NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41
The mansion where Lena used to live is quite far to the west, about a two-day ride by horse.
During the journey, Misha turns into a black cat and rides on my back, saving us the need for an extra horse.
Lena also suggested transforming into a wolf for the trip, but Geizel discouraged it, saying it was inappropriate. It seems that in Laikanslope, nobles primarily appear in their beastman forms.
Also, it would be inappropriate for a noble lady to return home in maid’s attire, so Lena is wearing typical clothes for a young woman. She’s borrowing Misha’s clothes.
By the way, Geizel is not from Laikanslope; he’s a regular human.
“Ah, I really don’t want to go back… I hate all the formality,” Lena murmurs, not really talking much about her background during the trip.
However, when we arrive at the mansion, its scale alone gives me a pretty good idea of the kind of life she must have led.
Our own mansion looks like a joke compared to this sprawling estate. To even reach the main mansion, we pass several buildings that house servants, farmers tending to gardens, and so on.
“It’s like a village just surrounding the mansion,” Misha comments in awe, sitting on my shoulder.
“Is this what real nobility is like?”
“The Selwood family owns the fifth-largest piece of land in the Kingdom of Gartlud,” Geizel says, looking slightly proud.
“So, they’re genuinely high-ranking nobles.”
“Once upon a time, the Selwood family even founded an independent country in Laikanslope. Even now, they own a vast stretch of land.”
“I just wanted to live freely. I’m not the eldest daughter or anything… I have three brothers and two sisters, so I’m not really needed,” Lena says, her face turning increasingly pale as we approach the mansion.
“I wanted to live more freely.”
“That’s why your father prepared a position for you as the head of a monastery in the capital city of Meire,” Geizel adds.
“Geizel, that’s not any different from being a noble.”
Indeed, the top positions in major temples often go to nobles or their younger siblings. (Even in Japan, younger members of noble families would take on high-ranking roles in temples. My knowledge of Japanese history is coming in handy for once.)
Just before entering the mansion, Misha reverts to her human form.
The giant doors open, revealing an interior even more luxurious than the exterior. Sculptures adorn every possible surface.
On either side, servants stand with bowed heads. There are beastmen with dog-like ears from Laikanslope, regular humans, and even those with pointed ears like elves.
“The Selwood family, being from Laikanslope, strives not to discriminate based on birth. According to the laws of our territory, shops that discriminate against beastmen are fined,” Geizel explains, looking quite pleased with himself.
Then we meet Lena’s parents.
Both are beastmen, dressed in opulent clothing befitting of lords.
“Nice to meet you. I am Marcel, the 22nd head of the Selwood family.”
“My wife, Katarina.”
Misha and I bow our heads in return.
“I apologize, we’re adventurers and not really familiar with formalities.”
“No need to worry. We know your hearts are in the right place, as you saved our daughter Mireille’s life.”
Lena, whose real name is Mireille (still not used to that), looks as timid as a borrowed cat. Well, she did run away from home, so it’s understandable.
“I never thought Mireille, who has always been free-spirited, would run away for such a long time,” Katarina sighs.
“And to hear she was leading a band of thieves! I couldn’t believe my ears when I first heard,” Marcel adds.
“I managed just fine as a thief, and I had a knack for being an adventurer,” Lena defends herself.
“Fool. If you hadn’t been saved, you’d be dead by now,” her father retorts, causing Lena to shrink back.
“But let’s set that aside for today. We didn’t expect to see our daughter again, and we don’t want to spoil the occasion. It would be rude to our guests as well.”
It’s a relief to see that the family discord isn’t the reason Lena ran away. Another servant brings a large fabric map.
“We would like to offer you a token of our gratitude,” Marcel says, turning to me.
“Uh, okay.”
I’m wondering if it might be an expensive sword or something. That would be nice.
“We would like to give you an estate of your choice. What do you think?”
“An estate!?”
I was not expecting this offer at all.