Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Usefulness of a Traitorous Subject
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While the Count and Lady Meira were engaged in a tense conversation, Beonald was busy introducing the people who had newly joined him to each other.
A total of three people—the maid Sain, Heidi of the Zelkerd family, and Erasol, son of Sir Malderob—had all gathered in Beonald's room for a tea party, exchanging introductions and stories.
"Oh... You are the son of Sir Malderob, a senior knight? I've heard many stories about Sir Malderob from my father. They say he's the strongest knight in the Callermain territory! And you, Sir Erasol, must be a strong knight as well... Perhaps we could spar later..."
"My apologies. I am still a squire, not a knight, so you need not use honorifics. In any case, as fellow followers of Young Master Beonald, I look forward to working with you."
"By the way, Young Master, rumors say you were tasked with resolving the issues in the Teal Slums... How did your meeting with the Count go? That topic is all the talk in the mansion right now. People are buzzing that they've dumped a problem even the Count and his predecessor couldn't solve onto you."
Sain focused her gaze, seemingly wanting to hear Beonald's heroic tales. Stroking Alterio's feathers while leisurely enjoying teatime, Beonald glanced at the three of them, smiled, and cautiously opened his mouth.
"Hmm~ I didn't really do much. I just learned a lot by observing the situation amidst the chaos of the three organizations fighting. I was very lucky."
"So you're saying you didn't actually do anything there...?"
"That can't be! But that...! Oh dear!"
"One rumor says that there... Ah!"
'These two aspiring knights aren't yet accustomed to keeping secrets. I'll have to educate them separately later. Anyway, the repercussions within the mansion from this incident are greater than I expected. Those Darktis bastards... Did they plan to use me?'
From the mansion's internal trends Sain had mentioned, it seemed the butlers, soldiers, and knights all believed Beonald had single-handedly conquered the Teal Slums.
The cause of this was likely the overlap of Darktis's strategy and Beonald's own intentions, each heading in different directions.
Thanks to Beonald's maneuvering, they had essentially gotten the Teal Slums for free, but the Darktis organization, centered around the assassins and thief guilds, needed considerable time to digest and reorganize the Balas and Agrasander groups, which had previously dominated the slums with various businesses.
And to prevent other forces, including mercenaries, from entering, they spread rumors that the 'mysterious wandering knight'—who had played a key joker role in the conflict—was like their master and a new shadowy manipulator. In Callermain Castle and the mansion, that 'mysterious wandering knight' was thought to be Beonald.
"Hmm~ Well, maybe I should use that image to my advantage?"
"Wouldn't that be detrimental to you, Young Master? No matter what... they're just slum trash."
"I'm already called a mongrel mercenary anyway; adding one more thing like this at this point won't matter. In any case, the task the Count gave me is finished, so I have some free time now... I should clarify my position a bit."
"Your position? You mean your stance regarding the family?"
"No, the position between you all here and me. Because my name has spread throughout the Callermain Earldom due to this incident, those targeting me may appear, so I need to tidy up my surroundings, so to speak. Ah, of course, Heidi, you're fine. I've already confirmed you."
With Beonald's unexpected rise from this incident, he might get entangled in internal strife or power struggles within the Callermain Earldom, so he was telling everyone to define their own position.
Of course, Heidi, the daughter of the Zelkerd family, was an exception, as Baron Zelkerd had already pledged his loyalty, essentially sending her to Beonald.
"My father told me to faithfully follow Young Master Beonald. If I were in danger because of this incident, he would have given me prior notice or told me separately to withdraw. So I will follow Young Master Beonald to the end."
'...More loyal than her appearance suggests. A family trait? But still, the fact that she's Sir Malderob's son bothers me... When it comes to weighing the Callermain Earldom against me, he'll ultimately be timid, I suppose.'
"U-um, that... Is there something you're displeased with?"
"Well, ultimately, as Sir Malderob's son, your position would likely lean more toward the Callermain Earldom side."
"That can't be! Surely you don't mean to become hostile toward this family?"
"No, not in that sense. I'm talking about the possibility of power struggles between households. In reality, Lady Meira thinks of me unfavorably."
Calmly explaining to Erasol, Beonald reiterated his position.
He made him understand again that he needed to define his position because he could get caught up in internal family fights. After pondering for a moment, Erasol spoke with a firm expression.
"Hmm... In that case, I'm not sure. I, well... I am loyal to the Callermain Earldom, but I don't know much about the infighting within it."
"Of course, that's not a bad thought either. Family fights are between family members; then, as a knight, as a squire, pledging loyalty to the victor isn't bad either. If you have doubts, talk directly with Sir Malderob."
"I'm sorry, Young Master. For not being decisive..."
"No, it's only natural, so don't feel too burdened. Now then, Sain, you're the issue..."
She flinched under Beonald's gaze, her body trembling slightly.
Though appointed as Beonald's exclusive maid, she was undeniably Lady Meira's person and a spy.
While feeling a pang of conscience internally, she realized that her mission was to monitor Beonald and stay by his side, so she didn't need to show conflict here. She opened her mouth.
"I... I want to follow Young Master Beonald. If you need me, that is."
"Hmm~ Interesting. I'm quite fond of Sain, but what is it about me that makes you want to follow? From my perspective, nothing has happened that would warrant our relationship progressing so quickly."
'Guh!'
Beonald's suspicious gaze, sharp as a blade, pierced through her heart.
As he said, the period for Beonald and Sain to grow close was too short. While she had personal affection, she also had the thought of approaching him as Lady Meira's subordinate to watch over him. She was at a loss.
"Haha, no need to be so startled. It was just a light jest. The human heart is quite complex, you see. Still... I think it's wonderful that Sain, whom I'm fond of, takes an interest in me."
"Y-yes, Young Master."
"Anyway, I will respect Sain's decision if she thinks it over carefully herself. Well, I should go do some training I haven't been able to do for a while. Heidi, come with me. Training is essential for a knight. Sain, I leave Alterio to you."
Having given those instructions, Beonald headed to the training room with Heidi.
While the others were flustered, Heidi was the daughter of Baron Zelkerd, who had clearly declared herself his subordinate, so he could attend to her immediately without other worries.
"This is the training room Sir Malderob prepared. The security and soundproofing are thorough. Meaning, we can train with peace of mind and share training methods and techniques. At this point, the only one I can confidently call my person is you."
"No matter what happens, I will devote my loyalty to you, Young Master."
"A good answer, Heidi. But... loyalty alone might not be enough for you and me to cross this harsh battlefield together, so I need to know more about you in detail. It might be an impolite question regarding your family, but can you answer truthfully?"
"Perhaps... about swordsmanship and mana breathing techniques?"
"Good intuition. Yes, for a martial family, those are assets and secrets more important than anything else, so I'm being very careful in asking you. It's fine if you can't answer. Then we'll leave it at that."
Beonald was now trying to clearly draw the line.
Whether they were on his side or not, and even among his own side, whether they fell within the line where he could share his knowledge, techniques, and abilities.
Though polite and cautious, Heidi felt an inexplicable fear from the pressure emanating from his eyes and body.
"Um... I, I haven't learned anything that could be a family secret. The mana breathing technique is... the most basic of basics, and weapon techniques were just repeating fundamental slashes and thrusts."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
No signs of lying were evident.
And that made sense; no matter how talented or physically gifted, Heidi was still a woman. Unless there were issues with the succession or no other turmoil within the territory, if Baron Zelkerd was sane, he likely wouldn't have formally taught her the mana breathing technique or the family's martial arts.
"Good. Then shall we spar a round to check each other's skills? What weapon do you use?"
It was a plausible enough story, but Beonald wouldn't purely believe it without verification.
"Ah, I prefer the long spear."
Beonald took a long spear from among the weapons on the training room wall and tossed it to her.
As if demanding training akin to real combat, its edge was sharpened exceptionally well.
In contrast, Beonald chose a wooden sword, perhaps because controlling his strength against a weaker opponent was difficult, as when he faced Baron Zelkerd before.
"Then come at me with all your might. You can even charge with the intent to kill."
"...Are you sure?"
"If I die by your hand now, that's just my limit. Don't worry. Just between us, I'm stronger than your father."
"Ah, understood."
'Good, now I can naturally confirm whether what she said earlier was false or true.'
Beonald does not trust people's words 100%.
He believes that unless supporting circumstances, situations, or evidence are provided, there's always a possibility of falsehood. So, to verify whether Heidi truly only possessed basic mana breathing techniques and fundamental weapon skills, he proposed a spar.
"Then! Here I come!"
"Alright, come at me with everything!"
"Hmph!"
Crack!
No sooner had the words ended than the sound of the training room floor shattering echoed, and Heidi swung her spear toward Beonald with a terrifying speed unbefitting her tall stature and build.
Though armored solidly and with a hint of aura sensed, Beonald, thinking she'd be weaker than the family head, Baron Zelkerd, had let his guard down. Heidi's speed and power exceeded expectations.
'What the...?'
"Haaaaaaah!"
Thus, he missed her movement. Still, as if his training hadn't been in vain, he barely dodged the spear descending upon him, but the training room floor cratered as if struck by a meteor, exploding and scattering stone fragments.
Beonald looked at her, seemingly truly shocked. This power and the speed earlier both surpassed what she had claimed.
'But it's not a lie. Actually...'
The aura felt from her body was extremely faint.
It was certainly an aura not even worthy of a knight, trained with the most trivial basic mana training technique.
Yet, the skill she was unleashing boasted tremendous power and speed mismatched with that aura, meaning this was her pure martial prowess.
Realizing this, Beonald raised his hand to stop her charge, then uttered words of praise.