Chapter 229: The Lord’s Absence
“W-well, things will work out, I guess… Haha,” I replied with a lighthearted remark, imagining the sight of my furious Daddy (Jalpa).
However, inwardly, I was far from calm. It was true that Fertio County and Ferdinatto County were already losing residents to Seatoh Village. Due to the major war with the Kingdom of Yelenetta, many people had fled to Seatoh Village, which was rumored to be the safest area around.
If I were to actively recruit residents in the city where the Lord’s castle was located, the outflow of people would likely accelerate.
No, surely it will be fine. After all, this city is the largest urban center in the northern region. It shouldn’t be the kind of environment where people leave a city where they can get anything for the countryside in search of a slow life.
I mentally tried to reassure myself as I looked up at my former home visible through the carriage window. The large castle, with its numerous high towers and the natural color of the stone left visible, imposed an unnecessary sense of pressure on its surroundings.
Straight ahead on the main street, I could see the second-floor terrace beyond the main gate. The room with the window diagonally above it used to be mine. No one is using my room now; I’m sure it’s just kept as an unused bedroom. Since it looks identical to the other windows, no one would be paying attention to it.
“Hmm, the Fertio Marquis’s castle is certainly imposing. It shows that they secured their position through military might.” Panamera muttered this casually as I was steeped in nostalgia.
“Yes, it is. As far as I know, this city has never been a battlefield, but I believe it is built firmly enough to withstand a siege.”
When I replied, Panamera glanced at me and snorted.
“…Hmm, I see.”
Perhaps displeased by something, Panamera offered a short interjection, crossed her arms, and leaned back against the seat. I was slightly concerned by her reaction when Arte spoke up.
“U-um, is it alright for us to just approach without informing them beforehand?”
Panamera shrugged at the anxious question.
“When a child comes home, there is no need for prior notice or anything of the sort.”
At Panamera’s blunt response, Arte and I couldn’t help but look at each other. But there was a mood that made it difficult to press the issue.
“…Ah, we’ve already arrived at the main gate! Look, there’s Andre, the gatekeeper.” Perhaps noticing Panamera’s strange mood, Till also laughed nervously and changed the subject.
Looking out the window, I indeed saw the familiar face of the gatekeeper. Law ran ahead, and I watched as he spoke to the guard.
It was only a few seconds, perhaps. Law quickly turned and ran back toward us.
“Lord Van, Lord Jalpa led the Knight Order out and departed for the border near the Shelvia Confederation.”
“…I suppose my bad premonition was right? Do you know when he left?”
“I was told it was two weeks ago.”
I nodded in response to Law’s report.
“Two weeks… Then he should be close to his destination by now.”
“Hmm, is that the distance? If the Marquis is attempting to meet the Shelvia Confederation with only his own Knight Order, he must have hired mercenaries and prepared about ten thousand soldiers. If that’s the case, they might not have arrived yet.”
“That’s true. Considering he didn’t come to Seatoh Village, he’s had over a month of preparation time. That would be just enough time to gather nearby mercenary groups and make preparations.”
After agreeing with Panamera’s estimate, I called out to Khamsin, who was outside the carriage.
“Can you quickly divide the tasks and replenish our food and supplies? If possible, let’s depart early tomorrow or the day after.”
“Yes, sir!” Khamsin replied, straightening his back.
After hearing his reply, I called out to the coachman.
“I want to gather some information, so let’s head to the castle.”
“Understood!” A young knight responded and moved the carriage forward.
As we reached the gatekeeper, the elderly, bearded Andre looked up at me and called out.
“Oh! Lord Van! It’s been a long time!”
“Hello. You look well, Andre.”
When I returned the greeting with a smile, Andre laughed happily.
“Hahaha! Lord Van hasn’t changed! There was a huge fuss in the castle when we heard you had become a Baron! Well, it seems the word had spread in the city, too.”
Andre spoke cheerfully, in the manner of a kind old man. I felt slightly embarrassed and waved one hand in response.
“Oh, it was just luck. Ah, that reminds me. If you ever quit your job, please move to Seatoh Village. I’ll need you to be an instructor for the Knight Order.”
Andre blinked in surprise at my suggestion.
“M-me, sir? But I’m just an old man who is only allowed to stand at the gate, as you can see…” he mumbled, lacking confidence.
I exaggeratedly shook my head to deny it.
“That’s not true! When I was two years old, you were the Sergeant of the Fertio Marquis Knight Order! I want you to be confident and become an instructor, because you can easily manage a force of a hundred men.”
When I said that with a smile, Andre gasped, his eyes welled up, and he nodded repeatedly.
“Y-yes, sir…! To think you remembered something from when you were so young…! Leave it to me! I will ride to your aid in Seatoh Village as quickly as possible!”
“Thank you! Having Andre join us is worth a hundred men!”
When I thanked him for his words, Andre finally shed tears. Seeing this, Panamera let out a light chuckle inside the carriage.
“…Truly, you are quite the smooth talker. With that, you’ve poached another veteran from the Marquis’s Knight Order who has survived fierce battles, haven’t you?”
Panamera muttered this, speaking as if she were a judge telling a cunning merchant, “You are a scoundrel, aren’t you?” The remark was rude. Did I not just tell someone who was depressed from being underestimated that there was a place where he could utilize his abilities more effectively? Thinking that, I argued back to Panamera.
“I merely stated what I believe to be true. The Fertio Marquis family often participates in long-term expeditions and large-scale battles, so people over fifty who lack the stamina tend to be left behind in the city. Their tasks are limited to gatekeeping or patrols. Isn’t that an appalling waste of talent? In short, the Fertio Marquis Knight Order’s management is poor.”
When I shrugged and said that, Panamera burst out laughing and slapped me on the back. It hurt.
“Interesting! You’re finally back to your usual self! The sentimental boy was quite boring, you know? Why don’t you continue this way and just steal all the Marquis’s talented personnel and residents while you’re at it!”
Panamera said such a terrible thing and laughed loudly. No, no, no, I wasn’t planning on anything so outrageous! What is this woman saying?
While internally criticizing Panamera, I realized what she had been irritated about earlier.
Taken literally, her irritation was directed at my lack of spirit for being sentimental about the past. However, in the tone of her words, I could detect anger toward Jalpa. In other words, it was the same feeling she had when she first came to my territory.
She was infuriated by a situation that neglected or brought unhappiness to a child. In this case, it was sympathy for me, who had been thrown out of the house at the age of eight. Given Panamera’s personality, she probably couldn’t bring herself to say she was sympathizing, out of consideration for the pride of a male Baron like myself.
She’s a Tsundere.
I watched Panamera laugh and somehow exchanged a knowing smile with Arte.
