33: Earl Gibree
The next morning, as I stepped onto the stairs to go down to the dining room, the first thing I felt was the smell of alcohol and sweat. I reflexively cast [Decompose All Things (Di Zhisen Ji Mana)] to the extent that it spread throughout the entire inn. I understood that the air had become pleasant and went down the stairs.
“Jas, was that you just now?”
“Well, it was about that much. Anne and the others, your sweat smells are all gone, right?”
“…If you say so, then yes.”
“Well, I also got rid of the perfume smell.”
The reason why the perfume smell disappeared is probably because I don’t like it very much.
By the way, I gave them my payment for the night (instead of flowers).
Apparently, the going rate for a night with them is between five and twenty gold coins.
I gave Anne forty coins, and everyone else twenty coins. Well, I guess that’s good enough for the hospitality they gave me until morning.
…When I think about it that way, the fifty coins I gave to Tiana, the new caretaker who wasn’t even a prostitute, might have been the same as the amount for a noble’s prostitute, or even more. Well, I don’t know the actual going rate for noble prostitutes.
Well, Tiana was a good woman, and she was the one who first taught me the ropes. It was worth that much.
I looked around the dining room and saw that the adventurers (Adbel) were nowhere to be seen. They must have all gone back to their own inns.
I called the landlady who was behind the reception desk and gave her another thirty gold coins.
“Keep this as compensation for the trouble. Is it too little?”
“No, it’s not necessary. You cleaned this place up, didn’t you? I understand. It’s worth that much.”
“Then I’ll just leave ten coins.”
I don’t like the idea of not giving her the money I intended to give her. Maybe this is something close to a noble’s sense of pride.
“You’re a man of your word. I’ll gratefully accept it. What about breakfast?”
“I’d like some. What about Anne and the others?”
“Sure, I’ll have some.”
“Then get something decent for me and everyone else.”
“Sure thing.”
We all sat down at the table, watching the innkeeper leave. We accepted the water she brought us first and savored the sensation of the women cuddling up to us.
It somehow reminded me of the Crown Prince’s mansion. There was always someone there to take care of me. Of course, it didn’t feel as good or comfortable as these women.
“Ugh, damn it, I drank too much.”
Neil stumbled down the stairs. When did he go back to his room?
“What about Gagel and the others?”
“Gagel is completely wasted. The two women are getting ready.”
“Women are so high-maintenance.”
I glanced at Anne and the others, and they smiled meaningfully. No, I know because I watched you change clothes and everything right in front of me.
As we were talking, breakfast arrived. Neil was still passed out at another table, so we left him alone and ate.
“It’s okay. Eat yours.”
“No, it’s fine. We want to do it.”
I let Anne and the others feed me every bite of breakfast. This service was beyond that of a maid. But I didn’t mind.
After finishing the strange meal and taking a break, Anne asked me a question.
“By the way, where is your usual base of operations, Jas?”
“The fortress city of Garland.”
“So you were summoned all the way from there.”
“Yeah, I was invited to join a temporary party by Neil, who was passed out there.”
“Hmm…”
Anne pondered meaningfully for a moment before suddenly pulling a silver plate out of her cleavage. I’ve been seeing that a lot lately.
“Here, take this. It’s free for you, Jas.”
“Don’t prostitutes make money by charging?”
I said as I took it. The shape and size were exactly the same as the ones I had received before. The only surprise was that it was from the madam of the brothel.
But what kind of duplicate certificate would this be? Since there are adventurers (Adbel) and merchants (Oval), would this be a prostitute duplicate certificate (Rimeldi Copy Card)?
As I was thinking, all the other prostitutes handed me one. I thought to myself that they had really multiplied, and as I was flipping through them, someone suddenly entered the inn.
“Excuse me. Is Lord Jasper here?”
I looked up, wondering what was going on, and saw a man dressed as a soldier. Moreover, this man looked very familiar.
“Long time no see, Lord Jasper.”
“Ah… Are you Dominic?”
“I’m honored that you remember me.”
Dominic approached with a grin and bowed politely when he reached me.
“Lord Jibril, the Earl, has ordered me to escort you. Please accompany me to the mansion.”
Here we go again. I thought to myself as I casually fondled Anne’s breast. I’ve become quite the womanizer.
*
“Well, see you later.”
“Thanks for your help, Jasper.”
“See you later, Jasper.”
“Bye, Jasper. Come back safely.”
After sending Anne and the others back, I waited for the three of us, excluding Neil, to come down and bid them farewell.
At first, I had declined Dominic’s invitation, but I had no choice but to accept his persistent request. However, I made it clear that I would not tolerate any disrespect. If he were to complain about my manners, I would leave immediately.
“So, what’s the real reason?”
“To thank you for your assistance with Lady Samantha the other day. Also, for saving so many soldiers this time, and for saving the territory from crisis.”
“Oh, so it’s not a recruitment pitch?”
“…I can’t say that.”
“That’s fine for now.”
I spoke to Dominic, who was riding alongside me, through the carriage window.
I think the main reason is probably what I said. It’s common for nobles to invite skilled adventurers to serve as guards or escorts. Especially an adventurer who emerged unscathed, even overwhelming, from a raid that caused so much damage. It wouldn’t be strange for even royalty to approach me.
……What if the royal family comes calling? I was genuinely worried. I wouldn’t be able to refuse, not because I’m a commoner, but because of Car-Mine’s feelings.
If I’m summoned, I’ll literally run away. Otherwise, I won’t be able to keep my promise to visit my grandfather.
As I was thinking about this, I fell asleep without realizing it. I guess I’m still a little mentally exhausted. I’ll have to think about my womanizing in the future.
After spending a night in a small town, we finally arrived at the castle town of Sarab, where Count Gibree lived, before noon the next day.
“Lord Jasper.”
“Hmm?”
I had been dozing off since yesterday, and Dominic’s voice woke me up. The carriage had stopped, so it seemed that we had passed through not only the city walls but also the gates of the mansion.
When I got out of the carriage, I saw a magnificent mansion. It was so large that I thought it could be a separate building from the royal castle. Considering the size of the grounds, it could be considered a decent residence.
Looking back, I saw a somewhat desolate but still fairly large cityscape. I believe the total population of the city was about 100,000.
“This way, please.”
I followed Dominic’s voice and did as I was told. The interior of the mansion was quite beautiful, and the furnishings lined up in the hallway all seemed to be valuable.
I was led to a spacious guest room.
“I apologize, but please wait here for a while.”
“Can I sleep?”
“…If you can wake up immediately.”
I closed my eyes right away. I could hear the sound of Dominic leaving the room and the voice of a maid bringing tea, but I ignored them completely. I wanted to receive the gift as soon as possible and then go home. If I ran at full speed, I could easily overtake Neil and the others and return by tonight.
I’ll let myself go for a while. Maybe I’ll spend the whole day sleeping.
As I was thinking about this and sleeping soundly, I opened my eyes when my [Mana Read], which allowed me to sense anyone approaching, reacted.
“Lord Jasper, are you alright?”
“Yes, please come in.”
Dominic, who had knocked and called out, opened the door and spoke.
“We’re ready. It may be a bit early, but we’d like you to join us for lunch.”
“I understand…Is it okay like this? I’m still in my travel clothes.”
“If we were to say that, we would be the ones rude.”
After all, I’m the one who was called right after a large-scale raid.
“This way, please.”
I was led to a long table, which was to be expected in a noble’s mansion. At the head of the table sat a middle-aged man who must have been the lord. From my perspective, a young woman was sitting one seat to the right, and two young girls were sitting opposite her. One of them was, of course, Lady Samantha.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Count Gibree. This is my wife, Meesa. These are our daughters, Sarah and Samantha. Samantha has already met Lord Jasper.”
“Thank you for the other day.”
Lady Samantha smiled at me as I sat down. I smiled back and bowed in return.
Sarah, who was sitting next to her, gave me a small bow without any particular expression. Judging from the fact that she was sitting higher than Lady Samantha and the order in which Count Gibree introduced them, she must be the older sister. They were sisters with completely opposite personalities, both in their expressions and the atmosphere they exuded.
By the way, Lady Sarah, you see.
“Let’s finish the meal first. If it doesn’t suit your taste, please don’t hesitate to leave it.”
I got the impression that he was a humble person. Usually, nobles, especially those of the count level, would take it for granted that there would be no complaints about what was served. Is it because of his personality, or is it because I defeated that ‘wooden haniwa (claywood)’?
For the time being, I eat the meal as I was told.
Perhaps because it’s been a while since I’ve had a meal as a noble, I feel a bit nostalgic. Well, it’s only been a few days. But still, I feel like the taste is not as good as the one in the mansion .
“Lord Jasper, your table manners are very good.”
“Oh, well, I was strictly disciplined in that regard.”
In between the next dishes, such questions were asked. Speaking of which, I noticed it before with Neil and the others, but I’ve never cared about table manners outside. It seems that my table manners are good enough to be considered polite even by nobles. Of course, that’s only natural.
After the meal was over and tea was served, the conversation began.
“I would like to express my gratitude for your help in defeating many soldiers and dangerous magical beasts. Also, for saving my daughter Samantha the other day. This is a token of my appreciation.”
As he said that, the butler brought a cloth bag on a tray. It felt quite heavy when I took it in my hand. Of course, I put it aside without checking it.
“Now, I hear that Lord Jasper has only recently become an adventurer, but where were you active before that?”
Even though adventurers are secretive, it’s common sense that they can’t help but answer questions from the head of a noble family.
“I haven’t worked as an adventurer or a soldier (soldia). I just lived west of Garland.”
“Oh, why Garland?”
“There’s no deep reason for that, but it just felt right. The royal capital is crowded, and it would be difficult to operate there. So when I thought about other suitable bases of operation, the castle town of Arc to the west of the royal capital, the fortress city of Regil to the south of the royal capital, and the fortress city of Garland to the east of the royal capital came to mind.
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Of those, Garland seemed to be the place with the most traffic, as it was on the road to each territory. In terms of traffic alone, Arc might be better, but it’s not a city with a dungeon.”
“I see.”
Actually, I lived there from the beginning.
But even though he said that he would not be rude, he really didn’t point out anything. I’m not using honorifics. Normally, I would have been apprehended by now.
“With that much power, you must have been invited by powerful groups (parties) or alliances (guilds), but is there a reason why you are active as a solo runner?”
“Freedom is the best. Besides, I don’t intend to work as an adventurer in earnest.”
“Hmm. In other words, you took up the profession of adventurer to earn a living.”
“That’s right.”
I finish my tea and tap the table twice with my finger. It’s a sign for a refill.
For a moment, Earl Gibree’s eyes narrowed.
“I would like to hire you in my house. Would you accept if I invited you?”
“I would have to decline.”
“I thought so.”
It’s a bad way to put it, but I can earn much more by working alone than as a soldier in the Earl’s family. Since I have clearly stated that I don’t need status or honor, it would be impossible to attract me with such allure.
In such cases, adventurers can be roughly divided into two types. Those who belong to nobles to gain honor, status, and a stable life. Those who don’t need such things and dream of freedom and the unknown world. The latter is the majority of adventurers. Of course, the former is not a small number either.
“Then, how about this? Would you like to marry one of my daughters?”
I thought he would come to this. The most common method for a person in power to bring a powerful person into their family is through marriage. In noble society, marriages are arranged to strengthen the ties between families. Even the royal family is no exception to this rule.
“I’m not interested in that kind of thing right now.”
“Are you dissatisfied with me, Lord Jasper?”
Lady Samantha interjected into the conversation. Earl Gibree tried to admonish her with his gaze, but it seemed that it didn’t enter her field of vision.
“It’s not a matter of dissatisfaction, it’s a matter of not being interested. It’s not about whether or not Lady Samantha is attractive.”
“Then what would make you interested?”
She’s still coming on strong.
“What I want is a free and easy life. I have no intention of starting a family.”
“I think you’d be free if you got married.”
Apparently, this girl has her own world going on in her head. I glanced at Count Gibree, and he was letting out a small sigh. It seems that no amount of education could fix this.
“Count Gibree. So, I did receive the reward and compensation.”
“Indeed. You’ve worked hard today. If there’s anything else, I’ll send you a request directly, is that alright?”
“Well, if it’s just that much.”
“Then, I’ll do that. The guest is leaving.”
And with that, the conversation ended. I was led to the exit by the butler.
It seemed that I would be sent off in a carriage again, and I couldn’t bring myself to refuse, so I reluctantly got in.
However, since being sent all the way to Rashi Town would waste another day, I asked to be dropped off in front of the inn, saying that I wanted to look around the castle town of Sarab, which I was visiting for the first time.
“Jasper-sama.”
“Hmm?”
Just as I was about to get in the carriage, I turned around when I heard my name being called, and there was Sarah-jou, the first daughter, who hadn’t said a word. She had been wearing a stiff expression the whole time, so I thought she didn’t like me, but what was she doing now?
Then, she gave a beautiful curtsy. That’s why I tell adventurers not to curtsy.
Oh, but in this case, is it the utmost expression of gratitude?
“I would like to express my gratitude once again for the people of the territory, the soldiers, and my sister.”
“Yes. I’ve already received the compensation.”
“In that case, please accept this as a personal gift.”
“I understand.”
And so, we stared at each other. Was there something else?
“I am quite popular at parties, you know.”
“Huh.”
Well, I suppose so. I don’t look at her closely enough to be rude, but her face is well-proportioned. Her eyes are a bit sharp, but her nose and slightly protruding, moist lips are irresistible to men.
Her body may be a bit thin, but that only seems to add to her charm.
So, how does that relate to me? Did she get her pride hurt because I didn’t show any interest?
“Next time, I’ll make you look at me. Well then.”
With that, Sarah-jou greeted me again (curtsied) and left.
I wonder what she meant by that.
Was it a challenge to make me interested in her, since I didn’t show any interest, or was it a declaration that she would marry me?
“What was that?”
I asked Dominic, who was standing next to me, but he just made an awkward face and didn’t answer.
Somehow, I felt like I understood something from the way he looked.
The Incompetent Crown Prince