Episode 1052. I have to run some errands first.
Elio handed over the captured assassins to Marquis Bernardo and returned to his lodgings.
This is because Rufus Company is put into rift surveillance, so they cannot be confined and monitored.
the next morning.
The clerk of the Marquis Bernardo, Baron Glen Taylor, visited Helio.
He came to write a duel.
He wrote down a long duel in front of Elio.
Elio, who was looking over his shoulder, asked in passing.
“Can Count Putocoa refuse a duel?”
“there is.”
“Then, isn’t the arena meaningless?”
“The arena is a declaration of war in a different sense. This is the cause of the baron’s attack on Count Putokoa’s family. Count Putocoa will have to make a decision between fighting and fleeing. If you run away, as it is now, you will be buried in aristocratic society.”
“Are you saying we have no choice but to fight back?”
“It depends on the decision of Count Codrantes. If Count Codrantes wants to help, I’ll fight with all my might, but if he doesn’t… I’m sure he’ll pretend to fight and surrender right away.”
Eventually, Baron Glenn Taylor presented the finished arena to Elio.
“Please check and sign.”
“Ah yes.”
Elio took the arena and examined it slowly.
There were quite a few words that I knew in each sentence from my continued study of writing, but it was still too much for me to read fluently.
Elio wrote his name in the common language of the continent at the bottom of the arena and returned it to the clerk.
Baron Glenn Taylor, who put the duel in an envelope and sealed it, said.
“Usually, the lord’s seal is stamped on this wax, but did you make a seal?”
“no.”
Baron Glenn Taylor’s gaze turned to Elio’s fingers.
“Since there is a pattern on that ring, how about using it temporarily? Still, it’s a duel field sent by the lord of Slash Land, but it’s a bit out of shape because I’m only going to wax it.”
“Can I do anything?”
“It’s a seal, because the lord can change it at any time.”
“Then I’ll take a picture with this.”
Elio stamped the artifact into the wax.
The artifact’s unique geometric patterns were clearly imprinted on the wax.
Baron Glenn Taylor praised the pattern as if he liked it.
“very good. In my eyes, I think it will be fine to just keep using it.”
Elio also didn’t like the patterns stamped on the wax.
There was definitely a big difference between the ones with and without seals.
The envelope, which had been plain until just now, looked quite meaningful.
Baron Glenn Taylor, who was observing Elio’s reaction, continued.
“When the decision is made, you can order a knight under your command and send it to Count Putokoa. It would be better not to cause a dispute with Count Putokoa until the date of the duel specified in the arena.”
“You mean don’t touch me for the next three days?”
“That’s right. During that time, Count Putocoa will seek help from the Great Warrior or Count Codrantes. Keep calm and go to the arena three days later on the day of the duel. If Count Putocoa does not respond to the duel that day, you can slash those under Putocoa’s name.”
“Three days. All right. thank you.”
Elio nodded to the clerk.
Baron Glenn Taylor hurriedly greeted me with an embarrassed face.
It was unheard of in an aristocratic society for a person of the viscount class to bow first to himself, who was merely a baron.
When Baron Glenn Taylor left, Elio immediately called for Fabian.
After a while, Fabian entered the barracks, holding a book in his hand.
He brought it knowing that he wanted to teach him the common language of the continent.
Elio stopped Fabian from taking a seat.
“for a moment.”
“yes?”
“Let’s study later. I need to run some errands first.”
“Ah yes.”
Fabian put the book he was holding down on the table and turned to Elio.
Elio handed out the sealed envelope to Fabian.
“It is a duel. Report it to Count Putocoa.”
“Suddenly?”
Pavain looked at Elio with surprised eyes.
He knew he would get his revenge if the rift watch unit could afford it.
But I never thought I would fight a duel like this without any warning!
“I arrested the assassins sent by Count Putocoa last night.”
“omg! I heard something strange happened last night… Were those assassins?”
“A strange thing?”
“I heard that the company commander knocked down the Royal Army of Baylem and disappeared with the beautiful knight?”
“Similar. Assassins had infiltrated the garrison in the uniforms of the Kingdom of Baylem.”
“What happened to those who didn’t know the fraction?”
“I handed it over to Marquis Bernardo.”
“It seems that the duel has also been approved by the Marquis?”
“A little while ago, the Marquis’ clerk came and made a duel.”
“All right. I was surprised to hear that the company commander went on a date with a beautiful knight last night. It hasn’t been a few days since I broke up with the knight of the Corvo Magic Corps.”
“Don’t make a big deal out of it. I didn’t even go out with a female knight from the Corvo Magic Corps, so why did we break up within a few days? Even last night, it wasn’t a date, it was just a guide to the lost kingdom of Baylem. I know that anyone who spreads nonsensical words for no reason will be punished.”
“Oops! I didn’t even say we were dating. Anyway, is it just a matter of delivering the arena to Count Putokoa?”
Fabian quickly changed the topic.
“What can I tell you? Do you want me to fight for you?”
“I needed an answer.”
“If you give it to me, take it. If you don’t say anything, come right away. Don’t be fooled around the Putokoa camp for no reason and get upset.”
“Bongbyeon?”
“The duel is three days away, and they told me to stay quiet until then. I will pretend I didn’t see you even if you come knocking.”
“Huh! Then I will tell you the arena and return right away.”
“That would be good. If the news of the duel spreads to the Putokoa camp, the atmosphere will become bloody.”
“yes!”
Fabian paid his respects and hurriedly ran out.
***
Hirhera.
The camp of Count Putocoa.
Immediately after Lieutenant Fabian of Rufus Company had visited, Count Tobias Putocoa summoned his vassals.
“A little while ago, Baron Elio Lagoa sent me a duel. I’m going to meet you in three days at the parade ground behind the central command and control barracks… How should I deal with it?”
Tobias Putokoa’s words made the nobles tremble.
“Why are you suddenly like that?”
“Did your spirits rise because you received the fief and became a lord?”
“That’s an act of ignoring Duke Escatos. Will you ignore it and leave it to the Duke?”
The nobles, who thought that Baron Helio Lagoa had acted arbitrarily, were in a hurry to hand it over to the duke.
But not everyone is like that.
Viscount Reno Payne, a staff member, asked as if to confirm.
“By the way, Count. Why did Baron Helio Lagoa suddenly send a duel? The Baylem Kingdom army joined, but didn’t the Corvo Magic Corps withdraw instead? Baron Elio Lagoa would know that the strength of the Hirhera garrison has deteriorated in terms of quality, but it’s strange that he suddenly started fighting.”
For a moment, the eyes of the nobles all turned to Count Tobias Putocoa.
Then Count Tobias Putocoa opened his mouth with a shy face.
“A baron with excessive loyalty to the count’s family… seems to have requested the assassination of Baron Elio Lagoa. Baron Helio Lagoa found out about that and challenged me to a duel.”
“…”
For a moment, the nobles were speechless.
It was said that it was the work of a baron who was overly loyal to the count, but no one believed it.
Everyone just thinks which baron will use the dump.
Originally, this was the relationship between a lord and a vassal, so it was not surprising.
The same was true of his staff, Viscount Reno Payne.
“Who did that, Count?”
“I don’t know. Although it is still a one-sided claim by Baron Elio Lagoa. Still, I won’t be lying if I say I’ve captured the assassins. The knight commander is investigating that part. Rather, I would like to discuss a duel with Baron Helio Lagoa.”
“If you send a duel for that reason… it’s hard to say that the duel itself is an illegal and unjust act.”
“Let’s not talk about things that we both know.”
Count Tobias Putocoa cut off his words coldly.
This is because what he wants is a countermeasure, not justification for the other person’s actions.
“Either you must raise a champion to fight against Helio Lagoa, or you must avoid a duel and ask Count Codrantes for help.”
“Is there a warrior who can fight on equal footing with Baron Elio Lagoa?”
“Baron Elio Lagoa’s swordsmanship is known as advanced sword expert, but Viscount Colacio Keeper, the leader of the Griffin Knights, is also advanced sword expert.”
“Unfortunately, the knight commander has informed me that he will not be able to act as a great warrior. Are there other warriors?”
To be precise, I dropped it because I said ‘I don’t have the confidence to win against him’.
“Except for the leader of the knights, there is no advanced sword expert in the County of Putokoa.”
“Then what should I do?”
Count Tobias Putocoa stared at Viscount Reno Payne.
The staff member, Viscount Reno Payne, replied reluctantly.
“How about asking Count Codrantes for help while responding by finding out and punishing the client?”
It was said that it would be fortunate if Baron Elio Lagoa took a step back, satisfied with the punishment of the client.
Count Tobias Putocoa shook his head.
It was the best way now that the knight commander had given up on the Great War.
After thinking for a moment, Tobias Putokoa spoke to the nobles.
“By the way, do you think that I, the lord of Putokoa, have to remain in Hirhera until I am insulted by a barbarian from our territory?”
The nobles did not speak katabuta.
If he withdrew now, he would be resentful of the king and nobles, so he hesitated.
As the nobles took notice, Count Tobias Putocoa turned his attention to Viscount Reno Payne.
“staff?”
“Why don’t we decide that part after hearing Count Codrantes’ answer?”
“Are you saying I have to put up with humiliation more?”
“If Count Codrantes helps, the problem could be solved in an instant. But if we withdraw first… can’t we help Count Codrantes even if he wants to help?”
It turned out to be true, so Count Tobias Putocoa couldn’t object.
Viscount Reno Payne, who was watching him, continued.
“They say Count Codrantes will arrive today or tomorrow… why don’t you wait a few days?”
“Count Codrantes is coming?”
“I heard this morning from the chief of staff, Viscount Meto Robert. He said that he was in close contact with the Marquis of Retona Ground, the general of the Kingdom of Baylem, and that the time had come for the joining of the Kingdom of Baylem.”
“Is Count Codrantes on close terms with the general of the kingdom of Baylem?”
“Yes, they are seniors and juniors at the Imperial Academy.”
“Is the sky helping our Putokoa? I understand. That matter will be decided after I personally meet with Count Codrantes.”
Count Tobias Putocoa gritted his teeth.
‘If Count Codrantes turns away by any chance, it’s the withdrawal of troops.’
It was better to return to Putokoa than to be insulted by the barbarians in Hirhera.