Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: A Use for the Traitorous Subject
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After completing the formal greetings as the adopted son, Beonald continued to demonstrate the full extent of his capabilities as a high noble's scion throughout the dinner.
While he hid his martial prowess, he could afford to display such grace and etiquette without reservation, using the excuse of his mother, who had once lived here, and because he needed to imprint his presence on the retainers around him.
"Hmm, did you learn your table manners from Callen?"
"Yes. When I said I was coming here, he taught me in a hurry. I practiced over ten times a day."
The head maid and the head butler were currently waiting behind Beonald, ready to correct any mistakes he might make in his table manners, given his rural background. However, Beonald was dining with such perfect, dignified etiquette that they couldn't utter a word and were instead left bewildered.
'...What in the world? I feel a high noble's dignity emanating from this young master...!'
'Is this even possible? I even specifically had the cook give him the toughest cut of steak... and he's cutting and eating it without a single sound of the plate being scraped?'
The head maid, acting on Lady Meira's whispered instructions to humiliate Beonald, had secretly ordered the cook to tamper with Beonald's meal. But it was all in vain.
'To think they'd dare to play tricks on me. If it weren't for my mana breathing technique, I would have been in real trouble.'
The moment the knife touched it, Beonald sensed the texture of the meat and immediately realized the trick played on him.
Using the hidden strength of a 'Knight', he silently cut the steak and put it in his mouth.
'But in a way, this finally makes it feel real that I've returned home. This is it. My body and mind feel strangely calm. Huhuhu.'
"The meat seems to your liking, Beonald."
"Yes. It seems the difference in the level of meals between one's original home and elsewhere is inevitable. I was unconsciously captivated. Head Maid, please tell the head chef I've experienced a new world."
The head maid flinched at Beonald's sharp choice of words and bowed her head with genuine respect.
After finishing the meal, Beonald began receiving a tour of the mansion from the head butler, Tellen.
The old butler explained the important areas first: his room, the areas he could freely use, various training rooms, and restricted zones...
"That covers the essential places for now, Young Master. And starting tomorrow, you will formally begin various lessons alongside Young Master Ralt. A dedicated maid will be assigned to inform you of that schedule."
"Understood. And I have one question: can Alterio stay in my room? The horses seem frightened of him, so he can't stay in the stables, and it seems no separate area has been prepared yet. Of course, I'll keep him restrained. I've already obtained Sir Malderob's permission."
He thought it wouldn't be a problem to drop the name, as Malderob was a key ally.
"If Sir Malderob has given permission... I have nothing more to say."
"Good. Then I'll go to my room to unpack. Alterio, follow me."
Piiik!
After parting with Head Butler Tellen, Beonald returned to his assigned room with Alterio. Perhaps because he was an adopted son, the room was quite large and ornate for a bedroom.
The furniture was decorated with exquisite carvings and ornaments, and the bed was so enormous it made one doubt it was meant for a single person.
"It's modest."
A country bumpkin should have been awed by this large, splendid room, but by Beonald's standards, it was a plain room. He showed no surprise and calmly began unpacking.
He then removed the leash and muzzle he had kept on Alterio during the journey, allowing him to move freely around the room.
"It must have been very stifling? I'm sorry."
Piiiiit!
"You say it's fine? That's a relief. Here, Alterio, let's eat."
He took out the pre-processed, specially made meal for Alterio from his luggage and threw it to him, watching him eat when a knock was heard.
When Beonald opened the door, a stunningly beautiful maid stood there—a sight that would gratify his eyes for the first time in a long while.
Beonald von Neumel, who in his previous life had sampled the most beautiful women carefully selected from across the entire continent. Thus, his standards were quite high, and this woman met them.
"Are you Young Master Beonald? I am the maid assigned to serve you exclusively from today. My name is Saine."
"...Oh!"
Beonald looked at the maid who introduced herself as Saine with admiration.
Her flawless, healthy complexion; long, lightly colored red hair that hung down—it was Beonald's very preference, as he loved extravagance. Her emerald-green eyes, distinct and delicate features with a refined impression, and a tall frame of about 170 centimeters with a voluptuous body that defied that impression—all satisfied Beonald, a strict connoisseur of beauty.
"Is something the matter, Young Master?"
"I was so captivated by your beauty that I momentarily lost my words. As you know, I'm a country boy... I was startled."
"Is that so? Then I will explain tomorrow's schedule right away."
'Hmm, the businesslike type who doesn't even comment on jokes? But that's still very good.'
She had indifferently ignored his remark, but for Beonald, if she was beautiful, everything was forgiven, and he became lenient.
A noble cultivates his own garden. Beautiful flowers are, of course, essential there.
Sometimes that flower could be talent or ability, but the word that best suits 'beauty' is undoubtedly 'appearance.'
'I like this one very much. Far better than some musty butler—a maid is best after all. I must thank whoever has such good taste.'
"First, wake up tomorrow at 6 AM. Then, until 6:30, you will have physical and swordsmanship training with Sir Malderob at the training grounds. At 8, you will have breakfast with the Count and the rest of the family."
While Beonald was thinking, Saine continued explaining tomorrow's schedule.
"From 9 to 12 is time for etiquette and various academic lessons. From 12 to 1 is a light lunch. In the afternoon, you may spend your time freely. At 7, you will have dinner with the family again, and similarly spend your time freely afterward. Bedtime is at 10."
"How free is 'free time'?"
"You are permitted to move within the mansion, excluding restricted areas, or to roam the territory and the city. Or, if you wish to do something, simply report it, and it will generally be permitted. Young Master, I shall see you tomorrow morning then."
"Ah, wait a moment."
Beonald stopped her as she was about to leave and called over Alterio, who was sitting behind him.
Alterio, the size of a donkey, approached with a *Pik* sound, causing Saine to tense up and shrink back. Beonald handed her some of Alterio's food and said:
"Tomorrow, when you come to wake me, this fellow will surely be on guard... I think it's better to get friendly now."
"Huh? Ah, are you sleeping with the griffin?"
"If I put this fellow in the stables, the horses would suffer from anxiety all night and likely get no sleep, right? It's better to keep him by my side. Anyway, Saine, try giving Alterio some food and petting him. Don't be too scared~"
"Ah, understood, Young Master."
Saine, who had received the food from Beonald, cautiously offered it to Alterio. Seeing the food, Alterio slowly approached and began cutting and eating it with his beak.
Saine then tried to reach her hand toward Alterio's head, but perhaps his wariness hadn't faded, as Alterio immediately threatened her.
Kuaaaak!
"Kya!"
'Oh~ What a cute scream.'
Beonald caught her as she stumbled backward in surprise, holding her in his arms while restraining the charging Alterio. In doing so, he naturally felt her warmth and was moved.
The first female body he had felt in this life. Since birth, he had been so busy with mana breathing techniques, swordsmanship, pharmacology, hunting, etc... He had endured for a long time.
Of course, there had been maids and village girls in the Dustycloak territory, but they were ultimately of a rural level. No woman had caught his eye, so naturally, no interest had arisen.
"Alterio, calm down. She means you no harm. She wants to be friends."
Kuuu... Piiii!
Beonald held the startled girl tightly while speaking to Alterio. In truth, this was also part of Beonald's plan.
Using the process of taming Alterio to create contact with her and build favor. If he had genuinely intended to tame him properly, he would have stopped her when she hastily reached out.
"My, that was a bit hasty. I should have demonstrated first. Saine, are you alright? If it really doesn't work, shall I put on the chains and muzzle?"
"Ah, no, Young Master."
Her usually stern expression softened slightly from the sudden incident, and seeing her face slightly flushed, Beonald thought she was cute and did his best to suppress the smile creeping onto his lips.
Part of him wanted to take her straight to the bed and have his passionate first experience in this life tonight, but he barely managed to restrain himself.
"I'll try one more time. I can't lose to this degree."
'Oh~ A determined type. Not very maid-like, is she?'
Whether out of resolve, Saine stood up again and looked at Alterio.
However, perhaps because her expression was stiff and glaring, Alterio began to raise his wings and grow wary. Beonald blocked her line of sight and offered advice.
"I think it's best to relax your shoulders and facial tension first. You must lower your own guard for the other to lower theirs. Here, a treat."
"I see. I-I'll try. Hoo~"
Saine took a deep breath and, following Beonald's advice, relaxed her tension and offered the treat to Alterio again with a calm expression.
This time, Alterio cautiously approached and began nibbling at the treat bit by bit. Saine waited calmly until Alterio finished eating and even licked her hand as if wanting more.
Piii~
"What is this?"
"He must still be hungry. It was originally his mealtime. Here, I'll give you a few more. And slowly lower your guard and increase contact."
Under Beonald's watchful eye, Saine, who was directly feeding Alterio, gradually closed the distance. After about 30 minutes of providing treats, Alterio allowed her to stroke his head.
"It worked! Young Master! Ah... so this is a griffin's feather."
'Mmm~ Very good!'
Stroking Alterio's head and fiddling with his feathers, Saine smiled happily.
And Beonald found that sight even more pleasing.
Having used the pretext of contact with Alterio to reduce the distance between them, Beonald gave her a few more treats for Alterio, citing 'just in case,' and sent her off.
"There's a saying, 'just in case.' Anyway, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, Young Master. Thank you very much. And Alterio, I look forward to working with you. I'll come to wake you tomorrow morning."
Piik!
Thus, Saine paid her respects to Beonald and withdrew.
Perhaps because her tension had eased, her previously stern face had softened as she bid farewell, and Beonald couldn't help but smile.
A short while later, after washing up and changing clothes to relieve his fatigue, he went to bed, looking forward to his life here.