Chapter 46

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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"Earlier, I apologize. I lost my composure a bit. When I heard that my beloved daughter, whom I was worried about, had returned safely, I couldn't help but rush to embrace her as usual."

"…No, please don't worry about it."

In the heart of the border city of Shields, at the mansion of the Margrave, Helian, having received the apology from Margrave Glen Gardiner, could only give a safe response.

Incidentally, his beloved daughter, Sion, had temporarily left to change her clothes. She had been asked to wait in the VIP room until she was ready, but the Margrave appeared after only a few minutes of sitting on the sofa. He began speaking about Sion, leading to the current situation.

"But you have quite an excellent retainer. That last strike was truly remarkable."

He was talking about the ambush… no, the encounter… rather, the unfortunate incident that arose from mutual misunderstanding during the journey to the mansion.

Although he had already explained himself on the way, he had braced himself for a reprimand for his disrespect. However, to his surprise, the Margrave's words were full of praise. Helian bowed, saying, "I am honored."

However, the retainer standing behind him remained motionless, his eyes clearly showing his vigilance as he watched every move of the Margrave. The level of caution was not much different from the other two. In fact, Selis's eyes were filled with undisguised hostility.

…At least give a nod.

Helian wanted to hold his aching stomach but, being in front of the mansion's owner, he couldn't. He maintained a serious expression and endured.

"Don't be so stiff. I don't care about nobles or commoners. In fact, I prefer a more relaxed approach!"

The Margrave leaned forward and patted Helian's shoulder repeatedly. It was a gesture one might use with a close friend, but the soft shoulder was hit with enough force to cause pain.

However, Helian was more chilled by the three pressures that arose from behind him. Even though they weren't directed at him, the ominous aura was palpable.

(Please don't lose control, please don't lose control, please don't lose control…!!)

He prayed, pleaded, and begged in his heart. Though his prayers might not have been heard, fortunately, the three retainers remained still. …He was glad he had warned them beforehand not to act rashly.

"There's no need for modesty, Lord Helian. Your retainer is truly skilled. It's been a long time since someone managed to fend off my ambush."

"…I am honored."

The lord called it an ambush. Indeed, the Margrave he met was quite different from the image he had in mind. He could hear the sound of his preconceived notions of nobility crumbling.

"…Surprised that the lord of this city is a man like me?"

Suddenly, the Margrave, with his arms crossed, asked this question. Helian, whose thoughts had been read, shook his head after a moment's hesitation.

"Not at all. That's not the case."

"You don't need to be polite. In fact, about half of the people meeting me for the first time react the same way as you!"

The Margrave laughed heartily. It was a regular joke, he said. Helian couldn't help but worry about the lord's casual demeanor in various ways.

"If you expected a more noble response, I apologize, but please overlook it. After all, this city, Shields, is located near the border with the demon realm. It's not a place where one can remain small and protected. The kingdom's fools can't be relied upon either."

The Margrave leaned back in his chair and sighed. Regardless of the kingdom, his explanation made the un-noble appearance somewhat understandable. Helian recalled the stories he had heard from the people of Lastewood and nodded inwardly.

—Margrave Glen Gardiner.

Also known as the Holy Sword Margrave.

A hero of the lineage that has subdued the city of Shields, known as the "Shield of Humanity."

His prowess is said to surpass even high-ranking adventurers, and when the demons' invasion reached Shields, the head of the Gardiner family is said to be the last line of defense.

If this were the modern world, it would be an exaggerated tale. But this is a fantasy world similar to "Tactics Chronicle." Such a feat is not to be taken lightly. The Margrave had indeed defended against a blow from Galdi with his bare hands.

"Still, I must apologize again for the earlier incident."

The Margrave changed the atmosphere and began with a serious expression.

"I was rude to the savior of my daughter. To be honest, I was worried sick when I couldn't get in touch with my daughter, who was on a pilgrimage. I had selected the best of the remaining forces in Shields to form a guard, so I was surprised when I heard the news…"

His worry was genuine. His beloved daughter, who had suddenly lost contact, had returned safely. As a parent, his reaction was quite natural.

The act of descending from the sky to embrace her was hard to understand, but it showed how worried he had been and how unexpected the situation was.

"Regarding the guard, when we found your daughter, they were already…"

"Yes, my daughter told me the whole story. They encountered a giant beast on their way back from the final temple and were then attacked by a group of mercenary bandits."

Helian nodded in agreement.

"I never thought a giant beast, especially a Behemoth, would appear in that area. It's a monster that usually requires a few hundred people to organize an expedition. It's a miracle that my daughter managed to escape."

The Margrave's expression was bitter. It seemed that the giant monster Selis had seen was considered even more dangerous than imagined.

"…By the way, when you said the guard was selected from the remaining forces in Shields, did you mean that the current forces in Shields are limited?"

"Hmm? Yes, that's exactly what I meant. As you know, we have already repelled the attack from the demon realm, but we can't rule out the possibility of another large-scale attack. Therefore, our main forces are still stationed at the border fortresses. Currently, the remaining forces in Shields are mostly reserve troops of the Border Knights and lower-level adventurers. There are also some high-level adventurers who have been sent back from the fortresses with serious injuries."

Helian understood. The situation didn't seem dire, but as a precaution, the main forces were concentrated at the fortresses, including those who had been urgently summoned.

The border region is the area between the human realm, where humans live, and the demon realm, where demons and powerful monsters reside. It is a transitional area, surrounded by rugged mountains to the east and west, and is located to the south of the city of Shields. Currently, there are three fortresses in the border region.

"Well, my daughter should be back soon, but before that, there's something I need to say."

The Margrave's expression became serious, and Helian, receiving his stern gaze, naturally straightened his back.

"I am deeply grateful for saving my daughter from the bandits. I owe you for her safe return."

"Not at all. We just happened to be there…"

"And you still saved my beloved daughter, didn't you? In a lawless wilderness, you helped a complete stranger. I can only express my gratitude. Without knowing she was the lord's daughter, you fought the bandits to save her. I respect and thank you for your noble actions."

As he finished speaking, the Margrave bowed slightly. For a lord to show such respect to a mere traveling merchant was the highest form of courtesy.

"This is a token of my gratitude for bringing my daughter back. Please accept it."

The Margrave took a package from the steward standing in the corner of the room and placed it on the table. The heavy metallic sound of coins could be heard.

When Helian, encouraged by the Margrave's gaze, opened the package, it was filled with brand new gold coins, the main currency in the region. Helian, seeing the shine and quantity, quietly shook his head.

"…No, we didn't help for the reward. We have already received your daughter's gratitude. Your words are enough for us—"

"No, that won't do. I can't just send you away with only words of gratitude for saving my precious daughter's life."

The Margrave pushed the package forward on the table.

"Normally, I would throw a grand banquet to welcome you, but the current situation doesn't allow it. This is the best I can do. It's a small token of my appreciation. I understand if it goes against your feelings, but please accept it."

"…I understand. If that's the case, I will gratefully accept it."

"Thank you."

Just as the Margrave nodded, a gentle knock was heard. The steward opened the door, and there stood Sion.

"I kept you waiting."

Sion entered the room and bowed deeply. Perhaps she had cleaned herself up, as she now wore clean clothes and emitted a pleasant fragrance.

However, upon closer inspection, her eyes were slightly red. The swelling around her eyes was hidden by makeup, but the color of her eyes couldn't be concealed. Helian, recalling her status and circumstances, understood.

A noble daughter, attacked by a monster in the wilderness, separated from her guards, and chased by bandits alone. Returning to the safety of her home, the tension must have finally released. Who could blame her for the tears she shed, whether out of relief for surviving or in memory of those who had sacrificed their lives for her? He imagined the latter but didn't want to dwell on it.

However, Sion showed no signs of having been crying just moments ago. She sat next to the Margrave with a composed expression. His first impression of her as a strong-willed young woman might not have been wrong.

"My father was very rude earlier. I deeply apologize on behalf of our family."

"Hey, Sion. Isn't that a bit much in front of your father?"

"Please be quiet, Father. The dignity of the Gardiner family is at stake."

"…Did you hear that, Lord Helian? What a terrible daughter I have. I was so worried about her."

Helian was at a loss. How was he supposed to comment on such a candid conversation between a noble father and daughter? He already felt out of place just being there.

"Father, Lord Helian is confused."

"Ah, you're right. I apologize. …By the way, Lord Helian, do you have any plans for lodging tonight?"

"No, this is my first time in the city, so I don't have any specific plans."

"Then why don't you stay at our mansion? I can't offer a grand welcome, but we have plenty of rooms available."

"Father, that's a wonderful suggestion. Lord Helian, and also Lord Reeve, Lady Selis, and Lord Galdi, please stay at our mansion. I would love to hear your stories."

Helian's cheeks twitched at the suggestion.

In the future, he might need to deepen his connections with the upper class of the human kingdom to expand his information-gathering network. However, the purpose of this expedition, as Alkymaira, was to establish a base for more thorough information gathering. It was too early to deepen ties with the ruler on the first day of the expedition. It was a bit premature.

Moreover, for Helian, who had been forced into the role of a "king" (even if it was a disguise), this expedition as a traveling merchant was a valuable opportunity to practice negotiation. He wanted to proceed step by step, at a pace that matched his capabilities. Being suddenly elevated to a higher position was not a welcome situation.

He quickly interjected.

"Thank you, but we are not well-versed in etiquette and manners. It would be a burden to stay in such a grand mansion. Although it's a kind offer, I must decline—"

"…Hmm. Then I will introduce you to an inn. This city is bustling with travelers, so there are many inns, but they are all full at this time. It's late, and after a long journey, it would be difficult to search for one."

"That's—yes, I would appreciate it. We are strangers from the countryside, so I would be grateful for your kindness."

"Then please wait a moment. There's an inn in the Labyrinth District that is highly recommended by merchants. I will write a letter of introduction."

The Margrave instructed the steward to bring pen and paper. Sion, sitting next to him, voiced her dissatisfaction.

"But, Father—"

"Sion, they have their own plans. We shouldn't force them to stay."

Sion, who looked unconvinced, met the Margrave's gaze for a few seconds before reluctantly falling silent.

The Margrave spread out a high-quality parchment on the table and wrote quickly. He rolled the parchment, sealed it with wax, and handed over two letters.

"The one on the right is the letter of introduction to the inn, and the one on the left is a travel permit for Shields. It's a special permit that offers some conveniences. Consider it a token of my gratitude, please use it."

"…No, you have already been more than generous. I couldn't possibly—"

"Please, let me save face in front of my daughter."

It would be rude to refuse such a request. After a moment's hesitation, Helian accepted both letters.

"This has been a bit rushed, and I apologize. I would like to have a more thorough conversation when the situation calms down. I will throw a grand banquet then, so please look forward to it."

"…I appreciate it. If the opportunity arises, I would be honored."

Helian gave a safe response, expressed his gratitude again, and stood up to signal his departure, bowing deeply.

The three retainers also bowed, much to Helian's relief. He left the VIP room with them, guided by the steward through the vast mansion, and retrieved the carriage he had left with a stable boy. Thus, he left the Margrave's mansion, which was more like a small castle in scale and grandeur.

Finally alone with his own, Helian almost let out a sigh of relief. But it was too early to relax. He needed to maintain his composure until they reached the inn for the night.

He opened the <map>. The location of the inn, as mentioned by the Margrave, was already marked. The inn was located to the north of the central district where the Margrave's mansion was, near the Labyrinth District. He got into the carriage and gave the coordinates to Galdi, who would lead the way.

…Just a little more to the inn.

Helian, speaking to his tired body, whispered to himself.

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The next chapter will be posted on [November 21, 2023 (Wednesday)].