NOVEL WEB C87
Ugh
"Hmm?”
A little while after agreeing to the Count of Mapier's offer, the carriage stopped.
I think it's a little early. Don't tell me it's a break already?
I opened the small window and called out to the governor.
"Is it a break already?”
"Yes, if we go any further, there is no place where the Marquis Dicaman, the Count of Mapia, and all the carriages of the two families can be parked at the same time, and we will not be able to get there today.'
"I see, I understand, and you can have a good rest."
Then let's get dressed lightly and go to the frontier count as soon as possible.
"I'm going out for a bit.
You two don't have to leave, but just make sure you're dressed in case the frontier count comes to greet you."
"All right. ""Yes, of course.'
When I got off the carriage, I saw knights in armor lined up at a little distance from the carriage.
They were probably the frontier count's guards.
Although it is only an impression without evaluation, there does not seem to be that much difference in skill level compared to those of the Knights stationed in the Royal Capital.
Perhaps the knights of the Frontier Country are stronger due to the difference in experience.
"Salute to Your Excellency, Sir Mapia!”
The knights salute in a controlled movement as the carriage doors open.
The pressure is great. ......
"Relax."
"Cease your salute!"
The knights are all in a controlled motion and salute each other.
I don't need an escort, just investigate the area around the rest stop and catch anyone suspicious.
“ Ha! Yes, of course!"
I can see why the Count of Mapia is in charge of the frontier with the Empire.
It's the Mapia family that has been available to the country since the kingdom was first established.
"Wow, that ......."
"Oh, ......"
The guards of the Dicaman family who saw the knight of the frontier count are shrinking.
These guards are not the elite of the Dickaman family, but they were raised by the strongest pig knight of the current Dickaman family when it was reasonable, and they are one of the strongest overall among the private army of the noble family.
The house that serves it is equal to the one I have ascended to, and I want them to be magnificent instead of being delegated.
If it were true, I wanted to show my authority by bringing along some pig knights that even an amateur could sense as strong at a glance, but I saw a future where they would cause problems, so I decided not to do it.
I guess that the people I brought this time will turn out to be pigs too. ......
"Hello Marquis Dicaman, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule."
"No, although I have been raised to the rank of Marquis, I will not be so well behaved as to refuse the offer of the Frontier Count of Mapia, who is the key to our national defense.”
"Well, I'm glad to see that you've got some self-discipline."
The king's close aides will have the authority to run the country, and if a person with great authority is immature, it could lead to the collapse of the country.
The Count of Mapia, who has been protecting the country from foreign enemies, must have been concerned that I, still a young man, might get carried away and wreck the country.
"I'd like to have a little chat with you now, but it's strange for two nobles to be standing around talking to each other.
Please step away a little.”
He took a small ball out of his pocket and threw it on the ground.
"It's a little out of place for a chair to sit on when the count and the marquis are conversing, but it's all I can offer you at the moment."
The shrink and store magic tool, a precious magic tool with only two craftsmen in the kingdom who can make it.
I heard that even those craftsmen can only make disposable types, but ......
"Can it be used over and over again?”
'It would be rare, wouldn't it?
The theory is that there is no one who can make it and there are only about 10 of them in existence in the world, so it is a valuable item that can be used over and over again."
A valuable item is one of the status that maintains one's dignity as a nobleman.
A frontier count would no doubt consider the risk of having it stolen, but someone without an item box or other means of safe transport would probably keep it at the back of the mansion.
'Well, let's not worry about that and sit down, shall we?'
The chair is a fine one, but it is more of a sturdy chair that one would find in a battlefield command center, where the emphasis is on sturdiness rather than comfort.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to see you in person and make a decision."
I understand that this is not a casual talk between two people.
This is an acted conversation for the purpose of establishing a future relationship, and there is no need for any particular back-channeling in order to show sincerity.
"It was a test to see if it would be in the best interest of the country, and I apologize first."
Apology in words only; not bowing is not an option because of the people around us.
"No, it was inevitable, and I don't mind.”
"I appreciate you saying so.”
I noticed the respect in the eyes of the frontier count who exhaled with a huff.
"Marquis Dicaman, you have been recognized by the excellent but fussy king.
My guess is that you caught His Majesty's eye on the day of the party. To catch His Majesty's eye is the best chance and test for an aristocrat.
You overcame that test successfully and are now in His Majesty's inner circle.”
Although I know the king and the vizier's affairs, thanks to my perfect outward appearance, I was recognized by the perfect king, and I am highly regarded?
"I am amazed that you overcame so much at such a young age, and I am convinced that the country will be even better off knowing that there is a young man like you.”
I don't know what to say in reply.
But at least I could be assured that the frontier count was loyal to the country and that there was no fear of betrayal.
"By the way... have you decided on your next fiancée?'
"!?"