Chapter 23.2: Demands

My body sank into the cushioning of the velvet couch. I stroked the cloth, cotton upholstery, it felt rather nice to the touch. I yawned and crossed my legs, resting my arms on the back of the couch.

"So, lord Eugene..."

Across me, the Baron spoke with his palms clasped together. He seemed to be thinking about his next words as he shifted his eyes from here to there, it honestly annoyed me how low he had to look to see me, but I couldn't be bothered about that right now. The baron nodded and pushed forward the tray filled with confectionaries and tea. I gracefully picked up the tea like I had been taught and slowly took a sip.

"Is the tea to your liking, young master?"

"What was it about the legality of my constructions on my land, Baron?"

The Baron's smile froze over as he pulled himself back.

"T-that... I wasn't aware that place was being built on your orders, young lord."

"Hmm," I took another sip of the tea and nodded. "As you say, you ignored all investigation and looked over any possible threat that any organization capable of moving such a large force can pose and recklessly sent your knights to break things, correct, baron?"

"Not at all, lord! That isn't what I wanted to do! Just to check things..."

As the baron panicked, I crossed my legs and leaned back in the seat, checking out my nails. I ignored whatever he said and sighed. Since he didn't show any signs of stopping his excuses, I leaned forward and slammed my teacup on the table.

At once, the baron shut his trap.

"Baron. I don't believe my father would like to listen to your excuses"

The baron clenched his lips and bit bowed his head. "F-forgive my ignorance, young lord. I swear something like this will never happen again."

"Tsk."

The baron raised his eyes when I clicked my tongue. I twisted my face as deep as I could, and the result was the incessant trembling of the baron's hands.

"Young lord! Since you are developing the space, please allow me to make my mistakes right."

I gestured at him to go on.

"The place falls on the way to the Ediab forest, correct? I'll make it mandatory for all adventurers to pass through it, how about it?"

A smile crept on my face unwittingly. Surely, one couldn't be a baron without any hint of wits. This guy looked like a knight, but his head wasn't that bad.

The baron seemed to have been encouraged by my smile.

"How about it, young master?"

"You should do that, baron."

"I-I'll get right to it!"

I cut off his words by eyeing my teacup. The baron noticed my gesture and looked at the butler standing behind him. Before the butler could come up, I stopped him with my hand and stared at the baron again.

"Ahaha!" The baron laughed. "How lucky I am to pour tea for the young master!"

This guy could also suck up to others well. Competency was always appreciated.

The baron swiftly poured some tea into both of our cups and smiled, waiting for me before drinking his own.

"Baron, this incident..." I took a sip. "It has made me rather concerned about the security of that town."

"Please forgive this one! Young lord!" The baron bowed deeply again.

"Tsk. Raise your head baron," I said. "Since you will be sending adventurers out, also send about half of your knight order to protect the place."

"Half?!"

"Do you think that would be too little to train some people as well? You can send more, then."

The baron frantically shook his head to the side and spoke up. "Not at all! It should be more than enough, a tad too much even."

"I am just that concerned about safety, baron. Do you have any problems with it?"

"N-not at all... young lord..."

"Alright then," I stood up and dusted my clothes. The baron stood right after me and clasped his hands together. "Send them by today."

"... Yes..."

I guess he lost the energy to even retort.

"Lastly, don't send anyone to collect any taxes there." Keith stood behind me as I set off to the exit. "No need to show me out."

That handled most of my work here. Without sparing the baron a glance, I left the place.

***

Deep in the shade of the night, a single figure passed through the back alleys of the baron's town. The robe-covered figure passed through the doors of the town at just the perfect time as he strutted deep into the forest, his bloodshot eyes gleaming under the light of the stars.

Saliva and sweat dripped out of the man's mouth, but no hands emerged from under the robe.

Just like the bugs of the night, the figure kept calling out one name.

"Dark Moon! Dark Moon Bandits!"

The figure did not see, the gleam of a maid's blade behind him.