428 p1. Noble Faction and New School Year [1]
March 31st, morning.
After leaving Paula-san’s dormitory, Ria, Rose, and I headed straight home without taking any detours.
After trekking through dense forests, crossing mountains, and passing through uninhabited fields, the city of Orest came into view.
「Alright, we’ve arrived… Are you two okay?」
「Fuu…fuu… it was such a harsh journey…」
「…This by itself could be a training program…」
Ria and Rose tried to catch their breath while wiping the sweat off their foreheads.
「Ahaha. That kind of path takes some getting used to.」
There are some tricks to walking through forests with fallen leaves and dead branches, winding mountain roads, bumpy fields, and unpaved rough roads.
After that, as we were heading to the dormitory of Thousand Blade Academy, Rose stopped at a certain intersection.
「Alright, I’ll take my leave around here.」
「What happened?」
「Do you have some business to attend to?」
When Ria and I asked so, Rose placed her left hand on the sword that was fastened to her waist.
「The new school year starts tomorrow. To get off to a good start, I’m thinking of having my sword polished at a familiar weapon shop.」
「I see, see you tomorrow then.」
「Set your alarm properly. Don’t oversleep, okay?」
After parting with Rose, the two of us headed to the dormitory.
「Hey Allen, when are you planning to go home next time?」
「Hmm, I haven’t decided yet… Perhaps next summer vacation or something.」
While having such a leisurely chat, we arrived at the dormitory in no time. However, a small problem occurred.
「……Hmm?」
「……Huh?」
A strange old woman was standing in front of our room.
She was probably over eighty. With long dull gray hair, a droopy nose, and a deeply bent waist, she almost looked like a witch from fairy tales.
「Ria, is that old lady an acquaintance of yours?」
「No, she’s not.」
Does she perhaps have some business with Ria or me? Or did she mistake it for someone else’s room?
Anyway, simply standing here and trying to guess will make no progress.
「Let’s try talking to her.」
「Okay.」
When Ria and I started walking, the old lady slowly turned towards us.
「You are Allen Rodore-sama, aren’t you?」
「Ah, yes.」
It would seem that she has business with me.
「Nice to meet you, I am Hiyobaa. A humble housekeeper dispatched by Patriot Bornard-sama.」
「Um… Nice to meet you, I’m Allen Rodore.」
As a completely unfamiliar name popped out, I was frozen for a moment.
(Patriot Bornard… Who is that?)
As I tried to search for the name in my memories,
「EH!?」
I heard a high-pitched voice from the side.
As I turned my head to the side, I found Ria stiffened with a ridiculous expression.
「Ria? What’s wrong――」
At the same time as I called out to her, she returned to her composed expression and spoke to Hiyobaa-san.
「—Excuse me. There is something I would like to discuss with Allen, so would it be okay if we excuse ourselves for a moment?」
「Surely, please go ahead.」
Hiyobaa-san smiled kindly and nodded repeatedly.
Ria pulled on the sleeves of my clothes and we moved a little further away.
「Ria, what’s going on—」
「Allen, what did you do again!?」
「I didn’t do anything… I think.」
I don’t think I did anything in particular that would cause any problems.
「The Bornard family is a great noble house which competes for the top position in the Ringuard Empire, and Patriot is the head of that family.」
「I see, I see… That means this is like a solicitation from the noble faction.」
I have been warned many times by the president and Tenshi-sama.
「So what are you going to do?」
「Hmm… For now, let’s just listen to what she has to say.」
I have only heard the opinions of the Royal Faction so far.
It’s important to listen to both sides properly, instead of just accepting one side’s opinion without question.
(In the first place, this is like an invitation from a top noble in the Ringuard Empire…)
If a commoner like me refused an invitation from a top noble, it would be considered rude and worsen relations.
「Well… I think you will be fine, but just be careful, okay?」
「Sure, thank you.」
Ria and I returned to the old lady and resumed our conversation.
「Excuse me for the short interruption. So, why have you come to see me today?」
「My master, Patriot-sama, would like to have a pleasant chat with Allen-sama.」
It’s the answer I expected.
「Is that so? If you don’t mind someone like myself, then by all means.」
「Thank you very much. My master will be pleased.」
Hiyobaa-san rubbed her hands together and bowed deeply.
「And when does Patriot-san plan to have this chat?」
「It doesn’t matter when. Please speak a date and time of convenience to you, Allen-sama. I have been told to do everything according to your convenience.」
「Is that so? …I appreciate the consideration.」
Well then, what should I do?
(The new school year starts tomorrow, so I’ll be busy no matter what…)
And more importantly, I don’t want to put off this kind of trouble.
「Well, if possible…」
「Yes?」
「I would like to have it today, but that would be really difficult, wouldn’t it?」
I want to finish up a troublesome thing such as chatting with a noble as soon as possible.
To the point where I want to end it here and now if possible.
(But perhaps, asking for it to be today might be unreasonable, after all.)
Contrary to my expectations, Hiyobaa-san smiled softly.
「Of course, there is no problem. If Allen-sama is okay with it, I shall guide you soon after this.」
「Eh, is it really okay?」
「Yes. My master pays special respect in regards to Allen-sama.」
「I see, in that case–」
Just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice saying from the side.
「Wait a minute, Allen. Are you okay going with those clothes?」
「……Ah.」
After being pointed out by Ria, I suddenly realized that the Thousand Blade Academy uniform I was wearing right now was all dirty with mud and leaves since I’ve just traveled through the rough roads of nature.
(Even if it would be fine if I just change my clothes, I can’t just wear a simple uniform to meet a top noble.)
In this world, there are so-called “dress codes” that must match the time and place.
(If it’s clothes to wear when meeting with nobles, then…)
Well, I don’t know much about etiquette, but I feel like a plain-colored suit would fit the occasion somehow.
(Then perhaps I can wear the suit I wore for the Keishinkai?)
But then again the dress code for attending a celebratory event and the dress code for visiting a noble’s mansion might be different.
(It would be best to change the date, after all.)
As I was about to make a decision, Hiyobaa-san shook her head slightly.
「No, no. Please don’t worry about trivial things like clothes. My master is not such a narrow-minded person.」
After hearing that, I whispered to Ria.
「Is it really okay?」
「It’s usually not normal, but… since the host is the one saying this, shouldn’t it be okay?」
「I see. In that case, I’ll finish it quickly and return.」
The dress code issue has been resolved. There are no barriers anymore.
「In that case Hiyobaa-san, could I have a chat with Patriot-san today?」
「Thank you. We have already prepared a carriage, so once Allen-sama is ready, please call for me.」
「Understand. I’ll get ready right away, so please wait for a while.」
「Do take your time.」
After that, I returned to my room and quickly fixed my appearance.
Comment (0)