Ch.70Seed (5)

Standing before Camille, who was offering a weakened skeleton warrior and urging him to fight, Pierre found himself unable to refuse as a vassal.

It wasn’t as if vassals had such choices to begin with, but even setting that aside, Pierre’s situation itself was certainly not favorable.

There was Camille’s thoughtfulness in trying to create a relatively safe combat environment for him, and moreover, Camille wasn’t demanding this fight out of personal interest.

Thus, unable to refuse the combat, Pierre drew his arming sword and ended up fighting against a skeleton warrior armed with a round shield and one-handed sword—

—which was what happened yesterday.

“You did well yesterday. You fought much better than I expected.”

“…Thank you, Lord Alzar.”

While walking along a road not far from the capital of Alzar Barony, Camille sincerely recalled yesterday’s battle and offered words of praise.

Although the skeleton warrior that had been Pierre’s opponent was weakened thanks to Camille’s intervention, it was still by no means an easy opponent for an amateur warrior like Pierre.

For starters, its equipment consisted of a one-handed sword and round shield. Considering the impact a shield has in close combat among lower-ranked fighters, facing it with just an arming sword was certainly not a wise choice.

Moreover, while the skeleton warrior’s bones had been made more brittle and easier to destroy, its physical abilities were still enhanced by necromantic energy and further boosted by magical reinforcement.

Despite the fatal disadvantage of having no muscles and light weight—critical flaws for a low-ranked warrior—these actually became advantages when supplemented by magical means.

Magically enhanced physical abilities, agility from its lightweight body, reduced target area due to being nothing but bones, and advantages against certain types of physical attacks were all benefits.

Additionally, as an undead, the skeleton had no concept of stamina and would never tire no matter how much it fought or moved. Considering these advantages, it was quite a formidable opponent for Pierre, who was practically a novice amateur warrior…

“No, I was truly surprised. I actually didn’t think you would win.”

“…Pardon?”

Contrary to Camille’s expectation that Pierre would surely lose, Pierre demonstrated with his own body why Camille had thought he had “potential.”

Even though it was just one demonstration, Pierre had taken defensive stances, albeit awkwardly, when attacks came flying. His choice to strike at the enemy’s lower body after recognizing its weakness wasn’t bad either.

In short, while not particularly outstanding in any specific area, he had good judgment and combat sense, allowing him to consistently maintain a relatively high baseline performance even on a battlefield full of variables.

Though insufficient in many ways to play a leading role on the battlefield, he seemed suitable for a supporting role—a warrior who overcame his relatively advanced age of 18 through pure talent alone.

“…With a bit more refinement, you’d be suitable for the lord’s guard.”

“R-really?”

“Yes, indeed. So be proud, Vassal Pierre. The talent you possess is by no means something to be taken lightly.”

“…Thank you!”

Though Pierre seemed somewhat bewildered by Camille’s sincere compliment, he appeared to accept it gladly, recognizing that Camille wasn’t one to speak empty words.

Anyway, as the two conversed…

“…Ah, we’ll be arriving soon. Prepare yourself, Vassal Pierre.”

“Understood!”

As the baronial capital began to appear in the distance and Camille switched to his “Lord Alzar” mode, Pierre immediately began checking himself and preparing to enter the city.

Beyond, the sight of a city with a population of tens of thousands welcomed them.

※ ※ ※

After about a month, the appearance of my hometown remained largely unchanged.

A city with a strong sense of bustling activity throughout—a place pulsating with what could only be described as the vitality of human life.

The largest metropolis in eastern Frank Kingdom featured buildings influenced by the Holy Empire to the east, with various people heading somewhere with their own purposes.

Well, if asked what could have changed in such a short time, I’d have nothing to say.

Anyway, upon arriving in the city, the two of us immediately headed toward the lord’s castle—that is, our home, the baron’s castle…

During this process, I happened to encounter someone who felt like I hadn’t seen them in ages.

“Oh, Nanny!”

“Y-Young Master?! It’s been so long, you’re back!”

It was my nanny, a precious person who had taken on the role of mother for me who grew up without a real mother. She had originally been a maid in the castle and apparently still worked there even after her days as my nanny had ended.

“The Baron mentioned that you were operating a small pioneering village… like a manor?”

“Yes, Nanny. That’s how it turned out somehow. It’s like a practice run.”

“Is that so? Ah, then this person…”

“Oh, let me introduce you. This is my vassal.”

“I am Vassal Pierre. So, since you’re Lord Alzar’s nanny…”

“Head Maid, please call me Head Maid.”

And right after she said that, I was genuinely surprised by something unexpected and asked in return with wide eyes.

“Huh? Nanny, you became the Head Maid?”

“That’s right, Young Master.”

Nanny, Marsha Cornel. As she had essentially played the role of “mother” in my memories, I was overjoyed to hear that she had been promoted, practically jumping with happiness at the fact that my nanny had become the Head Maid.

Head Maid was quite a high position. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her the chief administrator of the baron’s castle, so I couldn’t help but feel as if my own parent had been promoted.

“Ah, so what have you been doing, Young Master?”

“…Many things have happened.”

“Oh my… are you alright?”

“Probably? …Haha.”

Recalling all the hardships, troubles, and unfair treatment I’d experienced—getting involved with cultists and strange individuals—I sighed, and my nanny looked at me with concern.

Perhaps in her eyes, I still looked like a child.

“Has it been difficult?”

“Hmm… It would be a lie to say it hasn’t been, but I’m doing fine. The people are kind, and the work is rewarding.”

Responding sincerely to my nanny who was genuinely worried about me, I explained, and she seemed to realize that I wasn’t just suffering, as she smiled gently and began to speak.

“That’s good to hear. Ah, the Baron is waiting for you.”

“Father is?”

“Yes. He’s just shy, but he loves you more than anyone else, you know?”

“…True. That’s the kind of person Father is.”

A man who, beneath his gruffness, clearly holds affection for me, and who, despite being crushed by the responsibilities of his position as lord, occasionally makes time specifically for me.

It’s not really strange that this father feels more like my real parent than the vague memories of parents from my previous life.

“Then, Young Master, I’ll see you later!”

“Yes, Nanny, take care!”

After briefly catching up, we entered the castle and parted ways cleanly, as we both had things to do.

“This way, Pierre.”

“Yes.”

After entering the baron’s castle, I thought it would be better to clean up after our journey before reporting, so as I was walking through the castle interior…

“…Leon? Is that you, Leon?”

“Yes, it’s Leon! Welcome back, Lord Alzar!”

I sincerely expressed my gratitude to a man who felt like someone I hadn’t seen in ages—an instructor who trained the regular soldiers of the lord’s guard and who had briefly been my martial arts teacher.

And it was right at that moment.

“Lord Alzar. Is that person behind you… your vassal?”

“Yes, my vassal. Pierre, say hello. This is Leon, once my swordsmanship teacher and now a training instructor for the lord’s guard.”

“Hello, Instructor Leon!”

“Hello, Vassal Pierre. Pleased to meet you.”

Pierre bowed respectfully upon hearing that Leon had been my swordsmanship teacher, while Leon, who was technically of slightly lower social standing, treated Pierre with appropriate courtesy.

As I watched the two exchange greetings, I finally voiced the fundamental reason why I was glad to see him.

“Leon, I’m sorry to ask this right after seeing you again after so long, but might I make a request?”

“A request… you say?”

“Yes. Actually… could you provide basic training to my vassal?”

Because I, who had shown a growth pattern completely different from ordinary warriors due to the influence of the “Sword Demon,” could not possibly provide him with suitable education.

Rather, I thought it would be better to entrust him to an expert.

I respectfully asked Leon, who had once taught me the basic principles of combat as a “Basic Combat Skills” instructor, to educate my vassal, almost to the point of bowing my head.