Chapter 110

After Amelia promised to assist at the ducal residence, the Duke's operations ran much more smoothly.

Though her face was still haggard, unlike her sickly appearance, she was resolute without a moment's hesitation when it came to directing the employees in the castle.

"M-move this over there, r-rearrange the furniture. Take th-that vase to the c-corridor so it doesn't look b-boring."

Amelia stuttered perhaps due to the side effects of the drug to which she had once been addicted.

She thought that might cause her to be subtly looked down upon by the maids and servants.

But such concerns completely disappeared due to the commotion caused by Amelia and a servant.

-Y-you there. You h-haven't done any of the t-tasks I ordered earlier. And y-you're being l-lazy here.

-But besides what you ordered earlier, Arndt has asked me to do many things, miss.

-...M-miss?

-We haven't heard about a new person coming to the ducal family. What honorific should we call you?

-I s-see. What is y-your name?

-It's Hamel.

Amelia repeated 'Hamel, Hamel' to herself, then raised her hand and struck the servant's cheek forcefully.

Where such strength came from was unknown,

But the servant, caught off guard, even tumbled backward.

-W-what is this!

-The H-Hartmann d-ducal family doesn't n-need a servant who d-doesn't know his place and is i-insolent. Let's s-see how long you c-can remain so i-impudent!

Naturally, Arndt and Leandros, who came running at the commotion, were aghast at the scene.

Leandros tried to intervene, but Amelia, enraged, shrieked sharply.

-How l-long must we t-tolerate servants who d-damage the dignity of the d-ducal family! They sh-should be thrown into the p-pigsty and w-whipped!

The servants and maids who heard this turned pale.

A scene unfolded where not only the servant who had done wrong but also maids who hadn't knelt down and begged for forgiveness on the spot.

After that, the employees always moved like the dead, careful not to upset Amelia.

"It's good that the ducal residence is quiet, but."

"When Lady Arnold appears, all the employees run away first. Whether she likes it or not, the Lady has become a living whip."

"Then Arndt, you've become the carrot for the employees. You two make a good pair."

"That's not what I meant!"

Whether it was due to Amelia catching the employees like rats or not, Arndt was able to take a breather.

From small matters like preparing for the evening banquet to the overall operation of the castle, a reliable ally had appeared.

"Anyway, we should focus on the guests now. How is everyone's status?"

"They're all watching the situation. Except for the Aisling Merchant Group. However, some of them seem to be looking for ways to secretly meet with other merchant groups."

"It would be nice if everyone played a fair game, but since merchant group profits are at stake, it can't be helped."

By now, each merchant group would have outlined their plans.

Whether to pay rent and establish a nest in the mountains,

Or return to the east, taking the risk.

If they wanted to terminate their contract with the royal family, they'd have to pay a contract termination penalty,

Which would also be a considerable amount.

Arndt, watching his reaction, said.

"What if they all say they want to forget about the business?"

"Some people might say that, but where else can they go with equipment and personnel whose leases and contracts have ended for several years? Going back to the east like this would be suicide."

"Is that so? But I keep thinking we're being too aggressive. If we provoke a backlash..."

"Hmm."

Arndt's point had merit.

He might gain an image among merchants as someone trying to throw his weight around with just land.

Then Leandros, who should be pure and flawless, might also be tainted with a dirty stigma.

Sigh.

It was annoying, but unavoidable.

"Sir Leandros, have you received reports on the cartographer's location?"

"It's been seven days and nights since they left the castle. It's about enough time to look around as far as the roads reach."

It would take some time until their return.

No choice.

"Arndt, go tell Aisling I want to see him. And Sir Leandros, would you go meet the cartographer and mercenary?"

"Meet... them?"

"You can go far. To get some fresh air, and to eliminate any demonic beasts coming down from the mountains."

Leandros seemed puzzled but didn't ask further and bowed.

Arndt and Leandros left, and shortly after, Aiden came in, panting.

"You were looking for me! Don't tell me you're regretting lending the land on such good terms? No withdrawals! Absolutely not!"

"Who are you calling petty?"

What on earth did Aiden think of him as?

He said indifferently.

"Among the merchant groups staying here, are there any with whom you personally have a close relationship?"

"How close do they need to be? Would three or four be enough?"

"That would be good."

"May I ask why you're suddenly looking for them?"

"I let you all crunch numbers, only to find you trying to collude where my eyes can't reach. So I'm going to commit some adult corruption in a cowardly manner too."

"Ah? ...Ah! Shall I arrange a meeting?"

"Tell them I'd like to have a frank conversation after dinner."

Aisling beat his chest confidently, saying to just trust him.

And that night, along with Aisling, three representatives who were 'close friends' with him gathered.

In a more harmonious atmosphere than expected, things like tea and alcohol were exchanged while everyone was busy praising each other.

By the time they left, he had three new lease contracts in his hand.

It was a typical Korean-style rush contract.

* * *

Leandros rode the black horse that the Duke had personally provided up the mountain path.

Going out to meet a mapmaker accompanied by a mercenary?

Other knights might grumble about being mobilized for such trivial tasks, but Leandros began to ponder deeply about Arenheit's words.

Arenheit was not someone who would carelessly send him away.

Did he think the mercenary and cartographer would be attacked by demonic beasts?

But they wouldn't have gone into such deep areas either.

Just as Leandros was about to turn his horse around.

The Duke's steed, which had been calm until now, suddenly raised its head.

The horse's ears perked up and turned.

Where? That direction?

Leandros too quietly inclined his ear along with the horse.

The birds that had been chirping until just now went quiet.

An eerie sound of wind. The sound of leaves colliding. And beyond that...

Faintly, a thudding sound could be heard.

There was no way a human could make such a loud noise.

Then this must be.

Leandros immediately rushed toward the source of the sound.

The Duke's horse swiftly and nimbly executed his command.

Whatever obstacles stood in its way, the horse leaped over them lightly, running as fast as a mythical beast from legends.

And where the horse landed after squeezing between large trees,

"Jonas! Come behind Dad! Hurry!"

A mercenary confronting a demonic beast was visible.

The bearded man tried to bring an axe down on the demonic beast, but it was not enough.

Blood dripped from the mercenary's side, soaking the fallen leaves and grass at his feet.

The demonic beast was close to a medium-sized species, with a body about three times larger than an average person.

Its lower body was like a snake, its upper body resembled a muscular monkey, but only its head looked like a wolf.

The demonic beast was engaging in a contest of strength with the mercenary while blocking the axe with its mouth, and its teeth, which were biting the blade of the axe, were eerily covered in blood.

A small child was sprawled far away.

It seemed that the demonic beast had pounced on the child, but the mercenary had pushed it away and received the attack instead.

But there was no chance of winning like this.

The balance of power, which had seemed somewhat equal, was shifting to one side.

The mercenary's feet were gradually being pushed back, and thick beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

-Crack!

An ominous sound came from the old axe.

The mercenary's face turned pale, and the demonic beast grinned grotesquely.

At the moment when victory and defeat were determined.

The mercenary witnessed a flash enveloping before his eyes.

Not light reflected from the demonic beast's teeth or gleaming eyes,

But a sword swung by someone to save him.

Enraged by the sudden intrusion of a sword in place of the broken axe, the demonic beast leaped, hurling its massive body toward the intruder.

It had a habit of crushing its victims under its body and then sucking out their brain matter, but unfortunately, that strategy didn't work this time.

The one who intercepted in front of the mercenary neither dodged nor ran from the demonic beast pouncing from above.

Instead, he simply stepped aside and kicked it.

-Boom!

A thunderous sound that couldn't be thought to come from a human foot echoed.

The demonic beast was flung sideways, rolled, and then regained its posture by scraping the ground.

Drool and foam mixed with the mercenary's blood dripped from the excited creature's mouth.

The man who carefully observed the sight nodded.

"Filthy."

The demonic beast charged, running on just its two front legs while roaring.

The man, readjusting the sword he was holding, muttered as if to himself.

"Did His Grace foresee all of this too? It must have been arduous."

And just once.

The man swung his sword just once.

No, it wasn't even a swing.

After discerning that the demonic beast, barreling forward with its massive body, couldn't properly change its trajectory,

He simply stepped one step to the side and slashed horizontally.

With a strange wailing sound, the demonic beast's bodily fluids splashed in all directions.

The demonic beast's front legs, instantly separated from its body into upper and lower parts, continued running on their own before crashing into a massive tree and collapsing.

It was all over.

The man looked at the scene and then swung his sword to shake off the bodily fluids.

Watching the scene, Max trembled.

Though the motion seemed simple, it was a display of power capable of bisecting the demonic beast's tough skin and bones on the spot.

Could he have done the same?

The moment his axe got stuck in the demonic beast's flesh, he would have been dragged along with it.

The man sheathed his sword, looked around, and approached the child.

"Wait!"

The mercenary shouted, but the man remained silent.

The man picked up the child, who had frozen stiff with surprise, and approached the mercenary.

"Can you stand?"

"W-well, I can, but..."

"Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be a deep wound. You'll be fine once you return to the ducal residence and see a physician."

"Ducal residence? Could you be from the Hartmann ducal residence?"

"That's right. His Grace knew the demonic beasts in the mountains were ferocious and sent me out of concern."

"Ah...!"

The mercenary looked up at the man with a moved expression.

The public's view of mercenaries was incredibly simplistic.

'People who do anything for money'.

Mercenaries were thoroughly priced as they were.

So after paying the commission fee, clients didn't care about the mercenary's welfare.

But Duke Hartmann was different from others.

To be concerned about a mere mercenary and send a family knight.

And for that knight to be so strong.

The mercenary took the hand offered by the man and slowly got up.

"Sir Knight, what is your name?"

"Leandros. No family name."

"Sir Leandros, thank you so much! Without you, my child and I would have met our end here. I'm ashamed before His Grace. Why would he care about a mere mercenary like me?"

"Don't say that. His Grace is..."

Leandros thought for a moment and said.

"...a benevolent person. He would have been worried about you."

A duke who looks after commoners, mercenaries?

The mercenary's eyes welled up with tears.

With the Duke's character being so good, what more could be said about the knight who served him?

From saving them without a moment's hesitation, to personally helping him up despite holding a knightly title.

The mercenary, thinking there would never be such a distinguished knight again, repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

The knight who had identified himself as Leandros looked down at the child.

"...You must be the cartographer His Grace mentioned. Are you hurt anywhere?"

The child nodded.

Leandros tried to put the child down, but the child wouldn't easily let go.

The mercenary, flustered, tried to take the child, but Leandros refused.

"It's fine."

"But how can he cling to you like this, Sir Knight? This ill-mannered boy, I'll discipline him thoroughly."

"He's a child, so his legs might have given out. I'll carry him."

The mercenary was so moved once again that he covered his mouth with both hands.

He had long forgotten about the wound on his side.

The child in Leandros's arms, like his father, looked at Leandros with bright eyes.

The knight who appeared when his father was hurt and he couldn't escape, when he was scared.

His face might be intimidating, but his actions were kind.

If only the child could speak, he would have wanted to shout like this:

He's just like a hero knight from a fairy tale.

That day, Leandros unintentionally gained two followers.