Our Count Is Hot-Blooded
Our count really is more hot-blooded than I expected.
The faces of the adventurers heading toward the Hornst Baronry were bright. Even though their bodies were covered in wounds from the battle, they had ultimately claimed victory and successfully completed the request. The journey must have been incredibly difficult, because Alice—who had been careful not to speak a word the entire way—chattered away like a little sparrow.
“You were all incredibly amazing! Even the knights of my family wouldn’t be able to replicate the majesty you displayed!”
“You’re too kind.”
When Alice, who had watched our battle up close, praised us with genuine excitement, I could only smile awkwardly. Although the influence of Mystery and magic meant social status didn’t create huge gaps here, it would be troublesome if word got out that we were being compared to knights. Such praise should only be given to those who could actually defeat a knight.
“My lady. The baronry is now visible.”
“Oh! It really is!”
Thanks to Nighting smoothly changing the subject and ending Alice’s mindless flattery, we sent her a grateful look. The way she lifted the hem of her skirt with her fingertips in response was so elegant that one might mistake her for a noble daughter or a court lady rather than a maid. Even someone ignorant of noble etiquette would be impressed by how flawless her movements were. I marveled inwardly.
Both of them are completely different from their first impressions.
I had thought Alice would be taciturn and blunt, but she turned out to be surprisingly bold. And Nighting, who had seemed like an ordinary maid dragged along by Alice, clearly had many things hidden beneath the surface. Setting noble etiquette aside, if you looked closely at her hands, you could see cleverly concealed calluses. They weren’t the kind that came from hard labor, but rather those of a warrior. More precisely, they resembled the calluses of a hunter or ranger.
But the most suspicious thing was something I learned through Ratta.
“Kiiit.”
Ever since meeting Nighting, Ratta had refused to come out of my pocket. Perhaps the keen senses unique to animals that had awakened Mystery had picked up something from her, because Ratta was extremely wary of Nighting. At first I had suspected her because of it, but after witnessing her sincere loyalty toward Alice and the killing intent she directed at our pursuers during the journey, I dropped my doubts. Those kinds of emotions couldn’t be easily faked. At the very least, Nighting’s loyalty to Alice was genuine.
Having set my suspicions aside, I relaxed as I looked at the city drawing closer. At this point, even if a swarm of middle-aged pursuers came after us, they wouldn’t be able to catch us.
“Waaah…!”
“That is the city of Hornst.”
I chuckled softly as I watched Alice marvel at the grandeur of the massive walls unique to the North. She must not have been able to properly look around the North due to tension during the journey, because she stared at the walls she had seen several times already as if it were her first time. It made me realize just how truly relieved she felt.
Arash, walking beside me, gazed at the faintly visible walls and muttered.
“Looks like they’ve been waiting for us over there too.”
“Of course they would. His beloved daughter’s child has come to visit.”
Soldiers atop the walls were aiming their bows in our direction. In front of the enormous gates stood a massive elderly man, and behind him were a middle-aged man who looked similar and knights wearing armor made from monster materials.
“……”
As the distance closed, I could feel an intimidating aura that could not be ignored radiating from the front. Is that the presence of the Edenberg Countship’s vanguard commander? The dense mana emanating from him made it hard to even breathe. I swallowed dryly and glanced sideways at Alice, who was smiling innocently.
“Aah! I can see Grandfather over there!”
“……”
Even Nighting standing beside her had turned deathly pale, yet Alice was beaming without a clue. Was he pressuring us to show off his skill? Or was he barely holding back his rage? Either way, it was terrifying. When we finally arrived in front of the gates, the elderly man—who had been staring at us with emotionless eyes—gathered his energy.
“Huu…”
“Puhah!”
It had been getting difficult to breathe, so I was grateful. Seeing the middle-aged man and knights behind the elder also relax their expressions, it seemed they had struggled to endure it as well.
After a brief silence, the elder spoke.
“I apologize. This old man has acted disgracefully—pressing you warriors who broke through an ambush with intimidation instead of offering a warm welcome.”
“It is only natural when it concerns family.”
“We do not mind.”
“Rather, this feels more like a true warrior. I like it.”
Our witty replies to the elder—Hornst’s—apology eased the tense atmosphere. While the soldiers on the walls put away their bows, Baron Hornst thumped his chest with his fist.
“I offer my gratitude for your hard work.”
When the family of the person we had been escorting showed us the warrior’s salute, we responded in kind by striking our chests.
“We pay our respects to the sacrifices of the great warriors.”
The nobles of the North were warriors who carried out their duties more diligently than anyone. Knowing roughly what the front lines were like, we offered them the highest praise for their sacrifices. Hornst’s expression softened slightly at our greeting.
“It is thanks to warriors like you that I can fight on the front lines with peace of mind.”
After receiving silent thanks from Hornst’s son and knights, we took a step back. Alice, accompanied by Nighting, stood before Hornst and swallowed hard. She wasn’t a fool. She had sensed something strange while listening to the exchange. Realizing that everyone around her was treating the situation as if facing an absolute powerhouse—and that she alone had been unaware—she pulled herself together.
The Hornst before her now was not her grandfather, but the baron who protected the North. Steadying her slightly trembling body, she gracefully lowered herself to one knee in greeting.
“It is an honor to meet you, Baron Hornst. I am from the Seraris Viscounty…”
“Where did you throw away all the spirit you showed on the way here?”
“…Pardon?”
But her greeting failed from the very beginning. Hornst clicked his tongue in disapproval as he looked down at Alice.
“Just what were you thinking, coming all the way here?”
“Ah… that is…”
“Did you even understand what kind of repercussions your reckless actions would bring before you did it?”
It was getting hard to breathe. It felt as if something heavy had settled on my shoulders. As pressure poured out from her grandfather, Alice finally understood why everyone else’s reactions had seemed so strange. They had been enduring this aura head-on the entire time. Overwhelmed by an oppressive presence that made the monsters of the Central region seem laughable, Alice couldn’t say a word. Her uncle behind her grandfather was mouthing something to give her a hint, but her mind had gone completely blank and she couldn’t understand it.
Seeing her frozen and unable to do anything, her grandfather’s gaze grew even colder.
“Tsk. It seems Honelia and that son-in-law of mine raised their child poorly.”
“……Ugh.”
Hearing her parents insulted finally snapped her back to her senses, but her mouth wouldn’t open. She clenched her fists, trying to refute the insult to her parents, but the overwhelming pressure crushed her entire body and her faint courage vanished.
I have to say something… what should I say…!
The self-loathing of being unable to do anything while her parents were insulted right in front of her consumed her. Just as she was about to lower her head in fear of her grandfather’s unrelenting gaze—
“Kiiit!”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, the sky squirrel that had climbed onto her body raised both paws high and threatened her grandfather. Crackle! Sparks flew as the cute little squirrel resisted the oppressive aura. Only then did Alice’s vision clear. Nighting, who had followed her, was holding her hand from the side. The adventurers who had escorted her were subtly scattering mana from behind to help her regain her composure. Even her uncle and the knights behind Hornst were offering encouragement with their eyes.
When so many people proved that Alice’s choice had not been wrong, she straightened her lowered knee and stared boldly at Hornst.
“When it comes to saving my family and my house, is there any reason to worry about means and methods?”
“Oh?”
Hornst’s eyebrows twitched at Alice’s words. It seemed her resistance pleased him, as he gave her a look that said, Go on, let’s hear it. With a whatever, let’s just go for it attitude, Alice shouted.
“The political relationship between the Central region and the North? What does that matter? Did some politically inconvenient relationship ever say it would save my viscounty?”
“Because you came to the North, the North has gained justification to intervene in the Central region. The Central region will surely pull all sorts of tricks in response.”
“What does that have to do with me? My family is more important!”
“Ooh.”
Admiring gasps came from behind at Alice’s cry. But Alice and Hornst paid them no mind and continued their exchange.
“Very well. Let’s say I extend a hand of salvation for your viscounty. Then what will you give me in return for enduring the gaze of the Central Empire’s high nobles?”
“I will pay any price! If I must, I’ll spend the rest of my life as a battlefield mage for the baronry!”
Alice panted after raising her voice to the end, revealing her determination. She had expended a great deal of mental energy to overcome the pressure, and sweat poured down her entire body, but she glared at Hornst without concern. Her previously timid demeanor was gone, replaced by a bold attitude that made the corners of Hornst’s mouth curl up slightly.
“Yes! That’s it!”
“Eh?”
“You are far more pleasing now than at the beginning!”
Finally, Alice received Hornst’s approval.
“You have grown into a fine warrior! The request of a young warrior who risked danger for her family and came all the way here is more precious than any monster material!”
“Does that mean…?”
“If you had asked for help as the youngest daughter of the Seraris Viscounty, I would have refused. But right now, you have come as a warrior worried for her family! I will lead my warriors and help you!”
That was the same as the Hornst Baronry promising to send reinforcements to the Seraris Viscounty. As Alice’s face gradually brightened, Hornst lifted her up and set her on his shoulder.
“You rascal! You’ve grown so splendidly in just a few years! It feels like only yesterday that I folded the waist of that son-in-law who stole your mother!”
“Mother told me about it! She said Father really thought he was going to die back then!”
As I watched the two of them transform into a heartwarming(?) family scene, I let out a sigh of relief. Cold sweat poured down my forehead like a waterfall. I really thought I was going to suffocate to death just watching.
“Whew. That was dangerous.”
“Kiii…”
“You worked hard. When we get back, I’ll give you a mountain of nuts.”
I stroked Ratta, who was returning completely exhausted. If I hadn’t asked Ratta to snap her out of it, Alice would have been crushed on the spot. Her boldness had actually caught us off guard, but since the baron seemed so pleased, it was all for the best.
One might wonder if it was acceptable for outside help to be involved in earning the baron’s recognition, but that was a completely meaningless worry.
They already finished preparing to march.
The knights hadn’t come out in front of the gates for nothing. If we hadn’t arrived in time, the baron would have led his knight order straight into the Central region himself. And he would have killed every single person involved in his granddaughter’s death—whether they were nobles or commoners.
The reason he had waited at the entrance for hours wasn’t just to protect his granddaughter when she arrived. It was also to scold her himself and shield her from outside forces. If another faction tried to hold Alice accountable, he could use the excuse that Baron Hornst had already disciplined her. That was why Hornst had treated her sternly even while knowing it might break her spirit, and why he hadn’t stopped us from trying to help her. As long as he secured the justification that he had already scolded her, that was enough. With so many people as witnesses, anyone who wished her harm would have to defeat Hornst first.
The more I thought about it, the more impressed I became by the meticulous measures. I clicked my tongue in admiration.
“His love for family is incredible. It’s a wonder he didn’t lose his mind the moment he heard the news and rush out immediately.”
The reason Baron Hornst, who loved his family so dearly, had waited in front of the gates was because of the relationship between the Central region and the North. It was his final loyalty to his lord, the count, and to the owner of the North, the grand duke. As a knight and a noble, he had clung to the last thread of reason and endured. But if the situation had worsened, he would have cast aside all titles and marched on the Central region as a single warrior.
Knowing this, the middle-aged man and the knights let out sighs of relief and patted my shoulder.
“I am Horeyten. Thanks to you all, we managed to stop Father from losing his mind.”
“Not at all. Even if we had failed, Sir Horeyten would have stopped him, right?”
“What are you saying? If our Alice had died, of course they would have to pay the price.”
“Pardon?”
“From the beginning, everyone here came prepared to die.”
Of course, they weren’t exactly normal either. Horeyten wore an expression full of pride.
“We left behind only the minimum force needed to maintain the family and gathered everyone here. At the very least, we need to wipe out ten noble houses involved in this incident for the exchange rate to make sense.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Anyway, even if I die, I have a splendid son to succeed me, so I wasn’t worried about that. Thanks to you, that worry has completely disappeared.”
At Horeyten’s sincere words, I kept my mouth shut. Sometimes it was best not to say anything. Seeing not only Horeyten but also the knights nodding as if it were obvious, I made a strange face.
Am I the weird one here?
Was it because of my past-life memories that I lacked the sensibility of Northerners? As I seriously pondered this, a sudden question came to mind.
“But if we head to the Central region so recklessly, won’t that cause problems? The nobles there won’t just sit still.”
It was a valid question. No matter how much weaker the Central region’s forces were compared to the North, nobles were still nobles. Considering their hidden power, there was no guarantee that a mere baron’s forces could safely reach the Seraris Viscounty.
“Ah, that? Well…”
Since it was a natural question, Horeyten nodded in understanding and opened his mouth to explain—
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Before he could, Hornst, who had slipped in between us, answered instead.
“I have already received permission from His Excellency the Count. I cannot entrust my family to those idiots who can’t even handle their own territory properly.”
Yeah. I really did lack the sensibility of a Northerner.
The fact that they had received the Edenberg Count’s permission meant the count stood behind the baron. Aside from the Libertas Grand Duchy that ruled the North, the protection of Count Edenberg—who ranked among the top five powers—was no different from the protection of an entire kingdom. Perhaps even the Libertas Grand Duchy was watching this situation.
While I was pondering whether I had gotten myself involved in something far more dangerous and complicated than I thought, Hornst looked around at the gathered troops and shouted.
“The Central region cannot stop us! We will simply crush every single worthless thing that stands in Hornst’s way and advance!”
"""WAAAAAAAAAH!!!"""
At Hornst’s shout, everyone around us erupted in cheers. From the momentum alone, it seemed they wouldn’t forgive even nobles who stood in their way.
Wait, is that really okay? Isn’t this basically an invasion?
“Didn’t I tell you?”
Hornst, who had somehow heard the words I unconsciously muttered, grinned.
“I received ‘full’ permission from His Excellency the Count.”
At the confident baron’s words, I could only shut my mouth. Our count really is more hot-blooded than I expected.