Chapter 3-1 : Invitation From The Southern Land (part 2)
「Please forgive me for having kept you waiting. Welcome to my home, Raykard-sama.」(Elvent)
「Oh, Marquis Kushaq!」(Raykard)
I followed Father into the drawing room.
The guest stood up from the sofa and greeted us with a smile as soon as Father welcomed him.
He had a classy outfit that fit him as a high-ranked noble and had a quite athletic, muscular body.
If he weren’t wearing that expensive-looking coat, I bet he would look more like an adventurer than a noble. After all, he had a similar vibe to Izack. However, unlike Izack, this person behaved much more elegantly.
「It’s been a long time, Raykard-sama. The last time we met was at the party held in the royal capital.」(Elvent)
「Oh? I’m surprised you still remember that. I have totally forgotten.」(Raykard)
「It’s not weird that you have forgotten. You were still very young at that time. I remember you because Lord Balvin didn’t stop bragging about you, saying you were his proud son.」(Elvent)
「Haha, I see. Though my father has always been strict with me and said I was not good at anything other than swordsmanship.」(Raykard)
After saying that humbly, he shifted his gaze toward me.
「By the way, Marquis Kushaq, would you introduce this lovely young lady?」(Raykard)
「Ah, of course. This is my adopted daughter, Kako.」(Elvent)
「It’s an honor to meet you, Raykard-sama. My name is Kako Mayama Kushaq.」(Kako)
I pinched the hem of my dress, crossed my legs, and bent my knees slightly as I lowered my head, doing the curtsy gesture Mother taught me.
I remember I had a hard time doing this gesture elegantly at first, but I have mastered it now.
「It’s nice to meet you, Lady Kako. I’m Raykard Elt Balvin, the good-for-nothing second son of Duke Balvin.」(Raykard)
He put his hand on his chest and slightly bowed his head as he introduced himself.
He said good-for-nothing, but I’m sure he was just trying to be humble.
「Fufu. You don’t look like you said at all. On the contrary, you look refined and well-trained. I can understand why Father said that Duke Balvin was proud of you.」(Kako)
Unlike me, who’s trying to act like a noble lady, his behavior and gestures looked so natural. As expected of a noble by birth.
「No, no. I’m nothing compared to your beauty. You are as charming as the Goddess.」(Raykard)
He’s a friendly guy, but I think he’s complimenting me too much.
No, maybe he just said what he really thought? After all, I have the same face as the Goddess of this world.
「You are flattering me, but thank you for your compliment.」(Kako)
「Hahaha! Kako is indeed the prettiest girl in this city! No, in this region! No, in this kingdom!!」(Elvent)
Oh, Father, please!
「Haha, I can’t disagree with that.」(Raykard)
「I knew you would have the same thoughts! Anyway, please have a seat.」(Elvent)
He nodded to Father and sat back on his seat while Father and I sat opposite him on the other sofa across the table.
Soon after, the maids, who were standing by, poured us tea.
「So, Raykard-sama, what brings you here today?」(Elvent)
「Oh, that’s right! Lady Kako is so adorable that I forgot my purpose for coming here, but first, let me apologize for coming without notice. I hope I’m not disturbing you.」(Raykard)
「No, of course not. It’s true that I was surprised you came here, but I will always have time for Duke Balvin and his family.」(Elvent)
Does he really mean it? I heard him complaining, saying that he wanted to stay with us on the balcony, though.
「But, still, I’m sorry for my sudden visit. The thing is, I came to this city alone without my attendant.」(Raykard)
「You came without your attendant!?」(Elvent)
Father was surprised.
Apparently, it’s rare for nobles, especially the high-ranked ones, to leave their home without attendants.
「Yes. That’s why I wasn’t able to send someone to notify you that I would come to your house.」(Raykard)
「I see. I don’t really mind, so please don’t worry about it. I can understand that, but… You have been staying in this city for a while, haven’t you? Why didn’t I hear anything about your arrival?」(Elvent)
As the lord of this city, it was strange that Father had no idea that someone of royal blood like Raykard-sama had come to his city. Normally, the guards would inform him immediately.
「Well, since I originally didn’t have any official business here, I thought I didn’t have to tell your gatekeepers who I was when I entered. I’m currently traveling, and I just happened to stop by this city.」(Raykard)
「I see. Pardon me, my lord, but the next time you come, please let me know so I can prepare to welcome you.」(Elvent)
「Haha, I don’t want to trouble you, but I’ll keep that in mind.」(Raykard)
「Thank you. By the way, how have you been while staying in this city? Do you like it here?」(Elvent)
「I do like it here. Your city is prosperous and has happy citizens. This is one of the greatest cities I’ve ever visited on this continent. I expect nothing less from you, Marquis Kushaq. You really did a great job governing your region.」(Raykard)
「I’m glad to hear it.」(Elvent)
「I didn’t regret my decision to stop by this city at all. After all, thanks to that, I had the opportunity to come across that amazing magic sword!」(Raykard)
I glanced at him while sipping my tea when I heard him mention a magic sword.
He must be talking about the Quicksand Magic Sword I put up for auction.
「It was truly a wonderful sword! Not only was it beautiful, but it was also powerful! I was impressed by its performance when it was demonstrated. As a swordsman, I thought I had to get it no matter how much I would pay for it. I was lucky to have won the bid for it at the auction, but…」(Raykard)
He talked vigorously about the sword, but then he suddenly sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
「Unfortunately, it was stolen before I could even touch it.」(Raykard)
The Keemariq Bandits did that. They sneaked into the auction and stole the sword.
It was unexpected. What happened at the auction that day wasn’t a part of Father’s plan, but thanks to those bandits’ reckless decision of stealing that sword, we were able to lure Oglan out.
「So I’ve heard. I should apologize to you for that. The auction was held here in my city, but…」(Elvent)
「No, you don’t have to. In the end, you managed to capture those bandits, right? As expected from a capable man like you, Marquis Kushaq.」(Raykard)
「Haha, it wasn’t my power alone. Actually, an adventurer party called The Wings of Steel helped me. Their leader, a high-ranked adventurer called Izack, was a big help to us. He was the one who captured the bandit leader.」(Elvent)
Father was trying to hide it, but I noticed his awkward smile. It seemed that he didn’t really want to praise Izack. However, he had to say good things about him so that his plan to make him a noble would go smoothly.
「Ah, I think I’ve heard about them. I see, so they’re the heroes. Anyway, you managed to retrieve that magic sword, didn’t you? And I heard that it belonged to Lady Kako.」(Raykard)
「That’s why you wanted to talk with her.」(Elvent)
「Exactly.」(Raykard)
After replying to Father, Raykard-sama shifted his gaze to me and politely lowered his head.
I think I know where this is going…
「Lady Kako, would you please sell me that sword once again?」(Raykard)
「Umm…」(Kako)
I knew it…
We’re currently keeping my Quicksand Magic Sword safe in this mansion as a family heirloom.
I glanced at Father next to me to see his reaction. He lowered the edge of his mouth slightly while looking at our guest.
Raykard-sama might not notice it, but as expected, he didn’t look happy at all.
Aa-ahh… What should I do…?
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Sell it, make more magical sword for family heirloom. Time to tell them a truth lol
I could only imagine how protective of her they would get if they knew the full extent of her abilities…
Not sure how much they would want to make use of said abilities, if nothing else seeing them as a risk of getting undesirable attention.