Chapter 71: Farewell
"Gather, all of you vassals!"
Cecily, dressed in attire resembling a court lady and even wearing makeup unlike her usual self, rushed into the quarters on a horse, a sight that didn't quite match her appearance.
What surprised everyone was whether it was her loud voice or her appearance. Well, even I have to admit that without the memory of that first night, I might not have recognized this beauty as Cecily so easily.
The spectators who had filled the streets of the capital for the festival were either taken aback by the equestrian attire of the lady officials or perhaps considered it part of the street entertainment.
Apart from Carrera herself, only Sebastian and Igrit, in other words, nobles of a rank higher than knights, were allowed to attend the royal investiture ceremony.
Cecily was permitted to accompany them as "Carrera's attendant." The remaining soldiers were busy preparing for their return the next day while waiting for the results.
I had also been running around to somehow figure out Nort's situation first thing in the morning, and although the results were subtle, I had managed to make some progress.
Berrisha, who was in command of the remaining group, hurriedly gathered everyone in the hall.
"How did it go? What was the royal decree?"
Tense, Berrisha asked Cecily.
"Yes... as indicated, Lady Carrera's succession to the Orbania family has been formally recognized, and she has become 'Viscountess Carrera Foro Orbania'!"
"Wow!"
Cheers erupted in the hall.
Cecily, in her skirt, continued with a fist pump that didn't quite match her appearance.
"Furthermore, she has been granted the right to levy taxes on the frontier regions to the south and east of Skutari, as well as on three villages of settlers located there. In addition, she has been granted the privilege of knighthood."
Cheers erupted once again. The expansion of her territory and the privilege of knighthood seemed to imply the authority to grant knight status to subordinates.
A voice of inquiry rose from among the soldiers.
"What about Viscount Brel?"
"Unfortunately, Brel's control over Doulas was recognized as an established fact..."
At that point, boos filled the air.
"The superior status over the Orbania family was denied. Only Peschkov was allowed to retain the towns that were unfairly occupied in the Shiki Peer region. The rest are expected to be dispatched as stewards over lands directly controlled by the royal family. Also, the priority water rights of the Verauchi River were denied."
At that point, many soldiers expressed their sentiments, revealing the depth of the rivalry between the two families.
"...By the way, what about matters like one-time payments and rewards for labyrinth conquest?"
Hesitantly, Jeco, the tax collector who was the only civil servant accompanying the group, brought up the topic.
"...There were none," Cecily's words dampened the previously buoyant mood.
"Nothing at all?... Well, at least the next six months are going to be tough," Jeco slumped his shoulders.
Even with the expansion of territory, it would only be possible to collect taxes from there starting from the next autumn harvest. Until then, maintaining the security of the newly acquired land would be a burden, and the cost of this round trip to the royal capital had also been significant.
The profits from the magical stones obtained in the labyrinth conquest and the money we borrowed from Gensan during this period would have to sustain us until then.
With this situation, it seemed that rewards for the soldiers would also be scarce. The enthusiasm among the soldiers had visibly decreased compared to before.
"That being said, compared to the uncertain path we were on before, things will only get better from here," Berrisha tried to cheerfully lighten the damp atmosphere.
"That's right, we no longer have to tolerate the likes of Brel's underlings. And if we achieve feats, our pay should increase from next year," Cecily also tried to uplift the spirits in her awkward way.
Well, at least until now, I couldn't have imagined anything beyond the prospect of the main household being dissolved and all the vassals becoming ronin. So, it's true that things have gotten much better than that. It's quite ironic for me, a literal "ronin," to say that.
Berrisha, considerate as ever, informed everyone, "Those who have finished dividing the packing work can go out into the city until sunset." This announcement revived the atmosphere among the soldiers, and discussions like "I'm going to buy souvenirs for xx" or "This is the only chance to visit the brothels in the royal capital" brought a certain liveliness to each of them.
Beth had been called by Berrisha and Cecily to discuss the content of the report she would give to Skutari in a secluded area. She mumbled something about "there's still a bookstore we haven't checked yet..."
As she was leaving, Cecily whispered to me, "Shiro, come to the third floor half an hour after sunset."
Outside the window, even after it had become completely dark, lively music continued to play. However, the melody gradually turned bittersweet, signaling that the festival was coming to an end.
"So, do you still not wish to serve our household?"
Wearing a slightly less formal dress than her court attire, Carrera had changed into a simpler dress, but her hairstyle and makeup remained perfectly in place. She looked like a completely different person from when we fought together in the labyrinth.
"...I'm sorry, but as I mentioned before, I want to explore this world. I no longer have any feelings against the princesses or anything like that. That's the truth."
I squeezed out the words I had thought through multiple times. Without a strong determination, I felt like I would be swayed easily.
"No, I'm the one who should apologize. Just to confirm, I've sorted out my feelings already."
With a smile, Carrera changed her tone.
"First, after freeing you from your slave status, I'll provide you with a salary based on the standards for soldiers for your work up until today. Please accept it later."
Cecily nodded.
"And then, once again, Shiro Tsuzuki, I will reward you for your past efforts. However, as you may already be aware, despite gaining territories, our household did not receive any direct financial compensation due to the recent decision. Therefore, I cannot provide you with a substantial monetary reward. But..."
Carrera looked straight into my eyes and made an announcement.
"I hereby bestow upon you the title of knighthood."
I listened to Jeco and Cecily's conversation during the day and didn't expect any significant reward, so I didn't know how to react.
"Well, um... Is it okay?"
Even so, this reaction won't do. Pull yourself together, me.
"Um, I don't really understand the systems of this world, but becoming a knight means you're kind of a noble, right? Isn't that a difficult thing?"
When I first met Cecily, she told me she wanted to become a knight to support Carina, and now I looked at Cecily, still in her female official attire, with that in mind.
Surprisingly, Cecily had a face that said, "Oh, I see," and then she smiled. With that kind of expression, she's a really good girl, catching me off guard.
"Hehe, very much like you, Shiro. Yes, it's quite a challenging thing."
Carina smiled as well.
"Especially since you won't be serving our house and might just leave us by tomorrow. Giving a title to someone like that? Sebastian was furious when he heard. How well do you understand your noble status?! he said."
Please don't say things like leaving and being heard by others, Your Highness.
"But that's why, precisely, one of the best things I can offer you now is probably this. It should help you in various ways as you live in this world."
She worded it delicately.
And then, Cecily exchanged a glance with me.
"Also, you don't need to worry about it. Cecily has officially become a knight this time around. She's already exercising her rights as a landowner to confer titles."
I see. Cecily's smile.
"Ah, I see. Um, congratulations, Cecily."
... When I said that, she burst out laughing. This unfortunate beauty.
"Ah, thanks. And you too, you know, accept it gratefully. You're truly impolite and lecherous, but you risked your life to help Lady Carina and became a comrade-in-arms I can trust, not just a mere slave."
... Isn't this an incredible compliment? What happened?
"People might say things about giving the title of nobility to a wandering stranger, but you five accomplished something that can't be denied. You completed the conquest of the labyrinth alongside me. Greon is even being promoted to a high-ranking officer from a slave, and Larruk and Beth are being promoted as well. Also, Greon and Larruk are..."
"Oh, right, are they getting married?"
"Yes, I'm planning to arrange it. Before my own marriage, and to an older couple."
"Oh, well... that's quite..."
The three of us burst into laughter. It feels like such trivial moments are sparkling and dazzling.
The full moon was shining outside the window.
Amidst the loud sounds of fireworks, there were bright colors visible as well.
Speaking of fireworks, it wasn't the kind of elaborate ones that are launched into the sky, but more like a shower of flames resembling handheld fireworks, faintly visible from down the street.
Then Cecily led me, and we walked out into the hallway, then she took me to a slightly more formal room on the same third floor.
This seems to be a special section for Carina, and there's no one in the hallway. Cecily seems to be the guard on duty tonight. In the room she led me to, she handed me a heavy leather bag. This must be the prorated salary after the slave liberation, as mentioned earlier. They really are punctilious in these matters.
With this, it feels like it's time to say goodbye, and unexpectedly, I feel a little lonely.
However, Cecily suddenly took a deep breath and said:
"...Shiro, you must never speak a word about what's going to happen from now on, okay?"
And then, she led me through a dark corridor that seemed like something out of a hidden passage, saying "Stay quiet and follow me," and holding my hand, she walked with me. There were no windows or lights, and after a while, it became pitch-black. The scent of a strong perfume permeated the air, and it felt like we entered another room.
Cecily slowly guided me in the dark, and we came up against something like a large bed.
Is there someone here? I thought, and in the pitch-black darkness, soft lips gently touched mine.
"Don't ask anything. This woman can't speak."
Cecily said softly, and the woman began undoing my clothes. That was the last thing she said.
The woman didn't utter a word, and we simply explored each other in the darkness.
Only once, in the late hours of the night, did I say:
"I turned 19 today."
I felt her hold her breath, and then her lips pressed firmly against mine. I held her soft body tightly.
As for what happened afterwards, I thought it was all just a dream of one night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The procession set out, shrouded in morning mist, from the royal capital.
The morning after the kingdom's council, many local lords were returning to their territories, causing the area in front of the castle gate to be crowded with a continuous procession.
This morning, I bid farewell to my companions as they left our lodgings.
Beth said, "We'll come back to the capital, and I'll write letters too, so make sure you learn to read and write properly," while Larouk laughed and said, "So who were you crushing on after all? Anyway, I've entrusted Northe with Greon's share," and waved as he left.
For some reason, even Lina adopted a witch-like mode and hugged a look-alike Beth while bidding farewell. When I asked what they were talking about, she said, "I don't have any girl talk to share," or something like that. What's that all about?
Igri and Berisha, and Valon too, said, "If things don't work out as adventurers, come back to Skutari. Let's form a party together and go on a conquest." They patted me on the shoulder.
And so, I once bid them farewell, but I couldn't help coming to the castle gate to see them off. It's a bit embarrassing, isn't it?
The processions of high-ranking nobles departed in succession, and after quite a wait, the few processions bearing familiar crests finally reached their turn to pass through the castle gate.
Among them, a splendid carriage stood out. It left through the castle gate and gradually disappeared into the mist until it was completely out of sight. I kept gazing at it all the while.
***
TL Note:
I believe we are already aware of the identity of the "Silent Woman" - someone with a curvaceous figure.