Chapter 97 – 9. The Story of the Years Gone by (7)
It’s all past.
Those who are obsessed with the past will inevitably ruin their lives. As a knight, if there’s one thing you should be most wary of, it’s definitely getting caught up in your own sins. So even in the midst of his discouragement his, Rom did not yet want to give up.
Yeah, I won’t stop here.
Eventually, he regained his sluggish spirit and stood up. After taking his body out of the bathtub, he headed to the sink mirror. Admiring that men’s items were meticulously furnished as befits a guest room, he shaved off his overgrown beard.
It was around that time that he felt the sincere hospitality of Mrs. Marquis Baek. Because whenever she was looking for something she needed, she couldn’t help but realize when she was noticed. She knew that a high-ranking woman had prepared to give instructions to her shaving knife her, which she had no use for.
Unlike the luxurious or grandiose southwestern part and the eastern part, where it was uncomfortable to live with a stinging glare, the hospitality at Lemoang here is just the beginning, but it is hospitable. Even just looking at the top of the washbasin made of carved marble, there were various items.
Herbal soap known to be good for the skin, shaving blades that appear to be meticulously sharpened by artisans, weasel tail hair brushes used for lathering, toothbrushes treated with beeswax after ripped twigs with antiseptic magic, and toothpaste made with salt and mint Until.
After washing her face and taking a bath, she wiped herself with a woolen towel hung on the latch. After coming out, I looked for clothes in the closet to put on my very tidy body. Most of the things hanging on the hangers were common everyday clothes. However, at a glance, it was characterized by being made of strong and durable material and even adding a lining, so it was practical enough to withstand the cold of frozen ground.
Rom pulled out a tunic that was lightweight and had excellent warmth. Then he went to the side of the fireplace, picked up a skewer hanging from the side, and made the fire more lively. There was an excessive amount of wood piled up in the forest, even for a fortress close to the forest, so I could only think that it was because I was not used to the cold of the frozen land, so I could make a big fire whenever it was cold.
The room given was like that. Most of the items of value were necessities. If it was the only luxury item, it would have been a record player that turned back with magical power. The song engraved on the round plate belonged to a bard who made a name for himself at the time.
Among them, there were those who were in the midst of popularity by spreading tunes denouncing Rom’s actions of his, but they seemed to have paid special attention to that song because it was omitted.
I like it.
If you look at the overall cost, it won’t be as big as the hospitality you received elsewhere. However, there was a special consideration in the northern frozen land of Gaul, the Marquis of Lemoang.
A noble family who regards luxurious and grandiose hospitality as virtues. It was a delicate welcome that made me forget the time with the hypocrites, who were busy showing off their prestige rather than the mood of the guests. Even considering the barren land and the poor manager’s situation, the receptionist did not forget the sincerity while saving as much as possible.
Maybe that’s why, Rom thought it might be different here.
The East full of those who hate me, the South full of those who are uncomfortable with me, the West full of those who aim at me, the center full of those who despise me.
This is the case if it is the Marquis of the East Land, which respects each other as much as they have relied on and overcome the harsh environment together.
I don’t know if it’s okay to truly trust your body and take refuge.
On this day, he thought for the first time.
* * *
Early evening, he went to bed.
Even so, when I opened my eyes, it was already noon the next day. Under normal circumstances, I would have woken up feeling the footsteps of the employee trying to wake me up, but even in the fort’s residential space, the most important outer corner of the room was as quiet as a rat, with only the sound of the wind blowing openly.
Daughter and daughter.
It was only after I rang the bell attached to the wall that I was able to meet people. Soon after, a maid in uniform appeared and walked in with a rather dignified attitude. In her arms her, she cradled the silver tray of her delicious refreshments her.
“Chief, did you have a comfortable night?”
“Thanks.”
“The lady invited me to dinner with the lady tonight…”
“Sure, I will attend.”
The maid, apparently taken aback by Rome’s immediate answer to her, set her tray down on the table near her.
“If you have a special request, we will reflect it. If you don’t have one, I’d like to prepare a sweet ice wine after adding some northern food to the capital’s cuisine.”
The refreshment was an eclair with raspberries and black tea strong enough to ward off drowsiness. It was very appetizing to soothe a hungry stomach from a good night’s sleep.
He sat down in her chair right after her and said to her maid, who picked up her kettle and poured it out nicely.
“There is no such thing as special food. However, I don’t drink much, so it would be nice if you could change the drinks to something lighter.”
The eclairs tasted sweet enough to tingle your tongue. In addition, the black tea with impressive fruity aroma unique to Gallia was pleasant to the palate with moderate acidity.
“And there is one question I would like to ask you.”
“Yes, feel free to ask any time.”
“This Eclair.”
“Doesn’t it suit your taste?”
“No, I was wondering if I could give you more.”
The maid smiled and nodded.
“Please wait.”
Quickly, she went out into her hallway and when she came back, she heaped up a large plate of éclairs in various flavors. They ranged from sweetened simmered coffee syrup to chocolat cream to vanilla and banana.
“I’ve prepared as much as I can, so eat as much as you want.”
It is rewarding to have someone taste the bread you have worked hard to bake. Moreover, it goes without saying if it is the object that was intended to be served from the beginning.
“Thank you.”
In the same vein, the maid seemed to have a crush on Rom. All the distinguished guests who have visited this fortress so far have been people who live for that good taste.
“This is really delicious.”
“I’m glad that the knight is like that.”
There were four or five pieces of bread, but it took a while to eat them all. Rom, who repeatedly gobbled her up with strong black tea, greeted the maid who was in charge of cleaning up after her.
“I really enjoyed the meal.”
“If you need anything else, please tell me.”
“Meals are sufficient. If it’s okay, I’d like to take a boat ride and look around the castle.”
“Yes, your wife has already announced the knight’s visit, so you can go around comfortably.”
It was truly an impeccable hospitality. Rom, willing to feel at ease for the first time, helped her maid tidy up.
“Then I’m…”
Then he piled her persimmons on her silver tray, left her maid behind her, washed in her bathroom, and changed her clothes.
The cold was still there, but the weather outside the window was quite pleasant, so as I said before, I left the room with the intention of taking a walk.
Lemoang Citadel stands tall against Mother Nature. A fortress called the northern wall of Gaul.
An infinitely high side wall spanned the peaks of the more towering mountains. On the road above the castle walls, artillery pieces ready to shoot at any time were prepared for each section, and the soldiers who seemed to stand guard were wary of the vast snowfields that stretched out far away.
In order to keep an eye on that Camag, tribal union that had set up camp not too far away.
The well-disciplined soldiers recognized Rom and saluted modestly whenever he passed. Among them, there were those who respected his inaction and wanted to listen to his heroic story, but nonetheless, the fact that no one opened his itchy mouth must have been a command from above to keep an appropriate distance.
“How do you feel?”
“… Who are you?”
In the same context, the presence of the person who talked to him around the time he was walking around the watchtower was noteworthy enough. After turning their heads, they were not one person, but a group of five. They were a group of nobles wearing fancy uniforms and stylish coats.
The so-called five vassals of Lemoang,
“It’s called Kobin. He is the vice-count here in Dongto.”
Loyal to the margrave’s family, they were one of the factions that supported the frozen land. It was a group led by Vice Count Covin, who was quite impressive in his authoritative appearance.
“This is Baron Marbo.”
“As expected, the same La Vallee.”
“Lusson.”
“Wig.”
The barren and underdeveloped North is definitely a pillar that supports one axis of the kingdom. Even if it wasn’t Lemoang Citadel, which had a strong character as a war fortress, the nearby city of Havre and the relatively south of Saint-Bouch were prosperous.
Rome nodded with an understanding expression.
In any case, the frozen land is also a place where people live. Naturally, nobles are not limited to margrave families. In short, my own power structure must have been maintained, so my presence would have been an annoyance to the vassals here, who were still unknown whether they were loyalists or traitors.
“Are you the hero of Limousin, Romuald Dior?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s an honor to meet a knight with a reputation these days.”
Corbin held out his hand. Rom, who was looking at it blankly, smiled and nodded his head. It was because I had no desire to shake hands with him, whose arrogant demeanor was very familiar.
“Thank you for taking good care of me.”
The vice-count was a typical man who made a pretense while hiding his greedy heart like the nobility he saw in any other region. In a way, it was only natural that Rom, who hated hypocrisy to the point of shivering, acted bluntly while feeling reluctance.
“Have you seen your wife?”
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to shoot like this.”
“The lowly thing is as long as the horse’s tail. I heard that even if it rots, it’s the son of a duke. After all, the limits of status are unavoidable.”
Corbin knew that too.
“Well, it seems that force can be overcome.”
“Be rude in front of the vice-count!”
“It’s okay, La Vallee.”
While looking at his liver moderately, he spoke with the intention of appeasement, but he realized Rom’s true nature and realized that he could not become an ally. Thus he showed open hostility. Even so, it was not completely recognized as an enemy, but in some cases, it continued as a topic that it could change its position.
“Everything a knight pursues is the same.”
It is because the fact that Dior’s Romuald is a coveted talent has not changed.
“Wealth, honor, and women.”
“… Hmm.”
“In that sense, you and I might be friends. I think that’s what it means to truly overcome one’s status.”
Rumors of invincible knights were spreading even in the far north.
“If so, do you mean that the vice-count can afford me an amount comparable to that of the Duke of Dior?”
“Well…”
“Are you saying that he is also one of the best knights on the continent, and if I were asked to select ten strong men, he would definitely be at the top of the list and give me a greater honor than now.”
“Hmm…”
It was not a very long conversation. Even so, in that short period of time, Rom felt an instinctive dislike for the vice-count and his gang. That’s why I snapped at him for clearing his cough in displeasure.
The hypocrisy he felt in Archduke Tarn and Bishop Ravel was also evident in the vice-count, Corbin.
“Then what about the woman?”
“I have very high eyes.”
Rom grew and declared. I spit out what I could have done by just politely refusing.
“Unless she is a woman worthy of the Four Seasons, I will say that she has not heard of her.”
Bring me the spring of the East, the summer of the South, the fall of the West, and the winter of the North.
“It doesn’t matter if you take that to mean that we are enemies, right?”
“Contrary to appearances, you are wise.”
If you do, I will give you my strength, but if you don’t, you shouldn’t even dream.
“You seem to understand, so shall we?”
“Tell me in advance. One day you will regret your choice today.”
The encounter with the vassal faction ended like that. However, coincidentally, the conversation, which was clear and fleeting, accidentally reached the ears of Mrs. Lemoang, and acted as an opportunity for the young knight of the central high family to marry Lady Winter Stone.
“… Shut up and get out of here, scumbags.”
Because there was no way to know that the person behind the real lurking in this cold land was the person.
