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242. Childhood Friend – Newcomer

On a morning where darkness had yet to fade away, the capital of the Orun Kingdom, Nevis, was slowly waking up from its slumber starting from the outskirts.

The first to inject life into the sleepy capital were the vendors. In the early hours, when some extravagant someone had only just fallen asleep, the merchants stepped out into the streets chilled by winter.

“Good morning! Did you sleep well last night?” They exchanged greetings with the charm characteristic of a merchant, as they bartered and traded.

Among them, having conducted business every single day for a decade or even several decades, haggling was a rare event. They sometimes settled their accounts not with immediate cash, but with an additional line in the ledger.

There isn’t a huge difference, but those farmers and herders who rose just a step later than them began to add their presence to the dim city.

Farmers, comfortably shouldering their familiar plows, ventured out to till the frozen ground, gulping down a porridge-like beverage offered by a vendor.

Though they lived close to the capital where survival was a constant struggle, their inherently good nature made them appreciative of the merchant’s clever marketing strategies. They nodded and said, “Thank you, I enjoyed it,” before hurriedly continuing on their way.

Once the taciturn hunters departed one by one towards the surrounding mountains of Nevis, only the innocent children, women, and old men of the impoverished lower classes remained in the outskirts. This marked the time when the day began for the middle-class citizens of Nevis, the capital of the Orun Kingdom.

Artisans skillfully crafting various goods and the chefs who had met nobility at least once, along with the noble ladies’ handmaidens and servants, waited for the tightly shut city gates to open as the morning bells of Nevis Church chimed. When the gates finally swung open, they hurriedly bought the necessary raw materials from the vendors outside.

This was the moment when friendly exchanges with merchants took a sharp turn.

Bargaining prices was routine, and the hidden weight hanging on the scale symbolized their feather-light conscience. In a flurry of haggling where both sides were fully aware, a bumbling servant fell victim to a scam. He would surely receive a good scolding upon his return.

Around the time the water carts creaked into the castle, most of Nevis’ upper class was still sound asleep.

It was simply because dawn was just breaking, and washing water had yet to arrive. However, here in a wooden building, a man had just risen from a simple bed, executing a dry shave with only the sensation at his fingertips.

With practiced movements, he swiftly cleaned his chin and neatly tidied his sideburns before tucking a sharp dagger into his pocket. After washing his face with leftover water from yesterday, he purposefully stomped heavily on the wooden floor as he descended the stairs.

“Master, are you awake?”

“Yes. The water cart will be coming soon so wash up quickly.”

This was to wake his attendant. It was a bit scandalous that the attendant woke later than the master, but he refrained from commenting on it. He had made it a habit to work before eating breakfast.

In the office, as he sat down at a neatly organized desk to handle a few documents, the lazy attendant brought in breakfast. The master diligently chatted away as he finished his meal.

While the master was eating, the attendant helped him into his leather boots, tightening the laces. He brought salt to supplement his fluids and, after dipping his fingers into the salt, the master thoroughly cleaned the corners of his mouth before swallowing it down with water the attendant had brought.

And then it was time to head out.

The man hastily left headquarters with a busy pace. After sprinting to his lodging not too far away, he soon met “Brender.” At the entrance of the lodging bustling with burly men…

“Good morning, Mr. Brender.”

“Good morning, Mr. Cesar.”

There was a sign reading the Cesar Mercenary Group. The group leader, Cesar, greeted him with a warm smile.

“Nothing unusual happened last night, right? With Mr. Brender around, there’s nothing to worry about, haha.”

“Yes. The fact that you come to check on us daily really boosts the morale of the kids. I’m quite embarrassed myself.”

“Oh, what are you saying! It’s thanks to your presence that everything is so orderly. Have you eaten? I wanted to ask you something.”

Cesar and Brender entered the lodging. Following Brender’s influence, the once messy place was now spotless, devoid of even a speck of dust. The mercenaries’ attitude while greeting their captain, although slightly cheeky, had a sense of decorum to it.

After taking a round around the lodging, Cesar and Brender seated themselves. Cesar opened the conversation by asking about Count Amus.

“Lady Amus’s birthday is coming up soon. What should I gift her so that the Count will be pleased?”

“Hmm, well, I don’t think he’ll care too much… Ah, something related to beauty would likely please him. Count Amus has wanted to marry off his daughter to the princes. Moreover… I hate to say it, but if you were to gift her cosmetics that could cover up bruises, he’d definitely like that. It’s a shame for the lady, though.”

“…I see. Is there anything else?”

Brender shrugged his shoulders, meaning there likely wasn’t anything else.

Cesar, though unsatisfied with this answer, nodded nonetheless.

On his way back after finishing his business at the mercenary lodging, he passed through the commercial district of Nevis, lost in thought.

If I buy a cosmetic for covering bruises, the Count will surely like it. But Lady Amus will inevitably get hit more.

Brender’s words carried reliability.

Brender had been a knight for Count Amus but had grown disillusioned with the petty count after the twin princes took charge. Cesar had discovered him after he formed a small mercenary group for protection or guarding merchants and scouted him.

Thus, few knew the inner workings of Count Amus better than Brender. Although he had to follow Brender’s advice again this time, Cesar fiddled with a jar of rouge suitable for Lady Taralin Amus’s complexion before ultimately deciding against it, instead purchasing high-heeled shoes from a shoemaker.

He also stopped by a jewelry shop. He requested to have gems matching Lady Amus’s pink hair set into the shoes he had just bought, and it was accomplished as he wished.

The shoes were lovely, adorned with knots, reminiscent of the hairstyle she often wore. The little gems surrounding the shoes were cute and understated, making them perfect for expressing a small affection.

However, was this truly the right thing to do?

Cesar felt a mix of guilt and the realization that he was acting against his lord’s wishes.

Yet, he could never present her with the rouge. Cradling the meticulously packaged shoes, he hopped onto his carriage, soon arriving at Count Amus’s residence.

“I am Cesar, the leader of the Cesar Mercenary Group. I have come at the Count’s summons.”

Having frequented the place often, Cesar passed through the main gate with ease. He required no steward to accompany him, and as he followed a handmaiden to find the Count…

“Hello there.”

“…You must be Captain Cesar. It’s been a while.”

He was met by the sagging-eyed lady.

Taralin, who was rapidly losing weight, bore a striking resemblance to her mother rather than her father and was quite petite. Despite her small stature and bright eyes, she was coming close to her limits.

It was due to the work her father had assigned her. Alone and isolated…

“Um, excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“I heard it’s your birthday soon. I’ve brought a small gift.”

“A gift from you, Captain?”

“Yes.”

His firm tone and the eager gaze of a man conveyed sincerity.

Despite the age difference between him in his early thirties and Taralin in her late teens, reading the expression in his dark eyes made her fumble her words. Upon receiving the gift, she shyly asked,

“May I open it now?”

“Of course.”

Cesar gestured encouragingly.

The handmaiden accompanying him unwrapped the gift, revealing the shoes. Taralin saw the shoes that resembled her own style and let out an uncontrollable laugh after so long.

“Thank you! I don’t know if they will fit, but I will use them well.”

“They should fit. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Cesar maintained a rigid and polite demeanor as he gracefully brushed past her. Upon entering the Count’s room, he beamed a smile like that of a jester.

“Count! How have you been? It’s a great honor to visit your residence again. You look splendid today! I noticed the new statue in the garden.”

The Count, sprawled arrogantly on the sofa while flipping through several documents, turned his yellowed eyes toward him. He seemed genuinely pleased.

“So, you’re quite interested in interior decoration? Have a seat. In fact, I summoned you because I have a task I would like you to handle.”

“Anything you say.”

“I want you to investigate the Conrad Kingdom. There’s something concerning on my mind. What I want you to investigate is…”

Finally, it came.

As Cesar felt a chill from his lord’s insight, he chose the perfect moment to pry into the Count’s words.

This was the very reason he had been biding his time, attending to the Count’s needs.

“I understand. But is the reason you want this investigation perhaps because of Duke Alzeor de Lognum?”

The Count’s pupils rolled toward Cesar, concealing a shocked expression befitting a noble.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because the second prince received the southeastern coastline of the kingdom as his domain. I thought the land might be a bit cramped for him to be satisfied.”

“Haha. You certainly keep surprising me. Go on, continue surprising me.”

Cesar bowed his head, rubbing his hands together awkwardly as he said,

“Hehe, thank you. As someone running a small mercenary group, I can’t help but pay attention to such news.”

Such humility was sufficient at this point.

“I believe Duke Alzeor de Lognum would be quite interested in the land of the Conrad Kingdom. However, he’ll be understaffed, so he’ll need the kingdom’s support and help from the nobility. The fact that you mentioned it means two conditions are met… Marquis Gaidan? You wouldn’t have allied yourself with the Eastern Marchioness, would you? Ah, I apologize. With the factions being different, that’s unlikely. Then you must be intending to participate yourself! If Count Amus joins in, the second prince will feel as if he’s gained an army of a thousand.”

“Hmm… One thing is incorrect.”

That was a deliberate mistake. Count Taradin Amus revealed something that Cesar had yet to discover.

“Marquis Gaidan has allied with Duke Alzeor de Lognum. This year, war will break out. But it’s surprising. Other than that, nearly everything you said is correct.”

“Hehe, thank you. My humble…”

“I am pondering whether it would be better to aid the second prince and partake in war, or to remain in the capital assisting the first prince. What do you think?”

“It’s such a serious matter that it’s hard to express my opinion, but…”

Cesar lowered his head, sealing his lips.

“I think it would be wise to observe the situation before participating in the war.”

“Why so?”

“It’s evident that chaos will ensue in the kingdom after Prince Lean de Yeriel returns alive and kills Prince Eric. The Duke House of Tertan, once a power in the western frontier, has backed down, and the Count House of Rofero—was it? A house unverified has now taken that position in the frontier. So, they should gain the upper hand in the initial battles. However, the Conrad Kingdom is no easy target. Even if they breach the borders, they will likely face fierce resistance, so the costs seem to outweigh the benefits.”

“Hmmm.”

“What I propose is…”

This was the crucial part. Cesar felt his throat dry as he recalled the words his lord had told him long ago.

“I understand that since Duke Alzeor de Lognum took his dukedom and descended, the aristocrats following the second prince have been lost and aimless. Perhaps it would be wise to build rapport with them while monitoring the situation? If it appears the second prince’s expedition will succeed, then perhaps you can lead an army with them. In that case, the prince wouldn’t be able to look down on the Count, and if it looks like it will fail, you can draw them into the faction of the first prince…”

Cesar trailed off. With his head bowed, he couldn’t tell what expression the Count was making.

However, showing an expression of plotting something to a noble was extremely dangerous. Cesar, feeling contrite for giving such brazen advice, stayed still with his head bowed and soon heard a voice.

“So, even if the expedition succeeds, you mean I gain nothing as long as I remain with the first prince?”

“That’s correct. What’s more, there’s an even better option.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve heard that you don’t favor Count Geogis Jermin very much. If you send him to the expedition, then you’ll remain here with…”

“What? Hahahahahaha!”

Cesar felt the Count patting his back. The more he did, the deeper he bowed his head.

“Excuse, excuse me.”

“Khikikikik! Not at all. That was really funny. Just so happens that the friend, the supplier of the weapons… The Theobik Family, was it? He’s been quite sensitive after going bankrupt, heh heh. If he knew a commoner like you was saying this, I’d love to see his expression. Oh, don’t worry. I don’t intend to gossip. Hehehe. I’ll think deeply about your advice.”

Success.

“…Thank you.”

Cesar suppressed his expression and raised his head. Although Count Amus saw Cesar’s face, his joy in having succeeded was strong enough to mask any fear, so he didn’t notice.

Before heading out, Cesar threw in one last thing he wanted to say.

“Oh, and congratulations. I heard Lady Taralin had her birthday. I sent her a pair of shoes as a gift; I wonder if she will like them.”

“You’ve done something unnecessary.”

Count Taradin Amus frowned slightly.

“What does a girl need shoes for when she hasn’t even enticed those princes who are so keen? She’ll be turning twenty next year. At this rate, she’ll miss her chance to marry. Now that there’s no need to spy on noble parties, the prince must be kicked to the curb; it’s time to find her a suitable husband this year.”

“…I see. Ah! I shall take my leave now. Should you require anything else, do not hesitate to call, and I will come flying like the wind.”

This year. This year…

Though he had safely completed a task handed down by his lord, Cesar could not feel joy as he lingered in front of the Count’s residence. He hoped that Lord Reb Bijan wouldn’t be late and boarded the carriage before too long passed.

The carriage headed towards the residence of Count Geogis Jermin, where betrayal, deceit, and trickery were his specialties.

As a man reborn in a new identity bound by an oath of absolute loyalty, Cesar prayed that this shamed talent might be of help to her and to his lord.