CH 18

Chapter18 - Contract

In the courtyard of the Count of Dumer’s residence…

Adelaide, Fran and Zeimon formed a circle with Lou at the center.

Presently, the four members of the Royal Knights who had come to hear about the incident were sending him sharp looks.

“First, the mementos of the knights.”

Lou then took out the five armors from the bracelet on his left arm, as well as their swords and hair.

The bracelet appeared like a magical tool with a storage spell on it.

“W-What the hell?”

Count Calvin Ryan was astonished.

It was because of the function of the magic tool that Lou used.

It was likely the so-called spell enchantment with a higher level of enchantment cast to it.

But in Calvin’s memory, there has never been a magic tool that could contain so many things.

The other three knights seemed to have the same impression as Calvin.

Their mouths were hanging open, and their expressions were brimming with surprise.

“And now, for the evidence…Fran, um, Francesca-sama, I think it would be best if you didn’t look at it yet.”

“I’m fine. Take them out, Lou.”

Lou looked at Fran…

Then he received a nod of confirmation from Adelaide as if she was saying, “It doesn’t matter.”

He pulled the deformed corpse out of the bracelet.

“Aah! What’s this?”

When one of the knights saw the object that Lou had taken out, he groaned and forcibly swallowed his vomit back into his stomach.

The proof Lou presented to them…

It was the ruin of an ugly goblin that attacked Fran.

As expected, the captain, Calvin, stared at the deformity without turning away.

When he casually looked at Fran, he noticed that she was clinging to Lou and burying her face in his chest.

The Deputy Captain beside him also seemed to have noticed.

Calvin stopped Schnall when he was about to say something, put his index finger to his mouth and casually looked at Adelaide.

Adelaide…

She was looking lovingly at Fran, who was clinging to Lou.

To Calvin’s surprise, even the majordomo, Zeimon, was casting a kind eye on Lou and Fran.

Calvin was once again convinced of the cause of Fran’s dark shadow’s disappearance, and he muttered deep inside.

…I get it, Adelaide.

You’ve found a man you can trust with your daughter, regardless of his status.　

A man who could convince even Zeimon.

Frederick, as Fran’s father figure, I’ll be sure to watch over him.

Calvin addressed Adelaide silently, and at the same time had made a firm vow to her late husband, Frederick.　

***

As for this attack…

Count Calvin Ryan issued a strict gag order to his knights.

Basically, about the details of the incident and Lou’s case.

Of course, the case needed to be solidly investigated, but the same measures were taken for Lou.

This was to prevent the various entities in the Kingdom of Valentine from messing with Lou in any unnecessary way.

“I know it’s not my place to ask, but…I have used funeral magic for those who have died.”

Lou, who presented the knights’ remains along with the evidence, said that he had paid his respects to the knights who had died in battle.

Calvin deeply appreciated Lou’s courtesy to his own people, so he thanked him again.

“Lou, you’re absolutely right. If the bodies of the knights had been left unattended, they might have been eaten by wild beasts or, if not, they might have turned into immortal undead and harmed the people. Thank you, I’m really grateful.”

Calvin then reminded the knights who had accompanied him, including the deputy captain.

“For those who have devoted themselves to the Order so far…we must persist in it and firmly perform our duties…Do you understand?”

Calvin was a human…

He praised Lou’s chivalry for returning to the potentially dangerous crime scene and mourning the knights.

Even without the captain telling them, Schnall felt exactly the same way.

The seemingly adventurer Lou did not ask for money or goods from the knights, nor did he even request a thank you.

The three knights had somehow developed a fondness for Lou, including his refreshing response.

Afterwards, Lou asked Zeimon to prepare a carriage for him at the Count’s residence…

Then they delivered the remains of the knights and the deformed goblin to the headquarters of the Royal Knights.

***

That night, at the Count of Dumer’s residence …

Before dinner began.

Adelaide simply informed everyone in the mansion that Lou would be the school’s temporary teacher and Fran’s servant.

The servants were not upset, as they had expected this from the preceding events.

But when dinner began, they were still surprised.

Even Zeimon, the long-serving majordomo, couldn’t sit at the table.

And yet, Lou, a newcomer, was sitting next to Fran.

“You did a great job today, Lou. You even completely changed your language.”

“No, it’s no big deal.”

“But I’m not comfortable with Lou calling me Madam, ahaha.”

Adelaide laughed radiantly.

Fran, on the other hand, felt uncomfortable about having Lou as her servant.

“I-I can’t imagine Lou being my servant.”

Adelaide stabbed a nail while laughing at Fran, who sighed.

“Fran, when this spring break is over, you and Lou will inevitably be spending a lot of time at the school. As the boss and the subordinate, master and servant, we need to make sure there’s a thorough distinction.”

Adelaide said, though…

Deep inside, she cheered for her beloved daughter, Good luck! 

Lou would probably perform well both as a temporary teacher and as a follower.

His tenderness toward Fran would not change.

This tenderness for her daughter…

It stemmed out of compassion.

In order for Fran to be loved by Lou, she must first step up herself.

Show him your good side, and go for it! Fran…

Adelaide lovingly watched as Fran chatted happily with Lou.

Eventually, supper ended.

Lou was called into Adelaide’s study together with Fran to receive a reward for helping Fran this time, as well as a salary for his services as a teacher and servant.

The total amount was a large sum of 2,500 gold coins.

**One gold coin = about 10,000 yen.

“2,000 gold coins for helping Fran, 200 gold coins for being a temporary teacher at the academy, and 300 gold coins for being a servant. As a teacher, you will be paid a monthly stipend of 20 gold coins, and 50 gold coins as a servant, including the cost of your escort. How does that sound?”

Adelaide offered an amount of money, but Lou, as expected, was neither concerned nor attached to it.

“Hmm…Are you giving me that much? I don’t mind at all as long as I can eat… What about my accommodation?”

Adelaide laughed and waved her hand in the air when Lou asked her.

“What are you talking about? Of course, you’re going to live in our house. I’ll provide you with a room and pay for all your food and other expenses.”

When Lou looked at Fran, she nodded repeatedly, “Of course, you’re going to live in the mansion.”

Lou couldn’t help but chuckle…

He replied, “Okay,” while Fran was silently staring at him.

Lou is going to live with us!

Perhaps because there were no other servants in the study, Fran was bold.

She was so happy that she hugged Lou as hard as she could.

“Tomorrow I want to go out to the shopping district in the capital for some shopping… I want to buy new clothes.”

While Fran was clinging to Lou, he sighed.

The clothes that Lou had been wearing until now were quite dirty, so they were quickly sent to the laundry on Adelaide’s orders.

By the way, Lou was now wearing Fran’s younger brother Georges’ clothes.

It was expensive, but it was a uniquely designed aristocratic attire.

Lou himself prefered to dress as a commoner rather than in such luxurious clothes.

Lou really wasn’t greedy.

Adelaide smiled at Lou’s selflessness and offered some advice.

“Yes, as well as regular clothes. You might want to buy some spare sets of leather armor in addition to the leather armor you have now, and a couple of vestments robes that wizards like to wear.”

“Do I really need that many clothes?”

Lou asked in curiosity, to which Adelaide answered.

“Definitely! Buy more! But a basic order costs a lot of money, and even used ones are expensive…so yeah! I’ll add another 300 gold coins for your clothing.”

She promised an increase to his arranged allowance.

“Yay, Mom, you’re so generous!”

Hearing her mother’s words, Fran cheered as though it was for her.

“Thank you very much, Adelaide-san.”

The significant increase of his allowance made Lou smile…

He bowed deeply to Adelaide, smiling as calmly as ever.