Volume 8 Chapter 5: A Verbal Attack inside the Lord’s Mansion

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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The Beast Kingdom of Kermes now visible, the ship slowly headed towards the harbour.

Perhaps due to trade with other countries, quite a few large ships were moored there.

“To think we’d be able to arrive so quickly… I really am grateful, Cain-dono. I’ll take you to the lord’s mansion as soon as we arrive in port. I’ll arrange for you to stay there.”

“Really? Thank you very much.”

The ship arrived in the harbour, and they disembarked while watching crates get carried off one after the other.

It was already sundown, and Hagnes had arranged for the priests and adventurers from Esfort to stay in an inn.

Cain and Hagnes got in a carriage prepared for them and headed to the lord’s manor.

The townscape Cain could see from the carriage was that of a port town, bustling with stores. Kermes was in the middle of a war, but this town was far from the Baisas Empire, and was peaceful, having received no damage.

“Foreign countries send goods to everywhere in Kermes through this port town. Thus, there are many merchants. Also, adventurers who are their bodyguards… I heard you dabble in being an adventurer yourself, Cain-sama?”

“Yes, I’m registered in the Royal Capital. But lately, with my job as lord, I haven’t really found the time to…”

“That would be the case, wouldn’t it, what with you having become a margrave at such a young age.”

Hagnes smiled, then looked ahead.

Cain just took in the townscape of this town he was visiting for the first time until they arrived at the lord’s mansion.

Having arrived there, Cain and Hagnes were swiftly shown to their guest rooms.

“Could you please meet with the lord of this town after taking a short rest? I will, of course, also be there.”

“Yeah, just come get me then.”

Hagnes left the room after giving a bow.

The room was quite fancy, having two beds and even a sofa.

Cain sat down on the sofa and fell into thought about the three he had come to know about in Esfort.

“Hero, Paladin, and Sage, huh… They might not be like Yuuya-san, but I’ll still have to be somewhat prepared… Oh right, going to the front lines was forbidden, wasn’t it… I can’t just selfishly go anyway, now can I…”

Still a minor, Cain had been forbidden by the king to stand on the front lines and participate in the war.

Since if push came to shove, he could use magic and protect himself, he could still go along with the logistics support team.

In truth, Cain was capable of turning the tide of the war and winning it all alone. However, doing so would make Kermes lose face.

Cain understood that by participating, many allied nations’ soldiers could be saved, but he worried that that would come with the complications of many Baisasean soldiers losing their lives instead.

A short while later, there was a knock on the door; Hagnes had come to pick Cain up.

“Gandal’s, the lord’s affairs have settled down a bit, so we can now go see him. And since it’s about dinnertime anyway, we’re going to eat together.”

“All right.”

Cain put on a suit and checked his attire, then walked behind Hagnes until they arrived in the dining room.

Gandal, the lord, was already sitting in his chair, with the two presumably members of his family on either side of him.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Matching Hagnes’ bow, Cain also bobbed his head, then sat down in the chair a waiter showed him to.

Once everyone was seated, Gandal, the lord, stood up. A tiger beastman with a large, intimidating physique, he seemed to be sizing Cain up.

“Good job coming all the way from so far away. I am Gandal, and I rule this port town; sitting next to me are my wife, Hanes, and my child, Randal.”

“I am Margrave Cain von Silford Drintor, from the Kingdom of Esfort. Thank you for inviting me to this occasion.”

Cain also stood up, introduced himself, bowed lightly, then sat back down.

However, Randal, who had been introduced as Gandal’s child and had likely already reached adulthood, glared at Cain.

“Hmph, I thought help would come, but it’s just some brat… Shows just how capable Esfort is.

Hagnes frowned at Randal’s words.

“Randal-dono, Cain-dono was invited here as one of the leading healing magic users in the Kingdom of Esfort. Such words are rude towards our guest.”

“All Kermes needs is military power. Only cowards who can’t fight should hide away and cast healing magic.”

“…Excuse me, but I heard that Cain-dono was one of, no, the strongest person in Esfort…”

Back during the audience in Esfort, it had been explained to Hagnes that Cain was even stronger than Commander of the Royal Knights Tifana, who herself was said to be the strongest.

Moreover, while he had accompanied Cain on the way there, he had come to understand that Cain had enough magical power to use enough wind magic to power through what should have been a week-long journey in just two days.

Thus, he couldn’t forgive not even the lord, but just his child making fun of Cain.

“What can he do with such a thin body…? Just one twist from me and it’s over.”

Gandal heaved a huge sigh at Randal, who still wouldn’t stop being so strong-willed.

“Randal, we’re eating now. Also, you’re being rude to our guest from Esfort. I ask for your forgiveness, Margrave Silford. We beastmen find much more charm in strength and force.”

Also having heard of the characteristics of Kermesians, Cain nodded silently.

However, he was told by the king that if he didn’t show his strength, no one would listen to him. But, he was also told to make sure not to overdo it and make his opponent lose all their self-confidence.

If he appeared weak, it would also reflect so upon his country. And that was unacceptable for Esfort.

Thus, Cain had concocted a plan.

“No no, it doesn’t bother me. This is a port town, far from the front lines. Anything you say here will just be all bark and no bite. Oh, all tiger’s roar in your case.”

The place froze as Cain added fuel to the fire.

Randal’s expression stiffened, then gradually turned red from anger.

“Perfect! Let’s see just how strong you really are, shall we!”

Randal stood up, fist slamming onto the table, this time not reprimanded by Gandal.

“Margrave Silford, won’t you rescind that statement? Randal might be young, but as a tiger beastman, possesses a large amount of strength. Also, you’re a guest, and not even I can stop Randal.”

However, Cain shook his head. Since he would be going to the capital soon, he felt the need to show his, and Esfort’s power.

That was why he deliberately hopped aboard the insult train.

“It’s fine. It’ll be over quick anyway.”

Said Cain, standing up.

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