Chapter 129 : Chapter 129

Chapter 129: Theodore

My mood was strange.

We had just left Ludglen, the border region of Conwell.

“Hah! Brother, what’s this? Feeling reluctant now that you’re leaving?”

I was gazing back at the receding Ludglen area, turning only my head.

Bolero grinned.

Lately, he’d taken to using that nickname on his own accord.

My feelings must’ve shown on my face.

Thinking about it, I’ve softened a lot since coming here.

“Reluctant, huh.”

I yanked the reins harder than necessary.

A massive sunset hung on the horizon, bathing the plains before us in a reddish glow.

We pressed forward, as if being drawn into it.

Not long after, I couldn’t help but turn my head again.

…

Conwell.

Just a brief farewell for now.

* * *

Our first destination was Theodore.

Theodore sat at the crossroads connecting Conwell in the Kingdom’s east to the central regions.

“It’s less than half the size of Conwell, but it holds considerable influence, dominating four smaller surrounding domains.”

Bolero said this while poking at the firewood with a stick.

As obvious as it sounds, there were no villages between Conwell and Theodore.

We’d been camping in fields and forests for days.

“Dominating?”

I echoed.

The word sounded unfamiliar.

“It means acting as the regional hegemon. If you trace back the lineage, many of these domains are tied by family connections, so outright destruction or purges are awkward. Plus, with the Imperial Capital’s oversight, annexing territories outright isn’t easy. So, they secure dominance through vassal relationships.”

I’d heard this before. Theodore frequently saw skirmishes, big and small, with neighboring domains.

Come to think of it, when I secretly approached Declan to resolve Godin’s issue, he was quite composed, as if assassination attempts were routine. I’d worried he’d panic like a greenhorn, but he held up.

It made sense, though.

Growing up as an heir in such a harsh environment would do that.

“It’s not just Theodore. As I mentioned before, the Kingdom’s in a turbulent time. Factional conflicts and territorial disputes are endless.”

Conwell was a rare peaceful domain in the Kingdom.

Even so, it hadn’t escaped the turmoil of the civil war.

“Historically, Conwell and Theodore have maintained a strong alliance. Their geography makes mutual support inevitable. For Conwell, Theodore acts as a gatekeeper, and for Theodore, it means less worry about its rear.”

Seizing the moment, Bolero’s chatter didn’t stop.

He seemed ready to spill every bit of knowledge in his head.

“I know they’re close. Just look at the recent civil war.”

“Exactly. That’s why Theodore is the perfect first flock for us to guide.”

A low, eerie chuckle came from him.

Across the campfire, a wicked smile spread over Bolero’s shadowed face.

…

No need to argue over this.

On the route to the Imperial Capital, we’d pass through over ten domains.

Bolero’s goal was clear: secure promises from more than half of their lords to establish Solari branches.

His justification was solid.

With full backing from Conwell’s new lord and a record of devoted service in the civil war, he could hold his head high anywhere.

“The days of being turned away at the gate are over.”

Bolero’s clenched fist trembled slightly.

His gaze turned to me, and the corner of his mouth curled up.

“When the Sword Fiend Bihen Benkou is tied to our sect, who wouldn’t take notice, heh heh.”

I hesitated on how to respond but settled for a casual laugh.

…Thanks, Bolero.

Solari would serve as a useful link in building Adeline’s coalition with the lords we’d meet.

And that’s not all.

This excellent guide would willingly take on the messy aftermath of my pursuit of the Eight

Demons’ traces.

Well, if that’s the case.

Letting my name be used a bit is a fair trade, isn’t it?

Jewel would be clapping through tears at this brilliant deal.

·

·

·

Rustle.

My eyelids snapped open.

I let my pupils adjust to the darkness, then glanced sideways.

…

Bolero’s booming snores, an owl’s hoot in the distance, the crackle of embers, the rustle of grass in the wind.

Amid it all, an unnatural noise mixed in.

So bold.

I sat up quietly.

Our bald, adorable priest was dozing off instead of keeping watch.

Well, he’s in his growth spurt, so I’ll let it slide.

Six of them. Pretty diligent for the dead of night.

My gaze was already fixed on the shadowed bushes and trees ahead, somewhere in the darkness.

They were all huddled together, not even bothering to hide their presence.

How should I deal with these flies?

I set myself a challenge: drive them off quietly without waking our sleeping little brother.

Heavenly Demon, Blood Lion, Zahara Toxeed.

…Ridiculous.

To think the problem would be not having a sword suited for swatting bugs.

I looked around for something to use as a club but gave up. A weapon would make too much noise.

Swish.

I stood silently.

I could feel the rats hiding in the shadows flinch.

They must’ve noticed I turned away, and their guard relaxed.

Good.

The shock is doubled when they’re caught off guard.

Taking care not to make a sound, I employed my Movement Techniques.

Whoosh—

My vision spun briefly before settling back in place.

Behind them.

All six were crouched in a row, peeking through the bushes at our campsite.

I approached with light steps, blending naturally into their ranks.

…

…

They were swallowing hard, oblivious to my presence.

The problem was, up close, they were all about the same age as our little brother.

“This is a bit tricky.”

Only then did the one on the left whip his head around, promptly rolling his eyes back and fainting.

“H-Huh…”

“Shh.”

Real fear makes you silent, just like these kids now.

I repeatedly warned the trembling ones to stay quiet, giving them time to calm down.

In the meantime, I studied their appearance…

They were definitely small, with youthful faces, and the only weapons they had were small daggers at their waists, still sheathed.

“Feeling better now?”

A few innocently nodded.

I gestured for them to gather, checked that my companion was still asleep, and led them a good distance away.

We stopped where the sound of a babbling stream could be heard.

Turning around, I saw the kids, looking like defeated soldiers, lining up in a row.

“How old are you?”

“E-Eleven… sir.”

Hm, Kingdom ages are counted a year or two older than in the Empire…

“…Still just kids.”

“S-Sorry!”

“Shh, quiet. I didn’t even say anything, yet you’re apologizing like you’re guilty. So you were planning something bad, huh?”

Excluding the fainted kid being carried, the other four glared at the one who’d apologized.

…Cute little brats.

“We weren’t going to hurt anyone! W-We were just checking if there was anything worth taking…”

My eyes narrowed as I studied the face of the one who answered.

I wasn’t mistaken.

“…What’s with your left eye?”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, he fumbled, touching the eyepatch over his eye before stammering.

“W-Well, I had a fever when I was young, and since I didn’t get treated in time, it… ended up like this…”

…

In my past life, I wasn’t thieving at this age, but still, as a fellow one-eyed person, a sense of pity and camaraderie crept up.

“…Alright, where are you from? Theodore?”

“L-Labotas, sir.”

I quickly recalled the name from Bolero’s earlier talk.

Labotas, Aldain, Wayes, Thyssen.

One of the four domains under Theodore’s control.

“You came pretty far, didn’t you?”

“There are so many travelers coming from Conwell right now… because of the festival.”

A busy season, huh.

Ha.

I was pondering how to deal with them when I noticed my hand was already holding a small bundle I’d taken from my waist.

Whoosh.

I tossed it to the one-eyed kid.

No point overthinking—there’s no clever solution, and it’ll just give me a headache.

“Take it and get lost.”

“You’re really giving this to us…?”

“No chance, but don’t let me see you again.”

“Th-Thank you! Thank you, sir!”

That should be enough for them to get a decent meal each.

As I passed by them, my steps suddenly halted.

…

I almost turned back to look but stopped myself.

No need to let my heart soften.

* * *

After the night’s commotion, by the time the sun was high in the sky, Theodore’s tall gate came into view.

Bolero shaded his eyes with his hand and said,

“It’s been a while, Theodore.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Of course. Speaking of which, do you need some time for sightseeing?”

“We’re not here to play. Let’s not waste time.”

“Good.”

The gate inspection went smoothly, thanks to the identification plaques Adeline had personally prepared for us.

They weren’t noble titles but were equivalent, valid anywhere in the Kingdom.

“Most importantly, with His Grace’s seal, we can request an audience with the lord immediately.”

It’s the same in the Empire.

Unless a high-ranking noble visits in person, outsiders typically wait days to meet a local lord.

That’s why external merchants line up for negotiations.

We went straight to Theodore’s manor and submitted a request for an audience.

“…What? Wait? Can’t you see this is the seal of Conwell’s lord? A ducal seal grants priority audience rights anywhere except the Imperial Capital!”

Bolero spat as he shouted, but the young attendant didn’t flinch, only shrugging indifferently.

“Maybe elsewhere, but in Theodore, anything below the King’s seal is the same.”

“But—”

“Still, since you’re from Conwell, it won’t take long. There’s a reception room for external guests in the mansion, so wait there.”

I asked, “You said you’ve been here.”

“I never said I met the lord.”

As expected, each domain in the Kingdom had its own quirks.

At times like this, I missed the Empire’s simple, uniform system.

With no choice, we did some sightseeing in Theodore, and by evening, we returned to the reception room.

Soon, the same attendant came to fetch us.

“The lord will see you now.”

Bolero muttered under his breath.

“What, it’s practically evening… Doesn’t the lord ever clock out?”

“It took a bit to prepare properly.”

We followed the attendant across the corridor.

The marble floor gleamed so brightly it felt daunting to step on.

The attendant stopped at a large double door at the corridor’s end.

Knock, knock.

After a light knock, he pushed both doors open with both hands, and I immediately understood what he meant by “prepare.”

A long table was set with silver candelabras and a lavish dinner, the air thick with the scent of fine spices.

“Come in. You must be the guests from Conwell.”

The voice came from the opposite side.

The speaker approached with vigorous steps, followed by a line of attendants.

…She’s just like Linda.

They say daughters take after their fathers.

“We greet the Lord of Theodore.”

Bolero and I bowed simultaneously.

By now, I was getting used to the Kingdom’s etiquette.

“S-Sir Bihen…!?”

A chill ran down my spine.

I snapped my head up, and our eyes met.

Declan and Linda were staring at me, mouths agape.

…Wait, why are you two already here?

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