Chapter : 55

“Uwa-ha-ha-ha-! To the glory of the Margrave and the special envoy of the Holy See who have graced this occasion-!”

“To glory!”

“A blessing to the performer of miracles-!”

“A blessing-! Uwa-ha-ha-ha. Let's drink-!”

Although the banquet hall was not extravagant, it was a substantial affair nonetheless.

A whole roasted wild boar seasoned with various spices, a tempting roasted swan, and cool beer imported from the dwarves, as well as wine requisitioned from a nearby monastery.

It was a considerable expense for the remote and barren Barony of Bardou. But Baron Bardou was more pleased than ever.

The prestige of a noble, after all, comes from the faces of those who attend their invitations.

A special envoy from the Holy See, the neighboring great lord Count Bozen, and Margrave Bellua, who had recently made a name for himself, were all at this banquet-! For a remote provincial lord, there was no greater source of pride.

The problem, if there was one, was that the nobles in attendance were, contrary to Baron Bardou's thoughts, in a state of considerable discomfort.

“I thought you were close, asking after his sister's well-being?”

“Who are you talking about? Ah, you mean Count Bozen?”

“Indeed. Looking at him now, he's very….”

Magician Agpiel trailed off mid-sentence.

He simply couldn't understand Count Bozen's behavior at the banquet hall. Seeing him, surrounded by the flattery of mercenary captains, parading the Holy See's special envoy around like a trophy, seemed a bit.... strange.

“It seems he has a subtle sense of rivalry towards you?”

“Count Bozen is the lord next to me. He is an ambitious man who has recently expanded his power considerably.”

“Ah, I see.”

At my explanation, Magician Agpiel clicked his tongue.

What a waste of effort, he seemed to say. From Agpiel's perspective, the competitive spirit of these young nobles was truly incomprehensible.

Doesn't it seem a bit... childish? Like a child.

And look.

Even now, he was occasionally glancing over at us, his nose in the air as if to say, this is the difference between you and me.

“It's a pathetic sight. Don't you be like that.”

“Well, he has every reason to be so triumphant, doesn't he.”

I said with a smirk.

He was being personally escorted to the Holy See by a special envoy, while I was just toddling along to the Holy See by myself.

Of course, Magician Agpiel wondered if that was something to be so proud of.

“Still, that young noble is a bit much. He's too conscious of you. Even if you're neighboring lords, to try and undermine you so openly.”

“Ah, there is a reason, actually. Magician Agpiel.”

“A reason?”

“Well, actually, I had his sister confined. Ahem.”

-Pfft!

Magician Agpiel spat out the wine he was drinking and looked at me as if he couldn't believe his ears.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. She was after my domain….”

“……”

As if he had nothing more to say, Magician Agpiel shook his head.

“It’s a good thing a sword fight didn't break out. That was rather mild. You're really something else.”

“No, it's unfair. If I hadn't confined her, that woman would have tried to kill me….”

“Shh, shh.”

As I tried to make an excuse that wasn't an excuse, Magician Agpiel pointed to the side.

When I turned my head, the special envoy from the Holy See was approaching me.

“Oh-! My faithful Margrave. I hope you have been well.”

As our eyes met, the special envoy from the Holy See greeted me with words of concern and hugged me. I should have hugged him back and exchanged greetings, but….

“Haha, I have been well thanks to the special envoy's concern.”

‘Ugh. A mistake would be a disaster.’

I broke out in a cold sweat and carefully made a gesture of embracing him. If I were to lose control of my strength for a moment, the special envoy of the Holy See would be crushed in my arms.

“???”

The special envoy of the Holy See tilted his head, as if sensing something was amiss.

“Um, Your Excellency? Are you perhaps unwell? Could it be a plague from Canton….”

“Ah, no. That is not it.”

I sweated profusely. For a moment, I was at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer.

I couldn't possibly say frankly, "Special Envoy, I almost burst you, so I couldn't hug you."

Then, a plausible answer came to mind, and I said.

“As one who serves God, how could I carelessly lay my hands on the body of a special envoy? It is a gesture that contains my respect for God. Were you perhaps… offended?”

“Ooooh…. How could that be? As expected, your faith is truly deep, Margrave.”

Fortunately, the special envoy from the Holy See seemed quite moved by my words. With a very pious expression, he suddenly knelt, made the sign of the cross with a prayer.

Of course, Magician Agpiel, who was listening from the side, could only let out a dry laugh.

“What? Respect for God? Why didn't you just say you couldn't control your strength because you received a miracle? Hahaha.”

“Ahem. Magician Agpiel. We are in the middle of a conversation. What will you do if he hears you?”

“He's a faithful man, so he'll overlook it, won't he? Go on, ask him.”

I blushed at Agpiel's playful joke. To be honest, I also thought it was quite cringe-worthy after I said it.

“Hoo.”

Fortunately, Agpiel's teasing didn't last long. The special envoy from the Holy See, having finished his prayer, had risen from his spot.

“Indeed, every time I follow the footsteps of a faithful excellency, I learn a great deal.”

“Ah, haha….”

“I heard that Your Excellency's firm faith performed another miracle. Is it true that you cured the plague in Canton with holy water created through a prayer of consecration?”

“?????”

Now what kind of strange rumor is this? I waved my hands in bewilderment.

“You misunderstand, Special Envoy. I simply quarantined and prescribed medicine as one would for a common plague. I fear what others might think if they heard this.”

Of course, my words seemed to have no effect on the special envoy from the Holy See, who was already wearing rose-colored glasses.

On the contrary, he took my words as a sign of humility.

“Hahaha. You are humble as always. Are you not the very model for others to follow?”

‘Aigo…. I'm going to lose my mind.’

Whether he knew my feelings or not, a pleased smile just hung on the lips of the special envoy of the Holy See.

‘He is a truly admirable person. If only all nobles would act so well in the name of God.’

It seemed he was building up a very solid misunderstanding.

* * *

The banquet was slowly coming to an end. I was breaking out in a sweat, trying to fend off various local dignitaries who approached me, and mercenary captains who, having heard rumors from somewhere, wanted to shake my hand.

And even that sight of me seemed to displease Count Bozen, as he continuously drank strong liquor and vented his anger on those around him.

“Tsk tsk. At this rate, even the little popularity he has will be scared away. That's the problem with young nobles.”

“You mean Count Bozen? Isn't it because the special envoy from the Holy See, who he bothered to come with, is not paying attention to him? He must be sulking.”

“Even so, he shouldn't act like that. It is from such trivial things that dissatisfaction builds up. And when such dissatisfaction builds up, it is bound to return as a great disaster later.”

I smiled bitterly at Agpiel's tongue-clicking. It seemed that in Magician Agpiel's eyes, his assessment of Count Bozen had fallen to the very bottom.

‘Well, still, I think that's about average for this era.’

Isn't it something that he's not drunk and shouting, "A duel-!"? By the standards of [Pangea Universalise], wouldn't that be a rather remarkable display of self-control?

And as I was thinking that.

-Bang!

The banquet hall doors burst open and a messenger with a grim expression rushed in.

‘?’

The messenger scurried over to Baron Bardou at the head of the banquet hall and whispered to him.

Seeing Baron Bardou's expression grow more serious by the second, it seemed a problem had arisen.

‘What is it?’

And I wasn't the only one who saw it. As if sensing something was wrong, Count Bozen suddenly shot to his feet.

“Baron Bardou. Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no. Please, just enjoy yourselves.”

“Now, now, don't be like that, tell me. I will help you without any selfish motives. Are we not brothers in the same faith? Isn't that right? Everyone!”

“Uwahaha-! That's right!”

“Hoo-! Hoo!”

He could have at least gone and asked in secret, but what kind of act is this to get himself cursed at.... I was agape at the impetuous Count Bozen's actions.

“I-it’s really nothing….”

“Now, now. Don't be like that, tell me.”

“Since Count Bozen is stepping up like this, why don't you tell us? How faithful is this image of helping his brothers in faith.”

When even the special envoy from the Holy See stepped in, Count Bozen became even more triumphant.

As the situation unfolded this way, Baron Bardou had no choice but to sigh and explain the situation.

“Well. It is said that a band of thieves has raided the domain.”

“?”

“A band of thieves?”

“Ugh-huh-huh, these bastards must be completely out of their minds-!”

The nobles and mercenary captains in attendance murmured and laughed heartily. What an unfortunate and pitiful band of thieves.

To think they would raid a domain where such a large army was gathered.

“What is their number?”

“They say it's around a hundred. No, really, it's fine. The militia is more than enough….”

“Now, now. No.”

Count Bozen cut off Baron Bardou.

Count Bozen had no intention of letting this opportunity slip by.

Before going to the Holy See, he had to build up some fame to defeat that arrogant Margrave and become the commander-in-chief of the crusade, wouldn't he?

Therefore, regardless of Baron Bardou's opinion that it was fine, he intended to step up.

“How dare an insolent band of thieves invade the territory of a noble family-! This is not a matter to be taken lightly.”

“Ah, no, you really don't have to….”

“Now, now. How can I, as a brother in the same faith, ignore the plight of a neighbor? Just trust me. Isn't that right, gentlemen?”

“That's right! Count!”

The mercenary captains around him shouted. They were tipsy from the alcohol, and since it was just a band of insignificant thieves, they thought they would take this opportunity to make a good impression on Count Bozen.

Triumphant from the cheers, Count Bozen looked at me and asked.

“So, what do you think, our Margrave Bellua?”

“Hmm, well, I think so too. It would be good for brothers in faith to help each other if they can. Excellent, Count Bozen.”

My answer seemed to please him. Count Bozen continued with a satisfied expression.

“Hmph…. It feels very good to hear you say that. Then I will go out first. Will you, perhaps, join me?”

“Hmm….”

Is there really a need for me to go as well?

I had already made a good impression on the Holy See, and the soldiers Count Bozen had brought with him looked very powerful.

Weren't they all heavily armed heavy infantry and mounted cavalry? And the mercenary company he had brought with him was not to be trifled with either.

‘Well, he'll handle it fine.’

I wasn't the only one who thought so.

“There's no need to step up.”

“I know.”

“Right, I was worried you might go out of a sense of competition.”

“As if I would.”

I smirked at Magician Agpiel's words and made a vague excuse to Count Bozen.

“Wouldn't mixing our forces just cause more confusion?”

“Does that mean you will not be participating? Margrave Bellua?”

“That's right. If you wish to take the credit, then do so. I have few troops and almost no mounted men, so I will protect the special envoy of the Holy See and the lord.”

“Ooh, Your Excellency.”

The special envoy from the Holy See was even more pleased.

A very humble attitude, not acting rashly and passing the credit to others.

The more he saw him, the more likable a noble he was.

Of course, Count Bozen, who saw this, was displeased.

“Hmph, I see. Then I'll be on my way.”

Count Bozen, radiating a cold aura, turned on his heel and left the banquet hall with his vassals.

As the mercenary captains also followed him out in a throng, the banquet hall suddenly became quiet.

“Tsk tsk. That noble is late on information.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn't it obvious that he's trying to exert his influence to get a position in the crusade? He doesn't even know that the position is already decided.”

“He might succeed if he does well. There are no absolutes in this world, Magician Agpiel.”

I shrugged and replied.

Who knows? The Holy See might suddenly change its mind.

“Though it won't be easy, of course. Haha.”

The Elector of Bohemia.

This crusade was a feast for him. In truth, we were just there to pick at the scraps of meat on the back leg bone.

In short, we were extras.

As Magician Agpiel had said, Count Bozen would surely be furious when he found out the truth.

“Still, he can build up some fame, can't he?”

“Fame? There won't even be any practical gain.”

Magician Agpiel said indifferently.

“Well, now that I think about it, as you said, it might not be so bad. It looks good, too. A noble helping his suffering brothers in faith. That's a pretty cool title.”

“And given the opponent, he can handle it without much damage. It's quite a profitable venture.”

“Hmm, that's right. He won't lose to a band of thieves, will he? Of course not.”

“Right? He won't lose, will he? Hahaha.”

I laughed at Magician Agpiel's joke and turned my wine glass again.

It was truly absurd to think that he would lose after bringing knights with him.

And a short while later.

“Y-Your Excellency!”

Absurdly, the joke became reality.

“Please send support immediately-!”

“???????????”

“???????????”