The Red-Haired Lady and the Golden Lady (1)
Daniel nodded after a long moment of thought.
“There are issues, like practically no territory folk at the moment and major preconditions making things opaque...”
He pored over the planning documents several times before nodding again. “I think this merits a passing grade.”
“Good to hear.”
Aizen let out a quiet sigh of relief. Strictly speaking, he was the lord here—the employer, even. He could just say if you don't like it, get out. But he still wanted that passing grade, since he was the one being evaluated. And unexpectedly, this had let him spot his own shortcomings, so it was a relief all around.
That settled it. “Then take good care of things while I'm away.”
“Pardon?”
Daniel blinked in confusion, then caught on with an oh. “Wait, this is ridiculous coming from me, but... you want me as your proxy?”
“Didn't you come here asking to be hired?”
“I figured it'd be guard duty or something like that...”
Now you wanna back out after boldly stirring things up? Aizen grinned, sensing an opportunity. “Didn't you say you'd test the lord if I took you on?”
“Ah, well...”
“And you're the one who gave it a passing grade.”
“It was certainly impressive...”
“So if I'm in the employer position here, that means you're saying it's okay to hand you the reins?”
“Surely there's someone more qualified than me.”
“Qualified or not, I'm basically bare-handed after grabbing this territory on a whim. I need someone to delegate to.”
“The Nexia Duchy or Phoenix County could...”
Daniel trailed off, realizing what he'd just said.
“You telling me to run my territory by getting help from other domains?”
Daniel was at a loss for words.
Noel looked flustered. “W-We thought it might be too much for you, so having someone else handle administration...”
“It wouldn't look right for us to meddle in matters where Aizen needs to take the lead,” Mina cut in, and Noel faltered again.
But she scanned the room and shot back quickly. “Still, the only real territory folk right now are from Phoenix County, so for their adjustment...”
“I think Daniel as proxy here, with us assisting, is the proper setup,” Sir Galred stated flatly.
Erica nodded. “It's Aizen's territory, after all. Even if we're helping out of goodwill, we've been running things like he doesn't have the reins. Even if they're our folk, they should step back. We're neighbors, so we'll offer reasonable aid.”
“No, but still...” Noel looked troubled.
Meanwhile, Daniel had recomposed himself. “Ah, come to think of it, the Phoenix margrave seemed to see Aizen as a potential son-in-law. Maybe this is the perfect chance...”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Aizen shot back, caught off guard.
Seizing the moment, Daniel raised his voice. “From what I heard from the migrants on the way from the county, you made them sing songs in the territory...”
“Hoho, Daniel, you shouldn't spill everything.”
Something was up, alright. Noel shot Erica a glare, and Erica tilted her head innocently.
“Lady Erica?”
“No idea what you're talking about?”
“Margrave, surely not...!” Noel started to look shocked.
Then the squire behind Daniel—seeing a chance to defend his master—piped up. “Red-haired lady, bring her home~ The house overflows with harmony~ Red-haired...”
Red-haired lady, bring her home~
The house overflows with harmony~
Red-haired...
“Stop—that what kinda song is that?”
Noel and her people caught on. They whirled toward Sir Galred, the apparent culprit.
“No wonder the migrants were singing it among themselves! 'Red-haired lady,' what?!”
“What's that nonsense? It's just a song! It's been famous forever—the one about Princess Elrita, red-haired ancestor of the Phoenix counts...”
“Why would she pop up out of nowhere?! She's from centuries ago—why bring her up now? Don't tell me the baron's trying to marry into your family...!”
The argument erupted.
Noel eyed Erica with a smile. “Shall we talk, just us?”
“I-I've got nothing to say?”
“I've got plenty, so it'll be fine.”
Noel's focus had veered completely off-track. The meeting meant for Aizen's bold policy announcement was devolving into a brawl.
It was getting too noisy, so he slipped toward the back. On the way, he grabbed Daniel, who was sneaking toward the entrance.
“Daniel? Where you sneaking off to?”
“What's the matter, Baron?”
His face was calm, but it screamed I've been caught.
No escaping in this mess. “Go sort it out.”
“On what authority...”
No authority? We'll make one. Aizen grinned. “Proxy from now on—take care.”
“Wait, hold on...”
“Outta the way. And come with.”
Mina shoved Daniel aside and hustled Aizen out of the meeting hall. Shouts from Noel’s group and Sir Galred rose behind them, but Aizen ignored it.
The migrants to the new Arclight territory had each claimed a house and begun settling in. Most were from Phoenix County, with Christa Merchant Company folk filling in the rest. After some brief scuffles and trades over prime spots, they'd compromised and were now resting with their families.
“Honestly thought we'd be worked to the bone.”
“The Arclight baron's no joke.”
Two men strolled the streets, casually taking in the surroundings.
Normally, new territory development meant everyone mobilized for labor. But this place felt like another world from day one. If the Christa folk hadn't sworn it was barren wasteland, they'd have thought it a thriving city struck by plague.
No grueling work for them. The already-busy merchants hustled, while the new folk tinkered with their houses, wondering what to do next.
“That field's left open for farming... If we get the go-ahead, could be fun.”
“Arclight baron's a bastard son from rural nobility, right? Knows his crops—solid foundation.”
The mostly farmer migrants rated it highly. Potatoes would probably get planted—Aizen's favorite, they'd heard. Or flowers in the coliseum? Fruit orchards? Ideas flew.
The territory was small, but that wide land sparked curiosity. One man hummed.
“Red-haired lady, bring her home...”
“Don't sing on the job.”
“It's catchy. Gotta praise whoever made it.”
The other chuckled. Then, sharply: “Phoenix margrave's definitely trying to pull Arclight into her bloodline.”
“Spreading that song openly and sending her own folk? Case closed.”
Shabby clothes, but keen eyes. One sighed. “Empire's hearing nothing but bad news.”
“Our sword saint says even bad news is worth knowing.”
“I'd rather bring good news.”
The imperial spies eyed the factory.
“Barely heard it, but they're cranking out Cyclops in there.”
“Full production, busy as hell.”
Thick walls for a key facility, but spies spared no tricks. Amplifying hearing was child's play. Magic tools could peer inside, but defenses forced workarounds. Still, the bustle was clear.
“Damn Abatus. Thought their infighting would cripple them.”
“It's all internal politics. Pity—they hate rivals, but one showed up.”
Technically enemies with Vespa nobles like Abatus, but enemy's enemy logic made them potential allies. The Empire didn't want Vespa's military stronger. Cyclops spreading? Bad news.
“Can't steal 'em, but wreck the factory...”
“Impossible. Merchants patrol all night. Phoenix knights aren't just for security.”
Sabotage out. Time for decisions.
“Best chance now, before the territory stabilizes.”
Glancing at his hidden orders, the spy murmured. “Pull them to our side.”
“Or kill them.”
All for the Empire, the spies whispered.