Chapter 9

Chapter 9 — Bonding (2)

I turned my head and saw a middle-aged man rolling across the ground.

A huge wolf beastman stood over him, claws raised threateningly.

The wolf beastman's entire body was covered in gray fur. He was incredibly tall, and his viciously developed muscles bulged as though they might burst at any moment.

He's a beastman warrior? A war slave, maybe?

A collar hung around the wolf beastman's neck, proving his status as a slave. His eyes burned fiercely as he glared at the middle-aged man.

At that moment, Martin quickly drew his longsword.

It seemed he intended to help the man.

"My Lord, I'll take care of this quickly."

"Don't go too hard on him. That wolf is a Sword User."

After regaining my Hunter System, I had become capable of spreading out my mana senses again.

The moment I saw the beastman, I immediately checked his strength.

In my previous life, I had been an S-rank Hunter who could manipulate mana freely. Even though I was only an E-rank Hunter now, the experience I had gained back then hadn't disappeared.

According to my senses, the wolf beastman was around the upper level of Sword User.

Roughly equivalent to a D-rank Hunter.

Martin, on the other hand, was a senior knight at the intermediate Sword Expert level.

That put him around the level of a B-rank Hunter.

There was no way Martin should lose.

"Wolf beastman! Stop now, or I'll cut you down!"

Martin charged forward, aura covering his entire body.

Clang!

The wolf beastman's claws collided with Martin's longsword.

Martin immediately let out a dumbfounded voice.

"What the hell? Why didn't it get cut?"

Martin was already an extremely talented knight despite being only nineteen years old, but he had almost no real combat experience.

Their difference in strength was significant, so it was only natural that he became confused when his sword was blocked.

I hurriedly drew Soul Harvester and rushed forward.

Damn it! That's the kind of technique only experts normally use!

The wolf beastman had gathered all the aura inside his body into his claws, strengthening them.

If this continued, Martin's longsword might be cut apart, and he could get injured.

"Martin, fall back!"

I shouted loudly and unleashed three consecutive strikes with Soul Harvester.

Clang! Clang! Slash!

"Graaaagh!"

Unable to block my sword, the wolf beastman screamed and collapsed backward.

A long wound appeared across his chest, blood flowing from it.

I had always been confident that, when it came purely to swordsmanship, I was the best swordsman in Westphalen.

Now that I had awakened the Hunter System as well, I had become strong enough to defeat even a wolf beastman one level above me.

The surrounding people watched in shock.

But the most surprised person was Martin.

"My Lord? Have you awakened aura?"

I shook the blood from Soul Harvester and looked Martin over.

"What are you talking about? Aura? More importantly, are you okay?"

"Ah, yes. I'm not injured."

"No, I meant your sword. Looks like the blade got chipped."

"...I have a spare sword."

After confirming the safety of the grumbling Martin—and his sword—I approached the wolf beastman.

He lay on the ground groaning, but the wound wasn't very deep.

His life shouldn't be in danger.

I crouched beside him and looked him directly in the eyes.

"What's your name?"

"Grrr—I've got no name to give someone like you."

"You got your ass beaten, so stop trying to act tough and answer me."

"...My name is Raul."

Apparently even Raul realized how pathetic he looked right now.

His tail lowered as he finally gave me his name.

I wanted to know whether he was telling the truth, and I was also curious about his background, so I activated [Low-Level Appraisal].

Appraisal.

[Raul (20 Years Old)]

[Second son of Marius, Great Warrior of Mangalia.]

"Why do I keep running into second sons these days? Is it just a coincidence?"

"What?! How did you know I'm the second son?"

"You don't need to know. More importantly, how did someone from Mangalia end up all the way here?"

"No, seriously, how did you... You must be some kind of fortune-teller."

Great.

Now I was being treated like a shaman.

"Just answer the question."

"I participated as a mercenary in the war on the Southern Continent and was captured."

It was extremely rare for captured mercenaries to be branded as slaves.

If that happened too often, mercenaries would stop participating in wars altogether.

Considering Raul had still been sold into slavery, he had probably caused the enemy so much damage that they enslaved him out of spite.

I liked both Raul's abilities and his background.

Still, I needed to know why he had attacked the middle-aged man.

"Why did you try to hurt that man?"

"I wasn't trying to kill him. I was going to steal my slave certificate, remove the slave brand, and escape."

So that middle-aged man was probably the wolf beastman's owner.

This guy looks pretty useful.

I'll make him my subordinate.

Considering Marcel's pitiful military strength, a warrior with strong growth potential was always welcome.

Soon, soldiers responsible for maintaining security arrived and restrained the fallen Raul using a magic tool.

Since he was a slave with an owner, they wouldn't execute him without permission.

Still, just in case, I warned the soldiers.

"Handle him gently. He's going to belong to me soon."

"Yes, sir."

One sharp-eyed soldier immediately answered.

I quietly handed him a silver coin.

Seeing his bright expression, I figured I didn't need to worry about Raul's life anymore.

The middle-aged man who had been attacked then approached me.

"My Lord, this humble servant's name is Sergio. Thanks to you, my life was spared. I would like to repay you, so may I ask who you are and where you come from?"

Anyone could tell from my clothes that I was a noble, so Sergio spoke to me in an extremely respectful manner.

"I am Eric Marcel, Viscount of Marcel."

Sergio's eyes widened.

"If it wouldn't be too rude, may I ask who your mother is, Viscount?"

Of course it was rude.

But asking a noble who his mother was could also be a way of confirming his identity.

I wasn't wearing a signet ring on my finger, nor was I traveling with a standard-bearer carrying my family's crest.

In other words, he was indirectly asking whether I was truly a noble.

Since I understood Sergio's intention, I answered without making an issue of it.

"Maria May. Daughter of Thomas May, a knight of Marcel, and the mistress... former mistress of Count Michael Westphalen."

Those were details no ordinary noble impersonator would know.

Who could casually name the mother and maternal grandfather of an illegitimate son?

And if someone possessed enough information to do that, there would be little reason for them to impersonate an illegitimate son in the first place.

"Oh my, then Viscount Marcel is returning to his homeland."

"That's right. I've been appointed Lord of Marcel. You seem to be from Marcel as well."

"Yes, Viscount. I make my humble living here as a slave merchant."

There was absolutely nothing humble about his clothing or accessories.

Sergio looked like a very wealthy merchant.

He was a rich slave trader, so taking one wolf beastman off his hands probably wouldn't hurt him too badly.

"Then that wolf beastman from earlier belongs to you?"

"Yes, Viscount. I bought him intending to train him as a gladiator, but perhaps there was a problem with the slave brand. He ended up attacking his own master."

"Perfect. Can I buy him from you?"

I said I wanted to buy him.

But it was practically the same as telling Sergio to give him to me.

"What? Why would you want such a violent creature...?"

Because he's useful, obviously.

I had just seen him use a technique normally reserved for experts despite being only at the Sword User level.

I smiled broadly and persuaded Sergio.

"I damaged your merchandise, so I should buy him from you. Don't you think?"

"...You saved my life. I'll give him to you for free."

Sergio had probably bought the wolf beastman because he'd noticed Raul's strength and growth potential too.

He was probably reluctant to give him away.

But I had saved Sergio's life only a few minutes ago.

It would be difficult for him to refuse.

"Once his treatment is finished, redo the slave brand properly before handing him over."

"Of course, Viscount. I'll send him on the regular ship heading to Marcel the day after tomorrow."

"Send him to the inn where I'm staying. And I'm hungry."

Sergio burst into laughter at my words.

"Haha! Of course I should treat my benefactor to a meal. Please follow me."

Sergio led us to a restaurant overlooking the slave market.

The entire second floor served as a VIP area.

On the terrace were several large tables placed beneath cool shade.

He guided us toward one with a clear view of the entire market.

"If you sit here, you can see the whole market."

Even though we hadn't ordered anything, servants immediately began bringing food to our table.

Judging by the amount of food they brought, this seemed like the kind of place where the staff survived by reading the mood of their customers.

"Thanks for the meal."

"You're a very humble man, Viscount."

"Well, it's not like I'm giving you much in return."

I answered leisurely and began eating.

Even during the meal, I continued watching the slave market while speaking with Sergio.

"By the way, do I count as one of your customers? I'm only a noble from a minor family."

"A minor family? You're a lord. Even the lord of a small territory commands knights and soldiers, along with subjects who can be conscripted during war. And your tax revenue is enough to make most wealthy merchants jealous."

"You know quite a bit about nobles."

"Haha! How could someone call himself a merchant without understanding nobles?"

Sergio then began explaining his merchandise.

Advertising to a potential customer was probably one of a merchant's basic skills.

"Beastmen are the best when it comes to explosive physical strength, while humans are superior in intelligence and endurance. Dwarves and gnomes are said to have excellent craftsmanship, although the difference varies greatly depending on the individual. Elves require little sleep and tend to be hardworking."

"If I'm developing the Great Forest, then beastmen can serve as soldiers, humans can handle logging, and elves can work in agriculture. Something like that?"

Sergio's eyes widened.

"Developing the Great Forest? You're quite ambitious, Viscount."

"I'm still a man, you know."

I smiled.

Sergio then casually made a suggestion.

"Have you already selected all your administrators?"

His intention was obvious.

He wanted to place one of his own people beside me.

That also meant he thought highly of me.

Since I was currently searching for talented people who could help manage my territory, I had no reason to refuse.

"If you have someone you want to parachute in... I mean, someone talented you'd like to recommend, send him to my inn the day after tomorrow."

"Thank you. I'll send my second son."

"If he's anything like you, he should be pretty useful."

"He's even more talented at business than I am. I'm sure you'll like him."

With both manpower and money in short supply, talented people were always welcome.

Still...

Was it really just my imagination that I kept running into second sons?

Two days later.

Guests arrived at the inn where I was staying with my companions.

They were Diego, the son of the slave merchant Sergio, and Raul, the wolf beastman warrior.

I received the two of them in one corner of the spacious hall.

Martin, my escort knight, Chloe, the head maid, and Pascal, the herald's son, were already sitting there.

I had everyone sit around a round table before speaking.

"From now on, all of you will serve as my chief secretaries."

Except for Chloe, everyone looked confused.

Silence filled the table.

The atmosphere became so tense that no one dared ask a question.

Only Martin couldn't contain his curiosity.

"My Lord, what exactly is a chief secretary?"

"If I had to compare it to an existing position, it would be something similar to a chamberlain."

A chamberlain's role was similar to that of the chief secretary of a company.

Besides attending to every aspect of a lord's daily life, a chamberlain served as an adviser and carried out the lord's orders.

It was an extremely important position.

That was why most chamberlains were well-educated nobles.

"So we'll divide the chamberlain's duties among ourselves?"

"Not only that. I'm also going to assign each of you work in the field that suits you best."

"What do you mean by fields...?"

"Chloe will handle foreign affairs. Martin, security and personal protection. Pascal, civil administration. Diego, economics. Raul, national defense."

Everyone reacted with surprise.

That was natural.

None of them had achieved any major accomplishments or held prestigious positions before.

There was also the issue of their social status.

Martin was at least a knight, making him part of the quasi-nobility, while Chloe was the daughter of a former noble family.

But Pascal was merely the son of a quasi-noble.

Diego was a commoner.

And Raul was literally a slave.

Diego's face turned pale as he cautiously raised his hand.

"Speak."

"The others were already serving you, My Lord. But didn't you meet me and this slave here for the first time?"

"If you're worried about whether I've properly evaluated you, don't be. Everyone gathered here is around nineteen or twenty years old. Of course you won't have all the abilities you need yet."

I looked around the table.

"But I'm not looking for perfect people. I want you to grow alongside me and fill in the areas where I am lacking."

Aside from Chloe's face briefly turning red, there was no particular reaction.

Chloe was twenty-six years old.

The others probably hadn't exactly accepted my words yet.

They were simply too confused.

At least I could see a hint of expectation in Raul's eyes.

After all, this might eventually lead to his freedom from slavery.

"I'll give you some time. Think carefully before making your decision."

Diego asked another question.

"How long do we have to decide?"

"About five minutes? It's almost time for us to board the ship."

"..."

Obviously, I hadn't summoned these guys here because I wanted to have a friendly little gathering.

If necessary, I'd drag them along by force.

There would be an enormous amount of work waiting for us if we wanted to fix a territory filled with problems.

I had never intended to do all of it alone in the first place.

Gentlemen.

Welcome to the wonderful world of overtime and working late.