Chapter 60

※ I decided to write Tara as "Tara Viscountess." According to the setting of this work, her formal title is "Tara Lester Viscountess," but it's too long, so I will use "Tara Viscountess."

※※ I was hesitant about using "Viscountess" instead of "Viscount's wife," but I think "Viscountess" is appropriate for a Viscount's wife, up to the level of a Duchess or Queen.

The next morning, under the strong sunlight that seemed to foretell a very hot day, Al visited Lord Radyard at the back door of the manor.

"Good morning."

Al explained to the gatekeeper that he had come to visit Lord Radyard and asked him to announce his arrival. The gatekeeper, who seemed to have been informed, checked the wax seal on the letter of introduction Al was holding and led him to what appeared to be a servants' dining room, telling him to wait for a while.

While waiting, Al felt the scrutinizing gazes of what he assumed were the manor's servants. Then, a sturdy, middle-aged man with short, graying hair, who looked to be around fifty, arrived with a younger, large-framed man who appeared to be in his late twenties.

"You've been waiting. I'm Radyard. This is my son, Siegmund. Are you Alfred, whom Chairman Levi spoke of?"

Al hurriedly stood up from his chair and bowed. Siegmund, meeting Al's gaze, gave a fierce, sly smile.

"Yes, but at the Adventurers' Guild, I go by Al. Please call me Al, Lord Radyard."

"Ah, I see. When I asked at the Adventurers' Guild, no one knew Alfred; they just tilted their heads in confusion."

Al inwardly chuckled, thinking that he had only been using his nickname "Al" recently.

"Your reputation is quite good. I understood why Chairman Levi said your reward should be increased because you could be counted on as a capable fighter. However, the plan was already set. This time, you'll be hired as a squire."

"Um, what plan? I heard there's a barbarian extermination in a week..."

This must be what Barbara mentioned. Al had no objections, but he wanted to know the details, so he decided to ask.

"Yes, it's good to know. Do you know that we conduct large-scale barbarian exterminations every summer?"

According to Lord Radyard, in the border city of Lester, the knights serving the Viscount Lester lead a large-scale barbarian extermination every year as part of the border expansion. This year, Narech will participate in the extermination for the first time. Al's main job will be to protect Narech during the extermination, which is scheduled to take place in a week.

"Wow, it's his first battle. Impressive."

Al's surprise was met with a proud nod from Lord Radyard. According to Barbara, Lord Radyard was Narech's guardian, so he must have made various preparations. In Al's family, the eldest brother was set to inherit the knighthood, but as a poor noble from a rural area, his first battle was a simple celebration. However, in a viscount's family, even a second son would likely have a grander experience.

"The target of this operation is a village in the swamp. There are about 100 lizardmen and 300 goblins. We have 20 knights and 100 squires from the viscount's household. Additionally, about 50 adventurers will be hired for transportation and their protection."

To Al, the number of barbarians seemed quite large, but Lord Radyard explained that the barbarians had few ranged weapons and were no match for the crossbows of the squires. The real challenge was the higher-level species that occasionally mixed in with the lizardmen and goblins, which the crossbows couldn't handle. It was the knights' job to take them down.

If we can exterminate this village, the human habitable area will expand a bit, and we might be able to establish one or two new frontier villages. To Al, such talk felt like something from a story or a distant event. Although Chairman Levi had recommended Al as a capable fighter, he was relieved that his role as a squire would not involve direct combat.

"If Narech can defeat a higher-level species like a Kilolizardman or a Hobgoblin, it will be a great achievement. First, we need to encounter them..."

It was said that when lizardmen and goblins increased in number, higher-level species like Kilolizardmen and Hobgoblins would appear. These higher-level species were larger and stronger than regular lizardmen and goblins, with tougher skin. In particular, the Kilolizardman, a higher-level lizardman with scaly skin, was said to be impervious to attacks unless the attacker was highly skilled.

"Will Narech be in command?"

When Al asked, Lord Radyard shook his head slightly.

"The commander will be Baron Oliver, the head of the Viscount Lester's Knights. Narech, I, and my son Siegmund will participate as knights. You will act as a squire and stay with Narech. The camp setup and meals will be handled by the porters and the adventurers hired for their protection."

According to Lord Radyard, for the next week, Al's job would be to assist Narech. He would likely need to get to know the other knights and key squires before the battle began. As he was being told various details, the door to the dining room suddenly opened with a bang.

The person who entered was Tara Viscountess, followed by two maids. Seeing her face, Lord Radyard's stern expression softened into one of confusion, and Siegmund also looked similarly perplexed.

"Lord Radyard, I told you to inform me when Al arrived."

"But I was just about to explain the details of the request..."

"That was just a formality. What's more important is..."

"Lady...?!"

Is there a hidden agenda in my job? Al glanced around the room. A woman who had been clearing the dishes suddenly rushed out, leaving Al alone with Lord Radyard and Siegmund.

Lord Radyard and Tara Viscountess began a hushed conversation. Listening in, Al realized that the request involved both Patricia's loneliness and Narech's first battle, but they disagreed on which was the primary objective. Lord Radyard considered Narech's first battle the main focus, while Tara Viscountess saw Patricia's loneliness as the primary concern. Al, feeling uneasy about some hidden agenda, was relieved.

"Isn't the first goal to earn Narech a knighthood by giving him a great achievement?"

"Of course, that's important, but... Patricia has lost her entire family and is very lonely. As her aunt, I can't just leave her."

The two seemed to be talking past each other, and neither proposed a compromise. Al looked at Siegmund, who was doing muscle exercises, seemingly unbothered by the conversation.

"Um... So, should I meet Patricia first?"

Al asked tentatively.

"Yes! That's a good idea. You're willing to meet her, Al?"

Tara Viscountess smiled broadly. Al wanted to say something was off but found it difficult to correct her. However, he couldn't stay with Patricia indefinitely. He continued.

"Patricia is a very high-ranking person. I can't stay with her all the time. After a brief meeting, I should assist Narech..."

"Very high-ranking... Yes, that's true..."

"Hmm, you're right. Besides, you'll need to accompany us during the extermination."

Tara Viscountess seemed to be thinking, and Lord Radyard interjected. Al quickly averted his gaze from her face, feeling it was impolite to stare at a high-ranking lady. He had spoken his piece, but he wasn't sure how it would be received. Had he been rude?

"About the extermination, let's compromise. It can't be helped. You can accompany us. In return, Al, you must support Narech well."

What was the "in return" for? Al thought to himself but couldn't say it out loud. He felt a bit cheated, but he understood why neither had proposed a compromise.

"Let's discuss the details later. Patricia is waiting. Al, please come with me."

-----

The room where Al was led by Tara Viscountess was deep within the manor, likely where the viscount and his family resided.

"I've brought the person you've been waiting for."

Tara Viscountess knocked on the door and announced this in a cheerful voice. The heavy, dark brown door opened immediately, and Joanna appeared. Her once messy hair was now neatly cut short, and she wore a vibrant, navy blue outfit befitting a knight, looking very dignified and different from her previous slightly seductive appearance. She glanced at Al, smiled, and welcomed him in.

"Good morning."

Patricia must be relieved to have reached her aunt's. Al entered the room with a cheerful greeting. Inside, Patricia, with her platinum blonde hair elegantly tied up and her cheeks flushed, was wearing a dazzling pink dress. She held the hem of her dress and bowed politely to Al.

"Good morning, Lord Al."

Thank you for reading.

I plan to post twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays at 10 AM. Thank you for your support.

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On July 7, 2023, I changed the reference to Radyard from "knight" to "Lord Radyard" and the reference to Baron Oliver to "Baron Oliver."