Chapter 9

“Um… So, first off, Radley, right? Is he okay?”

“This guy’s toughness is his selling point. He won’t die.”

Radley, who just moments ago seemed to have Mathilda’s combat boot embedded in his face, was now standing there with a nonchalant expression, saying, “Hey, I’m not dead.”

Although his nose was still bleeding, the fact that it was just a nosebleed indicated how resilient he was.

“I see. That’s good… So, Mathilda?”

“Yes, Lord Noein.”

“Thank you for breaking free and coming to help us. I appreciate it.”

“I used a sharp piece of wood to cut the ropes with my foot. I apologize for being late in assisting you.”

As she replied to Noein, Mathilda’s icy gaze was fixed on Yuri and his group.

“Mathilda, as I said earlier, they are no longer our enemies.”

“Yes, Lord Noein.”

“And I’ve realized they are also victims whose lives were ruined by that awful father of mine.”

“Yes, Lord Noein.”

“Therefore, I intend to welcome them as my subjects.”

“Yes, Lord Noein.”

“Mathilda, are you angry?”

“I could never be angry with you, Lord Noein. However…”

Mathilda hugged Noein protectively, her gaze still piercing Yuri and his group.

“I am concerned for your safety. I still cannot trust them. Although they were unaware of the circumstances, they once tried to kill you, Lord Noein.”

When Yuri stepped forward to speak, Mathilda emitted an aura of imminent attack.

“I understand you don’t trust us. If you need proof of our loyalty, you can cut off one of my fingers or even an ear. Whatever it takes.”

“Then start with a finger.”

“Alright.”

“No, stop! That’s enough.”

Noein hurriedly stopped Yuri, who was about to cut off his finger without hesitation at Mathilda’s command.

“If they intended to harm me, there would be no reason for them to pretend to serve me. They could just attack me right here and now. The fact that they don’t proves they truly want to become my subjects. Isn’t that right?”

“Indeed, you are correct.”

“And with that act, Yuri has shown his loyalty. Mathilda, you saw that too, right? He was seriously going to cut off his own finger.”

“…Yes.”

Mathilda replied reluctantly, her expression clearly indicating her displeasure.

“Yuri, and the other four as well, you are now my subjects. I do not wish for you to harm yourselves. You are to exert your full strength for the Earlkvist territory. Understood?”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

Yuri bowed his head to Noein, followed by his subordinates.

Even Mathilda could see that Yuri no longer harbored any ill intentions towards Noein.

“Should they show even the slightest suspicious behavior, please allow me to eliminate them to protect you, Lord Noein.”

“I understand, Mathilda. Yuri, do you agree?”

“Yes, that’s fine. We will prove our loyalty through our actions.”

Yuri sheathed his knife and stood up.

“Wait a moment, kneel again.”

Puzzled by Noein’s command, Yuri obeyed.

“When you captured me, you insulted Mathilda twice, calling her a ‘doe’. She is very important to me.”

Noein’s eyes, calm but with a hint of malice, fixed on Yuri.

“I understand.”

So that’s how it is.

Apparently, this Mathilda wasn’t just a mere servant or bodyguard, but also a favored companion. It was unusual for a noble to be so attached to a beastman slave.

“You will be punished for that. Two strikes. Brace yourself.”

As Yuri clenched his mouth, Noein kicked him twice with awkward shouts.

Though not particularly strong kicks, being undefended, they hurt enough to make Yuri’s lips bleed.

“Stand up. Mathilda is a beastman and a slave, but don’t ever insult or belittle her again.”

“Understood. I will make sure the others know as well.”

Satisfied, Noein’s malice faded from his face.

Mathilda, on the other hand, gazed at Noein with a faint smile amidst her usual icy demeanor.

Seeing Noein forgive them so easily for their attempt to kill him, yet become angry at Mathilda’s insult, seemed to fulfill something in her.

Watching them, Yuri thought, what a strange master-servant relationship.

…

“There’s really nothing here, huh?”

“That’s what I told you. We’ve only been clearing the forest for a month. It’s just me, Mathilda, and some golems.”

Yuri, looking at Earlkvist territory, remarked, and Noein replied.

Despite being warned repeatedly that there wouldn’t be any buildings yet, seeing it in person made him comment.

Tents, fields, a broad clearing surrounded by stacks of wood—this was far from being called a noble’s domain.

The cleared land emphasized the “nothingness.”

While the tents were high-quality and there were enough funds and magic tools for basic needs, the place was barren.

Yet, despite the daunting task of building a territory from scratch, this young man hadn’t given up.

“I’d like to prepare tents for you too, but it’s late. Tomorrow, we’ll go to Retvik to buy your supplies, so bear with it for tonight.”

“It’s fine. We can sleep outside for a while. Buying tents for us would be a burden.”

Yuri had confirmed Noein’s finances during the attempted theft—they were enough for an individual but insufficient for development.

Tents were expensive, and not a trivial purchase for him.

“Don’t joke. I won’t make my important subjects sleep outdoors.”

Noein laughed, making it seem obvious.

…

That night, they gathered around a campfire for a small welcome party.

Noein shared some alcohol he had saved and served bread and dried meat.

Yuri introduced his group: the thin, sharp-eyed man was Pence, the young, handsome one was Bart, and the beautiful woman was Mai. Radley needed no introduction.

As they expressed their gratitude and greetings, Noein smiled and responded, “I look forward to working with you.”

Yuri noted that despite Noein’s earlier sinister expressions, he could also smile kindly.

“By the way, why were Bart and Mai on separate missions when you attacked?”

“We heard about the ‘Noble of the Forest’ in town and planned to rob you. Those two watched the road to report when you’d return.”

“Report? But how… Oh, ‘telepathy magic’.”

Realizing it, Noein looked surprised, and Yuri grinned.

“Yeah, I have the gift of ‘telepathy magic: long-distance talk’. I can communicate mentally over distances.”

Yuri’s last words echoed both in Noein’s ears and mind.

“I see. That must have been useful as a mercenary… But couldn’t you have served some noble with that ability?”

“Sadly, my power is weak. My ‘long-distance talk’ only reaches about 10 km and works with just one pre-linked person.”

Yuri explained his telepathy required initial face-to-face linking and had limited range, unlike typical telepathy.

“Even so, you can communicate within a few kilometers. That’s a valuable skill for our territory. Thank you.”

“…Sure.”

Yuri initially thought it was just flattery but realized Noein genuinely appreciated his limited skill.

This guy’s nature is hard to read, he thought.

…

Yuri and his group were to sleep by the field, while Noein and Mathilda retreated to their tent.

Once alone, Mathilda hugged Noein tightly, almost painfully.

“Lord Noein…”

“Mathilda, are you crying?”

Feeling her warm tears, Noein asked.

“When you were captured, I feared I’d never see you again. I’m sorry for being so powerless…”

Hearing her trembling voice, Noein gently hugged her back.

“I’m the one who should apologize. It was my lack of vigilance that led to this. I’m glad you’re unharmed. I love you, Mathilda.”

Noein’s voice was softer and more tender than when he spoke to the new subjects, calming Mathilda’s quiet sobs.

“I’ll make sure this never happens again. I’ve turned those who pointed their swords at me into shields. So don’t worry.”

“…Yes.”

Noein continued comforting Mathilda, reassuring her until she calmed down.