A Sudden Visit from the Uncaring
"Business? What business?"
"Just know that we will need your help when we start our business. I will explain the details later, so for now, just focus on the request I've given you."
"...Understood."
Franche Decartes rose from her seat.
"You know who I am, correct? Send a carrier pigeon to the estate the moment you gather any information."
"Fine."
Having concluded our business, we left the room. Even as we walked out, I could feel Seldas's wary gaze burning into our backs. Ignoring it, we exited the tavern.
The moment we stepped outside, Helena began to tremble violently.
"We must return immediately! If the Young Duke finds out about this...!"
"Stop making a fuss. That man doesn't have the slightest interest in the Lady."
"Pardon...?" Helena tilted her head, utterly bewildered.
"Never mind that. Let's just head back."
As we made our way back to the Decartes Ducal Residence, Franche spoke up.
"By the way, who is this Cazar Uplain? And what was all that talk about a business?"
"Cazar Uplain is an indispensable figure for when you begin learning magic, my Lady. As for the business, I will explain everything in due time."
"You aren't plotting something strange behind my back, are you?"
"It is all for your sake, my Lady, so I assure you there is nothing strange about it."
Franche continued to eye me with deep suspicion. I maintained a perfectly shameless composure. In times like this, silence was the best policy.
"Fine. I suppose you know what you are doing."
Of course. I will handle everything perfectly, so all you have to do is follow my curriculum.
Still, I hope we can find Cazar Uplain quickly.
The reason I was looking for her was simple: her magical talent was peerless. In this ridiculous Rofanso world overrun by useless male leads, she was one of the few genuinely competent individuals. Recruiting Cazar Uplain was essential for my future plans. The same went for Seldas, whom we had just met.
So far, everything is going smoothly.
Once Franche mastered magic and the business I envisioned became a massive success, we would be within arm's reach of our ultimate goal. When that happened, this Slave Brand binding me would finally be broken. I would regain my freedom, and Franche would be spared her tragic fate. It was a flawless plan, and I couldn't help but nod in self-satisfaction.
"What are you thinking about that has you smiling like that?"
"I was simply reminiscing about the past, my Lady."
"Your days in the kingdom?"
"Ah... yes. Let's go with that."
Suddenly, Franche's expression grew somber.
"Memories that can now only be relived in your mind..."
What was this? Why was I the one receiving sympathy? Frankly, I didn't care much about the Barenberg Kingdom. I wasn't the real Jin Barenberg, after all. Besides, even the real Jin probably hadn't harbored any lingering attachments to his fallen homeland. If he had, why would he have abandoned all thoughts of rebuilding the kingdom after Franche's death?
Given the nature of this game, they easily could have included it as an Easter egg or a sub-quest.
Instead, he had appeared as the final boss. Was that also related to Franche? My train of thought was cut short as we arrived back at the Decartes Ducal Residence.
"Well, I shall slip back through the gap in the iron bars. I leave Helena to you."
"Yes."
Wait, shouldn't Helena be the one squeezing through the bars, while Franche gets carried over by me? This seems backward.
Well, she can do as she pleases. I decided to respect her choice.
"Alright, Helena. Hold on tight."
"Y-Yes, of course!"
I hoisted Helena over my shoulder and leaped. Clearing the three-meter-high iron fence with ease, I landed with a soft *thud*. A flawless landing. Fortunately, there was no one nearby.
Looking back, I saw Franche squeezing through the gap in the bars hidden among the bushes. She looked like a little squirrel, which was rather amusing.
"What are you staring at?" Franche tilted her head, brushing the dirt off her dress.
"It is nothing, my Lady."
"But how much longer do you intend to hold Helena?"
"Ah." I quickly set Helena down.
"Now, Helena. You remember what I told you, right?"
"Y-Yes, of course!"
"If you don't want to be reported as missing, you had better behave."
"Absolutely! I-I will take my leave now!" With a hasty bow, Helena fled, her face pale with terror. She still managed to bow before running off. What a peculiar girl.
Franche narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
"The way you look at her is rather suspicious. Have you developed feelings for her?"
"Of course not, my Lady."
"Just because she is my personal maid and you are my personal knight does not mean you two are allowed to become close. Understood?"
Why? We could just be friendly.
"May I... ask the reason why?"
"No. It is an order, so just obey."
"Ah, yes." Well, if it was an order, I had no choice.
"Let us head inside, my Lady. It would be best for you to change your clothes."
"Yes, I must. Squeezing through those bushes made quite a mess of my dress."
Just as Franche and I approached the entrance of the mansion, the front gates swung open. Instinctively, I scooped Franche into my arms and ducked into a blind spot.
"What is it? What's happening?"
"Someone has arrived."
"Is that any reason to hide like this?"
"One can never be too careful, my Lady."
I narrowed my eyes to see who had entered. It was Eden Descartes. The moment he stepped inside, he questioned the Head Butler, who had rushed out to greet him.
—Is Franche Descartes in her room?
—Yes, she is in her quarters.
—I must see her immediately. What is her personal maid doing?
—She has not been seen for a short while, so she is likely inside the room with her.
—I see. I shall head up at once.
Why is that bastard suddenly looking for Franche?
The silver lining was that we had returned just as Eden Descartes arrived. The disaster, however, was that we hadn't actually made it back to her room yet.
We're screwed. I turned to Franche.
"Lord Eden has returned."
"And? What of it?"
"He is heading straight to your room to see you."
"What? Why would he want to see me?"
"It is likely regarding the broken engagement."
Franche began to tremble with anxiety.
"What do we do? To get back inside, we have to use the main entrance..."
"Hmm." I looked up, scanning the mansion. Franche's room was on the second floor, and her window was wide open. Jumping up there wouldn't be a problem. However, the conditions were tricky. Eden Descartes had just entered, meaning there were too many eyes around, and the distance from here to her room was considerable.
Franche stared at me, her emerald eyes shaking with fear.
"If he finds out I snuck out again, he will place me under house arrest."
In her panic, she began to bite her thumbnail. I gently pulled her hand away from her mouth.
"Do not worry, my Lady. There is a way."
"A way?"
"Though it might make you a bit dizzy."
"What on earth are you planning to do?"
I swept Franche off her feet, cradling her in a bridal carry.
"What do you think you are—!"
"Shh. They might hear you."
I watched Eden Descartes. He opened the front doors and stepped inside. Given the urgency of his business, he would head straight to Franche's room the moment he shed his overcoat. It would take him less than five minutes.
"Hold on tight, my Lady."
"What are you going to—?"
"We are going at the speed of a Sword Master."
"What...?"
"Hold on tight, and close your eyes."
Tight. The muscles in my calves and thighs expanded, and the air around us grew heavy. Cradling Franche close to my chest, I slammed my foot into the ground.
Boom! The ground cracked beneath my feet as my body shot forward like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, we reached the mansion. Even in that split second, I scanned our surroundings. The servants tending to the gardens and working outside were already rushing toward the source of the explosive noise. Taking advantage of the distraction, I scaled the wall and slipped through the open window.
Thud. A light landing. It was a flawless success. I looked down at Franche. She had her eyes squeezed shut, her face buried deep in my chest.
"We have arrived, my Lady."
"What...?" Franche opened her eyes and looked around. It was indeed her room.
"How did you do that...?"
"Nothing is impossible for a Sword Master."
"Unbelievable..."
I gently set her down on the floor. The moment her feet touched the ground, her knees buckled, and she lost her balance. I quickly caught her by the arm to steady her.
"Ah... thank you."
"It was nothing."
Franche held her head as she regained her footing, clearly dizzy from the high-speed transit. "Phew... Is Helena at the door?"
"Shall I go check?"
"Wait. Before that, I need to change my clothes. Clean up the floor first."
"Understood. But do you not require a maid's assistance to change?"
"I have simpler clothes that are easy to move in, so it is fine."
"Yes, my Lady." Just as I was about to open the door and step out, I heard voices.
—Open the door.
—Ah... well... Young Duke...
Eden Descartes had already reached the door. Helena was stuttering, desperately trying to buy us some time. I looked back. Dirt and dust still littered the floor, and Franche was only just pulling out her clothes.
I need to buy more time. I had to trust Helena to hold him off while I cleaned up the dirt. With Eden Descartes's sharp eyes, there was no way he would miss it. It wasn't just ordinary dust; it was blatantly soil from the garden.
—Why are you not opening the door? Has Franche gone somewhere?
—No, it is not that, but...
—Then open it. My time is precious.
—Well, you see...
Alright, just a little longer. I quickly swept the dirt into a corner with my hands. As I did, Franche spoke up.
"Do not turn around."
"Pardon?"
"I am changing my clothes right now, so do not dare turn around."
"Ah, yes, my Lady."
Is this really the time to worry about that? I'm literally panicking trying to clean up this dirt. I hurriedly scooped up the soil, tossed it out the window, and wiped my hands with Franche's handkerchief on the table.
"I am done. Open the door."
"Yes, my Lady." *Click.* I opened the door. Outside, Eden Descartes and Helena were in the middle of a tense standoff.
"What is the matter? We heard a commotion outside and opened the door."
"So you were inside. Then why did you not open the door immediately?"
"Ah... well..." Helena looked at me with a face that was on the verge of tears. What? Why are you looking at me like that? Staring at me won't solve anything.
Still, I suppose I should cover for her a bit. I spoke to Eden Descartes.
"It seems Helena is still new to her duties and was flustered. I would be grateful if you could overlook her mistake with your usual generosity."
Eden Descartes narrowed his eyes and glared at me coldly.
"You often seem to forget your place. Have you forgotten that you are a slave?"
"Not at all. I have simply grown somewhat close to Helena, and I merely wished to spare her from your anger."
He clicked his tongue in disapproval but stepped past me. "I am going in."
"Yes, my Lord." I followed behind him. Franche, now dressed in fresh attire, was seated at the table.
"Young Duke? To what do I owe this visit?"
"I have just returned from settling the matter of your broken engagement with the Persia Duke Estate."
"And what did you discuss?"
Eden Descartes sat down across from Franche.
"First, we reclaimed the mining business that the Decartes family had previously transferred to them. Since the broken engagement was unilateral, I also extracted substantial damages. Furthermore, I demanded additional compensation for the insult they dealt to the Decartes name."
All he's talking about is how much money he squeezed out of the Persia family. Just how much did he extort from them?
"That is good news. However, I doubt that is the sole reason you have sought me out personally."
"There is another matter I must convey to you."
Eden reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed letter.
"I have brought a compiled list of your new marriage prospects."