Chapter 71 - Episode 70: The Banquet ③
"Gentlemen. I believe you have each already finished your greetings, but as the leader, I wish to introduce him once more. This is Noein Arqvist-shishaku. He is a comrade who has newly joined this Northwest Faction."
Introduced thus by Marquis Bechtolsheim, Noein placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed respectfully toward the banquet attendees. It was the etiquette a noble showed to a superior.
"Many of you may have already heard, but this Arqvist-shishaku is the hero who brought the recent bandit unrest to an end. Despite ruling a small territory with a population of only about 200 people, he has demonstrated valor by annihilating a bandit group of 200 members."
While listening to the Marquis's introduction, the nobles huddled together and exchanged whispered words. Noein himself did not know how they were evaluating him in those conversations.
"Through the introduction of Viscount Koenitz, this talented young man has come to join the circle of our faction. Let us welcome the encounter with our new comrade."
As the Marquis called out, sporadic applause broke out among the nobles.
There were those who gave powerful applause as if showing heartfelt welcome—for example, Baron Oggoren—and there were those who clapped merely to fulfill their duty with cold expressions—for example, Earl Marcel.
Noein thought that this was likely as good as it would get for now. Within a faction that was, to put it kindly, tightly knit, or to put it harshly, stagnated by insiders, there was no way a newcomer of unknown origin would be welcomed with unanimous, open arms.
"Now, the reason I have gone out of my way to gather your attention is not merely to urge a welcome for Arqvist-shishaku. It is so that we may have him introduce the gift he brought with him."
When the Marquis said this, the nobles stirred slightly.
Those who had heard about the Crossbow gift were only Arnold, the person who introduced Noein; the leader, Marquis Bechtolsheim; and those close to the Marquis, such as Earl Marcel.
"Then, I leave it to you, Lord Arqvist."
"Yes... then, in place of His Excellency Marquis Bechtolsheim, I shall provide the explanation. What I have brought as a gift is a new weapon that served as the trump card in achieving the subjugation of the bandits in my territory."
Upon hearing "new weapon," the stirring among the nobles grew louder. It seemed their interest had been piqued.
While Noein was speaking, Pence, who had been waiting in a separate room, entered the banquet hall. In his hand was a Crossbow.
"This is the new weapon developed in my Arqvist territory. It has been named the Crossbow by the talented craftsman Damian who created it. As you can see at a glance, this is a weapon that is an evolved form of the bow."
As Noein explained, the nobles approached the front to see the Crossbow Pence held up as clearly as possible. In their eyes floated curiosity and the intent to analyze and determine the utility of the Crossbow.
"The innovation of the Crossbow lies in the point that the drawn state of the string can be easily maintained without using muscular strength, and that by simply aiming it at the enemy, an arrow can be fired straight without training... It will be faster for you to see it once rather than have me explain it in words."
Noein looked at Pence as he spoke. Pence nodded and drew the string of the Crossbow. He had already informed Marquis Bechtolsheim and obtained permission to perform a live shot.
The target was a piece of plate armor covered by a wheat sack. It was prepared as a target close to that of a human knight.
"I shall now demonstrate. Everyone, please pay attention."
At the signal of Noein's words, Pence readied the Crossbow and aimed at the plate armor.
When Pence pulled the trigger, an arrow was released with a "pssh" sound of cutting through the air.
The arrow proceeded to the target without missing its mark, penetrating the plate armor and stabbing deep into the wheat sack. It was obvious to anyone's eyes that if this had been a human, it would undoubtedly be a fatal wound.
"Oh!" "To penetrate plate armor so easily..." voices of surprise rose among the nobles.
In the case of a bow fired with arm strength, it is not necessarily the case that it can penetrate plate armor.
However, the Crossbow, which does not require the string to be supported by human strength, can significantly increase power compared to a general bow. This weapon, possessing more than sufficient power, must have appeared very attractive to the eyes of nobles who held territorial armies and protected their lands.
"Furthermore, this Crossbow has the advantage of being usable with far less training than a bow. In a few days, a mere peasant would be transformed into an excellent archer."
At Noein's explanation, the nobles became even more excited. The merits of this weapon called a Crossbow were that revolutionary.
"Gentlemen. Despite developing such a powerful weapon in his own territory, Lord Arqvist has not kept it secret, but is willing to disclose and sell it to us nobles of the Northwest Faction. Let us be grateful for his contribution to the faction."
When Marquis Bechtolsheim called out, the nobles this time enveloped Noein in loud applause.
They gathered around Noein just like that, bombarding him with questions: "How much will you sell this for?" "When is the earliest I can receive one?" "Is it not possible to buy it today?" Even those who had initially looked at Noein with cold eyes had now completely flipped their palms.
"Hmph, to think they would all jump so eagerly at some mysterious new weapon."
The one spitting those words while watching the nobles was Earl Marcel.
"While saying that, you understand the terribleness of that weapon, do you not?"
"Certainly, I admit that it is a revolutionary invention. However, a weapon that can be handled without accumulating training... with that, there is no such thing as a warrior's pride."
Even when told by Marquis Bechtolsheim, Earl Marcel did not stop his displeased expression. To him, who held strong pride as a knight, the Crossbow, which allowed anyone to easily take a human life with a single finger, seemed to be an unpleasant tool.
"Now, now, I understand Lord Marcel's feelings... but for my part, I am pleased that a capable young man who brings in new things has appeared."
The one who joined the conversation was Earl Anton Shuvalov, who possessed influence in the Northwest Faction equal to that of Earl Marcel.
Earl Shuvalov, who held territory around the border with the central part of the kingdom, was a person who had gained a strong position by protecting and supporting the transportation and distribution between the central and northwestern parts. Due to his position as a pipeline to the central part, he was known as a moderate.
As the three heavyweights of the Northwest Faction stood and exchanged conversation, Viscount Arnold Koenitz, the fourth-ranking member of the faction, also joined them.
"Oh, Lord Koenitz. That newcomer has brought a wonderful gift. It could be said that you, who drew him into the Northwest Faction, have achieved a great feat."
"Thank you, Excellency Bechtolsheim. However, I have played no great role."
Arnold had merely connected Noein to the Northwest Faction upon Noein's request. To have that described as a feat made him feel an awkwardness instead.
"It has been a long time since a new noble house joined the Northwest Faction... but is he not the first to capture the hearts of the nobles in such an instant?"
Earl Shuvalov said this while looking at Noein, who was still surrounded by nobles.
"Yes, most likely so... and I believe that in the future, he will continue to achieve great results. Just by interacting with him as a neighbor, there have been many occasions until now where I was made to painfully realize his extraordinariness."
The voice of Arnold as he spoke contained an emotion akin to resignation.
"Noein Arqvist-shishaku, eh... he is not of a brave nature, but looking at his words and actions, there is no doubt he is intelligent. There are parts of him that are unfathomable, but he is an interesting man."
Marquis Bechtolsheim said with a fearless smile.