Chapter 38 - 038_Engagement
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038_Engagement
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It was during the Menisas disturbance that a letter from Sage Daguldor arrived for Rodney, who had been traveling between Dedel Territory and Bassam.
The content began with something childlike about Sage Daguldor himself wanting to see Hecatoncheires, and then mentioned the key that dropped from Servanui.
"The key is from the labyrinth's treasure vault?"
The letter also said that Sage Daguldor himself had obtained labyrinth keys three times in the past and opened two treasure vaults. However, treasure vaults are not easy to find, and even if found, they are guarded by powerful Servanui.
"That Lake Bottom Temple is a treasure vault?"
Treasure vaults contain not only gold, silver, and jewels, but also special items. Such items are also discovered in ruins, and while those found in ruins may sometimes be unusable, items discovered in labyrinths are apparently all in perfect condition.
"If that's the case, then the Oburosu Labyrinth also has a treasure vault..."
Since the Oburosu Labyrinth belongs to the royal family, he couldn't do anything rash. Conversely, the Abandoned House Labyrinth was Rodney's to do with as he pleased.
"This makes me even more motivated to conquer the Lake Bottom Temple."
He had no time to be involved with Menisas or anything like that. He wanted to conquer the Lake Bottom Temple as soon as possible.
The Menisas disturbance finally ended around the harvest season. Just as he thought he could finally focus on conquering the Lake Bottom Temple, now a typhoon came.
No major damage occurred, which was good, but part of the Forvas House roof had been blown off.
"The new mansion has just been completed. You may have your belongings moved in."
The day after the typhoon, with the help of the territory soldiers, they moved into the new mansion.
"What about this house? If we're going to repair it, it'll be quite a large-scale job, Lord-sama."
The master carpenter called down from the broken roof, asking Rodney what to do.
It was quite old, so even if repaired, there was a high chance that something else would go wrong again. But he couldn't bear to demolish the house he was born and raised in. Then again, leaving it as is was also a problem.
"There's no need to hesitate. All things with form eventually break. If left alone, it will become dangerous, won't it? Even if you demolish it, Father will not be angry."
"You're right."
Encouraged by his mother Sharume's words, Rodney asked the master carpenter to demolish it.
The new mansion had many rooms, and the meeting room was also large. There was a room for entertaining guests, as well as a guest room.
"There are so many rooms that Riti and I alone can't manage them."
"I see, I should have thought about that. Could you handle hiring servants, Mother? You can consult with Kiris about wages and such."
"In that case, shall I hire Yulin as a personal maid for Rodney? Hehehe."
"What are you saying!?"
"Even Rodney is a fine lord of the house now, so it's not strange for him to have a personal maid."
"That's not what I mean. I'm asking why Yulin."
"Oh? Would you prefer someone other than Yulin?"
"Rodney-sama! Do you have any complaints about Yulin!?"
"Even you, Riti!?"
When Rodney said Yulin was a retainer, Sharume and Riti said that she was just an acting retainer anyway, so it would be fine for her to be a maid and acting retainer at the same time.
And besides, since she's always with him anyway, there's no harm in her taking care of his personal needs.
"You really need to think about Yulin. She'll be turning twenty soon."
"I-I know..."
It wasn't just Sharume and Riti; even Rodmel and the other retainers thought he should marry Yulin soon.
That night, while Rodney was reading a book on Source Power in his room, there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was Emilia, he allowed entry, and Yulin came in.
"What's wrong, at this late hour?"
"Um... Her Ladyship..."
Yulin, blushing and fidgeting, was not her usual dignified self. Seeing Yulin like that, he remembered Sharume's words from earlier.
Rodney figured that Sharume had resorted to drastic measures.
"I'm sorry about Mother. You don't have to force yourself."
"No, it's not that... Um, am I not good enough?"
"!?"
Yulin gathered her courage and came to me, so what am I doing? Can I let Yulin be humiliated? I have to be the one to muster my courage.
"Is it okay if it's me?"
"Yes."
Yulin answered without hesitation. Hearing her words, Rodney also resolved himself.
He stood up, went before Yulin, knelt on one knee, and took her hand.
"Will you become my wife?"
"Yes, with pleasure."
Rodney stood up and gently pulled Yulin into his embrace.
"Rodney-sama, is someone like me really okay?"
"It's you, Yulin. There's no one else."
"I'm so happy."
The two, gazing at each other, eventually pressed their lips together.
Outside the room, three figures had their ears pressed to the door. They were Sharume, Emilia, and Riti. The three of them sighed in relief at Rodney's proposal.
"It seems it went well."
"Because Mother threatened to make Big Brother marry Shima-san."
"Isn't it good? It worked out in the end."
The three who had been eavesdropping outside Rodney's room laughed quietly.
The next morning, Yulin was seen leaving Rodney's room early by Riti. Naturally, word of this reached Sharume's ears.
"Rodney, when are you holding the ceremony?"
"Pfft!"
Rodney, caught off guard by this question during breakfast, spat out his soup.
Rodney hastily wiped his mouth and looked at Sharume.
"It's better to have the ceremony soon. How about holding it right after spring arrives?"
"What are you saying, Mother?"
"What else? The wedding ceremony for you and Yulin. Honestly, I'd like to do it before winter, but then the guests wouldn't make it in time. You're busy, so I'll handle the preparations."
Beside Sharume, who was smoothly moving the conversation along, Emilia was grinning at Rodney.
"...I'll leave it to you, Mother."
"I'm going to be busy from now on. Oh, that's right. I'd like to also furnish the mansion, is that alright?"
"Please go easy on me."
The engagement of Rodney and Yulin was announced immediately. The ceremony was set for early next spring, and invitations were sent to allied nobles as well as nearby nobles they had no prior relationship with.
Sharume steadily filled in all the outer moats. There was no turning back now. Of course, Rodney had no intention of turning back.
After the engagement announcement, Yulin went from acting retainer to fiancée. Also, Yulin's younger brother Bajis was now eleven years old, so he came to serve as Rodney's page.
"M-My name is Bajis. Please take care of me."
Bajis did not have the sharp eyes that Yulin had, but he had the same crimson eyes. He wasn't an active child, but Rodney thought he was thoughtful.
"Bajis, don't be so stiff. Even if it's by marriage, you're going to be my brother."
"Yes, thank you very much."
Bajis was already acquainted with Rodney, but they hadn't seen each other much since he became lord. He thought Bajis had grown in the short time they'd been apart.
Bajis worked hard. When Rodney was at the mansion, he would practice swordsmanship with Rodney and Yulin, or help with paperwork.
He didn't have as much talent for the sword as Yulin, but still more than Rodney before he learned the Kashima Old Style. If he worked hard, he would probably become a decent swordsman.
Bajis was quicker-witted than he was with a sword. He would organize documents from Kiris by priority and had extensive knowledge of Source Power and such. Rodney hoped that he might become a civil official rather than a military officer, or possibly a retainer skilled in both the literary and martial arts.
"That's it, step in firmly there."
"Yes."
Since the Kirisamu-style Bold Swordsmanship didn't suit Bajis, he taught him the Kashima Old Style.
"Don't extend your arm all the way; lay the groundwork for the next movement."
"Yes."
While Kashima Old Style was a Source Power, it could also be taught as a school of swordsmanship. Rodney felt it wasn't a bad match for Bajis.
Maybe he might even surpass me.
Rodney, who possessed the Source Power Kashima Old Style, was at a level just below master. If Bajis continued to grow like this, he might become a user of Kashima Old Style who surpassed Rodney.
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