The Necromance of Love and Death: Defeated Early in the Game, I Reincarnated as a Tragic Villainous Noble and Rebel Against the Scenario with My Beloved Using My Modern and Game Knowledge - Chapter 24

“We’ve arrived.”

“Thank you, Baltzarek.”

“Baltzarek is really fast, after all.”

After about an hour of riding on Baltzarek, we safely landed at the Balbastor estate. Since we hadn’t sent any prior notice, the old retainers were probably scrambling to prepare a proper welcome right about now.

“Clovis, I am hungry.”

“I’ll have food prepared. Do you want pork or beef?”

“I feel like having beef right now.”

“Got it.”

Baltzarek usually hunts for his own prey or eats pigs and cows raised specifically for him. In fact, the Balbastor territory even has a ranch dedicated to feeding him.

“How many do you want?”

“I think I could eat two right now.”

“I’ll have them prepared.”

It had been difficult to get enough meat for him in the royal capital, so I had made him endure smaller portions. Now, he could eat to his heart’s content.

“Shall we go inside?”

“Yes.”

As we walked across the garden toward the mansion’s entrance, we saw maids lined up in front of the doors. At the very back, I could see the old steward.

“Welcome home, sir.”

“Welcome home, sir!” (the maids echoed in unison)

“Ah, I’m back.”

“I’m home.”

“You must be tired. I will prepare some tea for you immediately.”

“Thank you.”

The old steward led us to the drawing room, and as I settled in, I truly felt that I had returned home. The realization brought a sudden wave of exhaustion over me. Had I been tense the entire time I was in the royal capital?

“Today’s tea snack is a crêpe. How would you like your tea?”

“I’ll have it straight.”

“I’ll have mine straight as well.”

“Understood.”

The old steward and the maids swiftly prepared the tea. Taking a sip, I felt myself relax.

“Now then, my lord, how did things go in the royal capital?”

“I was successfully appointed as a Margrave.”

“Congratulations, Margrave. I never doubted it, but I still found myself worried…”

“I appreciate your concern. You can find all the details in this letter from Arnaud.”

I handed him a letter from Arnaud, and the old steward received it with a pleased expression, holding it carefully as if it were a treasure.

“Thank you very much. I shall read it later. By the way, my lord, did you meet Camille?”

“Camille?”

Who was that again? Had I met such a person?

With all the social events in the royal capital, I had met many people, so perhaps I had simply forgotten.

Yet no matter how much I tried to recall, I couldn’t connect the name “Camille” to any face.

“I can’t seem to remember. Who was that?”

“My grandson. I had hoped he could serve as your companion at the academy…”

I see. Now that he mentioned it, I would be enrolling in the royal capital’s academy at age twelve, so he must have been considering a personal attendant for me.

“No, I don’t believe I met him.”

“I don’t recall either.”

When Vio and I shook our heads, the old steward looked somewhat disappointed.

“I see… I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce him since you were going to the capital. Camille is five years older than you, and I believed a close age gap would make it easier for him to serve you at the academy.”

“I see. I’ll ask Arnaud about it the next time I visit the capital.”

Arnaud was the old steward’s son and therefore Camille’s father. He would be the best person to check with.

“This crêpe is delicious…!”

Across the table, Vio happily nibbled on her crêpe with a bright smile. Adorable.

“Hoho. I shall let our pâtissier know.”

“Yes, please do.”

“Oh, that reminds me. Please bring two cows from the ranch. Baltzarek is hungry.”

“Understood. I will have them prepared at once. But two at once, my lord? That is quite something.”

“I couldn’t feed him properly in the royal capital. Please see to it.”

“As you wish.”

“By the way, Margrave, Lady Violette, how was the royal capital?”

“Hmm… Seeing it from above, it was just enormous. And the number of people was overwhelming. I can’t imagine how they manage to feed so many people…”

“That would be thanks to the large river that flows near the capital. Ships carry food, local specialties, and rare goods from all over. A single ship can transport far more than a carriage.”

“I see…”

“Ships also depart from Balbastor territory. Our main exports are ironware, gemstones, and minerals. Since Balbastor is in the northern region, it is rich in mines.”

“Hmm, I see.”

While Vio was engrossed in her crêpe, I carefully memorized the steward’s words. As a Margrave, I would need to learn how to manage my territory. Information like this was essential.