Chapter 267 The Nixfen Viscountcy ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
From the perspective of the beautiful woman in men’s clothing, Viscount Ray Nixfen, the “Zil Meina”¹ subjugation force that had arrived in her lands was a strange group indeed. Of course, she didn’t mean to doubt those sent by Her Majesty the Queen.
The words she had spoken to General Oromanso-who led them-“I have heard much of your valor”-were no lie. Even putting aside the previous war, he was a top-tier warrior and a career soldier who had long been a pillar of support for the Queen.
However, she had to admit that they seemed a bit unreliable to be calling themselves the “Zil Meina” subjugation force. From what she could see, there were several hundred beastmen troops, dozens of court mages, and a “pack” of dog-beastmen following along that numbered over a hundred.
The dog-beastmen in particular were a cause for concern, as the group included children, the elderly, and people who clearly weren’t combatants. It was enough to make her head spin. Of course, she had been told the circumstances of how they ended up tagging along, but still….
Even as a minor rural lord, Viscount Nixfen understood exactly how terrifying the monster rampage known as a “Stampede”² could be. Damage had already begun to surface within her territory, and things had reached a point where several villages, sensing the danger, had already fled to neighboring settlements.
The Western Lords were doing their best to present a united front, providing support to the border nobles guarding the frontier with Ferguson in an effort to contain the damage at the source. She couldn’t help but wonder if this subjugation force would truly be the help they needed.
The key seemed to be held by a man who was her benefactor and friend-though she wasn’t sure if she could call him that-but certainly someone she deeply respected. And it seemed that key also involved Satsuki-jou, the court mage who was said to be a “precious person” to that same Lord Kento Harvest.
Little by little, rumors had been trickling down even to this rural backwater. People whispered that the previous war had been brought to a close by magic tools invented by Lord Harvest, the Queen’s paramour. And they said he had developed another incredible magic tool to deal with this “Stampede” as well….
Specifically, there were rumors of a “white light” that had pierced the sky over the Royal Capital. The stories passed from merchant to merchant were almost too much to believe, yet they were told with a quiet, firm conviction. Of course, she couldn’t deny there was a fair amount of wishful thinking mixed in.
But now, here was Satsuki, a court mage with close ties to Lord Harvest, appearing before her in the flesh. Viscount Nixfen couldn’t help but stare. With her black hair and dark eyes, she had a look quite rare in the Canaria Kingdom-the exact same coloring as Lord Harvest.
”U-Um…?” Satsuki asked.
”Ah, forgive me,” Ray said. “I just couldn’t help but think that the young lady Lord Harvest fell for is every bit as beautiful as I imagined.”
The cheesy line was a habit she’d picked up during her few months of living in the Royal Capital. She’d realized it was quite a convenient social tool, but she suddenly worried if she was being rude to Lord Harvest’s woman.
Viscount Nixfen felt a wave of anxiety, but Satsuki didn’t seem particularly bothered. Perhaps she had already heard about Ray’s circumstances from him….
Ray sighed in relief, though she noticed General Oromanso standing beside them looking somewhat bewildered. It made her wonder if Lord Harvest was a man significant enough for even a General to be so mindful of him. It only added more weight to the rumors.
”Erm, you mentioned that you needed to resupply your water,” Ray said. “Are you truly alright for food?”
”A-Ah… yes,” Oromanso replied. “By some stroke of luck, we encountered a small-scale ‘Stampede’ the other day and were able to resupply there, so we have plenty of food. If possible, I would like to purchase prepared meals during our stay and perhaps buy some leafy vegetables.”
”I see. I am grateful for the hard work of the General and the subjugation force, and for the mercy of Her Majesty the Queen. I will introduce you to our local merchants later,” Ray promised.
She changed the subject to finish the logistics. The fact that he offered to “purchase” rather than simply demand “supplies” was a huge relief. While not as severe as in the capital, the effects of rising prices were starting to hit this rural territory.
More importantly, if a Stampede actually reached them, they would need every scrap of food to survive a siege. The plan was for the residents of the neighboring villages to evacuate to this town of Phenolo if the worst happened.
She had to stockpile enough for them as well, and if she factored in the fields being trampled by a Stampede, there was honestly no margin for error at all.
After hearing a few more requests and exchanging information, Ray concluded her talk with General Oromanso. As a rookie lord, Viscount Nixfen felt a sense of relief, thinking she’d held her own reasonably well.
Most of her work involved negotiating with neighboring lords or managing the estate. Dealing with a General of the National Army was the biggest task she’d faced since inheriting the title.
With the tension fading, Viscount Nixfen turned back to Satsuki-jou. The fact that the mage had bothered to show up here suggested she had her own business to attend to. Perhaps even a message from Lord Harvest himself.
Whether it was the release of tension or something else entirely, Ray felt her heart flutter just a bit. The Lord Harvest she had met in the Royal Capital was reliable, possessed wisdom far beyond her own, and….
”So, Satsuki-jou, what can I do for you?” Ray asked. “I’m happy to help if it’s within the power of a rural lord like myself.”
”Please don’t worry, it’s nothing too taxing,” Satsuki replied. “I’ve been entrusted with a letter from Lord Harvest-whose name we mentioned earlier-in case I happened to stop by…”
”I-Is that so! From Lord Harvest…!”
Viscount Nixfen didn’t notice that her voice was practically brimming with joy. The other two certainly caught it, however. General Oromanso tilted his head in confusion, while Satsuki wore an exasperated expression that said, “Ah, so that’s how it is…”
To Oromanso, who didn’t know Ray was a woman, it seemed a bit much for a friendship between men. To Satsuki, who knew the whole story, it just looked like that man had been working his charms again.
Ignoring their stares, Viscount Nixfen hurriedly broke the seal and began reading. The letter started with a confirmation of whether she had reached her lands safely and words expressing concern for her well-being.
It continued with talk of business negotiations once the Stampede was over, expressing a sincere desire to maintain their relationship, and mentioning the various promises they’d made back in the capital. He also asked her to look out for Satsuki if she could.
To someone who knew him well, it was just a typical example of how diligent the man was, but for Viscount Nixfen, the words were precious.
Despite the trouble she had caused him, he still recognized her as a business partner. Most of all, the personal words of concern made her so happy she read them over and over, her face lighting up.
At her humming-along appearance, Oromanso tilted his head more and more, and Satsuki gave a secret sigh.
Eventually, Viscount Nixfen remembered she was supposed to be hosting guests. She hurriedly tucked the letter back into the envelope and hid it away to read again later.
”Ahem! I have certainly received it,” Ray said. “Thank you for taking the time to deliver it, Satsuki-jou.”
”No, it’s just thanks to the fact that I happened to be stopping by…”
”Yes, well, the letter asked me to help you if possible. Do you have any specific requests?”
”Yes. It’s not so much a personal request, but rather something Lord Harvest also wanted to look into…”
”Ah, if it’s a request from Lord Harvest, tell me anything.”
”If you happen to know, did any Sisters from the Church of Demon-Subjugation visit this town recently? A pair of them… a strangely glamorous Mother and a pious, light-blue-haired Sister.”
It was a question about Mother Marian and Sister Amelia, who had headed west ahead of them-specifically about her own friend, Amelia.
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Summary:
Viscount Ray Nixfen hosts the ‘Zil Meina’ subjugation force in her territory, noting the odd inclusion of non-combatant dog-beastmen. Satsuki delivers a letter from Kento Harvest, which visibly delights Ray and reveals her deep affection for him. Satsuki then inquires about the whereabouts of Mother Marian and Sister Amelia.
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Character Insight:
Ray’s internal conflict between her noble duty as a ‘rookie’ lord and her personal feelings for Kento is highlighted; she struggles to maintain a cool ‘men’s clothing’ persona while being easily swayed by Kento’s attention.
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Behind the Scenes:
The ‘white light’ mentioned refers to Kento’s modern-tech/magic hybrid invention used in the Royal Capital, which has now become a legendary rumor among traveling merchants.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Nixfen – A viscount aristocrat who has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district. He is described as a ‘pretty boy’ or ‘gentle-looking man’ (yasao) but is a territory-holding noble likely trained in combat.
• Ray – A Viscount with flaxen-gold hair in a men’s wolf cut. Possesses a sweet mask and a prince-like aura. It is revealed at the end that Ray is actually a woman. She has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district.
• Oromanso – A General serving as the assistant to Duke Roost. Bear beastman.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• Marian – A ‘Mother’ and supervisor from the Church of Demon-Subjugation. Her appearance and demeanor defy the Church’s purported ‘chastity,’ instead she has wavy purple long hair, busty, black nun, tear mole under eye, and monroe walk. She has arrived with a clear purpose: to confront Kento about the ‘Devil’s Stick.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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