Chapter 588 – Meeting with the Count
That evening, when they returned to their inn in Swen, a messenger from Count Swen, the lord of the territory, was waiting for them.
Tauro had already wondered about the splendid carriage parked outside the inn. As he approached the entrance, an adventurer who recognized him stepped outside with the messenger and called out.
“That’s Lord Tauro.”
The adventurer identified Tauro for the messenger, received a few silver coins, and left. Apparently, the messenger had needed someone who could recognize Tauro on sight.
“You’re Honorary Viscount Giro Sugar, I presume? And these are your companions? I’m a messenger of Count Swen, lord of this territory. I apologize for the sudden request, but His Excellency would like you to come to his residence. Would you kindly accompany me?”
Despite the sudden summons, the messenger spoke with surprising deference.
“…We were just about to have dinner. Could we come another time?”
Hungry and caught off guard, Tauro and his companions tried to decline.
“That’s perfect timing. His Excellency would like to dine with you. There’s no need to change your clothes, so please come with me!”
The messenger practically ushered Tauro into the carriage.
Naturally, Aeris intended to go wherever Tauro was going, so she climbed in as well.
Ragune, Ankh, Zion, and Seth—the boy-shaped autonomous-thinking puppet—followed in a second carriage, and the group was taken to Count Swen’s residence.
Count Swen’s residence was an imposing manor surrounded by castle walls, fitting for a count whose territory lay along the border.
Marquis Van Dyne’s castle, Aeris’s family home, was more magnificent, but comparing the two would hardly have been fair.
Swen lay in the northern region near the border with the Northern Empire, so its lord had clearly prioritized sturdy fortifications over lavish decoration.
The carriages passed through the heavy gates and entered the manor grounds.
When they stopped in front of the main building, servants were lined up to welcome them.
“Quite a reception, huh?”
Tauro remarked to Aeris.
“We’re dining with the lord himself. A proper welcome is only natural.”
Aeris answered as she stepped down from the carriage.
Ragune and the others also got out of the second carriage.
Tauro followed last and looked up at the manor.
He had experienced enough noble receptions by now that the sight no longer surprised him.
The messenger was privately impressed by how composed the party remained, but said nothing and simply guided them inside.
Tauro and the others were shown to the dining room, where the lord was waiting.
Count Swen was there alone.
“Honorary Viscount Giro Sugar and companions, welcome. I’m pleased to have the chance to dine with you tonight.”
Count Swen greeted them in a relaxed tone, dispensing with excessive formality.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
Tauro responded politely and introduced himself first.
He then briefly introduced Aeris and the others.
He didn’t mention that Aeris was Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter, but he did introduce her as an Honorary Mage of the Kingdom.
Tauro introduced Ragune, Ankh, and Zion in turn, then finally Seth.
“This is Seth, an autonomous-thinking puppet I created. He doesn’t eat, so there’s no need to prepare anything for him.”
Count Swen had assumed Seth was human, and his eyes immediately sharpened with interest as he watched the puppet’s smooth, lifelike movements.
“Can you make more than one of these puppets? I would like one myself.”
The count sounded genuinely impressed.
“Creating another Seth would be difficult. I also possess [Puppeteer], so even if I could make another one, I don’t think someone else would be able to operate it properly.”
Tauro declined as politely as he could.
In truth, another Seth would require valuable materials, and Tauro had no reason to consume a Rock-series core simply to satisfy the count’s request.
“…I see. That’s unfortunate. Ah, forgive me. Let’s eat first and talk afterward.”
Count Swen instructed the servants to serve the meal.
After dinner and dessert, Count Swen returned to the subject of what had happened at the investigation expedition’s camp.
Tauro and his companions hadn’t witnessed every part of the expedition’s struggle, so they explained only that they had happened to be nearby, gone to assist, and fought alongside the expedition to drive the enemy back.
Tauro deliberately left out many important details.
“…I see. So the investigation expedition held out inside the fortifications it had built against monsters until you arrived?”
“Yes. We attacked from behind and threw the enemy into confusion, which gave us the chance to confront their commanders directly.”
Tauro described the party’s contribution as modestly as possible.
This wasn’t simple humility. He was trying to avoid future trouble.
Tauro’s [Puppeteer] ability and his command of the Rock-series puppets were tremendous assets to the kingdom, but the same power could easily be viewed as a threat.
After all, those puppets had helped devastate a force of roughly five thousand monsters and soldiers connected to the Northern Empire.
“I see. Would you demonstrate your abilities in the garden? I hear you’re an exceptional archer.”
Count Swen made the suggestion casually, though the garden had clearly been prepared in advance.
At the edge of the dark garden, humanoid targets had been set up and illuminated by magic-tool lanterns.
Because of the aftereffects of his earlier experiment, Tauro still couldn’t use light-attribute magic. He therefore relied on [Divine Archer] and easily struck every prepared target.
“…I heard you could fire arrows of light?”
The count sounded somewhat disappointed.
“I’m afraid I can’t use light magic at the moment because of certain circumstances. I should be able to demonstrate it another time.”
Tauro answered.
“…Not now? That’s unfortunate. Very well, then. Let’s stop here for tonight. Perhaps you can show me another time after the investigation expedition returns tomorrow.”
Count Swen agreed, though Tauro suspected that some of the count’s interest had faded.
The reports Count Swen had received must have raised his expectations considerably.
Tauro thought that was probably for the best.
The count might have been considering recruiting Tauro or otherwise keeping him close.
Being regarded as too dangerous would have been troublesome. With rumors already turning Black-Gold Wings into heroes throughout Swen, Tauro left Count Swen’s residence hoping that the nobles’ interest in them would cool rather than grow.