Ch.39Duel #2

It’s been a long time.

I was overcome with emotion as I watched the Duchy of Krauser drawing closer.

It was a moment when I deeply understood how people feel when returning from business trips to the provinces.

“It’s prosperous……”

Ellen muttered in a low voice, sitting beside me as I drove the wagon.

While tall, grand castle walls could be seen in any territory, she must have recognized that the duke’s domain was in a different league altogether.

“It has history too. Though old, it’s been consistently maintained, making it quite sturdy.”

“Yes. That’s apparent even at first glance.”

She nodded in agreement with my words.

Seeing no sign of reluctance, it seemed she genuinely thought so rather than just being polite.

“Anyway… from now on, we’re entering the tiger’s mouth. I should be a bit nervous.”

Despite her nonchalant words, Ellen’s expression clearly showed tension.

It was anxiety born from not fully accepting my thorough explanation of Helena’s character.

I thought it was understandable, given that she was facing someone who was both a rare Sword Master and held the title of duchess.

As they say, you only truly know someone after meeting them.

“Could it be… Lord Zion Altram?”

As we reached the castle gate while I was lost in thought, a guard greeted me warmly.

He seemed to recognize my face immediately, as I was born and raised in Altram’s domain.

Moreover, I had also accompanied Helena on various errands around the area.

“Yes. It’s been a while. I’ve just returned.”

“I heard you had left the territory, but seeing you like this is truly surprising. Come to think of it……”

Suddenly, the guard’s welcoming smile froze.

It was because he noticed Ellen sitting beside me and the group of dark elves following behind.

It wasn’t a look of surprise.

The fact that he had heard about my departure from the territory meant he likely knew my purpose as well, which made sense.

The issue, however, was his attitude toward the dark elves.

It was the common sense that any human born and raised on this continent would naturally possess.

However, as I wasn’t bound by such conventional thinking, I gently admonished the guard.

It was to remove even a little of that expected prejudice for those who would help me, and by extension, Helena.

“I understand how you must feel. But these are guests I’ve personally brought. So please, try to be a little understanding.”

“Ah, yes… I understand.”

The guard seemed to comprehend this well enough, nodding and allowing us through the gate without further inspection.

It might sound boastful, but within this duchy, my face served as an entry pass.

“I apologize. I wish I could prevent such looks, but……”

“Heh. Don’t worry too much. I’ve been receiving such glances for over half a century. I’ve been hurt enough, and I’d actually find it more suspicious if people didn’t look at me that way.”

Ellen comforted me with a slight smile.

She said she was almost glad to see such familiar looks.

Especially after the bitter experience of betrayal by a man who had pretended to be friendly.

“I suppose that’s true.”

While I understood how dark elves were viewed, I hoped that at least during their stay here, these attitudes could change.

That was also my new goal.

Of course, that goal would only be feasible after winning the duel…

“Welcome back. I’m so relieved to see you safe.”

After pushing through the thorny gazes, we reached the mansion’s entrance where Andy came out to greet us warmly.

Moreover, he showed no signs of discomfort upon seeing the dark elves. I was truly grateful for that.

“I’m glad to see you’re still in good health too, Andy.”

“Ahem. Good health? I’m not that old yet. Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you should…”

“Haha. I apologize.”

After exchanging pleasantries and catching up with Andy, I drove the wagon toward the stables.

It occurred to me that I was getting plenty of driving practice, something I hadn’t done since getting my license.

“By the way, there’s an order for you to come to the office as soon as you arrive.”

Andy, who had personally accompanied me to the stables, carefully approached me with this message.

He seemed quite apologetic about asking me to move again when I was clearly tired.

In response, I nodded, indicating there was no need for such concern. It was only natural for a servant to go when summoned by their master.

“I understand. Then, if you don’t mind, these people should be shown to separate quarters…”

“Of course, that’s what I intended. We can’t neglect guests who have come from distant lands for the duel. However… I was instructed to bring Ellen Redhood along with Lord Zion.”

It seemed that even dark elves, despite being treated like filth, couldn’t be treated carelessly when they came as my guests.

So he was planning to escort them to separate quarters as one would with normal guests, but I was a bit surprised by the request to bring Ellen along.

Though I had anticipated it, it was still surprising.

“Fine. Let’s do that.”

Ellen used a stiff manner of speech, including informal language, to avoid being looked down upon even in front of nobility.

She also seemed quite pleased at the thought of meeting Helena right away.

I could tell from the fire in her eyes and the smile on her lips.

“Then, Andy, please guide the rest of the dark elves. I’ll escort Ellen myself.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Then, if the rest of you would please follow me, I would be grateful.”

The group, excluding Ellen, looked at their leader with worried eyes before seemingly making up their minds and following Andy without complaint.

Meanwhile, I headed toward the reception room, exchanging brief greetings with passing servants.

The corridors that exemplified restrained elegance, the calm atmosphere inside the mansion—

Everything was so welcomingly familiar that I felt myself relaxing.

Ellen, on the other hand, seemed somewhat uncomfortable… but that couldn’t be helped.

“It’s here.”

With a somewhat eased mind, I climbed the stairs, walked down the corridor, and arrived at a familiar door. It was the reception room.

“Well. Setting aside the complicated circumstances, it’s a great honor just to meet a master rumored to be a genius.”

“I’m glad you think so. Then… I’ll open it.”

After briefly exchanging words with Ellen, I carefully moved to knock on the reception room door.

My slightly bent fingers touched the door and soon made a knocking sound. Or rather, they were about to.

“Are you outside? Come in.”

However, an all-too-familiar voice froze me in place before I could knock.

It was Helena’s voice, wearing her public mask.

“She knew by our presence. As expected of a master. Though it seems like a skill even an expert could perform…”

Even in this situation, Ellen stood with her arms crossed, busy analyzing her opponent.

Because of this, it fell to me to open the door and greet her first.

“I’ve just returned. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

I apologized with my head bowed like a criminal.

I even made my voice tremble to convey genuine remorse.

Though it had been necessary, I couldn’t deny that I had caused her concern.

“Did I say I was worried?”

Helena’s voice came from above my bowed head.

It was a voice tinged with a hint of sulking that would be difficult for others to notice.

I don’t consider myself particularly perceptive, but I was sensitive to Helena’s emotional changes. That’s how I could tell.

“I know very well. And thank you for indulging my stubbornness.”

“That’s enough. Raise your head.”

It was an uncomfortable command, but what could I do? When told to raise my head, I had to comply.

I raised my head with a stern expression, making sure my tension was clearly visible.

Though Helena’s gentle gaze suggested I could relax, it seemed better to maintain formality for now.

“You’ve worked hard. Zion must be tired, so please go rest first.”

“Pardon…?”

After calling both Ellen and me here, she’s already telling me to rest?

While it was a kind consideration, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

Having called us here only to send me away after a brief glance seemed almost disrespectful.

However, as if to shout that my thoughts were wrong, Helena’s voice caught a woman by the ankle.

“Ellen Redhood, was it? I have something to say to you, so please stay for a moment.”

◎◎◎

What on earth is going on?

Ellen was bewildered as she watched the duchess not only sit across from her but also kindly brew tea for her.

From being seated on such a luxurious sofa to begin with, this treatment was hardly believable for someone supposedly treating her like filth.

Of course, an ordinary guest would receive such treatment, but unfortunately, Ellen was no ordinary guest.

Even if she came for a duel, societal norms didn’t change so easily.

In other words, Helena, who was treating Ellen with such respect, was quite the oddity herself.

“Please drink.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

Ellen picked up the teacup, speaking in a semi-formal manner.

The refreshing aroma and taste that penetrated deep into her chest was close to the finest quality for a guest’s tea.

Moreover, it even evoked the feeling of a lush forest.

Therefore, it was only natural that Ellen’s heart felt at ease.

“I’ve heard you’re a warrior who has survived the battlefield for over half a century. I’m truly grateful that you’ll use your skills for me.”

“Hmm… Your overly respectful attitude makes me uncomfortable. Still, your gratitude seems excessive. I too came with selfish calculations to receive compensation, so please treat me more casually.”

Compensation.

Helena calmly organized her thoughts as she watched Ellen fidgeting uncomfortably.

First, she had no intention of treating Ellen poorly, as she was a woman brought by Zion, who was Helena’s top priority.

To do so would be to undermine the judgment of the man who had assessed her value.

And the second thing she considered was compensation.

While she had heard that Zion would use the family’s influence to purchase land, Helena had no intention of allowing that.

As long as the decision was hers, she would personally allocate the land, with no intention of taking money from Altram.

In other words, Helena could give away the land right now if she wanted to.

“You mean the land issue. Very well. First, please tell me if you want to live in the outskirts or within this castle.”

“It might be an impudent request, but I’d like to live inside the castle… would that be possible?”

“Of course.”

It’s a distant dream for dark elves to establish themselves in human villages.

Ellen’s mercenary group had sometimes secured lodgings by forcefully suppressing such resistance, but that didn’t make the discomfort disappear.

It was a mirage-like respite obtained through force.

So she asked with an unconsciously subdued manner, but was so surprised by the straightforward answer that she couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

It was natural for Ellen to be surprised when a positive response came to a question asked with abandoned expectations.

“Possible… really? Are you serious?”

“Yes. However, I will divide the land into two parts. In consideration of you risking your life, I’ll give you half as an advance payment, and the remaining half as a success bonus. Will you accept that?”

“O-Of course!”

It was only natural for Ellen to be excited, especially since she would receive half the land as a down payment.

In her eyes right now, Helena appeared like a legendary angel.

And Zion, who had led her to this angel, was nothing short of a divine messenger.

Normally, one would be suspicious of such favorable terms.

That was Ellen’s nature.

But she was completely taken aback when Helena immediately prepared two copies of a contract with both their signatures, handing one to Ellen.

Moreover, she even stamped it with the Krauser seal, making it impossible not to believe.

She had given her trust, providing Ellen with grounds to hold her accountable even if she tried to back out.

Given such treatment, she had to do more than what was expected in return.

Ellen was burning with determination to kill her opponent even if she suffered serious injuries herself… but suddenly felt a chill from a voice that tickled her ears.

“By the way, I’d love to hear about what happened with Zion, if you don’t mind?”

It was a voice so cold it was hard to believe it was the same soft, gentle voice—a voice that evoked the image of a sharp blade.