True Knight

A few days later, Joseph summoned the mercenaries once more. The ones who had been happily spending the decent amount of money they received as compensation had rushed to the mansion without delay when Joseph called. Of the nine who had participated in the previous training, one was a new recruit. 'Heh, I didn't expect everyone to come.' Joseph looked at the gathered mercenaries with a slight admiration, without any complaint. After all, he remembered that when he returned to the mansion, their expressions had not been particularly bright. 'They went through all the trouble because of that superstition.' Of course, the mercenaries had not completely shaken off their fear of the Cry Peepers. They still felt uneasy about the terrifying magical beast they had seen. But over the past few days, they had realized that spending the compensation money they received from Joseph was more important than that superstition. Money! Their eyes were already half-turned with anticipation.

"......I don't know why your faces are so gloomy, but this time we're not going to train like before."

Joseph explained the specific request to them. This time, they were going to exterminate the monsters in the northern part of Harbert Forest in earnest. The difference was that, unlike last time, the purpose was not training the private soldiers, but the spoils of the monsters themselves.

"So, we won't be able to hand over all the spoils like last time."

Upon hearing that, the mercenaries exchanged glances, checking each other's reactions. But, as expected, no one turned away after hearing that. After all, they knew that the spoils received last time were merely Joseph's goodwill. Complaining about a power holder's goodwill disappearing would be the act of a fool. Those fools would soon be hanged after gossiping about their superiors. Though it was a pity, they didn't show it. These guys were veteran mercenaries who had developed some sense of tact.

- Even if it's not that, this is a profitable business!

Rather, more of them thought this way. They had already received a large compensation from the Kerbe Merchant Guild. The fact that the compensation amount was large meant the request was dangerous. But what about last time. They went to Harbert Forest and didn't have a single death. At worst, one guy who got his ankle cut by a stray arrow. To these mercenaries, Joseph's request was an opportunity to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠earn a lot of money without much danger.

"Then, do you think there's no complaint?"

"Yes."

The mercenaries answered firmly. Joseph nodded at them. Then, he immediately ordered the private soldiers to start preparations for the extermination.

"We'll depart in ten days, so prepare before then."

"Understood!"

They immediately started discussing with the mercenaries. They were gathering information about the northern part of Harbert Forest and preparing equipment accordingly. 'Then, I guess I'll have some time to myself for once in a while.' The private soldiers would be busy with preparations, so it seemed Joseph would get some alone time.

While Joseph was preparing for the extermination, Givra was troubled by the frequent visits from merchants.

"Could you please let me meet with the mage once?"

"If you look at our goods, I'm sure..."

"I'm acquainted with the wife of a nobleman's son..."

Since Joseph's name became known, various merchants had been visiting the mansion whenever they got a chance. Recently, the number had increased even more after the Harbert Forest extermination.

"Master is busy, please come back later!"

Givra firmly blocked them. At first, Joseph had tried to hear them out a few times. After all, he thought one shouldn't treat guests carelessly. But Joseph, after a few conversations, instructed to send them all away from a certain point.

"If you don't have any properly useful information, don't talk to me."

These guys were all thinking about clinging to Joseph somehow, but none were presenting a deal that was worth it. Even Givra, who wasn't a proper merchant, could sense that. But even if Joseph refused, their desire didn't wane. There were direct visitors, and some who sent servants in rotation. There was even one who offered a bribe to Givra.

"Hey, as a low-ranking mercenary, do you think it's okay to block them like that?!"

Soon, some got angry. They knew Givra was a low-ranking mercenary who did warehouse security. But fortunately, such rudeness didn't last long.

Thud!

"Ahh!"

The guy who was causing trouble at the front gate got punched by the security mercenary's fist in an instant.

"If you want to die, go cause trouble somewhere else."

Caladon had some legal system, but it was all for the benefit of the power holders. And now Joseph was gradually entering the realm of those power holders. A mere merchant without proper backing complaining about injustice wouldn't change anything. The mercenaries knew this and swung their fists freely.

"Originally, anyone who enters someone else's house without permission is guilty of treason."

Unless they were a powerful person. Anyway, since this situation was repeated several times a day, Givra was gradually getting tired. 'It's fortunate that tramps aren't coming.' Joseph's mansion was in the middle-class area of Caladon, so tramps from lower classes couldn't easily approach. If beggars loitered around here, the passing security mercenaries would beat them with sticks for sure.

"...Mage-nim, do you have no intention of hiring a servant?"

The mercenary who was watching the guy cursing and running away asked Givra. He had only been doing security for Joseph's mansion for about ten days, but even he thought Givra's workload seemed high. Normally, a power holder's mansion has more than ten servants. As the power grew, one couldn't handle cleaning, property management, etc., alone. But this mage hadn't thought that far. In fact, he even cleaned his own room inexplicably. The other parts of the mansion were handled by private soldiers and mercenaries.

"..."

At that, Givra was at a loss for words. In fact, he was burdened. But he lacked the courage to say it comfortably to Joseph. 'It's the same as admitting I'm incompetent.' Like the private soldiers, he was guessing what Joseph was trying to make him do gradually. If his guess was correct, he would likely become the manager of this mansion. But if he starts complaining now... Joseph might be disappointed in him. Of course, he knew Joseph wasn't that simple. But still, it was hard to bring up the topic. 'Just in case!' Ultimately, Givra was doing this because of his own timidity.

"Well, we receive a decent compensation too. If you need anything more, let me know."

Givra sighed, and the mercenary said it was pitiful. His eyes, leading a mercenary squad, had roughly guessed why Givra was like that. But since he wasn't in a position to point it out, this was the limit of what he could do.

Just as the mercenary was about to leave, a carriage pulled by a bodyguard appeared at the crossroads in the distance. Givra reflexively turned his gaze there. Even from afar, the carriage looked high-quality. In Caladon, such carriages were usually ridden by powerful people. If someone was pulling such a carriage around here, it was likely to visit Joseph's mansion. And as expected, the carriage stopped in front of Joseph's mansion.

Givra quickly scanned the patterns on the carriage. 'Hey?! That's...!' Givra's eyes widened as he looked at the pattern. Two swords standing vertically. That was the crest of the noble who ruled this region, except Caladon. 'Favidea Family?!' Then, the carriage door opened. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And a man dressed in luxurious clothing stepped out, looking high-class at first glance. He approached the main gate with a natural, flowing movement.

"Is this the residence of the respected mage Joseph-nim?"

"Yes, yes. That's right."

Givra greeted back with tension. From his actions, it seemed he wasn't a noble. 'Nobles popping out would be a big problem!' Ordinary people couldn't face nobles unless it was a special occasion. Moreover, this was Caladon, a place somewhat distant from noble power. So, Givra had never seen nobles up close, let alone their servants. Upon Givra's answer, the man nodded and continued.

"I am Harry, the attendant of Sir Davier Favidea."

"...!"

Givra swallowed his saliva carefully.

"Servant of Sir Davier... um, yes. Please come in. I am the steward Givra of this mansion. What business do you have?"

Givra tried to answer as if not tense. Harry glanced at Givra's face and replied.

"I have come to deliver a letter from Sir Davier Favidea to the mage."

"A letter?"

He received the letter from Harry. Indeed, the letter was sealed with the Favidea family crest.

"I cannot explain the details, but Viscount Favidea, a noble knight and renowned noble, has been deeply impressed by the mage's outstanding reputation and achievements. I hope this letter conveys Viscount Favidea's sincerity to the mage."

"..."

The man named Harry poured out long words without stumbling once. His noble-like speech was so much that Givra had to mentally translate it once. 'It seems like he's just asking to deliver the letter...' Givra cleared his throat lightly and tried to answer similarly to Harry.

"I understand. I will deliver it to the master well. However, the master may be busy, so the reply might be late."

"Of course. We cannot be unaware of the mage's precious time. Then, I will take my leave."

A small smile appeared at the corner of Harry's mouth at Givra's stiff attitude. He boarded the carriage again after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hearing Givra's answer. Givra watched the carriage disappear beyond the crossroads and immediately ran inside to find Joseph right away.

"A noble sent a letter?"

"Yes, here..."

Joseph checked the letter. Indeed, the Favidea family crest was stamped on it. After living in Caladon for a few months, he could recognize it quickly. 'What is this?' He had expected some powerful person to visit him someday. But he didn't expect a noble to suddenly pop out in a merchant city. Joseph immediately broke the seal and read the letter.

'Wait, wait a minute...' Joseph put down the letter for a moment after reading that far. Reading the flowing sentences made his head hurt. 'Do nobles always write like this?' Thinking about it, Folmers and Ogier weren't like that. 'No, maybe if they send letters, it's like this...' Joseph pressed his brows and read the letter again. The first half of the letter was full of flattery praising himself and the Favidea family and Joseph. It was so burdensome that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Joseph's brows unconsciously wrinkled. Then, finally, in the second paragraph, he could find the main point.

In short, it meant he wanted to meet Joseph and talk. So, the letter was basically asking to meet Joseph.