Don’t Run Away My Lord

43 – Obtained Territory Unexpectedly (7)

Upon hearing the man’s words, the other humans looked at each other, only exchanging glances.

“Well… It’s a tempting offer, but…”

Someone spoke up.

“It seems like it might be a bit difficult…”

Then, as if in agreement, the other humans murmured something and nodded their heads.

The man seemed a little flustered and extended his hand.

“No, why are you all like this? If it’s about conditions, then it’s conditions. Isn’t there a better place than here if I can receive the same benefits and work?”

“Well, that’s true, Captain. But it seems that we’ve been struggling for too long… And to be honest, it’s a bit difficult to fully trust that teacher.”

The humans looked at me with apologetic eyes.

“Of course, whether or not you become the lord is not a concern for creatures like us… But Captain, you know as well. This place is not somewhere where we can just sit and do nothing.”

“That’s right. It wouldn’t make a difference if only a few of us went in, unlike when there were hundreds of soldiers like before.”

The man, referred to as the captain by the humans, furrowed his brow.

“I understand all of your words… But for now, how about giving it another try while we receive one month’s salary in advance?”

“I’d rather go to the capital city and look for another job during that month… This territory… has no prospects…”

“Hmm… Is that so…”

The man, seemingly unsure of his ability to convince the others any longer, looked at me with a slightly troubled expression.

“You’ve all heard it, there’s nothing more to say. It seems like I’m the only one left.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind being alone.”

When the man said he would stay, the other members of the group seemed to have expected it.

“We thought the captain would stay. We’re a little worried, but… it’s the captain’s decision, so should we just go along with it?”

“If the territory revives again, that would be great, and if not, we’ll just take the one month’s salary and leave, right?”

The man laughed and shook hands with the group.

The group bid farewell to the man with regret, and some even shed tears.

“Captain, thank you for everything. Please take care of yourself always.”

“Everyone, take care. Succeed wherever you go and if possible, send your regards.”

“We will do so.”

After shaking hands and hugging, the group turned around and continued on their way.

The man stood in his place, watching the departing group, and waved his hand every time they looked back.

Only after the group had moved far away did the man finally speak to us.

“I apologize. They were dear friends.”

“It’s alright. By the way, they mentioned you were the commander. What was your original position?”

“I was the chief of security. I was responsible for the security of Yeongju Castle.”

Since he was close to the Duke, it must have left some lingering attachment.

Very good.

As the chief of security, even if he didn’t know as much as those who left, he would have a good understanding of the territory and some knowledge about the surrounding situation.

Riana seemed to like him too, as she gave me a thumbs up.

“Then, as promised, I will give you one month’s salary in advance.”

In response to my words, Riana rummaged through the bag she brought and took out three gold coins.

It was already known that the chief of security received three gold coins.

Before setting off to catch up with them, Riana searched a place that seemed to be the office of the salary manager in the castle, and had already confirmed the salaries for each position.

“We can’t let them trick us by saying we don’t know anything.”

She really is an amazing woman.

* * * * *

The name of the commander of the guards was Ulpert, and he was about fifty years old.

Despite his age, he had a tough, muscular body. The calluses on his palms and the scars all over his body were a testament to his skills.

The sword hanging from his waist had a worn-out scabbard and was covered in scratches, but on that day, it was exceptionally well-maintained and sharp.

As we returned to the castle, we could hear stories about his past.

“I was born here in Goda County and joined the castle’s soldiers when I was fifteen.”

“What? So you’ve been a soldier for thirty-five years?”

When Liana was surprised, Ulpert chuckled with his wrinkled eyes.

“I’ve been lucky enough to last quite a long time, Lord Sijang. As you know, this place survives by the circulation of wealth and resources from the surrounding territories. We fight wars like it’s our daily bread. If you can endure as a soldier for ten years, you can endure for a long time. Most either die or quit before that.”

“If you were in the army, you would have been at least a battalion commander by now.”

“hahahaha. That’s true.”

Once you start working in the castle, regardless of your age, the commander of the guards is below the Lord and the Sijang.

When Liana was paid three gold coins, she firmly emphasized that point.

“During the contract period, treat me as your superior, Lord Sijang. The hierarchy in this chaotic territory is a mess.”

Ulpert, who had lived his whole life as a soldier of the Lord, found nothing strange about it.

So Ulpert frequently showed respect to Liana, who was much younger than him.

Liana, as if it were obvious, belittled Ulpert, who was like her father.

If it weren’t for the fact that Kaita’s position as a “sorcerer” was not yet clear, Liana would have spoken informally to Kaita without hesitation once she properly organized the ranks.

She was truly… an amazing and intimidating woman.

When they first met on the slave carriage, Liana thought she was just a simple-minded and kind-hearted person with a big chest.

She thought she was a fool when she saw her struggling with the cursed sword every time and giggling while embracing the wyvern’s egg.

As she kept touching my chest, I thought she was a female who was instinctively clinging onto me.

I wondered if her personality had changed during our travels, or if it was her true nature that had been revealed after she took on the position of the Prime Minister.

Or maybe it was just me that she showed such behavior to, while acting differently towards others.

Well… looking back, Rianna had always shown a cheerful and understanding attitude towards others, making witty remarks and actions without hesitation.

It was quite impressive when she thoroughly searched the bodies of the dead slaves when we first met, and when she proposed to act as my son and seize the estate after seeing a lord with dementia.

So… Rianna had only shown a childish side to me all this time.

Why…? I don’t know either.

Despite her appearance, she is a very intelligent person, so could there be an intention behind it?

I don’t really know.

Anyway, if she shows me an adorable side that no one else sees, it’s actually quite nice.

Isn’t it…?

* * * * *

When I returned to the Lord’s Mansion, Kaita was busy in the kitchen, making something.

In an old pot, grains and beans were boiling together, and Kaita stirred it with a ladle, sweating profusely.

“What are you doing, Master Magician?”

“Miss Rianna… No, Prime Minister… Well, you see… His Highness suddenly said he’s hungry. But there’s nothing suitable to eat, so I thought I’d make a stew or something, it’s hot-hot-hot!!”

As the boiling water splashed onto her hand, Kaita was startled and caused a commotion.

Seeing that, Rianna sighed deeply and took the ladle away.

“Stay there, Magician. I’ll do it.”

“Ugh… Please do a divine healing for meee…”

Kaita cautiously extended her unharmed hand.

“Master Mage! Please be careful with the hot water!”

Even so, Rianna gently caressed Kaita’s hand with her divine power.

“hehehehe… It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Ugh.”

Rianna introduced Kaita to Captain Ulphert as she emerged from the kitchen.

“Kaita, this is Ulphert. He has been the captain of the castle guard for a long time.”

“Hello, Captain.”

Kaita bowed her head.

“Captain, this is Kaita. She’s a mage. A real mage.”

“Oh, a mage. I’ve always thought it would be great to have a mage in the territory.”

Ulphert then recounted his encounters with the special forces who had come pouring out of a dimensional portal in the rear during the previous territory war, as well as his entrapment in an illusion trap.

As Kaita listened to the story, her face slowly turned red.

Most of the magic that Ulphert mentioned was probably beyond Kaita’s current capabilities.

But that’s okay.

Humans have no limits to their growth, and someday Kaita will surely be able to cast magic at the level I desire.

“Captain, for now, let’s meet the High Lord first, and then tour the territory for guidance. I know very little about the territory, so I need to at least know what facilities are available and what is lacking.”

“Understood, my Lord. Don’t worry. The Baron’s command is in my hands.”

When they arrived in the bedroom, the High Lord happened to be sitting on the bed, gazing out the window.

“My Lord!”

When Ulvert called, the Great Lord turned his head slowly and gave a weak smile.

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“Ulvert? What brings you here? Ah, right. You must give me the overdue money.”

Thank goodness. He seems to be in his right mind now.

Ulvert, upon hearing the words of the Great Lord, was overwhelmed with emotions and remained speechless for a while.

After a moment of silence, Ulvert struggled to speak.

“The young lord here gave me the money. That’s why I can work in the lordship again.”

“Is that so…? Good. You probably heard the story, but Eurga here is my successor. Now, serve him well as a lord.”

“Yes… understood. I will serve faithfully.”

Just then, Riana brought a bowl of well-cooked porridge.

“Magician. Let the Great Lord have his meal. I have to attend to the young lord and the captain of the guard and look after the territory.”

“You…? Ah, yes… here, take it.”

Keita took the bowl and sat at the end of the bed, where the Great Lord asked.

“Hmm… who are you…?”

“Yes…? Don’t you know me? I’m Keita. Keita the magician.”

“Keita…? Hm… I see… Oh, our youngest has come. Who is this woman named Keita? Did you bring her to be my wife? She’s pretty and looks so kind, I really like her.”

Seems like dementia has taken over again in that short moment.

Tears welled up in Ulvert’s eyes as he watched the rambling Great Lord.

I have brought a proper human being.

To have such a loyal person as my subordinate, I am very lucky from the start.

I looked back at Riana, as if to convey those words.

And seeing the cold, cooled-down face of Liana, I couldn’t help but shudder.