A knight from the Marquisate of Bechtelsheim arrived in the Earldom of Earlkvist toward the end of early December.
The knight delivered a message earlier today to Viscount Arnold Keinitz in Retvik, then changed horses and continued riding, arriving at Noeina, the capital of the domain, before evening.
“Sir Noein Earlkvist, I am grateful for an audience despite my sudden arrival.”
“No trouble at all. I appreciate the effort you’ve made to come all this way. Let’s hear the message from Lord Bechtelsheim at once.”
Noein, sitting in the reception room, acknowledged the weary knight, who had delivered messages to two lords in one day. Behind him stood his loyal maid Mathilda, as well as Yuri, his chief retainer, and Pence, his vice-retainer.
“The message from Lord Bechtelsheim is as follows: the northwestern nobility is ordered to prepare for deployment as we face impending war with the Kingdom of Lansel.”
Noein and his companions remained outwardly calm, showing no signs of shock or agitation.
“The first skirmishes are expected shortly after winter’s end. Therefore, we are instructed to prepare weapons, provisions, and troops early, assembling near the southwestern border with Lansel by the end of January, per His Majesty’s command.”
“I see… What about the year-end banquet for the Northwestern Faction?”
“The banquet is to be repurposed into a military council where the allocation of troops from each domain will be discussed. The date remains the same, but we have instructions to attend in military attire rather than formal dress.”
“I understand… Has Lord Bechtelsheim given any guidance on the number of troops we should mobilize?”
“A total of 5,000 troops are to be mobilized from the entire northwest. Normally, a viscountcy would send around ten soldiers, but given your exceptional achievements, Lord Bechtelsheim expects a ‘particularly distinguished contribution’ from you.”
As the knight spoke, Noein sighed inwardly while keeping a calm exterior.
In other words, his reputation for competence now meant he couldn’t simply send a minimal force like other lower-ranking nobles. He would need to show a genuine commitment to the war effort.
“Please convey my promise to meet Lord Bechtelsheim’s expectations… You must be exhausted from the journey. Feel free to use a guest room tonight and return tomorrow once rested.”
“Thank you, I appreciate your hospitality.”
After instructing Mary, a maid, to guide the knight to his quarters, Noein exhaled.
“Sigh… So, it’s really happening—war.”
“We knew it was inevitable, but the reality is unsettling.”
With only close companions around, Yuri and Pence finally relaxed, slumping into the chairs where the knight had sat, while Mathilda seated herself quietly beside Noein.
“A mobilization of 5,000 from the northwest means this is going to be a serious war.”
“Yeah… I guess that’s what it means.”
“Yes, if they’re asking for so many from such a distance, it’s likely that the southwestern nobility’s troops, as well as the royal army and mercenaries, will join. Altogether, the force will likely exceed 20,000.”
Such a large mobilization meant drawing over 1% of the kingdom’s population—a significant undertaking.
“I see. This time, it seems we won’t be able to sit back and avoid the frontlines. And since Lord Bechtelsheim expects ‘distinguished contributions,’ I doubt I’ll be able to take a comfortable rear position either.”
“You don’t need to worry. We’re here to protect you, Lord Noein.”
“Yes, we will guard you with our lives if necessary.”
Noein wasn’t convinced. “It’s not like I’m afraid for my own life. I would never want to lose Mathilda, Yuri, or Pence just to protect me… I know it sounds ridiculous in wartime, but I don’t want any of you—or anyone among our people—lost.”
Seeing Noein’s determined expression, his three companions couldn’t help but feel warmth in their hearts.
“It’ll be fine,” Yuri reassured him. “The royal army and the major nobles’ forces will handle the main fighting. It’s unlikely that lower-ranking nobles from the northwest will be given crucial battlefield roles… That said, it means the upper nobility will claim the honors, but it should be to your advantage, Lord Noein.”
“Besides, Lord Bechtelsheim would not recklessly risk your life. While you may not avoid the frontline, he surely won’t place you in the heart of the fiercest fighting.”
“…I hope so.”
Hearing this reassurance from the former mercenaries Yuri and Pence, Noein’s worried expression softened a little.
…
After the meeting with the envoy and a brief discussion with Noein, Yuri and Pence were about to leave the estate when Rosetta, one of the maids, came rushing toward them.
“Pence! Please… wait!”
It was unusual for the usually gentle Rosetta to show urgency. She even boldly grabbed Pence’s arm as she caught up to him.
“I’ll be heading back,” Yuri said, sensing the moment.
“Huh? What’s going on here?” Pence asked, confused by the unexpected turn of events.
“Rosetta, is something the matter?”
“I… I heard that soldiers will be sent from Earlkvist for the war…”
Apparently, news had already reached the maids, likely thanks to Mary, who had led the knight to his room.
“Yes, that’s true. Nobles from the northwest are preparing troops for deployment, and Lord Noein will be sending forces.”
“Does… does that mean you’ll be going to war too?”
“As the vice-retainer, it’s my duty. So yes, I’ll be going.”
Hearing his answer, Rosetta’s eyes filled with tears.
“W-why are you crying?”
“Because… I love you, Pence! And the thought of you going off to war worries me terribly!”
Rosetta’s sudden confession left Pence wide-eyed.
“W-what?! You love… me? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am! And how have you not realized it by now?”
Rosetta’s voice was raised in exasperation, as she had been subtly signaling her feelings with the help of others for quite some time, yet Pence had failed to notice.
“No, but… you and I… there’s quite an age difference between us.”
“Yuri-san and Mai-san, and Edgar-san and Anna-san have a pretty big age gap too!”
“Well, I guess… but for me, it’s…”
“Am I no good? Do I not have any charm as a girl?”
Rosetta looked directly at him, making Pence flinch.
Pence’s preference was for women around his own age. By that standard, Rosetta still felt a bit lacking. To put it bluntly, she seemed a little childish.
“…Wouldn’t it be better for you to be with someone closer to your age, someone younger than a guy like me pushing 30? For your own sake, too.”
“…”
Rosetta fell silent at Pence’s words.
“Hey, Rosetta?”
“You’re such an idiot, Pence!”
Worried, Pence reached out to place his hand on Rosetta’s shoulder. But she brushed him off, shouting as she ran down the hallway of the mansion.
“Ahh, you really did it now, Pence!”
“Looks like you just wasted Rosetta’s resolve.”
“Whoa!?”
Pence, still watching Rosetta run off, was startled by an unexpected voice from slightly behind him.
Turning around, he saw Rosetta’s coworkers, Mary and Kimberly.
“How long have you two been listening!?”
“From the very beginning!”
Mary replied confidently to Pence’s question.
“Pence, the way you said that was practically like denying all of Rosetta’s feelings. Do you dislike her? Do you not find her cute?”
“No… it’s not that I dislike her, and she’s cute, even if she’s not exactly my ideal type of a mature woman.”
After thinking it over, Pence answered Kimberly’s question.
“Then you should accept her feelings and just marry her already.”
“Huh? That’s ridiculous.”
“Think about it carefully, Pence. Do you think you’ll find a woman better than Rosetta from now on? You’re almost 30, already past your prime, and you’ll keep getting older. Your strength will decline, and eventually, you’ll retire from the front lines as a warrior. Your appeal will keep fading. Just how many women will want to marry you then?”
Listening to Kimberly’s relentless reasoning, Pence swallowed nervously.
“Are you planning to grow old and die alone, feeling your body fail you? Right now, you can change that fate. Rosetta, a young and devoted woman, wants to support you and bear your children. Do you think there will ever be an offer as joyful as this?”
“All right, all right. I get what you’re saying, so hold on a minute.”
Pence put a pause on Kimberly’s relentless push.
“I heard you’ll be deployed before the end of winter. I think you should give it some serious thought by then. Well then.”
“Do your best before Rosetta changes her mind!”
Watching the two maids chase after Rosetta, Pence could only stare in astonishment.
