Chapter 286: Physical Limits
I almost entirely rebuilt the dormitory. Cayenne Castle was also reconstructed in the same way. And I made about two hundred beds.
I am truly at my limit.
“I-I’m tired…”
As I sat on the ground, limp and exhausted, Arte brought me a towel looking worried. Till was also standing next to me holding a cup of water.
“A-Are you alright?”
“Please do not push yourself too hard.”
The two of them were worrying about me. While wiping off sweat, I drank the water.
“Thank you. But I want you to tell Panamera-san not to push me too hard.”
The cause of this overwork is Panamera. It was a light joke I made thinking that, but Arte and Till pulled their chins back with serious faces.
“…I-I will go tell her.”
“…I will accompany you.”
At Arte’s words filled with tragic determination, Till also offered to go along. No, no, stating an opinion to the head of a Count family is bad. Panamera probably wouldn’t care, but it would be troublesome if such a thing became a rumor among other nobles.
Thinking that, I tried to stop them, but before I could, I was interrupted by happy laughter. Turning towards the direction of the voice, there was Panamera, laughing with her hands on her hips.
“You are loved, boy. Well, rest assured. I had Viscount Van work hard today for the sake of everyone’s future lodging, but from tomorrow onwards, I won’t push you that hard. On the contrary, I shall provide you with delicious meals and beautiful maids.”
“Delicious meals and beautiful maids?”
I inadvertently repeated part of Panamera’s words. Ah, I miss the life surrounded by maids I had until nearly two years ago. The days when the maids took care of me. Of course, Till takes care of me every day so there’s no problem, but having lots of maids is also wonderful.
“He will be fine as long as there are delicious meals. I handle all the work as a maid by myself!”
However, due to Till declaring this while breathing heavily through her nose, Panamera withdrew one of the rewards with a wry smile.
“Is that so? Then look forward to the delicious meals.”
“Yes! I am looking forward to it!”
Till’s reply sounded like she was the one looking forward to it the most. No, her eyes are sparkling, so she probably really is looking forward to it.
“It’s fine, yeah. That’s perfectly fine.”
I muttered that quietly in my mouth and stared into the distance. As we were having such a harmonious conversation, Zetros turned his body to face me and bowed.
“Lord Van, thank you very much. As one of the administrators of this city, I express my deepest gratitude. Also, regarding the payment, could we discuss it again with Lord Panamera tomorrow or so?”
“No, no, it’s fine. Instead of accepting payment this time, I’ll be selling ballistae and special arrows at a high price, you know.”
“What!? That would be more troublesome!”
When I replied to Zetros jokingly, Panamera made a shocked face. No, no, I’m rebuilding the city, so I want at least that much to be forgiven.
“I’ve been selling to you at a bargain price, Panamera-san, so even if I raise the price, it’s still cheaper than the list price, right?”
“No, those are items that will become even more necessary from now on, you know? Alright! Then, I’ll give you a hundred platinum coins for the city renovation costs. How about that?”
“No deal.”
“Gunununu…”
It’s déjà vu. I have a memory of having an exchange like this before. However, the difference from before is clear, and I did feel a little bit of sympathy that it must be tough for Panamera too. No matter how much funds she has, it won’t be enough for Panamera who just became a lord. She likely has strengthening the Chivalric Order and expedition costs in mind as well.
But that is that, and this is this. Panamera, who plans to rise up through battles, will likely purchase large quantities of the arms and ballistae I make. Fuhahahaha.
At that moment, I suddenly heard laughter nearby. It wasn’t my inner voice leaking out of my mouth. Turning around reflexively, there was Zetros, who had been expressionless the whole time until just now. Zetros lowered the ends of his eyebrows, looked down as if to hide his mouth, and was shaking his shoulders.
Was it in response to the relationship between Panamera and me, or was the conversation just now simply funny? Since I hadn’t imagined Zetros laughing, I was a little surprised.
And it seemed Panamera was the same.
“What is this? So you are capable of laughing too.”
When Panamera said that, Zetros tightened his expression slightly and looked up.
“…That is rude. I merely strive not to show emotions normally.”
“Hmph, you’re already back to normal? Boring.”
Confirming that Zetros’s poker face had returned, Panamera stated her dissatisfaction. However, Thomas, who was watching that, smiled wryly and shook his head.
“It is a sight even we rarely see. Especially in this past year, I don’t believe we have seen him laugh even once…”
At those words from Thomas, Panamera looked at Zetros, who was feigning ignorance, with deep interest.
“Hmm? Then we saw something rare. So, what did you find so funny?”
When Panamera asked curiously, Zetros glanced at me, slightly relaxed his expression, and opened his mouth.
“…No, I just thought we were foolish for assuming and fearing a cruel future… We were wary of the unknown of losing the war and having the country we live in change, and we had various discussions, but it was a wasted effort.”
“What? What are you saying?”
Panamera furrowed her brow at the vague words that didn’t fit as an answer. Seeing that expression, Zetros smiled again.
“…Listening to the carefree conversation between the two of you, I reconsidered that our future might actually be surprisingly bright, is what I mean.”
When Zetros said that, Panamera put her hands on her hips and laughed.
“Hahahaha! You speak well, Zetros! Is that the real you? I like it!”
Panamera showed a spirited smile toward the cheeky subordinate. To that, Zetros bowed deeply and replied.
“I am humbled. However, my feeling of serving as Lord Panamera’s subordinate has become certain. I look forward to working with you from now on.”
“Mm.”
Zetros pledged his loyalty, and the other administrators watched that scene with surprised expressions. Panamera looked down at Zetros’s head with satisfaction and answered, but immediately held up one finger and spoke.
“Ah, however, I will make one correction.”
“Huh?”
Confirming that Zetros had raised his face, Panamera pointed at me with her index finger.
“The only one who is carefree is this Viscount Van.”
“…Understood.”
Looking sideways at me, the two exchanged such words and laughed together. In response to that, I raised my hand and complained.
“Yes! Objection! I work hard every day too! Rather, I’m the busiest one!”
I raised both hands and shouted my anger loudly, but for some reason, everyone present started laughing, and there was no one who took my anger seriously.
What cruel adults. I’m confident I could win if we went to court.
