Chapter 92
Everyone thought the Eastern Great Lord would reprimand Luisen for his rudeness, but their expectations were subverted. The Great Lord asked Luisen with a slight smile on his face, “Who may you be?”
Luisen furrowed his brows. His question belied the connotation that Luisen wasn’t an ordinary pilgrim. The eyes of this old and experienced powerful man sparkled like new-born stars. The young lord was certain that the Eastern Great Lord had already noticed his identity–it just felt that way.
“You already know who I am, don’t you?”
‘The pilgrim in the rumors already knows the Great Lord? Who in the world is he?’ The nobles murmured amongst themselves as they tried to guess at Luisen’s identity. Many names were thrown out, but the Duke of Anies was not one of them.
At Luisen’s answer, the Eastern Great Lord’s smile deepened, “Still, I should at least see your face.”
Did he mean for Luisen to reveal his identity in front of all these people? Rumors that Luisen, the Southern Great Lord, was here would spread instantly.
He had suspicions about the Great Lord’s implication-filled words, but, no matter how he wracked his brain, he couldn’t figure out the man’s ulterior motive. Luisen was forced to take off his hood.
The noon sun rays, peering in through the tent window, landed upon Luisen’s hair. His short, blonde hair glistened brilliantly, like a halo. His white face and delicate features–his unhideable splendor–were revealed.
He did not need to state his name–everyone here recognized Luisen Anies. Many nobles here remembered his face: exactly as if nobility had distilled itself into human form. Luisen’s face and status were famous.
“My word. That face! Isn’t that the Duke Anies?”
“His aura has changed somewhat, but it’s truly Duke Anies, alright.”
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“Didn’t they say he was missing? He looks fine? Although, he’s a bit of a mess…”
The nobles were in great uproar. That was Luisen, someone who had always been surrounded by luxurious and high-quality items without a single rumpled hair on his head. Compared to that, the young lord’s hair was messy and his face looked rough. However, his eyes were more stable than ever; his expression was confident. He held the unique poise and solidity of a person who had seen and overcome hardships. As his inner character had changed, his outward aura also seemed different.
As someone who had been observing Luisen since childhood, the Eastern Great Lord noticed the change and was amazed.
“It’s been a long while, Duke Assylus.” Luisen nodded his head. Though they were similar in birth status, he should treat the other with respect befitting an older adult due to their big age difference.
“How could this be?! Aren’t you Duke Anies?” The Easter Great lord exaggerated his gracious welcome. “How startling. And you were the famous pilgrim as well? It seems you’ve accomplished many great deeds!”
“Well, yes. As you can see.”
“I see. Of course. You’ve changed.” The Eastern Great Lord looked at the young noble with a deeply satisfied face. Luisen thought it felt so awkward to see that expression on someone who used to always look upon him with disapproval.
The surrounding aristocrats, who could only watch the proceedings with mouths wide open, were slowly recovering their senses.
“I have something to tell you,” Luisen stated.
“I have much to talk about with you as well. Why don’t you come with me for a while. We shall continue the banquet after I briefly converse with the Duke of Anies.” The Easter Great Lord rose from his seat and then placed his hand on Luisen’s shoulder. Since the man was reaching out with a friendly and affectionate gesture, Luisen could only follow him out with a sour look darkening his features.
***
In order to take their time as they talked, the Eastern Great Lord took Luisen back to his own tent. Carlton and Morrison remained behind, still prostrate on the ground, and only Luisen sat at the table with the Great Lord.
“How did you know? I’m certain you wouldn’t have known that I was posing as a pilgrim.” Luisen said.
“Only you, among all other youngsters, would stand so upright before me. That’s how I knew. So, you’re the pilgrim. Yes. No one would guess you’d pose as a pilgrim when you couldn’t even remember a simple pre-ceremony prayer–that was smart of you. After all, you would need to cover your conspicuous appearance, but, in most cases, covering your face would paint you as a suspicious person.”
“Yes–it wasn’t my idea. A friend of mine helped greatly.” Luisen pointed towards Carlton. Though the Eastern Great Lord glanced towards the mercenary, he dismissed the man.
‘As expected,’ Luisen swallowed a bitter smile. He wanted to give the older noble a good impression of Carlton, but it was futile.
“I had no idea, and, in trying to find you, I kept catching the wrong people.”
“You tried to find me?”
“I received a letter from your general. Since I learned you were on your way to the capital, I looked for you.”
“The General? Could I possibly see this letter?”
The Eastern Great Lord gladly handed the letter over. Luisen began to read. Though the gaze of the other man was quite burdensome, he tried to stay calm and take in each written word. When the young lord finished reading, he could guess why the Eastern Great Lord was acting so friendly.
‘So, I’m apparently useful in keeping the royal family in check.’
The Eastern Great Lord’s territory was close to the area the king had direct control over. As a result, the man was especially sensitive to matters related to the royal family–even more than the other Great Lords. With the help of another Great Lord, Luisen (who was already on bad terms with the first prince), the Great Lords’ authority may be maintained.
This attitude–so different from before his regression–was quite understandable. The biggest difference between the timelines was that the Anies Duchy was still alive and well. Except for the duke’s castle, the Anies Duchy wasn’t as affected by the civil war; the farming yielded ample harvest, and the denizens and retainers were motivated and patriotic. If the territory passes this winter well, the duchy could go further than restoring any damages wrought by the civil war–beyond regaining its past glory.
The Eastern Great Lord must have received this letter from the general and, after contemplating this and that, continued to search for Luisen in order to extend help.
Although the letter was written in logical and calm prose, there was a sense of desperation leaking through the handwriting.
‘General…’ Luisen’s heart stung. He went missing and never contacted his trusty retainer–the general was ignorant of the young lord’s situation. Nevertheless, he kept looking to help in any way possible. Waiting…Believing…that Luisen will endure and make it through.
‘I must return to the duchy soon!’ Luisen was resolute.
“So, haven’t I always said that lords like us only retain strength when the citizens and retainers hold their line firmly?” The Eastern Great Lord prompted, thinking to seize the opportunity now.
“Ah, yes yes,” Luisen said a bit bluntly, still shaken by the surge of emotions running through him. Since ancient times, the older lord had nagged Luisen to stop playing with the two princes and to return to his territory to serve as its lord. The young lord hadn’t taken the advice seriously at that time, but the words rang true.
‘Anyway, I should be able to reach the capital safely without being chased away like last time.’ Luisen, now relieved, explained all that had happened so far to the Eastern Great Lord. Morrison had asked him beforehand to keep the existences of the demon worshippers a secret, so Luisen vaguely glossed over those parts. Instead, the young lord claimed Morrison was a merchant that was traveling with him to repay the pilgrim’s kindness.
“Isn’t that why I’ve told you to not let any riffraff into your fold? If you had thrown that redhead out when I told you to, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“Did you really say something like that?” Luisen couldn’t remember since the older lord nagged so much. Really, the words went in one ear and out the other. ‘For some reason, everyone else hated Ruger.’
The Eastern Great Lord clicked his tongue and looked over Luisen’s head to peer at Carlton. “Even after being backstabbed like that, you still can’t get your act together. You even have the first prince’s dog by your side.”
“How could you call another human being a dog? Your words are too harsh.” Luisen adopted a serious expression.
“There’s no difference between a dog and him.”
“Duke Assylus!” Luisen sprang up, enraged. ‘This old man is really–!’
“Are you going to bring him along too?”
“Yes, both of them are part of my party. We’ll definitely travel to the capital together. If you insist on dropping him, then I can’t travel with you either.”
“Tsk. Even after the betrayal you still don’t know how scary human beings can be. I thought you had become more mature, but you still have a long way to go.”
“Please leave your nagging to your grandson. That child is sure to listen to everything you say.”
“Fine, fine. If that’s your wish.”
After all, no matter how much the older lord nagged, this was Luisen. Words that he found too bothersome flowed in one ear and out the other. Contrary to expectations, however, the Eastern Great Lord backed off after the young lord’s vehement denial. “I suppose it would be best for me to talk with those two for a while as well. Your party is now my party, after all.”
Luisen looked back at Carlton and Morrison. Both men indicated that they would be fine with that arrangement. Luisen was forced to grant permission.
The Eastern Great Lord called for his granddaughter and asked her to personally take care of Luisen. Though Luisen was worried about Carlton, he had no choice but to leave the tent behind as he followed the granddaughter’s lead.
***
Once Luisen left, the insides of the tent became silent. The Eastern Great Lord looked down at Morrison and Carlton wordlessly. Morrison and Carlton couldn’t speak unless the Lord spoke first, so they had to wait.
What does he want to say after dragging the time like that? Suddenly a pouch, full of gold coins, fell with a sharp thud before the inquisitor and mercenary.
“This is payment for supporting the Duke of Anies thus far.”
“We didn’t do it for money,” Carlton replied.
“It’s an honor beyond everything for someone like you, with such a poor status in life, to have guided and been invited to travel with a duke. Still, wouldn’t it be worthwhile to take something tangible with you at least? Especially you.” The Eastern Great Lord looked at Carlton with clear contempt.
Carlton promptly noticed that gaze, but simply bit his lips.
“Actually, if it were up to me, I would have chased punks like you away. How dare a dog raised by the first prince try to curry favor in my presence.”
TL: Well then. Brave of him to say that to Carlton…a known noble butcher.