Chapter 44: How a Mercenary Lets It All Out (1)
“Stop spouting nonsense! Do you even realize this war is happening because of one of your inventions? I don’t care if you’ve stepped down from your position—you can’t just act this irresponsibly!”
David clung tightly to Clarte like someone hanging onto a rope in the middle of a fiery pit. No matter how many times Clarte hit his head or back, he wouldn’t let go.
Watching this, Shanro quietly thought that David’s toughness was kind of impressive.
“…If you’re going to fight, take it outside.”
Gyle finally warned them, feeling like his ears were about to start bleeding. But sadly, in this room, there wasn’t a single person who’d actually listen to a warning like that.
So Gyle played his last card.
“And barging into her while she’s on a mission? You’ll totally get scolded. Hey, old man—if you drop everything and charge in recklessly, Regina will be mad. Think you can handle that?”
“…No.”
Clarte answered in a small voice. Gyle smirked at how well his quiet warning worked. As expected, Clarte really was a cranky old man who only cared about his granddaughter.
“I’ll go see Regina and give her an update. You just finish your work first and come to the guild after.”
“Tch.”
Clarte, clearly unhappy, finally accepted his situation. He sighed deeply and tried to calm his anger.
“You’re the ones who raised her like a racing horse—both you and Gellen.”
Clarte narrowed his eyes at Gyle’s sarcastic jab. Shanro wondered if he should stop Gyle before he pushed Clarte over the edge just as the old man was starting to calm down.
But Gyle knew Clarte better than anyone else—and Clarte didn’t get angry anymore.
“My granddaughter was always hardworking. She’s the type to do whatever she can for her family. When she was little, her hands got so blistered they nearly rotted, all from training with a sword. She even ran away from home just to fight monsters on her own. Gellen and I only supported her.”
Clarte’s voice, calm at first, started to rise. He always got emotional when talking about Regina’s childhood.
“Genius? You were the one born with more talent. Regina made herself who she is now through pure effort. She was the kind of kid who’d throw herself into fire to grow stronger—who’d destroy her own soul if it meant protecting her family!”
“Okay, okay, we’ve heard that story a hundred times. And it’s not like you were the only one there for her back then—I know that well too.”
Clarte shot a sharp glare at Gyle, annoyed by his smug face acting like he knew Regina so well.
“How long are you going to keep pretending you’re her childhood friend?”
And in retaliation, Clarte threw a jab right at Gyle’s weakness.
“Tsk, tsk. This is exactly why I don’t accept anyone as a proper son-in-law for Regina. After this mission is over, I’ll have a very close look at that guy too!”
“Regina won’t like that.”
“Shut up, you bear! Go hug your giant sword and sleep!”
Clarte yelled one last time, then disappeared with David without even saying goodbye. Shanro blinked against the light left by their magical exit.
“…Why did he take it out on me? And seriously, if he really goes, it’s going to be chaos.”
“True.”
Regina might not be that upset, but Gyle didn’t care. When he thought of that arrogant and annoying Valentin, the idea of Clarte going to Balmen and causing trouble didn’t sound so bad.
“Let’s just get moving. If we stick around, that cranky old man might show up again. I’m too tired for that.”
That strange nickname—‘Two-faced Clarte’—was what the members of Persona called him behind his back. It meant how he acted sweet only to Regina but cranky to everyone else. Of course, Clarte had no idea.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
That night, without getting any real rest, the two mounted their horses. After all, Clarte was the former head of the Tower of Magic—a city of mages—and a former Grand Mage. And to everyone but Regina, he was nothing but a grumpy old man.
It was a bright afternoon, and Regina was busy taking care of the tasks Eileen had brought her.
Nobles often said that the condition of a castle reflected the lady of the house, and Regina was finally beginning to understand that. Not a single part of the castle was left untouched by the duchess’s attention.
‘I’ll try not to be away more than one night. But just in case, I’ll finish as much as I can before I leave.’
Despite her busy schedule, she knew she needed to visit Persona.
So Regina came up with a tighter plan.
If she rode hard, she could reach Persona by late afternoon. Then, if she handled business quickly and rode back overnight, she’d be back by morning. It would be dangerous crossing the mountains at night, though.
“My lady, have some tea.”
Eileen placed a warm cup of tea on her desk—and added another pile of documents.
“What are these about now?”
“They’re for the upcoming Blessing Day. There’s quite a bit to prepare…”
Blessing Day was a holiday that celebrated the first grain that sprouted from the gods’ spit. On that day, the empire believed the dining tables should be full and joyful.
There were still about three weeks left until Blessing Day.
Regina listened while skimming the document. The list included everything from grains to meat.
Balmen did get good sunlight, but it didn’t rain much. So the land wasn’t very fertile.
That meant the territory wasn’t wealthy. Taxes were low, and the region had been without a proper lord for some time. That’s why Regina welcomed Harne so much—it was a new start for economic growth.
Merchant guilds brought jobs and people, which energized the land and increased tax revenue. And that wealth, in turn, boosted the reputation and power of the noble house. For nobles, bloodlines meant little without wealth and influence.
‘I hope once this mission ends, Valentin will be safe—even without me.’
Maybe she was already starting to feel a bit of affection and sympathy toward him.
While reading the list, Regina paused at the alcohol section.
“I’ll take care of finding a merchant for the alcohol.”
“Oh? You know someone?”
Regina gave a small nod. Since she’d be stopping by the capital anyway, she could visit a trusted vendor and get good wine for cheap.
“With the money saved, we can buy more grain. And the wine could even be shared with the townsfolk.”
Eileen silently admired her. Regina’s thoughtfulness toward the people matched any top noble in the empire.
‘Blessing Day… huh.’
Last year, they had stacked the guild hall with meat and drinks and celebrated for two days straight. Smiling at the memory, Regina let out a soft chuckle.
That was the first time she ever got tipsy. She’d learned how dangerous sweet alcohol could be. Bitter drinks slowed her down, but sweet ones were too easy to sip—and too easy to forget afterward.
‘This year will be quieter.’
No celebration would compare to those noisy, chaotic Persona parties. Especially not in a place as fancy as this castle.
Still, Regina missed those wild moments and licked her lips in longing.
“Then I’ll begin preparations. Also, you have your first official outing tomorrow, right?”
“Oh, that’s right.”
With all the training and nonstop work, Regina had completely forgotten the schedule they set days ago. She gave an embarrassed smile and handed the papers back to Eileen.
“It’s your first official event, so you’ll need to wake up a bit earlier.”
Even though the Duke’s family had moved into the castle, Balmen’s public safety was still shaky.
While the region had no lord, shady groups had rooted themselves in the shadows. Merchant guilds were easy targets.
With her mercenary background, Regina knew how low such thugs could go. That’s why she planned this outing.
If the Duke and Duchess were out together, no one would dare mess with them—not the merchants, not even the new tailor shop being set up by Joy.
“Hm. I guess I should.”
“Of course. The people want their rulers to look beautiful and dazzling. That’s how influence works.”
Sometimes, Eileen could be just as firm as Regina. And judging by her tone, Joy was probably working hard on tomorrow’s outfit, too.
In other words, Regina had no say in the matter.
“Oh, and Jane will be on leave tomorrow, so another maid will help you get ready.”
“Is something wrong with Jane?”
“No, I think she’s taking care of her younger brother.”
“I didn’t know she had a younger sibling.”
“There’s quite an age gap. He’s very cute—big eyes just like hers.”
As Regina absentmindedly raised her teacup while reading the papers, Eileen realized she had forgotten to bring cookies.
“I’ll go get some light snacks.”
She left the room before Regina could stop her. If anything, Regina had hoped for more warm tea.
“Tea… That day, I drank tea too.”
Watching Eileen leave, Regina suddenly remembered Allan bringing her tea that day—he had looked unusually nervous.
‘If my body reacts strangely, it’s usually poison… or drugs. And that day, I drank the tea from Roten, the healer.’
“…I can’t leave the castle even with the tiniest doubt.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Thomas. But since she had decided to leave the place with her protection target still inside, she had to remove every single doubt—no matter how small—before she left.
