Chapter 76

Leord woke up sensing someone's presence. The door opened silently, and Isabelle entered the room.

"Good morning, Master Leord. I think it's a bit odd to wake up before I come to wake you, don't you think?"

"If that's the case, why don't you stop hiding your presence?"

"I can't wake you with unpleasant noise while you're sleeping soundly."

"Even your footsteps?"

"It's a maid's duty to move without making a sound, Master Leord."

"Where is that duty! You must be a failed assassin!"

Isabelle laughed delicately, and Leord sighed wearily. Since Isabelle started working as a maid, the mansion has become more lively. She manages the servants with remarkable skill, showing excellent performance, but her playful side is a bit much.

Once, when Leord was walking alone, she silently sneaked up and startled him. Surprised, Leord instinctively used magic to counterattack, but Isabelle dodged gracefully. She also often enters his room without a sound to wake him up, deliberately showing herself in front of him to startle him.

If he were a normal noble, he would have fired or punished her, but Leord only points out her behavior without reprimanding her. Of course, Isabelle teases him after observing his character for a while. Perhaps she has become like him, or maybe Leord has influenced her.

"Phew. Dealing with you is exhausting. Anyway, is breakfast ready?"

"You're as obsessed with food as ever. Breakfast is already prepared."

"Do you have a compulsion to say something every time?!"

"Of course not! I do it for your own good, Master Leord."

"Which mouth is saying that?!"

This morning exchange has become routine. After getting dressed, Leord heads to the dining room with Isabelle. After finishing breakfast, he goes to his study. Since being appointed as the acting lord by Beluga, he spends his days dealing with paperwork.

Originally, Leord was supposed to succeed Beluga and manage the duchy. However, that plan was scrapped after his duel with Sieg, and it was thought that he would not be involved in politics. But due to his contributions during the monster panic, Beluga entrusted him with full authority over Zeato.

It was a tedious task, but his past studies were not wasted. Thanks to the memories of Mahito, he has become good with numbers and is surprisingly efficient at his work.

"Gil, the calculation here is wrong. Return it to the submitter."

"Yes, sir!"

Leord receives taxes from Zeato's merchants, but one of the calculations was incorrect, so he asks Gilbert to return the document. Isabelle, watching this, prepares tea for Leord. She was initially surprised that Leord handles most of the administrative work alone, as it would typically be done by multiple clerks.

Incidentally, she has already reported this to Sylvia.

"Damn... Isabelle, inform the knights that a monster extermination request has been received."

"Target?"

"Orcs. The number is unknown. The report says they have been confirmed to be ravaging the fields, but only two have been seen. There might be more, so tell them to be careful."

"Understood."

Among the documents are requests from the residents. As the acting lord, Leord can issue orders to the knights stationed in Zeato.

Thus, the morning passes in a flurry of paperwork.

After a break, Leord rotates his shoulders and cracks his neck.

"Ah... I'm tired..."

"Good job."

"Thanks."

While sipping the tea offered to him, Leord gazes outside.

(Still, we're short on manpower. And I really want a computer! I want modern tools! Most of these things could be solved with emails, and Excel would make everything more efficient... But there's no point in wishing for what we don't have.)

Leord desperately wanted the modern tools from Mahito's memories. However, the world of Fate 48 is a pseudo-Europe, a medieval European setting created by Japanese people.

There are no computers, not even electricity. Moreover, the existence of magic has hindered the development and spread of science. However, in the neighboring empire, science and magic have merged, making them pioneers of their time, even having locomotives. Cars don't exist yet, but it's only a matter of time.

After finishing his morning work and having lunch, Leord starts his usual training. He learns martial arts from Gil and swordsmanship from Barbarot. His skills have become so good that even Beinard acknowledges them.

He hasn't managed to land a single hit on them yet, but he's close. Isabelle is always nearby, ready to tend to him if needed. At first, she was shocked by Gil's relentless punches and the knight's harsh words while striking him with a wooden sword, but now she is used to it.

In fact, she finds it a bit amusing. For some reason, every time Leord is knocked back, he makes a pig-like squeal, which makes her laugh despite being surprised.

It's a trivial matter, but it seems interesting, so Isabelle has reported it to Sylvia. When they meet next, Leord will have to be prepared. It's unclear how Sylvia will react to this amusing news, but Leord will have a lot to worry about.