Happy Daily Life of a Reincarnated Noble Blessed with Vassals - Chapter 8

“I’ve heard from my father. Welcome, Sir Odolski, holy knight of the East. Personally, I’m grateful to the gods that our house had the chance to recruit someone like you. Well, I’m sure you have your thoughts about your homeland, but don’t wear that sour face. While we may have a master-servant relationship, we’re like brothers in times of peace. Life is short, so let’s make the most of it, shall we?”

“Haaah!!!”

I sliced through the neck of the four-legged demon blocking my way and shifted my gaze to the larger beast waiting behind it.

An Ogre-Wolf. Its individual threat level would be around D.

Mary could easily take it down on his own, but it becomes troublesome when they gather in packs. Even for me, dealing with over twenty of them starts to get tiresome.

Even I find it a bit troublesome when there are more than twenty of them.

I wonder how Sir Jean-Jacques would handle it. He’s a living legend. Compared to the general, I’m nothing but a fledgling, a fact I’m painfully aware of. Thinking back to how I nearly fell into darkness after being betrayed by my homeland fills me with shame.

“My lord wouldn’t even bat an eye at small fry like this. I must aim for that level as well! I refuse to be left behind any longer! Just wait, Rex Hesselink! I will surpass you!!”

I swung my sword relentlessly, and before I knew it, I was drenched in the blood of the beasts.

Thirty-five Ogre-Wolves in total. Of course, I didn’t come out unscathed, but none of the wounds were serious. With this many taken down, I could safely assume the entire pack had been wiped out.

Still, I’d get scolded by Miss Alice for getting this dirty. Despite her usually gentle demeanor, when it comes to laundry, she can be downright terrifying. No woman in my old knight order was like that, so it caught me off guard at first.

In House Hesselink, there’s no distinction between ranks; everyone is treated equally. Normally, you’d expect a hierarchy with Sir Jean-Jacques at the top, but he’s not one to enforce that. That means young Yumika and I are considered equals as colleagues.

In the past, I would’ve scoffed at such an idea, but now I find it oddly comforting.

There was a time when being called her “father” bothered me, but now, without a doubt, I consider her my beloved daughter. If anyone dares to dim her smile, I wouldn’t hesitate to wipe them off the face of this earth.

From the outside, my lord might seem like a madman, but once you’re within his circle, you realize just how incredible this world is.

While I was lost in thought, Mary had slipped into my range without me noticing, shouting, “Whoa! What’s with all the chunks of beast? Bro, Sis Alice is totally gonna blow a fuse. You’re on your own with that one.”

He’s now like a younger brother to me, though he was once a skilled assassin raised by an underground organization. When he infiltrated the Hesselink estate to target the late count, Sir Jean-Jacques and I captured him.

His talent is terrifying. A teenage boy who managed to survive while resisting both the Butcher General Jean-Jacques and the Holy Knight Odolski. It might sound boastful, but that feat alone is worthy of praise.

“I’ve got a report. Our monster of a boss just hunted down a dragon species. Maddest Salamand, I think? We’re having a feast tonight, so you’d better hurry back.”

“…Damn it.”

“Even you, bro? Yeah, I get it. Witnessing that in person would give anyone a headache.”

Normally, I would’ve chastised him for calling our lord a “monster,” but the news was so shocking I forgot to. Instead, I found myself consumed by jealousy of Lord Rex’s accomplishment.

“Old man shed a tear praising the boss. But we haven’t given up yet, have we?”

“Yeah, that’s right. We’re still young. Well, maybe I’m not as young, but it’s still too early to give up. That’s what I mean.”

I was approaching forty. Not exactly young, but not old either. With the right effort, I could still grow stronger.

This was the front line in the battle against the beasts. The risk to my life increased in proportion to the invaluable experience gained.

That’s how I liked it. This was what gave my life meaning.

“Well, you’d better woo Big Sis Alice already and settle down. I’ll look after the kids for you.”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Mary? There’s nothing between Alice and me, and besides, we’ve all gathered under Lord Rex’s banner as comrades. Romance has no place here. We’re all focused on securing our lord’s marriage alliance, and any distraction would be nothing short of betrayal.”

“Whoa, fast talker! Calm down, bro. I get it, I get it. Still, I don’t get how someone as seasoned as you is so awkward when it comes to that stuff. Surely you had plenty of suitors back in the day.”

“Drop it.”

“Alright, alright. Oh yeah, apparently tonight’s gathering is a free-for-all. So, you know, even if you hit on someone, I don’t think anyone will mind.”

“Mary!”

“Come on, let’s head back! I’ll help with the Life Stones. The old man’s cooking tonight with a grin I’ve never seen before. That’s gotta be a good sign.”

What an insolent little brother he was.

I had no time for distractions beyond honing my martial skills. If I allowed myself to get sidetracked, I’d never catch up to my lord. I would keep pursuing him with everything I had, until the day I could finally convince myself I’d given it my all. That was what gave my life meaning.

…Not that I disliked Miss Alice, of course. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I found her rather charming.

“You’re showing it on your face, bro. I like it though. You’re more human than you used to be.”

“Sigh… If even you can read my expression, it seems I still have much to learn.”