Chapter 11 ─ Count Hamilton

The man in front of me introduced himself as Count Hamilton.

After introducing himself he took me and the bartender to a private room where he poured us a glass of expensive liquor.

I gladly accepted it but I am not a good drinker.

I took all my strength and drank the drink to the bottom.

After a bitter effort, I managed to get the strong drink down my throat.

"That was the most intense thing in my life."

"Nyahahaha. Young people these days can't take weak drinks."

"In my youth, drinking this was like drinking water. If you want to drink something strong and test your manhood let me know."

"Is there anything stronger than this!"

"Nyahahaha. I like your innocence, boy."

After laughing for a while, he placed his glass on the table.

"Well, let's get to the business of bringing them here."

"I want to thank you both for your help."

"I don't need you to thank me for anything, it was my job."

Replied the bartender, the count asked with keen interest.

"Really, may I know the reason?"

"I am a knight. I was given the order to catch Barossa, I did it, now I can go back to work in the capital."

The bartender's way of answering was polite, but his expression was very dull, as if he had no life in expressing himself.

The count nodded.

"Can you at least tell me your name so I can send you a thank you gift in the capital?"

"Gram."

"...I see."

The count seemed surprised to hear his name─ Gram. is a good name, by the way.

His gaze focused on me.

"And you Regulus-kun. is there a way to thank you for your help?"

"Umm, truth be told count-sama, I don't need anything, that guy all he did was take my girlfriend hostage so I just defended her."

"Ohhh!"

Suddenly, he jumped out of his seat, it was very funny due to his short stature how he was jumping around like a child.

"Unbelievable! You actually did something I only read about in books."

He recomposed his composure after realizing he was acting strange.

"I'm sorry. But ever since I was a kid I've always loved stories about knights protecting their damsels in distress."

"The truth is... I lost my wife years ago, she was taken by a disease that could not be cured since it was hereditary."

"For that reason. I fear for my daughter. Hoping that one day, or at least when she is old, nothing can take her away from me."

"Hearing how you stood up to the pirates made me feel that if I had a chance again... I would certainly fight to keep my beloved alive."

Hey, don't say anymore, you're going to depress me.

Because I don't know what I'd do if Mary or Shannon ended up the same way.

He walked over to me and held out his hand.

"Please shake my hand. I at least want to say thank you to a man who fought to protect the woman he loves."

His manner was odd, but he doesn't seem like a bad man. I decided to shake his hand.

"It was nothing. I mean, Mary was in danger, the natural thing to do was to protect her."

"Her name is Mary!"

He acted even stranger, I freaked out at the sight of him.

"Y-Yes. My girlfriend's name is Mary, we came along with her mother and two other companions to enjoy temporary vacation in the city of Crammond."

"Ohhhhhhh! Another coincidence!"

The count jumped in disbelief.

"Is there something wrong with you?"

"You see, it turns out my wife's name was Mary. And the town you're headed for is mine. It's part of one of my territories, benefits of being a renowned nobleman of the palace."

"So, I wanted to know if you and your companions would like to stay in my mansion."

It was a very good proposal, but I didn't understand the reason.

"Thank you, but I don't understand the reason for letting us stay at your house."

The look on his face was very honest, almost as if he could see inside me.

"Do you believe in fate?"

"The truth is, I don't believe in it. But for some time now, my life has felt different."

"For example, I wasn't going to come on this trip, but something inside me told me to quit work and go take a vacation, my daughter told me the same thing."

"I got on this ship and it just so happens that this incident happened and then I met you."

"Don't you think that's funny that?"

In a nutshell, what he said was.

"Do you think this was fated to happen?"

He answered me with another question what I asked him.

"Let me answer it this way. Don't you think something happens for a reason? Think of pollination as it."

"Without the bees bringing pollen to the plants, the plants would die and that would wither every crop farm as this is necessary for the animals as well."

"Same with hunting, if an herbivore doesn't feed, the carnivore can't devour it and thus continue the cycle of avoiding overpopulation."

"That's why I believe now, that there is a reason for everything. A reason to meet, that your girlfriend's name is Mary and you go to my city."

"Don't you think there's something curious about all this?"

Insinuating that there is a force that makes everything go in such a way to make the world go round is what he says.

I can take that as true, if I take My Creator as an example, He sent me to this world to perform an important task.

Can I take that as destiny?

Let's say yes, it would really hurt my head to believe otherwise.

"I understand what you say count-sama, looking at it like that, there was certainly a reason to meet."

"Don't add the honorific at the end, just call me count."

"Count Hamilton, please let me ask my companions if we can accept your generous offer."

"Go ahead."

◇

I went out to ask the girls, those two guys not necessary since one is a drunk and the other my servant.

When I asked them, their answers were.

"Awesome, a real nobleman not evil one will show us his mansion!"

Mary said with stars in her eyes.

"Won't it be a bother? We're not really people of his standing for him to want to have us in his house."

Shannon replied a little pessimistically, I reassured her by telling her what we talked about, just a little.

"Umm, with that said, I don't think it's a bad idea. But I'd like to meet the count first and say hello to put my mind at ease."

"Understood."

I took both of them after looking for those two.

Russell was drunk and Cedric was carrying him.

I introduced the count to my companions.

Mary and her mother showed what little they knew of etiquette, not refined, but respectful.

Cedric showed a perfect salute while Russell lay like a filthy drunk on the floor.

The count laughed, I expected him to order his head cut off. But he is such a good man that he congratulated him for showing such passion for not letting go of that bottle.

The count told them what I told them and again Mary gladly agreed and Shannon was not pessimistic.

Cedric on the other hand just showed that he would go where I was going.

I watched as Gram left the room to go back to his daily routine while we would go to a mansion.

◇

After we landed the boat, we went down next to the count, by this time Russell had woken up.

It was funny how he was startled to see the count with a half-empty bottle in his hands.

We boarded his private carriage, as there was not much room, they called another one and there went Cedric and Russell.

Mary was very surprised looking at the streets of the city.

"Mom, everything is so different from the town."

"The city has a different tone, while the town is more rustic, you can't even see the dust on the ground like at home. The streets even have bricks, a rare thing for us to see."

It was all new to me, too.

If this is what a city looks like as opposed to a village, what will the capital city look like?

I am really amazed by this.

From the street to the people's clothes are different from the town, I certainly want to live in such a place.

Girls would be glad to live in a place like this.

"Here we are."

The count addressed us as we turned a corner.

"It's huge!"

The count's mansion was bigger than the viscount's.

About two streets measured the distance in width.

We had to turn around to enter through the front gate.

A knight greeted us politely.

Rich people sure are amazing!

The garden was very beautiful, the bushes had interesting figures and an occasional fountain with exotic sculpture.

After going around the smaller fountain in the center, a butler opened the door for us.

The count came down first and notified us that we were his guests.

We went down after introducing ourselves and after waiting a while, the butler told us to enter.

The count didn't want to enter without us so he waited outside.

"Welcome to the mansion of Count Hamilton."

"We are honored by your presence, dear guests."

Two rows of servants, of men and women wearing different clothes lay in front of us.

But that was not the only surprise, the interior was very beautiful, every corner, every section, every box down to the ceiling chandeliers and carpet was luxurious.

I repeat, being rich must surely be the best.

After introducing ourselves, the count called for a maid.

She was a beautiful girl with navy blue hair tied in two front braids, her yellow eyes were hidden by her glasses.

But her large breasts like Mary's were so firm, a little exposed for them to breathe and, above all, fluttering with confidence.

She bowed like every servant of a nobleman of great status.

"How nice to meet you, dear guests."

"I am the third daughter of an upstart baron. Julie Zora Belmont, at your service."

Julie introduced herself. The count said to her.

"Julie, for the time our guests will be staying here, I want you to guide them around the city. If they wish to purchase anything, charge it to my account."

Shannon protested at his generosity.

"W-Wait please count!"

"To charge your account for any purchases would be disrespectful to us."

"Nonsense. For a man like me, every expenditure is an investment that always has positive effects."

"Most of my servants are from families of barons or viscounts because they need to be under someone's shadow for their families to get ahead."

"There is always a need for a leader in any organization or group. And the money you consume is part of the destiny that brought us together."

(I think that destination is too far removed from paying our expenses.)

(I'd better not say that.)

After understanding the count insisted on it, Shannon nodded in embarrassment.

I understand that she is concerned the count might think we are taking advantage of his kindness, which we will not be.

Russell asked.

"Excuse me, Count Hamilton, is there a place where good liquor is served?"

In a low voice I replied to this fellow who was rubbing his hands together maliciously.

"You drunken bastard, do you want the count to keep money?"

"I have in the cellar bottles of excellent wine that I don't drink because I don't like to drink alone. Would you like to drink with me?"

"Allow me to be your companion in such an honor."

Russell replied after showing a bow.

As soon as I took my gaze from him, I looked at Mary who was tugging on my shirt sleeve.

"Regu-chan, the pretty maid is watching you."

I turned to see Julie who asked me.

"Master told me that you are everyone's representative. I will be in your care during your stay here."

"Is there anything you would like to do first, or maybe sightseeing?"

I looked at the girls, Mary's eyes were sparkling and Shannon seemed interested in sightseeing as well.

Cedric just nodded.

Seeing that they all agreed....

"We want to go sightseeing."

"Very well, in that case I suggest first changing after your long trip."

We heeded him, went to our rooms and changed.

◇

"The city of Crammond is famous for its various branches that allow people of high and low status."

"Thus guaranteeing the economic never once declines as long as taxes stay the same and don't go up."

Julie was telling us various things related to the streets, buildings and even street corners.

It was very interesting everything she said.

But more interesting is what she said as soon as we left the mansion.

"I don't know if you ever heard this."

"There is a story about the love between a nobleman and a slave, ending in the slave taking her life to be together with her beloved."

I replied immediately.

"I know it. It was told to me by a slaveholder, what's that got to do with it?"

"You see, one of those children in the orphanage opened by the butler who used the money his master, turned out to be a financial genius."

"He grew up and had a son, his offspring went on to the present Count Hamilton."

"Huh? You mean that!"

It was a surprise to everyone, more so to me.

"That's right. The count is a descendant of one of those children."

"His family follows the code of helping others because in the end you will be rewarded for your actions."

(I guess that has a little to do with the count's kind personality.)

I said to myself as I marveled at such a story.

"That means this mansion is..."

"That's right. This land was where the orphanage was which was moved to a better area and the count's great-grandfather bought the land to build his home."

"It's amazing how that fantasy story was real."

"It's not the only one. Most businesses here are from kids who stayed and wanted to repay his kindness to the man who handed them a future."

"Many became merchants, branch owners or court nobles."

"Ah, we arrived."

Julie asked if we were hungry, Mary's stomach gave us away.

So we walked to a famous restaurant while enjoying the view.

Being close to arriving.

"Kyah."

Mary bumped into someone, we had to turn a corner and as she went running, she didn't notice a man coming from that corner as well.

They both fell, I went to check on her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It was just a stumble."

She said after falling on her butt, I helped her to her feet and quickly went to pick up the man who fell for her.

Mary was even terrified.

"Let me help you."

"I-I'm really sorry."

"No. Not at all, it was my fault, I was reading the paper while drinking my coffee."

The man Mary accidentally hit was wearing white clothes similar to a smart suit, his coat was too big to be a coat.

Gold trim on his limbs and on his back a strange crossed cross was decorated in red and white.

The man's appearance was also elegant.

Possibly middle-aged by the shape of his green eyes.

His blond hair was short and dusty.

Mary went to apologize to him when I noticed something I didn't see before.

"Mary, your skirt got stained."

"Huh? Ah, that's right."

Mary's long skirt was stained with coffee.

"Ugh, this skirt was new and I was just trying it on."

"I'm so sorry for my mistake!"

The man dropped to his knees and smashed his face into the floor.

He began to draw the attention of people passing around.

"By my clumsiness I ruined your precious dress miss!"

"In my country, disrespecting a woman is a synonym of shame to our family."

"Even if I did it by accident, it doesn't make it any less my responsibility."

"I implore you to please let me make amends for my mistake! I won't be able to show my face at home if I don't erase my inattention along the way! It could have resulted in something worse if the coffee had been hot!"

(Huh?)

(Was it iced?)

(Now that I get a good look at it, Mary didn't scream at being splotched with coffee.)

(I know some people like to drink iced coffee, but I've never seen anyone drink it in town before.)

Mary looked in all directions and became increasingly nervous.

"S-Sir please stand up."

"It's all right, it's just a skirt."

"No! It's my recklessness that caused you a bad experience!"

"You were hanging out with your family and I ruined it. I won't be able to show my face again if I tell my acquaintances and families about this. Please!"

Mary wanted to cry, apparently this was very embarrassing.

"Ah, okay, please replace this skirt with a new one!"

"I'll be happy to do so."

"How quick!"

We were both overexcited at the speed with which he got up.

His forehead was still dirty, wipe it off.

"Let's go to one of the best women's clothing stores in town. I'll pay you for as many as you want."

She saw me wanting to cry after hearing that.

"You must accept or he'll keep insisting."

"Sure, let's go~."

Mary was about to cry as we followed the man directing us to the store.

Shannon looked concerned, but my look of interest fell on Julie who was strange about the man in white.

◇

After buying Mary the most expensive skirt, the man in white told us he wanted to buy us dinner for our trouble.

It was too much kindness, so much, that it was uncomfortable for us.

What was this sentiment called?

After we arrived, it seems the guy already had a reservation to eat here, they brought a few more chairs.

The man introduced himself after forgetting to do so.

"I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Zald Bermann, from Endymion Theocracy."

Theocracy. I feel like I've heard that name somewhere.

Mary asked Zald.

"Bermann-san, what brings you to town, tourism or work?"

Mary was very curious, that side of her was very charming.

Zald replied.

"I shouldn't answer this, but Mary-dono temporarily formed a bond with me, which makes her almost as if she were related to me."

"I can tell you only minor details."

"I am here for work, I and a few comrades came by order of His Majesty the Holy King, as they reported heretics in the vicinity."

"The Kingdom is also against heretics so we were given permission to enter. I cannot say more."

"I understand. I guess those heretics are bad people."

"They are. They are aberrations in the image and likeness of God."

"The theocracy exists to promote the word of our lord. But also to protect the primordial race."

"Primordial race?"

I asked curiously, but for some reason, some customers started to get up and Julie looked around uncomfortably.

Zald proudly answered me.

"You don't know? I don't blame you, surely this wasn't told to you for matters not worth mentioning."

"So as not to make it long, since I've been told I like to overemphasize."

His finger pointed at me.

"The primordial race is that recorded as the first human species to be born."

"Of course, those are the [Alba] and then came we who are recognized as the second first humans. Those blessed by God."

"With golden hair representing the purity of its love, eye color always varies because it is related to magical power."

"But that's the least of it."

"You all should be proud, you are descendants of the first humans created by God. Sure, the blue-haired lady is part of one of the births that came later, but she was born here, she has primordial human blood in her veins."

His words were odd.

But something struck me about it.

Do I have blond hair?

The owner of the body, Luke, as I recall from a photo in his room, looks like he had blond hair.

That would explain why there are a lot of golden-haired people here.

His explanation was weird, he's weird. But he doesn't seem like a bad person to me.

"Umm, I kind of understand what you're saying."

(No. I don't really get it, I'm just saying it to make myself look good.)

"Being created by God in his image and likeness is something to be thankful for."

Zald reacted like the count when I told him that my girlfriend had the same name as his wife.

"Oh, you do understand my feelings Regulus-dono."

"Truly you are as our young people should be."

"Are you sure your parents are not of the theocracy?"

"I-I don't think so. I'm from the rural lands and started my path for now as an adventurer."

"Hoho. You're an adventurer? Umm..."

"What's wrong?"

I asked curious at the way he looked at me.

"Tell me, would you like to accompany me on this mission? Of course, you would be paid for your services, naturally, you would be dressed like us."

"Really, what would I gain from it?"

It was an interesting deal, but I feel like there's something else hidden.

"I'll be honest with you. I had a son, he looked a lot like you, and the way you talked about God reminded me a lot of him."

"I'm sure this work would serve you well in the future. The Kingdom itself is in charge of eliminating heretics as well, and they may hire you one day."

"That sounds very good indeed."

Being hired by the Kingdom would move me up the ranks of adventurer, a little closer to my goal.

Suddenly, Mary grabbed my arm.

"I have to go to the bathroom, we'll be right back."

She led me to the back of the restaurant.

As we stood away from the table, she said to me in a frightened tone.

"Regu-chan, what are you thinking, tell me?"

"What are you talking about? He said he was offering me a job that would help me rise up the ranks of an adventurer and thus get the royal palace to take an interest in me."

"That's good... Ah."

"I understand. Are you like this because of the fact that I would use our free time to work?"

"Don't worry. I'll tell him it'll be just one day, even if the pay is small."

"It's not that."

She said crossing her arms and her face sending glances from the table to me.

"Didn't you hear what he said?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Didn't what that guy said make you uncomfortable?"

"Why would he do that?"

I asked intrigued by Mary's behavior.

She told me something I was completely unaware of.

"I already remembered what theocracy was, as a child we were told that by a knight who passed through town."

"He said that theocracy is a nest of extremists obsessed with human purity."

"Human purity?"

I said after hearing that word.

Mary made me feel why she was this uncomfortable.

"Human purity means they categorize only humans as living beings."

"Anyone who is not a human being will be categorized as a monster. Even if they have friendly relations with the demi-human country and the elf country."

"He also told us that their obsession with blonde hair is very unhealthy. They almost consider those of us who don't have their hair color as half-breeds or second-rate humans."

"Those guys are really weird. I felt uncomfortable really because of how he expressed himself, it almost made me feel repulsed by having the same hair."

"Please don't accept."

"Let's finish this and go to the count's mansion."

I wanted to tell her I would, but this was an opportunity I didn't know if it would happen again.

My mission must not be interrupted.

Someday, I will become the Sword God, and if the theocracy gets in my way, I will eliminate them.

I told Mary the truth.

"I'm sorry, I must go. But don't worry, heretics are humans who commit blasphemy, right?"

"They are the same as bandits, scum and therefore not worth living."

"Just so you don't feel like I'm in danger, I'll tell Cedric to come with me so he'll let me know if things get weird or dangerous so we can leave."

"Okay?"

Mary looked disgruntled at what I said, but she knows not to take it back.

So after closing her eyes for a good while, she looked me in the face.

"All right. One day only, and if it gets dangerous, run away."

I hugged her to show my appreciation for understanding me.

We went back to the table.

Zald seems to be telling them stories about how the theocracy prays.

Julie's face says she wants to leave, while Shannon nods gently.

Cedric is motionless as always.

I approach the table and say to him.

"Bermann-san, I would like to go with you on that heretic quest. But I would like to take my servant Cedric with me as security."

Cedric understood that I was taking him to protect me and nodded.

Zald thought for a while and said.

"Well, I have no scratch why refuse."

"Tomorrow morning at 9 am I'll be at the back of the city on the east side, get there without a single minute late."

"Well, with that said, let's order lunch."

Mary and I sat down, there was no one there but us anymore.

Was what she said really that nasty?

◇

After we finished eating, we continued walking around, but the atmosphere was not like before.

We returned home and chatted with the count.

Unlike before, he kept looking at me very seriously when the subject of Zald came up.

He even took Julie with him when he went out to get more bottles of wine.

Russell lay unconscious on the floor.

Leaving aside the dinner where I was asked what Zald said and I answered what I told him.

We went to sleep and the new day came.

Cedric was ready very early, Mary and her mother were still sleeping.

As we were about to leave we saw Julie who said to us.

"Please report everything you do there."

In a very serious tone, almost as if it was an order.

I said ok and we left.

◇

After walking for a while and almost getting lost, we arrived at the designated place.

There was Zald there with a small group of men, they had two matching robes for us like the ones they wear.

After greeting each other, we put on the robes and walked in the direction of the forest.

It was not just any forest.

It was the forest of darkness.

I quickly stopped him.

"Hey, you can't go into this forest, it's too dangerous."

Zald informed me something I didn't expect to hear.

"We know, that's why we took out all the monsters and then the trees. Well, it was the other group we didn't."

"Some trees had a magic circle engraved in a pattern that linked several trees together."

"At this point, the forest that scared everyone was back to being a normal forest."

Hearing how they dealt with a problem that many could not, indicated how agile and competent they were.

By the way, what with another group?

"Hey, do you know the history of why the Kingdom and the Theocracy are allies?"

"Well, they were in the past."

"No. I don't know anything to do with history, it's not my forte."

I replied embarrassed that I didn't know that, not that it was important, but not knowing a history of the Kingdom having the occasional useless memory of Luke says a lot about him.

"No problem."

"The reason we are allies goes back to their founding. We helped them create several cities."

"You could say we're their co-founders. But we didn't want to take away their individuality because of our way of thinking."

"Sure, back then our enemy was different and that's why we didn't force anyone to believe in our god, since we were all in his image and likeness."

"... We forced?"

Suddenly, the atmosphere became strange.

In the distance I could observe some people.

"Back then when we were helping countries to found their nations, there was someone who saw our dumb faces."

"We helped them found nations, create cities from mud and even have an economic debt to everyone, but we were the same, we refused to take payment from our brothers."

We were getting closer and closer to the place that was the meeting.

"But sometime later we discovered that one of the races we helped were actually filthy vassals of the [Demon Emperor] and that brought about the death of thousands of our citizens when it was too late."

"Yeah, those damn heretics are right here."

Arriving at the place where they were gathered, I found a disturbing scene.

A group of men in white robes were torturing a group of people.

They were beating them to a pulp, pulling out their fingernails, breaking their legs and even abusing them using a small log.

I looked at Zald's face, and the expression of a pleasant fellow changed to that of a sickly, doe-eyed maniac.

"That's why according to the Holy King. We must torture the heretics, the helpers of the current demon king."

"The [dark elves]."

"Oh, Zald, you came just in time."

A man was approaching our side.

"Zartras. How's everyone doing?"

"Everything is going normal, just now we will proceed to pass judgment for their sins."

A group of dark skinned men and women with white or black hair were lined up in a row, behind them were men in black armor with swords raised.

"The reason for their sins we have already dictated to them, now we will proceed to make them pay."

"You are all sick!"

Shouted one of the dark elves.

"You take us out of our villages!"

"You torture us for a crime we did not commit and kill our children first to feed them to us!"

"Reproduction is a sacred act of god, you are just heretics who make a mockery of it."

"There is nothing heretic about our actions!"

"We live in tranquility like everyone else! But you came proclaiming that we are heretics and destroyed our home!"

Tears of blood streamed down his bruised cheeks.

The man clenched his lip tightly, which began to bleed. That blood was falling along with his tears.

"If you call 'Holy King' a monster which without any foundation says that we are enemies... That means your society as a country are manipulated in an atrocious way─!"

"Do it."

Zald said and swords came down as heads rolled.

Seeing this I could only think of one thing.

(Mary. What the hell did I get myself into?)

________________

The corresponding fanservice is from the new girl entered in the story, Julie.

https://chan.sankakucomplex.com/es/post/show/31453023