Valkyrie's Shadow

Before the Storm: Act 7, Chapter 7

Chapter 7

『Are you sure I can do this?』

『Hm? Hell yeah! Do all the things! What? …you’re no fun.』

『Huh?』

『Not you. Clara said you’re not allowed to do any women. You’re in enough trouble as it is on that front.』

『I’m not gonna do any women!』

Countess Wagner’s laughter chimed over the Message spell.

『That’s so cute. Anyway, you have your instructions. You’ve been doing a good job so far, so we’re not too worried about any screwups on your part.』

『Uh-huh. Seems like things’ve gotten a bit worse since I was last out there, but, all in all, they’re still in line with our expectations.』

『What do you think about what happened with the Merchants?』

『I think that if Speckled Mare had accepted my invitation back then, it wouldn’t have happened. That’s just how the wagon rolls, I guess. Hmm…Clara’s giving me some funny looks, so I should get going. Don’t be naughty!』

Liam frowned as the Message spell ended. He had chosen to contact Countess Wagner because she was the most easygoing out of his direct superiors at the Ministry of Transportation, but she was probably a bit too easygoing at times. It certainly wasn’t how one expected a noblewoman to act. He tried to pin her behaviour on the fact that she was a Merchant Noble, but, then again, Countess Corelyn and Baroness Gagnier were Merchant Nobles as well and didn’t act like she did.

He tucked the empty scrollcase in his hand away and returned to Countess Beaumont. The young noblewoman was seated at her table again, wrapped up in her layers of blankets. Her blue eyes gazed up at him expectantly from the shadows of her makeshift cowl.

“Do you like doing that?” Liam gestured loosely at her blankets.

“I admit it’s quite cosy once one gets used to it,” the Countess averted her gaze, “but the reason why I started in the first place was because it’s dreadfully chilly here!”

Now that he thought back on it, none of the windows had any drapes and the library’s fireplace was dark and cold. There wasn’t even any firewood stocked beside it. Even the rack meant to hold said firewood was missing.

“Is the entire manor like this?”

The Countess flinched at his question.

“I-It can’t be helped,” she said defensively. “There was no money. I let go of the household staff and had to pay them with things from around the manor. The rest went toward servicing our debts.”

So it was just bad poetry, after all.

“How do you eat?” Liam asked.

“The men wandering around here bring food. I don’t particularly enjoy it when they appear. They all lay the most lecherous looks upon me.”

The Countess turned pale and shuddered, as if recalling some unpleasant experience. Considering the Eight Fingers’ nature, he was surprised that nothing beyond that had happened to her. Since she was a part of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s schemes, they may have feared reprisal for messing with Lady Albedo’s plans.

But does she even care about that sort of thing? Probably not.

One shouldn’t expect a Demon to have Human sensibilities in the first place, but that was their mistake to make. Whatever the reason was, it had worked in the Countess’ favour.

“If they haven’t done anything to you by now,” Liam said, “then they probably have a good reason not to. Instead of worrying about that, you should think about what you can do to fix your situation.”

“Does that mean you’ve received approval from your superiors for…whatever it is you had in mind?”

“Yeah,” Liam replied. “Just so you know, you have to come with me.”

The young noblewoman’s head popped out of her blanket.

“Of course,” she flashed a brilliant smile. “I would absolutely love to accompany you!”

“We’re going into the mountains.”

“…”

“What?”

“The mountains are dangerous,” Countess Beaumont told him. “Even Adventurers die up there, you know?”

“We’ll be fine,” Liam said. “I have to go and inspect one of the mines nearby. If people can live up there, it shouldn’t be that dangerous.”

A conflicted expression filled the Countess’ face as Liam presented his reasoning.

“Are you an Adventurer?”

“I thought you already decided I was an Assassin.”

“Then are Assassins stronger than Adventurers?”

“…I don’t think it works that way,” Liam said. “Look, I’m not asking you to come: I said that you’re coming with me.”

“Y-You’re ordering me?”

“Is that how you see things?”

Countess Beaumont deflated slightly as she shifted on her seat. Liam waited patiently for her reply. After a few seconds, the young noblewoman looked up at him with her big, blue eyes.

“You won’t abandon me, will you, Liam?”

This was supposed to be a yes or no question!

Being the schemy schemer that she was, Countess Wagner had come up with a number of uses for Countess Beaumont. The first thing he needed to do was find out how readily she would submit to the Sorcerous Kingdom’s authority. He might be a low-level official, but his instructions came from someone much higher. Of course, he hadn’t yet named any names, so she still assumed that he was there at Lady Albedo’s bidding.

“Your answer, Countess Beaumont?”

The Countess remained silent several moments longer, then visibly steeled herself.

“I have no proof of who you are,” she told him. “If I am to follow your instructions, I need to see at least that much.”

Countess Beaumont shied away as Liam’s hand went to his belt. He produced a leather scroll case and placed it on the table. The young noblewoman picked it up, examining its exterior before removing the camp and emptying its contents into her palm. She stared at the seal for a long moment before breaking it and unfurling the scroll. Her eyes went back and forth as her mouth moved silently.

“Why…why didn’t you present this to me in the first place?” She asked.

“Honestly,” Liam answered, “I don’t know what’s written in there.”

His mission planners anticipated that he would need to enlist the assistance of a collaborator from the new faction that they had fostered in Re-Estize, so they had given him that scroll to use when he needed it. After getting his first glimpse into the local Nobles’ behaviour, however, he figured that they were more likely to compromise his mission than anything else.

Countess Beaumont rose from her seat, somehow managing to perform an elegant curtsey with her blankets.

“I am at your service, Liam,” she said. “Please take good care of me.”

“Don’t worry,” Liam gently placed a hand on her head, “I will.”

First test passed, I guess.

Despite her initial panic, Countess Beaumont had rallied her wits and produced one of the better results. Whether it was due to recent developments or the result of an education that hadn’t had the opportunity to apply itself, she had proven that she wasn’t a heedless idiot…so far.

“Um, Mister Liam…”

“Hm?”

He turned his attention back to the Countess. She had shrunk in on herself again, blushing slightly as he patted her head. Liam snatched his hand back and cleared his throat.

“We’ll be heading to the mines to get some help for your monster problems,” he told her. “I’d also like it if you’d help explain some things to me. I’ve asked around about how things work around here, but I haven’t had the chance to get things from a Noble’s perspective yet.”

“Of course, Mister Liam,” Countess Beaumont nodded. “So long as everything is as it should be, it will be well within my capabilities to explain everything to you. Where would you like us to begin?”

“We can talk about it on the road tomorrow,” Liam told her. “We’ll be leaving early tomorrow, so you should get some rest while you can. Also, you can just call me Liam.”

The Countess quietly nodded and reached for the guttering candle on the table. Liam turned to leave, but then there was a tug on his pant leg.

“Wait,” the young noblewoman said, “please stay with me, Liam.”

“Why?”

“Wh-Why? Because I don’t like it here! It’s lonely and empty and cold. You promised to take good care of me…”

Compared to sleeping in an alley exposed to the elements and potential attackers, Liam thought the manor far preferable. The Countess’ desperate expression, however, suggested that she had been dumped into a desolate wasteland populated by ravenous predators.

“I can walk you to your solar, at least,” Liam sighed.

“I don’t sleep in my solar,” Countess Beaumont said. “The Eight Fingers took the place over. They bring in women every night and sometimes I can hear them…a-anyway, I sleep here now.”

“In the library?”

“One room is as good as another when the entire manor has been stripped bare.”

Liam frowned at the young noblewoman’s thoroughly miserable expression. How much of it was due to her change in lifestyle? How much was because of her situation as a whole? Not many people would be very happy if their expectations of a promising future were betrayed. As far as he knew, the usual destination for people in the Countess’ situation in Re-Estize was a brothel, an underground slave market, or, if they were lucky, becoming a mistress to someone wealthy. None of those outcomes had much to do with the role which she had been trained for her whole life.

He rummaged around for the same magic items that he had used at Claire’s home. The Countess watched him curiously as activated the heating hoop and fashioned a makeshift lampshade out of the books on the table.

“You haven’t seen magic items like these before?” He asked as he activated his magical light and placed it between the books.

“I have,” Countess Beaumont said.

“How come your family doesn’t use them? Or did you sell them off?”

“We’ve never used them,” the Countess replied, “not even in the city. Most people have no trust in such devices. My lord father would always say that we’ve been using firewood and candles for generations and there was no reason to change something that worked perfectly fine.”

“But aren’t magic items like these cheaper in the long run?”

The Countess gave the question some thought.

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“If they were handed down as heirlooms, perhaps,” she said. “Otherwise, no one would be able to justify the cost.”

“…how much does magical lighting cost here?”

“If I recall correctly, anywhere between four to eight platinum coins, depending on the workmanship.”

“Hah? Is that in trade or Re-Estize currency?”

“Re-Estize currency, of course.”

Was that better? Technically, it was. Realistically, it wasn’t.

“I bought these as a package for five gold trade coins,” Liam said. “Why is it so expensive here?”

“It’s not expensive,” the Countess said, “it’s normal. You won’t find a better price anywhere else in the Kingdom.”

That went a long way toward explaining why he hadn’t seen the simple utility items since leaving E-Raevel. A single magic light would take a lifetime to pay itself off. Anyone who purchased one would see it stolen in short order and the value of a life was worth far less.

“I see,” Liam said. “That’s interesting to know. Well, goodnight.”

An awkward silence stretched between them before Countess Beaumont rose from her seat. She shed her outer layer of blankets and pushed them under the table before crawling out of sight.

“Good night, Liam.”

“Mhm.”

“…don’t you need to rest, as well?”

“I’m good.”

“You won’t do anything to me while I’m sleeping, right?”

“Nope.”

“You won’t be going anywhere?”

“Only if I need to.”

Eventually, the Countess quieted down, her endless worries replaced by soft and steady breathing. Liam took the opportunity to read through House Beaumont’s accounts, but there was just too much to keep track of and he couldn’t understand most of it. Once the Countess didn’t need them anymore, he would arrange for them to be delivered to E-Rantel.

Before dawn the following morning, Liam poked Countess Beaumont with the toe of his boot. The girl stirred, but didn’t rouse.

“Mmh…fifteen more minutes, Clara.”

He poked her again.

“We’re going soon,” Liam told her. “I need to see some people while you get ready.”

Countess Beaumont’s eyes popped open. She sat up on her crumpled bedding, smacking her head on the table above her.

“Owie,” she moaned.

“Put together whatever paperwork you need for when we’re up there. We’ll be back in town after we’re done.”

Still half-asleep, the Countess murmured a vague affirmative. Liam left the magical light and heating hoop with her, hopping out of the window through which he had entered. The ‘security’ he noted the previous evening was completely absent, so he had even less trouble making his way back into the town. He found Reed and his gang still passed out in the same pub.

“Reed,” Liam said as he shook the man’s shoulder. “Reed!”

“Hgn?”

“Time for work. Is there a wagon heading up to the mines this morning?”

The woodsman raised his head and rubbed his groggy eyes.

“Yeah,” he said. “A few go out every morning. Not ‘till it’s light, though.”

“We need to make some preparations before we go,” Liam told him. “Get your men together and ready for the road.”

Reed dragged himself to his feet, moving to rouse the other men around the common room. Liam scanned their surroundings with a frown.

“Where’s Olin?” He asked.

“Probably went to see the town boss with Francis,” Reed answered. “They’re, uh…borrowing the Beaumont Estate from the Countess.”

“So I noticed,” Liam said. “What’s the relationship between all of the different gangs here?”

“Olin’s the head of procurement, so he’s technically the top dog around here. No one likes his ass, though.”

“What does ‘procurement’ do?” Liam asked.

“‘Sources’ resources from the countryside, basically,” Reed replied. “With all of the changes recently, his division’s become the biggest earner in the syndicate. Guy’s got big plans now, no doubt.”

“It’d be better if he just behaved himself,” Liam muttered.

“Hah! That’s not how his type works. You probably couldn’t count the number of people he’s used, betrayed, and killed on his way to the top.”

“What about you and your men?”

“Us? It’s as you can see, I guess. We’re just happy surviving in this mess.”

“Does that mean you’re up for some legitimate work?”

“What’s this, now?”

“I could use a squad of Rangers for the next little while,” Liam said. “Countess Beaumont needs an escort that knows their way around the territory.”

Reed and a few of his men stopped what they were doing to give Liam a set of questioning looks.

“We’re not Rangers,” Reed said.

“You’re all woodsmen from lumber villages right?”

“Yeah…”

“Then you’re Rangers who don’t realise you’re Rangers.”

“I don’t follow…”

“Look,” Liam said, “if five Goblins showed up to raid your village, what would you do?”

“I’d feather those green little bastards with arrows is what I’d do,” Reed spat.

“See? Someone from a farming village would try to run or hide.”

“That’s because they’re soft.”

“Call it what you want,” Liam shrugged, “it’s just that big of a difference. You’ll be paid after each leg of the escort. In real money.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I noticed Olin doesn’t pay you, so you guys have no way to pay for anything. That’s not good, especially if you’re going to work in Countess Beaumont’s retinue.”

“Hold up, how did we get to ‘retinue’?”

“That’s basically what you’ll be acting as. Anything you do will reflect badly on her, so try and stay out of the wrong kinds of trouble.”

Reed and his men didn’t seem to have anything to say about that. Maybe they were already sold on the prospect of being paid. Liam left them to their preparations, making his way back to Beaumont Manor. Near the entrance to the estate, he came across Olin. Following the Eight Fingers executive was a group of men Liam hadn’t seen before.

“Liam,” Olin nodded, “good timing. I take it we’re beginning our tour of the mines today?”

“Yeah,” Liam said. “Who are these guys?”

“Fresh men for our escort,” Olin replied.

Every man in the new group was bigger than average and each sported chainmail or better. Their heavy armament might have been useful for combat, but it would probably drag them down on the road.

“I thought Reed and Francis would be accompanying us,” Liam said.

“I decided it would be better to bring some good fighting men,” Olin told him. “Things will be getting far more dangerous from here.”

“I’ll take your word on that,” Liam said. “But I also already told Reed and his men to help escort Countess Beaumont.”

“But Reed is–wait, did you just say Countess Beaumont?”

“My instructions are to bring her with us,” Liam said. “I’m not in a position to question my orders.”

He actually was allowed to question his orders, but the idea that skill and intelligence were valued over brute strength and ruthlessness would be lost on someone like Olin. Given what Liam had learned so far, the man would consider the former a threat. Liam looked up at Olin, whose mouth was working soundlessly.

“You can still bring them if you want,” Liam said. “If it’s going to be far more dangerous, then it’s better to have more fighting strength on hand, right?”

“Right…”

“Then I’ll leave the transport arrangements to you,” Liam said. “I have to go and get Countess Beaumont. Where do we meet you?”

“The northwestern gate,” Olin replied. “I secured a wagon for us, but I only had supplies prepared for these men here.”

“Reed’s gang should be alright,” Liam said. “I’ll see you there.”

With things conveniently moving along at a reasonable pace, Liam returned to Beaumont Manor’s library. He was left somewhat perplexed when he discovered Countess Beaumont wrestling with a giant roll of fabric.

“What are you doing?” Liam asked.

“Packing my things,” the Countess answered.

“Your things are your blankets?”

“The rest is rolled up in the middle. You should know that I don’t have much. Besides, they’ll make the trip more comfortable.”

“If it rains, it’s going to go from comfortable to uncomfortable pretty quick.”

“You…you’ll do something about that, won’t you?”

Liam sighed. Admittedly, what Countess Beaumont wanted to bring wouldn’t be a problem once they spread it out over the wagon. It would also be more comfortable, as she had asserted. The problem was that she wasn’t prepared for anything else…but that wasn’t exactly her fault, given her situation.

“I arranged for some woodsmen to act as your retinue on this trip,” Liam said. “They should know what to do.”

“I…I have a retinue?” The young noblewoman blinked, “Could it be that you’ve hired a Maid, as well?”

Did she need a Maid? On one hand, she seemed to have gotten along just fine without one. On the other, Nobles were pretty big on appearances and hierarchy.

There’d be no shortage of hands volunteering to wash her smallclothes…

“I’ll think of something,” Liam said. “You’re not going to demand that they have to be a Noble as well, yeah?”

“Just a girl who’s competent enough to serve as junior staff will do,” the Countess replied. “I’d just like to have someone who can take care of sundry tasks while I focus on my work.”

“Alright.”

That much, Liam readily agreed with. For all of the criticisms from the commonfolk for their expansive households, those same households allowed Nobles to focus on their jobs. Organisationally, at least, this was in line with the tenets of his faith. The problem was when Nobles made themselves to be more than they were supposed to be, which he supposed was something he had been instructed to keep an eye out for.

Redeem who can be redeemed. Purge those who are hopelessly lost.

Paraphrased, they were two tenets of the faith. Ones he felt especially close to. Being an Assassin, he expected to do plenty of the latter, but was surprised to find many opportunities for the former, as well.

Liam retrieved his magic items and picked up the roll of blankets for Countess Beaumont.

“The wagons are already ready,” he told her. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”

“You’re carrying everything that I own,” the Countess replied. “At least everything that I own which can be transported.”

He offered her a reassuring smile and gestured to the exit.

“Then let us be on our way, my lady,” he said. “It’s time to start rebuilding House Beaumont’s finances.”

“I don’t believe you’ve specified how I’ll be able to do that,” Countess Beaumont said as she walked out of the manor with him.

“Um…I’ll be cheating a little bit,” Liam admitted, “but only for the beginning part. The rest will be up to you.”

“So this is some sort of test?”

“More like reality,” Liam said. “Everything you do will influence everything else, for better or worse. I guess I shouldn’t need to tell you that since you’re a Noble.”

“Of course.”

By the time they arrived at the town’s northwestern gate, a small line of wagons was waiting for them. Reed and his men stood at the rear of the caravan. Olin, who was standing near the front with his ‘fresh men’, came to offer a courteous bow to the Countess.

“Countess Beaumont,” he said. “Liam here just informed me that you will be accompanying us on our tour of the mines. It is our honour to have someone of your esteemed position join us.”

“Thank you, Mister…”

“Olin, my lady.”

“Thank you, Mister Olin,” Countess Beaumont smiled. “The presence of so many strong men is most reassuring. If danger does come calling, I shall look forward to their acts of valour.”

Liam eyed the company of men standing behind Olin. Only a few of them showed a positive reaction to the Countess’ words. Olin himself didn’t seem very impressed.

“We’ve set aside an empty vehicle for you to ride in, my lady,” Olin gestured to the empty wagon in the middle of the caravan. “For your safety, please be sure to stay inside while we’re travelling. I’ll leave its preparation to your attendants.”

With that, Olin turned on his heel and returned to the front of the caravan. He exchanged some words with several of the heavily armed men there, but Liam couldn’t catch what they were saying.

“I’ve got the boys together, Liam,” Reed said as he came up to Liam and Countess Beaumont. “Why are those other guys here?”

“It looks like Olin had plans of his own,” Liam replied. “He didn’t have anything against you guys coming along, though.”

“But why them? Those are the town boss’ thugs. They’ll be worse than useless unless we get into a brawl. Hell, I bet they’re going to attract Monsters.”

“That’s something you’ll have to ask Olin,” Liam said. “I still barely have any idea how your organisation works out here.”

“No thanks,” Reed’s expression turned sour. “Just saying he’d have done better bringing Francis and them along.”

“Just stick to your tasks and don’t give them any excuses to start anything, I guess,” Liam said. “Oh, Countess Beaumont, this is Reed. He’s the uh…sergeant of the squad that I chose to come along with us. They’re all woodsmen, so they’ll be in and out.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Reed,” the Countess inclined her head slightly. “If Liam has chosen you and your men for my retinue, you must be quite capable indeed.”

Reed’s mouth opened, then closed again. After standing stone-faced for several moments, he turned away, mumbling something unintelligible.

“If you can,” Liam said, “try and fix up that wagon into something the Countess can ride in without getting soaked. We can throw your squad’s stuff in there, as well.”

The woodsman nodded and walked off, calling his men together. Liam smiled slightly at the man’s taciturn response.

“I guess Rangers are the same wherever you go,” he said.

“Those are Rangers?” The Countess’ eyes grew wide.

“Yeah,” Liam said. “Most of the ones that I know aren’t very sociable, but they all know their stuff. They’re not trying to be rude, just so you know.”

“I’ll keep that in mind…”

“You should go and talk to them about how you want your wagon to be. They might fill it with pine needles or something if you let them decide.”

The young noblewoman lifted her skirts and hurried off. Liam dumped her roll of blankets into the wagon on his way to the entrance of a nearby alley. He arrived at a familiar old well and knocked on the door to Claire’s home. The door creaked open a crack, then fully opened, revealing the smiling barmaid within.

“Liam,” she held out her arms, “you came back for me!”

Liam backed away from her enthusiastic response.

“I actually came with a job offer,” he said. “Countess Beaumont needs an attendant.”

“You mean a Maid?” Claire furrowed her brow, “But I’m not a Noble.”

“The work shouldn’t be too different from what you’re doing at the pub,” Liam told her. “Lady Beaumont just needs someone to take care of everyday things while she’s working.”

“Is this job permanent?” Claire asked, “Will I be a part of a Noble’s household?”

“That’s not my decision to make,” Liam answered. “But if you do a good job, you might be able to convince the Countess.”

He couldn’t imagine that Claire would refuse such a crazy good opportunity. It wasn’t every day that a commoner had the chance to become a Noble’s retainer.

“Alright,” Claire nodded. “I’ll give it a try. Thanks for thinking of me, Liam.”

“Mhm.”

Liam waited in the alley while Claire went to pack her things. Things were going pretty smoothly. On top of that, he had learned his lesson in the Holy Kingdom when it came to dealing with girls. By having Claire attend to Countess Beaumont, he would be able to minimise his interactions with them. That meant, this time around, he would be able to have some peace of mind.