day, I heard from His Grace, Duke Edelgard, that the Eastern Hero's party had landed on the southern continent and was heading for the royal capital.
I was also told they would reach the capital in a few days and that a meeting between me and Clarice was being arranged.
Unwilling to leave dealing with the Hero entirely to His Majesty the King, Duke Edelgard, who remained, had previously dispatched the inspection team led by Ms. Lotus. Furthermore, I heard from Claudia that even earlier, a contingent of the Temple Knight Order had departed, ostensibly for training.
Just when I thought I had managed to block Duke Boldorinde's movements for the time being, this visit was honestly tough.
Sighing internally, wishing for at least a moment's breather, I acknowledged that if a formal meeting was scheduled, attending was the proper courtesy.
Clarice and I, dressed in formal attire, entered the castle.Naturally, Clarice and I rode in separate carriages.
This time, Ingrid was accompanying me, so dealing with the nobility shouldn't be a problem.
While busy with these preparations and believing first impressions were crucial, I was careful not to cut corners, not wanting to make unnecessary enemies and invite extra trouble in our current situation. Yet, I was already plagued by a desire to abandon this initial resolve.
"How do you do? I have come from the Eastern Continent. I have received the mandate of Hero from the God of Commerce, Lord Goldos. My name is Kon Jinsai. Lord Western Hero, Lord Southern Hero. I look forward to working with you henceforth."
I know full well that appearances aren't everything.But I must say, there are exceptions.His face, if one were to call it handsome, is handsome.A fox-faced pretty boy with two red, coral-like horns protruding from the back of his head.Dressed like an onmyoji, his pronunciation somewhat reminiscent of the western regions of my homeland, Japan, giving a 'hannari' (elegant/flamboyant) impression.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Jinsai. I have received the mandate of Hero from Lady Meiter. I am Clarice Norland. The pleasure is mine."He isn't impolite.I don't sense an air of condescension either.
It's just that my first impression was overwhelmingly, "Is this guy going to betray us?" – a simple feeling of shadiness that stuck to him.At the very least, he is not a named character.
Or rather, since coming to this world, I have met named characters, but they make up less than a few percent of the total. And from the information I'd heard beforehand, I knew the Eastern Hero wasn't a named character either.Still, you can't really tell until you meet them, so I was being considerate about that, but upon meeting him, I was convinced he was definitely someone I didn't know.
The self-introductions flowed smoothly, and next was my turn.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Liberta, Apostle of the Goddess of Wisdom, Kefeli."
I'd heard that the Eastern Hero, Kon, had come to study under me.Clarice had heard about my character from the spirits beforehand, so she treated me with respect and propriety from the start.
How would he react?
"So, it's you. Lord Goldos told me to spare no expense in seeking your teachings."
He didn't kneel like Clarice did.But he didn't immediately act condescending either.
I could tell he was observing me, trying not to let his probing gaze show.
"I hear the Western Hero is already studying under him. What do you think, Lord Norland? What are your impressions of studying under him?"
This meeting place was staffed with maids and butlers arranged by His Grace the Duke.Therefore, any careless remarks here would immediately be relayed to their superiors.
Precisely because of that, one could assume he was choosing his words carefully.
Once the greetings were over, we took our respective seats and the meeting began.
Kon seemed to be trying to gather information first from Clarice, his senior.Even if told by a god to spare no expense in seeking teachings, he'd need to assess their worth, I suppose.
"I am learning a great deal. If asked whether I have ever experienced such fulfilling days since being born into this world, I could assertively say I have not.""Hoh~, to go that far. Then, it seems I can truly have high expectations."
For someone in a position to seek teachings, his phrasing felt testing. But currently, he too holds a recognized position as a Hero from the Eastern Continent.His standing is different from Clarice's, who is in conflict with the sovereign power.
To use Japanese politics as an analogy, Clarice is the leader of a minority opposition party.In contrast, Kon is a figure as highly anticipated as the ruling party's next prospective leader.Me? I'm... probably an independent legislator in the midst of planning to form a new party.
That's why his speech held a slightly condescending tone towards me.
This meeting was orchestrated by His Grace the Duke, using the King's name.Being able to act like that in such a setting spoke volumes about the power balance between this country and others.
Clarice's eyes twitched in reaction.For her, who values etiquette highly, his remark, which could be interpreted as meaning he hadn't expected much from me, seemed unwelcome.
"However, that is merely my subjective opinion. I cannot guarantee that you will find my master's teachings as wonderful as I do."
Whoa, the atmosphere of the meeting, which seemed to have started calmly, is taking a suspicious turn?
"No, no, if I've caused any offense, I'm truly sorry. That wasn't my intention. I was just surprised that Lord Norland reacted more positively than I had imagined."
Kon deftly parried Clarice's jab, which implied 'if you're going to be disrespectful, perhaps you should leave,' and apologized straightforwardly.
"Lord Liberta, my apologies if I've upset you.""No, I don't mind."
From my perspective, having experienced noble characters, a reaction like this is almost cute, and I can smile and let it slide.Well, just because I can let it slide doesn't mean I feel good about it—if asked, I'd say I don't—but it's not worth getting upset over.
"Glad to hear it."
Even so, the more he talks, the more his shadiness stands out.Is it just me who feels that even this relieved expression seems less 'deliberately exaggerated' and more 'like there's something hidden behind it'?
Clarice's expression remained unchanged, maintaining her usual serious face today.Apart from that one moment of displeasure she showed earlier, there was no sense of disgust.
Perhaps this is just my personal feeling after all?
"Lord Jinsai, are you curious about what kind of guidance I provide?""It would be a lie to say I'm not. After all, it's something Lord Goldos himself conveyed to me through an oracle. If I *weren't* curious, you'd have to question my head, wouldn't you?"
He wasn't grinning with a frivolous smile.His reactions were just a bit exaggerated, but not unpleasant.
"I suppose so.""Yes. If possible, I'd like you to tell me a little bit about it here.""Very well. Going into detail would be unfair compared to her, who is already **studying under me**, so if you're alright with just a light overview and her judgment on its veracity..."
So where exactly am I getting this feeling from?
"Yes, that's fine. In fact, your effort to maintain fairness like that makes your words more trustworthy."
Even while thinking he's shady, I don't feel disgust.It's a rather strange sensation he evokes.
Consciously ignoring that feeling, I began explaining, **significantly glossing over** the details of the training I'm giving Clarice.
"Let's see, what do I do? Simply put, I have them fight monsters.""That seems rather obvious, doesn't it? To become stronger, one slays monsters. It's only natural.""True. But, if you follow my teachings, you can apparently learn more skills than the average person.""Hoh~, my, my. That is quite an attractive proposition. Lord Norland. Is that true?""Yes, it's a fact. I believe I have become stronger since arriving here compared to before."
I had事先 (in advance) discussed glossing over the explanation, and in return, allowed him to confirm things with Clarice.
I can't let someone without a contract into the training ground, nor can I teach them.On the other hand, suddenly bringing up a contract wouldn't be good either.
So, this is the bare minimum compromise.Honestly, it's a hassle, but dealing with it half-heartedly and inviting more trouble later would be an even bigger hassle.
When I explained, glossing over about seventy percent of the details about the skill slots obtainable at Class 0, Kon's eyes widened in a show of surprise.It wasn't exactly like getting an immediate echo, but such a reaction made his intentions hard to grasp.
One could only call it a form of poker face.
"Also, Lord Jinsai, do you have any Class 3 individuals among your guards?""Of course, I do.""Suppose, for argument's sake, we have a mock battle between them and Clarice's Class 2 guard. I taught her methods to become strong enough to win eight out of ten matches.""...Hoh."
Dramatic, fluctuating reactions.An expression that seemed to hide his true feelings, emotional shifts that made me think even that shadiness might be deliberately projected.
"My guards are also all skilled individuals I brought from home. That claim is rather laughable.""However, I cannot refute my master's words. If we have my subordinate spar with your guard, wouldn't that prove it naturally?""Lord Norland, you seem to truly trust Lord Liberta."
It didn't feel like he was acting out of necessity, like a mad, laughing jester.
"In fact, I believe her proposed method is the quickest way to prove the value of my knowledge.""In that case, shall we truly try it? If we use duel pieces, no one will get hurt.""I have no objections."
It might be rude to call it his inherent shadiness, but it also seemed as if he had lived his life leveraging that very quality.
"Then, shall we proceed?""Time is money. I'd like to do it right away, if that's alright?""There is a training ground in this castle. Once your personnel selection is complete and we confirm each other's levels, we can begin."
I wondered what kind of life one must lead to carry such an aura. It's mysterious.Even now, he readily agreed to have his subordinate fight and began consulting with the guard standing behind him about **who to send out**.In response, Clarice also gave instructions to have her guard brought in.
Seeing Clarice make a swift selection and then elegantly begin drinking her tea, Kon seemed to think she had considerable confidence.
After glancing at Clarice for just a moment, Kon seemed to decide who to send after a few minutes of discussion.
"Lord Norland, you seem quite confident.""Yes, of course."
Once both sides decided which subordinate would fight, all that remained was to have His Grace the Duke arrange the training ground.
"By the way, for reference, I'd like to ask... From your perspective, Lord Norland, how strong is Lord Liberta? I understand he must possess considerable skill, given that you seek his teachings."
The topic to kill time was my strength.Wanting to know the strength of someone whose teachings you seek is a natural question.
While sensing a gaze that suggested this question might be the real point, it was Clarice who was asked.She gently placed her teacup on the table.
"Let me see."
Pondering for a few seconds, she quickly gathered her thoughts and looked straight at Kon.
"He possesses strength to such a degree that engaging in combat with him, for us as we are now, would be an impossibility."
She stated her assessment of me with a serious expression.