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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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The atmosphere in the banquet hall dampened after the Baron and Joang Conrad abruptly left. The attendees exchanged uneasy glances.
They were unsure whether the feast was over or if they should wait for the two to return. Baroness Adelia stepped forward.
“Play some music.”
The musicians struck up a lively tune, and the awkwardly paused feast resumed. Perhaps because the Baron and Joang Conrad were absent, the atmosphere was even livelier than before.
The Baroness was a wise woman.
‘And kind-hearted, too.’
In a future that would no longer come to pass, when Anya became the Baron’s mistress, Baroness Adelia was the only member of the Rasino family who treated her with kindness.
When our eyes met, she dipped her head slightly and averted her gaze. She was even modest. I found that even more appealing.
I, too, looked away, savoring the moment. Lively music and a sumptuous feast filled the banquet hall. People chatted amongst themselves, and young men and women danced in the center of the hall.
I was still an outsider.
It was an age of barbarism. Even though befriending a skilled knight like myself would be advantageous, they still kept their distance, as wary of me as they had been at our first meeting.
It was understandable. Not only was I already a troublesome presence, having killed three knights who were likely acquaintances of theirs, but I had also just received the Baron’s permission to wage war.
‘Even I would think I was insane.’
Moreover, I was just a newly knighted youngster. It was natural for them to hesitate to approach me.
The same applied to Janbolt.
He was eating in a corner of the banquet hall. He avoided my gaze even when our eyes met. His face darkened as I approached, and he let out a sigh.
“Damn it.”
“That’s harsh, coming from a friend.”
“I’ve never had an insane friend. And even if I did, we wouldn’t be friends anymore. My god, war? You just barely escaped with your life, and now you’re walking right back into hell?”
“It was necessary.”
Janbolt grimaced.
“There you go again! You said the same thing when you approached the young lady! And look what happened.”
Janbolt gestured towards Usebia. She was surrounded by Baroness Adelia, other noblewomen, and young ladies.
They appeared to be engaged in a pleasant conversation, but whenever our eyes met, someone would step in between us. It had happened several times, so it was clearly intentional.
Moreover, two of the Baron’s guards stood watch at the edge of the group, their eyes sharp and alert. The Baron and Baroness, alarmed by my previous actions, had taken extra precautions.
“At least she’s not locked in a tower.”
“What’s the difference?”
Janbolt shook his head and continued,
“Are you seriously going to war?”
“I made a declaration in front of everyone. There’s no going back.”
“Do you think you can wage war alone? Baron Debussy’s forces, entrenched in the Twin Towers, number at least two hundred. That includes elite soldiers and knights. Even you can’t handle that alone.”
“Of course not. Who said I was going alone?”
Janbolt’s eyes widened.
“Then who? Who would help someone with your reputation as a scoundrel?”
I subtly gestured behind Janbolt. A well-built young man with dark eyes and hair and a prominent, hooked nose, even through his thick beard, was approaching.
“Lord Segeric.”
Janbolt, recognizing the man, hurriedly bowed his head.
“Janbolt, introduce me to your friend.”
“Ah, yes. This is Allen, a friend from my hometown. Allen, this is Lord Segeric, the Baron’s eldest son and heir.”
I bowed my head slightly.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Lord Segeric.”
“Oh, you know me?”
How could I not know the heir who coveted my father’s mistress? Although it was an act he had yet to commit, and now never would, I couldn’t help but have a negative first impression.
Even if the reason was Anya’s beauty, which no man could resist.
I smiled and uttered the words he most wanted to hear.
“How could a knight of the Baron not know his rightful heir?”
Segeric’s face immediately brightened. Janbolt, who had discreetly stepped back, grimaced and excused himself.
“I knew we’d get along from the moment we met! Let’s go over there and chat. I’ll introduce you to some of my acquaintances who could be of assistance to you, Sir Knight.”
A group of well-dressed young men had gathered in a corner of the banquet hall. As befitting the heir, he seemed to have his own followers. However, they seemed wary of me, unlike their leader.
‘It’s only natural. We’re on opposing sides.’
The Baron’s right and left-hand men, along with three other knights, had died in quick succession. The value of a knight had skyrocketed.
Moreover, having displayed overwhelming strength, I was the most valuable asset among the knights. So valuable that the Baron’s heir himself had to approach me.
However, to Segeric’s followers, I was merely a powerful rival.
If I were an ordinary knight, they would have welcomed me as a reinforcement, like Segeric, but I was an invasive species, capable of usurping their power and taking their place.
It was only natural for them to be wary.
And their concerns would soon become reality.
“They say you can judge a lord by his followers. Judging by Lord Segeric, your acquaintances must be fine individuals as well.”
“Haha, you flatter me!”
Just as Segeric placed his hand on my back, intending to lead me towards his group,
“Brother, why don’t you give us a chance?”
Ailgar, the second son, who resembled the Baron even more than Segeric, had approached unnoticed.
The woman who had spoken was a sophisticated beauty with reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and a sharp gaze that suggested a fiery temper.
“I am Ailgar. This is my wife, Josephine.”
“Josephine. I was so impressed earlier! Who would have imagined such monstrous strength hidden beneath such a beautiful exterior, even surpassing Sir Begins in looks? It was truly unexpected!”
Josephine greeted me with a bright smile and a curtsy, while Ailgar maintained a calm expression.
Her flirtatious smile and the way she held her skirt, even with her husband present, gave her a decadent air. Her words, too, were rather frivolous for a noblewoman.
Perhaps it was prejudice stemming from a bad first impression. Her husband, Ailgar, had also coveted Anya, just like his brother.
Josephine, fueled by jealousy, had tormented Anya relentlessly. It was far worse than Sophia’s treatment. Moreover, wasn’t she Joang Conrad’s daughter?
However, meeting her in person, she felt different from what I had imagined.
‘She looks delicious.’
Josephine was wearing a dress that revealed her ample cleavage, which was even more prominent as she leaned forward.
When our eyes met, instead of composing herself, she leaned even further forward, deliberately enticing me.
The amusing thing was that Ailgar, despite witnessing his wife’s behavior, merely frowned instead of stopping her.
Their relationship seemed bizarre, something I couldn’t comprehend.
“What are you talking about?! Sir Allen already has a prior engagement with me.”
Segeric yelled. The attention of the banquet hall shifted towards us. One might expect Josephine to feel pressured in such a situation, but she simply shielded her face with a fan and continued,
“Brother, your acquaintances are nothing but greedy sycophants with nothing to offer but flattery. On the other hand, we have a diverse group of talented individuals.”
Josephine gestured towards the opposite side of the hall from where Segeric’s group was gathered. I noticed that the two brothers’ factions were divided by the long carpet running down the center of the hall.
Ailgar’s group seemed younger, their eyes sharp, but their attire was simpler. They were likely disinherited sons like Ailgar, or those of lower status.
Josephine continued,
“Moreover, we operate our own trading company, providing financial support to our members. We also have many members working in practical roles within the castle, allowing us to offer various conveniences.”
Segeric’s expression darkened.
“Insulting my acquaintances is an insult to me!”
“Isn’t my wife speaking the truth?”
“Y-You…!”
Segeric and Ailgar glared at each other. They didn’t hesitate, even in such a public setting. Despite the Baron’s good health, his two sons were locked in a fierce power struggle.
I, caught in the middle, also became a target.
“You decide, Sir Knight. Which side will you choose?”
“Is there even a need to consider? Ours is clearly the better choice.”
In terms of ability, Ailgar was superior. His faction also seemed more competent.
The problem was the significant risk of becoming a pawn of Joang Conrad. Even Ailgar seemed to be under his wife’s thumb.
Compared to that, while Segeric might be less capable, he possessed the unparalleled legitimacy of being the heir. He would be easier to manipulate.
However, I felt it was a waste to decide so readily. With the competition so fierce, couldn’t I gain something more?
“Before I make my decision, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the war. Would that be possible?”
Both Segeric and Ailgar fell silent. They realized that answering carelessly could lead to them being forced to support the war effort.
Ailgar, who had been letting Josephine do most of the talking, finally spoke.
“Your courage is commendable, but realistically, it’s a fool’s errand. The enemy has superior numbers and high morale from their continued victories. On the other hand, you are alone, with limited forces at your disposal. The Baron won’t offer any assistance, so it’s like throwing an egg at a rock.”
Ailgar made the important decisions himself. This meant his relationship with Josephine wasn’t one-sided.
It was a strange dynamic.
“Tsk, tsk, Ailgar. That’s why you’re no match for me. If you only retreat, you’ll be retreating for the rest of your life. A man must know how to seize opportunities when they arise.”
Segeric placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Honestly, your speech sent shivers down my spine. Even if we agree to a truce, doing so under such circumstances, as you said, is utterly humiliating!”
“Then…”
“I intended to address this with the vassals later, but we intend to support you and restore everything to its rightful place.”
It was a lie. If it were true, Segeric’s followers wouldn’t have been so wary of me. He was simply trying to outdo Ailgar.
Despite knowing this, I didn’t expose his lie. The outcome was in my favor, after all.
“As expected of Lord Segeric. I knew you would understand. We can’t just let them seize what will one day be your land so easily.”
Segeric’s face brightened instantly.
“I had faith in you, Sir Knight. Now, come this way. My acquaintances have been waiting far too long.”
Just as I was about to follow him, Josephine spoke.
“If you change your mind, you’re always welcome to join us. We’ll be waiting.”
Josephine’s words were intentionally ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation. My gaze lingered on her cleavage, and she responded by leaning forward slightly, accentuating her breasts.
Leaving the strangely dynamic couple behind, I didn’t immediately join Segeric’s group.
“Lord Segeric, there’s a proper order to things. Before I meet your acquaintances, would you mind introducing me to your family?”
With the Baron absent, Segeric, as the eldest son, was the head of the Rasino family. This meant I could legally bypass the multiple layers of obstacles surrounding Usebia.
“What a trivial request. Follow me.”
Whether he understood my intentions or not, Segeric led me towards Baroness Adelia and Usebia.
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As we approached, the noblewomen, noticing my presence, widened their eyes. They looked at Baroness Adelia, unsure how to react, given Segeric’s presence.
She merely frowned slightly, not stopping us. She was considering her eldest son’s reputation.
“Oh my, oh my!”
The noblewomen gasped, covering their mouths with their fans. Usebia also noticed my approach.
“S-Sir Knight?”
Usebia’s eyes flickered nervously. She looked around, clearly flustered. It was obvious she was inexperienced with men.
I presented her with the handkerchief she had given me.
“Thanks to this, I was victorious.”
“Oh, no. The victory was entirely due to your own strength, Sir Knight.”
“That’s not true. If it weren’t for your support, I wouldn’t be here to see you again. Do you know why?”
“Why…?”
As our conversation continued, Segeric and Baroness Adelia showed signs of intervening.
I spoke before they could.
“Have you ever seen freshly fallen snow?”
Usebia, Segeric, and the Baroness stopped and stared at me, intrigued by my unexpected question.
I gently grasped Usebia’s outstretched hand as she reached for the handkerchief and smiled.
“Every winter,
My heart flutters like a child.
Last night,
As the cold winter wind from the river
Pierced me to the bone,
I knew
That it would snow today.
But the snow didn’t fall.
Or rather, it did fall.
Rudely, without knocking,
It entered my heart,
Hiding the key.
The name of the first snow
That fell upon my heart today
Is Usebia.”
Despite me being the more advantageous match overall, the women preferred Roland. It wasn’t simply because I was a scoundrel. I decided to use the one thing I had learned from Roland.
Usebia’s eyes widened at the straightforward love poem. A blush bloomed on her snow-white skin.
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Ugh a snowflake like lady, let make her our new prey bud!
