Chapter 54
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 054
Chapter Title: The Burly Trio and Oath of Loyalty (2)
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“Wicked black mages?”
The Chester Count echoed my words back to me.
It meant he was intrigued by my story.
Everything was going according to plan.
“Yes. Have you perhaps heard of an organization called Eremus?”
“First time hearing the name.”
Before diving into the main story, I decided to inform the Chester Count about the existence of this group called Eremus.
It would make the overall situation much easier to grasp.
“In that case, I should start there. There's this organization called Eremus. It's a group made up entirely of black mages, and their grand scheme is to plunge the Empire into chaos. The eastern rebellion is just one part of that plan.”
“Hmm... Go on.”
“Naturally, the black mages want to inflate the rebellion as much as possible. To that end, Eremus's eastern branch has set their sights on assassinating the eastern ruling class.”
That was as far as I'd gotten when the Chester Count asked me,
“The Birch Baron is one of their targets too, I presume?”
“Exactly. In fact, you're considered so important that the eastern branch leader is targeting you personally.”
“Black mages with good taste, I see.”
Even after I told him black mages were gunning for his life, the Chester Count's expression didn't change a bit.
Not content with that, he even cracked a joke.
A true great noble's unflinching composure.
“Now that I've revealed Eremus as the shadowy force at work, allow me to recount what we encountered on our journey to Chester Castle.”
With that opening, I began spinning a suitably embellished tale of events since joining the baron and his wife.
Defeating the werewolf targeting Birch Baron, slaying Terence—the Eremus eastern branch executive—then taking down the troll he summoned from the battlefield as well...
Listing it all out like this, we'd fought a ridiculous number of battles.
“Impressive.”
The Chester Count offered that brief assessment after hearing me out.
Then, he slowly continued.
“I've suspected something was off for a while now. Strange issues started cropping up in the territory out of nowhere. But hearing your account makes it clear—black mages were pulling the strings.”
“What sort of strange issues?”
“Livestock dying off in droves, people going missing, that sort of thing.”
“Ah.”
All things black mages would do.
I nodded emphatically, and the Chester Count posed a question.
“So, what is it you want?”
“Pardon?”
“A reward for safely escorting my son-in-law and daughter here. On the way, Birch Baron must have boasted about me, right? 'Once we reach the destination, my father-in-law will shower us with riches.'”
Spot on.
I glanced sideways to see Birch Baron flashing an awkward smile.
'What now?'
The reward I wanted was, of course, grimoires.
But blurting it out might make me seem too mercenary.
I wanted to leave a good first impression on the Chester Count.
That's when he picked up on my hesitation and pressed me.
“Speak freely. If it's reasonable, I have no reason to refuse.”
With the Chester Count going that far, I couldn't hold back anymore.
“In that case... I'd like a few grimoires.”
I stated it boldly.
Requesting grimoires as payment for escorting the baron couple felt like fair compensation.
If he asked how many, I planned to shoot for ten.
But the count shook his head at my proposal.
“That's impossible.”
“Ah...”
“It's not that your request is excessive. I simply don't have any grimoires to give.”
A great noble like the Chester Count owning zero grimoires?
It didn't add up.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, his voice rang out.
“I handed all the ones I owned over to the mages under my command.”
Mystery solved.
Come to think of it, a count of his stature employing vassal mages wasn't unusual.
'Then maybe I should track down those mages.'
Mages were bound to have grimoires.
Not everyone could read as many types as I could, after all.
They'd keep the ones they couldn't.
As that idea formed, he spoke again.
“If I'd known things would turn out like this, I would've held a few back. What a shame.”
The Chester Count looked at me as he said it.
The atmosphere shifted—like something important was coming.
I straightened up.
“Do you know how many mages served under me?”
“No, sir.”
“Three. And now, none remain. They were ambushed and killed outside the castle.”
Mages dead.
All three of them.
This wasn't something to brush off lightly.
But the shocking revelations weren't over.
“Not just mages. Nobles and priests too. They lived outside the castle walls and lost their lives.”
“They were ambushed as well?”
“Indeed. Caught off guard in their sleep.”
“The culprits?”
“Witnesses described them as things that looked human but weren't. Monsters in human form, most likely. Beyond that, nothing's been uncovered. None of the knights or soldiers knew what they were either.”
“Hmm...”
Not even the knights or soldiers knew their identity?
Then it had to be some rare monster around these parts.
As I mulled that over, the Chester Count fixed me with a steady gaze.
“This castle is no longer a bulwark protecting us. More like a prison trapping us inside. The black mages' doing, no doubt.”
Heavy words.
I couldn't respond easily.
Sensing the mood, the Chester Count changed the subject.
“Now you know my situation. Name another reward.”
“In that case... weapons and armor.”
“Weapons and armor?”
Was my answer unexpected?
The Chester Count sounded puzzled as he repeated it.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To repay the three warriors sharing my room.”
“The three warriors... You mean the Burly Trio. Word's already spread throughout the castle.”
The Burly Trio?
Fitting nickname.
Gilbert, Bear, Conal.
All three were massive.
“They're all excellent warriors. But without proper gear, they can't bring their full strength to bear in battle.”
“So you'll outfit them with weapons and armor?”
“Yes.”
“And win their loyalty in the process?”
“Yes...”
The Chester Count saw right through me.
Truth be told, this was an excuse to bind Bear and Conal to me.
Do them a huge favor, and given their personalities, they wouldn't dream of leaving without repaying it.
“Cunning.”
“I'm a mage, after all.”
I replied matter-of-factly, and the Chester Count smiled.
“Very well. I'll speak to the smiths.”
“Thank you. Oh, and one more thing.”
I quickly added,
Now or never for bringing this up.
“Those ambushed outside the castle—did they all die beyond the city walls?”
“No. Inside the walls, in the outer districts. But why the sudden interest?”
“I'll have time while waiting for the weapons and armor. Let me hunt those monsters for you.”
“How... You don't mean?”
“Yes. I'll stay in the outer districts myself. That should draw them out.”
Beings that look human but aren't.
I didn't know their exact nature, but I had a hunch about their affiliation.
Just a guess for now.
But it'd be confirmed soon enough.
Heading out after my audience with the Chester Count.
Clank.
The door shut behind us, and Birch Baron let out a sigh of relief.
Taut as a bowstring throughout, he must be mentally exhausted.
Probably dying to crash in his room.
As I gauged his state,
Our eyes met by chance.
Birch Baron spoke up.
“Now it's my turn.”
What now?
As I puzzled over it, he continued.
“So, what is it you want?”
The exact same question the Chester Count had asked me.
Not a word out of place.
'How to play this?'
So out of left field.
I had no read on how to respond.
As I racked my brain, Birch Baron pressed me.
“A reward for safely escorting my wife and me here. That's what I mean.”
“Ah.”
It clicked.
The first day I met Birch Baron.
He'd promised me lavish compensation for escorting him and his wife to Chester Castle.
He meant to settle up right here.
'Calculated move.'
Timing it right after I got my reward from the count—clearly betting I wouldn't overreach with him now.
'Hmm, nothing that really appeals.'
The three grimoires Birch Baron owned?
Already read them all.
Weapons and armor? Already covered with the count.
That left money, but...
I had no immediate use for it.
'Plus, coin's a hassle to carry.'
Empire currency was heavy bullion.
A fortune would weigh you down.
Stash it somewhere, and if thieves hit while I'm away?
Gone in a flash.
Avoid that, and you need guards.
Which means hiring and vetting people.
Can't trust just anyone.
'And nowhere to spend it anyway.'
With the east in rebellion chaos,
No real shopping spots around.
Haul it elsewhere? In these times, you'd paint a target for bandits.
Money as reward meant headaches galore.
'Anything besides money?'
I pondered Birch Baron's assets.
He was a noble.
What do nobles have? Money and honor.
Money's out.
Honor it is.
'Honor?'
That sparked an idea for a reward.
“Birch Baron.”
“Decided on your reward?”
“Yes.”
“Speak freely.”
“I'd like you to knight Gilbert.”
I'd borrow the baron's honor.
Bear and Conal were already knighted, so Gilbert—the lone unqualified one—was perfect.
My familiar wouldn't leave me no matter what, so no loss investing in him.
“No, that's a bit...”
The bold-talking Birch Baron balked.
It was a heavy ask.
“Gilbert has more than enough skill to be a knight. Excellent character too. And he's tight-lipped—won't tarnish your reputation with loose talk.”
“Hmm...”
Even with my pitch, Birch Baron hesitated.
That's when Josephine, at his side, spoke up.
“Fine. Compared to what Heros did for us, that's nothing. And while we're at it, why not redo the knighting for Sir Bear and Sir Conal? Turns out they were knighted by fellow knights, not nobles.”
Josephine's generous offer.
I snapped it up.
Too good to refuse.
“If you do that, I want for nothing more.”
After my reply,
Birch Baron gawked at Josephine in dismay and shouted.
“Josephine!”
But she kept her eyes on me.
“In return, remember the House of Birch and the House of Chester.”
“I'll never forget.”
“Good. That's enough.”
Josephine beamed.
I gazed at her and ventured a question.
Better lock it down now—people change their minds.
“So, when would the knighting ceremony...?”
“Why drag it out? Let's start preparations today.”
Josephine answered decisively.
“That's how it went down... So for now, all three of you, wash up thoroughly. They say the rite calls for donning white robes after cleansing yourselves, then all-night vigil prayer. Easy, right?”
Back in our room,
I relayed my talk with Josephine and outlined what they needed to do.
Emotionless Gilbert took it in stride, but Bear and Conal looked baffled, staring at me.
No time to coddle them.
More to say.
“The Sky Church priest will officiate the knighting, so the vigil prayer's naturally to the Sky God. Play along and believe in the Sky Church for tomorrow, at least.”
Undead, Viking, and barbarian.
These three heathens suddenly had to pray to the Sky God.