Episode 108: Knight of the Dawn
Well, summer is over.
There were dragons and all sorts of things, but it’s almost the beginning of autumn.
Farmers are at their busiest now, as it’s harvest season.
Beasts are also at their fattest, so hunters seem busy as well.
The weather is clear autumn skies. Originally, this region is characterized by dry, cloudless clear skies.
The wind feels a bit chilly, but short sleeves are still okay. However, long sleeves are probably more common. But then again, in this world, everyone doesn’t have many clothes, so they always wear the same thing…
In such a pleasant season, I am…
“Long time no see, Maximilian!”
“Ah, long time no see, Andrews.”
I was meeting with Maximilian Wiyard, the leader of the Strider Clan, the ‘Guardian’s Shield’…
“…So? What is it this time? Work?”
“No, I came to thank you this time.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“About the ‘Vanilla Soap’ you sent to my family the other day… it was very well received.”
Ah, right.
That’s right, there was that.
I think it was a while ago… no, maybe not.
In a world without phones or emails, information travels slowly.
“My sister used it to attend a social gathering… and it became a topic because she had the same scent as the Fourth Princess. Thanks to that connection, it seems my sister was able to become one of the Fourth Princess’s attendants.”
“Hoh, so she’s coming to Missgancia?”
“It seems so.”
“Then, does that mean your sister’s husband will also be in Missgancia? I just haven’t met him yet, but there seem to be quite a few vassals of Count Missgancia, so it’s a good opportunity, right?”
“Well… the Wiyard Family is a small name compared to the Missgancia Family. It would make the main family happy, but I wonder if it’s appropriate for our family status…”
“Is that so? The Wiyard Family was a Count, right? Isn’t that enough to become a vassal of Count Missgancia?”
“Count… is a foreign title. My family’s position in this country is ‘Castle Count.’ We control the fortress city of ‘Leng’ in the central region. But even that… compared to Count Missgancia, who manages all of this vast northern land of ‘Missgancia’ and even has some military authority…”
Wow, Count Missgancia is amazing after all.
“Hmm? But being near the Royal Capital means you’re part of the Royalist Faction, right? Is it okay to get close to the Mercantilist Faction’s Count Missgancia?”
“Haha, nobles without much power like my family usually send people to each faction to survive.”
“Ah, I see? That way, even if the main family is wiped out, there’s a chance to keep the bloodline alive.”
“…You really understand politics, don’t you?”
“I don’t understand! I don’t understand!”
“O-Okay, I get it. That’s right, that’s right! …So, since she became an attendant to the Fourth Princess, she’s here in Missgancia now. I went to see her after a long time.”
“Eh! The Fourth Princess-sama is already here?!”
“She’s here.”
Ugh… I don’t like it!
I don’t like it… I don’t like it!!!
“What’s going on with the Princess’s ceremony?”
“First, it’s an engagement, so it seems they’ll start by letting her get used to Missgancia for a while.”
Well… it’s not something to rush.
No, considering the dragon incident the other day, Count Missgancia might be deliberately trying to act as usual?
A small-minded person would think, “Let’s get the marriage over with before the evil deeds are exposed!” but Count Missgancia is different after all…
“Oh, right, my sister said that the Fourth Princess often talks about the ‘Sage of the Frontier.’ …That would be you, right?”
“Huh? Is that what that Princess is saying? I don’t like it…”
I’m being targeted.
Well, that’s something that can be handled depending on Count Missgancia’s education, but once a dislike is formed, it’s hard to get rid of.
Count Missgancia should teach the Princess how to use me without angering me, so it shouldn’t be as bad as I think… right?
No… but she’s coming…
Count Missgancia’s heir, Gerald, is a reliable but quiet person.
If such an unconventional and calculating Princess comes, well, he’ll be henpecked.
Of course, Gerald is the next head of the family. That right is unwavering. The Princess won’t be able to order me around over Gerald’s head just because she’s Gerald’s wife.
But still… that type of person does strange things out of curiosity…
If they’re born into wealth, they don’t seek material wealth… in other words, food, clothing, shelter, or partners, but start seeking understanding and experience.
For such people, I, who am noble but live among the common people, wise but live foolishly, and have power but don’t use it… seem like an “interesting guy.”
I’ll probably get involved…
Fortunately, she’s marrying into Missgancia, so she’ll hardly be able to use her position as a Princess, so there won’t be any interference from the country.
…As I was experiencing such a feeling of exhaustion, Maximilian said.
“Come now. The Fourth Princess will live for Missgancia once she marries into Missgancia. That is the duty of a noble.”
“That part… well, I’m not worried about that. It’s just that… it feels like more trouble has been added.”
“Umm… I can’t say anything about that! No matter how hard you try, there will always be unavoidable difficulties and pain! All a human can do is crouch down and endure it!”
Ah…
This guy… hasn’t heard the details directly, but he’s been through hell, and that’s why he’s doing Strider now…
Specifically, how? Well, he’s the eldest son of a concubine. Just that alone smells like trouble!
So, on the surface, he’s cheerful, but… there’s a resignation towards life. You can catch a glimpse of it.
“So… is it that? I should meet your sister, or something?”
“Ah, that’s right! I’d be happy if you would meet her! After all, you’re the best doctor in this town and Count Missgancia’s right-hand man!”
“Wow, connecting people is tough, huh?”
“Hahaha! Earning a living by connecting people is what nobles do!”
With that, we talked about recent events for a while and enjoyed the vacation…