"There's nothing you can do about it."
The Belturia Estate was the estate that belonged to a Count. The size of the land and weight of the title, was not comparable to that of the Halvark estate since it was a smaller nobility.
If Balbaca had been as gentle as before, it wouldn't have been a big deal to refuse the marriage proposal. The Balbaca of the past was a good and gentle man.
But now, Asher didn't think it would end like this so abruptly.
"It's not bad for you either, is it? If you accept the deal and proposal, I can help you increase the Halvark territory's earnings with my name."
"Don't be ridiculous."
Charon grated his teeth.
"Both myself and my Lord, did not wish for this marriage to happen."
"It would be good for the territory though."
"Do you see Lord Halvark as a man who desires political power?"
"That's not it."
From generation to generation, the Halvark's had less desire than other noble households and were satisfied with what they had. Luke was a bit of an exception to this, but Lord Halvark remained unchanged to the tradition.
"The Lord is content with his estate and political standing. He would never sell his daughter to gain power."
Charon crumpled his face.
"First of all, she doesn't even want to marry. She wants to walk the path of the sword. Not the path of a housewife."
"Bah, Is she even talented?"
"Talented is not even close enough to describe her potential as a swordsman…"
Charon spoke with fury hidden in his eyes, yet also admiration of Reika's great work ethic and talent. With enough time, he was sure she could become one of them. A Swordmaster of the Empire.
Charon was a talented swordsman himself, and he knew it. Therefore, he could definitely know just how amazing Reika's future could be if she continued to walk the path of the sword.
"I can't believe you can't even notice how talented she is."
Charon clenched his fist as he held back his curses at Lord Balbaca.
However, even though he was angry, nothing changed. For the next few days, Balbaca continued to approach Reika and try to court her.
Although Boros stopped him, Balbaca was the owner of the estate. There was no way he would listen to his son and face embarrassment like that. Reika's expression darkened day by day, and Charon's face continued to swell red with rage.
In that situation, Asher headed to the village below the castle. He had something to buy. The more he walked around in the village, the more miserable townsfolk he could see with his own two eyes.
It was a stark difference. The townspeople's expressions that he remembered compared to the ones now, were completely different. Not only that, but the difference between the luxurious estate of the Belturia Family, compared to the miserable looking town that was pretty much in rags, was saddening to see.
As Asher examined the differences in his head, eventually, someone stopped him in his path.
"Give me your money."
The owner of the voice was a boy who didn't even look older than ten. The boy was holding a knife and trembling as his frightened expression didn't match his words.
"I'm going to stab you if you don't."
Asher looked at the poor and dirty boy. The boy faltered as if he was under pressure from Asher's indifferent eyes, but he clenched his teeth and stood his ground. The boy tightened his grip on the knife.
"Stop it."
Boros grabbed the boy's arm with a gloomy face. The boy was startled and let go of the knife.
"Master Boros…."
"This is our family's guest that is currently visiting the estate. I have a duty to protect him."
Boros took some coins from his pockets and put them in the boy's hand.
"This should be enough for you to buy some medicine for your sister. Go."
"Th-…Th-thank you Master…."
The boy nodded his head and ran away. Boros smiled bitterly at Asher.
"That's not how it always was. Did you say your name was Asher?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry. I've shown you a terrible situation."
Asher was an employee of the Halvark Estate and Boros was a nobleman, but he was respectful and courteous to Asher.
"You should apologize to someone else, not me."
"You mean… Miss Reika, don't you."
Lord Balbaca wanted his own son's fiance. Even the most vicious and arrogant aristocrats did not do things like that.
Boros dropped his head without saying a word. Asher opened his mouth gently.
"As long as I am the owner of the Belturia Nobility, it does not matter if you are poor, rich, talented, or talentless. If you are loyal to me, I will trust in you from the bottom of my heart."
an unexpected remark came out of Asher's mouth, and Boros' mouth shook as his eyes trembled for a moment.
"How could you say something like that…."
"That's what Balbaca often said back in the day."
Those were the words Balbaca of the past, the one known as a hero, had once said to his people. It gave Asher goosebumps how genuine Balbaca was whenever he said those words.
"However, I think things are a little different right now.", Asher continued.
"...."
Boros smiled bitterly without saying a word. Asher continued his steps, approaching the castle, and turned back around as if he had forgotten something.
"Mr. Boros, may I ask you a favor?"
"Yes, please ask."
"I need something, but strangely they don't sell it here. Even though it's not that hard to get, I was wondering if you could save me some?"
"What are you talking about?"
Asher told Boros of the goods he needed. Boros tilted his head curiously.
"What are they for?"
"I need it for something personal."
"Hmm… it's not that big of a deal to get those for you. I see. I think I can arrange it for you by tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Asher gave Boros a slight bow, and began to return to the castle.
***
"Balbaca, the once hero, who covets women and despises the common people…."
Asher mumbled as he walked around the castle's garden. In the past, everyone used to laugh at him for being a trash and a scum, but now there are no words that fit the current Balbaca than the words once described when talking about Asher before his reincarnation.
Asher touched the blue rose petals that were blooming beautifully in the garden. These roses were a rare breed, and had to be cultivated carefully. They had the same weight and value as jewelry in the Empire. It was a symbol of wealth that adorned the gardens of arrogant and greedy nobles.
The garden was full of these aforementioned blue roses. Asher tightened his hand and crushed the rose in his hands without hesitating.
"Who are you?"
"….My name is Asher."
Asher replied. Before he knew it, Balbaca was staring at Asher with a very confused expression.
"What's going on here?"
"You don't remember. I saw your Lordship with Miss Reika and Knight Charon by my side."
"What? Oh, yeah! Are you a servant of the Halvark family?"
Asher nodded, but it was not exactly a courteous look that he gave Balbaca.
"Do you know me?"
asked Balbaca. With a confident and arrogant expression.
"I know Balbaca Belturia. The one that was a hero of the past."
"Yes, I am a hero. I am a great man. It would be an honor for your family to be associated with me like that."
Balbacca continued with an insidious smile plastered across his face.
"Go tell your Lord for me. The great Balbaca wants Reika Halvark as his concubine. It would be better for her to marry me than my ugly son."
"You're a complete snob for a hero.", Asher said without batting an eye or changing his indifferent look that he gave Balbaca.
Balbaca snorted.
"Heroes are always like that."
"Hm… then, may I ask you a question?"
Asher asked in a subdued voice that hinted with slight mockery, but Balbaca didn't pick up on it.
"Go ahead."