Chapter 19: To Aldebaran (2)

A magnificent castle rose before them.

Behind it stood a sheer cliff, making approach impossible from that side. It was, in the truest sense, a fortress blessed by nature itself.

In front of it, the knights of Aldebaran stood in perfect ranks.

Bwooooo!

As the Arcturus Family’s carriage approached, a trumpet rang out. Soon, the figures standing at the front advanced to receive them.

Simon opened the window, but without sparing them so much as a glance, he simply took in Aldebaran Castle itself.

“My, it really has been a long time. No matter how many times I see it, it is an impressive castle.”

“Have you been here before?”

“In my previous life. A very long time ago. It was when I occupied Aldebaran territory and entered in triumph. It was a truly magnificent battle.”

“There you go again with your Regression talk.”

“How dare you call it talk when it comes from a Young Master as exalted as the heavens?”

Soon the carriage came to a halt. Simon stepped down lightly. The Aldebaran Family members who had come to receive them had already dismounted.

Representing them, Jin lifted her veil and revealed her face.

Simon was slightly taken aback. Noticing what that surprise meant, Jin smiled with her eyes.

“Welcome, Young Master Simon. Allow me to welcome you to Aldebaran. I beg your pardon that we were unable to come farther out to receive you.”

“To think such a beauty was hidden in Aldebaran. May I ask your name?”

“I am Jin of the Ceres Family.”

“Jin. So you are the one I have heard so much about. I have heard your name many times. But this is hardly the right place for me to express my personal thoughts. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Unexpectedly, Simon behaved with perfect decorum. Standing beside him, Ranieri was certain he was plotting something.

The master he served was not some vulgar man who grinned foolishly whenever a beauty appeared.

Whenever the opportunity arose, he was closer to a cold-blooded man who would draw his sword without the slightest hesitation.

Though, to be fair, his temperament had changed somewhat after the Burning Fever.

“You must be weary after such a long journey. We have prepared a place for you to rest. If it is not urgent, how would you feel about meeting His Excellency the Marquis tomorrow instead?”

“Shall we do that? Though it is a little regrettable. The head of the Aldebaran Family is renowned throughout the continent. I had hoped to pay my respects to him first.”

“Oh my, I am honored, Young Master.”

At that one remark, the vassals waiting behind her all cleared their throats and nodded, visibly pleased.

Looking at them, Simon smiled.

‘Yes. Enjoy this moment while you can. Before long, you will be facing a very dreadful day.’

The one cornered at present was Aldebaran. Simon was certain they were either concealing the information about the southern Orcs or had not learned of it yet.

‘If the Orcs had already moved, they would hardly be standing around receiving guests so leisurely.’

In that case, he intended to enjoy himself slowly.

Until the news arrived that the Orcs hero Mulata had raised an army.

“Then please lead us to a place where we may rest. We shall rest well tonight and present ourselves before His Excellency tomorrow with fresh faces.”

“This way, please.”

Jin personally guided Simon’s party into the castle. Since it was a place of considerable scale, it took quite some time to reach the Inner Keep.

Whenever they passed an impressive statue or painting, she explained it.

In the process, she naturally struck up a conversation with Ranieri.

“You are Sir Ranieri, are you not?”

“Yes.”

“I have heard a great deal about you. And I do not mean that merely out of courtesy. You are said to be one of the five men who would inevitably be named if one were selecting the greatest talents capable of changing the history of the continent.”

“It is no more than the idle talk of enthusiasts.”

“Oh my, and modest as well.”

Beneath her words lay another meaning entirely: that he was far too handsome.

Ranieri, as practiced as ever, did not reject the warm look in her eyes.

“It seems we would have quite a lot to talk about. I feel as though we would converse very well.”

“I have the same impression. It cannot have been easy for a woman to inherit her Family.”

“You will make time for me separately, will you not?”

“Of course.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Simon jabbed Ranieri sharply in the side where no one could see.

‘Hey. At this rate, you are going to get swallowed whole. Pull yourself together.’

‘It is a basic tactic meant to lower the other side’s guard. Please rest easy.’

‘Tactic, my foot. I knew this would happen.’

‘Since you have regressed, you must have known it already.’

‘There was no future like this!’

When she heard the murmuring behind her, Jin stopped and turned around.

“Is something the matter? I thought I heard voices.”

“Hahaha. Nothing at all. Let us continue.”

Soon, Simon was shown into an exceedingly splendid reception room. Rare fruits had been laid out upon the table, and fine-looking wine had already been prepared.

“Mm, the fragrance is wonderful.”

“Does it please you? They are incense candles from the East. They are said to calm the body and mind.”

“As expected. The Aldebaran Family truly overflows with refinement. I have always heard that the way a Family treats its guests reveals its true caliber. Once I return, I shall be certain to tell my father.”

“You are too kind. Then please, rest in comfort.”

Everyone withdrew.

Simon sharpened his Heightened Senses. He searched for hidden presences, wondering whether anyone was lurking nearby, but there was no one.

“This is far too unguarded, is it not? It would be fitting if they had at least one or two people hidden away somewhere.”

“They know you are an Aura user, Young Master. Who would take such a risk?”

“Being an Aura user does not mean one can detect every hidden presence.”

“It is only natural that they show you courtesy. You are not just anyone, after all, but the eldest son of Arcturus. This is a historic event. There are probably rumors spreading even in the Imperial Capital.”

“And yet, it all feels too suspicious. A honey trap, perhaps?”

“I do not think so.”

“Why not?”

“Because ‘lech’ is not among your titles, Young Master.”

“......”

Simon found himself wondering what other titles he might have acquired, but chose not to ask.

“What does it look like to you?”

Peering out through the curtains, Ranieri answered,“There does not appear to be any unusual movement. For a place where the Orcs are supposedly preparing to move, it feels far too peaceful.”

“They are enduring it, most likely. Inside, they are probably burning.”

“What do you intend to demand?”

“The peace of the continent.”

At that meaningful answer, Ranieri pushed up his glasses with one finger.

“Peace is not something easily won. I hope you mean to conclude an accord without pushing matters too far.”

“Why are you being so considerate all of a sudden? Have you already fallen for that woman Jin?”

“She is certainly an attractive woman, but that does not mean she truly suits my taste.”

“Do women who suit your taste even exist? Hah. At this rate, I am going to be assassinated by a subordinate I treasured. If you do kill me, at least make it painless.”

“......”

“Why are you not arguing back?”

“Because the absurdity of what you said has left me unsure how to answer.”

Seated on the sofa, Ranieri reached for a cluster of ripe grapes. Simon warned him.

“Careful. They may be poisoned.”

“That is precisely why I am tasting them first. You must not be poisoned, Young Master.”

“What a loyal retainer we have here.”

“Mm, they are good.”

Ranieri continued plucking grapes as he spoke.

“Putting poison into food that has been left unattended is far too old-fashioned a method of poisoning. It would be far too easy to get caught. If I were doing it, I would choose another method.”

“How?”

“I would attempt it in a situation where suspicion could never arise. For instance, by sharing wine from the same bottle.”

“You say that like a man who has done it before.”

“Hardly.”

“Was my Burning Fever something you commissioned, by any chance?”

“And yet once you said it was because of the Imperial Princess.”

“That was only an excuse.”

Ranieri turned his head slightly and elegantly spat out a grape seed.

“Do not be overly concerned. They will not be able to use poison. For now, their best course is to soothe you and send you back safely.”

“That would be true. At present, there is little else they can do.”

Only then did Simon, seated across from him, also pick up a grape. Ranieri was right. It was pleasantly tart.

Just then, there came a knock at the door.

The ones who appeared were the heirs of Aldebaran. The eldest son, the second son, and even the third son came to pay Simon their formal respects.

“Ah, it is a pleasure to meet you. You seem about my age. Let us become close from now on.”

“To think I may become close with Lord Simon feels like a dream!”

“Why are you calling me ‘Lord’? Just call me elder brother. No, that is not right. A single year’s difference means nothing. Shall we simply be friends?”

“Hahahahaha!”

Warm, lively conversation followed.

Ranieri was secretly astonished.

‘He was never this sociable.’

And it did not even seem like an act. Simon was a direct and candid man by nature.

‘Could he...... possibly mean it?’

Ranieri might perhaps have managed to nod along if Simon had only told them to call him elder brother. But for him to speak so easily, suggesting they simply be friends, was truly unexpected.

After Aldebaran’s heirs withdrew, the senior vassals came next.

Simon sprang to his feet and did not hesitate in the slightest before bowing first.

“Thank you for coming to see me. Please allow me to pay my respects, gentlemen.”

As a result, the wariness in the vassals’ hearts toward Simon could not help but ease. He was completely different from what they had heard.

“Are you truly Young Master Simon?”

“Yes, I am. Shall I show you the Family token? Just a moment. I had it here somewhere......”

The vassals were startled.

“Oh no! No, that is not what I meant. I had heard you were a valiant man with the heart of a lion, but I never imagined you would be so magnanimous.”

“Hahaha! The heart of a lion, is it? That is not such a bad thing to hear.”

“If the opportunity arises, I would like to cross swords with you, Young Master.”

“I am still lacking too much to cross blades with anyone yet.”

“Good heavens......”

It was excessive humility, but the vassals were pleased. Whatever their true intentions might have been, such outward modesty was no easy thing to display.

“The future of the Arcturus Family looks truly bright. I look forward to it.”

One seasoned vassal praised him so. Simon was about to say that he had no intention of inheriting the Family, but stopped himself.

If that news were to reach Marquis Deneuve, he would not be allowed to retire to the countryside. He would be exiled instead.

Once the vassals had talked to their hearts’ content, they finally left.

Even dinner was deeply satisfying. Simon kept exclaiming, “This is truly delicious!” as he ate every dish set before him.

“I should do this from time to time—go out, get some fresh air, and pay visits to other Families.”

“Your lord would be overjoyed to hear that.”

“I was only saying it.”

The final visitor of the day was none other than Jin, head of the Ceres Family.

She appeared with a maid. And the maid was wheeling in a tray bearing a luxurious tea set.

Neither Simon nor Ranieri had ever seen a tea set with such unusual patterns before.

It seemed made with design in mind rather than practicality.

“I do hope the meal suited your taste.”

“To be honest, I was deeply impressed. So much so that I am tempted to send every cook in Arcturus here for observation.”

“That is a relief. If it pleases you, would you care for a cup of tea? I have prepared a very rare tea, one worthy of a distinguished guest.”

“I see no reason to refuse. Please, come in.”

Simon readily invited her to sit.