Chapter 56

The audience and explanations were over, and Cain returned to the mansion.

"Cain-sama, congratulations on your appointment as viscount."

"“Congratulations.”"

In the hall, Coran and Sylvia led the maids who were lined up.

"Thank you very much. I'll be coming and going from this mansion, so please continue to take good care of me."

The maids replied energetically, "Yes, sir!" It seemed to be an honor for them to serve in a viscount's mansion.

"Coran, can I have a word with you? I need to talk to you in the study."

"Yes, as you wish."

Cain thanked the maids and headed to the study with Coran.

"Drinthur, of all places. Are you sure it's okay?"

As expected, Coran also knew about Drinthur.

"The king and the prime minister have given me free rein, so I'll be doing various things. Since it's a city of adventurers, I might go and see it as an adventurer. I'll go this weekend."

"Please be careful. But then again, Cain-sama is A-rank. I hope you won't make too much of a fuss and won't trouble His Majesty."

"Yeah. The king also told me, 'Can't you show some restraint? !' just the other day."

"Even the king... What did you do..."

Cain couldn't say anything about his status, so he remained silent.

The next day at the academy.

"Cain-sama, congratulations on your promotion."

"Cain, congratulations!"

He received congratulations from Teres and Silk.

"Cain, Viscount, congratulations on your promotion. I didn't expect you to become the lord of Drinthur. Well, good luck."

Habbit, the son of the Duke Cordino, smiled with a hint of something behind it. He seemed to have heard from his parents that the current state of Drinthur was such that it was obvious the management of the territory would fail. He had even brought his subordinates from Class B to Class S to greet Cain.

"Habbit, thank you. It's my first time managing a territory, but I'll do my best with the help of the steward."

After that, the classes at the academy went on without any issues.

Cain, still in his uniform, left through the south gate and headed to the Adventurer's Guild. When he opened the door and entered, he felt the gazes of the adventurers inside for a moment, but they quickly looked away. Some of them knew about the time he had released a killing aura inside the guild.

He bypassed the request board and lined up at the counter where a familiar receptionist was.

"Hello, Retia."

She was the receptionist who had helped him with his adventurer registration.

"Oh, Cain-sama, hello. Are you here for a request today?"

"Actually, I came to consult with Edin. Is it okay?"

"If the Guild Master is in his office, I'll go and check. Please wait here."

Retia stood up, told the neighboring receptionist something, and went inside. After waiting in the lobby for a few minutes, Retia returned.

"Cain-sama, the Guild Master will see you. Please follow me."

Retia led Cain to the office.

"Retia here. I've brought Cain-sama."

After knocking on the door, she announced it.

"Please come in."

Hearing the voice from the other side of the door, she opened it and went in.

"Please sit and wait. I'll finish up in a moment. Retia, could you get some tea?"

"Sure. Please wait here, Cain-sama."

After leading Cain to a seat, Retia left to prepare the tea. She quickly brought the tea, and Cain waited comfortably until Edin finished his work.

"Sorry, Cain, for keeping you waiting."

"No, no, I'm the one who should apologize for coming without an appointment."

Edin sat on the sofa opposite Cain and took a sip of the tea Retia had prepared.

"So, what brings you here today? Oh, by the way, congratulations on your promotion to viscount. I heard it from Tifanna."

"Thank you. I came to consult about that. I've been appointed as the lord of Drinthur. It's famous as a city of adventurers..."

Edin's face darkened when he heard the name Drinthur.

"That city... You've been given a tough one. The Guild Master there is named Rikisetsu. He used to be an S-rank adventurer. He retired due to an injury and became the Guild Master. He doesn't have a good relationship with the lord and often gets kicked out with the guards. That's why it's now a direct territory of the king."

As expected, Edin, being the head of the Esfort Kingdom's Adventurer's Guild, was well-informed.

"I plan to go to Drinthur this weekend. First, as an adventurer, not as the lord."

"Sure. It's a good idea to check it out first. I'll write a letter to Rikisetsu for you."

"That would be a great help. I'd like to resolve things peacefully if possible."

"Unfortunately, that might be difficult. He only listens to someone stronger than himself. But you should be fine, Cain. If anything happens, just knock him out."

"Is it really that simple?"

"That city is all about power. If you knock out Rikisetsu, the others will listen to you."

Cain sighed at Edin's casual response.

"Understood. I'll do my best."

"I'll have the letter ready by tomorrow. Come by before you go to Drinthur!"

"Sure, thank you."

Cain thanked Edin and left the office. After finishing his business at the guild, he found Retia at the reception and waved to thank her. She noticed and waved back, so he left the guild feeling good.

"I have a vague idea, but what kind of city is it?"

Cain looked up at the sky and muttered.