Chapter 140 - Episode 137: New Retainers ②
Told by Matilda that Noein was calling for her, Christy followed her toward the Lord's office.
"Noein-sama, you called—"
Entering the room, Christy stopped mid-sentence as she sensed the solemn atmosphere drifting through the air.
"Christy, come before me."
"...Yes, Your Excellency."
Christy stepped forward before Noein, dropped to both knees, and crossed her hands in front of her chest. It was the posture used by female slaves to show the utmost respect to a superior.
"Christy, when touching the floor, one knee is enough. And instead of overlapping both hands, place your right hand on your left chest."
Hearing this, Christy's eyes widened in realization. The posture Noein described was the greeting of a commoner. She understood what this meant.
"Christy, slave owned by the Baronet Arqvist family. You have achieved many results, such as establishing efficient cultivation methods for potatoes, realizing oil production from soybeans, and succeeding in sugar production from sugar beets. Furthermore, through your suggestions to the retainer Damian, the method of die forging was established, and the industrial production capacity of the Arqvist territory has improved dramatically. All of these are noteworthy achievements."
As she listened to Noein's words, Christy trembled slightly.
"In recognition of these achievements and to reward your contribution, I hereby release you from your status as a slave."
"...It is a joy beyond measure!"
Christy answered, straining to keep her voice from shaking and her tears from falling.
When she had first fallen into slavery, Christy's heart had rotted. Refusing to accept the reality that such a situation was beneath her, she had escaped by lashing out at the people around her.
That perception was corrected by her master, Noein. Despite behaving in a manner that would have justified punishment for insolence, she was given the opportunity to face reality and strive within it.
And so, Christy had put in the effort. She worked hard, thought for herself to achieve better results, took action, and showed the outcomes.
Now, that was recognized in the form of liberation from slavery. Christy had won her freedom through her own efforts.
"Christy, you are free. If you wish, you may return to your family in your hometown. However, if possible, I would like you to remain in this territory and serve the Baronet Arqvist family. As a retainer."
The moment Noein said that, Christy's answer was already decided.
A hometown with a family that had sold her as collateral for a debt just to protect her older brother, the heir. And this Arqvist territory, where she had earned a place through her own efforts. There was no need to even think about which place would make her happier.
"...Of course, Noein-sama. Now, the Arqvist territory is my home, and this is my only place to belong. To demonstrate my abilities and contribute here is the meaning of my existence. From now on, as a retainer, I swear unwavering loyalty to the Baronet Arqvist family."
Tomorrow, a year from now, ten years from now—what Christy does will not change. She will simply strive in her work. However, she is no longer working without options as a slave. She has chosen this place herself, and she will work here. That was a completely different meaning.
"I'm glad... Then, right here and now, I appoint you as a new retainer of the Baronet Arqvist family. I look forward to your future work."
"I shall certainly live up to your expectations, Your Excellency."
Christy bowed respectfully and left the room. Seeing her exit with slightly moist eyes and a refreshed expression, Noein couldn't help but smile.
Looking beside him, Matilda, who usually never broke her expressionless mask in public, also had a slightly gentle look on her face.
"...Matilda, you want to go talk to Christy, don't you? Go on."
To Matilda, who had been troubled by her in various ways since Christy first arrived in the territory, she was a cute but high-maintenance junior. She likely felt a desire to congratulate her.
"Noein-sama... then, please excuse me for a moment."
Prompted by Noein, Matilda followed after Christy.
"...I feel nostalgic for the day we 're-educated' Christy,"
"About two and a half years ago, huh. It was surprisingly fast,"
"But she properly showed the results,"
Noein replied to the mutterings of Pence and Yuri.
Because she possessed high education, Christy had been purchased at the exceptionally high price of 300,000 Rebro, but considering her contributions regarding potatoes, soybeans, sugar beets, and die forging, the profits generated up to now were countless times that amount.
Moreover, thanks to her work, they had ultimately gained the favor of the Royal Family. There were many other achievements that could not be seen in simple numbers. These were merits worthy of releasing her from slavery and appointing her as a retainer.
.....
"—Therefore, the Records Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will officially record Damian's name in history—"
"Really!? Yay! I've carved my name into history with my inventions! I'm a great man!"
Damian shouted, jumping up and down with loud thumps. Interrupting the Lord's words and frolicking in a place of reward was behavior permitted only because he was someone who had given up on various aspects of being an adult.
Noein, whose story was interrupted, chuckled as if it were someone else's business, while behind him, Matilda wore a somewhat chilly aura, and Yuri and Pence, on either side, sighed.
And beside Damian, Daphne, the magic item crafter who had been called in with him, covered one ear looking slightly troubled.
"...Damian, are you satisfied now?"
"Ah, sorry, I just got excited! Uh, so, what was it again!?"
"Ahaha, well, that's all there is to it. His Majesty the King also took a liking to the Crossbow and Ballista you made, and in exchange for presenting them to the Royal Family, this reward was decided. You'll also be given a considerable amount of money. As the Lord, I'll add a bit of a bonus to that, so use it as you like."
"To think the things I developed are recognized by the Royal Family, it's truly amazing! The money... well, I'll use it for new development!"
As Noein expected, Damian, who cared more about leaving a name as a craftsman than gaining honor or wealth as an individual, was overjoyed.
Glancing at him while he still seemed restless, Daphne asked Noein.
"But Noein-sama, is it alright for even me to receive a reward? I was the one who put the explosive flame arrows into practical use, but the idea was yours, Noein-sama."
"It couldn't have been made with my idea alone. The explosive flame arrows were one of the factors that allowed us to return alive from the war. Let me reward you as the Lord."
The reason he had called Daphne in along with Damian was to give a reward from the Lord in appreciation of her achievement in making the explosive flame arrows practical. Although the Royal Family had only mentioned Noein as the originator, Noein believed it would be wrong to give nothing to the person who handled the actual manufacturing.
"...I understand. Then, I shall gratefully accept the reward."
"Good. As the Lord, I'll give you funds—well, in other words, cash—but is there anything else you desire?"
"Let me see... then, from the next graduates of the school operated by Clara-sama, I would like to hire one or two employees to handle clerical work and accounting. Could you put in a good word for me?"
When Noein asked, Daphne answered after thinking for a moment.
"Of course I don't mind, but... that's a bit unexpected. I thought you were the type who wouldn't hire anyone other than yourself in your workshop."
Since the time she had her workshop in the County of Kivileft, Daphne was famous as a lone wolf who handled all workshop operations by herself. For her to seek employees was surprising.
"Yes, when I was younger, I always wanted to be a carefree sole proprietor... but since coming to the Arqvist territory, I've received a lot of work from Noein-sama and the residents, so I felt I wanted to concentrate on my work as a craftsman. There's also the part where I've mellowed out as I've aged."
Daphne laughed softly as she said this. Contrary to the words "as I've aged," her beauty could pass for someone in her twenties.
How old is Daphne? Noein started to ask, then swallowed the question. If the Lord asked, she would likely answer, but asking a woman her age out of mere curiosity was rude.
"Speaking of which, Daphne-san, how old are—"
"Damian! Stop that!"
Unlike Noein, Damian tried to ask without hesitation, only to be stopped by Yuri's shout.
While feeling grateful to the Chief Retainer for stopping the retainer's rudeness, a feeling of regret welled up—he had been so close to finding out Daphne's age.
Whether she knew Noein's feelings or not, Daphne looked at Noein with a meaningful smile, and Noein responded with a wry smile.
Thus, all the work regarding the appointment of subordinates as retainers and the granting of rewards accompanying Noein's promotion in rank was completed.