Greek Feast (1)

It’s been a month since I started the ranch. The ranch itself is going very smoothly. Mrs. Seral’s experience has been very helpful.

One afternoon.

At the request of Baron Greek, I visited the Lord’s castle for the first time in a while. Baron often came directly to the restaurant, but this was the first time he had sent someone to invite me here.

After waiting for a while, Greek burst into the reception room. He smiled warmly when he saw me.

“Master! Thank you for coming.”

The most notable change during this time is the title he now uses. At some point, he naturally started calling me ‘master’. Honestly, it’s an embarrassing title.

“I told you, I can’t bear being called ‘master’. I’m not great enough to be called that.”

From the moment he realized I was a high-class wizard, his speech became more formal. Although he probably thinks I’m around the 6th class.

There’s no need to say, “Actually? I’m a 9th class.” Such pointless revelations are unnecessary.

“That’s not true, Master! Do you know how much I’ve learned from you? Besides, I recently had my birthday and got a year older, so I want to be more mature. To become a good lord!”

The boy has grown quite a bit in height during this time. It hasn’t been that long since we first met.

He’s at the age where growth spurts happen, so it’s understandable.

However, his speech is a mix of that of a boy and an adult. It proves he’s at a complicated age.

Baron Greek, who is gradually growing both outwardly and inwardly, always came to me for advice whenever he had worries.

He really seems to consider me a life mentor. It all started on the day the noble-born boy first got his hands dirty with soil and earned a meal in return.

“Well, anyway, has your stepmother been quiet lately?”

“Yes. Lately, I don’t know what she’s thinking, but she’s been quieter because of it.”

The biggest issue this boy needs to resolve, in my opinion, is his stepmother.

I’m giving him advice, hoping that if he resolves the stepmother issue on his own, he will grow further and fully fulfill his role as a lord.

If it helps his growth, giving advice is a small price.

He always buys me meals, so it’s not free advice either.

After all, bar tables are meant for people who want to talk about something.

“By the way, as you said, the number of nobles visiting me has increased. Among them are my Father’s retainers! So it’s all thanks to you, Master!”

“That’s because the Baron himself made up his mind.”

I patted Greek’s head and shook my head.

“So, why did you call me here today?”

When I asked about the main topic, Greek made a worried expression and started to fuss.

“Actually! Recently, His Highness the Crown Prince has been inspecting the territories of the Empire, and now he is coming towards Greek City. No, no! It’s the other way around. I’ve heard that His Highness the Duke of Taemuran’s inspection was interrupted by the Crown Prince… Anyway, what could their purpose be?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Duke?”

“Yes…”

Greek City isn’t a particularly unique territory. It’s just an ordinary city. The visit of the two Highnesses to such a territory may be under the pretext of inspecting nearby territories, but there must be a purpose in Greek City.

That’s what Baron Greek is worried about.

“It doesn’t seem like an ordinary matter…. But the Lord’s duty is only to send taxes to the central government. Apart from that, independence is guaranteed, isn’t it?”

“Yes! As you said, but it’s frustrating not knowing their purpose….”

“Young Master!”

While we were talking, the door to the reception room opened. The butler bowed urgently in front of Greek with a very urgent expression.

“What is it?”

When Greek asked, the butler hurriedly opened his mouth.

“His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Duke have already entered Greek City!”

“What? So soon?”

Greek, who had been trying to maintain some dignity in front of the butler, was so surprised that he jumped up from his seat like a spring and stared at the butler.

There was no sign of dignity left in his expression.

“Prepare to greet Their Highnesses! I will go out immediately.”

“At your command, Young Master!”

As the butler hurried out, Greek looked at me with a very urgent face. But I couldn’t possibly know their purpose either.

“Master, how should I handle this situation…?”

“When in doubt, just think of one thing. Think of the people of your territory.”

“The people? But isn’t that a very obvious thing? I’ve never forgotten it even once!”

“Then wouldn’t it be enough to respond according to that principle? There’s no need to be afraid. Just act confidently as the person who will become the owner of this territory. Of course, while showing respect to your superiors.”

“Will that be enough?”

“I’ll give you as much advice as you need. So if something comes up, send someone right away. I’ll help with whatever I can. We can’t let harm come to Greek City. I’m also a citizen of Greek. If Their Highnesses are planning something strange, it’s only natural to come up with countermeasures.”

“Understood. I’ll do as you say! Then I’ll contact you as soon as I find out anything. Master!”

Baron Greek bowed his head and then rushed out to greet the Crown Prince who had come so close. He’s in such a hurry. In such aspects, he still shows signs of being a boy.

With Baron gone, I was left alone in the room. The Lord’s castle itself was very quiet. There was no reason for me to stay. I slowly left the castle.

Whether it was because of rumors about the grand visitors or the large procession of the visitors themselves, Greek City was quite noisy. It’s usually a very quiet city.

In fact, I hadn’t told the boy yet, but there is one thing that needs urgent improvement.

Greek is severely lacking in information. The fact that he only received a report after the Crown Prince entered the city itself indicates a big problem.

A severe lack of information. It seems that due to the Count being bedridden for a long time, communication with the central government was completely cut off.

So no one delivered any news, and Baron Greek only received a report after they entered his territory.

At this level, it’s fair to say that there is no information network at all.

To solve the lack of information, one must have a foothold in the central government. That’s political power. As a noble of the country, you can’t become a good lord if you’re isolated.

Thinking about giving him a hint on that matter next time, I walked down, but the main street of Greek City was almost blocked, befitting the procession escorting the Crown Prince. There were so many people gathered on both sides that I wondered if so many people lived in Greek City.

And the grand procession gradually approached the Lord’s castle. At the front of the procession, I saw some familiar armor. Armor with the rough insignia of the 1st Knight Division.

Since the Crown Prince is on the list of visitors, the appearance of the 1st Knight Division is not unusual. Protecting the royal family is also the duty of the 1st Knight Division.

Over 50 knights. Just the number of knights alone is over 50. Combined with the troops behind, it’s almost at the level of a small conquering army.

Watching the grand procession brought back old memories. I once had a brief connection with the Knight Division.

I looked at the insignia for a moment, reminiscing about old times, then quickly took a back route.

I realized I had forgotten something important.

It’s Rurin’s meal.

If she were sleeping, it would be different, but Rurin is awake now.

If I’m any later, she’ll make a fuss.

As I climbed the hill, I soon saw the restaurant. Rurin was sitting on the railing in front of the restaurant, holding a broom and swinging her legs back and forth. As soon as our eyes met, she jumped out like a spring, just like Baron Greek did earlier.

I had given Rurin a mission to clean the area in front of the restaurant while I went to the Lord’s castle. It was a simple mission, but honestly, my expectations were zero. Surprisingly, the area in front of the restaurant was clean.

It’s like the sun rising in the west.

“What’s this? You actually did the work? Is this really our Rurin?”

As I patted Rurin’s head, who had come close, and asked, she started spinning around and laughing.

“Hehehe, then pat me more, more!”

“Did our Dragon eat something wrong? No way? I always fed you good things, but this is strange.”

“It was nothing! I created a whirlwind and sent everything down the hill!”

The dragon said proudly, shrugging.

“Oh, really?”

Of course she did. I removed my hand from her head.

She waved her hand over her head, expressing her dissatisfaction.

“Why? Isn’t the result the same anyway?”

“Then why are you holding the broom?”

“For show. Hehe.”

“Oh dear, I see. Anyway, since you kept your promise, I’ll make you a meal.”

“Yes, I’m hungry!”

I held Rurin’s hand. I could feel the warmth. Is it okay for a dragon’s hand to be this warm?

I entered the kitchen and started frying her favorite meat. Meat fried rice. It’s one of Rurin’s favorite dishes.

In the midst of this, it got a bit noisy outside. Unexpected intruders entered the restaurant. Moreover, their behavior didn’t resemble that of customers at all.

Several men who walked straight into the restaurant were all holding swords. The armor they wore was very familiar. Perhaps the armor I saw earlier?

They were wearing the armor of the 1st Knight Division. The knight at the front asked me a question, even pointing his sword at me.

“Are you the owner of this restaurant?”

“Yes, but what is this commotion about?”

I replied as I placed the prepared fried rice in front of Rurin. Rurin frowned, seemingly annoyed by the influx of humans.

Still hungry, she started eating the fried rice. She filled her mouth and then looked back at me.

“They’re not your guests, right? Can I take care of them?”

Following her instinct to first satiate her hunger, she filled her mouth before igniting her fighting spirit. I turned Rurin’s face to the front.

“I’ll take care of it, so just eat your food.”

“But no..!”

“But what ‘but’ is it? Chew all the food in your mouth first. Eat, eat. I’ll handle it.”

“Ugh. Got it.”

A dragon who has no doubts about my skills.

And knights who have no idea about my skills.

Two knights were blocking the entrance. One knight pointing a sword at my neck, and two waiting outside the restaurant. There were over 50 knights in the procession. Five of them here. It’s a small group if you think about it.

Honestly, I have no idea what their purpose is.

“Impudent fool, kneel immediately!”

When one knight shouted, another tried to lay his hands on me.

And another figure appeared.

As he entered the restaurant, all the knights bowed their heads.

“Vice-captain! Is this the man?”

The knights called him Vice-captain. He looked somewhat familiar.

“Huh, I didn’t tell you to go that far, did I? I just told you to block him so he wouldn’t suddenly disappear like before. Anyway, there’s unfinished business with that person.”

When he mentioned unfinished business, the knights glared at me more fiercely. Hearing his voice brought back faint memories. Yes, I definitely know this man.