Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: When Spring Comes (2)
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There had been a few minor disturbances during the period welcoming spring.
But starting from that day, many things around Lian changed.
"Hey, Uncle Diego."
"What."
"If we declare this item as medicine instead of perfume, don't we pay less tax?"
Among those changes, the biggest one had to be the attitude of that grumpy old man with the goatee.
"You brat. Where'd you pick up that dirty trick?"
"Oh, this loophole doesn't work?"
"It'd be exposed immediately when cross-checked against the buyer's declaration. You think no one's ever thought of something like that before?"
"Whoa! The tax office guys are ruthless. They go that far?"
Did Isabel really give him an earful?
Diego's attitude had softened completely since his meeting with her.
Now he was finally letting Lian assist with proper accounting work.
And whenever asked something, he'd grumble but teach properly.
If only he'd been like this from the start—how great would that have been?
"More importantly, I'm having my coming-of-age ceremony today. Got nothing for me, old man?"
"When have we ever had time for that sort of thing?"
"We've been facing each other for over three months now. Don't be so stingy."
"Here. Take this."
Diego tossed a bundle of papers from the corner of his desk onto the table in front of Lian.
Was this his way of saying "shut up and get back to work"?
But it didn't look like vouchers or ledgers.
"Huh. This is..."
They were all letters.
Congratulatory notes left by the merchant house members who'd been helped by Lian, including Miguel.
They all knew by Isabel's order that he couldn't help them anymore.
Honestly, he hadn't expected them to go this far.
[My friend Lian. Congratulations on finally becoming an adult!]
"Friend, huh..."
In his previous life, crushed by a harsh existence, he hadn't even had one decent friend.
The word "friend" still felt awkward and embarrassing.
"Can I write replies to these?"
"Hmph. None of them know the value of paper."
Diego twitched his goatee and scowled.
"At least finish your work first."
What a tsundere old coot once you got to know him.
Lian chuckled, gathered the letters, and tucked them into his pocket.
For a while, exchanging letters like this with Miguel and the others to share news seemed nice.
It felt a bit like pen pals—refreshingly novel in its own way.
"By the way, you rascal. What were you thinking, asking Lady Isabel for that as a gift?"
"Why? It's fun, isn't it?"
"Argh! You immature punk!"
Come to think of it, would she really prepare that gift?
Lian was looking forward to the afternoon in many ways.
Among the changes around Lian, not all were bad, but some weren't entirely welcome.
"Hey, you're doing your coming-of-age today, right? Congrats!"
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
On his way to answer Isabel's summons.
A group of maids swarmed him as they passed by.
"I thought he was just a cute little kid at first, but when did he get so sturdy!"
"Hey, this one's Lady Isabel's. Don't go getting any ideas."
"Oh my? What are you talking about? You're the one making a fuss over how handsome he is!"
"No, I was just saying he is."
Maybe because Lian had grown so much lately, giving off a manly scent.
The stares from Isabel's maids felt a bit burdensome.
Being handsome was a crime, apparently.
"Anyway, Lady Isabel summoned me, so I'll be going."
Lian gave a quick bow and hurried away.
As the old saying goes, a man must beware of three ends.
Getting too close to them wouldn't end well.
"You're here, Lian."
"You summoned me, Lady Isabel?"
He knew the reason, but asked anyway out of courtesy.
A box sat raised in front of Isabel.
The very gift she'd promised.
"Yes. Your gift arrived right on time."
A coming-of-age ceremony wasn't much, really.
The family head simply gave a gift to the newly adult member—that was it.
The most important part was what was given.
For a blacksmith, a hammer.
For a carpenter, a saw or chisel.
It was a rite assigning one's role in the family through a tool suited to the trade.
For a merchant like Isabel, something typical would be an ornate quill or a scale.
But she'd had Lian choose his own gift.
"Congratulations on becoming an adult, Lian."
Isabel pushed the box toward him, as if telling him to open it himself.
Lian carefully opened the box.
Inside was a short sword about forearm-length.
"Oh my god! Thank you! I didn't think you'd really prepare this!"
"I hesitated a bit, but I figured it'd be fine for you."
"As expected of Lady Isabel! Should I swear a loyalty oath or something?"
"You're already my slave. No need for that."
"True enough."
It was a short sword, but the scabbard and hilt decorations were like artwork.
A cheap iron sword from some forge corner would have sufficed, yet she'd gone this far.
Her pride wouldn't allow anything less, it seemed.
"Lady Isabel! Giving a blade to a slave is too dangerous! Please take it back!"
But some weren't thrilled with the gift.
A man in a red scarf stood out among the guards.
Pedro, if memory served—the captain of Isabel's private guards.
He glared at Lian as if ready to draw his sword any second.
As the one responsible for Isabel's safety, it was a natural reaction.
"Besides, gifting a sword for coming-of-age is usually for nobles..."
"Pedro. Since when do you have the authority to weigh in on my decisions?"
"...My apologies."
Even he had to shut up at Isabel's word.
Besides, giving slaves swords wasn't that rare.
Just, gifting one for a coming-of-age like noble custom wasn't common.
"Don't worry. Even if this blade turns on my own neck, it'll never point at you, Lady Isabel."
"...You'd better not draw it in front of me."
Pedro ground his teeth and glared.
That look held less wariness.
And more something like displeasure.
Lian asking for a sword from Isabel had been a kind of performance.
Nobles gifting swords at coming-of-age carried deep meaning.
From ancient times, swords symbolized authority.
Accepting the family's authority and vowing lifelong service to its name.
That was the context behind Lian's request.
And Isabel, mistaking him for noble-born, would interpret it that way.
Whatever. If not, oh well.
"Hey. You, slave. Stop."
Crossing the central courtyard.
A threatening voice from behind halted Lian.
Lately, even Uncle Diego didn't call him that...
Lian stopped and turned.
Guard Captain Pedro, as expected.
"As you probably know, my name is..."
"Doesn't matter."
Thud!
Something long dropped at his feet.
A training wooden sword.
And Pedro held one in his hand too.
"Pick it up. I'll teach you swordsmanship specially. You weren't planning to use that gift as mere decoration, were you?"
"Wait, didn't you just say not to draw it...?"
"Shut it. I'm carving out my precious time to teach you. Be grateful."
That sneering grin.
Definitely wanted to beat him under the guise of training.
"So, is this by Lady Isabel's order?"
"No. But I have her permission."
Lian furrowed his brow.
Isabel knew Pedro's intentions and still allowed it?
"Then I'll pass."
"Stand still, slave. You dare ignore me?"
"Come on. It's not Lady Isabel's order—how could I waste the guard captain's valuable time?"
This wasn't the first clash with the man.
Lately, Pedro had been picking petty fights first.
Obvious cheap provocations to bait Lian into attacking.
And now he thought he'd finally caught him.
"You think a slave has a choice?"
"I'm not your slave."
"You arrogant..."
In that instant, Lian's spine chilled.
"Uwak!"
A eerie hallucination from his left side.
Lian rolled away quickly.
Whoosh!
Pedro's wooden sword, aimed at his torso, sliced empty air.
"...Sharp instincts for a useless one."
"What the hell? Are you insane!?"
"I said pick up the wooden sword. Training's started."
Even with prior permission, to come at him so recklessly.
"Fine. Training to pick up a dropped sword mid-attack isn't bad."
Pedro assumed position again.
His intent to thrash Lian clear.
"Agh, fine! I'll pick it up!"
"Now you're talking sense."
"Damn it! If your teaching seems half-assed, I'll tell Lady Isabel right away!"
"Don't worry. I'll teach you properly."
Lian glared at the chuckling Pedro and picked up the wooden sword.
No choice now.
He'd have to land one on that smug face in revenge.
Honestly, he'd been a bit arrogant.
Like when he'd perfectly countered the deranged straggler days ago.
With the hallucination's help, he thought he could land at least one on that annoying face.
"Ugh... Ow!"
"Hold still, kid. Sir Pedro's going too far. What are you doing to such a fine body?"
A maid tsked as she applied whale oil ointment to Lian's bruises.
After an hour rolling in the courtyard.
Lian hadn't even grazed Pedro's clothes.
Meanwhile, he'd taken hits everywhere except face and vitals.
He could dodge one or two, but not the follow-up chains—his body couldn't keep up.
The estate's guards were all ex-soldiers or mercenaries, veterans only.
Hated the guy, but his skill was real.
"Hiss. Give it here. I'll do the rest."
"It's fine. Might as well finish since my hands are already messy."
"No, then why do your hands keep wandering to weird places!"
"Oh dear? Don't misunderstand. You think I have designs on you?"
Her hands kept straying despite her words.
The maid, looking full of ulterior motives, giggled innocently.
"Forget it. I'll do it myself."
Lian snatched the ointment and scooted away.
"Tch! Party pooper."
The maid pouted, wiping the remaining oil from her hands carelessly.
Then just watched him apply it to his bruises.
No sign of leaving.
"What? No other work?"
"Kid, don't you wonder why Sir Pedro's picking on you?"
"Of course I know. I have eyes and ears."
"Oh! You knew?"
A warm, handsome face and sturdy build on the young guard captain.
Just listing Pedro's traits made it obvious.
He was Isabel's current lover.
"Lady Isabel's so greedy. Has Sir Pedro and still wants you too..."
The maid sidled closer, gaze sticky.
"Hey, wanna make a little secret just between us?"
"Get lost."
Her face crumpled at Lian's firm rejection.
"Hmph! Acting all high and mighty just 'cause you're a pretty slave face!"
Pushed that hard.
The maid stood, face flushed with wounded pride.
"Wait."
Lian sensed something off.
A maid working for Isabel couldn't be ignorant of her personality or reputation.
What gave her the boldness to flirt so openly?
Besides...
"What did you mean by 'us too' just now?"
He'd thought she meant Isabel and Pedro.
But chewing it over, that wasn't the nuance.
"Wanna know?"
The maid's lips curved up from her earlier anger.
"You. Don't tell anyone about this, okay?"
That itchy expression, dying to spill long-hidden gossip.
This was definitely the kind of story Lian had suspected.