Chapter 70 - Episode 69: The Banquet ②
The year-end banquet of the Northwest Faction is not a particularly formal gathering. Once the attendees have paid their respects to the leader, Marquis Bechtolsheim, they simply gather with those they are close to and enjoy conversation while exchanging information.
However, for Noein, a newcomer, it is not so simple. He needs to exchange introductions with all the attendees so that they remember his face and name.
Therefore, Noein, led by Arnold, moved from one group of nobles to another, carrying out an onslaught of greetings that seemed as if they would never end.
The reactions of the Northwest Faction nobles toward Noein varied.
Most maintained a wait-and-see posture, as if gauging the value and ability of Noein, an unknown newcomer, and spoke to him with innocuous words.
Some frowned slightly at Noein for having a beastman slave as an attendant, remaining curt throughout their interaction.
Among the nobles who had suffered damage from the bandit group, there were those who showed friendly reactions, expressing gratitude to Noein for achieving their subjugation.
"Count Marcel. This is Knight Arqvist, who is developing new land to the west of my territory."
"I thank you for the introduction, Viscount Koenitz... Ho, so this is the rumored bandit-slayer."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Noein Arqvist."
The person Noein exchanged greetings with next was Count Edmund Marcel. He had heard from Arnold beforehand that Marcel was the second most powerful house in the Northwest Faction, following Marquis Bechtolsheim.
"To be recommended by Lord Koenitz despite being a lowest-rank Knight, there is no doubt you are reasonably competent... Hmph, though it seems you know nothing of noble etiquette."
As Count Marcel snorted, he turned his gaze toward Matilda, who was waiting behind Noein. It seemed the Count was the type of person to frown at Noein's inclination toward beastmen.
"I believe I understand that my behavior is eccentric. I apologize if I have caused you discomfort."
When Noein spoke this with a calm face, Count Marcel's expression grew somewhat stern. Arnold, who was listening to the conversation beside them, also stiffened his expression slightly.
Even in the northern part of the kingdom, which was tolerant of beastmen, Noein's words and actions could be judged as considerably cheeky. Such an attitude is only permitted for a youth whose ignorance of the world is overlooked, or someone in a position important enough for their cheekiness to be tolerated. Noein was the former.
Noein was using this youth privilege to assert his individuality while gauging the absolute limit; for Arnold, watching from the side, it was an exchange that made him feel a bit chilled.
"Tch. Well, it is not my concern if you wish to jeopardize your standing in noble society with that cheekiness. Just see to it that you do not drag the reputation of this Northwest Faction, or Lord Koenitz who introduced you, through the mud."
Leaving those words as if spitting them out, Count Marcel departed quickly.
"...That gave me a bit of a chill, Lord Arqvist."
"I'm sorry. However, since I am bringing Matilda here of my own will, I thought that making superficial excuses now would be pointless."
Noein intended to obtain a "position important enough for cheekiness to be tolerated" within this Northwest Faction. That was precisely why, despite being a newcomer, he was taking such eccentric actions.
Though there was also a childish stubbornness in simply wanting to show off his beloved Matilda to others.
"But, I may have gone a bit too far. Have I been marked by the great House of Count Marcel?"
"Ah, that should be fine. Count Marcel has a tendency to be somewhat stubborn, but he is not the type to wield his power as the head of a Count's house based on personal likes and dislikes."
Count Marcel held territory around the border with the kingdom's northeast, and it was said he played the role of being at the forefront of conflicts with the Northeast Faction, with whom they frequently clashed. He was, so to speak, from a thoroughly militant lineage.
Therefore, while he possessed a stiff and conservative family style, he was apparently not the kind of person to bully someone indiscriminately just because they were of lower status and didn't suit his temperament.
"Now, next... Baron Oggoren, whom you have been waiting for, seems to be idle. Shall we go greet him?"
"Is it finally time? I'm looking forward to it."
The person Arnold and Noein looked toward was a middle-aged man who was slightly overweight with a kind-looking face. While he seemed gentle, he also appeared to lack a bit of presence for the head of a noble house.
The reason Noein was looking forward to greeting Baron Oggoren lay in the information he had heard beforehand.
Baron Oggoren was quite rare among nobles, being famous for his hobby of doting on beastman slaves. As someone who also loved the rabbit-person Matilda, Noein thought he could get along well with Baron Oggoren.
"Excuse me, Lord Oggoren."
"Oh, Viscount Koenitz. It has been a year."
Having been called by Arnold and exchanged light greetings, Baron Oggoren looked at Noein, then looked at Matilda standing behind him, and his eyes sparkled.
Meanwhile, Noein looked at Baron Oggoren, and then at the cat-person slave standing behind him.
The cat-person female slave Baron Oggoren brought along was dressed in a frilly maid outfit that clearly prioritized visual cuteness over practicality. Furthermore, she wore accessories made of gemstones. It was an appearance impossible for an ordinary slave.
It was obvious that she was being doted on by Baron Oggoren in the literal sense of the word.
"Allow me to introduce him, Lord Oggoren. This is Knight Noein Arqvist. A comrade who has newly joined this Northwest Faction."
Introduced by Arnold, Noein made firm eye contact with Baron Oggoren.
"...Nice to meet you, Count Oggoren-sama."
"Likewise, Knight Arqvist."
Noein and Baron Oggoren exchanged a handshake. It was not a light handshake as a social formality, but they gripped each other's hands firmly as if they were old best friends.
"The rabbit-person girl you have with you is very dignified and wonderful. From her expression, her bearing, and her attire, I can tell she possesses both supple strength and beauty. She is treated very preciously by you, isn't she?"
"Thank you. This Matilda is my pride and joy of a slave... The cat-person girl you have with you, Lord Oggoren, is also very lovely. The decorated maid outfit suits her well."
The two praised each other's accompanying slaves. Beside them, Matilda maintained an expressionless face, while the cat-person woman looked bashful at being praised and snuggled close to Baron Oggoren.
"Oh, you understand! I also think this Misha is the cutest cat-person in the world. You are the first noble to praise her like this."
"You are also the first person with whom I have been able to talk about Matilda like this."
"When one dotes on beastmen, one is treated as an eccentric even among nobles, and the position becomes cramped. It cannot be helped, but we both suffer, don't we?"
"Yes, truly."
Noein and Baron Oggoren spoke of emotions that only the two of them could understand. Beside them, Arnold remained expressionless, simply staring at a single empty point in the air while waiting for this conversation to end.
"Lord Arqvist, I hear your territory is located to the west of Lord Koenitz's..."
"Yes, I was granted a piece of the Bezel Great Forest as my territory and am striving in its development. If I recall, Lord Oggoren, you hold territory in a position toward the south within the Northwest."
"You are well-informed; that is correct."
According to the information Noein had heard from Arnold beforehand, Baron Oggoren's territory was located about a week's journey southeast from Viscount Koenitz's territory.
It was not a land with anything particularly noteworthy, but it had many plains and apparently possessed a grain-producing region of considerable scale.
"Our territories are a bit far apart, but since we are comrades who love beastman slaves, I hope we can get along from now on. If you have any troubles, feel free to consult me anytime, and even if you don't, please come visit whenever you like."
"Thank you. Please come to my territory anytime as well, Lord Oggoren. I shall welcome you."
Noein and Baron Oggoren exchanged a firm handshake once again.
For nobles, cultivating a pure friendship unconstrained by interests is a very difficult thing. In that regard, it could be said that it was extremely fortunate for Noein to have met Baron Oggoren.
"...May I interrupt now?"
"Ah, my apologies, Lord Koenitz. I am indebted to you for introducing Lord Arqvist."
"I am glad you are pleased. Even before the introduction, I thought Lord Oggoren would surely be delighted to meet Lord Arqvist."
While slightly exasperated, Arnold replied to Baron Oggoren with a smile.
After leaving the Baron's side, Arnold also spoke to Noein.
"I thought you two would get along, but this was beyond my expectations."
"Other nobles don't quite understand, but to me, this Matilda is an irreplaceable existence, and if possible, I want to go around boasting of her beauty and strength. To encounter a friend with whom I can share such talk is a precious opportunity that may only happen a few times in my life."
"...I see. Unfortunately, I don't quite understand, but if you are so excited and happy, then that is good."
"W-was I being too excited? I'm sorry, how embarrassing..."
Noein replied, feeling a bit bashful for having been excited in a way that was not noble-like in a social setting.
As Arnold looked around, wondering if the round of greetings was finally complete... he saw the leader, Marquis Bechtolsheim, approaching.
"Lord Koenitz. Has Lord Arqvist's round of greetings finished about now?"
"Lord Bechtolsheim. For the most part, I have finished meeting all the attendees. With this, the nobles of the Northwest Faction should have a grasp of Lord Arqvist."
"I see. Then, I would like to have his souvenir introduced... Lord Arqvist, are you ready?"
"Yes. I am happy to be given the opportunity to speak in such a place despite my youth."
"Good. I am strongly interested in the new weapon of the bandit-slayer. These banquets tend to become unchanging every year, so I look forward to seeing something rare."
Saying so, Marquis Bechtolsheim led Noein toward the front of the party hall.
Seeing this, the attendees fell silent without the Marquis even having to call for it, and turned toward them.