Kays Translations

Chapter 70: Count Bruno Kalenberg

The day after enjoying a tour of magic tool shops with Annemarie, it was finally the day to meet Count Bruno Kalenberg.

In the morning, they completed the final check of the souvenirs, a magic stove, improved refrigerators and insulating stones. In the afternoon, they headed to the Count’s mansion.

According to Selfers, the meeting would likely be in two stages. The public apology for the recent monster incident would involve the count himself and probably the head of the administrative department. Starting with a formal setting, it would include Viscount and his wife, Isamu who is treated as a noble, and one escort knight.

After a general discussion, they would move on to negotiations to obtain entry qualifications to the limited area in place of compensation. The latter half of the meeting would be more business-oriented, as they would negotiate while presenting actual products. Silvio from the Zambrotta Company, Eto, who made magic tools, and Willem, now an exclusive relic miner and artifact hunter, would also be part of the discussion.

Despite the relatively large group, they headed to the count’s residence in two carriages. After about five minutes of traveling, a mansion surrounded by iron-reinforced walls, similar to the city's outer walls, came into view. The gate, heavily made of iron, added to the robustness.

After exchanging brief greetings with the guards, they passed through the gate. Inside, there was an impressive front yard with water routes, including a central pond that seemed to flow into the waterways.

"Such a splendid garden."

Observing the scenery from the carriage window, Isamu, holding a large wicker basket, couldn't help but sigh.

"As luxurious as ever. The water in that pond is maintained using multiple spring water magic tools."

Selfers, who answered, was also sighing.

Due to the excellent veins of iron ore in this area, the well water is tainted with iron, giving it a reddish-brown color. While it is suitable for industrial water used in iron-processing factories, it is not suitable for drinking or agriculture. The scarcity of vegetation in the area is said to be related to this.

The garden of the count’s mansion also avoids using the reddish-brown water from the well and, instead, uses magically created water. Watching the gently flowing water from the pond, Isamu sighed again, appreciating the luxurious use of magic tools.

After passing through this luxurious front yard, they reached the carriage stop at the mansion. The mansion, while reinforced with iron in some places, had an overall white-based design. In Belcoure, where many buildings were made of slightly reddish stone and iron, it stood out with its appearance.

"We've been waiting for you, Viscount Klaufeldt. Thank you for coming all this way."

A dignified elderly gentleman who seemed to be the steward welcomed them with a respectful bow.

"Thank you for welcoming us. I brought items from our workshop to explain their usage, and I also wanted to see this splendid garden. Could we have a place to wait during the meeting with the count? I plan to have the meeting with the count, my wife, and Matsmoto, the wanderer, present."

Selfers said this while looking toward the back of the carriage he had disembarked from.

The steward, who glanced in that direction, responded with a friendly smile. 

"Yes, we have been informed in advance, and there is no problem, of course. If you wish for a guided tour of the garden, please feel free to ask the maids."

"Thank you."

"Then, please follow me."

Led by the steward, who bowed again, they were guided to the waiting room.

"I'll be back soon as the master is coming. Please relax here for a moment."

Saying so, the steward left the waiting room. Isamu, still holding the large wicker basket, looked around.

The room was splendid, with a size that seemed to be about 20 tatami mats. The furnishings were luxurious, and unless told otherwise, one might mistake it for the reception room.

In the center, a table was set, and a maid had prepared tea for the number of people present.

Without saying anything, Isamu took a seat and enjoyed the freshly brewed tea.

"Well, it has a pleasant aroma. And it's very refreshing."

Isamu expressed his thoughts while savoring the scent.

"We are honored to receive praise from the wanderer. We are using only the tea leaves picked this year, as you noticed, and they indeed have a characteristic freshness."

The maid, who had brewed the tea, explained this to Isamu with a smile after a moment of surprise.

"I see, it's the first flush. In my world, tea was consumed, but the first flush was considered a luxury. Is it also a rare item here due to its limited quantity?"

Isamu, being from a tea-producing region, asked out of curiosity.

"Yes, that's right. Comparing it to the second flush and later, it is undoubtedly a rare tea."

"I see... Thank you for the precious tea. Thanks to it, I was able to enjoy it very much."

"No, if you are satisfied, we are pleased."

As they chatted about tea, the door of the waiting room was knocked on.

"Shortly, the master will come, so let me guide you to the reception room."

"Understood. Thank you. Now, Nico, shall we go?"

Following the steward's guidance, Selfers escorted Nicolette to the adjacent reception room. Isamu also entrusted the basket to Annemarie's side and followed, entering the reception room.

Seated on a sofa in the reception room, even more luxurious than the waiting room, they waited. Soon after, the door to the reception room was knocked.

"Please come in."

Selfers stood up to respond.

"Excuse me."

With these words, Count Bruno Kalenberg entered with his striking long blue hair, accompanied by the guard and the steward from earlier.

"Lord and lady Klaufeldt, and the wanderer Matsmoto-dono, was it? Thank you for coming all this way. Please, have a seat."

The count greeted, looking at the members present, and gestured toward the sofa.

"I appreciate your long-standing support, Lord Kalenberg. During the Rite of the wanderer, my daughter was under your care."

Selfers, while bowing, took a seat on the sofa.

"Kalenberg-san, nice to see you again. You seem to be in good health."

Isamu, who was not a complete stranger to him, also gave a nod while making a safe greeting.

After making sure everyone, except for the guard, was seated, Bruno spoke.

"Firstly, I must apologize to all of you. The blunder committed by my subordinate, Duran Baradale, is also my mistake as his close superior. I sincerely apologize for causing significant trouble to your territory."

Saying this, he slowly lowered his head.

"Please raise your head, Your Excellency. Your apology has indeed been received by Viscount Klaufeldt of the Klaufeldt family. Fortunately, our territory survived without any serious human damage, so there is no problem"

Selfers, without showing much emotion, accepted Bruno's apology.

"I appreciate your kind words. Honestly, when I heard about Duran's actions, it sent a chill down my spine. The fact that your territory suffered no major disaster was likely due to Lord Klaufeldt and the excellent soldiers of your house. I've also heard that the soldiers of your house were exceptionally strong from Lord Jansen."

Bruno slowly raised his head, praising the Klaufeldt family's handling of the situation. Up to this point, it seemed like a well-rehearsed exchange of pleasantries and social niceties.

"Your words are too much; thank you. I'll let the soldiers know. I'm sure they'll be pleased. Also, in the defense of the capital this time, Matsmoto-dono's contribution was significant."

As Selfers spoke, he glanced at Isamu while responding to Bruno.

"Oh, Matsmoto-dono, was it..."

Bruno's eyebrows twitched slightly at Selfers' words.

"Yes. The punitive force we sent out from the capital usually only encounters regular ogres, but this time, the capital was attacked by Mage Ogres..."

"Mage Ogres, you say?"

Bruno's expression changed at the unexpected name of the magical creatures.

"Yes. My wife and Matsmoto-dono, leading a magic unit, successfully repelled them. Well, when I heard the story later, I broke out in a cold sweat."

Selfers continued with a wry smile.

"Really... Lord Klaufeldt, it wasn’t your wife’s skills? No, I'm sure your wife was called the ``Witch of the Forest''.."

"It’s an old story, Kalenberg-sama. it was not me who put an end to it but Matsmoto-dono."

Nicolette, who had joined the conversation, spoke with a smile, covering her mouth with a fan.

"Hmm... if that's the case, Matsmoto-dono's skills must be excellent...?"

Bruno, who hadn't directed much attention toward Isamu until now, looked at him with keen interest.

"Yes, I believe he is very talented. Matsmoto-dono's magic inspection magic debugger is an ability that allows him to use magic more efficiently than us. He learns quickly, uses minimal magic power, and has no preferences or dislikes. The conclusion we reached is that 'seeing magic' is what it means. In fact, even though he arrived here just three months ago, he defeated the Mage Ogres."

Selfers expressed his opinion seriously to Bruno while glancing at Isamu.

"I see... truly, a wanderer. Lord Klaufeldt, you've encountered a fortunate individual."

"Yes, if it weren't for Matsmoto-dono this time, the capital might have been in great disaster. Although I think Viscount Felker, who kindly gave us Matsmoto-dono, surpasses even him in this regard."

"...Lord Felker is the best magician in this country. It's not a fair comparison."

"That's true."

Selfers nodded lightly in response to Bruno's words. This concluded the discussion about the events in the Klaufeldt territory.

"Now, let's move on to the compensation discussion regarding this incident. Is that acceptable to everyone?" 

Bruno checked with the group.

"Yes, that's acceptable," 

Selfers nodded in agreement.

"In regards to this incident, I propose that the Kalenberg family pays a compensation of 2 million ruins to the Klaufeldt family. Of course, in addition to that, we promise to cover all the repair costs for the damage to houses and such caused by the monster attack. How does that sound?" 

Bruno presented the conditions without changing his expression.

200 million ruins is roughly equivalent to about 2 billion yen. As compensation for a case where there were no casualties, it's about twice the usual amount. Normally, this offer would be readily accepted. Bruno must have expected that.

However...

"Thank you for the generous compensation. However, our house does not seek monetary compensation," 

Selfers stated, clearly refusing.

"What?" 

Bruno's gaze intensified at the unexpected response.

"Then, what kind of compensation do you desire?" 

he asked Selfers in a low voice.

"...We would like our house to be granted access to the restricted area." 

Selfers straightforwardly expressed his request.

"What did you say!?" 

Bruno's tone became harsh again at the unexpected answer.

"Of course, it's only for the current generation. Are you familiar with our house's exclusive artifact hunter, Willem?"

"You mean Willem? The collector of artifacts. He often enters ruins, doesn't he?" 

Bruno responded to Selfers' question with a question, his brows furrowing.

"Yes, that Willem. He's very enthusiastic about exploring the restricted area. He's a collector of magic circles and an expert in relic excavation. If you want to advance the exploration of the restricted area, there's no one more suitable. However, if you have no intention of actively exploring the restricted area, that's a different story."

"...," 

Bruno fell into silence for a moment at Selfers' response.

"Oh, right... I have another proposal. It's about a joint development of magic tools."

"What? Joint development of magic tools?!" 

Bruno's voice became even louder at the unexpected topic.

"Yes, it's a new type of refrigerator."

"What did you say!?" 

Finally, Count Kalenberg, rose from the sofa in astonishment.

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