Chapter 139 - Episode 136: New Retainers ①
Just as it was on the way there, the journey back was without any particular trouble, and in about two weeks, the party of the Baronet Arqvist household arrived back in their territory.
As they passed through the farmlands, with farmers bowing their heads, and entered the capital city of Noeina, the residents along the road stopped and gave slight bows all the way to the manor. It was the usual sight whenever Noein returned from outside the territory.
And, just as always, they were greeted by the subordinates and maids lined up in front of the manor.
"Your Excellency, My Lady, welcome home. We are glad you have returned safely."
"Thank you for the welcome, Captain of the Retainers... Did anything unusual happen while I was away?"
"No, sir. The Arqvist territory has been peace itself."
Because this was a formal occasion—the return of the lord—Yuri's tone became that of a subordinate. Noein, having stepped down from the carriage, exchanged these words with Yuri, who was saluting him.
"That's for the best... Ah, I'm exhausted. I've had enough of the Royal Capital for a while."
Tired of the formal way of speaking, Noein grumbled in a lethargic voice. Yuri gave a wry smile at his lord's attitude.
"So, how were the ceremonies and the banquets? Were you able to... reunite with your father?"
"I did~. I reunited with him and gave him a proper teasing. That was fun, wasn't it, Matilda?"
"Yes, Noein-sama. Count Kivileft's expression was a masterpiece."
"...Was it alright to provoke him that much? Even if he's fallen, he is still a high noble, is he not?"
Contrary to the grinning Noein, Yuri looked a bit worried.
"That'll be fine. Look, I sent word by fast horse to prepare the offering of weapons and potatoes to the Royal Family, right? As a reward for that offering, I secured protection so that the House of Count Kivileft cannot lay a finger on us."
"That is... impressive. Direct protection from the Royal Family."
"Right? Even I think it was a good idea. Oh, and I got other rewards too; the puppet mages of the Kingdom's army—"
While exchanging words with the Captain of the Retainers as a brief report, Noein felt the reality of having returned to his territory.
.....
Upon returning to the Arqvist territory, Noein first set to work on the important tasks accompanying his promotion in rank.
The appointment of new retainers.
The territory had developed to the point where the population exceeded 1,000 people, and Noein had risen from a Knight-Bachelor to a Baronet. Considering the future, as well as the external appearance, he had to increase the number of retainers who would become hereditary loyalists to the House of Arqvist.
Those who were to become new retainers were called to the lord's office in turn and appointed directly by Noein, while the Captain of the Retainers Yuri, the Vice-Captain of the Retainers Pence, and Noein's adjutant Matilda looked on as witnesses.
"—Therefore, I appoint both Rick and Dant of the territorial army as new retainers of the Baronet Arqvist household. In principle, this status shall be inherited by your descendants. Henceforth, strive for the sake of the House of Arqvist, and for the sake of the Arqvist territory."
Right now, Rick and Dant were receiving their appointments as retainers, having been evaluated for their diligence in their duties to protect the Arqvist territory and for continuing to hone their abilities for that purpose.
"I am deeply honored."
"I swear my unchanging loyalty to the Baronet Arqvist household from here on."
Rick, whose skill as a marksman with the Crossbow and Ballista was recognized, served as the captain of the territorial army's shooting corps, while Dant was in a position to organize the soldiers and, depending on the situation, handle overall command and guidance in place of Yuri or Pence.
The two, who had handled training and patrols as the territory's defense since the early days of colonization, were no longer low-ranking soldiers but beings who should be called self-made officers.
"Congratulations to you both. I have high expectations for your future work... That is all. You may leave."
Breaking the strict atmosphere for just a moment to offer words of celebration, Noein immediately returned to his formal tone and ordered the two to exit the room.
Following the order, Rick and Dant walked through the manor without breaking their disciplined military movements, went down the stairs, and only after stepping outside the manor did their expressions finally soften.
"...We did it, Dant!"
"Yeah, we're finally official retainers!"
They patted each other on the shoulder in joy.
In their home village, they were the young villagers who boasted of their physical strength and supported Edgar, the heir to the village head. Even after being driven from their hometown along with Edgar and other young villagers, they were lucky enough to find a place to migrate to, and further, they were able to become territorial army soldiers, which were regular military personnel.
For their lives as country villagers, it was more than they could have hoped for. They had thought so even then. And then, before they knew it, they had become retainers.
Within the lord's territory, a "Retainer-sama" holds a position that sets them apart from the general commoners. Moreover, this status is hereditary and will not be taken away unless a child grows up to be such a blockhead that they cannot fulfill the duties of a retainer.
It was a rise in status that would have been unimaginable until a few years ago.
"I thought it might happen because you have a talent for organizing soldiers, but I never imagined I'd be appointed too..."
"What are you talking about? You've been good at aiming at prey with a bow since way back, and this is just the result of demonstrating that ability with the Crossbow and Ballista."
Rick, who had shown extraordinary skill with a bow during hunting since the colonization village era, blossomed that talent into marksmanship and led the shooting corps through sheer ability. And Dant, who polished his ability to lead other soldiers daily and was acquiring the dignity of a commander.
Though their directions differed slightly, they rejoiced together in the fact that they had both grasped the status of retainer through repeated effort.
.....
"...Is it truly alright for me to receive the status of a retainer? I have not been in the Arqvist territory for long, and I have not yet built up a record of achievements."
Kenooze, who had been called to the lord's office, spoke to Noein in a slightly bewildered voice.
"That's not true. In the war with the Kingdom of Lancel, you stood at the front and continued to fight while desperately encouraging the other conscripts. Because of your struggle, Fort Barrel did not fall, and I was able to return to the Arqvist territory like this. That is more than enough of an achievement... Besides,"
Noein spoke in a gentle voice.
"You are the son of that Jinozze. Precisely because I wish to repay Jinozze's sacrifice and devotion, I decided to appoint you as a retainer, and I believe that you, having been educated by Jinozze, possess the necessary ability. Would you please accept?"
"Noein-sama... I understand. I, Kenooze, swear to serve the Baronet Arqvist household with all my heart and soul as a retainer and to fulfill my loyalty. I will surely repay the kindness I have received."
"Well said. I look forward to your future work... You will be assisting Edgar, who is in charge of agriculture, and will primarily be organizing the beastman farmers. Please confirm the specific details of the work with him at a later date."
"I understand."
Watching Kenooze leave the room with an expression of firm determination, and confirming that the footsteps in the hallway were fading away, Noein breathed a sigh of relief.
"...Ah, thank goodness. I wondered what I'd do if he refused."
"As expected, he himself was surprised."
"Kenooze isn't exactly a veteran resident, after all."
"Well, there's no doubt he has potential... but there are still racial issues and various other things, after all."
The words of expectation Noein spoke to Kenooze and the words regarding the late Jinozze were not lies. However, he had not appointed Kenooze based on such personal emotions alone.
There had been beastman immigrants before, and with the migration of Kenooze and others, the ratio of beastmen within the territory had suddenly risen to about thirty percent. They got along reasonably well with the human residents, but it wasn't as if there were no disputes due to racial differences.
That was exactly why he chose Kenooze—who was young, full of potential, and perfectly capable—to serve as a retainer representing the beastmen. If there was someone with a certain amount of speaking power among the beastmen as a retainer, and if that person were under Edgar, who supervised the farmers, the occurrence of troubles due to racial differences would likely decrease.
"Now then, next... shall we call Christy?"