“Then… I would like you to introduce me to the noble faction in the northwest region of this kingdom and allow me to join their circle. I would like to ask for your assistance as an intermediary.”
“I see…”
Hearing Noein’s request, Arnold murmured thoughtfully.
In each region of the kingdom, factions formed by influential nobles exist, and there is one such faction in the northwest as well. By joining this faction, one can establish relationships of military and economic cooperation.
For a newly risen noble to join such a faction, it is common to first demonstrate a noteworthy achievement and then be introduced by a noble who is already a member of the faction.
Noein had already achieved the significant feat of defeating a band of thieves. Now, all he needed was someone to introduce him, and it seemed he wanted Arnold to take on that role.
“As you know, my territory is still small in both population and economic scale, and if a crisis like the recent one were to strike again… I believe it would be wise to join a large faction to secure peace and stability.”
For a lord of a small domain like Noein, joining a noble faction meant gaining a strong backing.
Moreover, if Arnold were to be in the same faction, he wouldn’t be able to repeat the recent act of diverting bandits toward Earlkvist’s territory. Such actions would be considered a grave betrayal, and ultimately, it would put Arnold himself in a dangerous position.
“I understand your position. If it pleases you, I will gladly introduce you to the northwest faction.”
Arnold agreed to Noein’s request. For Arnold, who held a reasonable standing as a major noble in the northwest, introducing Noein to the faction was no great hassle. And if it meant this would settle the matter, it was a small price to pay.
“Thank you very much. I sincerely appreciate your kindness… May I ask for another favor?”
“W-What is it?”
Just as Arnold was starting to relax, Noein raised another matter, causing him to hastily refocus.
“It’s about the crossbow I showed you earlier. I believe it is a groundbreaking weapon, and I wish to spread it beyond my territory. I would like you, Lord Keinitz, to be the first among the nobles to purchase it.”
“You’re selling it? Such a powerful weapon, without keeping it secret?”
Arnold’s eyes widened at Noein’s proposal.
He had seen the crossbow earlier and understood its potential. He had been thinking of ways to acquire it, but now Noein was offering to sell it to him outright.
“Yes. While the concept is innovative, the mechanism is something many could understand at a glance. Sooner or later, it will be known throughout the world, and people will start imitating it. Before that happens, I want to spread the technology among allies—namely, the northwest faction that I will be joining.”
Hearing Noein’s reasoning, Arnold fell silent.
A weapon of this caliber was far more than just a token for joining a noble faction. Bringing it in would ensure that Noein would be enthusiastically welcomed by the faction’s nobles.
Moreover, if the crossbow were to be distributed before other factions, the power of the northwest faction would grow significantly, securing Noein’s position within it.
For Noein, there was more benefit in presenting the crossbow as his own achievement than in unnecessarily keeping it a secret, especially since its technology would spread eventually.
And for Arnold, having the chance to acquire the crossbow before other nobles was an offer he could hardly refuse.
“Furthermore, if this weapon becomes widespread, even if a band of thieves arises like before, the various noble territories will be able to handle them more easily. Since I also have lands to protect, I would be glad to contribute to improved security.”
Though Noein said this with a smile, pretending to be a benevolent soul, his real message to Arnold was likely, “I’m giving you this powerful weapon, so next time, deal with the bandits yourself.”
After a brief moment of thought, Arnold sighed and said, “Fine, I’ll buy it. How much?”
“Thank you. Since this involves disclosing the technology, I was thinking of selling each unit for 50,000 Leblo.”
Though Noein’s asking price was exceptionally high for a weapon, considering the ability to acquire and analyze the crossbow’s structure, reproduce it within his own domain, and drastically improve military strength, it was a worthwhile investment.
“Very well. I’ll take five for now.”
“Understood. I will have them delivered from my domain within a few days.”
Arnold, realizing he was unlikely to win against Noein in this negotiation, felt himself giving up on trying to outmaneuver him.
In this exchange, Viscount Arnold Keinitz became certain—Noein is an exceptionally talented young man. He is not someone who would be satisfied as a mere lord of a small territory.
Noein would continue to achieve success, expand his network, and advance, not only impacting his own domain but also influencing the surrounding regions and society as a whole.
Arnold considered himself a capable lord, but only by the ordinary standards of “maintaining the peace of the lands inherited from his predecessors.” In the end, he could never match someone as exceptional as Noein.
The best thing he could do now, as someone who had recognized Noein’s talents early on, was to continue being his amicable neighbor. That would be the wisest choice for the Keinitz Viscount family.
“Oh, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask of you.”
“Is there still more?”
Arnold’s face tightened, but Noein quickly reassured him.
“No, it’s nothing major… I would just like you to improve the road that connects the capital of my domain, Noeina, and Retvik. The Arkvist territory has already completed their portion, but the road through your viscountcy is still going straight through the middle of the plains.”
“Oh, is that all… I see. I’ll send some workers from my side to finish the road.”
“Thank you.”
If constructing the road to the Arkvist territory was enough to please Noein, then it was a small price to pay. Arnold agreed without hesitation.
…
With Arnold agreeing to all of Noein’s demands, the tense conversation finally came to an end. Initially radiating an almost murderous aura, Noein, along with his guards Mathilda and Bart, now exuded their usual calm demeanor.
Relieved, Arnold shifted the conversation to the specifics of introducing Noein to the northwestern aristocratic faction.
“A banquet, you say?”
“Yes, it’s held once a year under the guise of reaffirming the bonds of the northwestern faction. In reality, it’s more of a gathering where we exchange information and report on recent events. Every noble in the faction attends, making it the perfect place to introduce Lord Arkvist.”
“I see, that makes sense. So, when will this banquet be held?”
“It’s usually in mid-December.”
Noein was slightly surprised by Arnold’s response. By mid-December, it would already be deep winter.
“That seems like a difficult time to travel.”
“For commoners, maybe. But for prominent nobles of the northwestern faction, it’s no issue. Most of them own luxury carriages equipped with magical heating devices. In fact, winter is the most convenient time, as most lords have fewer commitments and can adjust their schedules accordingly.”
Hosting the banquet in winter, when schedules are more flexible, and traveling in heated, luxurious carriages—a lavish expense from a commoner’s perspective—was merely a necessary cost for the nobility, whose networks and information sometimes determined the fate of their lands.
And on top of that, it seemed that any impoverished noble unable to afford a heated carriage wouldn’t even qualify to join the faction.
“I understand the situation. However, I must admit, I don’t own a carriage suitable for nobility.”
Noein said with a somewhat troubled expression.
As a newly titled noble, having only governed a single village for two years, Noein did not yet possess a carriage befitting a nobleman.
It was now mid-October. Whether the Arkvist family could have a proper, expensive carriage made in time for public appearances in two months was questionable.
“There’s no need to worry about that. I’ll sell you one of our carriages at a reasonable price. With a few modifications and a fresh coat of paint, it should be more than serviceable.”
“Is that really okay?”
Noein was surprised by Arnold’s unexpected offer.
“Of course. We have two carriages suitable for a noble family, but to be honest, we only need one. The previous generation is no longer around, and most of my children have left the house.”
The Keinitz Viscount family had six children—two sons and four daughters. However, the eldest son, the heir, was currently gaining experience as a soldier in the royal capital, and the second son had taken a bureaucratic post in another noble’s territory. The daughters had all married, except for the youngest.
Additionally, the former head of the family, Arnold’s parents, had already passed away.
What was once a large family had dwindled, and now, the second carriage had become unnecessary.
“Besides, by the time my son takes over, the current carriages will likely need to be replaced anyway. So, the second one is truly redundant. Please, take it without hesitation.”
“…Thank you. In that case, I will gladly accept your generous offer.”
Grateful for Arnold’s unexpected kindness, Noein expressed his thanks.
“Do you have enough horses to pull the carriage?”
“Yes. After our battle with the bandits, we acquired several horses as spoils of war.”
According to custom, anything owned by defeated bandits, whether equipment or money, became the property of those who defeated them. This was meant to incentivize nobles and mercenaries to actively hunt bandits.
As a result, Noein had gained not only the equipment and valuables from the bandits but also four out of the six horses that survived the battle unscathed, along with the money earned from selling the captured bandits as slaves.
“Then there’s no problem. I’ll have the carriage ready for you to take back today. I’ll send you the details about the banquet later.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“Think nothing of it. It’s the least I can do.”
Noein, who had arrived at the Keinitz Viscount’s residence under a tense atmosphere, departed with a smile, shaking Arnold’s hand before leaving.
