Chapter 94: Tiring Conversation (Patreon)

"Problem?" Vestra shook his head at that. "What problem could I possibly have?"

As he spoke, he picked up the wine and a glass from beside him.

"Ah, Luluo, though, really doesn't understand these things. She only took the post a year ago, and one short year isn't enough to learn much. Her predecessor died in a blizzard. The Church announced in the end that he froze to death from improper protection, but the truth, hmm..."

He filled the glass halfway and raised it to his lips, a rueful look crossing his face.

"Honestly, though, asking a beautiful young lady to put on a ferocious expression and a gloomy air is a bit much."

With that, he drained the glass in one swallow.

Pandora fell silent for a moment. "In your eyes, sir, are they all like that?"

It was plain that the lord bore her no ill will. If anything, he had just pointed out the slip in her act.

Vestra only laughed.

"Aren't they? Come to think of it, picturing Hertz wandering around in that state, it's oddly funny."

"Then why aren't you in that category, sir?"

"Ugh, what a pain. Scheming this, plotting that, fighting over this, fighting over that. Don't you get tired? Besides, unlike those fellows, I haven't taken part in anything contemptible, and I don't keep those bloodthirsty types on a leash."

The bloodthirsty types. He meant the hunters who slaughtered people on orders, for no reason at all...

"After all, this place isn't far from where the Church sits, with only the City of the Snowy Plain in between. So nobody dares cause trouble here. I only have to keep an eye on the unstable factors that might turn up."

So really, it was because he held a geographical advantage and had a solid foundation that he could get away with "only posting a few watchers."

But the City of the Snowy Plain... she'd never heard of such a place.

"Of course, it's not as nice here as you'd imagine. I'm sure you saw on the way in that there's hardly anyone on the streets."

"Indeed..."

"That's just how it is now. Anyone who goes out in the dead of night has surely strayed somewhere along the road of life and wants to meet the Pope ahead of schedule."

Pandora raised an eyebrow. "If someone's seeking death, is there a difference between day and night?"

Vestra sighed and set the glass down on the table.

"Of course there is. During the day, those people's safety is still somewhat guaranteed, but at night..."

He stopped abruptly.

"Ah, I forgot to mention. Nobody's allowed outside at night here."

"..."

A curfew, then, and rules besides... So that was why they'd been picked out the moment they showed up.

"Well then, once you've rested here, you'll cross the City of the Snowy Plain and reach the Holy Capital..." He broke off suddenly, his gaze drifting with interest toward Louliana, who had just let out a breath of relief. "Was what I said too sharp, I wonder, or does the young lady's little maid just need more seasoning?"

At that, Pandora turned her head. Louliana's shoulders were trembling slightly. Pandora sighed and stroked her back.

"She only became a maid recently. Before that, she was just a simple child."

"...I'm sorry!"

Having just relaxed, Louliana heard that and promptly bent at the waist in a deep bow, her head nearly knocking against the table.

Seeing this, Pandora immediately helped her back up.

"Looking at it that way, Miss Pandora..." Vestra nodded, a smile rising on his face. "You and I are quite alike."

In how they treated their so-called "subordinates."

That left Pandora puzzled.

"It's nothing. Just a personal observation. I'm a man without much ambition. I'd be perfectly happy to keep on being a lord like this." As he spoke, Vestra leaned back in his chair and gazed calmly at the empty glass on the table. "Though I'll admit I'd quite like to experience life among the people of Kararagi..."

"Kararagi..."

That bustling city-nation, was it?

"Yes. I thought I'd never get the chance in this lifetime, but it seems..." His eyes shifted to Pandora. "Miss Pandora, I trust you'll bring me a pleasant surprise."

Pandora met his gaze evenly.

"Perhaps."

She knew full well that this wouldn't be easy. The Holy King was chosen directly by the [Spirit Beast], yet the final decision still rested in human hands. And whether the [Spirit Beast] would object... she didn't know. At least for now, she didn't.

[Author's Note: Asking for flowers...]

Of course, the immediate problem was getting through the matter of the Church, which was coming soon...

"Perhaps, huh..." Vestra's smile faded, and he sighed ruefully. "Fine. After all, I've grown used to my current life."

In other words, if she succeeded, he'd benefit; if she failed, he wouldn't care. Either way, he had nothing to lose.

"But what does the lady plan to do about Luluo?"

Vestra smiled as he watched the girl across the room.

"You should know that she and I go back a ways. With the state of the Holy Kingdom these days, someone like her is a rare treasure."

True. That much was easy to see...

"As for your name, it's a small matter, but knowing it and not telling her... that would be a sort of injustice, wouldn't it?"

...

"..."

Talking to clever people really is exhausting.

"It was a misunderstanding, but I'll explain it to her myself when the chance comes."

After all, Luluo was an indispensable link. And as Vestra had said, her character was reliable. Out in the world, every dependable connection meant one more opportunity.

"Splendid."

Hearing Pandora's reply, Vestra nodded in satisfaction, wearing the smug look of a petty man who'd gotten his way.

Pandora couldn't help but marvel at it.

A style that changeable, huh... I could never learn it.

Vestra nodded as he watched Pandora's rueful face.

"All right, if that's how it is, then I've nothing more to add. A man shouldn't talk too much, after all. Right?"

"..."

So who was it that had talked on and on just now?

"I wonder if dinner was up to standard. If I've been a poor host, please do forgive me."

"Not at all. Thank you."

Honestly. The conversation hadn't been long, yet she still found it a bit taxing, especially with someone as mercurial as Vestra. Her own skills still had room to improve...

"Shall we? I'll show you two to where you'll rest tonight."

With that, he rose to his feet.

Pandora didn't stand on ceremony.

"Mm. Sorry for the trouble, sir."