Chapter 50
"...Third, regarding the two matters I just mentioned, you must sincerely endeavor to gather information and answer all my questions honestly. And this must be bound by Contract Magic."
I had thought this would be the biggest hurdle.
Contract Magic was the magic cast on me when I was a slave in the mines.
As long as both parties agreed, it could restrict the other party's actions in all sorts of ways; it could even prevent mining slaves from acquiring Talents. Of course, it could also stop them from activating their Talents.
Would a noble really consent to such magic? I was a commoner—more than that, a lowborn one.
I found myself rubbing the area around my left wrist.
The tattoo that had been here... was gone now. Thanks to continually applying yomogi-modoki, it had gradually faded and completely disappeared after about a year.
"All right. I'll agree."
"Huh? You're okay with that?"
"I don't mind. If I broke the contract, I would lose my freedom of action, and I would tell only you how to unlock my secret vault."
"N-no, that's going too far..."
"I told you I was practically a dead man already, didn't I? Besides, Contract Magic would be meaningless unless I went this far. Listen, Reiji-san. The environment in which I need you to serve as a guard is one where the terms you've set are far too lenient."
"...I see."
"There's one more important condition you've left out."
"What is it?"
The Count sighed and, with an exasperated look, said:
"The amount of your salary."
"Oh, right."
Normally, that's the most important part...
Maybe I should drive a hard bargain.
"Then I would like my salary to be two gold coins a month, with the Count's household taking care of my food, clothing, and lodging."
Two gold coins were about 400,000 yen. Even with food, clothing, and lodging provided, 400,000 yen would be an incredibly generous deal.
Hmph, what do you think, Count? I can drive a hard bargain too, you know.
"Haaah..."
Huh? Was the Count hanging his head with a hand pressed to his forehead?
"The household providing your food, clothing, and lodging is a given. Your salary will be three Holy Gold Coins a year, paid out monthly."
"Huh...?"
A Holy Gold Coin was... worth twenty-five gold coins, right...?
And he was offering me three of them.
An annual salary of fifteen million yen?!
"Your employment will be on a one-year contract, and we'll review whether to renew it each year. Also, since you'll be at my daughter's side as her guard, you'll have to learn the minimum necessary knowledge of noble society and proper etiquette. Is that clear?"
"Y-yes..."
"Then you will live in this mansion starting today. I will notify the Holy King's Knights myself."
"Y-yes..."
Before I knew it, everything had been decided.
So this was aristocratic bargaining...!
And just like that, I was hired as Lady Eva's "guard."
When I met Lady Eva for the first time, I was struck by the shock of discovering that someone so adorable could exist in this world. She was a delicate creature born of the luxurious environment of nobility. Like a greenhouse-grown strawberry that costs tens of thousands of yen apiece—something you would never find in town.
Unaware of my astonishment, Lady Eva was every inch a young lady from the moment we met.
"Are you strong, Reiji?"
Those were her first words after we introduced ourselves. I answered only, "Fairly," and then—
"Then you shall fight one of Father's knights!"
And those were her next words. I refused in order: "I'll pass," "I can't," "I decline," "I won't," "No," and finally, "Absolutely not." But Lady Eva wouldn't listen. In the end, the knights were eager to go along too—and some of them had even suggested that I might have orchestrated the midnight attack—so I ended up sparring in the Count's courtyard.
The estate was enclosed by high walls, so no one outside could peer in. But any building three stories or taller naturally rose above the walls, so you could see in from its roof.
I spotted a suspicious shadow on the roof of a distant building—which I was later forced to report the location of—so, after obtaining the Count's permission, I lit fires at the courtyard's four corners and used 【Wind Magic】 to circulate the smoke, creating a large smokescreen.
The courtyard was carpeted with grass, cut evenly and neatly. The tables and chairs usually scattered around had been removed, save for one set, and in their place knights came streaming in until they filled the garden.
Even the servants came to see what all the commotion was about, so practically everyone in the mansion had gathered.
"Everyone, make sure you watch carefully."
Why was the Count having tea with Lady Eva at the one remaining table set?
"I am Maxim Dupont, chief military officer of the Suilies family!"
A man with thick eyebrows and tightly curled hair stepped forward and announced himself.
Commoners didn't have family names, but nobles naturally did, and apparently anyone recognized by a noble got one too... The "apparently" was because my travel companion, Zelly-san, had no interest in that sort of thing, so my knowledge was unreliable.
Maxim-san was in his early thirties, a muscle-bound man who was self-conscious about the thinning hair at the back of his head. He wore the standard knight's equipment—metal armor and a cape—and carried a greatsword.
I, meanwhile, wore the dark suit I'd been issued, with a bolo tie whose scarlet cord ran through my collar. Its clasp bore the Count's family crest—a crescent moon with two swords carved into it.
"Ah, I'm Reiji. Nice to meet you."
"...Is that light outfit really all right for you?"
"Something easy to move in suits me better..."
"I see. Then that's fine."
What was admirable about Maxim-san was that, even though I was a thirteen-year-old child, he neither held back in the slightest nor let his guard down.
"Then let us begin."
The Count gave the signal to start.
"Hyaaah!"
But—he was slow. From his initial step to the swing of his greatsword, he was only a little slower than Dantes-san had been when half his body wouldn't move. Thinking about it, Dantes-san really was incredible.
"Whoa, amazing..."
I dodged at the last possible moment. I wanted to end things peacefully somehow, but when I glanced at the table, the Count was glaring at me, clearly telling me to take it seriously. You're scary, Cold-Blooded Lord. Look at the young lady beside you. She's gripping her handkerchief tightly, her face full of anxiety.
"Father, I'm sorry. Let's stop the match right now. Reiji will die at this rate."
"It's all right, Eva. In fact, watch carefully. It will be over in five seconds. Five, four..."
Yes, so he meant, "Finish it in five seconds." I understood.
"Three."
"Hnnngh!"
The greatsword came straight down. I twisted half my body aside and dodged, leaving the blade buried in the ground. Two separate screams rang out—one from the maids and one from the gardener tending the lawn.
"Two."
"Excuse me."
I darted into Maxim-san's guard.
Maxim-san was not about to let me close in so easily. He immediately let go of his sword, swung his arm, which was protected by an armguard, and threw a punch.
"One."
I caught that punch squarely with both hands.
Oww... My hands are numb. So numb.
My body was sent flying sideways as if someone had tossed a doll. Lady Eva let out a high-pitched scream—but I planted both hands on the ground, cartwheeled, and landed neatly.
"Oww... They're numb. So numb."
"..."
Maxim-san stared at me, bewildered, then toppled sideways without changing expression and lay still.