Chapter 65
Inside the conference room of Count Collo's castle were the three barons, Garcia, Karl, Godfrey, and others.
And into that conference room stepped a vassal of Duke Ellenhower.
“It’s been a long time, Baron Vito.”
“Indeed it has. Thank you for coming all this way, most wise Viscount Jennings.”
The two greeted each other warmly, seemingly well-acquainted.
“Originally, I wished to visit a bit sooner, but given the nature of the matter the Baron requested, His Grace the Duke also deliberated considerably.”
“The matter we proposed likely wouldn't have harmed the Duke.”
“Of course, that is so. However, His Grace the Duke is currently shouldering many burdens in the absence of His Majesty the Emperor, so we hope you understand that point.”
Baron Vito nodded his head.
“His Lordship has decided to recognize all that the Baron has stated. Accordingly, he has declared that he officially acknowledges Baron Vito’s victory in the domain war and that the Baron has the rightful qualification to succeed the title of Count.”
Now that Count Calido was defeated, no one could stop Baron Vito from declaring the countship, but originally, declaring a title usually appointed by the Emperor could clearly pose problems regarding justification or legitimacy.
If Duke Ellenhower, his liege lord, acknowledged such aspects, a certain degree of justification could be established.
The County of Collo would be ruled by Baron Vito upon receiving the countship, but the Baron intended to govern this place not as his direct domain but like a free city together with the barons who had joined him.
In addition to that, there was one more thing proposed without consulting me.
“What about the other matter?”
“Ah, that part was approved very readily. His Lordship stated that he bestows upon Sir Karl, the most honorable knight in the world, the middle name of the great knight of the Somerset House and legendary Grandmaster, Sir Reitz, grants him the title of Baron, and decrees that this captured Collo Domain shall be his domain.”
I was utterly dumbfounded by Viscount Jennings’ sudden continuation.
It was the first time something like this had happened since I came to this world.
‘A title…?’
I had never once thought about receiving a title.
“I know well that the Knight has no intention of settling down somewhere and taking a seat of power. Still, such thoughts occurred to me sometimes. That the departing Knight’s back and his gaze seemed somewhat lonely.”
Baron Vito often thought I seemed lonely and desolate when looking at me.
“If this County of Collo, which we have decided to manage jointly, becomes the Knight’s domain, then the Knight too will have a place to return to whenever desired. Wouldn't your heart feel a bit more settled than now? We will handle the domain management. Since everyone else has agreed, please just consider it your home.”
“….”
“It’s alright to just accept it this time. Think of it as a reward for the path the Knight has walked so far. We all owe you a debt difficult to repay, and since the Knight has only ever helped others until now, isn’t it fair for such good fortune to find you at least once?”
Since coming here, had anyone ever given me something without expecting anything in return?
Perhaps a bowl of warm soup from a kind person was the greatest extent of it.
“…Thank you.”
“Congratulations, Baron Karl Reitz Meyer.”
Viscount Jennings, who had come to deliver the letter, smiled and extended his hand.
I took his hand.
Subsequently, the barons, including Garcia, offered their congratulations.
And approximately one month later, Count Calido’s execution was carried out.
Staying here, Count Vito, now a Count, and the two barons uncovered all the numerous evil deeds Count Calido had committed over the years.
“He disrupted order by imposing excessive taxes on neighboring domains, privately captured free people and traded them as slaves, assassinated a legitimate lord to install someone he co-opted as lord….”
Following that, numerous other charges were announced to the people of the domain.
The announced content was written down in letters and once again delivered to the nearby vassal families as well as the noble houses in the area.
All those who had been suppressed by the authority of the Holy Knights and the power of Count Calido rescinded the loyalty they had sworn to Calido.
Thus, the head of Count Calido, who had dominated an era, fell from the gallows.
“I, Count Vito Collo Tennesse! Declare that I will devote everything to the domain with honor and pride. I will rectify all the tyranny that Count Calido perpetrated until now and pledge to cooperate with neighboring domains to contribute to the prosperity of the County of Collo and the western region!”
The people cheered.
They all held resentment towards Calido’s tyranny, and since Baron Vito was rumored to be the most gentle yet wise lord in the vicinity, they ardently supported him as the new Count.
“This County of Collo has been liberated from Count Calido! I will manage the domain together with the two barons who joined in the process of establishing this new order in the West!”
Baron Vito’s voice overflowed with strength, and his speech clearly resonated with the populace.
“Finally! Baron Karl Reitz Meyer, the Knight of the Lighthouse who left behind great achievements, who was awarded the Saint's Necklace by His Holiness the Pope, and who was bestowed the middle name of Grandmaster Sir Reitz by His Excellency Duke Ellenhower, the great liege lord of the West, will monitor corruption and injustice as the co-lord of Collo here, ensuring the County of Collo will be blessed with the glory of Essus for a long time!”
When his final proclamation ended, the populace cheered with voices much louder than before.
And the words of people fond of storytelling quickly spread throughout the West Continent, embellished with various rumors.
Minstrels sang of my deeds, and storytellers added more flesh to the tales, celebrating my achievements.
Approximately another month passed like that.
***
Unusually, the Collo Domain had two lord's offices.
And an inner castle chamber was also created for me.
All the powers of a lord, including the right to mobilize troops and collect taxes, were granted to me as they were.
Right now, I was in my office, holding a cup of warm black tea and looking out the window.
The black tea, enjoyed while gazing at the outside scenery from the high castle office, was exquisite.
Its profound fragrance filled the room.
“Something like this is nice sometimes.”
Having lived a wandering life until now, moving from inn to inn, and sleeping outdoors under the cold dew when even inns weren't available, the first home I possessed was surprisingly comfortable and pleasant.
I felt grateful to Count Vito.
Concepts like co-lordship or free cities were not common in this world.
There were cases where it temporarily served as a transitional phase when a lord died suddenly without preparing any succession structure at all, but even such cases were extremely rare.
Considering that free cities led by council members instead of a lord numbered less than 10 across the entire West Continent, it showed just how much thought Count Vito had put into this place and how considerate he was of me.
Savoring the aroma of the black tea, I took out the chainmail armor I had obtained from a recent quest.
[Ancient King’s Chainmail: Legendary chainmail armor worn by an ancient king whose name is forgotten. Increases Defense, increases Magic Resistance, becomes user-bound upon equipping.]
Though the description was simple, it seemed clear that I had obtained a decent item.
Since I didn’t favor full plate mail, I wouldn’t have been very pleased if that type of armor had appeared.
When I tried to put on the chainmail, it surprisingly floated in the air and fitted itself onto my body naturally.
“Huh.”
Even chainmail, which was relatively easier to wear compared to plate mail, required enduring some inconvenience to put on alone, but regardless of its protective power, this function was extremely appealing.
“I received a good gift.”
I was now someone who could even feel grateful towards the system.
[Progress Rate 15%]
The progress rate, which I hadn't checked for a while, had also increased quite significantly.
‘A wish…’
The one wish I could obtain at the end of this game; I recalled the wish I had intended to make when I first heard about it.
It was still the same then as it was now.
After brief contemplation, I pushed the deep thoughts aside.
It was still a long way off, so there was no need to worry about it already.
Enjoying the aroma of the black tea right in front of me was fine too.
Knock knock.
As I was enjoying a rare moment of leisure, a knock sounded on my office door.
“Apologies for disturbing your rest. Someone is here looking for the Lord, so I came to inform you.”
“Someone looking for me?”
“Yes… They said they are from the Meyer family.”
My expression, which had held a very faint smile moments ago while enjoying the leisure of black tea, returned to an emotionless, blank face.
Perhaps sensing the change in me like a ghost, the butler bowed his head and waited for my response.
“Who from the Meyer family did they say it was?”
“I didn’t hear the details, only the name Hans.”
“…! Did they really say Hans?”
Since I rarely showed changes in expression or voice, my slightly surprised look just now made the butler show quite a startled expression himself.
“Yes… Unless I misheard.”
“Show him directly into the office.”
“I shall do so!”
The lord’s answer was clearly affirmative.
His expression also held a hint of welcome.
‘Hans, that sounds like a commoner’s name….’
The butler thought so as he left, and a short while later, the door to my office opened, and a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his late 50s, entered.
Though around 50 was generally considered old age here, Hans before me had quite a youthful face, and his entire body was covered in firm muscles.
“It has been a long time, young master.”
“It has been a long time. You haven’t changed.”
The two of us looked at each other and grinned.
I placed a cup of black tea before him and offered him a seat.
The muscular Hans, seemingly not uncomfortable with me, sat down comfortably and slowly savored the offered black tea.
“What brings you here? For you to come all this way.”
“The family has requested help from the young master.”
“Interesting.”
The Meyer family was a place that had thoroughly treated me as an outsider.
They were the ones who sent me to the East Continent without providing even a common gambeson, only a single set of cloth clothes and one longsword.
But now that my fame had become somewhat known, they sent someone to request help.
“How did you know to find me here?”
“Everywhere one goes in the world, there is talk only of the young master. Until now, we didn't know that Sir Karl, the Knight of the Lighthouse, was from the Meyer family, but thanks to your recent investiture, we were able to ascertain that it was the young master.”
True, I hadn't used the Meyer surname until now, so perhaps that was why.
“You have achieved great deeds. The head of the family will be proud.”
“Do you truly think so?”
Hans merely smiled in response.
Hans, too, knew well that the relationship between me and the Meyer family was not good.
Because he himself had taught me in my childhood.
“Still, the reason I did not turn you away at the door is not because of the Meyer family, but solely out of gratitude towards you, Hans.”
Hans understood well the meaning contained within my monotone voice.
“I am grateful. However, even if it displeases you, I urge you to visit there once.”
“Why is that?”
“The people of the world do not know the affairs between the young master and the Meyer family. If the young master turns his back on them, you will be pointed at as one who abandoned his parents and siblings. If you sever ties after visiting, people might at least assume something happened.”
“I do not care about the eyes of others. I have never lived that way.”
My reply was extremely cold and indifferent.
Hans, too, knew well the treatment I had received, so he couldn't continue speaking further.
“Rest here for a few days. I will not treat you poorly, Hans, you alone.”
Hans bowed his head deeply, and I dismissed him.
The room was still filled with the scent of black tea, but the air was heavy.
“My head hurts.”
Leaning back in the chair, I recalled the past.
[Do not carelessly utter the family name with that mouth!]
[Your use is but one. Participate in the Holy War of the East Continent.]
The reason the Meyer family sent me to the East Continent was for their own reputation.
They didn't want to send their precious eldest or next eldest son to the Holy War everyone else was participating in, and they didn't want to participate themselves, so they intended to send me, the third son, anyway, just to establish the minimum justification and move on.
They probably just hoped I would die on the East Continent, struck by the blind sword of some infidel.
A few days later, I mounted my horse's saddle.
Beside me, Hans was mounted on his horse.