The culture of the North was relatively free-spirited compared to other places.
It’s a stark contrast to the rigid noble culture of the Central region, especially since a mere mercenary group swept through the area and gained recognition.
While the Central ballroom is a place for socializing filled with intrigue and schemes, the Northern banquet is completely different.
It’s a small festival celebrating the blessing of forming new connections,
In simpler terms, it means you can drink without a care in the world.
Throwing on some clothes hanging in the room, I stepped out and immediately noticed a particularly large individual.
No one could mistake him for an ordinary person; he looked like he was at least twice the size of everyone else.
His massive frame made it impossible to ignore, so I approached him and offered a greeting.
The moment I greeted him, he seemed a bit surprised, then took my hand and gave it a gentle shake.
With that build, it was more like I was being swung around, but I managed to stabilize myself.
“You’re quite strong.”
“Oh… I’ve never met anyone who can withstand this.”
“I’m Robert Taylor. If you’re heading to the banquet hall, would you like to join me?”
“Sure, call me Bunta.”
I already knew the name, but I casually shrugged my shoulders and greeted him warmly.
He was somewhat unique, being a hybrid with orc blood.
If he went to the Central region, he’d be destined for persecution; however, he had joined Adele’s mercenary group and effectively utilized his extraordinary strength to rise to a close associate position.
Of course, his low intelligence meant that most of the administrative tasks were handled by Adele and Lothos,
So Bunta’s responsibilities mostly involved livening up the atmosphere at the banquet.
Feeling a bit uneasy under Bunta’s occasional glances at me, I looked back at him, and he awkwardly scratched his head and smiled.
…When people act like that, it usually means they’re hiding something.
Given Bunta and Lothos’s reactions, it wasn’t hard to guess what was going on.
They probably thought I was someone close to Adele, maybe even a beloved figure if their misconceptions had escalated.
I had my suspicions from the moment I saw how the room was decorated, but I couldn’t figure out what he planned to do if Adele caught wind of it.
Considering Adele’s personality, she’d likely respond quite sternly to such misunderstandings.
If it turned into a mess, she might only leave him with his head left on.
However, if things escalated and she felt displeased, she’d probably draw her sword and take action herself.
Speaking of Adele’s beloved, there had been times in the past when her subordinates tried to link me closely with her.
It must have seemed curious to them that an outsider was getting close to Adele.
But getting close to her wasn’t that hard.
Especially if she showed interest herself, maintaining a relationship was as easy as just agreeing with her afterward.
When I said it wasn’t difficult, I recalled Lothos’s incredulous expression.
I figured I would see her at least once today.
I had brought my sword because I had a pretty good idea of what Adele would be up to.
Ironically, my seat was right next to Adele.
By this point, it felt rather blatant, but whether she was aware or not, Adele just stared at me with a curious look.
After all, since I was a guest, sitting next to her shouldn’t be a problem.
The only issue was that in this banquet, seating was first come, first served.
“If there’s a problem, it’s that this banquet is first come, first served.
Adele must have gotten her seat first, but how is it that only the seat next to her is empty?
Lothos, sitting next to me, grinned slyly and reached out his hand.
His beard, grown like a goat, made me feel oddly irritated.
‘I introduced myself earlier, but I’m Lothos. Is this your first time in the North?’
‘That’s right. I know a little bit about the customs here.’
‘Usually, there are people who come here knowing nothing, but I’m glad to see that perceptions of the North seem to be improving these days.’
‘I think there are others who have come here as well.’
Lothos, who had been smiling momentarily, then pointed toward the northwest and continued to speak.
‘Recently, Her Highness the Princess visited. She hasn’t returned yet; she mentioned she would personally inspect the Teranite mines in the northwest. It was such a sudden event that I was a bit surprised.’
‘…Ah.’
The northwest, huh? It’s all too obvious what Miragen must be thinking, and a hollow laugh escaped my lips. I told her to pay attention to the northwest, but I didn’t mean she should go inspect it in person.
Even if she just stayed put, results would have surely emerged around New Year’s.
I must have overestimated Miragen’s intelligence.
I should have added that it would be better to watch the situation rather than go directly.
Considering the northwest, it might just barely be within the territory of Adele.
If there’s time to spare, I think it’d be wise to head that way as well.
Adele’s expedition to hunt the immigrant tribes is likely continuing toward the northwest as well.
And if the immigrants are occupying the mines, they could get stuck there for a long time without a warning.
By now, I imagine they’d be anxiously waiting to see when the Teranite mines will be discovered.
As I released a small sigh thinking of Miragen, Lothos looked at me quizzically.
It’s likely that Lothos has a low chance of knowing about the intersection between me and Miragen.
Even if he did, he wouldn’t know how our relationship stands — public or private.
‘Do you know Her Highness the Princess?’
‘We’re somewhat acquainted. I’ve received help here and there.’
‘So you know the Princess too.’
Hearing Adele’s voice, I turned my head, and there she was, looking at me with quite an interesting expression.
Now that I think of it, was that the same expression she had when I mentioned I was acquainted with the Saint?
While she wore a gentle smile, there was a faint chill in her eyes.
After sipping her drink, Adele quietly pursed her lips.
‘You’re acquainted with the Saint, and you know me, and you also know the Princess. You have quite the network, different from what I thought.’
‘Various things happened. Considering I mentioned I’d become the head of the family, I couldn’t just sit still.’
‘Right, that makes sense. But that’s your business; do I need to concern myself with that?’
Adele, staring at her empty glass, then poked my shoulder with her finger and continued.
‘Right now, the only one I care about is you. Whether you’re close to the Princess or the Saint, you’re the only one I need to keep here in the North. It’s better not to talk about anyone else here.’
‘…You said I’m the only one to keep?’
‘Yes, isn’t that why you came this time?’
A strange silence fell over the banquet hall with Adele nonchalantly drinking.
What she just said was definitely laden with potential misunderstandings, but what really troubled me was what she said next.”
Leaving me behind, are you implying that you’re planning to keep me in the North?
“I mentioned before that I liked you, didn’t I? I was thinking of having you as my lieutenant; did you not realize that?”
“I believe I just pointed out that I was going to be the Head of the Family.”
“Well, to be fair, I am a Grand Duke. If I wanted to, I could make you my lieutenant, you know.”
Her serious tone felt quite sincere.
But surely, she wouldn’t really say this; I was slightly taken aback by how lightly she tossed around such words.
If someone in this room were to share this outside, it could cause quite a stir.
Does that mean she trusts the people in this room that much?
“I don’t believe you’re speaking sincerely.”
“I am sincere.”
Staring at me with a slightly startled expression, Adele then poured herself a drink.
Pouring half into her glass and filling mine to the top, she raised her glass and spoke.
The serious atmosphere from earlier dissipated in an instant, leaving only a playful smile in its wake.
“Of course, I was just joking. I know very well what you wish to achieve here, and there’s no reason for me to get in your way.”
“Is that so? I was about to feel quite hurt.”
“…Just raise your glass, and don’t speak nonsense.”
Clink—As the glasses met lightly and the drinks were emptied, Adele took a breath.
It was strange to feel a flicker of regret, but her gaze returned to me as if it were normal again.
“If your purpose for being here is to return a handkerchief, are you also trying to grab a few other things?”
“Other things, you say?”
“You’re probably looking for my support. Didn’t you say with your own mouth that you would become the Head of the Family?”
She indeed had seen through me to some extent.
I didn’t think she’d expose me, but I was slightly surprised at how quickly she realized it.
This must mean she was certain ever since I sent the letter declaring my intent to come to the North.
She must have heard that the competition for the Head of the Family has begun here too, so she pieced it together on her own.
Not denying it, as it made sense, Adele glanced at my sword and continued speaking.
“I believe I’ve already repaid our grievances adequately. I feel bad about taking your head, but I kept my mouth shut about the secret you mentioned.”
“…Yes, I remember.”
“I can’t say it’s bad for you to seek my support, but to earn such things, you naturally need to pay a proper price. Thus, I have a proposal for you; would you like to hear it?”
Looking at Adele with a serious expression again, I nodded and replied.
In truth, I had somewhat expected this conversation.
With someone like Adele, it was inevitable she’d figure out my true purpose at some point, and it was likely she wouldn’t take too kindly to it.
If the chances of her placing conditions were high, and since her interest is turned towards me now…
There was nothing left but the one offer she would propose.
“While you stay in the North, be my lieutenant. Follow my orders and in return, I promise you’ll be treated like any other lieutenant. Depending on how you act during that time, I’ll decide whether to support you.”
“If I’m to be a lieutenant, I might have to participate in battles.”
“Are you timid? You don’t seem like the type who lacks skill.”
“I’m not. I’m just curious about when you started preparing such a proposal.”
“I’m curious about this.”
Adele replied with a small smile, as if she had expected my question, seamlessly continuing her thought.
“From the moment I first saw you. Didn’t I say I would make you my lieutenant?”
“So it wasn’t a joke…”
“If you do too well, I won’t let you go. So you need to act properly, just enough to get by, but well enough to receive my support.”
Isn’t that a bit of a difficult order?
Shocked, I chuckled slightly, while Adele nonchalantly drank from her cup.
That must have been her genuine intention.
Setting a standard and saying she wouldn’t support me if I couldn’t meet it.
To say she would make me a lieutenant meant she would take me along for the upcoming campaign against the immigrant tribe.
However, the atmosphere around us was somewhat chilly.
While I was fully prepared to follow Adele’s decision, her lieutenants were clearly reluctant to accept me.
From their perspective, I was just an outsider, so I couldn’t blame them for their reactions.
What could a young master who had been comfortably living in the center do?
There were even rumors that I had never touched a sword in my life, so some openly expressed their discomfort.
The most notable one was Bunta, who had just been laughing a moment ago but was now glaring at me, exhaling heavily.
Lothos, who had seen my sword aura, remained silent, but it seemed he had noticed that the people around him were uneasy.
Bunta, who had a troubled expression as he looked at me, finally sighed and spoke to Adele.
“Your Excellency, I think there’s going to be quite a disagreement regarding this decision.”
“Is that so? Then what should we do?”
“There’s only one way, isn’t there? We should do things our way.”
Adele’s gaze turned toward me. It seemed she had anticipated this possibility since saying she would make me her lieutenant, and her eyes were asking what I would do now.
Hadn’t I only shown her my sword aura the last time and kept it a secret? It seemed this time she intended to see my true skills.
Countless gazes were directed at me.
The once lively banquet hall suddenly fell silent, enveloping me in a suffocating stillness.
The weight pressing down on my shoulders, the disdainful glances and wary attitudes.
Whenever I came to the North, I was always subjected to such gazes.
Yet, the reason I had managed to become somewhat close with these people was simple.
Because I had skill.
Standing up straight, I looked at Bunta and opened my mouth.
With a slight flick, my finger moved playfully, and Bunta snorted.
“Do we just have to fight?”
“We have to fight and win.”
“I see.”
I remained relaxed. It wasn’t the first time I had gone through such a situation.
Bunta back then, Bunta again this time. And is it Bunta once more?
In truth, I was confident I could survive even if everyone here came at me.
Adele stepping in would make things a bit tougher, but I figured I could hold my ground somehow.
I didn’t draw my sword. My magic reserves were low, and my body felt pathetic compared to the past.
But still, I was the one called the Sword Master.
If I had a sword, defeating someone wouldn’t be too difficult.
Isn’t that what it means to be a Sword Master? Would that name really be a mere facade?
I chuckled softly, a much more carefree smile than usual.
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