CHAPTER 49: A TALK WITH THE OLD

"Sorry, are we supposed to believe anything this guy says?" A rude adventurer spoke up, folding his arms over his fur-coated, steel armor.

["Gallo Briggs"] [CLASS: Berserker] [Level: 17]

"I–" Jon attempted to speak up, scratching his neck.

It was Thorgul that intervened, pointing his sharp, aged glare at the much taller figure across the courtyard, "Apologies, Lord Schoeller, but I cannot let the comment made by this buffoon stand."

Leon waved his hand with a welcoming smile, giving the old butler complete freedom to speak his mind.

’I totally wanted to punch this guy anyway, so let ’em have it,’ he thought.

"Buffoon–?" Gallo reacted to the remark, stepping forward as if to impose his size on the elder.

There wasn’t one speck of Thorgul that flinched at the attempt at intimidation, "I do not know you, but the impression you’ve given me is of a buffoon, therefore, that’s what you are."

"You–?!" The towering man raised his hand.

While some in the crowd possessing a rowdy spirit cheered for a fight to start, others gasped, a few making movements as if to intervene. However, none of that was necessary, as with a simple look, the malice of the tall man was dismissed by the butler.

"I witnessed it myself," Thorgul said, addressing all those present. "The man you label a "coward

" used his own body as a shield for two children. Whatever you may have heard, whatever may have happened in the past–do not bring that judgment here."

"That’s right," Leon added, cementing the notion given by the butler. "We’re all fighting to survive. None of this will work if we can’t place a bit of trust in each other. So, place that aside and be friends. That’s an order from the lord of the land you’re standing on, so don’t give me any cheek about it, alright?"

Using his authority, none of the present adventurers had the gall to reject the ultimatum given, earning a resounding "Yes" that echoed through the courtyard.

"With that being said, can you continue what you were saying?" Leon said, looking towards the elder butler, whose wisdom he looked to most within the household.

"Of course," Thorgul nodded. "I’d suggest we all begin checking one another, along with the refugees. If a single ghoul erupts when nobody is around to stop it, the curse can spread rapidly. I am sure I do not need to remind any of you what sort of catastrophes have occurred from a plague of ghouls."

There was an understanding silence amongst those present, though Leon felt somewhat out of the loop about the degree of danger a "plague of ghouls" stood as. While everybody reached a common understanding, the proper time came for the most vital part of survival–eating.

"Come, come! There is more than enough for everybody!"

[Vander Klaum] [CLASS: Chef] [Designated Lv: 11]

The courtyard was turned into an impromptu cafeteria, thanks to some maneuvering of tables with his [Possession Manifestation], and the servants helping to hand out the dishes.

"Chicken bake, with steamed broccoli!" Vander announced, keeping his sleeves rolled up as he presented the assembly of dishes, all prepared to feed hundreds.

It was a magical feat in its own right that the chef managed to prepare such an abundance of food, enough to feed an army.

Leon ate from his own plate, standing near the chef, "Thanks for this, Vander. I know you’ve been hard at work all day."

"No need to thank me–this is my calling as a chef. It’s a simple dish, but easy enough to make in such quantities," Vander brushed aside, though unable to hide his smile from the compliment.

In the near distance, the adventurers seated at tables gave applause, shouting their cheers in regards to the chef. Of course, the prideful cook did his best to hide his reaction with a stoic look, waving in return to the guests.

As he watched Phoenix chumming it up with Jon, who tried his best to eat alone at the fountain, he couldn’t help but feel relief at the moment of peace.

"C’mon, c’mon, that lance is awesome–lemme try it out!" Phoenix begged like a child, slinging his arm around the veteran’s shoulder.

Jon laughed it off, responding with a mouthful of chicken, "--The anfer ish no, man." As he rejected the fiery man’s proposal, Jon scratched at his neck incessantly.

While Leon watched over the courtyard, he turned around, looking towards the front doors, making eye contact with the witch who stood by the pillars like a lonesome shade.

"Not hungry?" Leon asked, placing himself beside the magic instructor.

Beatrice’s eyes widened with quiet shock before she released a relieved sigh, "—I must say, that teleportation ability of yours is rather frightening when unexpected. And I’ve already eaten, thank you."

"Really? If it was before everything went down, I would’ve thought using all that mana could call for another meal," Leon considered, leaning against the marble pillar.

"It is rude to presume so much about a lady’s appetite, Lord Schoeller," the witch teased.

"Right," he laughed.

"A word of advice," Beatrice added before he could leave. "I heard of the ghoul problem. If you’re to check for ghoul marks, the spot of affliction will have necrosis."

"Thanks."

In the hours of quiet following the first wave, he sat within the lounge room of the mansion, watching the fireplace. Standing behind him, the maid of silken, scarlet hair caressed his shoulders.

"You did a fine job today, Master. All you need to do now is make sure you’re properly resting," Irene softly suggested.

The hands of the head of the maids moved with no less mastery than a masseuse, kneading the stress out of his body.

He sat there, releasing a drawn-out exhale as he eased his tense shoulders from the maid’s touch, "Thanks, Irene. You need rest, too, though. I’m fine."

"Do not worry about me, Master," Irene assured with a small smile. "I am plenty capable myself."

A knock to the door brought an end to the comforting massage as he nodded his head as if to dismiss the maid.

Irene quietly nodded, stepping aside as he gave his permission for whoever it was on the other side to come in.

"I hope I am not bothering you," the old man who entered said humbly.

"Norbert," Leon greeted, gesturing for the mayor to sit in the chair near him. "Of course not. I am glad to see you’re safe."

"Same to you, Lord Schoeller," the grayed man moved carefully as if his bones were of brittle glass, with care seating himself by the warming fireplace.

Always with a hot pot of tea readily available, Irene poured each of the men a cup for them to enjoy while taking in the warmth of the contained fire, producing a bit of light to the lounge.

Norbert sipped from the cup with a smile, gazing at the bookshelves that lined the walls, "You could sit here for many winters and never read the same page twice, can’t you?"

"Yeah, I’m not sure I’ll get through even a fraction of them in my life," he agreed.

"You’ve done a fine job, Lord Schoeller," the Newfard mayor complimented. "Maybe it’s not my place to say this, but...You’re still a young man. At times, it feels shameful that adults like me need to rely so heavily on your strength."

"There’s no shame in that. The strength of the Schoeller–this is the sort of thing it is meant for. It’s natural to in times of crisis to lend a helping hand, and to accept one," Leon assured the old soul.

Norbert held a warm smile with a look in his olive eyes as if reminiscing on fonder years, "And it’s that wisdom for your age that assures me that this household is in good hands. I only knew your father sparsely, but–I’m sure he’d be proud of the way you’ve handled your role so far."

"--" Leon sat there, not sure how to process that.

"All this to say, I’m grateful, Lord Schoeller–truly. It wasn’t without loss so far, but we’ve managed far better than we would’ve without your offer," Norbert looked over, earnestly relaying his thanks with a hand on his heart.

"Like I said, it’s about helping each other. There’s no need for thanks," Leon said.

The old man couldn’t help but chuckle, "You know, Lord Schoeller, if there is one word of advice I could give you, it’s that you should learn to take a compliment."

"Right," Leon adjusted his response with a smile. "Thank you."