Chapter 69 - The Monster of the Northernmost Territory II_002_That's Not a Compliment
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002_That's Not a Compliment
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After passing through several tunnels, the train arrived at the terminal station.
This eastern region was land bordering the Jabaru Kingdom, and had been invaded many times in the past. There was even a period when territory was taken, but now the border with the Jabaru Kingdom is far away.
After staying one night at a mid-range hotel, Sora boarded the train again and got off at a station near his family home in Amania Territory.
To put it nicely, it was rich in nature; to put it poorly, it was the boondocks. A sight that paled in comparison to the great city of the royal capital.
In the royal capital, automobiles had become more common than horse-drawn carriages, but around here, horse-drawn carriages were still the norm. Sora boarded a stagecoach.
"Young sir, from the east?"
The elderly driver struck up a conversation with Sora. There were about ten passengers on board, but Sora was in the seat closest to the driver.
"From the royal capital."
"That's a long way. Welcome to these parts."
The old man, bald from forehead to the back of his head, alternated between speaking a little and then falling silent, then speaking again. The stagecoach's violent swaying made it unsuitable for reading, so Sora was glad for the distraction.
"From here on, it's Amania Territory, ruled by Baron Forstei-sama."
The rural scenery looked no different from the rest. Sora, who had left Amania Territory at the age of five, had almost no memory of the landscape around here. Even if he returned to the mansion, he would probably forget the location of his own room.
"You're going to Jarlars in Amania Territory, right?"
"Ah, that's right."
This stagecoach made rounds to several towns and villages in the area. Today, it was scheduled to pass through Jarlars, the capital of Amania Territory, and go on to the next town.
"Amania Territory is a good place. The territory's soldiers aren't arrogant, and there are no bandits. Young sir, are you going to work for Baron Forstei-sama?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, you don't look like a noble, but you're wearing well-tailored clothes. The Forstei Baron's house has mines, so the economy is good. Merchants would bring their own carriages or automobiles to transport goods, so I thought you might be someone seeking employment."
It was off the mark, but a rather sharp observation. It seemed he hadn't accumulated life experience for nothing.
"Well, something like that."
"Most of the territory's soldiers are good people, but Baron Forstei-sama is sending troops to the front lines, so don't go dying."
"There are plenty of things I want to do, so I don't intend to die at this age. I'll be careful."
The driver grinned broadly. He was concerned about Sora, who looked like his own grandchild, and probably couldn't help but say it, hoping he wouldn't die.
Sora got off the stagecoach at almost the center of Jarlars in Amania Territory—a place called Fountain Square—and bid farewell to the driver.
"Young sir, take care of yourself."
"Thank you. You take care too."
It was a short time, but thanks to the driver, his heavy mood seemed to have lifted.
Feeling the mist from a fountain adorned with carvings unsuited for such a rural town on his skin, Sora headed toward the lord's mansion, his birthplace.
Jarlars was the capital of the Forstei Baron House, which controlled the mines, and it was a town where muscular men stood out. Even those who didn't work in the mines were often smiths who smelted the iron ore and made iron products.
Because they had to deal with such hot-blooded men, the territory's soldiers were well-trained and disciplined. With plenty of jobs to be had if one wasn't picky, this was the most prosperous and safest town in the surrounding territories.
After walking along the wide main street for about thirty minutes, he arrived at the gate of his family home.
As befitting a lord's mansion, there were gatekeepers. They had a sharp eye that didn't let suspicious characters approach.
"I'm Sora. Please announce me."
"Sora-sama... Please wait a moment."
Even if they didn't recognize Sora's face, they seemed to have heard his name. The gatekeeper around fifty stayed, while the younger gatekeeper in his thirties ran toward the mansion.
The mansion he remembered had white walls and a red roof, but now it had an orange roof. He had heard it was renovated a few years ago, so the roof color probably changed then.
As he waited, he saw the previous gatekeeper and another person running together from the mansion.
"Sora-sama!"
The person who came with the gatekeeper was over forty with a massive build. Sora recognized that face.
"Elbert. It's been a while."
"Yes. I am Knight Elbert. You remembered me!"
"I saw you at my sister's wedding. I'd like to think I have at least that much memory."
"That you remember me, this Elbert is overjoyed beyond expectation!"
The voice that came from Knight Elbert's massive frame was as loud as a dragon's roar.
Then memories stirred. Memories from ten years ago. From when Knight Elbert was younger.
"Come to think of it... you played with me when I was little."
"Yes, I even changed your diapers."
"I don't remember that."
"Hahaha. Of course not. You were a baby."
Knight Elbert had come to the Forstei house together with Sora's mother when she married into the family. Since then, he had served the Forstei house as a knight. Naturally, he had known Sora since birth.
Knight Elbert guided Sora into the mansion.
When the mansion doors opened, the servants were lined up in full force. Moreover, in the back, Sora's family was waiting.
His father, mother, and older brother were all present. Sora also had an older sister, but she had married last year and... she shouldn't be here, but for some reason, she was also there.
"Welcome home, Sora-sama."
He walked between the lined-up servants and stopped. His family was within arm's reach.
"I'm back. Father, Mother, Brother, Sister."
"Welcome back, Sora."
Father Joseph placed his hands on Sora's shoulders, rejoicing in his return.
In this Kuodo Kingdom, there is something called a Status Report Meeting every few years. It is an occasion where territorial nobles report on their own territories to the king. Counts and above do it every two years, viscounts and below every three years.
Since Joseph is a baron, the Status Report Meeting is held in the royal capital once every three years. He had come to see Sora each time.
"Sora..."
"Mother."
"You've come back well. Have you been well, Sora?"
"Yes, I've been well. I'm relieved to see Mother in good health too."
Mother Schane threw herself into Sora's chest. Her son, whom she could rarely meet, was here now. As a mother, she wanted him to stay longer. But for Sora's sake, she had sent young Sora to the royal capital.
"Sora. I'm glad to see you're well."
"I'm glad Brother is well too."
Brother Balkan, like Sora, had attended school in the royal capital, so they hadn't been apart long enough to forget each other's faces.
He had graduated three years ago, but they had also seen each other at Sister's wedding last year.
"Let me see your face properly, Sora."
"Yes, Sister."
When Sora went to the royal capital, Sister was only six years old. She, too, had attended school in the royal capital, and he had also seen her at the wedding last year.
When he met her again after a long time at her enrollment, he honestly hadn't recognized her. They say women's appearances change as they grow, and the image of his sister deep in his memories was completely gone. Still, whether it was right to call them mother and daughter, his sister had grown into a beauty resembling his mother.
The four of them rejoiced in Sora's return and cherished him.
Then Elbert interjected his face.
"Sora-sama. Is it about time?"
"About time?"
"Preparations for your departure to battle are complete."
Elbert took Sora away and dressed him in armor.
This had been planned from the start, but Sora hadn't thought he would be sent out to battle on the very day of his return, and he was confused.
"Why today?"
"It is by order of the Lord Marquis."
"...I see."
The Lord Marquis is the house the Forstei Baron House serves.
All nobles serve the royal family, but that is a mere formality. Noble houses that have risen in status, like the Forstei Baron House, have a patron house they had previously served. That is the Marquis house.
Now that the Forstei house has become nobility, they are in a patron-client relationship.
No one can defy the orders of the Lord Marquis, the patron with immense power. Even Sora knows that.
"Oh, a stable boy looks good in fine clothes, Sora-sama."
"'A stable boy looks good in fine clothes'—that's not a compliment, you know."
"Wasn't it? Well, whatever. Let's go!"
Sora was pulled by the arm by Elbert.
The four family members waved them off. They had very good smiles.
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