Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Noble Lady
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Nobles require extensive preparations when traveling to another territory. Especially if it's a count who governs an entire domain.
When the Lady last went to Sarisa Count's territory, she had gone as a war commander, so she simply rode with the army. But this time, it was for negotiations, so she couldn't just ride off on horseback without a care.
Nobles must maintain their dignity. At least in the eyes of commoners and tenant farmers. They need to show a level of grandeur that makes people think, "The noble lords truly have different blood running through their veins!" Only then can the territory remain stable.
"Hey! Move it faster!"
First, a carriage is needed. Along with silk, clothing, donation silver and gold coins, spices, hunting dogs, horses, servants, and more. One might wonder why silk or spices are necessary, or what these donation coins are for, but these were all items prepared under the Lady's meticulous calculations.
"Have the jesters been summoned?"
"Yes! We've gathered only the very best of the best!"
Servants, maids, butlers—no, everyone in the count's household was rushing about busily. Even the knights. Of course, from their perspective, it was frantic scurrying, but to commoners, it probably just looked like dignified strolling.
In any case, the jesters suddenly summoned to the mansion were showing off in the garden with fire shows and juggling, which only made the already chaotic interior even more disorderly.
"The Lady said we'll be traveling with the minimal personnel this time. And we've been selected for that glorious duty."
"Hooray!"
The swordsmen cheered in unison at my words. Joining a noble's procession to another territory as escorts meant good fortune would come their way too.
To display the family's prestige, lavish donations of silver and gold coins, along with all sorts of daily necessities, would be handed out generously. Even pocketing a portion would let them grope whores' asses to their heart's content.
"But when do we depart, sir?"
One of the cheering swordsmen, a guy named Gail, scratched his head and asked. No doubt he planned to procrastinate until the last minute before polishing his gear. I smacked him on the head and said,
"Prepare so we can leave at any moment. If there's even a speck of dust on your equipment when we depart..."
"Understood!"
I didn't need to finish; the swordsmen shouted back smartly and began tending to their gear.
"Brother! Waaah!"
The moment I entered the tavern, Cutter grabbed my pant leg and clung to me, bawling. What the hell was this about now? But after hearing his story, I could somewhat understand.
Cutter had gone on a village request to exterminate bandits, but there was a monster among them, and he'd barely survived. Still, after crying it out, he laughed about how half his party died, doubling the reward. The guy wasn't right in the head.
More importantly, a "monster" among them... Probably an elite swordsman type. But no one survives a group beating. That swordsman must've been pummeled by the mercenaries until his armor was stripped off. Who knows, the ale Cutter was drinking right now might even be paid for by that gear.
"I'll cover today, Brother. Drink up!"
Cutter laughed heartily as he said it. But I hadn't come to drink. It was for something else.
"Cutter."
"Yes, Brother."
"Ever thought about quitting the mercenary life?"
Cutter burst out laughing at my words.
"Haha! Brother! If a mercenary doesn't mercenary, what does he live on? You telling me to take up farming now?"
He'd been feeding his family with mercenary work, so money had him on a short leash; quitting wasn't easy.
"No, I meant something bigger. Want to try your hand at real work."
"Bigger...? Like what...?"
"I'll take you as my squire. Learn the sword under me."
Someone might say what squire from a mere vanguard swordsman captain, but becoming a noble lately taught me something. Nobles must uphold dignity. Even if not needed now, someday.
For that, I need someone to attend me, run errands... And Cutter came to mind.
Among mercenaries—who are like a prison gift set of misfits—he's top-tier. At least he doesn't stab comrades in the back.
"I'll pay you from my salary. I get 6 crowns now... How about 1 crown?"
First hearing my pay, one might call it stingy, but my salary could feed a family of four for four months with change left over. Plus, room and board at the count's mansion means low expenses.
But recruiting Cutter might mean getting my own place soon.
"Ahem... Mercenary work pays more, you know, Brother...?"
"That's why I'm saying think of the future. How long can you live off mercenary gigs?"
Mercenary life is unstable. No jobs? Wander. Die in a gutter from a blade anytime. The upside? Score big, drown in booze and whores. But they never forget they're mercenaries.
"Heh..."
Cutter grinned.
"Let's give it a shot. Brother—no, can't call you that anymore? My lord? What should I call you...?"
"Just Baron Lucas in public. Brother in private."
Cutter bowed his head to the ground before me.
"Looking forward to it, Brother!"
I'd taken him as my squire. He was a bit old for it... But hell, I'm no knight, just a vanguard swordsman captain. Whatever.
"Hey! Move that over here!"
"Is the Lady's dress ready?"
The next day, the mansion was still bustling. Cutter, following me, gawked around like a country bumpkin in the city for the first time.
"This is your room."
Upon becoming vanguard swordsman captain, I got a room with a tiny attached storage space I never used. Perfect for Cutter. Better to have him close for attending me.
"Unpack and stand by. We'll buy clothes soon."
Leaving Cutter, I headed straight to the Lady's study to report my new squire. If she disapproved, I'd have to evict him.
But the study, usually occupied by the Lady, was empty.
"Oh? Baron Lucas?"
A passing maid saw me waiting and approached with a knowing smile.
"Here to see the Lady?"
"Do you know where she is?"
"She's in her room. Headache over the dress. If you're waiting, why not the parlor? I'll inform her."
"...Thanks."
Another maid guided me to the parlor—huge enough for two of my rooms. Luxurious sofas, ornate walls, and portraits of important-looking folks.
"That painting is Count Cligrove... And..."
Two massive portraits dominated the wall: one a dour man with dull blond hair and blue eyes, the other a lady with golden blond and turquoise eyes. Similar features, yet they looked nothing alike. Not like father and daughter.
Wonder where the count is. Heard he's unwell, but vanishing entirely is odd. Lost in thought gazing at them, the parlor door opened. And there stood the beautiful lady from the painting.
"Ahem... Staring like that is no way to treat a lady."
Caught off-guard by her unfamiliar look, I'd been staring blankly. She smiled, eyes crinkling like crescent moons.
Her dress wasn't medieval—more Renaissance rococo. Voluminous and dazzling. Definitely a corset underneath.
Hair neatly braided up simply yet elegantly, giving a fresh country noble vibe. Her pale, smooth skin dusted pink, cheeks shyly flushed.
More surprising: despite the corset, her upper silhouette was unchanged from usual.
"A dress imported from the Bourbon Empire. The maid said one like this could feed commoners for ten years."
"Impressive. You look stunning, my lady."
"Uh... Ahem! Thank you. First time hearing that from you, Sir."
Rococo style, but no puffed skirt. No panniers for volume. Rococo mishmash, basically.
To me, it balanced flair and naturalness perfectly, but she kept glancing down, dissatisfied. She peeked at me and spoke.
"Such a waste. Could've built another bridge in the territory with that money."
Not a design issue, then.
"Maintaining noble dignity benefits the territory too. I knew a noble who wore each dress once and never again."
"Really?"
Her eyes widened. Even she was shocked by such absurd extravagance.
"Come to think of it, I've heard capital nobles live lavishly. Never been there myself."
Forgetting my purpose amid chit-chat—mostly me embellishing Earth tales—I recalled Cutter only much later.
After Edward entered the parlor, actually. Guess talking with her was fun.
Edward froze at her sight like he'd been stunned, then recovered. When his gaze hit me, his face hardened.
"My lady."
"What is it, Sir Edward?"
"Preparations are nearly complete. We could depart as early as tomorrow."
"I see. Good work. Return once done."
At her dismissal, Edward glanced at me before leaving. Alone now, she eyed her empty teacup and sighed.
"I should go too. But why did you seek me? I heard you were looking."
Nearly an hour of parlor talk, now to business. I explained Cutter: took him as squire, homeless, could he stay in the mansion?
Expecting issues with his mercenary past, she approved readily.
"But... You should get a house soon too. A noble needs a proper home, no?"
"Haven't even gotten my first paycheck yet..."
"Don't worry. I'll lend you the money. Pay back slowly."