Chapter 152
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Perchi Jenes, the head of the House of Count Jenes. It might be a little unfamiliar to those of you from the empire, but we put quite a bit of effort into commerce.”
The man who introduced himself as Perchi reached out his hand for a handshake.
Franz grasped his hand and said:
“I am Franz Gilbert.”
The youngest of the Gilbert Baronial House, the Magic Tower lord of the empire, the head of the Ducal House of Esteban, or the Saint of the Goddess Church.
Even though there were truly many ways to introduce himself, Franz did not bother to mention them.
It was because he had no desire to needlessly flaunt his positions.
“I have heard many stories. You were the Archmage who subjugated the Demon Lord. After that, you became the Magic Tower lord. And I heard that you recently received the title of Duke and became a Saint…”
“…That is true, for the most part.”
There was not a single incorrect part in his words.
However, it felt like he was being needlessly put on a pedestal, making his face flush hot.
If he had known it would be like this, he would have just said it himself.
Anyway, receiving the title of Duke was a very recent event, yet it was surprising to think that a noble from another country, not even his own, would know about it.
Those engaged in commerce were usually sensitive to information, so it seemed he was no exception.
“If you are not too busy, I would like to go inside and talk. Would that be alright?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
Perchi smiled and entered the mansion with the Elf beside him.
And Franz and the four women followed him, stepping inside the mansion.
The reception room they arrived at after passing through the corridor.
The space, with just a painting or two hanging on the walls, looked far from luxurious.
Perhaps one could say it was unbefitting of a noble. Nobles usually enjoyed luxury and pleasure, after all.
“Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable.”
“Then we will impose on you for a bit.”
Franz took a seat on the sofa.
The sofa was large enough to comfortably seat about three people side by side.
To put it another way, only two people could sit next to Franz.
Yuna, Yusti-ah, Arian, and Hera, the four women, exchanged glances, gauging the situation, before nodding as if they had made a decision.
Yusti-ah approached Franz and spoke in a low voice.
“Franz, could you step away for just a moment…”
“No.”
Speaking firmly, Franz stood up and moved to the single-seater chair next to it.
It was obvious what they were trying to do.
They were undoubtedly going to decide who would sit where.
But he could not tolerate them doing such a thing where he couldn’t keep an eye on them.
The world had nearly been destroyed over a mere passenger seat, so he doubted this seating arrangement would be any different.
If there was a problem, it was that all four of them found this situation displeasing.
Pouting their lips, the four sat on the sofa with sullen expressions.
Watching them, Perchi spoke with a smile lingering on his lips.
“You are well-loved.”
“…We aren’t in that kind of relationship.”
“Is that so? To my eyes… No. I misspoke.”
“It’s fine.”
He had already been treated like that since the border, so there was no point in getting angry about it now.
He was also somewhat aware that it was a situation perfectly suited for misunderstandings.
Wanting to change the atmosphere somehow, Franz brought up a different topic.
“By the way, where did the person who was beside you go?”
“Ah, you mean Lena. She probably went to brew some tea. It’s somewhat of a hobby of hers.”
“This might be rude, but what is the relationship between you two…?”
The fact that they were wearing matching rings and came out of the mansion to greet guests side by side.
It was enough to see them as a married couple, but there was no harm in confirming it for sure.
If a noble with a nasty hobby was enjoying some sort of play with a slave, the situation would take a difficult turn.
Not that such a situation was likely, but…
“We are living as a married couple for now, but…”
His expression as he trailed off was not very good.
It felt like he had touched upon something he shouldn’t have.
So, just as Franz hurriedly tried to speak again, the man continued with an awkward smile.
“It wasn’t easy because the family was quite opposed to it. I haven’t even been near the Great Forest where the Elves live. Once, someone even came looking for us, demanding that I free the slave. It was somehow resolved well, though.”
His gaze, which had been directed at Franz, slowly shifted to Hera.
Hera flinched in surprise and avoided his gaze.
He could tell what had happened without even having to ask.
The Hera of that time would have definitely tried to use force, and his wife, Lena, must have desperately stopped her.
Anyway, that was it, to summarize it roughly.
He and Lena were a married couple unacknowledged by anyone.
Considering that marriage is usually celebrated with everyone’s blessings, it was truly a pity.
“In the midst of that situation, my father passed away, and I somehow inherited the position of head of the family. Still, I had some knowledge of commerce, so I am managing somehow.”
Since Franz had lived a life with no connection to marriage since birth, it was impossible for him to deeply empathize.
Still, he could at least offer his support, couldn’t he?
“It must not be easy, but I will root for you.”
“Haha,, thank you. But I fear I might be rude by only talking about myself.”
“How could that be? Thank you for sharing a good story.”
Franz was about to wrap up the conversation like that when he suddenly remembered something.
If his wife was an Elf, and he still hadn’t even been near the Great Forest…
“Do you perhaps still wish to visit the Great Forest?”
“Yes, it is my wife’s hometown, after all. I also want to become someone acknowledged by the Elves.”
“If that’s the case, please visit the Magic Tower of the empire sometime.”
After saying that, Franz turned his gaze to Hera.
Although he sat in the position of grand chieftain, he was seeking permission from her, the actual chieftain.
Grasping his intent, Hera gave a small nod.
“I will guide you to the Great Forest.”
“R-really? But there’s no way the Elves would just let that happen…”
“Because I am, in my own way, the grand chieftain… of the Elves.”
To think the day would come when he would introduce himself to someone with this title.
Franz wanted to hide in a mouse hole right then and there, but he forced himself to conceal those feelings.
“Hah… I already knew you were an incredible person, but Duke, just what in the world…”
“I am just an ordinary Mage.”
His expression was filled with deep emotion.
It was a natural reaction, as Franz had offered to resolve the issue that had been painfully stuck in his heart like a thorn all this time.
“Then I will shamelessly ask for your help when the time comes. It might not be much of a trade, but please let me know if there is anything you need.”
Something he needed…
He hadn’t said it expecting a reward, so he couldn’t give an answer right away.
He just wanted to ask this one thing for sure.
“I am in a position where I need to solve a sort of code. Do you happen to know of a phrase about a place where the sun rises from a sheer cliff?”
“A cliff…”
He narrowed his brow in thought, then soon nodded and continued.
“I once read a book among the ancient texts kept by my family that had that exact phrase. If my guess is correct, it must be that place.”
He was only guessing, and Franz didn’t think his words were a certainty either.
It was just that, with no further clues, he judged it better to trust his words.
After all, if he didn’t trust his words here, he would have no choice but to grab a passing pedestrian and ask.
At the very least, there would be nothing to lose.
“Could you wait a moment? I will bring a map right away and explain it to you.”
Saying that, he immediately left the reception room, and as if switching places with him, Lena entered.
Lena held a tray in her hands, upon which sat a teapot and teacups.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Speaking softly and politely, she poured tea into the cups and handed them out one by one.
The fragrant scent of the tea leaves was something he had never smelled anywhere before.
Franz took a sip of the steaming tea and said:
“Both the taste and the aroma are excellent. I heard you do this as a hobby, but it seems you have a deep knowledge of it.”
“I am glad you are enjoying it. Please let me know if you need more anytime.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
While Franz conversed with Lena like that, everyone who took a sip of the tea widened their eyes.
It seemed to taste excellent to them as well.
Afterwards, they each offered a word of appreciation to Lena and shared a conversation.
Not long after, the door to the reception room opened, and Perchi returned holding a map.
Spreading the map on the table, he said:
“Ganiphus borders the sea, so there are quite a few cliffs. Among them, the place I mentioned is here.”
His finger pointed to a spot on the map.
It was a place that jutted out prominently even in Ganiphus.
“The ancient text I read depicted this place as its setting.”
“Then I suppose we should head over there.”
Franz said that and took a sip of his tea.
Having obtained the information he wanted, there was no longer any reason to stay here.
However, out of courtesy, it would be best to finish the tea before getting up.
“There is a villa belonging to my family nearby. You may use it if you need to.”
“We couldn’t possibly impose that much…”
“Not at all. As long as you don’t forget that promise, I can offer it to you as much as you like.”
He had planned to stay in a suitable inn for the few days they would spend in Ganiphus, but if he was offering it like this, it would be impolite to refuse.
If he gave only one-sidedly, the other party might actually feel burdened.
Accepting things appropriately was also necessary.
“In that case, I will shamelessly take you up on your offer.”
Franz smiled and took a sip of his tea.
Completely unaware of what would happen at the villa in the future.