Chapter 81: Imperial Capital Edelmarion (9)

    [Nelloa Esquente’s POV]

    Another day was already coming to an end.

    What had I even done today? The past few days felt like a complete blur.

    Every day was the same, blending into one another, making it impossible to keep track of anything. It must be this wretched air of the capital—there was no other explanation.

    I shook my head, brushing away my scattered thoughts.

    Only then did my mind piece together the day’s events.

    Right. Today, too, I had been networking with the nobles of the capital and securing various business deals through the merchant guilds.

    I had to offer incredibly generous terms.

    Just in case I ever got caught up in some unfortunate incident or things went south, I needed to ensure that they’d feel the pinch in their wallets.

    Compared to Count Eloran, my efforts were still nothing more than a drizzle. But even a drizzle, when persistent, could soak through before one even realized it. That was the nature of this game.

    That was the true power of the nobility.

    A tangled web of interests, impossible to fully comprehend.

    Blood ties, regional connections, and even the most trivial things all intertwined to form their collective identity.

    In essence, they weren’t all that different from the monopolistic merchant guilds, which were notorious for keeping outsiders at bay.

    The only real distinction was that nobles tended to be more arrogant about it.

    I let out a dry chuckle.

    Was this what I had wanted to be a part of when I was younger?

    No, I needed to change the mood before I got too sentimental.

    Nothing was more pathetic than someone like me sitting around moping.

    Just then, I spotted Sir Malon nearby.

    Stretching my arms with exaggerated movements, I spoke up.

    “Well then, another day survived. Let’s head back, Sir Malon. You must be exhausted listening to all these pointless conversations.”

    “The true exhaustion is yours, Baron. What has this old man done, really?”

    “I dragged you away from the comfort of your estate, didn’t I? That alone calls for additional compensation. Of course, you know that I, Nelloa Esquente, never skimp on fair rewards.”

    “Haha. I’m simply honored that you trust this old man. I may be aging, but I am still a knight. I merely fulfilled my duty.”

    Sir Malon chuckled warmly.

    Somehow, that simple laughter had a way of easing my heart.

    Yes, I truly loved my domain—my people.

    They were so precious to me, more than I knew what to do with.

    Even now, wasn’t that the case?

    Sir Malon could have enjoyed a peaceful retirement in my barony, yet he followed me here without hesitation.

    There was something between us that went beyond mere profit—something that could only be called loyalty.

    And I cherished those who carried that loyalty in their hearts.

    A bond without warmth is nothing more than a transaction.

    To strip away emotions and see relationships purely in terms of gains and losses—what difference is there between that and being a mere tool?

    Even beasts, incapable of speech, still possess emotions.

    And yet, humans, with all their supposed intelligence, seem to care for nothing but accumulating shiny rocks.

    Well, not that I’m any different when it comes to hoarding gold.

    But priorities matter. I only collect wealth because it’s necessary.

    After all, protecting my people and maintaining my territory doesn’t come for free.

    Despite seeming strict at first glance, the Saintess knew how to be considerate.

    Her meticulous contracts weren’t about nitpicking—they were her way of ensuring that neither side owed the other anything.

    She even accounted for details I hadn’t thought of, shielding me from potential pitfalls.

    It was a kind of warmth that no greedy noble could ever offer.

    Perhaps this was her own way of showing affection.

    And as for me, Nelloa Esquente, a petty man by all accounts, I took joy in seeing my people rise.

    When I encountered someone ahead of me, my first instinct wasn’t ambition, but admiration.

    The idea that I could serve as a stepping stone for greatness—that alone was enough to set my heart racing.

    I might not be worthy to stand beside them, but I could follow behind.

    And that was more than enough for me.

    ****

    “Come to think of it, Sir Malon, Sophia has grown so much since I last saw her. Since we’re already in the capital, shouldn’t you bring her back a gift? Feelings deepen when they’re reaffirmed, and gifts happen to be the easiest way to do that.”

    “I’ve been thinking the same, but I have no idea what to get her. I want to bring back something she’ll truly love.”

    “You should’ve consulted me! You don’t need to go overboard with something expensive or extravagant. The best gifts are small but practical—things she’ll use often.”

    That way, she’d always be reminded of you.

    Just like the necklace I never take off.

    “Still, since we’re already here in the capital, a bracelet or a brooch would be a safe choice. If you’d like, I can help you pick something out before we return to the estate.”

    “I’d be grateful for that.”

    “No need to thank me. This is something I genuinely enjoy.”

    Sophia was like a granddaughter to Sir Malon.

    They weren’t related by blood, but to them, that didn’t matter in the slightest.

    Sir Malon smiled warmly, deep in thought.

    Was this what a parent’s dilemma looked like?

    That gentle, devoted love—this was precisely the kind of thing I wanted to protect.

    ***

    But that peace was on the verge of shattering.

    The carriage, which had been moving along smoothly, suddenly came to a jarring halt.

    A commotion broke out among the guards who had accompanied us from the estate.

    A wave of unease washed over me.

    There wasn’t a single unfamiliar face here—every person present was someone I knew and trusted.

    “What’s going on?”

    “I’ll check the situation. Please wait here.”

    “...Alright.”

    Sir Malon returned moments later—his voice urgent.

    In his hand was a gleaming sword, drawn and ready.

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    “Baron! It’s an ambush! Our current forces won’t be enough to hold them off. You must flee, now!”

    My head burned hot.

    My jaw clenched so tightly that my teeth ground together.

    Damn it.

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