Chapter 9

"Um... so, that guy, Radley, is he okay?"

"He's tough. He won't die."

Radley, who had seemed to have Matilda's combat boot heel embedded in his face just a moment ago, was now standing with a carefree expression, saying, "No worries, I won't die," while still having a nosebleed. The fact that it was just a nosebleed probably meant that was all it was.

"I see. That's good... So, Matilda?"

"Yes, Lord Noein."

"Thanks for coming to my rescue after freeing yourself. I appreciate it."

"I picked up a sharp piece of wood with my foot and cut the ropes. I apologize for taking so long to help you."

While answering Noein, Matilda was still glaring at Yurii and the others with icy eyes.

"...Matilda, as I said before, they are no longer our enemies."

"Yes, Lord Noein."

"And I realized that they are also victims whose lives were ruined by that bastard father of mine."

"Yes, Lord Noein."

"That's why I'm thinking of welcoming them as my subjects."

"Yes, Lord Noein."

"...Matilda, are you angry?"

"I could never be angry with you, Lord Noein. But..."

Matilda held Noein as if protecting him, her gaze still fixed on Yurii and the others.

"I am concerned for your safety. I still can't trust them. Even if they didn't know the situation, they once tried to kill you."

As Yurii took a step forward to speak, Matilda emitted a killing intent as if ready to pounce.

"...I understand that you don't trust us. If you want proof of loyalty, I can offer you one of my fingers or an ear. You can cut it off if you want. Or both, if you prefer."

"Then let's start with the finger."

"Alright."

"No, no, no. That's not acceptable. Just wait a moment."

Noein hastily stopped Yurii, who was about to cut his finger with a knife without hesitation at Matilda's words.

"If they intended to harm me, they wouldn't pretend to serve me. They could just attack me by force right here. The fact that they don't do that means they really intend to become my subjects. Right?"

"...Indeed, as you say."

"Besides, Yurii's loyalty is clear from his actions. You see that, Matilda, right? He was clearly serious about cutting his own finger just now, wasn't he?"

"...Yes."

Matilda answered reluctantly, with a truly reluctant expression.

"Yurii, and the other four, you are now my subjects. I don't want you to hurt yourselves, both for the sake of protecting you and for the sake of the Arquvist territory. Do you understand?"

"...Yes. I am grateful."

Yurii bowed to Noein, and his subordinates followed suit.

Even from Matilda's perspective, there was no longer any malice in his eyes toward Noein.

"If they show any suspicious behavior, even a little, please allow me to kill them, Lord Noein, for your protection."

"I understand, Matilda. Yurii, you agree, right?"

"Yes, no problem. I'll show my loyalty through my work."

Yurii said this while sheathing his knife and standing up.

"Wait, kneel again."

Yurii complied, though he found Noein's instruction odd.

"...When you tried to kidnap me, you insulted Matilda twice, calling her a 'female rabbit.' My precious Matilda."

Noein's eyes, which had been smiling calmly, now had a hint of the same evil glint as before.

"...Yes."

So that's what it was.

This Matilda was not just a utility slave or a guard slave but also a favorite plaything. It was unusual for a noble to be so obsessed with a beast slave.

"You will receive punishment for that. Two kicks. Clench your teeth."

Yurii clenched his teeth as instructed, and Noein, in a somewhat awkward stance, kicked him twice, shouting, "Take that! And that!"

Noein, who seemed inexperienced in combat, didn't deliver powerful kicks.

Even if the kicks weren't powerful, they still hurt when they hit the face without any defense. Yurii's lip split, and blood seeped out.

"...There. You can stand now. Matilda is a beast slave, but don't insult or belittle her again."

"Understood. I will comply. I will make sure the other four understand as well."

It seemed Noein was satisfied, as the evil glint in his eyes had disappeared.

On the other hand, Matilda was looking at Noein with a faint, almost imperceptible smile in her icy expression.

Seeing Noein, who had easily forgiven Yurii and the others for trying to kidnap and kill him, get angry over the insult to Matilda seemed to satisfy her.

What a strange master and servant, Yurii thought as he watched them.

...

"Really, there's nothing here."

"That's what I said. We've only been here for a month, and it's just me, Matilda, and the golem."

When Yurii saw the settlement of the Arquvist territory, he muttered this, and Noein responded.

He had been warned repeatedly on the way that "there are no buildings in the settlement, so don't expect much," but seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn't help but mutter.

There were only tents, fields, and a pile of timber surrounding a relatively large open space. It was far from being a noble's territory.

The area of the cleared forest was large, but it only emphasized how empty the place was.

The tents were of good quality, like those used by commanders in the military, and there was enough money to avoid hunger, as well as convenient magic items like "Boil" and "Fire Seed." There was also a clear river nearby, so life itself wouldn't be difficult.

However, the idea of building a territory with just two people in such a place was a daunting task. Yurii was impressed that such a young man hadn't given up.

"Actually, I wanted to prepare tents for you, but it's already evening. I'll go to Retvik tomorrow to buy supplies for your living, so please bear with sleeping outside tonight."

"Sure, no problem. In fact, we can sleep outside for a while. It would be a burden to buy tents just for us."

When Yurii had checked Noein's wealth during the kidnapping, it was considerable for an individual but far from enough for a settlement.

Tents were relatively expensive, and it would be a significant expense for Noein.

"Don't joke. I can't let my important subjects sleep outside indefinitely."

Noein laughed and said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

...

That night, they had a welcome party for Yurii and the others, though it wasn't much of a party. They gathered around a campfire to share a meal and get to know each other.

Noein opened the wine he had bought for a special occasion and served bread and dried meat, which had been bought that day and made in the settlement, to the new subjects.

According to Yurii's introduction, the thin, ill-tempered man who had pointed a sword at Noein's stomach was Pense, the young, good-looking man who had joined them on the way was Bart, and the beautiful woman was Mai. The introduction of the sturdy Radley was unnecessary.

Noein smiled and said, "I look forward to your work," in response to the four of them, who had bowed and thanked him for accepting them into the territory.

Seeing this, Yurii thought to himself, How can someone who can laugh so evilly also smile so kindly?

"By the way, Bart and Mai joined you on the way, but why were you acting separately?"

"We heard the rumors about 'the Forest Lord' in that town and planned to rob him of his money and goods. I had these two watch the road from the town to the Bazel Great Forest and report when you would return from the town to the entrance of the forest."

"Report? You mean, over such a distance... Oh, I see, 'Telepathy' magic."

Yurii nodded with a grin as Noein realized this.

"Yes, I have the talent for 'Telepathy' magic. With 'Telepathy: Long Distance,' I can communicate mentally with someone far away."

Yurii's last words, "Like this," echoed in Noein's ears and mind.

"I see. If you were a mercenary, that talent would have been valuable... But, with such an ability, you could have served a noble somewhere, right?"

"That's the sad part. My talent isn't very strong. 'Long Distance' only works within 10 kilometers, and I can only communicate with one person I've previously linked with 'Long Distance.'"

Yurii's 'Long Distance' could only be established with someone he had met face-to-face and mentally linked as a 'Long Distance' target.

To change the target, he would have to meet the new person face-to-face and mentally link them again.

Compared to a typical telepath who could communicate with anyone and over distances of tens of kilometers, Yurii's ability was indeed inferior.

"Still, at least you can communicate with me, the lord, while operating within a few kilometers of the settlement. That would be a great help to our territory."

"...Yeah."

Yurii thought Noein was just trying to make him feel better, but seeing Noein's face, it seemed he genuinely welcomed Yurii's limited talent.

I can't tell if this guy is good or bad, Yurii thought.

...

Yurii and the others were to sleep next to the fields in the settlement, while Noein and Matilda entered the tent.

As soon as they were alone, Matilda hugged Noein tightly, with a force that made him feel a bit of pain.

"Lord Noein..."

"Matilda? Are you crying?"

Noein noticed warm droplets on his cheek.

"When you were kidnapped, I thought I might never see you again... I thought I might lose you... I'm so powerless... I'm sorry."

Hearing her trembling voice, Noein gently hugged her back, stroking her back.

"I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I, as the lord, was too vulnerable and unprepared, allowing myself to be kidnapped. I'm glad you're not hurt. I love you, Matilda."

Hearing Noein's words, spoken in the gentlest tone he could muster, Matilda let out a quiet sob.

"To prevent you from feeling anxious, I will never put myself in a situation where I could be kidnapped again. Even those who once pointed a blade at me are now my protectors. So, it's okay."

"...Yes."

Noein continued to comfort Matilda, stroking her back until she calmed down.

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