Chapter 194: It’s Easy to be Sarcastic to Longdagger 5
What the Margrave-dono explained was something I could understand, if that was indeed the case.
Hecate is currently in the midst of recovering from the Majin attack. It seems they’ve increased the number of Knights assigned to guard the town to alleviate the residents’ anxiety.
Amidst this situation, it seems they were unfortunately asked for assistance from another territory to deal with a large-scale Bandit Brigade.
Unlike Faltar, the Orclaugh Kingdom has a strong sense of territorial sovereignty; in other words, the mindset of “my territory, my subjects” is prevalent.
In Orclaugh, being asked for help by another noble carries significant political weight.
Moreover, the responsibilities that come with the title of Margrave leave no room for refusal.
Therefore, the Margrave-dono is currently maintaining the peace in his territory with a Knights Order stretched thin.
In such circumstances, an important figure for the territory is apparently coming to Hecate. The Margrave-dono must have been tearing his hair out over the bad timing.
I see, so I can understand why the Margrave-dono would rely on adventurers. Though the question of why he’d ask Rank 2 adventurers like us remains unanswered.
I understood, but still, wasn’t there something else going on behind the scenes? Could I somehow refuse? As I was pondering this, the Margrave-dono, with a truly gentle expression, presented another request.
If taken at face value, it was an easier proposal, one that, under normal circumstances, would be gladly accepted over a request that made you suspect ulterior motives.
The Margrave-dono said.
“Well, among the requests I was planning to offer adventurers, there’s also a job escorting the artisans cleaning and repairing the Sewers. How about it? There are rumors that Majin might still be lurking there, so I’ll make sure the reward is quite generous.”
I let out a suppressed sigh through clenched teeth.
For it to be delivered with such a gentle, almost un-noble-like expression, as if saying ‘See? This is the better job, isn’t it?’, it was intensely sarcastic.
After all, I was one of the people who had torn up the Sewers and filled them with Majin corpses.
I surrender. I’m utterly defeated.
This is why I hate nobles who’ve steeled their resolve.
I respectfully accepted the Escort Mission for the important person heading towards Hecate.
＊
Comsas watched, dumbfounded, as the Longdagger party exited the Audience Chamber.
Why didn’t they refuse?!
Comparing an Escort Mission where anything could happen with a well-paying one that just involves standing around in the safe town, why choose the dangerous one?!
There had been a request from the client asking specifically for the renowned “Kind Barbara’s” disciple, “Unbecoming Longdagger”, as an escort if possible, so Comsas had brought it up, but he had fully expected them to refuse.
He thought any normal adventurer would be suspicious of a nominated Escort Mission from a noble and refuse it, and Comsas himself had hoped they would refuse.
He had learned that it was safer to keep Longdagger where he could see him.
That’s why he mentioned the escort request in the Sewers with its better conditions afterwards.
He thought if he presented it after they’d agonized over the first one, they’d easily take the bait.
“Why…”
As Comsas muttered this involuntarily, the Butler looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, ‘What do you mean, why?’
“What’s with that look?”
Since no other retainers were present, Comsas asked frankly.
“You delivered such unusually strong sarcasm, My Lord, so I thought you must have had a compelling reason.”
Sarcasm? What was he talking about? As Comsas tilted his head in confusion, the Butler sighed. He’s blatantly making fun of me.
“What will you do now, My Lord?”
Comsas leaned back against his chair resentfully as the Butler posed the question.
“What can I do? They accepted the request. There’s nothing to be done.”
The Butler nodded in agreement, “Well, that is true.”
“In that case, perhaps you should send a letter to Count Helcums, who will have the Longdagger Couple foisted upon him, albeit temporarily?”
Seeing the Butler suggest this with a serious face, implying it would surely be somewhat better than having them suddenly thrust upon the Count, Comsas shook his head.
“Oh? Does My Lord dislike Count Helcums?”
As if one could be a noble based on likes and dislikes.
Comsas grumbled internally and said to the Butler with a sigh.
“What am I supposed to write in the letter? If I seriously wrote about those people, my sanity would be questioned.”
“That’s absurd… although, I suppose it might happen.”
Right? Comsas rudely propped an elbow on the armrest and rested his chin in his palm.
“I feel bad for Count Helcums, who’s troubled by the Bandit Brigade, but having Longdagger show up is probably just a rounding error in the grand scheme of things. He’s not a bad person, after all.”
Perhaps My Lord really does dislike Count Helcums?
The Butler swallowed that question.