After scolding Pethas, I took a look around the mansion that was being built.
Though I had cursed the dwarves, objectively speaking, the construction was progressing at an astonishingly fast pace.
'I can't wait to see the mansion completed.'
I designed the mansion myself. To be precise, I commissioned an architect to create blueprints for the mansion according to my specifications.
The dwarves, after studying the unfamiliar modern blueprints, understood them within a few hours and immediately began the foundational work.
'I need to build a prison away from the mansion, and a guesthouse too… There's so much to do.'
Money isn't an issue. Most of the construction materials were procured through the Korea Trading Company. For materials that were hard to obtain, I brought them from the modern world.
'Hehe… I'll fill this vast mansion with women.'
I had no intention of allowing any men into my mansion, aside from myself.
Knights or soldiers? I don't need them right now. The security in Tebura City is quite good. Aside from the occasional sea monsters that come ashore, there are no real dangers.
'The city guards can handle it. If Tebura develops further, I can hire more then.'
I couldn't bring the Flune Knights from the Pruckus Count's family. They belong to the Pruckus Count's family and are tasked with protecting the estate.
'If I start building a military force here, people will think I'm preparing for war.'
Zent would undoubtedly react sensitively, so it's better to slowly build up my forces later.
'Having only women in the mansion might raise some eyebrows… but I can just disguise them as men. Hehe.'
I grinned as I imagined the completed mansion.
***
A group of three adventurers arrived at the Pruckus Count's estate. Two were men, and one was a woman. Surprisingly, they were greeted by Hent, the captain of the Flune Knights.
"This way. Over here is where our Flune Knights are stationed."
Hent guided the adventurers.
"Hent, I never thought you'd become a knight captain."
The man with a sword at his waist muttered in disbelief. He had a brown beard that reached his chest and kept eyeing Hent's well-fitted knight uniform up and down.
"Sorry about that, Nople. Hent has the skills to be a knight."
The only woman in the group, Ferin, spoke. She was a typical mage, wearing a robe and holding a staff. Her face, peeking out from the robe, was pretty, but the wrinkles here and there showed her middle age.
"I always thought Hent would succeed. I just didn't expect him to become the captain of a Grand Lord's knights."
The other man was a blonde elf. His skin was pale, and he had long, pointed ears. Over 150 years old, he looked remarkably young except for a few wrinkles on his face. His name was Veder, a spirit archer.
"Haha, you guys haven't changed much."
Hent laughed cheerfully.
Mercenaries and adventurers. Though their jobs weren't all that different, they had once travelled the continent together, raiding dungeons. That was over 15 years ago.
"But is it really okay for us to enter the Pruckus Count's estate like this?"
Ferin asked cautiously, looking around. Even though she knew there was no one nearby, the thought of being in a Grand Lord's estate made her nervous.
"It's fine. I've already gotten permission from the Countess for your visit. Besides, the estate is quite relaxed these days… in many ways."
"Relaxed? Shouldn't a Grand Lord's estate be busy?"
At Nople's question, Hent shrugged.
"The Pruckus Count's family is a bit special. Right now, only the Countess is here. The family head, Ention, and the eldest son, Young Master Zent, are living in the Utrein Castle."
"Huh? Doesn't the Pruckus Count have three sons?"
"The third son, Young Master Eugene, became the Lord of Tebura about two months ago after receiving the title of Baron. As for the second son, Young Master Kyle…"
Hent let out a bitter laugh. Even now, it was hard to believe.
"This is an open secret that everyone knows but pretends not to. Young Master Kyle ran away from home a month ago."
"Ran away?! A noble? Why? What was he lacking?"
"I don't know either. I wasn't that close to Young Master Kyle. He went on a trip to the Hughes Snow Mountain recently, so maybe he was inspired by that or something."
At Hent's casual tone, Veder asked incredulously.
"Is it okay for a knight to talk like that?"
"Young Master Kyle isn't here, so it doesn't matter. Anyway, come inside. This is the training ground and barracks for our Flune Knights. It's our exclusive military quarters."
The three followed Hent inside.
At the entrance, a knight squire stood guard, fully armoured and armed with a spear and sword. The squire's face was tense, unable to hide his nervousness.
"Welcome, Captain!"
The squire shouted loudly.
Hent nodded.
"Good work today."
After a brief greeting, Hent led his old friends inside the building.
"...The discipline here is tight… Did you make them do this because we were coming?"
Nople, with his sharp eyes, asked.
Hent smiled as if he had heard a funny joke.
'Nople, you sharp bastard. You caught on quick.'
In truth, Hent had given strict orders to the entire Flune Knights. He didn't want his old friends to see a lax knight order. Hent wanted to show off his authority.
"What kind of insult is that? Our Flune Knights are always on high alert. You never know when something might happen, so we have to stay ready. Only by keeping our bodies tense can we properly wield our swords when the time comes."
"Ah… sorry. I just remembered the old you, and it didn't seem to match the current you."
"I understand. I sometimes think of the old me and get surprised that I'm now a knight captain. Come in. This is my office."
Hent showed his old friends his office. It was spotless. He had called in squires yesterday to clean every corner. Currently, Hent's office was so clean you couldn't find a speck of dust.
"Oooh."
At his old friends' admiration, Hent's nose rose slightly. The swords decorating the walls were particularly popular.
"Wait a moment. I'll personally serve you some tea."
"You're serving tea? You?"
"I've been enjoying tea quite often these days. I'll bring out a special one for you."
Hent took out a magic kettle and teacups he had prepared in advance. When he activated the magic kettle, the water inside began to boil.
As Hent started putting something into the teacups, Ferin tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh? What's that?"
"Ah, this is instant coffee. With just hot water and a cup, anyone can easily make coffee."
"Coffee?"
As a mage who enjoyed tea, she had never heard of coffee before.
"It just looks like black powder and white powder… Is this really tea?"
"It's a type of tea invented by Young Master Eugene. It's quite popular in the Pruckus territory these days. Even the Countess enjoys it frequently."
Hent began pouring hot water from the magic kettle into the teacups.
"…The aroma is quite nice."
"This is the popular tea?"
"Coffee, was it? The colour isn't great. It looks like muddy water."
The appearance of the coffee wasn't appealing. The deep brown colour resembled muddy water. But the aroma was pleasant enough to pique their curiosity.
"Just try it. You'll understand once you taste it."
Hent spoke confidently. He hadn't liked coffee at first either. He wasn't the type to enjoy tea in the first place. But strangely, this instant coffee had grown on him. These days, he drank it at least once a day.
Slurp.
As Hent drank his coffee first, his old friends cautiously picked up their teacups and began to drink.
Their eyes widened.
"This is…"
"It's delicious! It's even better than black tea!"
"Despite its muddy appearance, it's really tasty. The aroma is great too. Did you add sugar?"
Ferin glanced at a box on the desk. Instant coffee, was it? Just tear open the packet, pour it into a cup, and add hot water. It seemed easy to carry around, too, since it came in packets.
"Instant coffee, right? Where did you get it? Can I buy some somewhere?"
"This… isn't on sale yet. According to Young Master Eugene, it'll be properly sold through the Korea Trading Company in a few months. I have a few boxes, so I'll give you one later."
"Really? Thanks, Hent! I mean, Sir Hent!"
"Just call me Hent. Anyway, try this too. It's a snack invented by Young Master Eugene. The knights love it."
"It looks interesting. A snack?"
"Ah, this is called choco pie."
***
Hent took his old friends to the training ground.
The knights were sweating profusely as they trained.
"Welcome, Captain!"
"Hmm. Sir Maletin. Training hard as always, I see. Anything unusual?"
"No, sir!"
The old friends watched the knights' training with bated breath. It wasn't often that one could see knights training up close. Even if it was just a performance.
"Hent, what are those things the knights are using?"
The elf Veder asked.
"They're exercise equipment invented by Young Master Eugene. Using those makes it easier to build muscle compared to regular training."
"…Young Master Eugene again? He's quite an impressive person."
"Yeah. He's really something."
Hent's voice was slightly gloomy.
Since Eugene left the estate, he no longer received the gifts Eugene used to give him. He just hoped Eugene's Korea Trading Company would start operating properly soon. That way, he could buy things like beer cans and cigarettes.
"What are those shoes? Everyone's wearing the same ones."
"Ah, those are combat boots invented by Young Master Eugene. They're comfortable, durable, and waterproof, so the knights wear them when not in armour. If they were sold officially, they'd sell like hotcakes."
"Oh? Really?"
The old friends showed deep interest. As adventurers, they had all experienced the hardship of their shoes falling apart during their travels. If the boots were truly durable, they were more than willing to buy them.
Later, when evening came, Hent brought out the canned beer and ramen he had been saving.
"Whoa! This canned beer is amazing!"
"Hahaha. Nople, I knew you'd say that. Here, try this too. It's ramen. This is really precious. I'm only serving it to you guys. I wouldn't even show it to anyone else."
The old friends tilted their heads as they looked at the ramen cooking in the pot.
"This is that precious?"
"It's just boiling water and adding ingredients. It looks simple, and it doesn't seem that special…"
"Hehe. Just try it. It'll be a whole new world."
While Hent skillfully picked up the ramen with chopsticks, the others awkwardly started eating with forks.
"Mmm!?"
The old friends' eyes widened. Salty and spicy. It was a stimulating flavour they had never tasted before. But it wasn't bad. In fact, it was addictive.
"Try this too. It's a drink you can't find anywhere else."
"Black water? Is it ink? It's even bubbling. Is it poison?"
"Poison? That's a bad joke, Veder."
Veder, slightly wary, brought the cup of cola to his lips. His handsome face instantly scrunched up. But he didn't take the cup away from his mouth and started gulping it down.
"Whoa! This is amazing too! Did Young Master Eugene make this as well?"
"Yes. Young Master Eugene is a true genius."
Later, after the meal, Hent naturally took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it with a lighter.
The old friends stared at him intently.
Hent smiled and offered them cigarettes.
"Hehe. You guys should try one too."
***
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