Chapter 68 - Chapter 67: The Great City
"A banquet, huh... I have no experience with noble gatherings, and it seems like I'll have to be mindful of a lot of things. I'm the one who suggested it, but now that it's actually happening, I'm feeling a bit depressed."
"You really are bringing that up now."
Yuri, who was standing beside Noein, replied with an exasperated look as Noein complained just as they were about to board the carriage.
December had arrived in the blink of an eye, and Noein was now about to leave the capital city of Noeina to attend a banquet for the Northwestern Faction.
"Looking at it like this, it really looks like a proper noble's carriage."
"Of course it does. I spent a fair amount of money sending it out for renovations, so it would be a problem if the appearance didn't improve."
The carriage Noein was about to enter was the dedicated carriage of the Arqvist Baronet family, which had been received from Viscount Arnold Koenitz and renovated at a workshop in Retovik (where Damian had once worked).
It was a two-horse closed carriage that could carry a maximum of four people excluding the driver, with some space in the rear for a small amount of luggage. Originally, it had been a white and flashy carriage, but it was now painted entirely black, radiating a calm and solemn atmosphere.
"With this, as an influential noble belonging to a faction, I think I won't look inferior to other houses for the time being... Honestly, nobles are such a pain."
"The fact that you call those things a pain shows that Noein-sama really isn't like a noble, is he?"
Hearing Noein's words, Anna, who had come to see him off, gave a wry smile.
"I was born into a Count's house, for what it's worth, but I've been disconnected from noble society until this age. Having my first social outing be a banquet for a major noble faction... I might be a little nervous."
"Saying that, you'll probably just skillfully talk the other nobles into submission and come back with more allies anyway."
"I wonder. I've had a complete victory over Viscount Koenitz so far, but there might be more formidable people among the high nobility."
Even as he said this, Noein wore a silly, tension-free smile. In contrast, Yuri and Anna weren't worried, as they couldn't even imagine Noein losing a war of words.
"Noein-sama, preparations for departure are complete. We can leave at any time."
The one who called out to Noein, who had been indulging in idle chatter with Yuri and the others, was Pence. This time, he was accompanying them on horseback as a guard. Since the season was winter, he wore a thick cloak over his leather armor.
"Okay. Well, we'll be going now. Yuri, Anna, I'm counting on you to handle things within the territory."
"Yeah, leave it to me. It'll be about ten days until you return, right?"
"Yeah. I plan to stay there for a few days."
The banquet was to be held in the territory of Marquis Bechtolsheim, the leader of the Northwestern Faction, located further east than Viscount Koenitz's territory.
It took about three days by carriage one way to reach the capital city of Bechtoria. Since he had the chance to visit a great city, Noein intended to stay for several days to broaden his horizons.
"Understood. We'll keep the territorial duties running, so there's no problem."
"Noein-sama, please take care."
Seen off by Yuri, Anna, other attendants, and his own slaves, Noein's party departed from the capital city of Noeina.
Watching the noble's carriage—which was clearly high-class at a single glance—drive away, the territorial residents also watched Noein's departure with respectful gazes.
...
"...Traveling becomes this easy when the vehicle changes. I feel like I'm going to get sleepy."
Gazing out the window, Noein muttered in a relaxed voice.
Until now, when leaving the capital city of Noeina, he had traveled while being shaken around in the bed of a cargo wagon. In a cargo wagon where ride comfort wasn't considered at all, long-distance travel was quite exhausting.
But once it became a noble's closed carriage with suspension, the comfort was so great it was surprising. On top of that, a "heating" magic tool was operating, so while it was mid-winter outside, the inside of the carriage was warm. It wasn't strange that sleepiness was setting in.
"If you like, please use me as a pillow and rest. You must be tired."
In preparation for leaving the territory for ten days, Noein had been pushing forward with his work as the lord with a tendency toward overwork until yesterday. Matilda proposed this out of consideration for him.
"You're right, I'll take you up on that... Oh, Rosetta, you can relax too. Don't mind me."
"Yes, I'm fine~"
When Noein told the maid Rosetta, who was sitting in the opposite seat, she replied without seeming nervous, perhaps due to her easygoing personality.
Just like that, Noein used Matilda's lap as a pillow and began to breathe softly in sleep.
A total of five people were accompanying Noein on this journey. Bart, who served as the carriage driver; Pence and Radley, who served as guards on horseback; Rosetta, as the attendant maid; and, naturally, Matilda.
Since Pence and Radley guarded the front and rear of the carriage, and Bart was in the driver's seat outside, Noein, Matilda, and Rosetta were inevitably the ones inside the carriage.
"Ufufu."
"...Something wrong?"
"No, no~. I just thought that Noein-sama really loves and trusts Matilda-san~"
Rosetta, who was looking at Matilda with a smile, responded to Matilda's question.
Looking at Noein's face, sleeping happily with a look of complete peace, it was natural that Rosetta felt that way.
"Matilda-san is the only one Noein-sama can let his guard down and be so spoiled with. Matilda-san is amazing~"
"...Thank you."
While feeling a bit anxious about whether her face was turning red, Matilda spoke so as not to let it be known she was blushing.
...
They entered Viscount Koenitz's territory, passed through Retovik, and spent one night in a small town further east. The next day, they entered Marquis Bechtolsheim's territory and spent another night in a small town along the way.
Then, on the evening of the following day, Noein and his party arrived at their destination, the city of Bechtoria.
This city, which was also the capital of Marquis Bechtolsheim's territory, was a great city with a population numbering 30,000. The height and length of the city walls surrounding the city were incomparable to the wooden fences of the capital city of Noeina, let alone the walls of Retovik.
"It's ama~zing~"
"Is this Rosetta's first time coming to a city?"
Noein asked Rosetta, who was letting out voices of admiration while looking at the cityscape from the carriage window.
Incidentally, since Noein and Matilda were born and raised in a great city comparable to this Bechtoria, it wasn't particularly surprising to them.
"Yes, I was born and raised in a small town, so this is the first time I've seen such a large cityscape~"
"I see. Well, since you've come along, you should enjoy your stay. I'll give you some time off, so please look around at various things."
"Really~!? Thank you very much~"
Noein smiled and nodded to Rosetta, who was overjoyed with wide eyes.
While they were doing this, the carriage proceeded through the streets of Bechtoria and eventually reached the inn, their destination.
This inn, located along a main street close to the center of the city, was intended for the wealthy, such as nobles, wealthy merchants, and wealthy farmers. It was an inn that Noein had been recommended in advance by Viscount Arnold Koenitz, and Arnold was likely staying here as well.
Employees were standing in front of the inn, and as soon as the carriage stopped, they immediately rushed over and opened the door.
At the same time Noein thanked the employee and stepped out of the carriage, the entrance to the inn opened and an elderly man, who appeared to be the manager, came out.
"Welcome, Baronet Noein Arqvist. I have heard about you from Viscount Koenitz. I am the manager of this inn."
"Thank you for being so polite."
While responding, Noein was slightly surprised internally.
Viscount Koenitz had said he would enter Bechtoria early, and he had introduced this inn, but Noein hadn't expected him to go so far as to arrange things in advance for Noein's stay.
The fact that the manager recognized Noein at a glance was likely because he had heard his characteristics from Arnold in advance—that he looked to be in his mid-teens and was accompanied by a rabbit-person slave.
"Now then, I shall guide you to your room. I will have the employees carry your luggage."
"Please... Then Pence, come with me. Radley and Bart, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"We'll be staying at an inn a bit further back."
Since this inn was for the wealthy, it was said that two small servant rooms were attached next to the main room.
However, since one was to be used by Rosetta and it would be difficult for the three of Pence's group to stay in the other due to the size, it was decided that one would remain as a guard and the other two would stay at a different inn for commoners.
Therefore, they parted with Bart and Radley for now, and only Noein, Matilda, Rosetta, and Pence entered the inn.
While receiving flattery from the manager, such as "I have heard of Baronet Arqvist's achievements from Viscount Koenitz," they proceeded down the hallway and arrived at the room.
"I have been instructed to inform you once Baronet Arqvist has arrived, so I believe Viscount Koenitz will visit you shortly."
Leaving those words, the manager departed.
"I'm kind of tired... Being treated like a noble, with people bowing respectfully and lining up flattery, I'm not used to this."
"Good work, Noein-sama. Shall I brew some tea?"
Noein, who could finally relax now that he was only with his own people, lay down on the bed while exhaling. Matilda spoke to him then.
"Thanks, Matilda. Since we're at it, let's have tea with all four of us."
"I'll help too~"
Leaving the brewing of the tea to Matilda and Rosetta, Noein and Pence sat at the table in the room.
"For Viscount Koenitz to have gone so far as to arrange for Noein-sama's stay, he's quite kind, isn't he?"
"When I met him after the bandit commotion, I threatened him quite a bit. Since then, that man has become completely gentle; as the one interacting with him, it's not very challenging."
"...That's just like Noein-sama."
While they were talking about such things,
"Lord Arqvist, are you in?"
Along with a knock, Viscount Arnold Koenitz's voice was heard from outside the door.
"Gah, he's already here. Bad timing."
"He can hear you."
Pence retorted to Noein, who showed an honest reaction.
"Noein-sama, what will you do about the tea?"
"...I'll drink it with Viscount Koenitz while we discuss things. Matilda and Pence, stay behind me as guards. Rosetta, please handle the serving."
"Understood."
"Got it."
"I understand~"
Receiving Viscount Koenitz's visit sooner than expected, Noein reluctantly made preparations to welcome him.
From here, they would do a preview of the main attendees and a meeting for Noein's introduction in preparation for the Northwestern Faction's banquet.