Episode 13: The Ethics of Nobles, the Logic of Villains

It was around noon the day after our departure when we reached the territory of the Arving Marquisate. After marching for another half day, we arrived at a vast mansion standing at the foot of a gentle hill. This was the residence of Patrick von Arving, the Marquis.

“Well, well, Siegfried-dono. How good of you to come.”

Patrick greeted us in front of the mansion with a beaming smile. However, beneath that smile lurked a glimmer of cunning and arrogance. Standing beside him was a sturdy man with a goatee, likely in his forties.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Siegfried, and the knights of the Kreving family. I am Ludre Dupal, serving as the Knight Commander of the Arving Marquisate. I look forward to our acquaintance.”

The man introduced himself with a slightly affected gesture. In response, Beatrice stepped forward from our side.

“The pleasure is mine. I am Beatrice Nightray. Though it may be presumptuous, I have been granted the position of acting Knight Commander for the Kreving Earldom.”

“What… you, a Knight Commander…?”

Ludre, the Knight Commander of the Arving family, stared at Beatrice with a mix of surprise and disdain. He let out a faint scoff.

“To entrust the role of Knight Commander to a young lady like this… it seems the Kreving Earldom is rather short on talent.”

Behind Ludre, the knights of the Arving family let out stifled chuckles.

Yet Beatrice stood her ground, her expression unchanging. Truly, she’s the knight I’ve chosen.

Still, this Ludre fellow… his character feels a bit too similar to Izakko’s.

No, unlike Izakko, he seems to have some skill with a sword. Yes, let’s say he’s just barely distinct enough to avoid being a complete villain archetype overlap… With that thought, I cast a cold glance at Ludre.

“That’s quite a hostile attitude toward allies who’ve come to your aid, Knight Commander Ludre.”

“Oh, if I came across that way, my apologies. I assure you, I meant no such thing.”

Ludre shrugged, but his expression told a different story. It screamed that an earldom was beneath him—that those aligned with a marquisate like his were superior.

“I was merely concerned for the Kreving Earldom, Lord Siegfried.”

“That’s unnecessary concern. Our acting Knight Commander is exceptionally capable. If anything, I’m more worried about the Arving family’s lack of talent.”

At my words, Ludre’s brow twitched.

“…And what do you mean by that?”

“Well, for someone as petty as you to serve as Knight Commander, they must be truly desperate for talent.”

“What…!”

Blood rushed to Ludre’s face, turning it red in an instant. He looked ready to shout something, but Patrick restrained him by grabbing his arm.

“Stand down, Ludre.”

“But, my lord Marquis…”

“Now is not the time to draw swords. You know that. …Stand down.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ludre’s face twisted with frustration, but he stepped back behind Patrick.

Patrick let out an exaggerated sigh before addressing me in a calm tone.

“My apologies, Siegfried-dono. Knight Commander Ludre can be a bit hot-blooded. But… you’d do well to remember your place.”

“Oh? And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You are an earl. My family is a marquisate. Those of lower rank should act with more humility. You ought to be able to laugh off a little jest from Knight Commander Ludre. Oh, don’t get me wrong—I’m not trying to lord over you. This is simply the way of noble society.”

Patrick’s lips curled into a smug, irritating smirk.

“You’d best keep that in mind for your own sake, Siegfried-dono. It’s wiser to always show deference before me. Unless you want to trip over your own feet in noble society…”

“Is that so…?”

Claiming he doesn’t wish to flaunt his authority, yet blatantly showcasing it—Patrick’s quite the distasteful corrupt noble.

But this man still has potential to shine as a villain. I’ll make sure Patrick reveals his uglier true nature… and then have him fall spectacularly. With that calculation in mind, I responded with a wicked, villainous smile.

“My thanks for the advice, Patrick-dono.”

“Good. As long as you understand.”

Patrick stroked his beard, nodding with satisfaction.

 

◇

 

I declined Patrick’s offer to stay at his mansion and instead set up a tent on a hill not far from the Arving residence to spend the night. The knights and soldiers were also resting in tents pitched nearby.

“Was it really wise to refuse to stay at the Arving Marquis’s mansion?”

Evan, sharing the same tent, posed the question.

“Yes. I want to experience the same conditions as the knights and soldiers. There’s something to be gained from seeing things from their perspective.”

My reasoning, of course, isn’t out of sympathy for the knights or soldiers. The backbone of the evil army I plan to build will consist of these low-ranking soldiers. If I don’t understand what they think or desire, I’ll never create a formidable evil organization.

“Besides, staying at the Arving household could put my life at risk.”

“Your life? Surely not.”

“Oh? You think so?”

“Yes. I understand that the Arving Marquis may have ulterior motives, but to think he’d target your life, Lord Siegfried…”

“Fine, let’s leave it at that. For now, we’re still observing.”

I gazed at the night sky through a gap in the tent. The stars twinkling in the darkness seemed to shimmer wickedly, as if blessing the path of villainy I tread.