Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Fortress City (1) - Bardi Count
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1.
"Guards!"
Soldiers were standing guard at the entrance to the Fortress City. Their presence meant the city was at least safe.
"Lady Amelia, it's dangerous."
Amelia was fidgeting restlessly atop the carriage, and Anne tried to stop her from beside her. But her excitement was beyond control.
"The city's intact, Anne!"
"That's truly a relief."
All the women in the carriage beamed with smiles. It was a situation that called for joy.
'More surprising than anything.'
Combining what I was seeing with my own eyes and Anne's description, it was honestly hard to believe the Fortress City had survived.
After all, population density was the most critical factor in this crisis.
'And yet it survived, so there must be some capable people around.'
"Halt!"
The carriage came to an abrupt stop at the soldier's shout. Guards approached slowly, weapons drawn.
"I don't know your reason for coming here, but Count Bardi has ordered that no one be allowed into the city. Turn back."
"Count Bardi!"
Amelia lit up at his words, looking just like an excited young girl. She composed her expression for a moment before preparing to step out of the carriage.
"Even if we're from the Bardi family?"
"What kind of—"
As the soldier started to retort, Amelia and Anne stepped out. Curious about the reaction, I poked my head out too.
"Hmm?"
They squinted at the two women, then their eyes darted back and forth. Soon, their pupils dilated massively.
"L-Lady?"
They seemed to know Amelia. The surrounding soldiers hurriedly bowed their heads.
"I never dreamed I'd see you again like this."
"Same here. I'd love to catch up, but I have something urgent right now. Could we go in first?"
"Of course! Open the gates!!!"
Faces of soldiers appeared beyond the distant walls. The drawbridge slowly lowered, connecting the path.
'Fascinating.'
I'd never seen a gate like this before, so it was intriguing in every way.
"You may enter. The Count is waiting!"
"Thank you."
She smiled and climbed back into the carriage. It proceeded slowly along the wide bridge into the city.
The interior was surprisingly ordinary. Near the gate were battlements and stairs leading up the walls, followed by roads lined with buildings stretching out.
'Doesn't seem in great shape.'
A foul smell hung over the main street, and not a soul was in sight. Faces peering from house windows suggested citizens were still around, though.
"What on earth happened here? It was such a vibrant city when I left."
She had picked up on the mood too, scanning the surroundings with a worried expression.
The carriage continued up the road. Soon, another gate blocked our way. Nearby knights and soldiers approached with weapons ready.
"State your business."
These soldiers were on high alert from the start. But that vigilance melted away in an instant.
"Lady!"
As soon as Amelia poked her head out and greeted them, their eyes softened like melting snow. They exchanged brief greetings before opening the gate.
Passing the second wall, the scenery shifted again. Unlike the previous district, the roads and interior felt different. Most striking was the massive central keep.
'The structure's really solid.'
It was a fortress in the truest sense.
"I'll go see Father first, so take care of Hanson, Anne."
The carriage stopped in front of the mansion, and Amelia hurried off, not even waiting for Anne's reply.
"Does this mean the contract's complete?"
I asked Anne as we unloaded the luggage. She nodded while watching from the side.
"Probably. This is Lady Amelia's family home. Things will be chaotic for now, so stay at the mansion and wait."
"Got it."
I hadn't expected payment right away anyway. And when else would I get to stay in a mansion like this?
"Let's head in. You two, follow me."
I followed Anne into the mansion. A knight at the entrance bowed to her upon seeing her. It hit me anew that she was a knight.
"Welcome, Lady Anne. We've heard everything from the Young Lady, so no need for explanations."
Inside, an elderly man greeted us. His attire and speech marked him as the butler managing the place.
"Saves us the hassle. See to it, then."
"Yes, sir."
The butler spoke briefly with the maids. They bowed to us and vanished down the hall.
"What will you do, Lady Anne?"
"The long carriage ride has left me stiff. Can you prepare a bath?"
"We'll send a maid as soon as it's ready."
"Good."
"Then, Master Hanson, please follow me. I'll assign you a room."
"See you later, then."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Nice.'
Even the village stay had felt luxurious before. But this was on another level entirely.
From the food to the clothes and half-baths. It was the pinnacle of luxury.
'Definitely came to the right place.'
Even if I'd stuck with Karoi and won, I'd never get treatment like this. That's what nobles were.
"Feeling okay?"
I was heading to the dining hall to meet Count Bardi. I'd run into Anne midway, and we were walking together. She was dressed up too.
"Hm. Among the knights I've seen, you're the best."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Those guys show up to banquets in full armor—they're idiots. Or they wear flashy, weird outfits... Tsk."
It wasn't that I was great; it was that the other knights were such morons that I got high marks by comparison.
"More importantly, what's Count Bardi like?"
"Well, you'll see from the Young Lady, but he's a good man. Rose from the bottom to nobility, so no arrogance about blue blood."
"That's a relief."
"Still, mind your manners. He might like you, but he's merciless with rudeness."
"Obviously."
We finished talking and stopped before the door. I straightened my clothes and asked Anne.
"This really okay?"
"I said it is. And didn't Barrett dress you from head to toe?"
"Yeah."
"Then what's the problem? Or wait."
She smirked and spoke.
"Are you nervous?"
"Yeah, I am. Who wouldn't be tense meeting a noble?"
"A man fearless with sword and blood, scared of a noble. You're no knight material."
"Never wanted to be. Let's just go in."
Better to face the Count than get mocked first.
"Fine, let's go. Open the door."
The maid bowed and turned the handle. A large banquet hall appeared, filled with quite a few people, but not as lavish as expected.
"This normal?"
I leaned in and whispered; Anne stepped back, face flushing.
"What are you doing?"
"Didn't want to look too much like a mercenary. Was that bad?"
"...It's fine. Anyway, you asked if this is normal?"
"Yeah."
She composed herself and replied.
"Normally, it's far more splendid. A count's status isn't low, and House Bardi is prominent in the east."
"So they toned it down on purpose."
"Yes."
This was still beyond what commoners could imagine. I just wasn't impressed due to memories from my past life.
"Let's greet the Count first."
I swallowed hard and nodded.
Crossing the hall, I spotted Amelia chatting and laughing far off. Next to her was a middle-aged man with a short beard. Even standing still, he exuded refinement.
'Just a neighborhood uncle?'
Without the face, he could've been the hardware store guy from my old life in Korea. That thought eased my tension instantly.
"Greetings, Count Bardi."
Anne approached and knelt fully. The epitome of a knight's courtesy.
'Do I have to do that?'
As I awkwardly pondered bending a knee, the Count waved it off.
"No need for that here. Young mercenary, you too."
I straightened up at his words. Men behind glared fiercely, but I ignored them. What could I do if the Count said so?
"Right. Lady Anne, my daughter told me much. You endured greatly."
"No, sir. It was my duty as her knight."
"I'll reward you properly later."
His gaze shifted to me.
"And young mercenary. I heard your story from her too. A blood contract between you two?"
"Yes."
"Contract complete upon reaching home. So it lingers because of unpaid reward. Correct?"
"Yes."
"These matters shouldn't drag. Speak now—what do you want as payment?"
'Right here?'
A prickling sensation made me glance around—everyone was watching. Realizing that, I understood the Count's intent.
'To pressure me.'
Any other mercenary would falter and ask little or decline. Even if they spoke, it'd be modest.
'What a fox in bear's clothing.'
Far more politically savvy than the hardware uncle. No wonder he'd risen so high.
'Reward...'
Whatever I said, House Bardi had to pay up. Otherwise, they'd lose their just-returned daughter.
'What would benefit me most without offending the Count?'
I pondered briefly, then spoke.
"What I want is..."