Chapter 266: The Hero’s Mask

“What is this, I wonder…?”

Claudia muttered as she looked up at the mansion. Though i said “looked up,” it was merely a slight tilt of her head.

This was supposed to be Baron Leonard Kruger’s mansion. For a nobleman’s residence, it was surprisingly old and small, and modest to a fault. A slightly affluent merchant would likely live in a better house.

Before coming here, Claudia had looked into the reputation of the Kruger Barony. Leonard’s house, as a hired lord without his own territory, had to pay tribute and surprisingly had a decent tax rate.

Without resorting to dishonest practices like complicated tax systems or double dipping, he was fair. Not being asked to pay more later seemed more comfortable to live in than other territories.

The answer to why this was possible was right in front of her. Leonard hardly spent any money on himself.

He didn’t care to make the house bigger or cleaner. He didn’t mind if the walls were cracked or if there were drafts. He had no intention of collecting and displaying artwork. His house was one that even jewelers would pass by without a glance.

He would probably deny being like a monk in training. It wasn’t that he forced himself to live frugally; it was because he truly didn’t want anything. When asked by the king what reward he desired, he replied with a sword, perhaps his only luxury in his lifetime.

From Claudia’s perspective, she found him far more likeable than the fools who pretended to be nobles by borrowing money to flaunt their status. However, there had to be limits to it.

One couldn’t entertain guests in this mansion. Leonard didn’t prioritize connections between nobles. It wasn’t that he didn’t do it because he forced himself; it was because he had no interest. Being somewhat isolated in noble society, even though he was celebrated as a hero, was partly his own doing.

The peasants held a favorable opinion of Leonard, but it was only as a good lord; they didn’t necessarily like him as a person. In fact, when they heard of Leonard’s death, their concern was more about how their lives would change rather than sadness.

While Leonard was said to be kind to his subjects, in reality, he was merely uninterested in oppressing them. As a result of his pursuit of rationality, a fair and livable society was established, which was a rare and unique pattern.

“Hey, what are you spacing out for?”

Claudia, who remained motionless while looking up at the two-story mansion, was called out to by Keith, the guide, with a hint of irritation in his voice. It seemed not uncommon for first-time visitors to look bewildered and say, “What is this place?” And it appeared that it particularly bothered Keith.

“Oh, sorry about that. It’s just… your lord seems to be quite considerate of his subjects.”

“Hmph…”

While Keith didn’t seem entirely satisfied with that answer, he seemed to let it go for now. It was a good thing Gerhaldt wasn’t here. He would probably say something like, “It’s a splendid doghouse, isn’t it?” That scene was easy to imagine.

“Let’s go. Victor-sama’s introduction has already been given, and an appointment has been made.”

Keith stood in front of the entrance, with Lutz and Claudia following suit. When he knocked on the door, an elderly butler immediately appeared. After exchanging a few words with Keith as if they were acquainted, he promptly guided them inside the mansion. The need for guidance hinted at the mansion’s size, but it was polite not to mention it.

“Karin-sama, your guests have arrived.”

“Let them in.”

A young woman’s voice came from behind the thin door. The butler opened the door, bowed, and then quietly left.

Inside, a girl with a dignified face sat at a sturdy desk, seeking durability rather than elegance, and was writing on parchment with a brush.

Karin Kruger, seventeen years old. She was Leonard’s younger sister by several years.

When Keith had informed them of Leonard’s family composition beforehand, Lutz had said, “Their parents must have tried hard,” and was scolded for saying something too graphic.

Karin glanced briefly at the parchment spread out beside her before speaking.

“Thank you for coming. Lutz the blacksmith and Claudia the merchant, you’re welcome. Keith seems to be in good health as well.”

“Yes, Karin-sama is no different.”

“Nothing changed, huh? That would be a problem. With my brother gone, I need to be dependable.” 

“Oh, no, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Just kidding. Don’t take everything so seriously.” 

Karin replied with a faint smile.

With just that exchange, Claudia understood their relationship dynamics and hierarchy clearly.

“Let’s get down to business. You said you needed my brother’s broken sword… “

Karin picked up the parchment and fluttered it slightly. It seemed to be Victor’s letter of introduction.

“Yes, I would like to request the return of the broken sword to the villagers through Karin-sama.”

“I don’t care.”

“Huh?”

Keith was a member of the Thirteenth Order of Knights. He was also Leonard’s adjutant. Keith had expected Karin to ally with them unconditionally, but her unexpected answer seemed to catch him off guard.

“Um, when you say ‘I don’t care’…?”

“I mean it literally. Give the broken sword to the people. No matter how famous or precious a sword may be, once it’s broken, it’s just scrap metal. If they want to keep such a thing as a charm, let them.”

“But, if we…”

Ignoring Keith, who opened and closed his mouth like a fish gasping for air, Karin turned to Lutz and the others.

“That’s the way it is. You guys should give up too.”

“But you see, if we use your brother’s sword as material, we can create an even more splendid sword. Don’t you want to see that? Why not make it a treasure of the Kruger family?”

After all the trouble they had gone through to get here, it was unbearable to be dismissed with a single word of “no.” Lutz tried to persist, but Karin shook her head sadly.

“Please, stop imposing your ideals on my brother.”

The mask of the dignified noble daughter was peeled away. What stood there was a girl grieving the death of her brother.

“He was no hero. He never wanted to be one…”

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