Baron Hilfin [3]

Fortunately, it seems that Bilford, as a messenger, was able to convey the news of Carl's arrival.

However, it felt a bit excessive.

Of course, Carl thought that Baron Hilfin would greet him at the castle, but Baron Hilfin himself came rushing over on horseback and greeted Carl in the middle of an unpaved dirt road.

"Master Carl, this is Maldin, the matriarch of Hilfin."

Maldin, with grizzled hair and beard, got off his horse and greeted Carl politely.

Looking at his black eyes and large, thick-boned body, it seems quite credible to say that he has Northern Valturan blood mixed in with him.

As the prince of the empire, Carl had the status to receive his greetings from a horse, but with the help of Harman, he willingly got off the horse, approached Maldin, and stood in front of him with his head bowed.

"Lord Hilfin. nice to meet you."

Maldin seemed a little taken aback by the handshake that Carl readily gave him as he got off his horse.

However, he soon smiled gently and held Carl hand politely.

When Carl lets go, Maldin also takes his hand away.

"Lord Carl's messenger is resting comfortably in the castle."

Since Bilford brought Carl's cloak himself, Maldin first let him know that he had treated Bilford very politely.

Even if he is just a messenger, he must be treated well considering the authority of the person who sent him, but since he is carrying the prince's cloak, he must be even more careful.

The problem isn't Carl, but if you neglect the messenger who brought the imperial emblem, you may not be able to handle it.

"Thank you."

"No. Oh, rather than talking on the road like this, why don't we go to the castle and relieve the fatigue from the trip?"

Maldin spoke with a warm smile, and Carl also nodded calmly.

As Carl struggled to get back on the horse with Harman's help, Maldin's eyes glanced around. I don't think I left the carriage and came back on horseback in that sickly body… … .

"Seeing you on a horse, you are truly majestic."

"Hahaha, thank you even if it's just empty words."

Maldin quickly grasped the situation and praised Carl in an uncharacteristic way.

Carl pretended not to be and smiled smugly.

Hilfin's knights and soldiers escorted the area, and Carl rode the horse while talking about various things with Maldin.

"We have prepared a banquet for you, Lordd Carl. Even though Hillpin is a small area, you will be able to enjoy it to its fullest."

Meanwhile, at what Maldin said, Carol raised her eyebrows in confusion and made a young expression.

"yes? When are we going to do to subdue the gnolls?"

At Carl's innocent expression and voice, Maldin laughed with a big smile on his face.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Even though the heel pin is small, it doesn't cause any trouble. Most of it has already been sorted out. Your Majesty the Emperor is truly merciful. I can't believe he sent such a strong punitive force to even a gnoll."

At that moment, Carol's vivid green eyes, which had been as innocent as a child, sparkled deeply.

"is that so… It's a shame. I thought we could have some fun."

Carl complained like a child being mistreated.

A foolish and sickly child obsessed with delusions of commanding a small punitive force and achieving great achievements.

In the form of the 4th prince, Carl, as rumored, who doesn't know what's going on in the world.

"Hmm, I should have left some behind. I'm a little disappointed with Carl's proud fighting spirit, but would you like to take a look at the gnoll you killed?"

"ah! That would be so fun!"

It seems as if the skillful and experienced Maldin is gently coaxing the immature Carl.

The imperial soldiers were struggling to control their facial expressions, and Catherine just silently followed Carl with an unchanging expression.

When they arrived at Hilfin Castle, it was peaceful and quiet, as if everything had really come to an end.

The roads are clean, there is no noise, and the soldiers are leisurely walking up and down the walls.

"I dare not compare it to the imperial palace, but welcome to Hilfin Castle."

Maldin smiled slyly and led Carl inside.

Entering the castle, Carl took a quick look around. And he secretly gestured to Catherine, who was probably behind him.

Although there was no specific signal, Carl believed that Catherine would be able to roughly understand its meaning.

Catherine would have already noticed something strange even if Carl didn't say anything in the first place.

Carl was still busy expressing admiration and laughter at Maldin's dazzling speaking skills with a foolish and foolish expression on her face.

Maldin constantly said funny things to Carl in case she got lost in thought even for a moment.

"Ah, Lady Catherine! I will go up with Maldin first!"

"Yes, Carol."

Before Carl knew it, he was calling Maldin's name without any hesitation.

Carl looks back, says something to Catherine, and then enters the castle with Maldin.

Catherine led the soldiers to their quarters, guided by Hilfin's knight.

"Take a break, but be ready to run at any time. You didn't come here to have fun."

Despite Catherine's strict words, the soldiers were satisfied with just being able to rest. This is their first proper rest in 10 days.

Catherine was such a loyal knight that you could tell right away at first sight, so no one had any doubts about her instructions.

Catherine was then escorted into the castle as the 4th Prince's knight, with a servant and a knight by her side, never leaving.

"I need to check my squire."

Catherine even brought a messenger on behalf of Carl, who seemed to have fallen for Maldin.

Since he is her squire anyway, it is not that strange.

As Maldin said, Bilford was receiving quite generous treatment.

Bilford, who was resting in a nice room, was holding Carol's cloak in his arms without washing himself, and jumped up when Catherine entered the room.

"Lady Catherine. This is Lord Carl's cloak."

If something happens to Carl cloak while you're not paying attention, there's really no way to turn back. Bilford, who thought so, immediately handed the cloak to Catherine.

Catherine gently took Carl's cloak and bowed her head.

"… … ."

For a brief moment, it seemed as if her breath touched him.

To the servant and knight beyond the door, it seemed as if Catherine was playing a mean prank on the young squire.

"Take a rest. Don't plan on participating in the banquet. You are not permitted to do so."

"Yes, Lady Catherine."

Catherine took Carl's cloak in her arms and left the room, leaving Bilford behind.

After the door closed, Bilford, who was left alone, first washed and changed his clothes.

Wearing light clothing, Bilford rested quietly, and as the sun was setting, he received a large dinner and ate it. After returning the empty dishes, he blew out the candles and quietly lay down on the bed.

And after the sun has completely set, the banquet begins and loud noises begin to be heard.

Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was busy to entertain the 4th Prince Carl and his knight Catherine, the lowly commoner squire who no one was paying attention to disappeared without a sound.

A man who would become Adrian most loyal hunting dog at a young age of just over twenty. Thus, Bilford, who will make countless achievements, is already a great warrior even if he cannot handle mana yet.

No one noticed that Bilford had disappeared.