NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 12
Hearing the Baron’s words, the Count soon spoke in a thin, hoarse voice.
“Lift your heads.”
In response to that command, both the Baron and I, who were kneeling on one knee, lifted our heads to look at the Count’s face.
The Count, who looked to be in his sixties, had deep wrinkles etched into his face, and his gaze appeared somewhat cloudy. It seemed that he had applied makeup, as traces of powder were wafting off him.
It appeared that he was deliberately using such ridiculous makeup to hide the fact that his health was not good.
Seeing the Count like that, the Baron’s voice quivered slightly as he spoke with concern.
“Your Excellency, you must recover soon. Then, just like before, shouldn’t you take up your lance and go out to battle with me?”
Upon hearing this, the Count chuckled hoarsely and replied.
“I miss those times. Yes, back then, you almost got yourself killed when you swung your mace at the enemy’s helmet and missed, didn’t you? I saved you then, didn’t I?”
“Indeed, and that night, I brought you my precious wine, didn’t I? I’ve brought that same wine again this time. I hope you regain your strength so we can drink together, Your Excellency.”
“Ha, I never expected to hear such thoughtful words from that kid. Living long brings about all sorts of experiences.”
The Baron bowed his head once more upon hearing that and spoke quietly.
“It is an honor.”
Then the Count patted my shoulder from behind the Baron and said.
“Are you the son of Paul?”
“Yes, that’s correct. SIEL von Croilet, son and heir of Paul von Croilet.”
“Very polite; that’s how a young man should be. Your father boldly proclaimed, ‘Yes, I am the child of Helmut von Croilet!’ when he came with your grandfather. It wasn’t too bad, but still.”
“Is that so? Your Excellency.”
“Indeed it was. Anyway, I hope you do your best as a vassal of our House of Nante, just as your father did. My son is around your age, so I hope you both get along well. Now, you may leave.”
Following the Count’s dismissal, I carefully stood up and left the audience chamber, heading to the accommodation assigned to me.
**
The Count of Nante and the Baron of Croilet were very close.
Even during the audience I had just witnessed, they had fought side by side, riding together on the battlefield.
In fact, it was the Count of Nante who had saved the Baron of Croilet when he was on the verge of death in battle.
Perhaps because of this, despite usually keeping things formal during official gatherings, the two of them were conversing privately.
And considering that the Count had just indirectly mentioned that “the Count’s son is around my age” to me…
There may indeed be almost a ten-year age difference, but regardless, the Count would someday erase his makeup and say to the Baron,
“I’ve grown so weak, and all I have left is this late child. Please look after him for me, and since your son is around the same age, surely they can become good friends. Trustworthy and dependable as the heir of the Croilet family, whom I’ve relied on for hundreds of years, I ask this of you.”
The Baron would then likely respond while crying,
“Is there any doubt? My child is far better than I, and if he joins forces with that young lord, he will surely show his worth during your lifetime. Don’t worry; just live a long and healthy life.”
After sharing such touching words, they would drink the wine the Baron brought and spend the night chatting and drinking.
In a typical scenario, both the Count asking for such a favor and the Baron agreeing to it would be making good choices…
Suddenly, a knocking sound reverberated through the door, and a voice called from outside.
“Sir SIEL von Croilet.”
“Yes, who is it?”
“I am Knight Fence Striker. His Excellency wishes to personally meet you; could you come with me?”
This strange friend, who remains vividly in my memory, is up to his unusual antics again.
Normally, unless I am a peasant or of low birth, if a noble with decent common sense were to call me, they would do so during the day.
This is because traveling by carriage in this era is incredibly exhausting, and by this hour, everyone typically rests once the sun sets.
Even modern people who rarely go to bed before 10 PM hardly send messages after that time.
However, no matter how odd His Excellency may act, I cannot refuse as a vassal.
“I’ll go. But could you please wait a moment while I change out of my pajamas?”
“Of course.”
**
I changed my clothes and headed to the other mansion where the Count’s son was waiting.
It took about thirty minutes to walk there, and as we made our way, I inquired with Fence about the Count’s son. He provided me with information that aligned closely with what I already knew.
He is a manly swordsman, values chivalry, and respects honor, being quite absorbed in chivalric literature.
He possesses the entire collection of “Tales of the Knight Quirecia,” which is currently fashionable in the Eraline Empire, and even had his armor crafted in the same design as the Quirecians.
Moreover, in chivalric literature, knights are not seen negatively for pursuing women at all, so it seems this gentleman is also quite fond of women.
Additionally, it appears he cannot resist delicious food like meat, wine, various pastries, cakes, and bread…
It is truly the worst.
To be precise, if he enjoyed such things while maintaining some semblance of decency, I wouldn’t hold such contempt, but the problem is that even with all this…
As Knight Fence and I were talking, he suddenly halted in front of a grand mansion.
“His Excellency Schwein is waiting for you in the reception room. Please enter through the main entrance and follow the maid’s guidance. Thank you for responding to the call at this late hour, Sir.”
“Thank you, Fence.”
With that said, the main door opened, and a maid stepped out to guide me.
Following the maid for a short while, we soon arrived at the reception room where Schwein was waiting.
The maid knocked on the door, waited a moment, and then announced,
“Your Excellency, Sir SIEL von Croilet has arrived.”
As the door opened in response, I stepped inside, kneeled on one knee, bowed my head in front of the man before me, and said,
“I meet His Excellency Schwein von Nante.”
Under normal circumstances, even if the child of the Count of Nante is still titleless, it would be against protocol to treat him so formally…
However, the man before me smiled and said,
“Very courteous indeed. Yes, I am Schwein von Nante, who may become your lord.”
“It is an honor to meet you.”
“Lift your head.”
In accordance with that order, I raised my head.
His appearance was quite the sight.
It seemed he had only engaged in indulgent activities, as traces of muscle were hard to find on his body, and his neck and face seemed bizarrely fused.
No wonder his cheeks seemed to swallow his eyes.
His hands looked so round that even the fingers appeared chubby, reminiscent of a character from a cartoon.
The buttons on his clothes seemed to scream, “Save me! I feel like I’m about to burst.”
I almost laughed out loud, but I held back as much as I could.
Then, Schwein smiled and offered me a glass of wine.
“Other noble sons or important noble heir were not this courteous when they first met me, which made me slightly uncomfortable, but you are very polite. I like that. How does this taste? It’s been aged for 15 years.”
“It is an honor.”
I drank from the glass that Schwein had offered me.
The rich grape aroma, sourness, and a slight bitterness filled my mouth and tingled my senses.
It tasted much better and was far deeper than I had expected, causing me to inadvertently express my thoughts aloud.
“It’s delicious. I’ve never tasted wine this rich and aromatic before.”
Upon hearing this, Schwein smiled and said,
“Considering your reaction, I take it you haven’t had much wine of this caliber. Feel free to drink as much as you like.”
“Thank you.”
As we continued to chat over the wine for about an hour, Schwein’s face gradually turned bright red as if he were completely intoxicated.
He even burped occasionally, his manner resembling that of a pig from a certain game.
After burping, Schwein suddenly said with a serious expression,
“By the way, do you have a girl you like?”
I was momentarily taken aback, nearly fainting from the absurdity, but I gathered my wits to respond.
“Haha, there is one girl I cherish in my territory.”
“Is that so? What a pity… *urp*… I brought a fine girl from the brothel, you know… I was going to give her to you if you liked her…”
If it weren’t for the fact that he was my future lord, I would have wanted to tell this gentleman to please acquire some common sense.
Yet, I held back since I couldn’t afford to create any rifts with him just yet, as my time hadn’t come.
“Still, for a noble, isn’t it troublesome to have such relationships before marriage? Even if it’s an introduction from Your Excellency.”
As I said, most nobles avoid having relations until ‘after marriage or prior to having a child in the initial marriage.’
This is because, in a world where contraceptive technology is undeveloped, an unintended pregnancy could complicate matters concerning succession.
Upon hearing my words, Schwein seemed to consider my point valid, nodding as he said,
“Hmmm… Well, that’s not an incorrect statement. Now, get some rest and think about anything you may need. Let me know.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Just as I was about to leave after responding, I overheard Schwein mumbling to himself behind me.
“Only by giving and receiving can trust be established.”
How can I trust such a person who indulges in food, women, and alcohol and harbors such doubts?
**
And so I stayed in the Count’s residence for a week.
During my week there, I frequently met with the Barons under the Count of Nante and their heirs.
Sometimes we would enjoy wine and food in the banquet hall, and at other times, we would visit each other’s assigned lodgings for tea and share our aspirations and plans.
Most of them responded that they would do their best as vassals and knights of the Count of Nante, and I echoed the same statement to match the atmosphere.
Finally, the day arrived when the Count’s summons for the vassals was lifted, and everyone prepared to return to their respective territories.
At the last banquet, the night before returning to our territories, the Count drew all the vassals’ attention as the evening was coming to an end and declared,
“I, Riepenheim von Nante, henceforth declare that I shall bequeath my title to my son and rightful heir, Schwein von Nante, effective immediately. Although I have not yet received the approval of His Majesty, from this moment onwards, I order all my vassals to regard him as the rightful Count of Nante. If there are any dissenters, let them speak up fairly.”
Naturally, no one had the courage to openly voice dissent to such a proclamation.
Thus, as of that day, the lord of this land and my liege changed from Riepenheim von Nante to Schwein von Nante.
According to my memories from my previous life, it was from this point onward that this territory began to descend into the abyss.