by Ryota Hori
“This is all very...”
Ryoma was taken aback by the many dishes being placed on the table. Chicken, beef, fish, and a whole roasted pig were served as the main dishes, surrounded with an abundance of salads, seafood, and vegetables. Cold fruit chilled by lumps of ice was served in gold cups, filling Ryoma’s nostrils with the pleasant, chilly scent of the fruits of the season.
Just the three of them were seated at a dinner table that had enough food to accommodate at least twenty people. And all of the dishes were delicacies that were by no means inferior to what Ryoma was served in Pireas during the feast celebrating the civil war’s end.
Just how much money was squandered on this feast? As the guest, Ryoma couldn’t help but ask himself that question with a hint of concern.
“No... I am somewhat beside myself with shame here,” Count Salzberg said, scratching his hair. “A guest from the capital might not know of this, but it is customary here to greet guests with more food than they can eat... I do not mind if you think of it as some foolish backwater custom and play along with me here.”
“No... I am simply surprised you’d hold such a feast for an upstart like myself. I’m quite grateful, Count Salzberg.”
“Ahaha! An upstart, you say! There’s no need for modesty, Baron Mikoshiba. Your exploits in the last war are varied and great. I hear Queen Lupis holds a great deal of trust in you... During the civil war, I couldn’t afford to leave this land because of the threat of an invasion from Xarooda.” Count Salzberg concluded his words with a hint of self-deprecation.
“I’m afraid that it’s you who is being too modest, Count Salzberg,” Ryoma replied with a forced smile. “I truly believe your protection of the north is what allowed the civil war to end without interference from another country.”
“Beloved, I do believe that’s enough chatter. Do you intend to have our guest eat a cold meal?” Yulia chided her husband.
“Oh! My apologies... Is Baron Mikoshiba’s glass empty? Have it filled at once!”
At the count’s order, red wine was poured into Ryoma’s glass.
“Now then... Let us raise a glass to the flourishing of House Mikoshiba! Cheers!”
Ryoma downed the glass. The first thing he felt was the rich aroma filling his mouth. It was soon accented by a slightly spicy, stimulating taste. After relishing the wine for two or three more seconds, the thick flavor of the wine washed over his taste buds. Finally, he felt the pleasing sensation of the wine slipping down his throat, as smooth and sleek as quality silk.
The grapes are amazing... This must be high-quality wine.
A high-schooler like Ryoma wouldn’t normally be very keen on the intricacies of wine, especially wine like this that was so far removed from the cheap bottles one could pick up at a convenience store. But owing to his grandfather’s uninhibited nature, Ryoma had tasted alcohol during his life in Japan, and drank it daily since coming to this world.
And from his experience, the wine the count served him was of the highest caliber obtainable. It was made of fine, hand-picked grapes and produced by the finest wine-makers. He was provided with fine wines during his stay in Pireas, and these were in no way inferior to that.
Between the cooking and the wine... What’s his angle? No, forget that, where does he even get all this luxury? Can plain riches really afford all this?
The same could be said for the dishes they were served. The ingredients were excellent, hand-picked and garnished with the finest spices. Even if he did want to welcome Ryoma warmly, it was far too extravagant for some upstart baron.
Is this really their idea of normal hospitality...?
Ryoma snuck a glance at Count Salzberg, who was happily eating away.
His outfit is pretty flashy, too... It’s got an elaborate design, and made of high-quality silk... His ornaments are incredible, too.
Ryoma wasn’t jealous of the man, but there was no denying that in terms of outfit he stood in stark contrast to him.
But oddly enough, there isn’t any vulgarity about him...
True to his status as a born noble, Count Salzberg wore ornaments graced with gemstones that showed off his position. His shirt’s buttons used pearls, and the brooch on his chest was designed in the form of an elaborate flower. But for how gaudy they all were, Salzberg somehow managed to make them appear natural.
Of course, in terms of sheer brilliance, the dress adorning the woman beside him, Yulia, far outmatched his outfit. It had a striking, novel design that covered her entire body, but still bared her cleavage. The white fabric harmonized well with her golden hair.
She had a small silver crown on her head, and her fingers were adorned with ruby and sapphire rings. A large diamond necklace hung from her neck. Overall, she gave the impression of a gemstone chiseled in the shape of a woman.
From a modern man’s perspective, it felt as if she was too decorated. But watching Lady Yulia smile warmly right in front of him gave Ryoma an impression of noble dignity and a jewel’s balanced beauty.
If nothing else, it doesn’t feel like they’re pretending... They’re used to this.
There were plenty of people out there who would put on airs so others wouldn’t look down on them. But most of those people weren’t able to properly maintain this facade, making it easy for others to tell they were acting. It was the difference between simply putting on the clothes of a noble and truly wearing them naturally.
But Count Salzberg and Lady Yulia didn’t give off the atmosphere that this was a facade. They seemed perfectly natural.
But if that’s true...
That raised the question of how Count Salzberg obtained and maintained all this luxury. Their outfits were truly high class and it was obvious with a glance that they must have cost a fortune. Their meals were a match for the capital’s feasts.
This... doesn’t make sense. Taxes alone aren’t enough to maintain this lifestyle. And if that’s the case...
Ryoma couldn’t say for certain. He didn’t have information yet, but if what he had in mind was true...
I guess it depends on what the others can dig up...
“Ooh. You don’t seem to have much of an appetite, Baron Mikoshiba. Does the food not suit your palate?” Count Salzberg asked Ryoma, who fell silent after sipping some wine.
“He must be exhausted from the long journey,” Lady Yulia remarked. “Does the meat have a bit too much oil...? Anne, give the baron some cold fruit. I’m sure he’ll like it.”
A maid placed a golden cup full of fruit in front of Ryoma.
“My apologies, I didn’t mean to worry you,” Ryoma said, bringing a cold orange from the cup into his mouth.
He was actually just contemplating things, but he didn’t feel inclined to correct Salzberg’s misunderstanding.
“You must really be tired...” Count Salzberg said. “I’ve heard you were a first-class warrior, Baron Mikoshiba, but it takes half a month even on horseback to reach Epirus from the capital. I suppose it stands to reason.”
“Beloved! You’re being rude... I’m sure having been made a noble so suddenly must be exhausting for him. Isn’t that right, baron?” Lady Yulia turned a considerate gaze at Ryoma.
“Yes... It’s all too sudden.” Ryoma said, picking a piece of beef from his plate and bringing it to his mouth. “I’ve lived as a commoner so far, so I’m honestly not all that sure how to handle ruling over a territory...”
“I see... But I hear you’re quite intelligent and blessed with wit,” Count Salzberg replied. “I will do anything in my power to be of assistance. Our ruling adjacent territories must be some sort of fate at play. I’m sure we’ll help each other in the future... Hmm? Is something wrong with your food?”
Count Salzberg suddenly eyed Ryoma suspiciously as he chewed on the meat.
“No... The salt is just a bit stronger than I imagined. Between the salt and the spices, it’s all so different from the weak flavors I know from the capital.”
The spices aside, salt was a fairly
rare commodity on this Earth. Salt was fundamental for everyday life, but this world didn’t have any saltpans or rock salts to mine. Territories that were near the sea had a source of salt, but Count Salzberg shouldn’t have had any lands that fit that description. That meant he either managed to dig up some rock salt, or brought it in from another land.
“Ahaha. I suppose a man that’s grown too used to the capital’s blandness might feel that way.”
Ryoma then chose to cut to the heart of the matter. His objective was, of course, to shake Count Salzberg.
“I don’t believe any of the lands you govern is adjacent to the sea... Did you find a vein of rock salt? Or did you trade with the nearby territories for it?”
“No, actually...” Count Salzberg was about to answer Ryoma’s question with a smile, but...
“Yes, precisely... We’ve found a large vein of halite last year.” Lady Yulia cut into his words.
“Oh. That’s quite fortunate. I can’t say I’m not envious.” Ryoma accepted her words with a smile.
He had no intent of criticizing the couple here.
Salt, huh... This is something else I should look into... Ryoma thought to himself as he swallowed another mouthful of well-salted beef.
The dinner party ended rather uneventfully after three more hours, after which Ryoma and the count moved to a parlor. They talked over trivial matters and deepened their friendship. Count Salzberg opened a treasured bottle of wine, during which Lady Yulia also started participating in the conversation. The couple didn’t show any of the conceit Ryoma came to expect out of the nobility, and welcomed him warmly the entire time.
As night approached, Ryoma made to leave, upon which Count Salzberg insisted he spend the night at his estate. Ryoma obliged out of courtesy. As he was being led to his room by the maids, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
The furniture was all masterfully crafted, and the curtains and sheets were of course made of high-quality silk. The walls and shelves with paintings and vases left a striking impression even in Ryoma, who was detached from the arts. The room wasn’t unlike a high-class hotel’s suite room. It was a veritable mountain of treasure.
“Wonder if they’ll blame me for taking one of these,” Ryoma whispered as he cast himself into the large bed and reached for one of the vases on his bedside.
With how pressed he was for money when it came to developing his territory, being in this room was bad for Ryoma’s heart.
Guess this is proof of how strong his economy is... But when I looked into him in the capital, all I found is that these territories aren’t producing anything too noteworthy...
Something didn’t quite click about Count Salzberg and Lady Yulia’s attitude. On the surface, they seemed to be a kind, friendly couple, but Ryoma couldn’t help but feel like there was something behind the scenes with those two.
“Baron... May I come in?” a woman’s dainty voice suddenly called out from behind the room’s door.
“Yes... What is it? The door isn’t locked.”
“Thank you... sir.”
At Ryoma’s permission, the door opened and a maid walked into the room.
“Did the count tell you to do this?” Ryoma picked up on the situation the moment he saw the way the maid was dressed.
“Ah... Erm... The Lady told me to... Baron...”
The maid’s skin was hidden behind a white negligee, which was transparent enough to give a glimpse of the pink bra and panties beneath them. It was quite the sensual, seductive sight. But a glance at how her shoulders shivered and the way her expression seemed to be enduring something would make any man understand the meaning of her attire.
“Would it cause you trouble if I were to insist this isn’t necessary?” Ryoma asked.
The maid’s expression colored over with despair.
“Ah! Erm... I’m, uhh... Well... This would be my first time, but... Ah... I’ll do my best to... Erm... Am I... no good...?”
Perhaps the way he’d put it was a bit too forceful, because she earnestly insisted. Seeing her blushing face made it impossible to push her away.
“You’re fine... Come here.” Ryoma said as gently as possible, so as to not frighten her.
Of course, Ryoma wasn’t experienced with women. But turning timid here would harm his dignity.
“Yes...” The maid timidly took hold of his extended hand.
Hearing her delicate response, Ryoma pulled her body gently against his own. And as he did, a faint, floral aroma filled his nostrils. It wasn’t long before the room’s candles were blown out, and darkness fell over the room.
♱
While Ryoma Mikoshiba was enjoying a night of lovemaking in his room, in another part of the mansion, Count Salzberg and Lady Yulia were having a private conversation.
“My word... Perhaps we shouldn’t have been this welcoming,” Count Salzberg complained to his wife as he sipped tea. “Does that boy really have enough value to match all the extravagance we spent on him?”
The pleasant smile that was on his face during the dinner party and up to the moment he escorted Ryoma to his room was gone without a trace. His expression was filled with a noble’s arrogance and scorn towards the common rabble.
“Yes... Well, he apparently is bedding the maid, so I would say everything is going in our favor,” Lady Yulia said with a smile.
Count Salzberg directed a bitter glance at his wife.
“See, that’s what I’m displeased with! I’ve had my eye on that girl, and you throw her to that upstart?!”
It was perhaps natural for Count Salzberg to make his displeasure clear after having a maid he’d been pining for allotted to another man, but Lady Yulia shrugged away his complaints as if they were the most trivial thing imaginable.
“Does it really matter? We can get more maids than would last you a lifetime... And you’d get bored with her within the month, anyway.” There was a hint of exasperation and reproach to her words.
Count Salzberg’s lecherous skirt-chasing had been a constant source of concern for her.
“That’s besides the point! Even if I do get bored of her and cast her aside, I wouldn’t tolerate another man taking her! And I haven’t even laid hands on her yet... Blast! Women like her aren’t easy to find!”
With that said, Count Salzberg took another sip of tea, his feet absolutely shivering with anger. His irritation likely wouldn’t die down for a while.
“Fine... I’ll have my people look for another girl tomorrow.”
“I’m sure it goes without saying, but I’ve no need of used women!”
“Yes, yes, beloved, don’t worry... I’ll find a girl to your liking.” Restraining the desire to roll her eyes, Lady Yulia tried to placate the count.
I swear... Why must his sexual appetite be so obnoxious? There’s plenty of slaves and professional women he could call, but he keeps looking for inexperienced virgins... And after two or three times, he gets tired of them and sells them off to slavers...
Thinking of her husband’s preference for virgins made her gaze turn icy cold. If he were to have concubines for the sake of leaving heirs, she could accept that this was part of a noble’s duty. Count Salzberg only did this to sate his lust, however. He dragged in any young woman in arm’s reach, but never made them into his concubines. Even if they did conceive children, he never allowed them to give birth.
After a few weeks, a month at best, he would cast any girl aside. That was what always ended up happening. Even if this Earth was a world where the strong feasted upon the weak, few people acted out that rule as blatantly as this man.
He was the worst possible kind of husband one could have, and the worst possible person one could hope to associate with. But Count Salzberg never let those aspects of his personality rise to the surface.
I can’t afford to earn his ire now... No matter how absurd the things he says might be...
Lady Yulia had to sacrifice many things up to that day. Giving up at this point wasn’t an option.
His eyes, which were clouded over with carnal lust until now, glinted sharply. He may have been a despicable man, but he was a skilled ruler and commander. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t be able to govern over this border zone and hold Xarooda’s military aspirations in check.
“Hmm... I suppose that it wasn’t quite necessary... But I think it was really all the same. He wouldn’t blindly swallow anything we’d tell him... He wouldn’t deny our words, but he wouldn’t believe us, either. And if the matter of the salt drew his interest, he’d look into it on his own. In which case, hiding it would mean little. If anything, this might actually dissuade him from looking into it.”
Lady Yulia could tell Ryoma Mikoshiba wasn’t an ordinary man.
He’s a troublesome one... Throughout the dinner party, he’d been gathering information discreetly, so we wouldn’t notice.
She could pick up on that owing to her own skills as a shrewd merchant. Count Salzberg, however, scoffed at his wife’s appraisal of the man.
“Hmph... I doubt he’s that sharp. How would he even find out, anyway? He’s just a hired sword that performed well during the civil war. How would he look into where we get our salt? I hear the so-called retainers he has are the filthy mercenaries that worked with him during the civil war, and that he had them forcefully named knights. The only thing people like that are good for is war.”
From Count Salzberg’s perspective, Ryoma was just a well-built young man. At Lady Yulia’s advice, he welcomed him as lavishly as possible, but his innermost impression of Ryoma was utter disdain.
With his physique, he probably is a skilled warrior... But his face doesn’t strike me as all that intellectual.
He seemed upright and collected, but not at all bright. His amicable behavior seemed indicative of a weakness of character, while his gentle demeanor came across as lacking in resolve. Count Salzberg’s opinion on the young man was that aside from his body, he was entirely unacceptable.