My Villains Chapter 318
56. To the Frontier (11)
It was around mid-sky when the Marquis Eavon called the people together. I too was called and took Heila to the drawing room.
“Oh Sir Phoenix. Welcome.”
“dismissal.”
The drawing room, as spacious as a basketball court, was crowded with dozens of retainers, not counting the servants and maids waiting in the corner.
They were knights of the golden age, such as Earl of Os and Sir Gidebal, the old knight, as well as Raff, the battle wizard from the market of Piol, and Sir Xavier.
After bowing to Marquis Eabon and Mrs. Fanabel in turn, the Marquis opened her mouth with a relaxed smile.
“I heard about it from my grandson. Did you have a great adventure last night?”
“Ah haha…
“I guessed that the distribution of sutras wasn’t normal, but taming the beasts. It was something I could never have imagined.”
The Marquis, bent halfway over the throne covered with red silk, playfully stuck out her tongue. Judging by his notice, it didn’t seem like he was going to get into a fight over having caught the bicorn and the direwolf.
“Did all the wolves run away? I must have had a hard time waking up. As the owner of this land, I express my gratitude.”
“No, no. In the first place, I went out to get some fresh air, and there was no such thing as too much trouble.”
“I can only say that from the Lord’s point of view, but how can I go off the beaten track after receiving help? When we arrive at Lianwell, we will give you a special gift. For now, before that.”
The Marquis of Eavon gestured to the young attendant standing in the corner of the drawing room. The attendant brought a box the size of a shoebox and opened it in front of me.
“This”
“is my little castle.”
It seems that there are well over 3,400 pieces of sparkling silver coins. There are quite a few gold coins mixed in too?
“It will be cumbersome, so I will pass it on to your subordinates.”
“Uh-”
I scratched my eyebrows with a troubled expression at the young servant’s polite suggestion, and the Marquis said in a deliberately determined tone.
“As I said beforehand, I will decline the specifications. Isn’t it such a great wealth that words of modesty come and go?”
…but. The Marquis of Eabon is a nobleman who is no different from the king of a small country. That would be a lot of money.
Well that’s something I’m grateful for.
Coincidentally, he was running out of cash, so he thought of disposing of a few items, but it was no longer necessary.
I accepted the ‘little sincerity’ and the Marquis dismissed the attendant holding the chest with a satisfied expression. He pointed to the velvet couch next to him.
“Please sit down and wait. Transfer Heila. I’m going to have a meeting with a vassal before leaving Phyol.”
It was obvious who the vassal he was talking about was, so I sat down on the couch, trying hard to hide my excitement.
As if waiting, the door to the drawing room opened and a boy entered. As expected, it was Baron Ruyan.
“hmm.”
I was surprised to see him again. It was because of his handsome face that would light up the room.
Even when he was camouflaging himself with dirt last night, he had roughly guessed it, but if he were four or five years older, he would surely become a handsome man.
It was not my subjective judgment. The proof was that the maids, who had been blushing while glancing at me until just now, widened their eyes at the appearance of Ruyan.
“As a vassal of the Arya family, Rujan Alderson of Earthgitch, who guards Delhi Road and Cheddar Castle, welcomes my lord.”
“…okay. It’s been a while.”
“yes. Long time no see sir.”
Is it because of her posture with her shoulders straight and her back upright, or is it because of her stubborn eyes? Despite his handsome face and small stature, the young lord gave off a very dignified aura.
The Marquis Eavon, who is one of the three most powerful people in the kingdom, Sir Gidebal, an old swordsman who dominated an era, the bizarre wizard Raff, and the sturdy knights are all staring at him, but he does not show any signs of being stunned.
After all, it’s not normal elementary schooling.
Apart from admiration, I felt pity for Ruyan. It was because he got information about him from Heila before entering the drawing room.
It turns out that the boy lord’s father was none other than Count Alder.
Count Alder, who participated in the Thousand Days’ War as a vassal of the Marquis of Eavon, was captured by Ulkar and then executed by order of the king.
Shortly after the Count’s death, the Earth Gitch family was deprived of the countship by the Marquis of Eavon. Most of the territories, including ‘Trumwell’, a city in the north of Antrum, were the same.
Now, the title and territory of Count Os, the grandson of the Marquis, belonged to Count Alder.
After all, Luyan, the only child of Count Alder, became a lord at the age of nine. All he was given was the small estate of Delhi Road and the old fortress of Cheddar Castle.
Even his mother unfortunately went crazy after hearing the news that her husband, Count Alder, had been beheaded.
In the end, Ruyan had to rule the barren territory alone, without a family he could trust, from a young age when it was difficult for him to take care of himself.
“You’ve grown a lot.”
What broke my thoughts was Marquis Eabon’s voice.
“Thanks to His Excellency for caring.”
“is it? I haven’t paid much attention to Delhi Road in recent years.”
“yes. I am grateful.”
The Marquis’ lips twitched slightly at Luyan’s bold reply.
The old great lord, who naturally covered his mouth while tying his neatly trimmed beard, stared at the young vassal before opening his mouth.
“I can’t believe that you, who didn’t even have a coming-of-age ceremony, left the territory with an army. What the hell are you thinking?”
“I was just chasing after the wolves who harmed my people.”
“Because of revenge?”
“yes. Also, isn’t it the duty of a vassal to make efforts to ensure peace in the lord’s territory?”
“It is the duty of vassals. haha!”
The Marquis tapped the armrest and smiled cheerfully.
“I didn’t know you were such a loyal vassal.”
“Aren’t you still young? If something goes wrong while going out, it would be like abandoning a great responsibility as a lord.”
“Age doesn’t matter, sir.”
“Huh, you don’t mind?”
The young lord replied with a calm expression to the Marquis, who smiled as if he were laughing.
“I learned that a lord is like a head of household, so protecting those in your arms is your first duty and the reason for your existence.”
“…so?” “To my shame, I lost my people to wolves and the like, so I have to take revenge to prove my qualifications. How can you count your age on such a serious matter?”
It was a spirit not like a child. It didn’t even feel like a bluff because it was said by Lu Yan, who personally led the soldiers to ambush in the forest.
The golden age knights and maids, who had been exclaiming a little, belatedly recovered their expressions at the cold eyes of Marquis Eavon.
“…yes, that’s great. However, it is true that I am very worried that you are harassing the people for self-gratification.”
“What do you mean?”
“You brought a hundred well-armed soldiers with you? They must be mercenaries, as it is impossible to raise such an army in Delhi Road. You can clearly see what kind of hardships your people will have to go through to cover the cost.”
At that categorical statement, Ruyan smiled and shook his head.
“I’m sorry, sir, but they are volunteer militia, not mercenaries.”
“militiaman? You mean your people?”
“yes.”
A deep gorge formed between the brow of the great lord.
“Nonsense. I heard that all of them wore iron armor, and half of them had hoisted crossbows. Isn’t that a mercenary?”
“As you know, my territory borders Oak Deli, and Oak Deli is a land in chaos due to Count Jovian’s incompetence. Thanks to that, my estate has been visited by thieves, deserters, and greenskins from time to time over the past few years.” When the old marquis was silent, the young baron continued with a cheerful tone.
“I was tired of being looted helplessly, so I took the villagers and retaliated, so I naturally accumulated ammunition and wealth.”
“…I can’t believe you gave it to the militia, who are not regular soldiers, right?”
“I didn’t squeeze it. It is entirely their property.”
“what?”
Ruyan smiled brightly.
“It is my principle to distribute the loot equally. If there is no reward, the young people will not step forward.”
“What a fool!”
The Marquis, who crumpled his face, screamed.
“Armors can do that. But a crossbow, allowing such a dangerous thing to beggars? What a fool! What will you do if even the toughest instigators show up and turn them against you!”
The young vassal shrugged in front of the enraged lord.
“Then I am the only one. Can you tell me?”
“Did a guy named Yeongju say such irresponsible things?”
“What kind of lord is that if the people of the village turn their backs just because of the instigator?”
The Marquis, who was at a loss for words for a moment, shut her mouth. Ruyan added a word with a round face.
“Forgive me, sir. It was a harsh world, so I had to use such a crude method.”
“Still, thanks to the spread of rumors that the land is worth living in, the number of households in the territory is doubling every year. You should take comfort in that.”
At the end of the words that seemed even arrogant at first glance. I was sure
This kid will make his mark in history one way or another when he grows up.
Looking around, the others in the drawing room seemed to have the same idea.
The knights of the golden age forgot to look at their lord’s notice and cared about the brilliant light emitted by the young lord.
Count Os and Marquis Fanabel were no different. It was clear that he was admiring Ruyan’s way of saying what he had to say to the end in front of his angry grandfather and old husband.
The old knight, Sir Gidebal, had sunken eyes, as if reminiscing about something, and the sorceress, Raf, wearing a bandage under a black hood, showed a vigilant attitude that was close to killing.
The civil servants, including the Mayor of Piol, were busy keeping an eye on the Marquis, and Heila, who was sitting next to me, was completely immersed in the snack prepared by the Marquis, that is, a pie with walnuts and raisins. Every time I mumble without a sound, my eyes droop slightly. It’s a subtle change that you see when you’re in a good mood.
…okay. have to eat I skipped breakfast because I was doing this and that.
Then the old high lord asked a question in a low voice.
“…How old did you say you were this year?”
“It’s thirteen years later.”
“thirteen. Thirteen.” The Marquis muttered as if sighing, and glanced back at his grandson.
Count Osse, who turned 16 this year, looked at Ruyan with his mouth half-open, then shrugged in surprise when he felt his grandfather’s gaze.
The Marquis of Eavon tightly closed his eyes.
As he fell silent, the entire spacious drawing room fell silent.
Although the atmosphere was not so light, Ruyan looked around the room leisurely. He seemed to be enjoying the colorful gazes directed at him, such as admiration and admiration.
And finally, the gaze of the jubilant boy lord reached me. I smiled involuntarily and raised my thumb.
The Marquis of Eabon opened his eyes when his beautiful face was distorted.
“No matter what you say, you cannot allow revenge.”
It was a resolute, yet inexplicably tired voice.
“The object of your revenge has become the property of Lord Phoenix and his close friend here. And they are all my honored guests. Taking away his possessions is not permitted.”
“…All right. Well, I’ll appease the ghosts of the dead with other wolves.”
There was a hint of anger in his voice, but Ruyan’s reaction was surprisingly calm. He had already expected the Marquis’ answer.
“And your heavily armed militia.”
Did you sense something ominous? When the soldiers were mentioned, the boy lord’s expression hardened.
“I never thought there would be that many troops in Delhi Road.”
“…I can’t hope for that, Your Excellency.”
“Since the number of hukou has increased thanks to the competent lord, I guess I can shoulder a little more of my duties as a vassal.”
Ruyan hurriedly opened his mouth as if he had noticed Marquis Eavon’s intentions.
“Oak Deli is still a den of thieves. The reason why they don’t dare to cross the Piol or Lianwell here is because the Delhi Road is firmly guarding the entrance to the Jackdaw Forest.”
“Yes, I understand your hard work.”
“Then”
“But even under such circumstances, the reason you came here with the soldiers must be because you have enough room for them.”
“How can you say that!”
As Luyan raised his voice with a contorted face, the old knight who was standing behind the Marquis quietly rebuked him.
“stop. Please take care of yourself, Baron Luyan.”
Lord Gidebal, the leader of the Golden Age Knights and a confidant of Marquis Eavon, exudes a spirit of excitement that contradicts his quiet voice.
“oh.”
The bloody feeling of making my skin tingle is to the point of admiration without even knowing it. Ruyan, who showed off a spirit that was not suitable for his age, could not stand the momentum and retreated helplessly.
Seeing the young lord bite his teeth, the marquis smiled faintly and continued talking.
“In order to cope with the war in the Western Highlands, numerous men are gathering on the Dandeli Hills. Most of them are sending soldiers. You should too.” “Did you say that the lord is like the head of the family, and protecting his members is the most important duty and reason for existence?”
As the Marquis quoted his words with a smile on his face, Ruyan’s beautiful face twisted.
“It is to prevent the war in the west from spreading to this point, so I believe you will gladly participate. It’s just a matter of sending the militias out right now, so it’s relatively less laborious.” The Marquis of Eabon clearly exuded something low that was rarely seen.
That something, I felt, was malice, somehow trying to fuck that little kid. Childish and ugly.
In anger at the old lord, the young lord bit his lip until it bleeds in self-reproach for showing off his power recklessly. Two fists full of scars trembled.
“Why? It looks like you’re worried about the way back to Adeli Road.
I will give you the cavalry as an escort.”
“…No. It’s okay sir.”
The boy, Young-joo, took a deep breath and continued to speak while staring at the Marquis.
“My militiamen, contrary to their appearance, are gentle guys.”
What are you talking about? I thought they were bandits when I first saw them.
“I have neither the courage nor the will to do anything, so I can’t use any strength when I’m with them.”
Ruyan spat out the carefully chewed words.
“I am the only one who can lead them. I need to use my strength properly.”
The Marquis burst out laughing.
“Are you saying you’re going to go to war yourself?”
” yes.”
“Nonsense. If you go to the battlefield, our entire military will be ridiculed. You will hear that I sent a 13-year-old child because there is no person.”
“If anyone talks like that, I’ll rip their mouths out myself.”
Seeing the boy lord’s bloody eyes, the marquis
tapped the armrest with a smile.
“Hmm.”
The Marquis, who had been thinking so much, suddenly looked back at me and asked a question.
“What do you think sir?”
“……yes?”
“Can Baron Ruyan go to war? I would like to hear your opinion.”
“O”
Why are you fucking with me again?
“That’s a bit hard to say since I’m an outsider.”
“You don’t have to worry. Because I just want to hear the opinion of a valiant knight.”
It’s terribly burdensome.
A little dumbfounded, I glanced around the drawing room. There are seven knights of the Golden Age, including Sir Gidebal. But why are you asking me?
Even though I paid attention so openly, the Marquis nodded at me. It’s a gesture asking you to speak comfortably.
Meanwhile, looking at Ruyan, her reddish-brown eyes are burning brightly.
Seeing those eyes made me feel happy, so I opened my mouth comfortably.
“I heard one day that an army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep.”
“An army of sheep led by a lion. A funny analogy.”
The Marquis nodded and narrowed his eyebrows slightly as I kept my mouth shut.
“…Are you in favor of Baron Ruyan’s participation in the war?”
“So to speak.”
“In your eyes, does that child look like a lion
?”
To that question, I nodded my head politely.
“yes. It’s much better than most knights and commanders, right? He seems to be a person who will grow up in the future, so I think it would be okay to gain experience this time.”
Both Ruyan and Eavon wrinkled their faces at my honest praise.
Young Joo, ‘What is that bastard? Why is that?’ He looked confused, and the old lord looked as if he had been betrayed.
what the. Did you think that I would be able to make fun of you like a little girl with a few pennies? funny grandpa
“…ummm yes. I am well aware of your opinion.”
The marquis quickly calmed down and finally allowed the boy lord to participate in the war. Apart from my high praise for Ruyan, I noticed that this decision was not too bad.
“Then I’ll just leave.”
The young lord continued with the attitude that he had done everything.
“Since we are quite tired from chasing the wolves, we will stay for a few days at the place where the soldiers have camped and then go to Dandelli Hill in time for departure.”
“…i get it. Do it.”
After a simple example, Ruyan, who was about to coolly turn around, was stopped by battle mage Raff, who was standing silently on one side, with a harsh metallic voice.
“for a moment. It may leak somewhere else.”
“Shut up, insignificant wizard.”
The boy lord stared at Raff with cold eyes.
“I’ve only lived 13 years, but I’ve never run away from fate
. I never will.”
The bizarre-looking sorceress sprayed insidious flesh, but Lu Yan only snorted.
“twerp’.”
Leaving only that murmur, he strode out of the drawing room.
