CH 19

[I Visited the Frontier Count’s Mansion]

After completing the investigating mission of the Demon Forest, we returned to Youg Hannotes. The next day, I visited the mansion to return the sword I borrowed from Lloyd.

The Frontier Count Lloyd’s mansion was built on a small hill overlooking Youg Hannotes.

Unlike the noble mansion that Alfine bought in the Royal Capital, the mansion where Lloyd and co lived was surrounded by solid walls like a sturdy fortress.

The walls are quite high, and the walls were built considerably sturdy.

I think even magic can’t easily break it.

“I’ve been waiting for you y’know, Frick-dono.”

Knight Captain Meiss spoke to me as I was walking while watching the walls.

Unlike during exploration, Meiss who changed from armor to plain clothes looks like a nice old man.

“I’m sorry to be taking your time even though you are busy.”

“No, that’s not the case. Moreover, I’ve told my subordinates to let you through anytime you come, so feel free to drop in. Lloyd-sama gave his sword to Frick-dono means he has recognized you as a swordsman. Because they heard the story from the people who we were traveling with, there are some among the knights who wants to spar with you.”

The knights guarding the entrance of the fortress-like mansion were also saluting toward me with their left hand on their right chest.

Unlike the Royal Guard Knights, there are many serious people among the knights of the Frontier Count.

I can also hear the voice of people training from inside, and since there are many people who were employed from adventurers, it seems that their skill is emphasized rather than their family name.

They were Lloyd-like vassals who were always prepared for emergency.

However, I’m just a beginner adventurer who hasn’t officially risen to bronze rank yet.

My position isn’t one that can easily going in and out of a great noble’s mansion.

“Thank you for your consideration…but it’s a place that I can’t come to easily, right.”

“Well, I have a feeling that Frick-dono would say that, so I’ll request you to do a mock battle with the knights through the Adventurer’s Guild. I would appreciate it if you could accept it.”

“Yeaah, I can accept requests by designation, but…”

“Thank you very much. Well then, let’s get through with the original business. Noelia-sama seems to be waiting after all.”

“I just want to say hello and return the sword…”

“Don’t be reserved. Breakfast is already prepared, so please have a taste of it.”

With Meiss’ guidance, I entered the Frontier Count Lloyd’s mansion.

The mansion was so simple that it couldn’t be thought to be owned by a great noble, and there was no luxurious thing that the nobles of the royal capital were competing to collect.

“I told Lloyd-sama that it’s fine to be more extravagant and give back to the territory. But, Lloyd-sama spends more money on recruiting knights and stockpiling armor and ammunition than on luxury. Among the nobles of the city, some says that Lloyd-sama is a “War Maniac”.”

Meiss explained the circumstance to me who was looking all around the furnishings inside the mansion.

Lloyd said that he was always preparing for the “Great Invasion”, and it seems to be true.

After 20 years has passed, there is no noble who was preparing for the “Great Invasion” and living such a simple life to this degree in the Royal Capital.

“I see…it’s very the Frontier Count-like, right.”

“Now, that we’ve arrived, I’ll get back to work. Lloyd-sama and Noelia-sama are waiting for you inside, so please go ahead.”

“Ha-, haa…”

When we arrived in front of the big door, Meiss immediately left and only leaving behind those words to me.

Iーwho was left behindーknocked on the door.

“Come on in.”

From the back of the door came Lloyd’s voice who sounds to be in a bad mood.

Opening the big door, when I went inside, Noelia and Lloyd were sitting in front of a big table.

“Excuse me. I came to return the sword I borrowed because of the investigation.”

“What a stiff guy. I have given that to you though.”

Lloyd looks displeased at me returning the sword.

“Father, Frick-sama had said that he doesn’t need it, so it can’t be helped right. You should accept it gallantly.”

Noelia, who was sitting on the right side of Lloyd, admonish her father with a monotonous voice as usual.

“There is no one who give back the sword that I gifted you know. And this time, it’s my beloved sword that ran through the “Great Raid”.”

“I think that’s what makes it a heavy burden for Frick-sama though.”

This time, unusually, Noelia did not seal Lloyd’s mouth.

Perhaps the visit to her mother’s grave may have helped loosen the tension between the two of them――

“You are dissatisfied with my sword huh. N-no way! Brat, you don’t want the sword, but Noe一一”

A bubble of Silence covered Lloyd’s face.

The ill feelings of the Father-daughter relationship and Silence may not be related.

Because it seemed like they would start father-daughter quarrel again, I decided to talk about why I returned the sword to Lloyd.

“Although I said that I would give it back, but I was thinking of entrusting it to Frontier Count-sama until I became a man who is worthy of wielding this sword. When I become a man who can inherit it, I will get it back.”

Listening to my words, Lloyd folded his arms and pondered, then his mouth flapping widely.

“Father said ‘I see, I acknowledged it’.”

Noelia immediately translated, but from Lloyd’s appearance, I don’t feel like he was saying that.

“Noelia, did he really said that?”

“Yes, there is no problem. Rest assured because my interpretation is perfect.”

After a while, the effect of Silence on Lloyd was cut off and the bubble popped.

“I wasn’t saying that.”

“Is that so? Pardon me.”

Noelia responded to Lloyd’s retort with an indifferent expression.

Somehow or another the two are having difference of opinion, but they may actually be on good terms.

I smiled at the interaction between the two.

“After returning the sword that I gave you, are you going to use that blunt sword again? You can’t bring out your real skill with that sword you know.”

“I’m thinking of making a new sword with the reward I received from the escort request this time. I will make a sword that suits myself now.”

Although it was difficult to make money, it was my self-conceit that even though I would go to the Demon Forest, I only brought a blunt sword.

Therefore, it’s imperative to make a sword that can be called a reliable partner for me.

“Hou, you want to make a new sword huh…”

“Yes…as what was said by the Frontier Count-sama, I’d like to make a sword even if I have to borrow money.”

“Then I’ll introduce you to a blacksmith who I’m counting on. He’s the man who forged that sword. He’s a weird and grumpy man, but all the swords he makes are first-class products you know.”

The blacksmith who forged Lloyd’s sword…

I think that a blacksmith who can forge such a sword is a man of considerable skill.

“Thank you. I would appreciate it if you could introduce me.”

“Very well. I’ll send out a messenger in advance. He’s a weird man who set up his workshop in Yasuba’s hunting ground near the Demon Forest after all. I’ll draw you a map for it’s exact location.”

“Frick-sama, because we will do today’s magic practice near Yasuba’s hunting ground, so let’s have a meal before we go.”

Noelia ringed the bell on the table, the maids appeared from the door, and the meal preparation began.

“Wait! Noelia, will you go out with the brat again? You can’t一一”

Once again, Lloyd’s mouth is sealed by Noelia, and after finishing the breakfast while in silence, I decided to go to the Adventurer’s Guild in search of the request to take while going to the workshop.