Chapter 122 : Chapter 122
Chapter 122
We suffered no attacks of any kind until we arrived in the Adeline territory.
By attack here, I mean a deliberate attack—specifically, the ambush carried out by the group that had targeted me in the Royal Capital.
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, they did not pursue me, and after casually wiping out a few monsters and a shabby bandit gang, we were able to enter the Adeline territory without difficulty.
That led me to wonder whether that ambush might really have been a coincidence after all.
But letting down one’s guard always brought poor results.
So I did not loosen my vigilance until the very end.
In any case, on the way back to the Adeline territory, I found quite practical uses for the magic I had learned.
When we camped, I used the Flint spell to light the campfire with ease, and in the chilly forest I used the Warmth spell to heat the blankets. Of course, whenever I used magic, I did so secretly when Arthas was not looking.
Naturally, I never once used the far more conspicuous Fire spell. The most I did was form the hand signs once in secret while I had briefly gone to fetch water.
“We really did get here fast. Has it already been a week?”
“Probably.”
I tossed out the answer lightly, but it seemed to offend the mood of the great Lord Arthas.
“No matter how urgent your title is, aren’t you working us a little too hard? You should think about your lieutenant’s welfare too. You’ve changed. What happened to the pure-hearted Dilen I used to know?”
Arthas looked utterly worn out. And it was not just him. The horses we had ridden were as well. If I had not cast the Warmth spell on them, they might well have collapsed already.
That idea had come from physical therapy. I had tried infusing tired, knotted muscles with warm energy to relax them, and the results had been better than I expected.
So much so that I found myself thinking that when I retired one day, it might not be a bad idea to go into the city and open a physical therapy clinic.
That was the thing about magic. Its value did not lie in raw destructive force. What mattered was how it was applied. And the modern knowledge I possessed could expand the possible applications of magic without limit.
“I’ll get you a good weapon as a gift. If I’m special, then my lieutenant ought to be special too.”
“……That sounds suspiciously like you’re telling me to stay a lieutenant forever. That’s just my imagination, right?”
“You should consider it an honor.”
I dug my heels in again and urged the horse forward. As we left the road leading toward the Commercial District and entered the main road toward the mansion, Arthas quickly brought his horse up beside mine.
“How about we stop at a tavern first and have a nice cold beer before we go?”
“Everyone’s paying attention to us right now. Have you not thought that we ought to conduct ourselves a little more carefully?”
“Come on, it’s not as though your title will wear away just because you arrive a little later.”
“Hahahahaha!”
We spurred our horses on more powerfully and headed for Adeline’s main house.
The horses thundered cleanly down the road.
Before long, we reached our destination.
The Adeline Mansion spread before my eyes, still as magnificent as ever, preserving every bit of the dignity of a great noble house. I had not been gone all that long, yet somehow it felt as though it had been ages.
What must have happened in the meantime?
To be honest, rather than seeking an audience with Marquis Chronos, I was even more eager to meet Rohan and hear all the news that had piled up in the meantime.
I would have to see Eluna and Kalmond too, both of whom had surely been working hard for Metis. I could not even begin to guess how much the company’s funds had increased.
We dismounted and handed the horses over to the grooms.
“I need to report to the Knight Order first, so let’s move separately after this.”
“Understood.”
After sending Arthas off first, I entered the mansion at once to seek out Marquis Chronos. On the way, however, I ran into an unexpected person.
“So, brat, you’re back?”
It was Hamel, the Third Young Master. Sir Paramela stood behind him as always. Nothing about him had changed much, but perhaps he had not slept, because the shadows beneath his eyes were dark.
He must have been suffering quite a bit inwardly. Young Master Prah would probably still be quietly amusing himself with Diablo’s Chalice, but Young Master Kaien, having obtained the high-end fountain pen at the auction house, would only have been securing his position more firmly.
“It has been a long time, Young Master. I trust you have been well.”
“Do I look well to you?”
“You do seem to be somewhat displeased.”
“Hmph. Nothing ever goes properly anyway. More importantly, I hear you pulled off something big in the Royal Capital this time.”
“It just turned out that way somehow.”
“Hmph. Go on up quickly. Father’s waiting for you. I’m heading out for a bit, so I’ll see you later.”
“Too much drinking is bad for your health, Young Master.”
“Shut up.”
With that, Young Master Hamel left the mansion. Perhaps the Third Young Master gathering was on again today.
That aside, I had no idea what Young Master Prah was doing.
I needed to check whether Kalmond had gathered information properly. Since no word had come by Messenger Pigeon, he was probably having some difficulty collecting it.
Still, first things first. I immediately went to the marquis’s office and requested an audience.
“It is Dilen. I have come to see His Excellency.”
“Wait a moment.”
When the knight respectfully requested the audience on my behalf, a deep voice from within gave permission for me to enter. The knights opened the doors, and I stepped inside.
The marquis sat upon the Seat of Authority, looking down at me. Beside him stood Weiss in attendance.
Walking across the carpet, I advanced forward, knelt on one knee, and paid my respects.
“I greet my noble master. I came running at once the moment I received your command.”
“You arrived sooner than I expected.”
“I came not by carriage, but on horseback with my lieutenant, riding day and night without rest.”
“So this time, the title appealed to you, did it? To hurry so much.”
“I had to return to the Royal Capital as quickly as possible to attend the Young Lady again. I had no time to delay.”
My bold answer stirred interest in the marquis’s eyes. Half of it was true, after all. And there were things I needed to go and confirm at Metis as well.
“You always answer in ways beyond my expectations.”
The marquis looked satisfied, but Weiss standing beside him did not. He was clearly displeased that I had conducted the tax investigation.
As expected, I was fortunate that I had pushed through the move to the Royal Capital, even if it had been somewhat reckless.
If I had not, I would never have become entangled with the ducal house like this, and things would never have worked out so favorably.
Now that I had received a title and risen in position, Weiss could no longer act carelessly against me.
While continuing to watch his reaction, I made my report to the marquis.
“The Young Lady’s life at the Academy is about to begin. I had to return as quickly as possible in order to support her. That is my duty, so I hastened back.”
“Now that you mention it, I heard you’ve even been helping with her studies. Sir Merlin has been complaining. He says it feels as though a rival has appeared.”
“It is only a small talent.”
The truth was that with my abilities, I could serve any of the three young masters in the succession struggle without much difficulty. But I insisted to the end on serving only Young Lady Sapiela.
That would probably be what stimulated the marquis’s curiosity. Why did this fellow not seem to have any ambition for advancement?
It was not that I lacked it. I was simply hiding it.
There was no need to rise in the world within the mansion alone. If Metis kept growing, that alone would overturn my entire life. Here, I only needed to draw out enough nourishment to help Metis grow.
“I look forward to seeing how that small talent may grow in the future. By the way, is Sapiela doing well?”
“She is resting comfortably at the branch residence and passing her days pleasantly. She has not yet made a name for herself in High Society in the Royal Capital, but by meeting distinguished guests, she is certainly making her presence felt.”
“I heard she first went to pay her respects to Duke Mydas. Well done.”
“That is thanks to Senior Brituang’s excellent guidance.”
The marquis smiled in a curious way. Seeing that expression, I suddenly thought of Brituang’s report.
Had the marquis already been told that it was I who judged that going to the ducal house first would be best? Otherwise there would be no reason for him to smile like that.
That was an unexpected assist.
“Now it is time to speak of the main matter. I have confirmed not only the report from the branch residence, but also the personal letter from the Bahamut House. There is no one who could deny the merit you have earned, and it is only right that it be spoken of by many mouths in the future as well.”
The marquis rose from his seat. As he moved with dignity and gave a single sweep of his arm, his luxurious robes seemed to beat through the air like wings.
“You must continue to give your loyalty as a rightful Butler of Adeline. Therefore, I grant you the rank of Baronet and award you the Tordan region as your fief. Is there a surname you desire?”
Some received surnames, but I had heard that I might create one myself if I wished. Since that was the case, I decided to choose a name with a little more meaning. I had considered it carefully on the way here.
“Medici.”
A house that had truly existed in the world where I once lived.
A house that had supported learning and the arts, helping the Renaissance blossom across Europe. I wanted to carry out that same spirit here.
Without showing any particular reaction, the marquis accepted my proposal.
“Very well. The Tordan region shall henceforth be known as Medici and placed under your governance, and you shall remain loyal to Adeline forevermore. Sir Weiss, bring what was prepared.”
At the marquis’s command, Weiss moved. He brought forth an ornate sword that had been kept to one side and presented it to the marquis.
That must be my reward.
The marquis stepped a pace closer and held the sword out toward me as he spoke.
“This sword is the token of oath granted to a retainer. I shall treat you as a proud retainer of the Adeline House, and you shall repay our house with loyalty.”
“I obey your command.”
I raised both hands and received the sword. It was heavy enough that it did not seem to be a sword meant purely for ornament.
In that brief instant, I quietly let mana flow into it.
The blade, responding to my mana, resonated with remarkable stability. I could tell it had been made by an exceptionally fine artisan. Regrettably, it seemed the sword Smith had gifted me would now have to be retired.
“From this day forward, I shall use this sword for the house and for my master. I thank you once more for granting me a grace so far beyond my worth.”
“I look forward to seeing that heart remain unchanged. I shall personally have the house seal made for you. As for the rest of the documents, receive them from Yanrof.”
“Yes, Master.”
I paid my respects properly and stepped outside.
The instant I emerged, a notification from the Status Window appeared, just as though it had been waiting.
Okay!
You have achieved the designated goal. A locked Information Window is being unlocked.
You have achieved the designated goal. A locked Information Window is being unlocked.
Just as I expected, both of them. I needed to hurry and check what Information Windows had been unlocked.
The easiest person in the mansion to test it on right now was Rohan. I ought to greet him with a warm embrace after so long and check the Status Window while I was at it.
But the atmosphere outside the office had changed slightly. The knights looked at the sword in my hand, then visibly startled before snapping into a military salute.
“Congratulations, Sir Dilen.”
I was not only a Butler now, but also a retainer with land granted to me. I had gained the right to receive such courtesy from them.
To think a single sword could bring about such a dramatic change.
Smiling in satisfaction, I nodded in answer to their greeting and began walking.
***
My stride held no hesitation.
First, I needed to collect the fief documents and the letter of appointment, so I went to Yanrof’s office. Busy though he was, the moment I entered, he smiled and said this:
“I heard you had arrived, so I’ve been waiting quite some time. Have you already seen the Master?”
“Yes. I thought there might be some sort of grand party, but instead I received the title in a simplified ceremony.”
“That is how a baronetcy is. Besides, the situation has not been very good of late.”
The situation had not been good? That was the first I had heard of it. When I crossed through the city, I had not sensed anything particularly strange.
“Has something happened?”
“It seems the House of Count Astria has begun large-scale military exercises. So I hear messengers have been riding back and forth across the territorial border every day.”
What the hell.
Are they planning to start a war?