Chapter 52

With five days left before officially joining the Guard, there was much to be done. First, we had to memorize the general geography of Dresden, and then we needed to learn the names and faces of our superiors.

Since we were Clara-sama’s personal attendants, we weren’t integrated into a specific squad; instead, we would assist her as soldiers directly under her command. For the record, both Yoshioka and I were given the rank of Corporal in the Guard. It seems that being literate, capable of calculation, and having the commendation from when we prevented the magic stone smuggling at Lake Baden really paid off. Since life at the very bottom of the ladder seems like a lot of trouble, we gratefully accepted the appointments.

Emma-san, as a knight apprentice, holds the rank of Sergeant, while Fiene and Hans are private soldiers. If I could use offensive magic, it might be possible to become a knight, but since I have a contract with Clara-sama, I’m fine staying as I am for now.

First, we must focus on ticking off the things we have to do. Simultaneously, alongside our military duties, we need to kickstart our own projects and the favors requested by Mr. Handsome.

“In any case, we’re going to need capital first,” Yoshioka noted.

He was right. Whether it’s opening a shop or launching a newspaper, what we need is funding. Now was the time for Count Bremen’s letters of introduction to prove their worth. I asked Clara-sama for permission to visit the nobles the Count had recommended.

The three of us deliberated and decided to visit them in order of social rank. Our first destination: Marquis Berlion.

I went ahead to set up an appointment, and the world inside the city walls—where the Marquis’s estate was located—was a different planet compared to life outside. It wasn’t just that there were many expensive-looking buildings; the streets were noticeably cleaner than those in the outer districts.

Apparently, people are hired specifically using the national budget to periodically pick up trash and sweep the roads. Public order is also excellent inside the walls. I heard that if you’re dressed shabbily, they won’t even let you into the Old City. Having a dress code just to enter a part of town is pretty intense.

Since I was wearing my Guard uniform, I was allowed through without issue. Plus, I had a guide this time.

“Sorry about this, Emma. Making you go out of your way to act as a guide.”

“N-no… It is an honor to be of assistance to… Sir Hinoharu.”

Ever since she saw the form of Lord Seraphim (a.k.a. Mr. Handsome), Emma has been incredibly tense around us. She seems to have accepted that we are humans and not angels, but I feel like she’s still quite terrified of us. Still, I’m glad it made her more cooperative. Mr. Handsome probably showed himself to her intentionally, having predicted this would happen.

“Is your family home around here too, Emma?”

Emma answered my question with exaggerated gestures.

“Good heavens, no! The Petersen house is at the southern tip, even if it is within the walls.”

We were currently slightly north of the city center where the Royal Palace stands. Even though the inner city is an upscale residential area, it seems there are various “ranks” within it.

“What kind of place is the Meersbusch District, where we’re headed?”

“Well… it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the premier estate district in the capital. For the second daughter of a Baron like myself, it is a place that makes one feel a bit… intimidated.”

The district where the wealthiest people in the country gather, then. In that case, I won’t hold back.

Tonight’s the night: Let’s get to some high-class fleecing!

“By the way, Sir Kota, what business does Lady Clara have with Marquis Berlion?”

I’m still keeping our merchant side-hustle a secret from Emma.

“It seems she was entrusted with a request from Count Bremen, the leader of the northern nobility,” I replied, smoothing things over with a vague explanation.

“Ah, I see. Perhaps she’s delivering a letter or an important package.”

Since we’d been walking just the two of us for a while, the awkwardness between Emma and me was finally starting to fade. From an outsider’s perspective, I wonder if we look like a young superior and her middle-aged adjutant? I’m well aware we don’t look like lovers, so I don’t need anyone to point that out, thanks.

As we approached the city center, the density of the buildings began to thin out. In exchange, the grounds of each estate grew progressively more massive. When I finally saw the Marquis’s residence, it reminded me of a building I knew very well.

This looks a lot like the State Guest House!

The Akasaka Palace is right near Yotsuya, where my office and apartment are. Looking through the iron-barred main gate at the grand, elegant building far in the distance felt like a landscape straight out of Japan. (Side note: not many people know you can actually tour the inside of the Akasaka Palace for about 1,000 yen.)

The Marquis himself was out, but I managed to leave Count Bremen’s introduction letter with the butler. Now a reply should come eventually. I really felt how leisurely a world without telephones can be.

A change in hairstyle can completely change a person’s impression. Clara-sama let out an impressed sound as she looked at me wearing a wig.

“Simply putting on a blonde wig changes your appearance this much?”

“We’re just getting started. Once I apply foundation and a fake beard, the transformation will be even more dramatic.”

Yoshioka was in charge of my makeup.

“Honestly, it would have been perfect if I’d bought some colored contacts, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the time,” Yoshioka lamented.

We were currently in the middle of a disguise session using the goods Yoshioka had bought for me in Akihabara. It would be suspicious for a soldier of the Royal Capital Guard to be hawking porcelain and crystal, so we decided to pose as merchants who had come to this country via the Northern Kingdoms. This should be enough to get by.

As for the crucial question of where the goods come from: we decided on a “setting” where we summon them from another world by offering vast amounts of treasure to the God of Space-Time. Since these items aren’t produced anywhere in this world and can’t be forged, this was the only explanation that fit. Besides, since the goods actually come from Japan, it isn’t a total lie.

The key is to create the impression that the quantity is small and that acquiring them takes immense gold and effort. People want things more when they’re rare.

I changed into my finest suit and threw on a black cloak. This was more comfortable for us, and it might give the people of this world a mysterious impression. We used a rented carriage and set off to ensure we weren’t late for the designated time of 9:00 PM.

When we were shown into Marquis Berlion’s parlor, he was playing cards with his friends. The cards looked exactly like Earth’s playing cards, and they seemed to be playing a four-person game. It was quite heated; the Marquis didn’t even look up from his hand when we entered the room.

“You’ll have to wait a moment. I’m just about to receive the ownership of Paltenburg Village from the Baron here.”

“Now, now, Marquis, not so fast. Tonight is the night I finally make that championship-winning black horse mine!”

They were betting territories and famous steeds. Never mind the horse, the villagers must be in for a shock. Or maybe in this world, this sort of thing isn’t a big deal.

We were kept waiting for about fifteen minutes, but the match ended in the Marquis’s victory, and Paltenburg Village became his. I felt a bit bad for the losing Baron, but as for us, it’s always better when your business partner is in a good mood. This was a lucky start.

“Now then… I believe you came with a recommendation from Count Bremen?”

Marquis Berlion laced his pale fingers—fingers that had clearly never known manual labor—and looked up at us elegantly.

“Yes. We have come in the hopes that you might grace our wares with your attention.”

Despite our respectful bows, the Marquis showed no particular interest.

“Since you have the Count’s recommendation, I shall see what you have. Entertain me as best you can; some of my closest associates are here tonight as well. It will make for fine entertainment between card games.”

“For my part, I’d like to get back to the card table as soon as possible!” the Baron who had just lost the bet added pitifully, making the group laugh.

Talk about a stroke of luck—the Marquis even had his friends over. This saves us the trouble of extra advertising.

“First, please feast your eyes upon this crystal glass.”

Being a wealthy man’s parlor, the room was brightly lit by lanterns and candelabras placed everywhere. The glass I pulled out caught the light from these numerous sources, reflecting sparks in every direction.

“Our first item: a rock glass featuring a floral motif.”

No one said a word in response to my explanation. For a brief moment, every single person in the room leaned in, their eyes glued to the glass.