Chapter 18: DemoiselleJakob wasn’t a Bandit and I can’t really consider what I did as self-defense, despite his killing intent. No, I had to do it because of the look on his face — the malevolent smirk he wore as he directed the others to beat Alina. Jakob was enjoying himself. This probably wasn’t his first time and certainly wouldn’t be the st.

  Still, I do feel a tinge of guilt, but the formality of the duel has absolved me of all legal responsibility.

  “I, Brunhild of the Count of Selmer’s[1] Knightly Order, do hereby testify that this was a fair duel, and that no retaliation shall follow its outcome.”

  Oh, ‘County’ means there’s a ‘Count’ — I wondered why there was a castle here. Anyway, Alina’s been safely delivered and the primary assaint has been dealt with — permanently. I’ve done more than enough and it’s time to go. Now, how can I make a graceful exit? Hopefully, after a few minutes of small talk, I’ll be able to slip away, never to be seen again.

  Rutina was oddly exuberant, “Lord Moreau, that was incredible! To think that your magic would be so quick, so powerful.”

  “I was simply fortunate that Jakob didn’t recognize my spell. After all, magic is best suited to the byrinths, not duels.” Without my Chant Omission skill, I wouldn’t have had time for that spell.

  “Oh? Do you go to the byrinths frequently?”

  “Yes, Lady Rutina, whenever possible.” If I had a phone, I’d fake a call. Nobles probably have the time to just gab all day long.

  “Have you ever had students, Lord Moreau?”

  That was out of context. Well, I taught back in the old world and Tuuli here, I guess. “Yes, but rarely. In fact, I should really be on my way. It was a pleasure to…”

  In a disturbingly cutesy voice, “Lord Moreau, I absolutely insist that you accept me as your student.”

  “Um, sorry, I don’t quite understand? Why?”

  Now stern and formal, not all cutesy, “Then I will make myself perfectly clear, Mr. Moreau,[2] I will have you teach me magic.”

  Huh? Ah, this little noble wrote down my details for the formal record of the duel. Even if she didn’t know my (humble) status when we met, she sure as hell knows it now. Defeated by a level 1 Vilger.

  I can’t directly refuse a noble, even a minor. Ciming that I have another student wouldn’t work unless I could produce proof of having an even higher-ranked student. My only recourse is etiquette, which I would probably know better if I hadn’t slept through Pride and Prejudice. Relying on GoT as a model would probably end with everyone dead, especially me.

  “Yes, My Lady, it would be an honor. Yet, considering my humble status, I fear that this matter touches upon your house’s dignity. I would not presume to act without the house’s blessing. Surely, we must seek formal approval for such a venture.”

  Ugh, that was simply sickening. Did all that crap even make sense? Well, if the people in charge approve, I’ll charge them heavily and actually fulfill Rutina’s wish. It’ll be a bother, but more nobles need to start doing their part to keep this pce safe. I wonder what’s wrong with the count himself. Is he ill, injured or just overworked?

  “As this is a critical matter for our House, His Lordship will approve, without a doubt.”

  “Of course, My Lady, it is certainly as you say. With a proper escort and the His Lordship’s seal of approval, there should be no problem. As for my remuneration…”

  “Remuneration?”

  “Yes, My Lady, my fee is 50 gold coins for five days of instruction.”

  Too expensive would make it look like I’m trying to get out of it, which I am, and possibly be seen as an insult. Too cheap would look almost as bad… and I’d get less money. Technically, we could probably wrap this up in an afternoon. Five days may seem suspiciously brief, but I couldn’t possibly stretch it out any longer. Overall, this should be a reasonable estimate for something I just pulled out of my… thin air.

  “Quite a modest fee, assuming success, of course.”

  Crap, should’ve asked for 100. “Yes, full payment is dependent on a successful outcome.”

  “As a deposit for you and atonement for her, Alina will be part of the deal.”

  “Alina? How so?”

  “I propose that just compensation shall be Alina along with, let’s say, 30 gold coins.”

  How detestable to use people like commodities. Oh, Alina, I’m so sorry that anyone would treat you this way.

  “Thank you for this opportunity, My Lady. I hardly deserve such leniency.”

  “Of course, Alina. You’ve served us well. Now, go pack up your things and… ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■■■.”

  Yep, I’m an idiot for forgetting where I am. This is a feudal society with emphasis on happy submission and guilt-free lechery. They seem so sincere, like an innocent mb and kind-hearted shepherd — and we all know how that turns out. Refusing now would insult both the spoiled noble and Alina, possibly with unpleasant consequences.

  “Yes, My Lady, I will gdly accept Alina.”

  Of course, my acceptance was completely irrelevant since Alina had already run off to pack.

  “So, My Lady, would you be avaible to start tomorrow morning, maybe an hour after dawn?”

  “Why wait? Let’s start today, right now in fact.”

  “I’m sorry, My Lady, some preparations are needed. Do you perhaps have a wand, spear and a set of armor avaible? Something light like leather would be best for mobility.”

  Rutina sighs, “Alright then, we’ll meet here soon after dawn. Why would I need to bring a spear though?”

  “We’ll start out with some light, physical combat in the byrinth before the actual magic lessons. This is a necessary part of the process.”

  “Start in the byrinth? Right from the beginning?”

  “Yes, absolutely. Will that be a problem, My Lady?” (Please say yes.)

  “Of… of course not,” she squeaked.

  “I presume that you’ll bring along one of your Knights as an escort, preferably female. Assigning an Adventurer would be good for your safety and convenience. The Adventurer should normally remain outside and seek help in an emergency. Your Knight would, of course, stand by your side as a rear guard. My men can act as the vanguard, unless you prefer your own.”

  “Um, yes, we’ll do as you suggest.”

  “Well then, My Lady, we’ll meet here tomorrow, an hour after dawn. I’ll take my leave now and await Alina outside.”

  ────────────────────────

  Suitcase in hand, Alina came merrily skipping past the gate a few minutes ter. I grabbed her bag and led the four of us along one of the smaller paths leading away from the castle. Once we were properly out of sight, I opened a warp portal directly to our living room.

  “Um, Lord Moreau?”

  “Nope, none of that ‘Lord’ crap here.”

  “Um…”

  “Alina, we need to talk about your future, but the immediate threat comes first. I need information.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Guys, I messed up and caught the attention of that young noble. Foolishly demanding a duel ended up revealing my status and demonstrating my magic. Over the next several days, I have to teach her how to use magic.”

  “Boss, that’s terrible. How could anyone make such an impossible demand? What’s the pn?”

  “Oh, the teaching part will be fine. The problem is, what if she gets hurt? What if she asks for more favors? What if she tells other nobles? I hate having to bow down to that child just because of her family. Just what has she done to earn that authority?”

  “The teaching will be easy?”

  “Not really the focus here, but yes, it’ll be easy because she’s a spoiled noble. Well, at least I assume that she is. Alina, who exactly is this girl? Could she be an adopted commoner? I want to know all of her secrets.”

  “Sir?”

  “Just kidding, sort of. Just tell me what you can. And stop calling me ‘Sir’, it sounds fake at this point.”

  “Well, Lady Rutina is the count’s daughter. His natural and oldest child, as far as I know.”

  “Oh, is she already married?”

  “Only arranged and they haven’t met in person.”

  “Then, why isn’t she named ‘Selmer’?”

  “Um, Selmer is the name of the region. Anselm is the count’s family name.”

  “Oh, so the count is actually ‘Count Anselm’?”

  “No, he’s called the Count of Selmer. You really don’t know this stuff, do you?”

  “Nope, I thought small pces would be named after the current ruler.”

  “Small? Is your family really that high up?”

  “Huh? No. I’m not a noble. I’m a freman.”

  “A what?”

  “Not serving any noble, a free man.”

  “Ah, a freeman.”

  “Right, like the actor not Dune. I should read my own card more carefully.”

  To the side, Alina asks the guys, “What is he talking about?”

  Marcus casually answers, “Boss just does this sometimes. Don’t worry about it.”

  (Wow, they really think I’m nuts… well, it’s certainly a possibility.)

  “Being a freeman should give me some protection, right?”

  “Actually, being a freeman makes you even more vulnerable. A vassal generally has protection. A freeman often has none. In some ways, more vulnerable than a sve. Oh, I’m sorry, I went too far.”

  “No, I need to hear this. Please continue.”

  “Lady Rutina will be furious if she finds out that you aren’t a noble.”

  “Nah, she found out just before the duel. Oh yeah, was the duel legal?”

  “Yes, that’s actually one of the things a freeman can do that other commoners can’t.”

  “I was nervous when she… damn, what should I call her? No way in hell I want to keep saying ‘Lady’ and she has a weird name. How about I nickname her ‘Rudi’ or ‘Tina’?”

  “Oh no, David, you can’t be so disrespectful.”

  “OK, ‘Ojou-sama’. It’s certainly polite though completely unusable here. I’ve seen it transted to ‘Demoiselle’ and it can even be used in English but it’s too obscure.”[3]

  “…?”

  “Fine, I’ll call her ‘Student’ since that’s what she’ll be.”

  “Boss, are you sure a noble would allow that?”

  “Well, she will allow it from her teacher, but you guys should avoid talking to her or only use polite nguage. By the way, I’ll ask the two of you to be our vanguard — couldn’t trust anyone else in an emergency. We must do our best to protect her… second to our own safety, of course.”

  “You can depend on us.”

  “Thanks, guys. I should talk to Alina. We’ve already burned through most of the morning anyway so go out ter.”

  ────────────────────────

  “First of all, Alina, I’d prefer if you wouldn’t meet with Rutina before the teaching’s over.”

  “I wasn’t pnning to, but understood.”

  “Next, let’s talk about your future. Do you have a pce you want to go? Family?”

  “No, I’ve always lived in Selmer and have no family. Um, don’t you want me here?”

  “To be blunt, I’m not sure. I’m not comfortable around people who don’t trust me. I never know when they might turn on me.”

  “I’m so, so sorry for not trusting you earlier, but I really do now. I’ll do anything to prove it.”

  “Nope. Stop right there. Sex without trust is just manipution. Besides, taking off your clothes would be distracting.”

  “Oh, with no women here, maybe…”

  “No, that’s not it, but let’s just stay on topic. I’ll expin the problem from my perspective since that may not be clear. The rescue was understandably terrifying and I can’t bme you for being cautious, but after waking up safe, not tied up and free to go, you still couldn’t trust me. That makes me feel uneasy.”

  “It… it was all just so unexpected.”

  “OK, but why trust me now? I could be fooling Rutina like I fooled you, right? Maybe that was my pn all along?”

  “Uh, I don’t know.”

  “Alina, are you still working for Rutina? I heard her give you some orders in Elvish. What did she tell you?”

  “She made me promise not to tell anyone.”

  “Then you are still faithful to her.”

  “No, I mean, that’s what she said. I’m not allowed to tell anyone about you.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Lady Rutina will never get permission from her father. She’s obsessed about learning magic, but she’s never allowed to take any risks.”

  “Hmm, well, I can’t refuse a noble or accuse her of lying and if I tell on her, she could cim that I wronged her. Basically, I’m screwed.”

  “So you do understand nobles.”

  “Not directly, but I’ve heard stories. Why are you betraying Rutina now?”

  “Actually, Lady Rutina never said not to tell you.”

  “It may seem strange to say this, but it’s important that you didn’t directly viote her orders. Even if it would be in my favor, it’d be harder for me to trust you.”

  “Also, Lady Rutina gave me to you, so she knows that I cannot disobey you.”

  “I really don’t like all this talk of ‘belonging’. You simply work for me.”

  “Yes, I understand — I must earn your trust.”

  “Damn, now I feel like a jerk.”

  “I’m sorry…”

  “No, it’s my fault, pretty much from start to finish. Let’s just take it slow and learn to really trust each other.”

  ────────────────────────

  [1] Count = Earl and it’s a better match for the region. David hasn’t read so far into the story to know that fan transtions used Earl.[2] I use “Mister” in pce of the historically accurate “Master” since David hears Modern English, not Middle English.[3] A manga transted to French might use “Demoiselle” for “Ojou-sama”. The archaic meaning of Demoiselle fits Rutina quite well.