Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 30: Lord Jarvis
“Drawing? I was drawing up a design for a machine tool—not some painting for leisure or entertainment. The blacksmiths need to follow these blueprints to build the machine, and it’s crucial for the development of Bianshu Town.”
In order to clear up Clive’s misunderstanding, Owen had to set his quill aside and explain patiently.
“Alright, Marquis, it’s my fault for jumping to conclusions. I was just in a rush and didn’t realize you were handling important matters. I only rushed here because I heard something big.”
No matter what the lord was doing, it wasn’t Clive’s place to question it now. He had more urgent news to deliver.
“The Temple Knights have decided to stay in Dongsheng Fortress and abandon Bianshu Town. You’re aware of this, right? I heard you met with the envoy from Dongsheng.”
“Yes, I’m aware. I did meet with the ambassador.”
“If that’s the case, why are you still so calm? Shouldn’t you be summoning all the nobles and civil officials of Bianshu Town for an emergency meeting?”
Seeing Owen so composed baffled Clive—it was as if this crisis didn’t concern him at all.
“No need. I’ve already decided to stay in Bianshu Town.”
“What?! Even if you’d decided to evacuate, you still sh— wait, what did you just say, Marquis?”
Halfway through his sentence, Clive suddenly froze, his eyes wide like they might pop out.
“I said I’m staying in Bianshuu Town. I will lead everyone in resisting the undead monsters and safely make it through this winter.”
Owen repeated clearly
“You… you’re staying?”
“Yes.”
Owen nodded firmly.
Clive wished he had misheard, but unfortunately, he hadn’t. Remembering how Owen had been calmly drafting blueprints just now, he even began to suspect the young lord had lost his mind.
Why did he have to end up with a lord like this? One who constantly made unpredictable decisions? It was exhausting.
Knowing full well that staying in Bianshu Town was basically a death sentence, Clive decided he had to try and talk Owen out of this reckless plan.
After taking a moment to organize his thoughts, he began.
“Marquis, you absolutely must not—”
“Clive, you don’t need to say anything. I already know what you’re going to say.”
Owen interrupted.
“But I’m confident—we can hold the northern wall.”
“This isn’t something confidence alone can solve!”
Still refusing to give up, Clive continued to plead.
“Marquis, you’ve never personally witnessed the terror of the undead monsters. You may not fully understand how dangerous they are. Without the Temple Knights, the northern wall can’t be defended.”
“You’re right. I haven’t seen them with my own eyes.”
Owen admitted this openly. In previous winters, he had either stayed inside the castle or gone to Dongsheng Fortress. His father had never allowed him near the northern wall.
“But I’ve spoken to people who have. I know well how terrifying they are.”
Perhaps because he’d never experienced it firsthand, Owen had always been curious about the undead. He often asked his father or Mapel about them.
“If you truly understood, you wouldn’t make such a reckless decision.”
Clive clearly didn’t believe him. He assumed—
“The Lord must have heard too many stories about Temple Knights slaying hordes of undead monsters and mistakenly thinks the undead are nothing special.”
“Absurd? I made this decision after careful consideration.”
“Marquis, please reconsider.” Clive pleaded.
“It would be best to summon all the nobles and civil officials of Bianshu Town, listen to their opinions one by one, and then make your final decision.”
“Enough! In the end, you just don’t believe I can defend the northern wall, do you?”
Faced with Clive’s relentless nagging, Owen was growing impatient.
Knock knock!
Just then, a guard knocked and entered the study to report that Viscount Jarvis wished to see Owen.
Owen was a little surprised, but he nodded in approval.
Viscount Jarvis was Mapel’s father and one of Owen’s late father’s most trusted aides.
He normally stayed by the northern wall, managing and training the knights stationed there, and rarely visited the lord’s castle. If he had come in person today, it was likely about the Temple Knights.
A moment later, a middle-aged man in noble attire entered the study—Viscount Jarvis.
His blue hair was slicked back into a pompadour, with a few strands of white at the temples. He wore a black eyepatch over his left eye—an injury from last winter’s undead attack. His face was perpetually stern, his beard added a manly flair, and his physique was impressively strong from years of training.
He stepped beside Clive and gave Owen a chest-salute.
Looking at him with mild surprise, Owen said,
“This is rare, Viscount Jarvis. You’ve actually come to see me.”
“Marquis Eisen, I believe you already know why I’m here.”
Though Owen was close with Mapel, he wasn’t familiar with her father. Jarvis’s stern expression and eyepatch made him look even more intimidating. However, Owen knew he was absolutely loyal to the Eisen family.
At his father’s funeral, Owen had seen him heartbroken and crying like a child—raw, genuine grief that no one could fake. Compared to the hollow performances of other nobles, Jarvis’s mourning was real.
“As for this matter…”
Owen said directly.
“I can tell you clearly: I’ve decided to stay in Bianshu Town.”
“Your reason?”
“You might not believe me if I explain, so I’d rather you witness it for yourself. Two days from now, I’ll be giving a public speech on the open field east of town—and I’ll be demonstrating a powerful weapon. I hope you’ll attend, Viscount.”
“Very well. I’ll be there. I hope this so-called weapon of yours won’t disappoint me.”
Without further comment, Viscount Jarvis turned to leave. But just as he was about to step out—
“Wait, Viscount Jarvis.”
“Yes?”
“To ensure the best effect for the demonstration, I’d like to borrow one of the catapults from the northern wall.”
“No problem.”
Jarvis agreed.
“I’ll have someone deliver one to you shortly.”
“Many thanks.”
After the viscount left the study, Owen turned to Clive.
“Why are you still standing here? Go to the town square and post the speech announcement!”
“But…”
Clive had originally come to persuade Owen to change his mind. If he followed through with this now, wouldn’t that mean his attempt failed?
“I know you still don’t believe me. How about this—if, after my speech and the demonstration in two days, you still think we can’t protect Bianshu Town, you’re free to evacuate to Dongsheng Fortress. I won’t stop or blame you.”
Now that Owen had said that, there was no point in arguing further.
Without thinking too much, Clive simply nodded.
“Yes, I’ll go post the announcement right away.”
“Oh, one more thing! Be sure to write in the notice that everyone who attends the speech will receive a bowl of wheat porridge and a slice of bread afterward.”
To draw a larger crowd, Owen had no choice but to offer this incentive.