Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Translator: Penny
Chapter 18
Same Bed, Different Dreams 2
For the first time in a long while, House Veilain was bustling with warmth and activity.
This was the first such occasion since the tragic deaths of the former Head of House and his wife.
For a time, the family had been thrown into chaos by the nobles' power struggles for the position of Head of House, as vassals and elders were either killed or exiled.
Servants and maids scurried about their duties, their faces bright as they worked up a sweat.
During the period when the Administrator and Knight Commander were imprisoned, even breathing within the mansion had been terrifying, each breath accompanied by trembling fear.
No one knew when the new Head of House might fly into a rage and order their execution or banishment.
Rumor even had it that servants who had to attend to the new Head of House at close quarters wept and prayed every night.
"Hey, what do you think?"
"Huh? About what?"
"About the new Lord Count."
"Hey, you! That's dangerous talk!"
The armorer, who managed Agron's weapons, pressed a finger to his lips as he glanced at the Lord's gamekeeper.
Even if it were praise, servants gossiping about nobles behind their backs was a serious offense. If someone overheard and reported them, they could face not just a scolding, but a whipping.
"Come over here!"
But just as laws don't guarantee compliance, people often defied rules even when they knew the consequences.
Just like these two.
The armorer dragged the gamekeeper to a place where no one could overhear them.
He glanced around to make sure no one was passing by before speaking.
"Have you ever seen the New Count?"
"No, not yet. He hasn't mentioned going hunting."
Gilbert, the gamekeeper, wore a conflicted expression—a mix of disappointment and relief.
When the Head of House announced a hunt, the gamekeeper could face severe reprimands if no game was found. However, bagging a large animal earned him silver coins.
This side income often left the gamekeeper more comfortable than other servants, which is why he secretly looked forward to the nobles' hunts.
"Then don't be surprised if you ever meet him."
"Why would I be surprised?"
"His Excellency, the New Count, is a Barbaroi."
"Come on... what kind of nonsense are you spouting? You shouldn't even joke about such things!"
Whether from the Kingdom or the Empire, no one held a favorable view of the Barbaroi.
Historically, the term "barbarian" referred to those from the northern Snowfield or the southern jungles, both regions known for their savage and violent inhabitants, living up to their "barbarian" label.
People despised and looked down on the barbarians, even the common serfs in the villages.
Just as nobles considered themselves superior to serfs and slaves, the people of the Kingdom and Empire regarded the barbarians as fundamentally different from themselves, treating them like mere beasts—dogs or pigs.
"I'm telling you, it's true! It caused a huge uproar!"
"No way! We have to stop those Barbaroi scum from trying to become the New Head of the Count's House!"
"Hey! Do you want to taste the whip? Watch your language!" Kanon, the weapon master, frowned and scolded Gilbert.
They were only speaking so openly because they were close friends. Otherwise, they would have stormed out the door and pretended not to know each other.
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant... S-sorry. His Excellency, the Count, never intended any disrespect."
"Let's hope so. I heard they beat the Lord Administrator to death on the spot. Baron Ludicain was also imprisoned with the Knight Commander."
"Oh, gods... I wonder if they'll kill us all next. I heard the Barbaroi tear people apart and eat them alive."
Savagery and barbarism.
The common folk's perception of the unknown world was less about reality and more like a watercolor painting stained with their own violence and bloodshed.
People feared the unknown most of all, which is why they dreaded magic, spirits, and demons—things beyond comprehension and reason.
"I asked the head chef just in case, and thankfully, no human corpses have been used as ingredients yet. But I did hear they've eaten monsters."
"Oh dear, oh dear... Shouldn't we report this to the church?"
"Report a noble? And not just a Baron or Viscount, but a Count? You want to try that?"
Kanon, utterly dumbfounded, retorted sarcastically, causing Gilbert, the gamekeeper, to flush crimson and wave his hand dismissively.
"I-I just meant it figuratively."
"Don't even think about reporting this. If the Inquisitors come sniffing around, the entire House could be ruined."
"A-alright. I'll keep it in mind."
"Anyway, warn the other servants beforehand. We don't want anyone causing trouble by running into the Count during the banquet."
They exchanged hushed whispers and hurried off in different directions.
Meanwhile, in the study of the distant mansion, Agron listened through the open window, eavesdropping on the servants' conversations to gather crucial information.
"An Inquisitor... I've read about them in books, but I wonder if they're as terrifying in reality as they're made out to be."
Though impious words occasionally slipped from the servants' lips, Agron never reprimanded them or branded them as targets for punishment.
The power to decide life and death was the right of the strong.
A true warrior should know how to show magnanimity to those weaker than himself.
Knock, knock.
The office door opened, and Agron's vassals entered.
"Your Excellency, our guests are expected to arrive shortly," Majordomo Alfred announced.
Agron nodded and rose from his seat.
"Very well, let us prepare."
The banquet was remarkably lavish and grand.
The Count's Castle's banquet hall was quite large, and the decorations, paintings, and sculptures that filled the corridors and halls clearly showcased the Count's House's prestige.
"The food here is quite delicious!"
"Indeed. With all the rumors circulating about the Veilain Fief lately, I didn't expect much, but the cuisine is truly top-notch."
"Hmph, you fools. Are you just tasting the food and chattering? This is wine from the renowned Bordin Region!"
"Wait... isn't that incredibly expensive wine?"
The distinguished guests at the banquet savored the endless stream of dishes brought by the maids, their laughter echoing through the hall.
And behind the scenes, a figure orchestrated it all with a satisfied smile.
"Yes, yes. Please place the food on that table over there. Ah! Put the wreath by the entrance!"
It was Luna, the Branch Manager of the Deiron Merchant Guild's Kotaru Branch.
Determined to repay Agron for saving her life, she offered to supply everything needed for the banquet celebrating his ascension as Count.
Can't we just keep it simple? We can always hunt more monster meat.
Are you crazy?! No, are you out of your mind...? Serving monster meat to nobles from across the region?!
We fed Demonic Beast meat to the Prince before. What's the problem?
That's... Ah, anyway, absolutely not! I'll take full responsibility for the preparations. Just leave it to me and the Majordomo!
She had been traveling to various branches, including the Deiron Merchant Guild's main branch, to procure the necessary supplies. As a result, she had been absent from the Veilain Fief for weeks, only returning at dawn.
She had dedicated several weeks entirely to this endeavor.
While this was partly to express her gratitude to Agron, it was also a strategic move to promote the Deiron Merchant Guild and establish her own reputation.
"Where did this wine come from?" one of the invited nobles asked a passing maid.
"I heard that the Kotaru Branch of the Deiron Merchant Guild supplied all the goods today," the maid replied.
"Oh, the Kotaru Branch of the Deiron Merchant Guild, you say? I'll have to commission them for my next banquet."
This was how she planned to subtly expand her and the guild's influence.
It was common for nobles to drastically reduce payment for goods supplied to their banquets, citing various excuses, or to delay payment indefinitely, sometimes refusing to pay altogether.
What? That banquet was hosted by my father! Don't you know he passed away last year?! I have no obligation to pay!
Oh, Sir... if we don't receive this payment, our guild will have to close down...
Good riddance. A close friend of mine is opening a guild soon anyway. Why don't you just sell it to him for a pittance?
T-this is unheard of! We have a contract right here! If necessary, we'll take this to court!
"Hahaha, do as you please. But did you know? The Nobility Law states that debts must be demanded from the debtor themselves. So, you'll have to shout at my dead father's grave."
No matter how much the merchants wept and pleaded, the nobles never treated anyone who wasn't a fellow noble as human. That's why such laws remained unchanged over time.
The Deiron Merchant Guild, where Luna worked, was no different.
Having experienced this several times, they usually supplied only the bare minimum to noble banquets. But now, the situation had changed slightly.
The Deiron Merchant Guild had been promoted to a Grand Merchant Guild and had gained the patronage of a noble.
Their patron was none other than Margrave Gunther von Babier of the Borderlands.
She was one of the Five Golden Lions of the Kingdom of Astraria, tasked with guarding the western border against the Jafarbad Kingdom.
Now, thanks to this powerful backing, the Deiron Merchant Guild no longer had to worry about unpaid debts and could confidently participate in matters involving the nobility.
Of course, Luna was currently supplying Agron with goods for free.
Is this enough to repay the price of my life?
She smiled proudly as she watched the nobles enjoying their food and drink.
If this event could forge a lasting connection with Agron, today's losses would become a massive investment.
After all, for a mere branch manager—not even the guild master—to establish ties with a high-ranking noble like a Count was an extraordinary feat.
As the nobles savored Luna's meticulously prepared dishes, they subtly began discussing their absent host.
"One can tell considerable effort went into this banquet."
"Indeed. I wonder how many people actually came here expecting anything? Heh heh."
"By the way, have you heard the rumors? They say the New Count is a barbarian."
"I've heard that too. Apparently, he looks like a beast."
Agron had been entrusted to the Snowfield Tribe in his youth, so none of the social elite had ever seen him.
Thus, they relied on whispers and rumors circulating from the Veilain Fief for their information.
At that moment, the Majordomo entered and struck a wine glass with a spoon, drawing everyone's attention.
The orchestra fell silent, and all eyes turned to the Majordomo.
Beside him stood a handsome man in a sleek formal suit of black and gold.
A collective sigh escaped the lips of the nobles, particularly the noblewomen and unmarried young ladies.
Some even blushed crimson, their faces mirroring the color of the wine they held.
Though the formal attire concealed his physique, the taut, powerful muscles beneath the fabric seemed to ripple visibly.
"Greetings. I am Agron von Veilain, the New Head of House Veilain. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the distinguished guests present here today."
The moment he announced himself as the Head of House, murmurs erupted throughout the hall.
The sudden change in leadership, especially amidst such tumultuous circumstances, had fueled countless rumors within high society. The appearance of this impeccably groomed young man as the new head of the family took everyone by surprise.
"From this day forward, I will fight with pride for my House, for my fief, and for the Kingdom itself. I swear this solemnly upon the sword etched into my soul."
Though no one knew exactly what he meant to fight against, the nobles erupted in cheers and applause.
After all, nothing was more stirring than the roar of a young knight.
Moreover, the young Count spoke the refined language of the aristocracy with remarkable fluency, as if he had been groomed to lead his House since childhood.
"Now, let us eat, drink, and be merry tonight, for tomorrow we fight!"
Agron raised his glass and roared, signaling the musicians to resume their performance.
Ordinarily, the Diocese Bishop would have been invited for a more elaborate ceremony, but Agron had insisted on keeping things simple, resulting in this abbreviated affair.
Agron had initially insisted on shouting only the final sentence, but the Majordomo, Baek Woon, and Elena persuaded him to add the preceding lines.
"Congratulations, Your Grace."
"Congratulations, Duke."
"Your Excellency, Count, my sincerest congratulations."
Nobles approached Agron one by one to offer their greetings.
Most were lower-ranking nobles like Barons and Viscounts. Occasionally, Viscounts or Counts affiliated with Great Lords would wait at a distance for Agron to approach them.
"Hmm? You're quite different from the rumors, Duke Agron."
A portly noble with a flushed face, clearly already quite drunk, waddled up to him.
"I am Fabia Stenbeck, serving Count Kopellus of House Kopellus, one of the Great Lords."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Agron."
Fabia addressed Agron without using honorifics, speaking as if they were equals.
This was because Count Kopellus, whom Fabia served, was a central noble belonging to the Great Lords.
Even though the Veilain Count's House in the southern borderlands shared the title of Count, their status was vastly different.
Even if their official ranks differed, the disparity could be bridged by their respective environments and backgrounds.
"Quite the imposing figure. Rumor has it you're a horned barbarian. Heh heh heh."
"Is that so? Too bad I don't have horns to disappoint you."
Agron responded calmly to Fabia's taunts, maintaining an unruffled demeanor.
Fabia, who had hoped to see Agron flush with anger, grew even more spiteful at his composure.
"I heard you Barbaroi eat human flesh. Did any of today's dishes contain it?"
"Why? Are you disappointed it's not on the menu?"
"No, it's not about disappointment! I'm asking if Barbaroi actually eat such things!"
"Regrettably, we don't. Monster meat, on the other hand..."
Fabia burst into mocking laughter.
"Look at this! Who would eat such filth? Even my slaves wouldn't touch that garbage! A human wearing a mask, eating monster meat? Preposterous!"
"What's wrong with eating it, you fucking bastard?!"
A sharp voice cut in from the side, answering for Agron.
"What the hell?! Which son of a bitch dares to─ gasp!"
"It's me, you piece of shit!"
Third Prince Lawrence roared, grabbing Fabia by the throat.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny