477 – The fair was also a decoration – 1
This year too, quite a lot of customers came to the confectionery club booth. It was so bad that Mar, who was sitting inside the booth, offered to help.
She flatly refused, telling her to sit back and relax. Put your pregnant wife into the labor field and not just anyone else? Even if Enen, who was watching from the sky, punished me, I would have nothing to say, and I myself could never accept it. I’m so anxious about being brought to a place with so many people, what about labor?
Furthermore, having a large number of customers does not directly result in being busy. It may sound like sophistry, but it is commonly used in this booth. Because here, the seller, not the buyer, is the boss.
“I heard that your wife has resigned. Congratulations, Your Excellency, Count Tyglehen.”
“hahahaha, no matter how many times I hear it, it’s still a happy congratulation. Thank you.”
Most of the customers who visit the booth are me, Trixie, or those who came to see Ryutis, Later, or Tanian. Since the guests came with the intention of impressing us, there is no one who would complain even if the response is a bit slow.
Even manager Lee Je is pursuing a comfortable and relaxed booth operation this year. Combined with two years of operational know-how, the staff did not flinch no matter how many customers came.
Even though one of the members left the team.
‘A runaway ninja bastard.’
I shook hands with the next guest, remembering Ryutis who proudly left the table.
I was clearly working just fine until I was organizing the booth display, but then I received a call from around the corner and it disappeared like the wind. He said he had someone to meet urgently and would just say hello.
I was almost entranced by the majestic escape, but I did not launch a chase. It’s not like we’re in dire need of manpower, and even if Ryu Tis commits misdeeds, it’s not like he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t have any chances – so if he runs out now, doesn’t that mean that an important opponent has arrived?
And there is a high probability that the opponent will be Count Nerkaf.
‘I didn’t call you uncle for nothing.’
It’s a little surprising. Although Count Nerkaf is King Armaine’s confidant, it is impossible for the royal family to visit a subject first without a great deal of favor and trust. I never would have thought that Ryu Tis would show the utmost consideration by going to meet his partner first.
Still, it would be convenient for me if Lyutis voluntarily stayed with Count Nerkaf. If the royal family were right next to him, even Count Nerkaf would have limited scope for action. As a result, the number of times you meet me will drastically decrease.
If possible, I wish he could stick around all day.
I heard you were disappointed because you had expectations in the first place.
I was foolish. You forgot that truth and placed your hopes on Lyutis. Even though the taste of ryutis has become milder since the 1978 season, ryutis is still ryutis.
“Uncle. This is the advisor who served as the advisor for the confectionery club. He is also the Minister of the Imperial Inspection Ministry.”
“I see. I have heard of the great name.”
About two hours after escaping, Lyutis returned to Booth with Count Nerkap.
‘Damn.’
I guess it’s my karma that I gave up my wish incompletely. Rather than simply wishing to stay together all day, I had to make a specific wish to stay together all day ‘in a place far away from me’. I never thought you would bring me directly to you.
“This is Ferdinand Karitzen of Nerkaf. It is an honor to see the best sword on the continent in person.”
While I was shedding tears inside, Count Nerkap shook my hand first.
‘What should I do?’
Looking at Count Nerkaf like that, I quickly thought about it. How should I receive this greeting?
First of all, according to protocol, the titled nobles of the empire are treated one level higher than the titled nobles of the kingdom. In other words, I belong to the count category and can stand above Count Nerkaf, the count of the kingdom.
However, the protocol for titles is such that it is only possible to treat a person with a low rank to the Grand Marshal of the Kingdom of Armain if he or she is at least an expert. Moreover, Count Nerkaf didn’t come out in a hostile manner, and he greeted me politely, but I couldn’t just leave.
“This is Carl Crasius of Tyglehen.”
That is why we decided on mutual respect. Actually, it’s a bit awkward to speak informally to someone who is twice as old as me.
“But it’s the best sword on the continent. It’s such an undeserved name that it’s embarrassing.”
And he gently shook his head at the title of the best sword on the continent mentioned by Count Nerkaf.
What does it mean, the best sword on the continent? When did I get that name without even knowing it?
“That’s what fame is all about. No matter what you think, if the world calls you that, that’s how you become yourself.”
Count Nerkaf calmly opened his mouth in response to my reaction.
For some reason, it is so persuasive. Is it because this is advice from someone who is already known as the best swordsman in Armain? Maybe that person is embarrassed to be called the best Armain or anything, but he endures it.
“That’s true. Don’t you say that the way you see yourself and the way other people see you are different? They say the latter is usually correct, so we should humbly accept it!”
I burst out laughing at Ryutis’ joke that followed.
Honestly, as someone who experienced the mighty power of Khagan firsthand, it is embarrassing for someone like me to be called the best on the continent, but Khagan is dead and I am alive, right? It would be nice if Khagan survived. Anyway, the one who survives is the strong one.
“Oops, I caused a nuisance when there were other guests. Please excuse me.”
“No, not much to say.”
Count Nerkap, who was smiling at Lyutis, glanced at the crowded crowd of guests and took a step back. It’s as if they think it’s rude to hold on to me for too long when other customers are present.
We’ve only exchanged a few words yet, but I think I can get a rough idea of Count Nerkaf’s personality just from that short conversation.
‘It wasn’t the big Lyutis.’
I was truly relieved. He holds the title of greatest swordsman in Armaine, the kingdom of knights, and he is the person that Lyutis calls uncle, so he was thought to have an odd personality. He even suspected that Lyutis may have grown up under the influence of his uncle.
However, it was not the big Ryutis, but Villar’s higher-ranking counterpart. A normal person with all abilities, character, and concepts.
‘Why is such a gentleman farming his nephew?’
Of course, Count Nerkap, who is only a nephew and a vassal, cannot discipline the prince. If the fault lies with King Armaine, it lies with him.
It is truly a pity.
***
Thanks to the favor of His Majesty Liu Tis and his minister, I was able to enter the booth.
I wondered if it would be okay for me, an outside guest, to go this deep, but since the minister’s wife was already there, I skipped over it. If you talk about guests here, you’re tripping up the minister’s wife too.
‘Huh.’
I felt complicated emotions as I watched Ruthis sitting on a chair and greeting guests. Who would have imagined that you would do such chores?
I can’t believe it even when I see it with my own eyes. A lowly person who only wielded a sword, and a confectionery that had nothing to do with martial arts. No matter how positively you think about it, these elements are difficult to tie together, but the Imperial Academy did it.
‘It is fair teaching and equal status.’
Suddenly, the slogan shouted by the Imperial Academy came to mind. Until now, I thought it was just a shout, but after seeing this scene, I have no choice but to think differently.
The Prince of Armenia bakes alongside the imperial family, the Prince of Juven, and the next saint of the Holy Church. Isn’t that really fair teaching and equal treatment?
‘Is it the minister’s ability, not the academy?’
Soon, my gaze returned to the minister who was still talking to the guests.
The academy, which has existed for over hundreds of years, showed a new aspect during the period when the minister served as an advisor to the club. If so, is it the Academy’s credit or the Minister’s credit?
‘Interesting.’
My hands twitched without realizing it. If he showed abilities in areas other than swords, his swordsmanship skills would be even better. I feel like applying for a sparring match.
But I desperately suppressed my desire.
‘If sparring takes place, that’s the problem.’
I have the undeserved honor of being the best sword in Armain. If I were to be defeated, it would be like showing that Armain’s sword would be broken by the empire.
From the moment I was named the best, my wins and losses were not just mine. Whenever my blood boils, I think of that and it calms me down just a little.
…
‘If only I were a little younger.’
I am truly sorry. How many times will you have the opportunity in your life to spar with a swordsman who can split the sky?
For now, I feel sad that I came to the empire under His Majesty’s orders. I wouldn’t have regretted it if I hadn’t even seen it.
From noble mtl dot com
***
First of all, we put Count Nerkaf in the booth, but it would be awkward for us and for the Count to have an outsider in the booth.
So, as soon as there were fewer guests, I moved in with the Count. Wherever you go, it’s better than a booth.
“It’s a remote place, but the facilities are great.”
“I remember that it was created with a lot of care since it was a new club. That way, other students wouldn’t hesitate to create a new club.”
“Indeed. The Academy’s consideration is truly warm.”
I didn’t know that that place would become a club room.
Anyway, I left behind Count Nerkap, who was looking around the club room with a calm expression, and picked up the teaware that had been placed on the shelf. Since the Count came here under the pretext of wanting to see where Ryutis usually stays, in a way, he was in the position of a parent who came to observe the class. A teacher who does not offer a cup of tea to parents is too mean.
“I think it will take some time for the tea leaves to steep.”
“Is there such a thing as wasting time drinking tea made by the greatest swordsman on the continent?”
I laughed a little at those words. He is such a quiet man that it was pointless to worry that he might be a big Ryutis.
‘I was wondering what if I asked you to spar.’
If it were a request from a distant subordinate, I could be excited in the name of teaching, but I have to grit my teeth when it comes to sparring with the strongest Armain. Then, whether you win or lose, the aftermath will never be light.
Yes, if you think about it, isn’t the count also the head of a country? There is no way such a person would take his remarks and actions lightly. I was too worried.
“And since it means I’ll have more time to talk to Count Tyglehen, I’m just glad.”
“hahahaha, is that right? It seems like you have a lot of questions for me.”
When I jokingly responded to the Count’s words, the Count also smiled slightly. Any number of conversations with harmless people─
“What I am saying from now on are the words of His Majesty the King of Armain, and this is an unofficial message.”
“…Yes?”
Suddenly, strange words caught my ear. King Armaine’s words? Unofficial message?
‘This is crazy.’
I almost instinctively covered my ears. I am so afraid to hear what the Count will say next. How can you explode a bomb like that with a calm face?
“Sooner or later, Leon’s bloodline will be cut off.”
“…….”
But before I could close my ears, the Count’s mouth opened first.
‘f*ck.’
Information emerged that it would have been better to spar.