Chapter 445: Party (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 445: Party (2)
Giving off a similar air to the one I did at the Round Table, I looked down at him like I was ready to rip his throat out at any given moment. But this wasn't some chatroom that merely connected our minds. Right now, we were here in the flesh, which meant this was more than enough.
I continued to glare down at him, completely devoid of fear.
Yeah, this was how it should be. How would he, a born and bred noble, have ever experienced something like this before?
Silence hung over the room when he didn't respond. Scandal-obsessed as they were, the other nobles silently observed our interaction from a safe distance. If they really saw my status as inferior to theirs, they would have come running to help him by now.
Sure enough, barbarians are incredibly OP.
If I had been an elf, dwarf, or beastman, some of them would surely have criticized me for my horrible manners. At the very least, they would have operated under the assumption that I could be reasoned with. But what could they say when faced with a barbarian?
The answer was nothing at all.
It was hard to take action without any data to back you up. In other words, they were wary of stepping forward and potentially adding fuel to the fire.
"...Is it really okay to leave them be?" Some of them voiced their concerns, but they all turned away as soon as our eyes met.
It wasn't like I would suddenly attack all the nobles here just because we happened to make eye contact—that would defy all common sense. But they couldn't be sure of that. After all, did common sense even apply to a barbarian who rushed to demand a duel after overhearing an insult?
"It's about time you answer me." I took another step forward when Baron Kypriot tried to put some space between us. "Do you not want to duel?"
At that, the other nobles who had been chatting with him only moments earlier slowly backed away. In the end, the baron realized that he had no choice but to clean up this mess on his own.
It didn't take long for him to reach a decision. "...Set a date." This decision wasn't one he came to because he was confident in his ability to win. It was simply the only choice available to him. How could he refuse a duel from someone of a different race—someone he considered uncultured and inferior—in front of so many people? That was no different than a death sentence in the world of nobility, where reputations were their lifeblood.
"Since you want to set a date, that must mean you don't have the guts to fight me yourself."
"...One always uses a separate blade to slay beasts."
Although he worded it eloquently, all that meant was that he was afraid to fight me. Instead, he would appoint someone to fight me on his behalf.
"That's no problem. But you should have several people prepared just in case."
"...Several people?"
What was with that clueless look? Did he really think this would be over after just one round? "Oh, did you not realize? From today on, I'm going to challenge you to a duel every day. Until I feel that the honor you spat on has been restored."
A rabid dog doesn't let go once he's got his teeth in you.
"...What?" If this was how he was going to act when someone called him out, he should have watched what he said to begin with. Well, maybe it was just in his nature to be an arrogant prick. In that case, I'd have to take him down a peg. "Are you... sure you can handle that?"
What he was really trying to ask was if I really had to go so far. Well, from this guy's point of view, it must have felt like he had just been struck by lightning on a sunny day.
"You ask strange questions. Can I handle it?" I spoke clearly for everyone there to hear. "Do I look like someone who cares about stuff like that?"
If you don't want to get bitten in the future, then you all better be careful from now on.
***
Anyway, with that, the duel was made official. All that remained now was to set a date.
"I should be free this week. Why? Do you need more time to find someone?"
"No. That will be enough time."
Was he slowly starting to adapt? The baron no longer acted like a buffoon or dragged his feet when answering me. He must have done the math in his head.
What, does he see this as an opportunity?
I was a savage who clearly didn't know my place at all and had dared to act so atrociously in public. All he had to do was accept the duel, win with grace, and be the hero who preserved the dignity of the aristocracy. It was a reasonably plausible outcome.
Of course, that wouldn't be happening.
He'll probably use his connections and reputation to recruit a few different people to fight for him.
I couldn't honestly say that I could predict what level my opponent would be. Even so, I was confident. No captain of the Royal Guard would be willing to stoop so low as to represent a baron in a duel, and I knew for a fact that I could beat anyone less powerful than that.
Unfortunately, however, someone suddenly interrupted before we could get down to business. "Now, now, that's enough of that."
Duke Kealunus.
He walked through the crowd, which parted like the Red Sea as he approached, and then patted me on the shoulder like he was soothing a petulant child. "Now, isn't it a fine day? Why don't we leave it at that? We're all fellow pillars uplifting this kingdom, after all, aren't we?"
The duke's political intentions at that moment were made crystal clear. When no one else was willing to intervene, he would bravely step forward and successfully temper the savage's rage before it could boil over. In doing so, Duke Kealunus's status with the other nobles would rise.
He wants to play friends?
Friendships tended to fall apart when only one party enjoyed all the benefits while the other made all the sacrifices. If he wanted something from me, then he would naturally have to give up something in return.
"Baron Kypriot has insulted me." The corners of the duke's mouth pinched at my stubborn retort, but I pressed on despite how he may have felt about it. "He called me a mutt, no different than a wild beast."
Technically, it was the person next to him who had said that, but whatever.
"I was having a conversation with Baroness Lirivia too, and they basically called her a prostitute just because she's from a different race. And when I confronted him about it, he just scoffed at me, questioning whether I even had enough honor to be offended in the first place."
They even called me illiterate, but I felt like that would be nitpicking, so I left that part out.
"Now, Duke Kealunus, that's what Baron Kypriot did to me on this fine day you mentioned." After reiterating my reasons for demanding a duel in front of everyone, I then asked, "Is there any reason why I should put up with all of that?"
What he was really trying to ask was if I really had to go so far. Well, from this guy's point of view, it must have felt like he had just been struck by lightning on a sunny day.
"You ask strange questions. Can I handle it?" I spoke clearly for everyone there to hear. "Do I look like someone who cares about stuff like that?"
If you don't want to get bitten in the future, then you all better be careful from now on.
***
Anyway, with that, the duel was made official. All that remained now was to set a date.
"I should be free this week. Why? Do you need more time to find someone?"
"No. That will be enough time."
Was he slowly starting to adapt? The baron no longer acted like a buffoon or dragged his feet when answering me. He must have done the math in his head.
What, does he see this as an opportunity?
I was a savage who clearly didn't know my place at all and had dared to act so atrociously in public. All he had to do was accept the duel, win with grace, and be the hero who preserved the dignity of the aristocracy. It was a reasonably plausible outcome.
Of course, that wouldn't be happening.
He'll probably use his connections and reputation to recruit a few different people to fight for him.
I couldn't honestly say that I could predict what level my opponent would be. Even so, I was confident. No captain of the Royal Guard would be willing to stoop so low as to represent a baron in a duel, and I knew for a fact that I could beat anyone less powerful than that.
Unfortunately, however, someone suddenly interrupted before we could get down to business. "Now, now, that's enough of that."
Duke Kealunus.
He walked through the crowd, which parted like the Red Sea as he approached, and then patted me on the shoulder like he was soothing a petulant child. "Now, isn't it a fine day? Why don't we leave it at that? We're all fellow pillars uplifting this kingdom, after all, aren't we?"
The duke's political intentions at that moment were made crystal clear. When no one else was willing to intervene, he would bravely step forward and successfully temper the savage's rage before it could boil over. In doing so, Duke Kealunus's status with the other nobles would rise.
He wants to play friends?
Friendships tended to fall apart when only one party enjoyed all the benefits while the other made all the sacrifices. If he wanted something from me, then he would naturally have to give up something in return.
"Baron Kypriot has insulted me." The corners of the duke's mouth pinched at my stubborn retort, but I pressed on despite how he may have felt about it. "He called me a mutt, no different than a wild beast."
Technically, it was the person next to him who had said that, but whatever.
"I was having a conversation with Baroness Lirivia too, and they basically called her a prostitute just because she's from a different race. And when I confronted him about it, he just scoffed at me, questioning whether I even had enough honor to be offended in the first place."
They even called me illiterate, but I felt like that would be nitpicking, so I left that part out.
"Now, Duke Kealunus, that's what Baron Kypriot did to me on this fine day you mentioned." After reiterating my reasons for demanding a duel in front of everyone, I then asked, "Is there any reason why I should put up with all of that?"
The duke's gaze snapped to the baron. It seemed that he had been observing from a distance but was unaware of the exact details and reason for the commotion until now.
The duke tutted, clicking his tongue as he glared at the baron, then quickly turned his attention back to me. He appeared to be regretting his fruitless attempt to mediate, but since he was already involved, he now had two options. He could simply step back without accomplishing anything despite his lofty intervention, or...
"It seems that Baron Kypriot has made a mistake, then."
He could give me something as well.
The duke's judgment was swift and decisive. "Let me make a promise to you. There will be no such mistakes going forward. Not just here and now, but at any point in the future either." This was a promise made in the name of Duke Kealunus. "Isn't that right, Baron Kypriot?"
The baron shuddered and quickly blurted, "Y-Yes... of course, Your Grace."
These were obviously just empty words spoken to escape the mess he was currently in. Still, chances were that neither the baron nor any of the other nobles present would try anything similar after today. That was how much weight a promise from the duke held. If this were to happen again, it would be tantamount to sullying the duke's name.
It's a shame that there won't be a duel, but... I'm sure another opportunity will present itself in the future.
I quickly came to a decision. After all, the duke himself had been willing to back off here.
"Now, was that enough to help alleviate some of your anger?"
If I were to refuse his olive branch, it would be no different than deliberately stirring up trouble.
"I haven't even heard an apology from Baron Kypriot himself, though. And even if he does choose to apologize, that doesn't change the fact that he has disrespected my name. However..." It was time to finally put things to rest. "I will let this go here."
Phew... With that, all the nobles let out a sigh of relief.
But I wasn't quite done yet. "It was a request from a friend, after all. Not just anyone."
Everyone's eyes widened at my closing remark.
Understandable. After all, calling the duke my friend implied that we were equals in an amicable relationship.
The moment the words left my mouth, the entire hall went dead silent.
A barbarian, friends with a duke?
A tense quiet settled over the room while everyone waited for some sort of clarification.
In the silence, the duke's mouth twitched into a frown before quickly regaining its warm smile. "I'm glad to hear it." His short response neither confirmed nor denied our status as 'friends,' but even that was enough to send my standing as the newest entrant to the Royal Club soaring.
I ended up turning an unexpected profit.
The duke would surely have made all the necessary political calculations in his head before responding to me. He'd already made me a vow in the name of his house in order to cover up another noble's misstep, after all. In the end, he must have decided that elevating my reputation would benefit him as well.
"Well, I should be returning to my ducal duties. I'll be in contact at a later date. Oh, and congratulations on becoming a baron."
After promising to meet with me later in front of everyone, the duke left.
Him going this far makes things a bit problematic...
Still, I couldn't argue with the results. I could already sense a drastic shift in the gazes of everyone watching me.
The duke's gaze snapped to the baron. It seemed that he had been observing from a distance but was unaware of the exact details and reason for the commotion until now.
The duke tutted, clicking his tongue as he glared at the baron, then quickly turned his attention back to me. He appeared to be regretting his fruitless attempt to mediate, but since he was already involved, he now had two options. He could simply step back without accomplishing anything despite his lofty intervention, or...
"It seems that Baron Kypriot has made a mistake, then."
He could give me something as well.
The duke's judgment was swift and decisive. "Let me make a promise to you. There will be no such mistakes going forward. Not just here and now, but at any point in the future either." This was a promise made in the name of Duke Kealunus. "Isn't that right, Baron Kypriot?"
The baron shuddered and quickly blurted, "Y-Yes... of course, Your Grace."
These were obviously just empty words spoken to escape the mess he was currently in. Still, chances were that neither the baron nor any of the other nobles present would try anything similar after today. That was how much weight a promise from the duke held. If this were to happen again, it would be tantamount to sullying the duke's name.
It's a shame that there won't be a duel, but... I'm sure another opportunity will present itself in the future.
I quickly came to a decision. After all, the duke himself had been willing to back off here.
"Now, was that enough to help alleviate some of your anger?"
If I were to refuse his olive branch, it would be no different than deliberately stirring up trouble.
"I haven't even heard an apology from Baron Kypriot himself, though. And even if he does choose to apologize, that doesn't change the fact that he has disrespected my name. However..." It was time to finally put things to rest. "I will let this go here."
Phew... With that, all the nobles let out a sigh of relief.
But I wasn't quite done yet. "It was a request from a friend, after all. Not just anyone."
Everyone's eyes widened at my closing remark.
Understandable. After all, calling the duke my friend implied that we were equals in an amicable relationship.
The moment the words left my mouth, the entire hall went dead silent.
A barbarian, friends with a duke?
A tense quiet settled over the room while everyone waited for some sort of clarification.
In the silence, the duke's mouth twitched into a frown before quickly regaining its warm smile. "I'm glad to hear it." His short response neither confirmed nor denied our status as 'friends,' but even that was enough to send my standing as the newest entrant to the Royal Club soaring.
I ended up turning an unexpected profit.
The duke would surely have made all the necessary political calculations in his head before responding to me. He'd already made me a vow in the name of his house in order to cover up another noble's misstep, after all. In the end, he must have decided that elevating my reputation would benefit him as well.
"Well, I should be returning to my ducal duties. I'll be in contact at a later date. Oh, and congratulations on becoming a baron."
After promising to meet with me later in front of everyone, the duke left.
Him going this far makes things a bit problematic...
Still, I couldn't argue with the results. I could already sense a drastic shift in the gazes of everyone watching me.
"...I guess he didn't become a noble by pure luck."
"His change of status was approved so easily... Was that because the duke was supporting him?"
Curiosity began to creep into their eyes. This was a good sign. After all that, I ended up attracting quite a bit of attention. Now, even the marquess wouldn't be able to pull anything untoward.
After warning Baron Kypriot that I wouldn't be so reasonable next time, I returned to my seat. The Rabbit Baroness stood frozen at the table, staring at me blankly. "There's no reason for you to stand to greet me... Baroness Lirivia?" I prodded, waving my hand in front of her face.
She eventually snapped out of it and leaned in close. "W-Why would you go and do something like that...?!" she hissed into my ear. "H-His Grace even had to intervene. If things had gotten any more out of hand, you would have been in a lot of trouble."
I guess she wasn't the type to subscribe to the tank's philosophy of throwing yourself into things headfirst. Still, shouldn't she be praising or thanking me right now?
"It all ended well, though. The duke's promise alone won't do away with their discrimination, but at the very least, they won't insult you behind your back anymore."
This is what you've been dreaming of.
The Rabbit Baroness looked taken aback. "Did you... really do all that just for that one reason...?"
"Do I need some other reason?"
"That was far too reckless. If the duke had not stepped forward, things could have gotten so much worse. All the houses of Melbeth combined wouldn't have been able to do anything to...!"
Her response left me feeling a bit disappointed. Did she think all of my accomplishments were pure luck? "I can't say I agree with that."
"...This goes without saying, but I think quite highly of you, Baron Yandel. The same cannot be said for all the houses of Melbeth, however. All eyes are on you, judging if you're worthy of joining our ranks. If the others wind up deciding you're unworthy because of this, then—"
"Enough." What a pointless warning. That wasn't even what I meant. "This had nothing to do with Melbeth."
"...Pardon?"
"The same goes for the duke. Even if he hadn't stepped in, the outcome wouldn't have changed."
The Rabbit Baroness couldn't seem to comprehend what I was saying, so I kindly explained it to her. "You said it yourself, didn't you? You told me to become indispensable to you. That's why I requested a duel. You need at least one person like me making sure the others stay in their lane. Oh, and Baron Kypriot was the perfect target. His house isn't particularly notable, and he doesn't have the guts to back up his big mouth."
"Wait! Then... are you saying that you took all that into account before taking action?"
"More or less." I nodded, shocking the Rabbit Baroness.
Barely able to catch her breath, she then asked me another question. "But I don't understand what any of this had to do with you becoming someone indispensable to us?"
Ah, that?
"During our talk earlier, what I heard was that you don't think you have a way to change your circumstances."
At that moment, I realized what this multi-racial alliance of nobles was lacking—something that only a tank main who had been through all sorts of trials and tribulations could clock.
"It's not that you'll never find a way out, though. There will always be a path forward, no matter what kind of situation you find yourself in," I said firmly. "So if you find yourself on a path riddled with enemies you can't get through, that simply means you're missing something: someone who would tank an arrow for you and then still clear the road ahead after."
The Rabbit Baroness remained silent as I finished. However, I could tell from her expression.
Okay. I think my self-promotion definitely had an effect.
At the end of the day, I was the one who got to decide my own worth.
***
After that, I continued my conversation with the Rabbit Baroness. She asked me all sorts of questions, so I must have left an impression on her. I felt like a door-to-door salesman selling dubious home remedies.
"You were right earlier..." As time went on, the look on her face gradually began to change as well. "What good has it done us to endure their constant snubbing for so long? All that time wasted... If only we'd pushed back even a bit each time, I'm certain we'd be in a much different position right now!"
There was no longer a meek herbivore in front of me. She had become a fierce beast full of determination.
"It's about time Melbeth changes. Don't worry, Baron Yandel. I will personally sponsor your clan and obtain guild approval. We in Melbeth need more people like you."
With that, the Rabbit Baroness left the table. As I watched her go, a thought popped into my mind: Was she going to hide her teeth or bare them now? Perhaps the real difference between an herbivore and a carnivore lay simply in their mindset.
This is why your environment matters.
Anyway, was it because she was a rabbit? She was particularly easy to win over.
The table was now empty following her departure, and I continued to eat my meal, which had been put on hold for quite a while now. One by one, the other nobles began to meander over to speak with me.
"Baron Yandel, I heard that someone was speaking ill of you earlier. It's only right that you would request a duel after that."
"When I heard about what happened, I was utterly shocked."
"Tsk, how are people still discriminating against other races in this day and age?"
I found it funny how quickly they'd changed their tunes and stopped viewing me as some simpleminded, lowly barbarian. Still, I pretended not to notice their posturing and continued happily socializing with them. From now on, networking was going to be an asset for me.
"Haha, thank you, everyone. If you invite me to your house, I will definitely make time to come and visit you."
"Oh, is that so? I heard that you haven't made an appearance since the banquet at Count Ferdehilt's house a while back."
"Back then, I was only a nobody, but how about we be friends now?"
"...Friends? Haha! With that zeal, you are most assuredly an adventurer. Yes, let's be friends!"
Various people approached me for the same reason, but one of them happened to be Count Ferdehilt himself. He expressed his regret at being unable to marry his daughter off to me last time.
"If my daughter were to see you now, she would surely be pleased. It's such a shame. She would have loved you..."
What the hell was he talking about? When he forcibly dragged his daughter in front of me back then, she'd been trembling.
"Haha, then I'll take my leave. I'll make sure to call on you soon, so don't be a stranger!"
Even after Count Ferdehilt took his leave, I continued to greet and make friendly conversation with the other nobles.
...Hm?
All of a sudden, a middle-aged baron walked over to shake my hand. As he did, he shot me a furtive glance, slipping a note into my hand before disappearing into the crowd. A chill ran down my spine.
Don't tell me that this bastard...
I was tempted to rip the note to shreds on the spot, but I hurried to the restroom to read it in private, just in case. When I read it over, I was glad I hadn't torn it up.
In three days, I'll meet you at the place where we first met.
—Your true friend
I didn't expect this sort of cloak-and-dagger secrecy. Was this some kind of achievement for completing my status-raising side quest?
...Now I just need to meet with the marquess one last time.
I tore the note apart and swallowed it down with some tap water before leaving the restroom.
"...I guess he didn't become a noble by pure luck."
"His change of status was approved so easily... Was that because the duke was supporting him?"
Curiosity began to creep into their eyes. This was a good sign. After all that, I ended up attracting quite a bit of attention. Now, even the marquess wouldn't be able to pull anything untoward.
After warning Baron Kypriot that I wouldn't be so reasonable next time, I returned to my seat. The Rabbit Baroness stood frozen at the table, staring at me blankly. "There's no reason for you to stand to greet me... Baroness Lirivia?" I prodded, waving my hand in front of her face.
She eventually snapped out of it and leaned in close. "W-Why would you go and do something like that...?!" she hissed into my ear. "H-His Grace even had to intervene. If things had gotten any more out of hand, you would have been in a lot of trouble."
I guess she wasn't the type to subscribe to the tank's philosophy of throwing yourself into things headfirst. Still, shouldn't she be praising or thanking me right now?
"It all ended well, though. The duke's promise alone won't do away with their discrimination, but at the very least, they won't insult you behind your back anymore."
This is what you've been dreaming of.
The Rabbit Baroness looked taken aback. "Did you... really do all that just for that one reason...?"
"Do I need some other reason?"
"That was far too reckless. If the duke had not stepped forward, things could have gotten so much worse. All the houses of Melbeth combined wouldn't have been able to do anything to...!"
Her response left me feeling a bit disappointed. Did she think all of my accomplishments were pure luck? "I can't say I agree with that."
"...This goes without saying, but I think quite highly of you, Baron Yandel. The same cannot be said for all the houses of Melbeth, however. All eyes are on you, judging if you're worthy of joining our ranks. If the others wind up deciding you're unworthy because of this, then—"
"Enough." What a pointless warning. That wasn't even what I meant. "This had nothing to do with Melbeth."
"...Pardon?"
"The same goes for the duke. Even if he hadn't stepped in, the outcome wouldn't have changed."
The Rabbit Baroness couldn't seem to comprehend what I was saying, so I kindly explained it to her. "You said it yourself, didn't you? You told me to become indispensable to you. That's why I requested a duel. You need at least one person like me making sure the others stay in their lane. Oh, and Baron Kypriot was the perfect target. His house isn't particularly notable, and he doesn't have the guts to back up his big mouth."
"Wait! Then... are you saying that you took all that into account before taking action?"
"More or less." I nodded, shocking the Rabbit Baroness.
Barely able to catch her breath, she then asked me another question. "But I don't understand what any of this had to do with you becoming someone indispensable to us?"
Ah, that?
"During our talk earlier, what I heard was that you don't think you have a way to change your circumstances."
At that moment, I realized what this multi-racial alliance of nobles was lacking—something that only a tank main who had been through all sorts of trials and tribulations could clock.
"It's not that you'll never find a way out, though. There will always be a path forward, no matter what kind of situation you find yourself in," I said firmly. "So if you find yourself on a path riddled with enemies you can't get through, that simply means you're missing something: someone who would tank an arrow for you and then still clear the road ahead after."
The Rabbit Baroness remained silent as I finished. However, I could tell from her expression.
Okay. I think my self-promotion definitely had an effect.
At the end of the day, I was the one who got to decide my own worth.
***
After that, I continued my conversation with the Rabbit Baroness. She asked me all sorts of questions, so I must have left an impression on her. I felt like a door-to-door salesman selling dubious home remedies.
"You were right earlier..." As time went on, the look on her face gradually began to change as well. "What good has it done us to endure their constant snubbing for so long? All that time wasted... If only we'd pushed back even a bit each time, I'm certain we'd be in a much different position right now!"
There was no longer a meek herbivore in front of me. She had become a fierce beast full of determination.
"It's about time Melbeth changes. Don't worry, Baron Yandel. I will personally sponsor your clan and obtain guild approval. We in Melbeth need more people like you."
With that, the Rabbit Baroness left the table. As I watched her go, a thought popped into my mind: Was she going to hide her teeth or bare them now? Perhaps the real difference between an herbivore and a carnivore lay simply in their mindset.
This is why your environment matters.
Anyway, was it because she was a rabbit? She was particularly easy to win over.
The table was now empty following her departure, and I continued to eat my meal, which had been put on hold for quite a while now. One by one, the other nobles began to meander over to speak with me.
"Baron Yandel, I heard that someone was speaking ill of you earlier. It's only right that you would request a duel after that."
"When I heard about what happened, I was utterly shocked."
"Tsk, how are people still discriminating against other races in this day and age?"
I found it funny how quickly they'd changed their tunes and stopped viewing me as some simpleminded, lowly barbarian. Still, I pretended not to notice their posturing and continued happily socializing with them. From now on, networking was going to be an asset for me.
"Haha, thank you, everyone. If you invite me to your house, I will definitely make time to come and visit you."
"Oh, is that so? I heard that you haven't made an appearance since the banquet at Count Ferdehilt's house a while back."
"Back then, I was only a nobody, but how about we be friends now?"
"...Friends? Haha! With that zeal, you are most assuredly an adventurer. Yes, let's be friends!"
Various people approached me for the same reason, but one of them happened to be Count Ferdehilt himself. He expressed his regret at being unable to marry his daughter off to me last time.
"If my daughter were to see you now, she would surely be pleased. It's such a shame. She would have loved you..."
What the hell was he talking about? When he forcibly dragged his daughter in front of me back then, she'd been trembling.
"Haha, then I'll take my leave. I'll make sure to call on you soon, so don't be a stranger!"
Even after Count Ferdehilt took his leave, I continued to greet and make friendly conversation with the other nobles.
...Hm?
All of a sudden, a middle-aged baron walked over to shake my hand. As he did, he shot me a furtive glance, slipping a note into my hand before disappearing into the crowd. A chill ran down my spine.
Don't tell me that this bastard...
I was tempted to rip the note to shreds on the spot, but I hurried to the restroom to read it in private, just in case. When I read it over, I was glad I hadn't torn it up.
In three days, I'll meet you at the place where we first met.
—Your true friend
I didn't expect this sort of cloak-and-dagger secrecy. Was this some kind of achievement for completing my status-raising side quest?
...Now I just need to meet with the marquess one last time.
I tore the note apart and swallowed it down with some tap water before leaving the restroom.