Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: You Can't Judge a Person by Their Appearance Alone (4)
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The Harkur Marquisate had been led by Sain Harkur, the eldest son of the late Marquis Harkur, ever since the marquis passed away two years ago.
Even though rumors swirled that he was cold-blooded and a staunch noble supremacist.
But if that were all there was to him, he never would have been able to take his father's place as the second-generation marquis in a land gathered by those who respected Harkur.
What had allowed him to rise this far was his cool-headed temperament, reminiscent of his late mother Alicia, and his exceptional talent as a ruler.
His retainers had seen the future of the marquisate in his abilities and invested in him accordingly.
Thanks to that, the marquisate had developed beyond recognition in just two years.
His outstanding diplomacy had smoothed relations with the surrounding feudal lords dramatically.
No, he'd gone further—lords who had only stayed quiet out of fear during Marquis Harkur's time were now persuaded, drawn into his fold, and truly turned into his allies, expanding his influence.
The epitome of a sovereign.
And that was far from all.
Conveniences, walls, treatment and defense of surrounding villages.
The gaps left by the previous marquis, who had little grasp of internal affairs, were now being filled under Sain's rule.
Countless people migrated to the marquisate as a result.
And the Harkur Marquisate began to enjoy unprecedented prosperity.
"Whoa, it's changed a lot."
"Really? It wasn't this developed before?"
A week after departing the capital.
The Scarlett Party arrived at Rubascal, the central city of the Harkur Marquisate—and Scarlett's hometown.
"...Well, it was always a decent city back then, but... it wasn't this crowded or bustling."
This was Scarlett's first visit since her father's death two years prior.
So this level of development was entirely new to her.
"Oh my! Miss Scarlett! You're back?"
"Ah, no. Just stopping by briefly."
"Miss Scarlett! Come to our shop later! We'll treat you to at least one meal for free!"
"Aw~! Just one? Hahaha!"
As they walked the streets, countless people recognized Scarlett and greeted her warmly.
But there was no trace of the fear one might direct at a noble lord.
Just like the uncle next door or the auntie down the street.
Perfectly friendly greetings.
"...Nice city."
"Right?"
Her companions watched the scene in wonder.
They'd never seen a city like this before.
"As expected of Big Brother Sain. He really excels at this stuff."
Scarlett nodded emphatically, as if to say he was impressive indeed.
Among the three siblings, Sain was the only one who took after their mother with talent in politics, economics, and internal affairs.
That's why Scarlett had felt free to storm out of the house without worry, and why Jenny could become a hero and flaunt her talents without a care.
For Scarlett and Jenny, it was a relief to have someone to dump the troublesome(?) marquisate on.
"Marquis Sain, huh... I'm a bit worried."
"Come to think of it, they say he has an extreme hatred for commoners..."
Of course, that differed from how the family saw him.
The people feared him.
Especially the commoners.
Because he was known as an extreme commoner-hater.
The city folk were just comfortable with Scarlett; they wouldn't dare act that way toward Marquis Sain.
"Come to think of it, Jerome and Ron, you two were commoners in human society, right?"
Arna muttered in disbelief, something like, 'Human society is so weird no matter how you look at it... Dividing ranks among the same species.'
Scarlett tilted her head at them and replied.
"Ah... well. It's probably not quite what you think."
"Really...?"
The response wasn't very reassuring.
Like she was saying, 'It's a different vibe altogether...'
"You'll get it once you meet him in person. At least you guys wouldn't fall into Big Brother Sain's category of 'despicable commoners'?"
"...What does that even mean?"
Not fitting into the commoner category as commoners themselves.
What kind of bizarre nonsense was that?
"Well... if he hated all commoners that much, would he have developed and managed the city where commoners live and the outer villages like this?"
Scarlett smirked as she said that, then cheerfully headed toward the marquis's residence.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "We're hooome~!"
"Who... oh?! S-S-Miss Scarlett?!"
Scarlett and her companions stood at the entrance to the marquis's residence, located in the heart of Rubascal.
When Scarlett greeted them energetically, the guards—who had been wary of the unfamiliar group—realized one of them was Scarlett Harkur and hurriedly opened the gates.
"We heard you'd be coming soon, but we didn't expect you this early."
"Are those your companions? Please, come inside."
Guided by the guards, Scarlett and her party passed through the massive iron gates and entered the residence.
"It's smaller than I thought..."
"Yeah."
The mansion they entered was so modest in scale that it was hard to believe it belonged to the lord of the vibrant, booming city they'd just seen.
Just your average provincial noble's place?
It wasn't tiny by any means, but for the Harkur family—for a marquis—it seemed sorely lacking.
Rumors said he had noble supremacist leanings.
Would someone like that really live in such a modest mansion? It raised questions.
"Come on, let's head inside quick."
As she tried to push past the guards and open the mansion door herself, a guard startled and stopped her.
"W-Wait, Miss! We need to report to the marquis first..."
"Pfft, what's that between family~? You just show your face and say hi when you drop by!"
Ignoring the guard's protests, Scarlett strode in like she owned the place, ushering her companions along.
'Well, it was my home turf back in the day.'
'...She wasn't this bold in the city. Does that mean the mansion hasn't changed at all, unlike the city?'
And inside, there wasn't even a hint of the usual luxuries—no ornate armor displays or anything.
Just plain carpets, plain furniture, plain decor.
Apart from the size, it could've passed for a well-off commoner merchant's home.
'What's going on? Don't nobles love their luxuries?'
'I figured it'd be lined with priceless art and masterwork swords that'd end your life if you touched them.'
As the situation kept clashing with their image of Marquis Sain, her companions grew a bit confused.
Fortunately, the mansion wasn't huge, so they soon reached Sain's office.
Now, just knock and wait for permission...
Bang!
"Big Brother, I'm here!"
"...?!"
"Wh-What are you...!!"
Nothing of the sort.
Scarlett flung the door open without warning and sauntered right in like it was no big deal.
Her companions, stunned by the utterly uncalled-for behavior, peeked inside trembling.
And there sat...
"...Who taught you manners like that?"
A handsome man with long silver hair scowled furiously, papers in hand, seated at the desk.
"This is the marquis's office. Mind your etiquette, Scarlett Harkur."
The man was, naturally, Marquis Sain Harkur.
Unlike Jenny or Scarlett, Sain took after their mother even in appearance.
He had shimmering silver hair like moonlight, sharp eyes that could kill with a glare, and deep, icy blue irises.
The overall image of moon and ice.
The very picture of a cold-blooded man.
'W-We are so dead...'
'Those eyes are straight-up swords.'
Even Jerome, Ron, and Arna—who had survived countless battles and danced with death—felt chills from Sain's piercing gaze.
They figured they'd win in a fight, but something told them charging in would mean death anyway.
"Hahaha, if no one taught me manners, this is what you get, right? Just ignore it~"
Of course, such a look had no effect on Scarlett.
"Come on in. He called us here anyway. What's there to worry about? Hahaha!"
Scarlett laughed heartily and plopped onto the plush leather sofa meant for guests.
"......"
Sain's gaze naturally shifted to the three peeking nervously from the doorway.
"Ah, um..."
"Ahem."
"Cough."
The three coughed awkwardly and averted their eyes, gripped by inexplicable unease.
They couldn't risk the sparks flying their way.
'He might chop our heads off for failing to keep Scarlett in check.'
'Commoners hanging out with our Scarlett?! And off to the guillotine we go.'
'He won't really kill us, right? Nah?'
Anyone witnessing Sain's glare and frigid aura firsthand—even top adventurers—would shrink back and think the same.
They could see why the rumors about him had grown so terrifying.
"Come in and have a seat. I called you here—the 'Scarlett Party,' including Scarlett—because I have something to discuss."
"...Ah, yes."
"Y-Yes..."
Surprisingly, Sain was quite polite.
His tone and eyes remained cold and stiff, but he clearly respected and considered them.
The three hesitantly took seats on the sofa.
Scarlett grinned at them mischievously.
"See? Told you he was different."
"What are you talking about."
Whether it was her smug grin or the fact she was talking about something he didn't know—Sain scowled and glared at her again.
"Huh? Oh, nothing~"
Of course, it had no effect on Scarlett.
"What I wanted to ask of you is..."
"Oh, right! Big Brother Sain, did you hear?!"
Just as Sain settled into the head sofa to begin, Scarlett cut in like she'd just remembered something.
"...I'm in the middle of..."
Sain scowled harder than ever, about to say something, but Scarlett barreled on regardless.
"About Big Brother Kane! I heard he quit the academy?"
"...I know."
Sain's tone grew somehow even icier.
'Does he hate... Mr. Kane?'
'His face stiffened the moment Kane's name came up.'
If he'd been sharply piercing before,
Now, with Kane's name invoked, his aura froze over like eternal permafrost.
Just sitting there gave them chills, like they might catch a cold.
"So I suggested he become an adventurer instructor. Doesn't seem like he plans to return to the marquisate."
"...Of course not. He shouldn't come back to the marquisate."
An even colder voice.
For some reason, only Jerome, Arna, and Ron were shivering.
"Oh, right. Speaking of which, isn't Jenny's appointment ceremony around now? You gonna skip it? I left when she was little, so showing up as her big sis feels kinda awkward. But you're good, right?"
"...I'll step out for some air."
Even as Scarlett shifted to Jenny's topic, Sain's mood remained a block of ice.
Swipe—click.
Only after he left the office did the others—save Scarlett—finally breathe easy.
"Hoo... Thought I was gonna freeze to death."
"Is Marquis Sain secretly an ice mage?"
"Sounds plausible."
The three shot resentful glares at Scarlett, the culprit behind the atmosphere.
"You seriously..."
"Why poke the bear like that."
"No, but I figured he'd wanna know about Big Brother Kane's situation..."
Scarlett scratched her head awkwardly with a sheepish smile.
"He always gets like that whenever Big Brother Kane comes up."
And at her following words.
"Even if you respect him, come on. Kane's not even here—just mentioning him shouldn't make you that tense, right?"
"Huh...?"
"Eh...?"
"Uh...?"
Everyone voiced their biggest question yet.