Chapter 23

I'm sorry for surprising you with the April Fool's joke.

For those who couldn't read it or are interested, I've posted the SS in the activity report of 2013/04/02. Please take a look.

The carriage passed through the large gate adorned with a crest, and we entered the capital.

After a while, the impressive city walls came into view.

Unlike the merchants, we entered without much of a wait.

The knights basically just checked the cargo and the number of people, and it was almost a face pass.

As a guild employee, I was allowed to enter immediately after the guards at the gate checked my guild card.

This is still the third ward.

The capital is built to spread outward from the castle at its center.

In the past, it was a small city with only the castle and the city walls.

Over time, it grew larger and larger, expanding outward.

The closer you get to the center, the richer and more prosperous the life becomes.

The third ward, while not as flashy, is where the citizens live.

It is common for workers in the castle to have their homes in the third ward.

Most people born in the castle town live and die in this enclosed garden without knowing the outside world.

We hit the city walls again.

To enter the second ward, we had to go through the entry check again.

The moment we entered the second ward, I felt the air change a little.

However, the discomfort soon disappeared. It seems that the capital is surrounded by an old barrier. Perhaps one of them is on the city walls.

In fact, it wasn't just the air that changed.

The people walking around had a different atmosphere from those in the third ward.

The quality of what they wore was significantly higher, and many were accompanied by others. They were probably major merchants or nobles.

From the second ward, you can see the castle in the distance.

The tall towers are lined up, and it looks very solemn and solid.

The headquarters of the Mennis Knights is located in the second ward.

We arrived at the barracks, and the other knights who didn't go on the expedition welcomed us.

They greeted Tristan, not me.

I just watched Tristan do his work and waited.

The guild headquarters where I work is in the second ward.

The dormitory is in the third ward, and everyone commutes from there. This is because the capital has both a main office and a branch, and the branch is in the third ward.

I thought I would commute from the third ward, but after talking with Tristan, I decided to stay at his mansion in the second ward. Perhaps he had a similar conversation with the previous king.

The convenience of commuting and the good security are much better.

It's also easier to consult with the knights.

It's easier to monitor, or to put it nicely, to protect. I have no particular complaints.

It seems the report within the knights is over.

The deputy commander announced the dismissal.

I called out to Tristan, who was facing this way.

"Tristan, good work."

"Yeah. I'll show you to the mansion now."

By the way, when we left Essex Castle, I was told to call him by his first name as a friend.

Indeed, that's the setting, so I should act more familiar.

For some reason, the welcoming knights are looking at us and murmuring. I wonder what's wrong.

"Did I say something strange?"

"Hahaha, not many people call the commander by his first name, you know."

The one who laughed heartily was the deputy commander, Baldo.

In a word, he looks like a bear. Muscular and big both vertically and horizontally. He looks like a true warrior.

Even Tristan, who has a handsome face but a manly build, looks ordinary next to Baldo. He's really impressive.

Standing next to these two, I feel very scrawny. It can't be helped, though.

Baldo's family has served the Stern family for generations.

"Is it really bad?"

"What, everyone will get used to it eventually."

Tristan said it casually, and Baldo nodded.

"The expedition members have already built up a tolerance. Since you're a relative of the earl, no one will complain."

"If that's the case, that's good... Whoa!"

"Don't worry, be friendly with the commander!"

Baldo patted my shoulder. Hey, it's shaking, so please stop.

I glanced at the knights.

A group of people, centered around a flashy-looking man, were looking at us, but no one met my eyes.

This time, I rode in the carriage with Tristan to his mansion.

The Stern family's mansion is located in a prime location in the second ward.

The Stern family has a separate territory, so this is one of the mansions they use when they come to the capital.

"Is there anyone from the Stern family in the mansion? Is it okay for me to suddenly visit?"

"It's fine. It's practically just me living there."

What does that mean?

Tristan only said that there are a few servants who manage the mansion and take care of daily tasks.

"We'll talk when we get there. Your voice is back to normal."

"Ah, I understand."

Tristan is so quiet and his facial expressions never change.

Even if it's not in front of others, does he mean to act like a friend?

I still don't understand what he's thinking, even though we've known each other for a short time.

The carriage continued to the front door of the mansion.

Noble mansions are really impressive.

"Welcome back, sir."

An old man, who I assume is the butler, and three women in maid uniforms, stood in a neat line to welcome Tristan.

He just nodded and said nothing.

Is this what nobles are like?

Tristan introduced me to the butler, told him I would be staying for a while, and instructed him to take care of me.

The butler bowed and said, "Understood," without asking any questions.

Essex Castle, due to the uncle's personality, was practical and not ornate, so the noble mansion is a novelty.

The old but well-polished furnishings are arranged tastefully.

I won't use my skill. I might flinch every time I touch something.

I am now sitting on a sofa in a large room that seems to be a living room, taking a break.

I'm told I can freely look at the paintings, but I don't feel like walking around much.

I'm drinking the tea the maid brought and trying to calm down from the unfamiliar atmosphere.

Tristan went to change in his room.

He can't stay in his armor forever, right?

As night fell and it got a bit colder, a fire was lit in the fireplace.

Stone houses are always cold, so there is always a fireplace.

Staring at the flickering fire and drinking a second cup of tea, Tristan entered in his loungewear.

"Are you cold?"

"I'm fine. The fireplace is great."

Tristan nodded slightly and sat across from me.

"Old man, how is she?"

"Yes. During your expedition, she was in good health and did not fall ill."

"I see."

Who is "she"?

Someone who lives in this mansion, right?

"Noah, my sister lives in this mansion."

"Is that so? Should I greet her?"

When I said that, the maid standing by changed her expression.

"Yes. My sister is frail. Meet her when she is feeling well."

"I see, I understand. I'll be careful not to give her a cold."

She is frail. That's worrying.

A small mistake can be fatal. My mother was like that.

When Tristan said he was practically the only one living here, perhaps the Stern family is isolating her from the world.

I think so because the maid was shaken.

Is Tristan taking care of his sister, who has been abandoned by the Stern family?

"You're a kind brother."

"Am I?"

"I think so. If there's anything I can do, let me know."

"I see... I will."

We continued to chat sporadically.

He is quiet and expressionless, but if we take our time, the conversation flows.

We moved to the grand hall.

After a quiet dinner, we enjoyed fruit wine while Tristan spoke quietly.

"I am the commander because I am from a ducal family."

I don't know the internal affairs, but I don't think Tristan became the commander just because of his family name.

I saw him take command, and it was excellent.

When I told him that, Tristan stood up and said he was going to bed and left.

Is he telling me not to act like I know everything?

"Sir Noah, Sir Tristan is not in a bad mood."

The butler spoke softly. This person can read Tristan's thoughts from his actions.

"Really?"

"Yes. This time, it's... shyness."

Shyness.

His face didn't change at all, but he was probably happy to be praised.

I thought he was hard to read, but maybe he's easier to understand than I thought?

After that, a maid showed me to my bedroom, and I went to sleep.

2015/01/11 Revised