Chapter 140: The Impoverished Viscount’s Second Son Shows It On His Face
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Let me briefly explain what happened next.
While I was stunned by the death sentence my master had left behind, Shara started rampaging, and for some reason, Erika silently began pummeling me lightly.
As I stood there dazed, being lightly pummeled by the two for reasons unknown, Knights from the Margraviate of Makikomarkrow, their faces drained of color, surrounded us. By then, however, Erika had recovered, so there was no need to panic.
I feel like most things can be resolved as long as she’s around.
Well, having Shara here too would probably make it amusing.
Though she herself is teary-eyed, hiding behind Erika.
“Ugh, it’s Longdagger.”
Hearing that rather rude-sounding mutter, I stood before the most important-looking Knight and explained confidently.
That it was just a little lover’s quarrel.
I saw Erika’s Golden Magicka waver for just a moment, but she didn’t break her composed demeanor.
“Yes, that’s right. My husband was saying he wanted to exchange the ring he gave me because it was a little too plain. Even though I quite like it.”
Far from it, she instantly played along.
She even put on an act, proudly showing off the ring, asking, “See? Doesn’t it suit me?”
The captain looked dumbfounded by our attitude, but before he could draw his Sword, I continued my explanation.
In times like these, momentum is key. Especially if the opponent is surprised, just push through that opening.
Negotiations are lost by the one who gets surprised—so says Pantile.
“Also, this relates to the matter where the Margrave asked us to ‘take care of things’.”
Incidentally, I wasn’t lying.
My master is the escort for the Maiden of Light and her party, a task the Margrave dumped on him with a ‘take care of it’. So, it is related, right?
It’s not a lie.
Though it might be slightly different from the truth.
Alright, he took the bait.
The middle-aged Knight frowned at the sudden mention of the Margrave’s name.
I inwardly pumped my fist as I saw the young Knight subtly approach him.
The young Knight, the only one whose gaze was clearly different, whispered into the ear of the man who seemed to be in charge.
The middle-aged Knight with the magnificent beard suppressed his surprise behind a stoic expression, nodded several times to the young Knight as if confirming something, then turned to us with an unnecessarily dignified face.
“I see. Well, be more careful in the future.”
The other Knights murmured at the captain’s words, but Shara looked the most surprised of all.
What a funny face, I thought, but everyone ignored her.
Church officials are often ignored during these aristocratic affairs because involving them usually leads to trouble.
It certainly wasn’t because Shara’s surprised face was that bad.
As the Knights withdrew, I could sense through Magicka (my gaze) that the young Knight from earlier was meticulously observing the ground my master had torn up.
Being a spy must be tough, I thought, while also feeling grateful for the coincidence of him being there.
Well, places like town entrances that require security are usually crawling with spies anyway.
If he hadn’t been there, I would have at least been captured and forced to explain myself to the Margrave.
My awareness of it has faded recently, but even though I’m a second son, I’m still a noble from another country.
I wouldn’t be executed immediately.
Negotiation is part of a noble’s trade, and moreover, I’ve closely observed Jenniferlin Pantile, a genius of commerce.
If the opportunity to negotiate is guaranteed, it’s no exaggeration to say that this war was averted from the start.
As I mentally thanked my friend from Faltar, I saw Golden Magicka concentrating on me.
What is it? I wondered, following the Magicka to look at Erika’s face.
Why?
Erika’s eyebrows were completely flat.
That was the sign she was angry.
“Even as an excuse…”
Her voice was almost chillingly calm.
“A lover’s quarrel is just too much, wouldn’t you say? Right, Shin?”
In the instant before I performed an immediate jump-kneel.
I saw Shara pointing at me, bursting into laughter.
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“And that’s the gist of what happened.”
“The gist, you say?”
Merseja, sitting beside me on the bench, sounded exasperated.
“Common sense dictates that using ‘lover’s quarrel’ as an excuse to avoid war is the kind of remark that could end three hundred years of peace between Faltar and Orclaugh, I reckon.”
Good for you, your definition of common sense has expanded.
Merseja gave me a half-lidded glare as I quipped.
“So, did the young lady forgive you?”
“She forgave me after I apologized profusely.”
Well, if she hadn’t forgiven you, husband would still be prostrating himself right now, wouldn’t he?
Merseja stated something she understood very well.
“So…”
Merseja looked around as if searching for words.
“Why are we in front of an adventurer equipment shop again?”
In response to her question, I showed her my left arm.
The clothes, made from some monster material called Black-something, were torn off from the elbow down.
“Can you believe this?”
Merseja tilted her head at my words.
“It took a direct hit from an Ogre Knight without even getting a hole, but one blow did this?”
“I’m more surprised that you’re alive after taking something like that, husband?”
“Don’t praise me.”
You’ll make me blush, I replied, and Merseja made an indescribable face.
Perhaps she meant it sarcastically.
“Ah—so?”
Merseja, schooling her expression, asked again.
“My master, the escort for the Maiden of Light’s party, showed up. They’ll be arriving today or tomorrow, so we can’t possibly greet them in shabby clothes, right? That’s what she said.”
Currently, Erika and Shara are inside that adventurer armor shop run by the slightly eccentric owner, picking out new equipment for me.
The reason I’m not in there is that Erika pointed out, “If you choose, you’ll only care if it’s black or brown, or maybe if it’s durable, right?”
It might be surprising, but many adventurers care about their appearance.
While few prioritize looks over performance, I’m not too confident when Masks shaped like bird heads are casually displayed.
“In that case, it’ll likely be the day after tomorrow.”
Merseja casually stated the arrival date of the Maiden of Light’s party.
“Could it be there are others besides you, senpai-dono?”
Merseja didn’t ask what I meant.
“I’m the only one the Prime Minister sent over here.”
Hearing that, I felt relieved.
Knowing that Prime Minister, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sent a dozen spies.
But sending that many spies into one town could easily be misinterpreted.
Hmm? Then where did she get the information?
“From the Margrave’s place (spy).”
Merseja answered my unspoken question.
“I owe them quite a few favors, you see. This is just a little interest payment. Also, there’s a message for you, husband.”
I raised an eyebrow, prompting Merseja to continue.
“If you pull something like that again, even if I have to tear out your guts, I will definitely bite your throat out. That’s what he said.”
“That’s terrifying.”
The premise that his hands would be unusable is what’s scary.
He’s way too prepared for the threatening stage.
“His Lordship the Margrave looked serious.”
Well, I did cause him trouble, I thought at Merseja’s report.
An announcement has gone out to the townspeople claiming it was a performance test for the Barrier.
Thanks to the swift response to the incident that just occurred, the town remains peaceful despite the Barrier suddenly overloading and turning red.
He managed to quell the town’s confusion in a short time and even relayed a message to Merseja.
His Lordship the Margrave is quite capable, I thought, impressed, when Merseja let out an enormous sigh.
“Frankly, I think it’s a miracle it ended with just a threat. But since he was the one who said ‘take care of things,’ let him deal with the trouble.”
Merseja, who previously mentioned liking the Margrave, cut him down sharply.
“Putting that aside, some information came from Faltar that I wanted to let you know about, husband.”
Merseja lowered her voice.
“This visit from the Maiden-sama seems a bit fishy.”
“You mean it’s not just the Maiden-sama’s personal whim, worrying about her friend who eloped?”
A low chuckle answered my words.
“Calling the Maiden-sama selfish is very like you, husband, but well, even the Pope is accompanying her.”
It would be foolish to think nothing is going on.
I mentally finished Merseja’s sentence.
“Is the Church the enemy?”
Merseja shook her head at my direct question.
“I don’t know. But if they were the enemy, would their leader come alone like this?”
This time, it was my turn to shake my head.
“Maybe he simply intends to denounce Erika directly as an enemy of God?”
I said it, though I doubted it.
If that were the purpose, he would come alone.
He must understand the implications of doing such a thing in front of the Maiden of Light.
It would be tantamount to nullifying the Farce concocted by Faltar and the Church.
“Well, if it comes to that, I’ll just kill them, though.”
“The fee I’m getting from the Prime Minister doesn’t cover stopping you, Boss, so please cut it out,” she said wearily.
“Well, the possibility of the Church being the enemy seems slim given the circumstances, but according to Faltar’s report, some dangerous folks seem to have vanished for some reason.”
“Ah—so you mean there might be people who jumped on board after the Pope somehow went along with the Maiden of Light’s selfishness? You should have said that first, Senpai-dono.”
It might just be a coincidence.
Merseja added after that preface.
“It’s just that I’ve noticed coincidences happen awfully easily whenever you and the young lady are together, Boss.”
“I don’t recall living such a wicked life that I’d be favored by trouble, though…”
I know I need to think things through, but part of me also thinks it might be simpler just to kill all the enemies.
“That’s why I ain’t getting paid for that part, you know.”
She’s calling me out even though I didn’t say anything aloud. Is it that obvious on my face? If so, that means I’m showing Erica my ‘I love Erica’ face 24/7. How embarrassing.
Merseja’s voice suddenly reminded me.
“Speaking of which, is the Prince with them too?”
“That one just has Flowers blooming in his head, or so the report says.”
He doesn’t waver, huh.
Honestly, I was a little impressed.
I bet he went through a lot to follow the Maiden of Light.
He probably managed to kick down and eliminate the guys who were making googly eyes at the Maiden of Light so he could accompany her.
Personally, I don’t see what’s so great about the Maiden of Light, but I can appreciate the Prince’s attitude of not giving up even though she wasn’t paying him any attention.
After all, I’ve decided not to give up on getting Erica to like me either.
“Guess I need to learn from him…”
I muttered unintentionally.
“You don’t have any more room for Flowers to bloom in your head, do ya, Boss?”
What are you, some kind of Pantile?
Responding to Merseja’s sarcasm with only a shrug, the armor shop’s door flew open.
“Shin!”
“Shin-san!”
Erica and Shara came out, each holding armor that was clearly meant for adventurers.
“Which one do you think is better!?”
Erica said, thrusting the armor right in front of my face.
In her hand was a black shirt suitable for an adventurer.
So it’s black after all? I thought, but my attention was drawn more to the strangely assertive iron spikes attached to the shoulders.
“This one, right!?”
And then Shara, seemingly competing for some reason, thrust hers forward too.
What is this situation?
How did things end up like this?
Exposed to the gazes of the passersby, I couldn’t help but laugh.
But there’s something I want to say to Shara.
What possessed you to choose such a shiny, golden, see-through sleeveless top?
I stood up with a wry smile.
For some reason, Merseja had her head in her hands.
Afterword
Thank you always for the comments, likes, stars, etc.
They are a great encouragement.
Work has gotten a bit busy, so I think I’ll need to take about a month off.
I apologize for making you wait in the middle of a chapter.
I will do my best to return as soon as possible, so I would appreciate it if you could wait.