Chapter 21
As the rain hits the ground, two shadows are walking in the city of Bordeaux .
A boy in a hood walks in front, while a girl with white hair quickly follows behind . Even in the rain, none of them is getting wet . A thin transparent layer covers their heads and protects them from the rainfall .
“Hey! Listen to me, Byaku! Don’t you think you should be more polite when you’re in front of your master?!” Shouts the girl from behind with a furious expression .
“Shut up…” replies the boy with a tired expression as he waves his hand . Suddenly, the layer above the girl’s head disappears and the rain begins to soak her . With a scream of surprise, the girl runs to the boy and clings to him .
“Idiot! Why did you do that?!”
“All because you wanted to eat those hideous anchovies… when we could have eaten dinner quietly in our place . ”
“What are you talking about? It wasn’t an inconvenience, was it?”
“Aah… the adventurer who defeated Baal was at the bar . ”
When the girl hears this, her body tightens and her expression changes to one of surprise and fear .
“Are you kidding? That adventurer should be in Orphen… “
“I don’t know why, but she was there . Well, maybe this was the best… We may have to change our plans a little . ”
The girl frowns, but in the end, she snorts sonorously . “There’s no reason to be afraid . We have Samigina’s ring . “
“Don’t be conceited, Your Holiness . Don’t you think it’s better to regroup before our next move?”
“Of course . Then, we can eradicate the Vienna doctrine from this continent… Fufu… I am looking forward to it . The faces of those damn ministers writhing in fear! I’m going to kill them all!” The girl’s eyes glow like flames in a dark forest .
“…Please control yourself . We don’t have time for you to digress . ” The boy answers with a sigh .
“You must show me more respect! Hey! Don’t leave me behind! Byaku!”
Both of them continue to walk quickly down the street .
The mansion is huge . The structure and walls are solid, it is as if the building that was erected during the recovery era remained intact, with a coarse but dignified appearance . On the other hand, the interior is immaculate and the furniture adorns the place in such a way that it does not give an overwhelming sensation .
The front garden is beautifully landscaped with trees and stones . In the backyard, there is a barn and a stable which are visible from the corridor window . Apparently, this is where they will keep the horse and carriage that Belgriff and the girls used to reach Bordeaux .
There is also a cropland and a well, in addition, they also spotted some buildings that are probably the servants’ lodgings . There are also several security guards positioned around the mansion .
Belgriff can’t help but smile wryly when comparing his appearance and those of the girls to that of the beautiful mansion . He’s a commoner, so he’s never worried about it before, but in this situation, he feels out of place . In addition, he also feels bad because they are dirtying the mansion with their soaked clothes .
Sasha walked with them half the way, but an older maid approached her, whispered something and they left together somewhere . Although neither Belgriff nor the girls listened to what the maid said, they are sure it has something to do with Sasha’s clothes . Apparently, the servants also have trouble dealing with Sasha’s tomboy attitude .
A few moments later, a young maid arrives to guide them . But at that moment, someone from the other side of the corridor comes rushing in and hugs Angeline .
“Lady Angeline! You’ve come!” Selen says with an expression of joy on her face .
“Oh, Selen… Have you been well?
“Yes! You also seem to be in good health, Lady Angeline…”
Selen smiles widely as she feels Angeline’s hand caressing her head . She seems to be very fond of Angeline since the incident with the thieves .
“Have you met my Daddy yet? Oh, that’s Ane and Miri . They’re my companions and my best friends,” says Angeline as she continues to caress Selen’s head .
Selen immediately corrects her posture and fixes her glasses with her hand .
“Cough… Sir Belgriff, dear guests, you must be tired after such a long journey . Let me welcome you . ” Selen says while bowing .
Anessa and Miriam respond politely to Selen’s greeting . Belgriff also bows and smiles warmly .
“It’s good to see you in good health, Miss Selen . I apologize for our unannounced visit . ”
“What are you talking about, Sir Belgriff? You will always be welcome in this house . ” Selen says with a warm smile on her face .
Belgriff decides to finish the quest he was given and takes Hoffman’s letter out of his luggage . “This is the village chief’s answer on the maintenance of the road . I would like to see Lady Helvetica…”
“I see, so that’s what it’s all about . But first, please, we have prepared some rooms for you . We also have plenty of food . ”
Certainly, it would not be appropriate to appear before the Head of the Bordeaux Family in wet and dirty clothes . Regardless of whether Helvetica cares or not, it is not good to ignore basic courtesy .
Belgriff nods and urges the girls to follow the maid . Selen receives the letter and leaves quickly to give it to her older sister .
The room is small but clean and pleasant . Belgriff and Angeline share a room, Anessa and Miriam are in another .
“It’s an incredible mansion,” says Belgriff as he arranges his luggage and hangs his wet coat .
“Yes, it hasn’t changed since the last time I was here . ”
“Oh, have you been here before? Did you stop here on your way to Tornela?”
“As a matter of fact, I snuck in, because if they had spotted me, they would have stalled me for a long time . ”
Belgriff laughs as he hears his daughter’s answer, who apparently fears neither nobility nor mighty enemies . That’s another one of her good qualities, or so Belgriff believes .
Right then, there’s a knock on the door and a maid enters the room .
“I’ve brought you clean clothes and dry shoes . ”
“Yes, thank you very much . ”
The clothes she has brought are relatively simple . For Belgriff, a pair of pants and a shirt, and for Angeline, an adornment-free dress . But Angeline doesn’t seem to be comfortable in those unfamiliar clothes .
“… All this fluttering is kind of annoying . ”
“Haha, you’re just not used to it . You look beautiful . ”
“Really? If you say so, Daddy… Haa~ . ” Angeline seems to feel better and grabs the hem of the dress and bends her waist a little bit, as if she were posing .
It’s impossible for a young girl like Angeline to not be interested in this kind of thing, even if it’s just a little bit . It’s just a matter of her getting used to it, thinks Belgriff .
The old adventurer then has to ask the maid to help him tie the tie, as he has never done it before . Once his outfit was complete, Belgriff turns to Angeline .
“I have to meet Lady Helvetica . What will you do in the meantime, Angie?”
“Helvetica… Selen and Sasha’s older sister…”
Seeing the emotions leave his daughter’s face, Belgriff has a slightly troubling premonition .
“…I think it’s best if I go alone . You should stay in this room . ”
“I’m going too . ”
Sponsored Content
“No, we’ll just talk about road maintenance . ”
“I’m going too . ”
Belgriff lets out a sigh, for he knows that nothing will change his daughter’s mind . The maid leads them both to a study . When the door is open, they can see Helvetica sitting behind a desk, reading the letter . Selen was sitting next to her sister, and a young man in his 20s with dark brown hair and glasses is waiting standing next to the desk .
When she notices Belgriff’s presence, Helvetica immediately stands up and approaches him .
“Sir Belgriff, thank you so much for coming . I’m glad to see that you still have the same gallant figure as always . ”
“Yes, I appreciate your words . It is as I usually say, even a packhorse driver looks fine in proper dress… You too look in good health, Lady Helvetica . By the way, this is my daughter, Angeline . ”
“So you are Lady Angeline! I can’t thank you enough for helping Selen . You have all my gratitude . ”
Helvetica smiles and bows in front of Angeline . However, Angeline is not smiling . She is glaring at Helvetica, as if evaluating the strength of a potential adversary .
“…You’re the one who wants to be my Mom . ”
“H-Hey, Angie . What are you saying?”
“Please shut up, Daddy . ” Angeline looks at Belgriff . Her eyes are incredibly intense . To such an extent that Belgriff feels a little intimidated .
Angeline looks at Helvetica again . “I can’t help it if you try to take my Daddy when I’m not around . But my Daddy deserves to be with someone as nice as him… I don’t know if you’re worthy yet . ”
“Well, then, what must I do to make you accept a relationship between Sir Belgriff and me?” Helvetica does not fear Angeline’s coercion and continues to smile .
But despite all that, she keeps saying those strange things . It’s true she’s an incredible woman, though, Belgriff thinks with admiration .
Angeline snorts and smiles .
“You took advantage when I wasn’t there to try to take my Daddy, I can’t approve of that kind of relationship . At the moment, I don’t have a good impression of you . Don’t think it will be easy to become my Mom…”
At that moment, the young man with glasses, who until then had remained silent, interrupts the conversation with an angry expression .
“Hey you, I’ve endured it for a while, but I can’t allow that attitude anymore . I don’t care if you helped Lady Selen, a simple adventurer can’t talk to Lady Helvetica that way . ”
“Ash!” says Helvetica in a roaring voice . “You’re being rude . Please step back . ”
“But, Lady Helvetica she…”
“Did you not hear what I said?”
“I… I’m sorry…” The young man named Ash reluctantly steps back .
“Angie, you’re being rude, too . Besides, I’m not planning on going anywhere with Lady Helvetica at the moment, so stop thinking about it,” says Belgriff, who also puts his hand on Angeline’s shoulder .
“Aah~… That was a little cruel, Sir Belgriff~…”
Selen quickly grabs Helvetica by the collar, just as she was trying to hug Belgriff .
“Sister . Please control yourself . Besides, you said you’d leave him alone . ”
“But Selen~… I feel lonely after all . His behavior is so gentle, his ability is incredible, and if that weren’t enough, his arms are so strong .
“Sister…” Selen glares at Helvetica after she said those bold statements .
“Oh, wow . Now I understand how terrifying Selen can be…”
“Don’t label me that way!”
Sponsored Content
“Well… Even if you say that…”
Selen’s cheeks blush instantly as she listens to Belgriff’s shy comment . Helvetica is smiling broadly, as if she had just won a difficult battle . Selen seems to want to say something, but she realizes that no matter what she says, she has lost the argument, so she remains silent .
Belgriff smiles wryly at the tender behavior between sister . However, Angeline still has a frown and continues to stare at Helvetica .
The Bordeaux sister, on the other hand, takes Hoffman’s letter again and talks to Belgriff . “I read the reply . I’m glad you decided to cooperate . ”
“I appreciate it . Speaking of which, we would like to know the specific plans . As you know, there are other villages between Tornela and Bordeaux, and in those villages, there are young people who would like to work, but because of the different harvest seasons, many of them cannot move elsewhere . ”
“Of course… but can’t it wait a while? Actually, an unpleasant problem is emerging . ”
“Hmmm?”
According to Helvetica’s words, an objection to the plan has arisen . It is a small village located west of Bordeaux, Hazel, and is governed by Count Malta . The road to Hazel is also under development, and they refused outright to move the construction personnel to another area .
“I think that makes sense… “
“Yes, but… 90% of the work at Hazel has been completed . You don’t need so many people to run the site . At one meeting we came to the conclusion that it was possible to start with this new project . ”
“In short, it’s a case of rebellion . ” Selen says with a worried expression . “Count Malta was originally sent to our territory from Estgarl as a result of a demotion . He seems to have lost a power battle in the Duchy . It is good that others look down on the rural territory of Bordeaux, thus allowing us to work on our own affairs . It has not been easy since the death of my father, because well, the Head of the Family is a woman, but we have improved little by little . ”
“This is due to my lack of power . Although most nobles have shown their support for the Bordeaux Family, there are still some who are dissatisfied with the fact that I am the Head of the Family… . Count Malta is one of them, and he seems to be inciting other nobles . But since there’s no solid evidence, we can’t do much about it . ”
The young man standing next to Helvetica frowned and snorted loudly . “Hmm, individuals like him should be punished promptly . Surely we can find out everything if we push it a little . We might even discover the identity of the nobles he is colluding with . ”
“We can’t do that . Even if it turns out we were right, we would lose people’s trust if we used tactics like that . ”
“But, Lady Helvetica . It’s the people who end up suffering from the acts of individuals like that . Please don’t forget that . ”
“I know, Ash . But that’s the last resource . ”
“But we still have to gather more information, Sister . It’s always good to have more than one ace up your sleeve . ”
“Yes… At least we must ensure that the movements of Count Malta and his accomplices do not increase too much . ”
” It seems like a complicated situation… however, I think you should discuss this sort of problems when outsiders like us are not present . ” Belgriff says as he scratches his cheek .
“It’s true… please forgive us . ” Helvetica whispers with her flushed cheeks .
At that moment, the door opens vigorously and Sasha enters the room . Instead of her usual adventurer’s outfit, she wears an elegant dress, worthy of a nobleman’s daughter .
Unfortunately, her behaviour remains the same . She walks with big strides to where Belgriff and Angeline are with a big smile .
“So this is where you were! It’s hard to move freely in these clothes…” Like her attitude, the way she speaks remains the same as always .
“Sasha… I know it’s useless to say, but you have to be a little more modest…” says Selen with a sigh as she watches her younger sister flutter her skirt .
“Hahaha, what are you saying, Selen? Each person has something they are good at . Big Sis and you have something I don’t . But I have something that you and Big Sis don’t have . Our Father told us before, the Bordeaux Family will not have a good future if the three of us follow the same path . ”
The young man named Ash intervened at that moment, without changing his position . “Still, there is a limit to that kind of behavior, Lady Sasha . You should be more concerned about your position as a noblewoman…”
Sasha stares at the young man and then says, “Oh right!” as she takes his hand and pulls him to where Belgriff is .
“Master Belgriff, this boy is Ashcroft . He’s still new at work, but he works as a butler in our mansion . He may be somewhat immature, but he is also a swordsman and I am sure he would like to learn your swordsmanship…”
“Please, Lady Sasha . That’s not necessary . ” Ashcroft frees himself from Sasha’s hands . But she keeps talking .
Sponsored Content
“You’re really stubborn…”
“Sasha, that’s enough . Please entertain our guests, Sir Belgriff and Lady Angeline . I don’t want to involve them in political disputes between nobles . ” Helvetica says solemnly and her younger sister’s eyes light up like lanterns .
“All right, I understand Big Sis!”
“Sir Belgriff, Lady Angeline, I ask you to wait a little longer for the answer . Please enjoy your stay until then . ”
“You two, please follow me!”
Guided by Sasha, Belgriff bowed a little and left the room . Angeline follows them closely .
I was able to take a glimpse into the complicated world of nobles, Belgriff thinks as he walks .
Does Helvetica trust them so much as to allow them to listen to those kinds of issues? Or does she expect them to get involved after hearing the situation and its possible consequences…?
“I don’t think Helvetica would do something like that, but…”
“What’s wrong, Daddy?”
“It’s… it’s nothing . By the way, Angie, how long are you going to stay in Bordeaux?”
“I’ll stay with you until you go back to Tornela…”
Hearing that, Sasha, who walks in front, turns around . “Now that I think about it, where are Lady Miriam and Lady Anessa? Why aren’t they with you?”
“They’re in the next room…”
“Oh, I see . What do you say we have a late dinner? We could also have some ale if you like . ”
“Hmm… that’s fine with me . What do you say, Daddy?”
“I wouldn’t mind . But before that, I’d like to get some rest . My body hurts…”
“Eh~… . What a pity . ”
“Muu~… I wanted to talk to you about several things, Master . But it can’t be helped . ”
“I’m sorry, Sasha . It will be on the next occasion… Angie, remember not to drink too much . ”
“Yes~ . ”
Angeline and Sasha enter the next room unworriedly . Meanwhile, Belgriff returns to his room, takes off the tie and sits on the bed . And he slowly removes his prosthetic leg .
He has pain in his joints . Apparently, it’s not just muscle aches . Belgriff is happy that he still has a chance to get stronger, but it looks like his old body can’t keep up and it starts to suffer from ailments .
This has never happened to me before, thinks Belgriff with a bitter smile .
“I’m exhausted… I may have to re-examine the way I use my body…”
As long as he lives in Tornela he will not be able to retire completely . Furthermore, he will have to live with his own body for the rest of his life . So it is best to create a good relationship between his mind, spirit, and body .
“It doesn’t move freely… I won’t do anything like that again . ” Belgriff murmurs as he strokes the aching joints .
Then he takes a deep breath and lies down . The bed, not being made of straw, is quite soft and allows the old adventurer’s body to relax . It’s quite a pleasant sensation .
Without realizing it, Belgriff falls deeply asleep .