Lord of the Territory (2)
It was the first time Aizen had seen such a bizarre mindset: the guy shows up begging to be hired, then insists on testing whether he's worthy to serve. But Daniel treated it as perfectly natural, brimming with confidence, and Mina's expression—which had briefly synced with his—shifted in an instant.
"Insolent."
That one word summed up Mina's mood perfectly. Erica looked flustered in the midst of it all, but Daniel pressed on with shameless composure.
"I may not look it, but I've got real experience managing territories. And from what I can see, you're planning to put me in charge of that side of things, right? I do think Baron Aizen would make a fine liege lord, but still—one test is in order. Just like you suspected me of being an Abatus lackey, the baron might flip and cozy up to them too, you know?"
"I'd love to say that's not gonna happen."
He'd already hashed things out with them several times, quotes and all. But he could guess why Daniel was saying this.
"What, you wanna test if I've got the guts not to suck up to those enemies of yours if I cozy up to Abatus?"
"It's pretty rude, sure, but you gotta show us that much if we're gonna sync up properly. And for our prospective liege's sake, it's absolutely necessary."
As he spoke, Daniel spread his arms wide.
"I can see you've got some beautiful, capable ladies around you, Lord, each providing major support. But..."
Daniel fixed Aizen with a firm gaze—not wavering much, but resolute.
"...it kinda feels like not much in this territory has come straight from the lord's own ideas."
Aizen's eyes narrowed involuntarily. Noel looked at a loss, while Mina openly showed her displeasure.
"Knowing when to step back outside your expertise is a virtue."
"Then let me ask you this: who owns this territory?"
Daniel paused a beat, then slowly opened his mouth again.
"Obviously, it's you, Baron Arclight, the lord. So everything should revolve around you—but if I may be so bold, it doesn't feel like you're leading much."
"Ah, Lord Aizen has done so much work..."
Noel offered a quiet counter.
Daniel's tone softened.
"Seeing how far this central hub has come already, I agree."
"But in the end, it's all just fulfilling other people's requests."
Aizen said it with a touch of bitterness. Daniel nodded.
"Harsh words from me, but responding to others' requests is a fine quality. Still, you need to take the initiative on something. Otherwise..."
Daniel's face showed a flicker of pain—not physical, but the kind that came from personal experience.
"...it'll end up like my family. You'll hand over control bit by bit until you can't even do what you want."
Aizen nodded at Daniel's earnest words.
"...Honestly, I was planning to hole up in the factory starting today and tweak those golems..."
"If you're working at a pace that feels true to the baron you are, no one has the right to stop you. Even the famous Lady Noel backs you—means you've handled a ton and now you're focusing in. So here's the deal."
Daniel held out his hand.
"Just one thing. Anything. Show me governance I can buy into, Baron."
"Governance?"
"A law, a policy you're rolling out—whatever. Baron."
Daniel stared straight at him.
"Show me your rule, with you at the center."
It was a heavy ask. Aizen hesitated for a moment.
But a thought flashed through: this was a chance to learn even more.
"Fine."
Aizen nodded. Daniel's slightly surprised eyes curved into a faint smile.
After hearing Aizen's answer, Daniel was escorted to the residential area with his squire.
"I think you'll be staying here... but..."
"Not bad digs. Magic-built foundation and all, right?"
Noel bowed her head deeply at Daniel's nonchalant attitude. The squire narrowed his eyes.
"Still, that was pretty dicey back there."
"Baron Aizen didn't seem too offended—he bought it."
"That saintess and the Phoenix lady were pissed. Sir Galred too. If the baron had snapped, swords would've flown for real."
"You'd have blocked 'em."
Aizen had accepted it, so it blew over—but Daniel's attitude just now had been downright rude. On the surface, a landless free knight begging a titled baron for a job, then turning around to test his employer? Absurd. And this was at Sir Galred's request to Erica, who in turn had introduced the baron and Daniel. In one go, Daniel had dissed three people.
If Aizen had shown real displeasure, someone from Phoenix House probably would've drawn steel and cut him down on the spot.
"I'm a guard, sure, I can fight—but that Phoenix miss is famous among knights. Sir Galred's a veteran from Phoenix County too. We'd be—"
"Pushing up daisies together, yeah."
That was the backstory for why Noel was showing Daniel to his quarters. Aizen was the lord and baron, sure, but with no staff yet, someone had to handle it—and after his rudeness, the three who'd normally step up were all mad at him. The saintess had flat-out refused to let Aizen handle it himself. So Noel, the one left, volunteered.
She'd been there from the start, which let Daniel push as hard as he did.
"How'd my question land, Noel?"
"I can't presume to judge His Majesty's profound intent."
Her voice and demeanor shifted; she bowed politely. The man who was Daniel—no, Danimus—spoke quickly.
"Don't kneel. I granted you the privilege of not kneeling before me, and you're still trying?"
"How could I dare..."
"It's not your frailty. Among my blood kin, you're the only girl. Can't I give my niece that much?"
Noel straightened at Danimus's words. The squire fetched two chairs, positioning them face-to-face. Danimus sat first, the squire standing behind; Noel sat quietly, meeting his gaze.
"You spotted me quick. Got a lot to say?"
"How could I..."
"Should've led with this: speak freely. You're true royal blood, my niece. We're family."
Noel hesitated, then nodded.
"...Excuse me, then. Uncle."
"Go on. Man, you're looking more like my sister every day—the one who married into Nexia. Your mother."
Danimus smiled softly. Then he asked quietly,
"You know why I came here in secret?"
"To hit Abatus, right?"
Danimus fell silent; Noel continued softly.
"The territory's position made it obvious. Easy to rally Nexia, the Academy—and if needed, Phoenix and..."
"Hard for their hands to reach, too."
Danimus said quietly.
"Fallback to Nexia, Phoenix, Academy. Academy links to the capital. Bit cramped, but damn useful."
"Abatus'll notice."
"They did. Couldn't do much, though. Greedy types often miss what's under their noses."
Danimus glanced toward Aizen's temporary office—thinking of the two women there.
"Big money blinds you. That saintess lobbied hard; even with Abatus closer, things went to plan. Or rather, they let it."
"Phoenix County's count pushed Cyclops for Aizen too, forcing Abatus's old guard to focus there. Wasn't easy, but we dragged it out."
"You worked hard."
He bowed to the squire, who waved it off.
"Luck, really. Dice needed a six—we rolled it."
"And we've got solid gains. Heard he's a golem-obsessed loose cannon stirring trouble daily—turns out he's got a human side."
"Rumors always add fluff," the squire said. Danimus nodded.
Noel spoke quietly.
"He's got a childish side, and his common sense is a bit off—but no malice in his rudeness."
"That's all?"
Noel eyed Danimus curiously. He grinned.
"You're the naive one."
"Aizen's not naive so much as..."
"I'm talking about you. Sigh. Keep politics and kids apart. Gilford too."
"Fair point."
Danimus and the squire looked exasperated for some reason. Noel said carefully,
"...I'll strive harder. And Prince Gilford's just wandering—he'll snap out of it soon."
"Obviously. That's how it should be, and will be. Don't worry. I believe in him."
Danimus spoke gently. Then quietly,
"Think he'll pass my test?"
"Yes."
The answer came swift. As he opened his mouth to ask why—
"He doesn't fear failure."
Noel replied firmly, with a spark of passion. Danimus's surprised eyes curved into a faint smile.