#13. Recruiting Talent (4)
2023.08.13.
Amy stared at the Baron and Baroness as if they were village idiots, but unbeknownst to her, they rubbed their hands together and did their utmost to make a favorable impression on Noah.
“As Your Highness knows, operating an estate requires a great deal of funds. But few places have sufficient means. That is why….”
The moment the Baron began to speak with a harmless smile, Amy cut him off.
“That is correct. The suffering of a destitute estate is so miserable it is difficult to express in words.”
“Excuse me? Ah, y-yes….”
The Baron stared at Amy, who had suddenly interjected, bewildered. Regardless, Amy continued.
“As the Baron knows, His Highness must now govern an estate as well. It does not feel like someone else’s problem.”
Whether they inwardly thought Amy was a madwoman or not, the words coming from her mouth were welcome. The Baron and Baroness’s faces brightened.
“Th-that’s right. So what I was saying is….”
But once again, the end of the Baron’s sentence was cut off by Amy.
“Look, Your Highness. Is the Baron and Baroness’s loyalty not tear-jerking?”
When Amy made a show of dabbing at tears with her sleeve, the Baron and Baroness were bewildered, unable to understand what she meant. How could nonexistent loyalty be tear-jerking?
Noah readily affirmed.
“I see.”
“They prepared this occasion knowing we were heading north as if driven out. We had been distressed from being turned away at every door we visited; truly, their hearts are admirable.”
“…….”
The color drained from the Baron and Baroness’s faces. Turned away at every door? They reconsidered, from a new perspective, the reason the Grand Duke’s party had journeyed quietly without receiving hospitality from other territories.
‘For example, perhaps they were banished after falling out of favor with the Emperor and are destitute….’
Wait, hadn’t they tried to scrape off a wart only to end up with it latching on instead?
The moment their hearts chilled with dread, Amy drove the nail in.
“We cannot ignore such sincerity, so how about borrowing a loan from them for the impoverished North? Since this estate is also struggling, not too much—just one million gold? Their loyalty is so commendable that they would surely lend it willingly. As for interest and principal, you need only repay it twofold once the North is developed, and that will be that. Isn’t that right, Baron?”
The Baron and Baroness’s mouths fell agape. That the North would develop after—well, it was established academic theory that such a thing wouldn’t happen until the Empire fell. While they stood there dumbfounded, Noah clicked his tongue and casually threw in his support.
“Head maid, are you disregarding the Baron’s dignity? I think ten million gold would be better.”
“T-ten million gold!”
The Baron and Baroness’s faces turned ashen in an instant.
Noah and Amy passed through the entrance hall and came out of the manor. Noah glanced back.
“Is it okay to leave like this?”
“Yes, well….”
Amy shrugged. They had just finished speaking to the panic-stricken Baron and Baroness, telling them they would send someone with the formal contract upon arriving at the Grand Duchy.
‘They’ll live in constant anxiety, not knowing when someone from the North will arrive.’
They had absolutely no intention of actually borrowing a loan, but they couldn’t care less whether the couple lived trembling in fear.
As they were leaving the manor, Noah suddenly stopped walking. Amy, who had frozen in place beside him, looked around wondering what was the matter, and met eyes with a boy.
“Uh….”
A boy who appeared to be about Noah’s age held a wooden bucket of milk or goat’s milk and a honey jar in both hands, staring at Amy and Noah, and the mercenaries standing behind them. His eyes sparkled brightly for some reason, and his face was flushed.
“…….”
As though he felt nothing particularly stirring, Noah soon averted his eyes from the boy and began walking again. Amy followed behind him.
After passing through the mansion’s main gate and walking down the road for some time, they entered the village, where they saw a large man standing in front of a shabby farmhouse cottage, peering toward the manor. It was Vernon.
“Ah!”
Vernon quickly straightened his posture and blinked like a cow, gazing at Noah. Amy strode up to him, stood before him, and lifted her chin as she spoke.
“Greet His Highness formally.”
“……!”
Vernon, whose attention had been fixed on Noah, started in surprise at those words, then quickly placed his fist to his chest and bent at the waist.
“I greet the Second Prince. I am….”
He suddenly closed his mouth and hesitated. Wondering why he was doing so, Noah tilted his head, and the man stammered.
“I am Vernon Kazel… former Commander of the Imperial Palace Royal Guard….”
“!”
Noah’s and the mercenaries’ eyes widened. The mercenaries in particular seemed to recognize him. Noah, who had only heard whispers of the Guard Commander, looked at Amy with a gaze asking if she had known. Amy gave a short nod and spoke to Vernon.
“Commander Vernon, so have you made up your mind?”
“…….”
As he hesitated as though wavering, Amy smiled leisurely.
“Whether you go or not is your freedom. Speak comfortably.”
A confidence that he absolutely could not refuse seeped from her tone.
“Uh, I….”
He rubbed the back of his head with his thick hand as though troubled. At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind him. Turning their heads, they saw three heads poking over a stone wall, rapidly approaching them.
The mercenaries tensed and gripped the swords at their waists. Soon after, three men revealed themselves and lined up neatly beside Vernon.
“Huh?”
A man with short blond hair stared at Amy and Noah with wide eyes.
A man with short black hair looked in turn at Vernon, Noah, and Amy, then wordlessly furrowed his brow. Finally, a brown-haired man looked at Noah, his mouth falling agape, before quickly shutting it again.
“Vernon? Are you really leaving this place?”
The blond man glanced at Noah and sent various hand signals to Vernon, as if asking what was going on. Vernon ran his hand down his dry face and let out a sigh. Then, in a resigned voice, he introduced them to Noah and Amy.
“These are Dwayne, Jack, and Bradley, who farm in this village.”
Then he glared at them.
“What are you doing? Hurry and greet His Highness.”
At those words, the blond man’s mouth fell open.
“Wow, he’s really high up…!!”
In that instant, the black-haired man smacked the back of the blond man’s head hard. A loud crack rang out, but the blond man didn’t even blink an eye, as if it didn’t hurt. Amy watched the scene with displeasure.
‘What incredible resilience. Does farming do that to you?’
The black-haired and brown-haired men stood straight with disciplined movements, then politely bowed to Noah.
“I am Jack Hauer.”
“I am Bradley Kirby.”
The blond hurriedly greeted a beat late.
“I am Dwayne Jones.”
Noah silently gave a slight nod. Amy observed them carefully before turning her gaze back to Vernon.
“Are they coming too?”
Vernon shook his head with a serious expression.
“No.”
At that, the three men’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
“Vernon!”
“Wow, you’re going without us? This is betrayal!”
Dwayne’s face turned red as if it would burst, but Vernon didn’t even look at them and spoke firmly.
“I am sorry, but I must decline that position.”
In an instant, the surroundings went quiet.
‘This wasn’t in my expectations.’
Feeling the plan she had laid out shaking from the very foundation, Amy bit her lip. Unaccustomed to such matters, she was not merely dumbfounded but even felt dizzy.
‘Commander Vernon is the only one who can protect the Grand Duke’s castle. I have to find some way to change his mind.’
Trustworthy people capable of being entrusted with safety and security were not common. Her heart growing impatient, Amy quickly calculated conditions that might persuade him.
However, it seemed Amy was not the only one thinking such thoughts, as Dwayne, Jack, and Bradley surrounded Vernon and launched into a heated debate.
“Why on earth? How come? For what reason? Huh?”
“Is this not clearly a great opportunity? I cannot understand why you would make such a decision.”
“Please make us understand.”
It was an interrogation that revealed each of their personalities. Amy closed her mouth and folded her arms. It seemed that if things went well, it might be resolved without her stepping in.
‘Yes, think it over again. Let’s settle this nicely.’
Cheering the three on inwardly, she glanced to the side and was inwardly surprised. Noah was staring intently at them, his gaze different from usual.
‘Interest? Or is it curiosity?’
Amy was curious. What on earth had captured the attention of a taciturn adolescent boy who was indifferent to everything?
Then Vernon suddenly roared.
“How did you know and come all the way here?”
The blond Dwayne snorted through his nose.
“Didn’t Viola come at dawn? Saying she had something urgent to tell you.”
At those words, Vernon made an exasperated expression.
“Don’t tell me you eavesdropped?”
“…….”
Jack and Bradley averted their gazes, coughing as if embarrassed. But Dwayne puffed out his chest and replied proudly.
“It wasn’t eavesdropping! We eavesdropped with dignity!”
“…Proud of you.”
Vernon shook his head as if speechless. But only for a moment; his face grew serious again as he spoke to Noah and Amy.
“I have changed. Not only because of my injuries, but I am now completely a farmer. Even if you take me, you will have no use for me.”
“Don’t say that and think again….”
Amy took a step forward. But Vernon raised his hand with a resolute expression, stopping her.
“My mind will not change.”
“…….”
Feeling frustrated, Amy chewed on her lips. Then a clear voice was heard from behind.
“You must go!”
Everyone’s gazes turned to the back. A slender boy stood there.