A New Attendant (2)
"For now, the shortfall in our funds can be offset to some degree by collecting what we've lent to the neighboring territories."
"We need to consider their reactions as well. Harassing people who haven't the means to repay us will only bring back a pittance — far short of what we actually need."
"Even so, my lady. Collecting those debts is currently our most reliable option."
"I'm aware. That's precisely why we need to find another way."
At Sien's words, the retainers turned to look at her.
"Lichtenauer has been badly shaken. The neighboring territories have surely taken notice. If we start demanding repayment in a situation like this, we'll only compound their anxiety. Now more than ever, Lichtenauer must recover on its own and show that it can stand firm once again. When they see that, the surrounding territories will be impressed — and, in their hearts, they will be afraid. They will remember just whose hand they reached out to."
"...Now that I consider it, my lady's words have considerable merit."
Rascal, the Guard Captain, who had been listening quietly from the side, spoke up.
"They say a crisis is also an opportunity. This seems an excellent time to demonstrate that Lichtenauer remains as steadfast as ever. We keep their goodwill — and at the same time, we make them all the more dependent on us."
Word had spread that the house was faltering, and still they would not press for repayment. Then, by their own strength, they would force their way through the crisis. Any territory that witnessed that would bow all the lower to Lichtenauer. One by one, the retainers nodded at Sien's argument.
The shortage of funds was a problem, but the neighboring territories' response mattered just as much. The reason Lichtenauer could serve as the leader of the North was not martial strength alone — it was because the other lords recognized it as such. To hold onto that political advantage, their hearts had to be kept in hand.
"But my lady. In that case, what do you intend to do about the shortfall?"
"...Besides collecting the debts, what options remain?"
"For a start, we sell off every last Demonic Beast byproduct currently in our stores. That said, since the goal would be a quick sale, we are unlikely to get a fair price. Demand is high — but supply is higher still."
"And even if we sell, it would have to be to regions outside the North, so that would take time as well. What else?"
"...The fastest method available to us at present would be to postpone the condolence payments."
At that, Rascal's expression tightened.
The condolence payments were what would be delivered to the families of those who had fallen in the previous battle. Disbursement had already been delayed, however, because both the Family Head and the heir had died in that same fighting. A new Family Head had now taken office — which meant the payments ought to go out at once. The suggestion that they be put off a little longer sat poorly with him, and he made no effort to hide it.
"I am well aware it is an unpalatable option. But it is the fastest one we have. The funds that would go out as condolence payments alone amount to ten percent of Lichtenauer's current budget."
Fully ten percent of the total budget, earmarked for the bereaved. It was a figure that laid bare just how many had died, and how many more had been wounded.
Ten percent... that's no small amount.
Even Rascal, hearing the particulars laid out, couldn't help but bite his lip. He understood now why his fellow retainer had felt compelled to raise the idea. If there was nowhere for money to come in and countless places for it to go out, then shrinking even one of those outgoing holes was the only sensible thing to do.
"No. That method is absolutely out of the question."
Sien's face had gone hard.
"Compensation for the bereaved is our first priority, without exception. Do not raise that matter again. This is an order from your Family Head. If anyone discusses it even once more, I will not sit idle."
The warning was so cold it bordered on chilling. The retainers bowed their heads as one.
There was unmistakable force in her voice. The retainers bowed their heads still deeper before their new Family Head's resolve.
"As for the funds... I can manage something on that front. I wasn't exactly sitting idle while I was in the capital. I have a few close friends there, and I should be able to get help through them. And to put out the immediate fire..."
Sien thought for a moment, then made her decision.
"I will dispose of the valuables registered in the Family Head's name. We'll put the fire out with that."
"My lady?"
At Sien's words, the retainers — Rascal included — rose from their seats in alarm.
Excessive luxury could make a house falter and bring misery to its people. But shrinking one's own presence too far, making oneself look small, produced the opposite effect: others would take you lightly, and they would not hesitate to show it. There was a reason the phrase "keeping up appearances" existed. Even a rural noble house tried to look the part. How much more so Lichtenauer, the very heart of the northern nobility? If its Family Head lived without a single luxury to her name, the consequences could not possibly be harmless.
"That won't do, my lady."
"He's right. We would rather offer portions of our own fortunes."
"We beg you to reconsider."
The retainers voiced their opposition as one. Some even offered to put forward their personal assets. Their loyalty, at least, was beyond any doubt.
"I understand how you feel. Truly — thank you."
Sien smiled, bright and unguarded. That they still stood so faithfully with Lichtenauer filled her chest to bursting.
"But I will not yield on this. Don't worry too much. I won't be selling everything — I'll start with the things that aren't of much practical use. And if I end up penniless later, I won't refuse. I'll gratefully accept your fortunes then, so consider yourselves warned."
She even layered a small joke onto the end, softening the air in the room. The Family Head's will was firm, and the retainers could press the matter no further.
"Let us adjourn for today. You've all worked hard."
"You've worked hard as well, my lady."
"We'll do our best to bring more encouraging items to the next agenda."
Those who had risen from their seats offered their respects and withdrew first. One by one they filed out, until at last Sien was alone — and then the door opened, and Brender stepped in.
"The meeting ran rather long today."
"It did, didn't it. Quite a bit longer than usual."
It had begun in the morning and stretched into the late afternoon. Even with only the most important items on the table, the hours had slipped away.
"Hah..."
She put a hand to her forehead and let out a breath. Brender's eyes darkened with concern.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm just... a little tired."
"You should go rest. You've been working for nearly half the day without a break."
She rather thought he was right. Sien smiled and rose from her seat.
"Ah—"
Something seemed to occur to her. She parted her lips in a tone that was almost offhand.
"Is he doing well?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Adel. He's been training with the other attendants starting today, hasn't he."
Brender blinked at the question. Then he let out a small ah of recognition, and a faint smile touched his mouth.
"The junior instructors — the ones assigned to them — were left clicking their tongues in disbelief, I'm told."
"Was that... in a bad way?"
"Not at all. Quite the opposite. He's so outstanding they didn't know what to do with him."
Sien let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She had been certain it wouldn't come to that — but even so, in the smallest, most remote chance that the people of Lichtenauer did not welcome Adel, she would have felt terribly sorry for being the one who brought him here.
"Would you like to go see for yourself?"
"Me?"
Sien herself did not notice, but Brender caught that her voice had gone a little higher.
"He's your personal guard, is he not? That's reason enough to see how his training is coming along."
"Ah. I, well — I wouldn't want to get in the way."
"I was just told today's scheduled training has already ended. They'll be in individual training now."
"I-is that so? Then perhaps we could go take a look."
She had brought him here, so of course she was responsible for him. Telling herself that was the only reason she was looking after Adel, Sien set off toward the training grounds — her steps a little quicker than they needed to be.
"There he is."
The other attendants had finished their grueling day's work and returned to the dormitory. Adel, however, was still in the middle of physical conditioning.
"Hah. Hah."
He was knocking out pull-ups at twice anyone else's pace. His short-sleeved shirt left the taut lines of his muscle on full display. She hadn't been able to tell when he wore long sleeves, but his physical condition was extraordinary. With every movement of Adel's body, Sien's gaze tracked along, darting this way and that.
"..."
"...According to the instructors, it isn't only his stamina. His etiquette is first-rate as well."
"Hm? Ah — ahh. Etiquette too? That's a little unexpected."
"They said he seems like an attendant who once served a noble house. Do you know anything about that?"
"...I couldn't say."
She preferred not to mention that he had been a child soldier. For Adel, those would be horrific memories — a tragedy he would not want anyone to know.
"At any rate, they say he'll pass the knighthood examination within a year without any trouble."
"That's a relief. There wasn't any talk of the other attendants being uncomfortable around him, or anything like that?"
"None. If anything, word about Adel has spread, and they're all being quite careful around him."
Sien smiled. If he was having that kind of positive effect, it was good for her as well. She had had a slight feeling that recruiting him had been a bit impulsive — but hearing he was well-regarded put her in a better mood.
That was when it happened.
"...?"
Perhaps he had felt the gaze on him. Adel paused in catching his breath and turned his head toward Sien.
"Ah!"
Their eyes met dead-on. Sien hastily whipped her head to the side. Brender disguised a smile behind a cough.
"Ahem. Shall we be going?"
Doing her best to look as though nothing had happened, Sien started walking. Following behind her, Brender made a rather tempting suggestion.
"My lady. I hear the attendants will be having a light sparring session among themselves tomorrow morning."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. If you were to look in for a moment, I believe it would be excellent motivation for them."
"Me? Wouldn't I just be in the way?"
"Not in the least. If they know their future liege is watching in person, they'll give it everything they have."
"..."
Sien seemed to hesitate. She ran through tomorrow's schedule and found the morning was free.
"...Then perhaps I'll stop by. Just for a little while."