novelraw Chapter 76 : Count Wilcock
Chapter 76 : Count Wilcock
Chapter 76: Count Wilcock
The three people standing in front of the restaurant were neatly dressed.
It was because Admiral had prepared their clothes.
Robin was reminded of the time when he had worked as a servant at Baron Tefir’s estate.
Imelda, wearing a dress befitting a noble young lady, took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Serena, who usually went around wearing just a single outfit, also followed Admiral’s recommendation on this occasion.
‘So this is finally meeting Count Wilcock.’
Beyond the door in front of them lay the lifeline for Robin and Imelda.
The road fleeing from Regiville all the way here had not been smooth.
It was time to be compensated for the hardship.
The count was favorably disposed toward Robin.
He did not know what kind of story would come up, but there was nothing to worry about.
Robin straightened his chest, putting on an air of confidence.
“Are you both ready?”
“Hoo… ha…… I’m ready.”
“It’s just eating a meal. Is there really a need to make such a fuss?”
Robin lightly knocked twice, then opened the door.
A spacious hall that could easily fit a hundred people.
The rough texture of the walls built from solid stone was conveyed vividly.
At the seat of honor of a long table sat a man with graying hair.
Despite an appearance entering old age, the count’s robust gaze fixed itself on Robin.
“I pay my respects to Count Wilcock, the rightful master of Runeberg. I am Robin.”
“It is an honor to meet you. Imelda Tefir offers her greetings to the Shield of the North.”
Robin and Imelda greeted him with proper courtesy.
In contrast, Serena merely nodded her head.
Admiral, seated beside the count, smiled and opened the conversation.
“Thank you for granting us the opportunity to host the contributors of this mission. For you all, the chefs have been preparing the meal since last night. Please, take your seats.”
While the three of them sat down at the table, the count remained silent.
He merely observed them, casting his gaze one by one.
Once everyone was seated, the servants began bringing out the food.
When pre-meal bread and warm soup were served, a fragrant aroma filled the hall.
As silence lingered over the dishes, the count finally opened his mouth.
“Eat.”
The moment the count gave permission, Serena put the bread into her mouth.
She chewed thoughtfully, savoring the taste, then nodded.
Robin and Imelda also slowly reached for their food.
The claim that the chef had prepared it diligently was no empty talk.
Perhaps because the journey had been so grueling, it felt like the first proper meal in a long time.
“In Runeberg, there will be no matter of you being taken by the Empire.”
The main point emerged right from the start.
At the count’s words, stripped of embellishment, Robin stopped the bread he had been bringing to his mouth and met his gaze.
In the eyes of the man who had protected the North for many years, an unbreakable firmness stood out.
“Thank you for your consideration, Count.”
“Then that settles it.”
The count raised one corner of his mouth as he dipped bread into his soup.
Robin hurriedly looked toward Admiral.
Admiral gave an awkward smile and spoke up.
“Father, as I mentioned before, if the wanted orders on Robin and Miss Imelda are not withdrawn, pressure may also be applied to our domain.”
“Pressure? From whom? Even His Majesty the Emperor cannot lightly invoke the name of Wilcock.”
At the arrogant reply, Admiral fell silent.
As things flowed differently from what he had expected, Robin steadied his breathing and opened his mouth.
“May I say a word to you, Count?”
“Go on.”
“The pirate plundering on the way from Bellaruka to Runeberg, and the Demon Tribe attack on the way here. If it had not been for me and Imelda, Admiral, the war weapons, and countless soldiers would have been annihilated.”
“I acknowledge that.”
“The merits we established are not few. I would like to ask for one favor. I believe it is a favor the Count knows well.”
“Khuhuhuhu.”
The count laughed in a low voice.
Judging by Admiral’s reaction, Robin realized that the situation was not in his favor.
The count set down his fork and spoke.
“I will ask you. What was your reason for trying to come to Runeberg?”
“That is…….”
“The North, where the Empire’s influence is weak. And a domain at war, at that. It is a good place to hide one’s identity. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Robin could not answer.
It was because he could guess what argument the count was about to put forward.
“You did not try to help Wilcock. You merely removed obstacles that lay in your path. Even if Admiral had not been there, even if you had not boarded a merchant ship carrying war weapons. You would have come here in the end.”
“Father. Please don’t look at it so rigidly…….”
“In other words, luck accompanied your journey. And so I extended exactly that much goodwill in return. Even this alone is more than sufficient goodwill.”
As the count said, Robin would have come to Runeberg one way or another.
Whether he encountered pirates in the process, was chased by trolls, or fought a desperate battle against the Demon Tribe.
Even if the opportunity called Admiral had not appeared.
Even if he had not devised a plan to burden the Wilcock family with a debt and ask for the wanted order to be lifted.
What he had done for himself had simply, by chance, ended up helping Count Wilcock.
Robin could not deny that his motivation had been for the survival of Imelda and himself.
Moreover, the fact that the count had not handed Robin and Imelda over to the Empire alone could indeed be called an act of goodwill.
A mere commoner and a noble whose family had been destroyed held little value to the count.
It was calculation as cold and sharp as a blade.
“However.”
As if loosening the noose around Robin’s neck while he pondered a solution, the count spoke again.
“I have heard every detail of your efforts. Having risked your lives to come all this way, hearing such words must feel hollow. Therefore, I will give you a choice.”
“A choice, you say.”
“Enter our family. If you become a vassal of the Wilcock family, I will also concern myself with your safety.”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that.”
“I am not telling you to serve for life. Serve for just ten years, and I will guarantee your freedom.”
‘Ten years.’
It was not a short period.
Robin held back his words.
“You aim to become a knight, do you not? I will support that dream. Beyond that, I promise you the best treatment a vassal can receive.”
‘It’s not a bad offer.’
He could train with the sword while relying on the count’s family.
For Robin, who had gained a teacher named Theodric, it was an offer beyond reproach.
It was not bad for Imelda either.
Over the past three days, Theodric had taught Imelda as if she were his own granddaughter.
“Thank you for your words, but I will refuse.”
Imelda, who had been silently listening to the count, answered.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Imelda.
“Robin came all this distant way and suffered because of me. If a price must be paid, it should be me who bears it, not Robin.”
“What I desire is not the daughter of a fallen noble, but a sharp sword. Imelda Tefir, are you stronger than that boy?”
At the blunt question, Imelda felt as though a dagger had been driven into her chest.
The count was right.
Now that she had lost her family. There was not much Imelda could do.
She was not superior to Robin in swordsmanship, nor did she possess special abilities like Serena.
She could not even put forward wealth. The money she had scraped together by selling valuables was petty change to the count.
Even so…….
‘I can’t keep relying on Robin forever.’
“I too am a swordsman. I cannot compare to Robin’s skill, but I am confident I can carry my own share.”
“Imelda Tefir, it is not that I am unaware of your exploits. The fact that Admiral was able to return alive was also thanks to you. However, someone of your level does not particularly entice me.”
At the words trampling on her pride, Imelda clenched her lips tightly.
It was frustrating. If only she had been stronger. If only she had trained harder.
Then something like this would not be happening now.
To Imelda, who had lost the fence of her noble status, the world was cold.
The journey she had taken after leaving the comfortable mansion was far from romantic.
When she lay down and rose from the hard, cold ground instead of a bed, her entire body ached.
When she scooped up stew and realized that what she had chewed, thinking it was a chunk of meat, was actually a bug, she felt like she was going to vomit.
When blood that had splattered while cutting down monsters got into her eyes, it itched so badly she wanted to gouge them out, leaving her in distress.
Even so, Imelda did not voice a single complaint.
Because there was a boy at her side who stayed with her despite clearly having it far harder than she did.
His back, pressing forward without losing hope even while being chased by the world, felt reliable.
She had already received far too much from the boy.
She could not let him shoulder any more burden.
“I will continue to grow from now on.”
“So what of it?”
“I will devote the rest of my life to the Wilcock family. That value will never be inferior to Robin’s ten years.”
Robin’s pupils dilated.
Even Serena, who was usually indifferent about everything, raised her eyebrows as if surprised.
The count opened his mouth.
“Not bad.”
“My lady, then I should instead…….”
“No. This is my decision.”
There was no wavering in Imelda’s voice.
Her words and expression revealed a will that would accept no objections.
“Hahahahat!”
The count burst into hearty laughter.
Robin and Imelda looked at him, not understanding why.
“It seems I’m looking at a very affectionate pair of siblings.”
“That’s not wrong. We’ve been together since we were young.”
“Seeing this makes the offer I made seem rather stingy, doesn’t it.”
The count met Admiral’s eyes and let out a snort of laughter.
After looking back and forth between Robin and Imelda, he continued.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do what I can about your wanted orders.”
“Is that true?”
When Robin asked, the count nodded.
“However, there is a condition. I can’t simply withdraw the wanted orders without thought. I need justification as well.”
“What must I do?”
“Go to the front lines. I’m not saying you have to fight at the very front. Just pretend to fight.”
“I don’t mind, but how does that relate to justification?”
“Count Betterot, who colluded with the Demon Tribe to satisfy his own greed. You will become the war hero who defeated him as he eyed not only Runeberg but the Empire itself. Since you, Imelda Tefir, did not directly participate in the treason, that will more than suffice to cover up the charges.”
“…Is that really enough?”
“Do you not trust me?”
Robin shook his head.
Going to the front lines was something he had resolved himself to long ago.
The Calimacos Mercenary Band was there.
He had considered doing mercenary work if needed, and it was also a promise he had made with Admiral.
It was an offer Robin had no aversion to.
When he glanced at Imelda, she blinked her large eyes.
She had been prepared to stake her life, yet things had resolved so easily.
“Let’s leave it at that and eat. The food will all go cold.”
The count, who seemed both cold and friendly at the same time, put food into his mouth.
Once the soup was finished, dishes came out one by one.
“Spirit Mage Serena, is there nothing you want from me?”
“Not really. Once the war’s over, I plan to wander around Runeberg, so I’d like it if you just didn’t interfere.”
“If you ask, I can promise you will receive everything necessary for travel.”
“That’s enough.”
Though she spoke casually to a noble, the count did not stop her.
Because spirit mages were so rare, they tended to receive noble treatment despite being commoners.
And since Serena’s contributions in defeating trolls and the Demon Tribe had been considerable, he let it slide.
“I would also like to hear about what happened before you met Admiral. Everything from being branded traitors up until you came here.”
Robin and Imelda took turns speaking.
How they left Regiville and came to meet Serena.
Their first meeting with Theodric after shaking off the knights.
The count listened attentively without missing a word.
“When the schedule is decided, I’ll send someone. It won’t take long.”
“Thank you for your generous magnanimity, Count.”
“I wonder if the meal suited your tastes. I listened well to your tale of adventure. I hope to hear a new story again next time.”
The meal with the count ended without issue.
It was the best possible outcome Robin and Imelda could have obtained.
Monetary compensation had also been promised to Serena, but she remained indifferent.
Once the three left, only the count and Admiral remained in the hall.
“Father, didn’t you say you would clear Robin and Miss Imelda of their charges? Why did you suddenly bring up serving for ten years?”
“I could tell the moment I saw him. He’s someone born with talent. Isn’t it only natural to covet such a person?”
“Then you really intended to keep Robin here?”
“Yes, if only the fallen noble had not made that proposal to me.”
“Did you not desire Miss Imelda as well?”
“I did desire that child too. But if I separated the two, wouldn’t they only pine away in sickness?”
The count spoke with genuine regret.
At the same time, he felt a sense of envy.
Youth and vigor.
Things he himself could no longer possess.
No, there was someone who had brought a spark to the passion that had recently gone out.
“What is that bastard Theodric doing?”
“Father, this is a wartime situation. This is when you should be focusing on the war.”
“As if I don’t know that. I’m just going to loosen up a bit. So stop complaining and bring him here. A fine commander never neglects his training.”
At the count’s words, Admiral sighed and left.
Witchard Wilcock.
Before being a Border Count, as a swordsman, Theodric’s appearance was an unexpected delight.
As he selected a sword in a training yard meant solely for himself, the corners of his mouth curled upward.
His body itched at the thought of sparring with Theodric.
“Is it because I’ve gotten senile? It feels like I’ve gotten weaker than before.”
Even so, he could not let his guard down.
He had taken every elixir good for restoring vitality, so there should be improvement.
His opponent was the former Imperial Knight Commander.
Even if he showed his full strength, it was an opponent who could receive it.
Before long, Theodric appeared.
“Old man, are you doing all right health-wise?”
“There’s no need for the count to worry.”
“My, how stiff. Of course I worry. You even abandoned your family to throw yourself in, only to end up like that.”
“I won’t waste words.”
“Aura users are stiff, that’s the problem.”
Theodric picked up just any sword and leveled it at Witchard.
Witchard also drew his sword.
From the blade of the Border Count who had protected Runeberg, a heat haze rose.
Bang! Kwang!
Even with soundproofing, the doors could not completely block out the thunderous noise.
The uproar, which someone outside might have mistaken for the beating of drums, continued for over an hour.