Survivor 7

"Are you Hans Byron?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Fresh. It's quite an experience to get assigned to a task immediately after winning a duel with a superior.

The old man with a face full of wrinkles, who was assigned to me, slowly scanned me from head to toe.

"I am Yegor Hum, the chief steward of the Speda family."

Chief steward.

A high-ranking position in charge of managing the servants.

"Hm? Is there something on my face?"

"No, not at all. It's an honor to meet you…"

His face was very familiar to me. After all, he frequently appeared in the original story to supply the protagonist's group as they passed through the north.

'In the game, he was armored, but now he's in a neat suit.'

I had guessed I would receive training from a senior who entered before me.

But it was a big responsibility to be assigned directly to a person of the chief steward level.

"Firstly, your manners pass. Show not the excessive etiquette of nobility, but maintain the modesty you have now."

"Yes, thank you."

"As a servant, especially a personal servant, your top priority is to assist your master. You must consider the master's situation and take the necessary actions."

That was easy for me; I nodded cheerfully.

Being a servant seemed easier and more relaxed than I thought.

How much could that stern lady possibly order?

However, Yegor's next words quickly shattered my illusion.

"You'll be busier. Your master will be Lady Luciana. She enjoys fencing, so you'll need to inspect weapons, including swords, daily. As a lady, you also need to pay more attention to her dress and appearance during social activities, and more…"

The list of duties kept growing longer.

The 'actions according to the master's situation' he mentioned were far beyond my imagination.

"…This is what you'll need to do daily. And on special days, there will be even more to do. Considering Lady's age, such days will come quite often."

The workload he had just described in his lengthy speech was just the basics. My spine chilled.

It reminded me of the nightmare of unpaid overtime I often had to do as a junior employee.

"May I ask one question?"

"Go ahead."

"I'm curious about what those special days are."

"Hmm. It's better to learn that firsthand. Coincidentally, today is one of those special days."

Unfortunately, it seemed my first day of work was during a crunch period.

The taste in my mouth turned bitter.

I wanted information, but I didn't want to start by tumbling down.

"Follow me. I'll show you what you need to do."

Where he led me, there was a gate covered with complex sealing magic.

"This is a venerable place where only the ducal family and those they recognize can enter."

"Oh…"

'Ah, a warehouse for relics that is common in noble families.'

In the original game, this place was opened to the protagonist who saved the north, and they were generously told to take anything they wanted.

Curiosity naturally piqued.

"As you're from the west, here's a piece of advice."

Then.

Suddenly, Yegor turned his head and gave me a sharp look.

"If there's even one missing item here, all eyes in the north will be on the thief. Don't even dream of stealing anything."

"Don't worry. 'A scorpion in front of an oasis' is my motto."

This saying was so famous in this world that he slowly nodded.

"Good mindset. I hope it stays unchanged until you leave the ducal house."

Brrr-

It felt like watching a trailer for a game.

As his hand touched it, the sealing magic faded, and the massive gate opened on its own, revealing the dazzling relics inside.

I couldn't help but marvel.

"You, take that armor and follow me."

But there was no time to gaze.

Yegor pointed to a familiar-looking suit of armor on a stand.

It was a plate mail for a young knight.

"It's light."

A suit of armor made of solid steel should be heavy, but it felt as light as an empty sack.

Once outside, Yegor locked the door and responded.

"Lightweight magic has been applied to it so as not to burden Lady Luciana."

That's a secret!

Of course, if she's the same age as Hans, she'd be just a high school student. She couldn't possibly handle the weight of this plate armor.

I suddenly understood her impressive swordsmanship.

'It was all because of the gear.'

But I quietly kept my mouth shut, carrying the armor and following Yegor.

Thud, thud.

The sound of our quiet footsteps echoed in the hallway.

'How did he know?'

It's like he could see right through me.

I stared intently at the back of Yegor's head from behind the armor.

Was it a sincere warning?

Whether it was a challenge to a western newbie or not, it's fine.

Because the thief who will come later won't be 'Hans Byron.'

Taking one relic as a performance bonus isn't too bad, right?

***

I looked around, secretly impressed.

The room I was assigned to unpack my things was so much larger than the baron's mansion it was incomparable.

If this is the kind of room they give to a servant, I wonder what the rooms of the duke's direct descendants are like.

Walking down the hall, I was filled with anticipation.

"Lady Luciana, may I enter?"

"Yegor, is that you? Come in."

But when the door to Luciana's room opened with her permission, it was surprisingly different.

'This isn't what I expected.'

It was unexpected.

Instead of the typical frilly, jewel-encrusted, and cosmetic-filled displays you'd expect in a female noble's room, there was none of that.

Swords, shields, spears, bows…

The room was filled with weapons, reflecting her warlike nature.

It could have been mistaken for a weapons display room.

"I didn't expect to see this guy here too. Hmm. Is it just for today? Nice to meet you."

But in such a spartan room, the real gem was the room's owner herself.

A sapphire embroidered on white platinum.

I just stood there, staring at her.

Any jewel would have lost its luster compared to her.

-What are you doing? The lady has spoken to you, and as her servant, you should respond.

I quickly snapped back to reality and bowed my head.

Thanks to Yegor's voice ringing in my head, I was able to react without delay.

"Yes, I am Hans Byron, assigned as Lady Luciana's personal servant."

"Good. So you're coming to my coming-of-age ceremony too."

A coming-of-age ceremony?

I was puzzled.

This is a Korean game. Isn't the age of adulthood here the same as in Korea?

"What are you staring at? Hand over that armor first."

"Yes."

Though the news of a sudden coming-of-age ceremony was confusing, I handed her the armor as instructed.

My confusion deepened.

'Aren't coming-of-age ceremonies usually about dressing up extravagantly? Why is she focusing on armor instead of a fancy eastern silk dress?'

"Yegor, may I ask another question?"

I seized the opportunity when I was alone with the chief steward, having stepped out for Luciana to change. Having already made a bad impression on my master, I decided to be proactive with the steward.

"Speak up. Don't ask for permission each time. Since you're new, just ask whatever comes to mind."

"Isn't Lady Luciana too young for her coming-of-age ceremony?"

"In the north, we have two types of coming-of-age ceremonies."

Oh, that's new. That part wasn't explained in the game.

The steward continued calmly.

"One is the typical ceremony you're aware of, celebrating the transition to adulthood with a festival. That's not much different from other regions."

"And the other?"

"It's a unique tradition in the north. Before becoming an adult, nobles prove their worth by going on a monster hunt."

Monster hunting? Isn't she just about high school age?

I didn't have time to brace myself before he dropped another bombshell.

"So get ready. You'll need to be by the lady's side. You can ride a horse, right?"

* * *

I heard that in the past, northern coming-of-age ceremonies were brutal battles. The tradition started with going alone, without any guards, around the castle and village, hunting fierce monsters that threatened the lives and property of the people.

This is history not mentioned in the game or by the steward. How do I know it?

"This isn't a coming-of-age ceremony…"

The lady herself told me, lamenting her situation in real-time.

She seemed quite disappointed, forgetting her hostility and chattering away.

"Yegor, call the soldiers now."

"That's not possible."

"Why not?"

Luciana glared at the steward.

"Historically, the northern coming-of-age ceremony had to be faced alone. Plus, these soldiers are valuable personnel who need to be vigilant against demons. They can't waste time here."

Considering historical facts and the practical situation, her argument had some merit.

…If only her voice hadn't been so full of excitement and anticipation, it might have been more convincing.

"No, I can't allow that."

Predictably.

My superior firmly rejected her request, seeming to see the situation the same way I did.

"Monsters can't distinguish by the color of their blood, so we can't lower our guard."

I agreed with Yegor's refusal.

As a servant, it was my duty to ensure her safety.

If Luciana were to fall to a monster, the duke's wrath would shake the entire north.

But despite the steward's persuasion, Luciana was unyielding.

"You worry too much."

Her words grew colder, and the sword vibrated slightly, emitting a transparent mana. It was the same aura she displayed in our duel.

"It doesn't matter how many come. Do you think I'd be scared?"

"Lady Luciana...."

"Don't make me repeat myself. As a steward, your job is to follow your master's wishes, not argue."

When she pushed her status, even the duke's unofficial second-in-command couldn't do much but struggle.

But despite his troubled face, he stood firm.

"I'm sorry."

"You dare to disobey?"

"Your life, Lady Luciana, is not just your own. Please remember your engagement to the crown prince."

Watching quietly, I couldn't help but admire his eloquent speech and attitude.

And seeing Luciana silently close her mouth when her family was mentioned, her dedication to her family shone brightly.

Although hidden in armor and a helmet, I remembered her character from the game. She seemed hesitant, knowing that any rash action against the monsters could impact her engagement.

"I was shortsighted. Thank you for your frankness."

"I should be the one thanking you for understanding."

But still.

Even though Luciana's concession had settled the brief disturbance, I felt uneasy. I didn't like the current situation.

"…It probably won't last anyway."

"Hans, what did you just say? It was too quiet to hear."

"Ha-ha. Nothing. I was just admiring how the northern coming-of-age ceremony is."

'Even now, she always sacrifices her desires for her family.'

While I admired her consistency, it also greatly irked me.

If only she had been rewarded for it. In the end, doesn't Luciana meet her demise as a mid-boss in every route?

I made up my mind.

Maintaining an innocent expression, I casually spoke up.

"Lady Luciana, since I'm new here and don't know much, is the coming-of-age ceremony better when you hunt bigger and stronger monsters?"

Let's give Luciana an unforgettable coming-of-age ceremony. The best prey to match her boldness.