A Favor Between a Paladin and a Marquis
Elbridge held a butter knife to Marquis Soleneon’s throat and stared at him in silence.
Despite his resolute expression, Elbridge’s mind was in turmoil.
Is it right to threaten someone simply because they’ve noticed my identity?
If more people figure it out in the future, how should I handle them?
Can I even bear the consequences of this situation?
All sorts of thoughts drifted through his head.
Marquis Soleneon raised both hands with an awkward expression.
“I suspected you were hiding your identity for some reason, but I didn’t expect such a sharp reaction.”
“Answer me first. Who else knows?”
In the blink of an eye, the positions between Elbridge and Marquis Soleneon had completely reversed.
Now it was the marquis who had to lower his stance.
“No one. I am not so careless as to spread such information everywhere. Besides, there is no benefit to me in babbling about Sir Elbridge.”
Yet Elbridge still could not relax.
“Saying there’s no benefit is hardly enough of an explanation. People love to gossip about others even when it brings them no advantage at all.”
“But few people spread stories that would actually harm them.”
“Harm?”
“I wish to share the same interests as you, Sir Elbridge.”
Shared interests. It was a statement Elbridge found difficult to guess at.
“Explain in detail.”
“I will speak of that shortly. For now, allow me one question. Sir Elbridge, why such an aggressive response?”
“Someone has discovered the identity I was hiding. Did you think I would simply smile and let it pass?”
“That is not what I meant. I expected you might be displeased, but I never imagined it would go this far. Sir Elbridge, why is revealing your identity such a problem? In these chaotic times, it would be the perfect opportunity to expand your order’s influence.”
On the surface, it sounded perfectly reasonable.
But the moment he had arrived in Soleneon, Elbridge remembered the oracle his Goddess had given him with perfect clarity.
People will look upon a dam that has stood for hundreds of years only to complain about its flaws rather than give thanks for its long service.
The suffering the demons will bring will be immense, and those who long for peaceful days will seek someone to blame. That target will surely be you.
Furthermore, there will surely be those who believe that if you disappear, the demons will disappear as well. Just as there were once people who shouted that the paladins must vanish for the demons to vanish.
That was why Elbridge had hidden his true identity behind the plausible lie that he was his own descendant.
If he had not revealed his name on the way to Soleneon, he would never have used the name Elbridge at all.
Elbridge gathered all those thoughts and answered concisely.
“Because I can prepare for an enemy before my eyes, but not for one that comes from behind.”
“What do you mean by an enemy from behind?”
“Discontent with nowhere to go, and envy.”
“Discontent and envy…”
Marquis Soleneon slowly mulled over Elbridge’s answer before replying.
“I understand. There are far too many fools in this world who spread stories they cannot take responsibility for, without any intention of doing so.”
The marquis gently pushed the butter knife away from his throat.
“But as time passes, more people will notice your identity, Sir Elbridge. What do you plan to do then?”
“That is something I must consider slowly.”
“If you wish, I can offer my assistance.”
Elbridge’s eyebrows twitched.
“How?”
“I will create false records and misleading descriptions of your old portraits and appearance, then hide them in places where those seeking information about you would naturally find them. It can deceive people and also serve as evidence to refute their speculations. It would not be difficult for me.”
“What do you hope to gain by offering such goodwill?”
“I told you. I wish to share the same interests as you, Sir Elbridge…”
Jingle, jingle.
When Marquis Soleneon shook a small bell, the door opened and the familiar butler appeared.
This time, however, the butler was not alone. A young woman stood beside him.
She appeared to be about twenty years old. Striking black, voluminous hair and a small, delicate face caught the eye. Her cheeks were flushed and her ears slightly red.
“This is my youngest daughter, Abelin.”
Unlike a moment ago, Marquis Soleneon now treated Elbridge as a superior.
It meant he had not revealed Elbridge’s identity to his youngest daughter either.
Abelin lightly grasped the hem of her skirt and curtsied.
Yet the hand holding her skirt was trembling noticeably. An unusual level of tension.
“I am Abelin Soleneon.”
Elbridge returned the greeting simply.
“I am Elbridge of the Rusty Shield Order.”
At that, Abelin slowly lifted her head to look at him.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and a bright smile—impossible to describe—bloomed across Abelin’s face.
But as if embarrassed by her own reaction, she quickly averted her gaze and desperately tried to compose herself.
There had been no explicit explanation, but from her reaction alone, Elbridge understood the marquis’s intention.
The butler brought a chair and placed it beside the marquis. Abelin sat next to her father, occasionally stealing glances at Elbridge.
“She kept giving me hints about wanting me to arrange a meeting for her to speak with you. Even though I knew you were busy, I had no choice but to send the invitation.”
At the marquis’s words, Abelin jumped in surprise.
“Father! When did I ever do that?”
“Father? You usually call me Dad…”
Soleneon chuckled softly before continuing.
“This child has never once spoken of another man in front of me, yet ever since the Grand Tournament she has shown subtle interest in Sir Elbridge. At first I let it pass, but in the last few days it has gone far beyond that. She was the first to bring up the battle with the demons. When I cautiously tested her, she said…”
“Father, please stop…!”
Abelin spoke in a small but desperate voice.
Yet her ears had turned so red they could grow no redder.
Watching her, only one thought came to Elbridge’s mind.
She must have grown up receiving a great deal of love.
After playfully bickering with his daughter for a moment, Marquis Soleneon smiled warmly and said,
“Sir Elbridge. I mentioned wanting to share the same interests with you.”
“Yes.”
“How would you feel about occasionally visiting the castle to keep Abelin company? In return, she could show you around Soleneon.”
Though he called it companionship, in reality he was proposing courtship and marriage.
Was he seeking some political advantage?
No. The marquis’s expression was not that of a lord, but of a father.
“I have no intention of demanding anything from you. This is a proposal from one father to another. But in return, there is much I can do for you.”
The fastest way to expand the Rusty Shield Order’s influence would be to accept the marquis’s proposal.
Yet Elbridge immediately refused.
“It is impossible.”
“I know. You must be incredibly busy. However…”
“Being busy is not the issue.”
It would be better to show than to explain.
Click. Click.
Elbridge undid the buttons on his formal sleeve and placed his left forearm on the table.
Abelin’s gaze fell upon his hand, the back of it, and his firm forearm.
Elbridge’s hand was not the smooth, slender one she had dreamed of.
Crushed and missing fingernails. Fingers covered in calluses.
And scars—so many scars they covered his hand from the back all the way up his forearm like an intricate pattern.
“…”
When wounds were healed with divine power, most scars faded, leaving only faint traces.
But there were simply too many. Both Abelin and Marquis Soleneon looked slightly taken aback.
“If you marry me, Lady Abelin will become a widow.”
It was neither a warning nor a rejection.
He simply stated the obvious fact in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
“I am not asking you to think about marriage right away. Slowly, as friends…”
Elbridge buttoned his sleeve again as he answered.
“If she becomes my friend, Lady Abelin will lose a friend. It may be better than losing a spouse, but it would still be a painful experience.”
Elbridge rose from his seat.
“Thank you for the generous offer. I am truly sorry that circumstances prevent me from accepting it.”
Leaving behind the stunned Abelin and Marquis Soleneon, Elbridge exited the private room.
It was winter, and the new year had only just begun.
Stepping outside in his light clothing instantly cleared his head.
Elbridge slowly walked across the dimly lit garden of the lord’s castle.
As he walked for quite some time, an oracle from the Goddess descended.
Elbridge.
“Yes, Goddess.”
Would you not consider going back now and seriously getting to know that young lady Abelin?
“If I remain by her side, who then could become your strength, Goddess?”
As I have said before. Your Goddess wishes for you to find a peaceful life, even now.
“Yet when I stood before the demons, did you not place infinite trust in me? When I said I would rebuild the order, were you not pleased?”
Yes. But…
“Goddess. I have seen far too many people in love meet their end on the battlefield. I have seen what becomes of those left behind. And I will not avoid battle.”
Elbridge spoke clearly and firmly.
“My life has no need for a partner.”
Only after a long silence did the Goddess’s oracle descend with a deep sigh.
Elbridge. I am pleased when I see you fight bravely. It is also true that the fate of the order rests in your hands. I hope you will do much for the order.
“I will live up to your expectations, Goddess.”
Yet at the same time, it is no lie that I also hold the contradictory wish for you to cast off all your duties, find a suitable partner, and live in peace. Elbridge.
“Is not the human heart inherently contradictory and difficult to understand? Your heart must be the same, Goddess. I have never once doubted your words.”
Just as Elbridge was about to leave the garden with slow steps, he sensed someone approaching.
When he turned around, Marquis Soleneon was waving at him.
“Sir Elbridge.”
“I will say it again. I cannot accept that request. Not for my sake, but for Abelin’s as well.”
When Elbridge firmly refused, Marquis Soleneon shook his head.
“I have no intention of repeating the same proposal. I do not wish for my daughter to lose a spouse either. Though I did not expect to be rejected so decisively…”
“Then?”
“Even if we cannot be bound by blood, I wanted to say that as a paladin and a lord we can still be of help to each other. First, I will make arrangements so that other nobles will find it difficult to guess your identity. If you ever need a favor, come find me anytime.”
Marquis Soleneon was a shrewd man.
Even though the subtly offered marriage talk had fallen through, he understood perfectly that Elbridge’s value had not diminished in the slightest.
“…A favor, you say.”
At that moment, Elbridge realized he had nearly forgotten something very important.
“Marquis Soleneon. Then there is one thing I would like to ask for first.”
“What is it?”
“Please pack plenty of those cookies from earlier.”
Immediately, an oracle rang in his ear.
Truly excellent, Elbridge.