Time for a rapidly moving object flows more slowly compared to others,
they say.
"I'm going to die like this!"
If that's the case, Hans's time was surely flowing much more slowly compared to others.
It was a drizzly, late dawn. A normal person wouldn't be climbing the desolate mountain paths, fearing bandits or monsters, but Hans's situation was a bit different from that of ordinary people.
"It's definitely a demon, a demon for sure."
After running for quite a while from the scene of the incident, to the point of feeling nauseous, Hans finally exhaled roughly.
Who could have imagined it?
A short-robed figure easily incapacitating twenty strong men with just a few gestures. Moreover, the cruelty in that figure's hands made it clear that his comrades would live with disabilities for the rest of their lives.
"Ugh, oh God, why do you bestow such trials upon me?"
Hans, a bandit who engaged in plunder and arson, sought God for the first time in his life.
The scene he witnessed was so shocking that it made Hans, who had never had even a speck of faith, yearn for salvation.
"Ha ha."
But perhaps Hans's desperation did not reach God?
At the mocking sound coming from behind him, Hans's body stiffened like a statue.
He had been running madly, kicking off the ground with legs filled with mana without even taking a breath, yet how could that monster's laughter be heard so close behind him?
"Where do you think you're running to? This is Count Vitelbach's territory."
Fear and despair began to etch themselves onto Hans's face.
Though he wore a robe, his small stature and youthful voice made him seem like a mere boy.
However, Hans trembled, convinced that the essence of that figure was undoubtedly the infamous demon of the demon realm.
* * *
Today, the Count's mansion was bustling with activity thanks to the busy servants.
The reason was simple. The Marquis and Marchioness of Haruen, distant relatives of Count Vitelbach, were visiting the mansion.
Though they were distant relatives, the fact that the Marquis and Marchioness were visiting the mansion unexpectedly was simple: they wanted to see their future son-in-law in person under the pretense of socializing.
This was the usual life of nobility. Most arranged marriages were set by parents or families before birth, and when the time came, they would marry as if being sold to the other family.
Of course, in this case, it wasn't the eldest son of Vitelbach being sold off, but rather the daughter of the high-ranking Marquis of Haruen coming to them.
"...Are you nervous?"
"No."
"You're truly mature."
Despite the slightly stiff tone of the personal maid, Veris yawned deeply, unfazed.
"Are you tired?"
"Yeah, I haven't been sleeping well lately."
"Sleep is important. If you sleep well, you'll grow tall later."
At the maid's words, Veris couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Though she was a personal maid, this girl was not much older than Veris. In fact, considering their past lives, she looked like a mere child in his eyes.
However, given her current age, perhaps because the maid was older, her attitude towards him felt somewhat endearing, as if she were treating a younger brother.
"Well, what can I do? I can't postpone pest control."
"Pest control?"
The maid, Arwen, asked back with an innocent expression, and Veris shook his head indifferently.
Arwen was a girl far from the ordinary maid of a mansion.
First of all, unlike other humans, she had long ears, and in terms of status, she possessed overwhelming magical power and intelligence that was quite rare.
Indeed, this maid girl named Arwen was an elf.
The family's knights had taken down a merchant who foolishly tried to sell slaves in the Count's territory, and the young elf girl worked as a servant to repay the Vitelbach family for saving her.
Though she had received an indelible scar during her escape, the girl pressed on undeterred. Towards the future.
It was quite a decent picture, wasn't it? Well, setting aside that backstory, it was amusing that she treated him, a child, like a cute younger brother.
"If no one takes you in later, come to me. I'll take care of you for life."
"Y-yes? What do you mean...!"
"I'm not joking. Hehe."
After expressing his intentions in a disappointingly simple manner, Veris tidied his clothes and left the room.
However, Arwen, whose spirit had been completely drained by the bold boy's declaration, could only stare blankly at his retreating figure.
"Really..."
Even with her heart racing, Arwen couldn't help but smile gently.
She knew.
The reason the slave merchant who had captured her was discovered by the knights was due to the testimony of a boy younger than her.
And a little while later.
Time passed, and the sun rose high in the sky.
The Marquis and Marchioness arrived at the mansion just after noon.
Perhaps wanting to advertise, "I'm not a commoner," the Marquis descended from a luxurious carriage that boasted a brilliant shine, and Veris couldn't help but light up his eyes.
Thanks to the opulent appearance of the carriage, he had expected a fat man with a money-hungry impression, but the middle-aged man who stepped out looked as sharp as a finely honed sword.
Following the Marquis was his wife, the Marchioness. Despite her middle age, she appeared radiant, adorned with expensive jewelry, likely due to her diligent self-care.
Finally, a girl and a boy stepped out of the carriage. The little children, around Veris's age, were the offspring of high nobility, but perhaps due to their timid personalities, they clung closely to their parents, constantly looking around.
"Welcome, Your Excellency Marquis Dmitri."
"It's been a while, Count Verden. I suppose I must believe your words that Count Vitelbach's territory is a pleasant place to live."
"I'm grateful for your kind words. Lunch is prepared, so let's head inside."
"Sounds good. Let's finish our greetings as we go in. Madam, please greet the Countess briefly."
After exchanging warm greetings, the Count and the Marquis began to walk slowly toward the banquet hall. During this process, the two ladies briefly introduced themselves, and Veris, following behind them, couldn't help but shine his eyes.
"They really do look like nobles."
In fact, Veris had only seen nobility in his life through his parents and Baron Selum. Watching the natural conversation of the noble world made him feel a strange tickling sensation.
"Um, excuse me..."
"Hmm?"
"Ah, hello... uh!"
As he walked, intrigued by the cheerful conversation of the two couples, Veris was stopped by the girl who had descended with the Marquis.
Unfortunately, the girl, who had mustered great courage, was now biting her tongue and shedding tears as she tried to introduce herself due to her excessive nervousness.
What is this cuteness?
In fact, when thinking of the offspring of high nobility, he had expected them to be loud and picky, but seeing this, it seemed that wasn't the case.
"B-big sister!"
A slightly shorter boy looked at his sister in surprise. As if worried he had committed a great faux pas, the boy alternated his anxious gaze between Veris and the girl, eventually bowing his head and greeting Veris.
"Nice to meet you. I am Gunther of the Haruen family, son of Marquis Dmitri."
"...I'm Beatrice of the same family."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Veris of Vitelbach."
Veris's words were overly brief. Since they were children of nobility, it was funny to discuss social status, but...
Regardless, it was a tone that an ordinary noble wouldn't use. As he casually spoke, Gunther and Beatrice could only look at Veris with surprised expressions.
And in that fleeting moment, the wicked Veris did not miss the opportunity.
< Stats >
Gunther von Haruen
Strength: 71
Intelligence: 54
Mana: 24
Agility: 59
Charm: 68
< Stats >
Beatrice von Haruen
Strength: 18
Intelligence: 80
Mana: 77
Agility: 14
Charm: 91
"...Oh?"
After quickly scanning the abilities of the two, Veris let out a small exclamation.
It was as if one was specialized in physical abilities and the other in magical abilities, to the point where he wondered if they were really siblings. Considering their young age, they boasted impressive stats that were certainly not low.
What stood out among them was Beatrice's stats.
It was as if she had completely given up on physical abilities, resembling a magic-specialized character, with her physical strength and agility being dismal. Well, physical strength and agility weren't important for a mage, but this was a level of neglect that was too extreme.
"Let's go in now."
Once again, a stiff tone emerged.
Yet, despite being spoken by a child, it had a strangely forceful quality, causing Gunther and Beatrice to nod silently.
* * *
In the late afternoon at the mansion.
The Count and the Marquis were raising their glasses with an old friend, even though the sun had not yet set, while Beatrice and Gunther were wandering around the mansion like lost ducklings.
The amusing thing was that Veris, who was supposed to be guiding them, had been missing for some time. Thus, the unfortunate butler of the mansion was left to attend to the two young nobles.
"Where on earth could he be?"
Staring blankly at the mansion's elegant fountain, Gunther muttered.
But Beatrice was just as clueless about Veris's whereabouts. She simply shook her head in response.
Beatrice couldn't help but sigh.
Even though their engagement was arranged without their consent, she felt no trace of affectionate feelings from Veris, who looked at her.
"From today, Veris is my idol."
"Suddenly?"
While Beatrice was sighing deeply, she couldn't help but look astonished at her brother's sudden declaration.
In fact, they had only exchanged a few polite greetings all day. So, on what basis was this reckless little brother talking about idols?
Though he was her brother, Gunther, who had always had a strange personality, had lost his blank expression and was now sparkling with excitement.
"He's cool. He seems like a really amazing man. I want to be a real man like him too."
"Hmm?"
"Big sister, don't ever break off this engagement."
"W-would I?"
For a younger brother who had only recently learned the meaning of marriage or engagement, his voice was filled with conviction. Normally, she would have dismissed it as her cheerful brother's nonsense.
"Veris is the best. The most wonderful man in the world."
As if entranced by something, Beatrice could only look at her brother with a worried expression as he lost himself in thought.