Chapter 21 – The Life Plan of Nobility

“A short while ago, someone came requesting an audience with Theodore-san.”

“An audience?”

I had come to the Adventurer Guild to exchange today’s earnings when Heather, who was handling the counter, told me this.

…What could it be? I don’t think it’s related to the recent Snake Bite incident. The Adventurer Guild had sworn us to secrecy and informed us we wouldn’t need to be involved further.

“They said they’d wait at the Guild for a while, so they’re currently waiting in the back room.”

“…Who exactly is it?”

“Lady Ashley.”

Huh? Ashley?

As I stood there confused, Heather smiled at me.

“While you’re meeting, I’ll prepare the calculations and the reward money for the Snake Bite incident.”

I was led from the Guild Counter to a room in the back, and sure enough, Ashley was there.

“Ashley-sama.”

“Theodore-sama! Grace-san!”

When I called her name, Ashley stood up from the sofa and smiled.

“Ashley-sama, how is your physical condition?”

“Yes. I’ve been having many more days where I feel better than before. I just arrived in Termwills a little while ago.”

Grace and Ashley exchanged smiles. The two had grown relatively close during our stay at Ashley’s home.

Part of it was that Ashley showed virtually no rejection upon hearing Grace was a Dhampir, and Grace also seemed to have her own thoughts about Ashley’s position.

“It hasn’t been that long since we last met, but you must be tired from the long journey?”

“No. I came here using the Adventurer Guild’s Dragon Palanquin.”

The Guild’s Dragon Palanquin… An image of Beryne’s smug, “gotcha” smile floated into my mind… but I shouldn’t jump to conclusions about her reasons until I hear why Ashley came to Termwills.

Incidentally, a Dragon Palanquin is a vehicle where one or two tamed Wyverns carry a palanquin.

Along with Dragon Carriages pulled by Earth Dragons, they allow for faster transport and movement of larger quantities than horses. The fact that I came here by carriage was probably because they couldn’t spare a valuable riding dragon for an Illegitimate Child leaving home.

Ashley’s decision to use the Dragon Palanquin was likely a judgment that reducing the time burden by traveling via Wyvern would be better for her health than traveling by horse or Earth Dragon.

“Well, I’m surprised. Why are you here?”

“I’ve also decided to study abroad in Termwills. It was a sudden decision, so I couldn’t contact you, Theodore-sama, but Beryne-san said I could leave a message at the Guild.”

Ah. So she really is going to live here.

“And then, this is only if Theodore-sama agrees, but if it’s alright, would you consider accepting a Request by name?”

A Request by name for a rookie adventurer… that’s not something that usually happens.

“I assume this is regarding continuous treatment through Circulating Ki?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. We can discuss the specific conditions later.”

…The burden on the body when the environment changes is quite significant.

There are situations where I’d like to support Ashley’s health maintenance through Circulating Ki.

But still. Even if we’re children, Kennel is permitting a noble man and woman without a formal engagement to meet frequently… this is undoubtedly a message, I think. Though Beryne was probably the one who orchestrated it.

But well, how should I put it… Rather than feeling outmaneuvered… I think I’ve been highly valued by Beryne. She probably noticed I’m somewhat invested in Ashley and devised this plan accordingly.

Ashley likely knows nothing about this, and Beryne’s interference probably ends here; she likely intends to leave the rest to Ashley and my judgment. It’s even possible for me to set up a treatment location in a way that won’t harm Ashley’s future standing.

That kind of nuanced handling is where Beryne’s cunning side… or rather, her troublesome nature shows.

Objectively speaking, I’m an Illegitimate Child with no inheritance rights to the Count’s house. If Kathryn and her sons weren’t like that, the usual path would probably have been for me to end up as something like Byron’s guardian within the Count’s family.

I don’t want to sound arrogant enough to call my leaving a loss, but given that I have no inheritance rights due to blood relations, there really isn’t anyone more convenient for the family than me. The fact that things escalated to the point of my expulsion itself was a Failure on the Count family’s part.

So, my future path was originally pretty much predetermined. Even my marriage partner might have been decided by Father at the appropriate time, for the benefit of the Count family.

But Kathryn, out of jealousy toward Mother, treated me harshly, and the idiot brothers joined in. I disliked that and left the Count’s house. In short, due to family discord, my future became a blank slate.

I dislike talking about my own future plans when I haven’t accomplished anything yet… but if we’re discussing how Beryne sees me, she’s betting that I’ll make a name for myself in Termwills.

Ten years old. At this age, if you were the heir or exceptionally talented in a noble house… you’d normally have multiple candidates for both principal wife and concubines… your surroundings would be firmly set.

Speaking from Kagehisa’s sensibilities, there’s quite a gap, but according to the customs of this world… I don’t think Beryne and Kennel’s thinking is unreasonable. In fact, even Byron is like that.

Where Beryne is clever is that while she’s facilitating the connection between Ashley and me, she hasn’t made any explicit promises.

No matter what happens with my future or my relationship with Ashley… Kennel’s burden in managing the territory of Sylune, improving relations between the Baron’s house and the Guild, Ashley’s noble education, health maintenance, establishing horizontal connections among nobles, the income I gain from Magic treatment, and future ties… Also, to add, Beryne’s achievements… and the fact that no one loses in this arrangement.

I’m an Illegitimate Child of a Count family with weak family ties, a completely blank slate regarding marriage, and if I become a Magician… Beryne must have thought that if I receive honors, there will surely be nobles who want to bring me into their fold.

Even if Beryne and Kennel didn’t do this, surely someone else would. They’re essentially making an early investment before I’ve done anything. Really… I’ve been quite highly valued. And it’s on the premise that I’ll make my decision having seen through Beryne’s scheme.

When outstanding adventurers achieve merit in the Labyrinth, the kingdom sometimes grants them honors, titles, and territories to incorporate them as talent. Of course, there are cases where they form marriage relationships with multiple wives. That’s the line Beryne is assuming.

In essence, who do I intend to have by my side? When concubine proposals are brought up, how will I refuse without causing offense? Beryne is implicitly asking me, without putting it into words, what about Ashley?… That’s the gist of it.

Ashley is a Baron’s family, even if she is the lord. It’s quite a delicate position. If there’s room by my side, it wouldn’t be strange for other higher nobles to forcefully stick their necks in.

…I see. So that’s why it’s me. I don’t know what Beryne thought about my relationship with Grace, but this plan might have been devised with that in view as well. Certainly, if I had multiple wives, it would be easier to find reasons to refuse, whether economic or otherwise.

If I make a name for myself in the Labyrinth and receive honors or something similar, it definitely won’t end with just one principal wife… people around will probably bring marriage proposals. If asked whether I want someone with no connection or relation, someone I don’t even know, by my side, the answer would be no.

“Grace-san, could you please teach me embroidery again?”

“If someone like me is acceptable, I’d be delighted. Though it will have to be during my spare time.”

“Of course.”

Grace and Ashley were chatting happily. While the atmosphere was very peaceful, I found myself having to take a bird’s-eye view of my own circumstances once again.

Who to have by my side in the future, huh? Because I was an Illegitimate Child, I thought life planning was something Father would decide… I never imagined that upon becoming independent, at ten years old, I’d be confronted with this. Even though I’ve been at the very bottom of the hierarchy until now.

If I don’t decide anything here, I can’t say for sure that Father won’t come to retrieve me once things have cooled down. Of course, that’s completely out of the question, so I’d firmly refuse.

Thinking about that… well, certainly… rather than being treated with a sudden change of attitude after making a name for myself—starting with an early investment makes more sense.

Nothing is decided yet, and how Ashley and I view each other with the future in mind… is very fluid. Certainly… it’s true that at this point, I don’t have a bad impression of her. But saying that considering her as a marriage partner feels a bit premature… as someone born into a noble family, would that argument not hold water?

About Ashley… well, I understand.

Simplifying it, I’m just being forced to make a decision about whether to accept a marriage proposal or not. Since I have no guardian, I need to firmly establish my own policy.

Even Kennel is aware of this, I suppose. If Ashley receives a noble education in Termwills, she’ll probably realize this eventually too. Even if she doesn’t, Kennel or Beryne will likely hint at it indirectly. So Ashley and I will likely proceed in a relationship where we view each other with that premise.

Since at this point we both recognize each other as friends, the conversation hasn’t even started.

—Then, what about Grace? What about Grace’s future?

She says she’ll serve me for life… but in terms of lifespan, Grace’s is longer. For example, after I’m gone, what will her social position be? That is, the question of who will hold the Cursed Tool.

Since she didn’t abandon me, who was nothing but trouble, and came with me all the way to Termwills, and I’ve accepted her, I wouldn’t dare say I don’t care about what happens later.

If we’re talking about Grace’s future… I do want to firmly establish her social position by that time. Making a name for myself in Termwills will surely help solidify her footing, but that alone still lacks certainty. So for that purpose… what would be best?

Thinking about it… me, Grace, and Ashley. If it becomes clear how we each feel about one another, then the means and purpose for me to live here, establishing my footing, even the interests of marriage would all perfectly align. After that, all I’d need to do is charge forward without worrying about anything.

…Supporting the future of someone I regard favorably and taking responsibility for it, huh.

It would be easier if I could just say “I’ll do it!” But this fundamentally involves the other person. If I were just spinning my wheels alone in this, I’d be a complete clown.

Considering the conflict between Mother and Kathryn, there are aspects where I become overly cautious and find it emotionally difficult to agree… but looking toward the future, this is a problem that will fall upon me. I’ll need to think about it properly. I’d rather avoid a Failure like Father’s.

“Did something happen, Theodore-sama?”

When I looked at Grace, she tilted her head.

“Hmm. Well, I’ll talk about it when we get back. The situation has changed, and there are various things—like our plans from tomorrow onward.”

Now that I understand—I should make my resolve too. Even setting aside the matter of Ashley.

Not just for work-related reasons because she’s my attendant, and not because I think of her like an older sister and depend on her.

When I move beyond that, whether it’s alright for me to take complete responsibility for her entire life—it’s important to clarify that.

If I truly value Grace’s life, I can’t gloss over this. Confirming the answer and deciding our life plans thereafter—is surely necessary.