Chapter 132 - Episode 129: Making the Rounds ①
In the same room, in plain sight, was Maximilian—his hated father.
He recognized Noein. He was looking at Noein, who had accumulated achievements as a lord-noble to be promoted in rank and was living happily with Matilda.
Noein found that unbearably exhilarating. When he was first cut off, he had thought he never wanted to see the man again, but now that he had obtained happiness, he hadn't expected to feel such joy upon facing Maximilian. A feeling of serves you right welled up inside him.
In this moment, Noein felt as if he were in a dream. Meanwhile, Maximilian was likely in a nightmare. The eyesore of a bastard son he had wanted to disappear had appeared before him, having successfully risen in the world with a face full of happiness.
Noein and Maximilian's gazes intersected. They recognized each other.
"Let's go, Matilda."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
However, neither Noein nor Maximilian allowed their expressions to move. Noein simply followed after Arnold and walked away, distancing himself from the parent he hated.
It was hardly known that Baronet Arqvist and Earl Kivileft were father and son. A great noble of the southeast and a rising noble of the northwest. On the surface, the two had zero points of contact. They could not suddenly approach one another to speak or glare at each other. Both understood this well.
After confirming that Noein had walked away, Maximilian returned his gaze. To an outside observer, it would seem as though he had merely been looking at Noein out of curiosity, just like the other nobles.
Whether there would be an opportunity to exchange words later depended on the flow of the banquet.
.....
Having pushed the matter of Maximilian to the back of his mind for the time being, Noein approached Marquis Bechtolsheim together with Arnold. Beside him stood an unfamiliar man.
"Oh, Lord Koenitz. You've brought one of today's protagonists. Lord Arqvist, I hear from the court nobles that your conduct during the ceremony was quite splendid."
"He is a Baronet now. As his father-in-law, it is a point of pride for me as well."
"Despite my youth, I have done my utmost to ensure that I am not a disgrace as a member of the Northwest faction."
Since it was a celebratory occasion, Arnold and Noein answered Marquis Bechtolsheim, who seemed to be in a good mood.
Afterward, Marquis Bechtolsheim gestured with his hand toward the man standing beside him.
"Lord Arqvist, this must be your first time meeting. This is Marquis Galdwin. He serves as the leader of the Southwest faction."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Arqvist. I have heard of your exploits from Lord Bechtolsheim. I truly find this promotion in rank to be a most joyous occasion."
The current Marquis Galdwin was smaller in stature and gave a quieter impression than Noein had imagined based on his position and power. His age seemed not much different from Marquis Bechtolsheim's.
Marquis Galdwin spoke to Noein in a gentle tone, but for a single moment, he narrowed his eyes and looked at Matilda standing behind Noein. To him, a noble of the south where discrimination against beastmen was severe, Matilda's presence was likely not pleasing.
"I am honored to be known by the renowned His Excellency Marquis Galdwin. Furthermore, I am extremely grateful for your words of congratulation."
"Ho... you can greet properly despite being so young. You seem a bit of an eccentric, but for all that, you are quite a splendid noble, aren't you?"
Seeing Noein return the words politely while bowing, Marquis Galdwin muttered this with a small laugh. Whether it was sarcasm or mere teasing was unclear.
"Hahaha, please do not bully him too much. He is a youth who behaves strangely, as you can see, but there is no doubt that he is exceptionally capable as a noble. After all, even His Majesty recognized his achievements."
"No, my apologies. If Lord Bechtolsheim says so, then he must be quite the extraordinary talent... I shall apologize if I have offended you. Thanks to your fighting spirit on the battlefield, the main army and the southwest were ultimately saved. I wish to express my gratitude once more."
"You flatter me. If a youth such as I could contribute for the sake of the kingdom and the people of the southwest, my joy is all the greater."
He seemed to be a person capable of separating personal likes and dislikes from his position as the leader of the southwest. While evaluating Marquis Galdwin thus internally, Noein put on an amiable smile.
"Oh, that's right. Since I've had the chance to get to know the young hero of the northwest, I would like to introduce our young hero of the southwest as well... Lord Rosbroke! Come here."
The man Marquis Galdwin called out to was someone Noein had been curious about for some time.
"Lord Koenitz, Lord Arqvist. This is Baron Viowulf Rosbroke, a member of the Southwest faction. In this war, he achieved the military feat of defending Fort Lobatts on the front line of the fortress zone almost single-handedly by making full use of earth magic."
"...It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Viowulf Rosbroke."
Viowulf, whom he had also seen in the ceremony's waiting room, had eyes of a transparent green that contrasted with his crimson hair. He looked to be in his twenties. Combined with his tall stature and military achievements, he had a strong presence, but judging by his expression and tone of voice, he did not seem to be a rough person.
"Lord Rosbroke, this is Baronet Noein Arqvist. Like yourself, he is a hero who defended a front-line fort."
When Marquis Galdwin explained, Viowulf looked toward Noein with a slightly startled expression. As people who had performed similar feats, he had likely heard Noein's name as well.
"Nice to meet you, His Excellency Baron Rosbroke. It is an honor to meet you. Congratulations on your promotion in rank."
"...Congratulations to you as well on your promotion."
Facing the tall and sharp-featured Viowulf, the youthfulness of the baby-faced and short Noein became even more pronounced. When Noein spoke, he replied in a low mutter.
"...I was able to defend the fort thanks to the efforts of my subordinates and the officers of the royal army, but I have heard that Your Excellency defended the fort almost single-handedly. I am simply filled with admiration for such a wonderful achievement."
"...I was blessed with a talent for earth magic by God. It was a harsh battle, but I simply continued to bury the enemy with a clear mind."
"I see, you buried them."
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
The conversation died there. It wasn't that Viowulf was being unfriendly, but he seemed to be quite poor at speaking.
"As you can see, Lord Rosbroke is a somewhat taciturn man and is not very fond of social gatherings. Lord Arqvist, you are likely close in age. Please get along with him."
"Yes. If an eccentric like me is acceptable, I would certainly be pleased to become close with him."
Noein answered thus for the time being to Marquis Galdwin, who had spoken to smooth over the situation.
That said, no matter how he thought about it, he and Viowulf were far too different as types of people. Just because they were of the same generation, it seemed difficult for a taciturn warrior and a twisted eccentric brat to become friends.
Afterward, while Marquis Galdwin chatted with Marquis Bechtolsheim and Arnold for a while, Noein found himself engaging in uninspiring small talk with Viowulf.
"...I was surprised because you were smaller than I imagined... Ah, my apologies."
"Please don't let it bother you. I am aware that my height and appearance are childlike. I'm troubled by the fact that I lack dignity despite being a lord-noble, hahaha."
"Is that so..."
"..."
"..."
"...Lord Rosbroke is tall, so from my perspective, I am envious."
"...True, I haven't lost much by being tall. Perhaps only occasionally hitting my head on low doors."
"Ahahaha, that is indeed a troubling problem."
"Haha..."
"..."
"..."
In his life up until now, Noein had never had friends of similar status or generation. The leaders likely wanted promising youths to get along for the sake of easing factional tensions, but this was beyond difficult. Viowulf likely felt the same way.
Internally, Noein pleaded with Arnold to cut the chatting short and let him move on to the next person.