Chapter 82

I’ll translate and adapt the passage into English using first-person point of view while maintaining the original tone and narrative style.

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Pushing against the bear-like figure, I entered the hall differently from my aggressive first appearance.

“Hmm, Elshimer, was it? I remember seeing your face a few times on the battlefield. You were a knight who didn’t budge an inch, holding your ground firmly against our Bright Wing Knights and the demons, protecting your comrades, right?”

“Even though we had no choice but to clash swords back then, I can hardly find words to express my gratitude for such high praise from a distinguished junior duke like you.”

Elshimer’s extremely polite demeanor, almost like that of an envoy visiting a higher-ranking group, stood out despite his simple appearance that didn’t match his imposing build.

It seemed his rough nature from surviving in the harsh Blood Haven had completely transformed here.

Well, this level of behavior fit the purpose of delivering the matter from the Failord Count Family, so it passed muster.

And if I felt this way about Elshimer, Aruslin must have felt the same.

“Then, let’s wrap up the greetings. Let me see the letter containing your business.”

Aruslin, after giving Elshimer a proper compliment, gestured lightly for me to hand over the letter sent by the Failord Count Family.

As soon as I showed my appropriate manner, which wasn’t overly arrogant yet still conveyed my status, Aruslin asked me to fetch the letter from Elshimer.

I thought it would be better to take it from Elshimer and give it to Aruslin myself rather than have the bear-like man awkwardly approach and potentially damage the floor of the hall.

Though it was unlikely to happen, it was also a precautionary measure.

Elshimer, anticipating my move, smiled at me and handed over the letter.

Just like how even enemies can become friends and enmity can turn into a connection, the animosity we had in Blood Haven had transformed into a positive connection.

So, I took the letter from Elshimer and handed it to Aruslin.

“Let’s see…”

Aruslin opened the envelope delicately with a knife placed beside the bed and read the contents of the letter. Her expression barely changed, only her eyes moving quickly to confirm the content, much like when she reviews important documents.

If not for the gentle smile gradually forming on her face, one might think she was merely handling paperwork.

Aruslin finished reading the letter and carefully placed it on the desk.

Thinking about how she usually tears up letters she deems worthless or throws them away, I felt relieved that Rize’s letter hadn’t upset her.

“Andy, although this letter is addressed to me, it seems there’s something you should read too.”

“Hmm?”

Instinctively, I pointed to myself with my index finger.

“Quickly.”

Without changing her smiling expression, Aruslin nodded and our eyes met briefly before I turned to the letter and slowly reached for it.

Curious about what could prompt her to ask me to read it quickly, I examined the letter written in Rize’s neat handwriting.

“…Huh?”

A short, involuntary sound escaped as I looked at Elshimer, who was smiling at me.

“Security…?”

“Even though the matters of the Paleodas family are urgent, it seems the lady has only now found the time to send me here after the initial neglect when you became the son-in-law of the Caladborg Dukedom.”

Elshimer responded by lightly tapping his chest with his right hand, a gesture common among knights of the Failord Count Family when showing respect to their superiors.

Though I felt happy to receive this greeting after being away from the family for so long, my curiosity overshadowed the joy.

“Security…? You… me…?”

My confusion was evident in my voice, as I couldn’t believe what he was saying.

It felt like a great insult, as I didn’t think I needed security, but the idea of someone being assigned to protect me puzzled me.

“I don’t think Lady Rize sent me specifically for your personal security.”

Elshimer’s expression hardened momentarily at my words but quickly softened.

“Also, this is a separate letter from Lady Rize for you.”

He suddenly produced another letter and handed it to me.

After breaking the seal on the letter, I glanced at its contents and handed it to Aruslin, who was standing next to me.

I gave her the letter because it seemed necessary for her to know its contents too.

“Why did you immediately hand it to Aruslin?”

It was nothing special; the letter contained information about the Northern Barbarian Tribes, who were known troublemakers in the Zakarat Mountain Range, occupying a large portion of the northern territories of the Central Continent.

Usually, these tribes caused chaos near the border of the Failord Count Family, but according to recent intelligence, they were planning military actions near the border of the Caladborg Dukedom.

Elshimer, who knew the tribes well due to his background, was sent to assist in the campaign against them.

Since this wasn’t something to be kept secret, it was necessary to show it to Aruslin.

“Indeed, it is so.”

Aruslin read the letter swiftly, as she had done before, and seemed ready to entrust me with the matter.

“If it’s for this reason, there’s no need to refuse. In fact, I have a request for you.”

Nodding in agreement, I replied, accepting the task mentioned in the letter.

“Sir, I will dedicate my life to this northern land.”

Elshimer spoke with emotion, his words filled with sincerity.

It was strange to see this former outlaw now dressed as a proper knight, bowing respectfully.

“Thank you.”

No need to make a big deal out of it, so I kept it brief.

“Since we haven’t seen each other in a long time, we should have a seat and talk.”

Aruslin, having reviewed the documents, invited us to sit.

In truth, there wasn’t much to discuss with him, but it was necessary to hear sensitive matters not mentioned in the letter.

“I won’t be long, I’ll return shortly.”

Without hesitation, I accepted Aruslin’s offer.

“Katarina, please escort Andy and Elshimer to the reception room.”

After instructing Katarina, Aruslin resumed her work.

“Come this way…”

With恭敬的目光，我跟在卡塔里纳后面，她带着我离开了家主厅，前往一个适合两人私下交谈的接待室。

“那么…”

卡塔里纳以一贯简洁的姿态向我行礼后离开了接待室。

“呼——”

埃尔西默松了一口气，深深地坐在了沙发上。

他的庞大身躯压在沙发上，沙发似乎有些不堪重负，但很快调整好了。

“二少爷…不，少爷。”

在只有我们两个人的情况下，埃尔西默不经意间用了稍微敏感的称呼，但立刻改口了。

通过我的精神感应确认这里没有偷听者后，我用手势告诉他不需要担心。

“失礼了。”

尽管我这么说了，埃尔西默还是认真地向我道歉。

“虽然这是需要小心的话，但在我们两个独处的地方，不必太在意。这个房间里除了我们俩，没有其他人能听到我们的谈话。”

我简单地接受了他道歉，并示意他放松一些。

“既然只有我们两个人，就不要那么拘谨了。你和我之间不仅仅是几天的交情。”

埃尔西默苦笑着，显得有些为难。

“唉，这种说话方式已经习惯了，很难改回来。”

我深知以前的埃尔西默是什么样子，听到这些话虽然惊讶，但也没有必要在这里提起。

“莉婕怎么样？我成为她的夫婿时，她还哭闹着说自己做不了家主。”

“您看过我写的信就知道了。她不是不想做，而是觉得这份工作麻烦。并不是因为能力问题才拒绝的。”

“她的能力很强，但说实话，让一个还没成年的孩子承担伯爵家的重任，确实有些疯狂。”

“前任家主那个人，简直是个疯子。少爷、大少爷以及莉婕小姐都是他的后代，这让我现在都难以置信。”

“我不仅不相信，甚至想否认这一点。”

“嗯，我也有同感。但老实说，他死了是件好事。”

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I hope this translation meets your expectations!