The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 23

 

* * *

 

After wrapping up the situation, Alpheus and the Elite Unit were rushing toward the Marquis Territory.

 

Alpheus glanced at the small bag.

 

“Ah… since I came to the Capital, I should buy just one gift for Bri-bri.”

 

The thought of playing with soap bubbles on the hill with Brisa lifted his mood.

 

The bag contained balloons along with the soap bubbles. He had gotten them from a stationery shop in the Capital.

 

‘But.’

 

Rational thoughts came a bit later.

 

‘Was there any food in that territory?’

 

What he had felt while crossing half the Empire horizontally was that distribution was a mess throughout all imperial regions.

 

It was natural since Warp wasn’t working. Since grains from the Western Region weren’t circulating, everyone was sensitive about food.

 

‘The Eastern Region is fairly self-sufficient, but… the Sears Marquis Territory wouldn’t be like that, would it?’

 

But since he had left Langsi behind, he believed that Langsi would somehow manage things well.

 

He probably secured credit from neighboring territories. Since he had left the Knight Order behind, they should be able to cross small hills even with monsters around.

 

‘Or didn’t she say there were relatives? That an uncle lived nearby… I think that lawyer mentioned it back then. Uncle probably helped out, right?’

 

Still, in Alpheus’s imagination, Brisa was sitting upright and starving. It was a sight he had seen often while crossing the Empire.

 

The knights would be suffering too…

 

Though being former mercenaries, they’d be used to hunger.

 

“But we’re really almost there now.”

 

They too were running while going hungry.

 

They had dried fish and seaweed brought from the Eastern Region, but couldn’t eat their fill. The hearts of people in towns with cut-off distribution weren’t very kind.

 

This became even more true as they entered the Central Region, which hadn’t secured large-scale farmland.

 

They had no choice but to sell the gold items the Second Prince had given them at cheap prices, barely staving off hunger.

 

After running for so long, the end of this journey was finally beginning to come into view.

 

“Everyone must think we’ll only arrive after Warp is completely fixed, right?”

 

Alpheus grinned.

 

“How delighted they’ll be to see us appearing a whole month early! They’ll all jump up and down as if they never imagined we’d reunite this quickly!”

 

The Elite Unit Captain finally chuckled and said a word.

 

“Won’t that Langsi say ‘Did you come back as a ghost?'”

 

Though they lacked energy from not eating well and only running, the thought of meeting their comrades was still exciting.

 

Alpheus grinned and said cheerfully while winking.

 

“Now, everyone, have we rested enough?”

 

The war hero’s wink was so lively that the Elite Unit just sighed.

 

“Then shall we set off again! Our precious Bri-bri, big brother Alphy is coming!”

 

With a resounding battle cry, the young man began running toward the territory.

 

* * *

 

“Leo!”

 

Baron Forman looked at his grandson with a shocked expression.

 

“Why on earth are you here… Don’t tell me, you were nearby…?”

 

I had heard about Baron Forman from Silvia, Leopold’s cousin.

 

“Our grandfather uses formal speech with Leopold in official settings. I’ll have to do the same when I get older, won’t I?”

 

So Silvia’s grandfather was Baron Forman.

 

“But our grandfather speaks casually in private settings. That’s why I plan to only meet Leopold in private when I’m older. Just thinking about using formal speech with him is already painful.”

 

So Baron Forman had to use formal speech with Leopold when other people were present, like now.

 

But he was truly so shocked that he must have spoken as he normally would.

 

“My goodness, Leo. To encounter you here.”

 

I really hadn’t expected to meet Leopold here either.

 

Leopold also looked back and forth between me and Baron Forman as if quite surprised.

 

“Well, this is something.”

 

Even in the midst of this, blood was still splattering behind him.

 

Without even turning around, he launched an Air Strike, and it hit precisely the boat the Dark Mages were hastily riding. The white-masked figures all drowned in a rush.

 

Without even checking the results of that Area Attack, the boy spoke elegantly.

 

“This is a situation that piques one’s curiosity.”

 

In Western noble speech, this meant ‘Everything is so unexpected that it’s absurd, and I’m curious about every detail of this situation from beginning to end, so explain immediately.’

 

Of course, I had no intention of explaining.

 

So I looked at Baron Forman with eyes full of betrayal.

 

“Great-grandfather… you say? Then perhaps… are you Baron Forman?”

 

I had passed the ball to someone else.

 

The reason I had pretended not to recognize his identity until now was simple.

 

‘Baron Forman is a capable Information Agent.’

 

This meant he was likely to ask me various sharp questions.

 

In contrast, I was only twelve years old.

 

Even if I was mature for my age, I was still young enough to fall for a seasoned Information Agent’s leading questions.

 

‘What if I end up saying something about knowing the future…?’

 

Then I would literally become a crazy child.

 

‘…Too terrifying.’

 

So I didn’t want to have deep conversations with Baron Forman if I could help it. If I admitted to recognizing his identity, I would be obligated to answer him.

 

Regardless of titles, he was an elder and the maternal grandfather of the next Nogen heir.

 

But if I continued pretending not to notice, he would naturally create situations where the Maids and Philip wouldn’t have to answer.

 

‘But it could be used this way too.’

 

I blinked with a shocked expression on my face.

 

“Didn’t you say your relative was stuck in Baron Hawin’s territory?”

 

Leopold raised his eyebrows at my muttering.

 

His gaze swept over my grandfather’s shabby clothing.

 

“I didn’t know you were Baron Forman… I was very rude.”

 

I removed the hood attached to my robe and formally greeted him with proper etiquette.

 

Then I added with an awkward expression.

 

“I just… since you said you were from the Western Region, I was going to help you leave since you got caught eavesdropping…”

 

My purpose was to show off.

 

“I was worried Baron Hawin might recognize your face and take revenge on your relative, so I disguised you.”

 

The showing off continued.

 

“And I treated you to dinner…”

 

Baron Forman was flustered, having deceived a kind child and even received a meal.

 

“I, I am, I mean…”

 

Leopold’s eyes gradually narrowed.

 

His face became subtle, as if he was gauging something.

 

“The reason my grandfather suddenly went to the Central Region.”

 

Even while saying this, he exploded several more ships behind him.

 

“It’s probably Western Region business.”

 

That was meant for me to hear.

 

It meant ‘I roughly know the reason, but it’s something you absolutely shouldn’t know, so don’t pry any further.’

 

A noble way of speaking that gave no one any grounds for criticism.

 

A basic stance of refusing factions while not making enemies.

 

A determination to never break his dignified and rational appearance.

 

There was a reason why Western Region culture had developed this way.

 

‘Because the Western Region is the wealthiest land.’

 

A place that never lacks anything and is always leisurely. Therefore, there’s no desperation.

 

They don’t directly ask or demand anything from anyone. Since they can solve whatever they want or need to know by themselves anyway.

 

I could hear Philip whispering to Wendy from behind.

 

“Why does that young master only say obvious things? A Western Region person went for Western Region business, what else would he go for?”

 

“Exactly. Earlier he just said he was curious about this situation, and he doesn’t seem to be focusing on the conversation. Well, he is dealing with those dark mages like that.”

 

The Northern Region mercenaries didn’t understand Western Region speech patterns at all.

 

‘Well.’

 

I recalled the original story’s content.

 

‘That’s why it takes Alpheus so long to cooperate with Leopold.’

 

Alpheus and Leopold couldn’t communicate at all.

 

Baron Forman, having regained his composure, also responded in Western Region noble speech.

 

“The story I have to tell is so long, I might have to speak until dawn breaks.”

 

It meant ‘Let’s talk after sending these people away.’

 

After that, he looked at me and smiled awkwardly.

 

“I was quite rude, young lady of Sears. Actually, I wasn’t trying to hide it until the very end…”

 

Which meant he had been desperately trying to hide it.

 

“I won’t forget the kindness the young lady showed to an old man from the Western Region countryside.”

 

“It’s my honor to have been able to invite Baron Forman to Sears’ humble dinner.”

 

I curtsied gracefully.

 

That’s when it happened. Leopold stared directly at me and asked.

 

“So why did you come here?”

 

This couldn’t be happening.

 

Both Baron Forman and I were startled.

 

Leopold asking such a direct question.

 

‘I was planning to just brush it off vaguely.’

 

Baron Forman brought both hands to his mouth and gasped for breath. He seemed extremely excited.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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