19 – Episode 19: Brilda
＜Episode 19: Brilda＞
Frontier Mansion, 3rd floor.
Brilda glanced at the letter.
“You bought an additional 1,500 slaves?”
“Yes.”
“And you expanded the territory using those slaves?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Brylda glanced briefly at the pile of letters.
They were filled with congratulatory messages from various regions.
Since Hyun Frontier rose to power, the territory had only been shrinking.
But this time, they had expanded the territory.
Even if it was in the southern coastal area.
“Elwin’s power is growing. His reputation is also increasing.”
“It’s not yet a stage to worry about.”
Flutter.
Brylda threw the letter.
The letter flew through the sky and hit Anna’s shoulder.
“Do you speak such nonsense?”
“I apologize. But you should look at the situation calmly.”
Brylda suppressed her anger.
Her personal maid, Anna.
She was a clever child.
There was worth in hearing her out.
“Speak.”
“Elwin has 2,000 slaves. However, the number of adult males is less than this because they were purchased as family units. The exact number is…”
A total of 500 households.
One person per household.
500 slave soldiers.
“There are many. 500 is a lot.”
“As I mentioned before, the morale of the slave soldiers is very low. Also,”
“Also?”
“How much stronger do you think they would become if we trained ordinary people?”
“That’s true. I see.”
Brilda leaned back in her chair.
The reason Elwin was able to achieve results was because it was the southern coastal region.
As you go south, the monsters become weaker on Monster Island.
From Noble mtl dot com
That’s why they were able to expand with slave soldiers.
“Even just dealing with Black Orcs as slave soldiers would be difficult. We would definitely be defeated by Black Trolls or Ogres.”
500 slave soldiers.
Although the number is large, a few skilled knights would be enough to crush them.
Brilda felt much more at ease.
“But we can’t just leave it like this, right?”
“What about this method?”
Anna bowed her head.
And then, Brilda whispered into Elwin’s ear.
Only after the story was over did Anna return to her original position.
“Hmm… Will that be enough? Elwin’s personality has changed a lot, hasn’t it?”
If it were the old Elwin, it would have been a perfectly feasible plan.
But ever since the incident where he almost died at the hands of the Black Orc, it had become difficult to handle him.
“It’s okay to fail. As long as our honor isn’t compromised.”
A smile appeared on Brilda’s face.
**
**
Serever.
As people started to settle, the town began to take shape.
All the gaps in the wooden walls were sealed.
In addition, surveillance towers were built around the cultivated fields.
From the day they settled here, they had been constantly fighting monsters.
In the beginning, the 200 soldiers sent by Alencia were a great help.
Once the surveillance towers were completed, they were able to defend themselves well enough, even with slaves.
When everything was flowing smoothly,
A letter arrived from the frontier mansion.
“A celebration for the recovery of the territory?”
The recovery of Serever was no small matter.
It was an expansion of the Frontier Territory, which had been dedicated solely to defense.
“The problem isn’t the celebration itself.”
What was odd was the fact that the organizer was Brilda.
Brilda is undoubtedly an enemy.
But why throw a celebration party for me?
Below the letter, additional information was written.
It urged attendance, stating that all the young lords of Ireland were invited.
If the young lords gather, one can’t simply not go.
A noble party is not just a place for revelry.
It is the essence of diplomatic relations between territories.
Especially, if the young lords are present, the significance of the event becomes even greater.
“I have to go to the Frontier Mansion. Hurry and get ready. Time is running out.”
“Understood.”
I lowered my gaze to double-check the date and location.
**
**
Frontier Mansion.
The banquet hall was adorned with beautiful decorations.
The table was set with sumptuous food.
As time passed,
Guests began to arrive one by one.
First were the envoys from the Frontier.
They greeted Brilda and scattered throughout the banquet hall.
As the party time neared its end,
an important guest arrived.
“Lady Alencia Vampirus, the 2nd princess of Vampirus, is entering. Lord Clan Kent, the younger brother of Viscount Kent, is entering.”
Brilda’s eyebrows twitched at the word Vampirus.
Alencia and Elwin had separated.
Yet they had come this far.
Brilda personally welcomed the guests.
“Welcome. Lady Alencia and Lord Clan Kent.”
Alencia briefly acknowledged the greeting and glanced around.
It seemed like she was looking for something.
“Is there something you are searching for, by any chance?”
“Nothing at all.”
The banquet hall’s doors opened once again.
“Lady Benia Vampirus, the 1st princess of Vampirus, is entering. Lady Uunter Aquano, the daughter of Marquis Aquano, is entering. Lord Anton Ayer, the son of Marquis Ayer, is entering.”
Starting with Benia, Uunter, and Anton entered one after another.
They seemed to have come together as part of the same faction.
Just like how Alencia had come with Clan.
Once again, Brilda personally welcomed them.
“Please come in, Lady Benia.”
“It’s been a while, Brilda.”
Formal greetings were exchanged, and Benia looked around.
“Whom are you looking for?”
“Where is Lord Elwin, the Count of Soyoung?”
At the mention of the title “Soyoung,” Brilda flinched.
She quickly covered her mouth and face with her hand.
“I apologize. I told him to come early, but he’s late.”
Benia smiled as if to reassure her.
However, the thoughts of the Soyoung ladies behind her were different.
“He became arrogant just because he raised a small castle.”
“Not a good look, especially in the presence of Lady.”
“Lord Unter, Lord Anton.”
Benia gently intervened, her voice soft.
As the party went on,
Even after a while, Elwin did not appear.
Brilda leisurely enjoyed the party, observing the expressions of the Soyoung ladies.
The three young ladies of the Marquis couldn’t hide their uncomfortable feelings.
And Alencia was no different.
Only Venia maintained a subtle smile.
As time passed,
the tightly shut doors of the banquet hall finally opened.
“Elwin Frontier, the artist of Frontier, is entering!”
Brylda intentionally wore an angry expression.
She didn’t forget to scan the noble ladies as she headed towards the entrance.
“Elwin! Why are you so late!? The guests have been waiting!”
**
**
The party date was looming.
So, as soon as he received the invitation, he set off immediately.
Thanks to that, he could arrive an hour early.
But…
“Elwin! Why are you so late!? The guests have been waiting!”
“Late? Me?”
With an irritated face, Elwin approached Brylda, and behind her, he noticed the expressions of the people.
Everyone seemed displeased.
Especially the noble ladies of the Marquis openly displayed their discomfort.
“Elwin! Quickly apologize to the guests!”
‘Did they give me the wrong time? Just to me?’
Brilda must have been in a hurry.
Using such shallow excuses.
If only I had brought the letter with the date and time, knowing it would come to this.
“Elwin, hurry!”
Should I dig into the truth?
What would happen then?
Brilda must have created a space to avoid it.
Even if things go well, it would be just a messenger’s mistake.
I will become the narrow-minded subordinate who exposes the mistakes of my superior.
In the past, I would have apologized in such a situation, but now I didn’t want to.
“I…”
“Brilda, please calm down. Elwin is the protagonist of today’s party. It’s common for the protagonist to be late.”
Brilda’s face cracked at Venia’s words.
This was unexpected.
Venia was trying to conclude the matter by advocating, but Brilda didn’t seem to accept the current situation.
“Do Lady Alencia feel the same way?”
Brilda called out to Alencia.
Even when she was in the vampire duke’s mansion, there were a few times when she was late.
How many times did she get scolded by Alencia back then?
Knowing this, he would ask her.
“Venia is not entirely wrong. The protagonist can be late. In fact, intentionally being late is also a way to attract attention.”
“Allensia, ma’am!?”
The two vampire noblewomen sided with me.
With that, no one in the banquet hall could blame me.
Including Brilda.
“Thank you, two noble ladies, for forgiving my son. I will make sure to educate him so that such incidents do not happen again.”
The idea that this incident was a mistake was firmly emphasized.
Then she moved towards the center of the banquet hall.
“Elwin, come here.”
“…”
It seems Brilda’s scheme is not over yet.
“Please fill everyone’s glasses.”
Brilda raised a glass filled with alcohol.
“Today is a joyous day. The Frontier family has reclaimed some of the land they lost. Even if it’s in the southern coastal area, even if it’s an area with nothing but Black Goblins.”
While calling it a joyous day, she subtly diminished my achievements.
“Not that it’s untrue, but…”
“Elwin purchased slaves and trained them into slave soldiers…”
Brilda explained how I secured the Serriver in this way.
“The reason I could do this was because I sold grains at a high price. However! From now on, I have agreed with my son to sell grains at a reasonable price.”
‘Was this it? The reason behind this party?’
The reason I grew rapidly was because I sold grain at a high price.
Thanks to that, I gained enormous profits and could purchase many slaves with that money.
‘If I lower the grain prices, I won’t be able to expand my influence as I do now.’
“The Frontier Family has received many benefits from the Irish families and landowners. Now is the time to repay them.”
Brylda slowly turned her head to look at me.
“Isn’t that right, Elwin?”
The gazes of those gathered at the banquet focused on me.
Anticipation was written on people’s faces.
It felt like pressure to me.
A considerable, strong pressure…
My heart raced.
I wanted to bow my head to avoid their gazes.
I wanted to acknowledge Brylda’s words and run away.
But.
‘I have changed.’
I won’t do as others say anymore.
I will follow the path that I believe is right.
I clenched my fist.
I met the gazes of those looking at me one by one.
It’s difficult.
Because in Korea, I didn’t often make eye contact with people.
I bit down on this hard.
Even if it’s tough and painful, I have to endure.
People here think it’s weird if you avoid their gaze.
I made eye contact with Venia,
the counter, and also with Anton.
And when I met eyes with Alensia, my heart felt at ease.
Oddly, it was easy to lock eyes with Alensia.
The tension released, and my heart calmed.
I relaxed the muscles in my jaw and loosened the grip on my clenched fist.
With that, my head began to spin.
“It seems like my mother misunderstood.”
