novel
| ← Ch.081 | Ch.083 → |
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Name: Chompy (Johra)
Gender: Male
Status: Normal
Race: Human
Class: Warrior/Priest
Rank: H+
Level: 43/99
HP: 75/75
MP: 25/105
Attack: 24 (+3)
Defense: 12 (+3
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 24
? Unique Skills
[Water Creation LvMax] [Lesser Healing Lv 3] [Magic Chanting Lv 2]
? (Hidden) Unique Skills
[Night Vision Lv1]
? (Hidden) Titles (Active)
[Wizard of the Pit] [Master of Magma Hall] [Guardian of Corruption]
? (Hidden) Titles (Inactive)
[Rat Trapper] [Hit-and-Run] [Savior Lv4] [Coldhearted LvMax] [Dragon Slayer Lv1] [Ant Exterminator Lv14] [Spider's Bane Lv3] [Giant Killer Lv2] [Scuttles' Grief LvMax] [Goblin's Slaughterer Lv6] [Valenor's Husband]
? (Hidden) Modifications
[Avatar Lv1] [Creation Magic Lv1] [Resurrection Song Lv1]
? (Hidden) Creation Magic
[Hidden Status] [Species Conversion(Human)] [Material Creation Lv7]
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A small head peeked through the the slightly ajar door. After a quick look I realized that it wasn't any serious danger and closed my eyes.
It was a cute little girl with blonde hair and soft curls. About 9~10 years old and only 130 cm tall, she tiptoed up to my bed and looked down at me as I was lying down.
"Hello~"
She had quite the inquisitive look. She first tried to match her tiny hands with mine, then brought her face closer, causing a refreshing peach-like fragrance to assault my nose.
'What is she doing?'
After a short while, seeing that I hadn't reacted, she then sneaked out of the room.
'Hmmm Jerna H. Erenhaim. Is she related to the count?'
She was dressed in expensive colorful dresses, and had the same family name as count. She was either his daughter or a close relative
Knock, Knock
I guessed that the maid had returned with the bathtub.
"Hey...."
"Yes?"
Does the count have any daughters?"
"Yes he has a cute little nine year old named Jerna, why?"
"Oh nothing, was just curious."
I didn't want to put the maid in an awkward position by explaining that the count's daughter had intruded into my room and I also really wanted to take my bath.
'Let's try not to fall asleep this time around, I don't want to die a pathetic death drowning in a bath. '
I repeated this in my mind several times prior to jumping in.
"Ah! So comfortable!"
I stretched out like a pampered child as I loosened my muscles and got rid of any accumulated stress.
'I did it!'
I was able to control myself and not fall asleep until the very end as I exited the tub. I then changed into afresh set clothes and joined the count for dinner.
"This is my son Jillian and daughter Jerna."
"I'm glad to meet you Mr. Johra."
"Nice meet you."
"Nice meet you too."
Jillian was 17 years old and was the perfect example of a young noble. However, unlike his father who had more of a sharp look, he had a soothing and calm voice. Looking at his status he had the skill [Influence], and title [Balanced] which was quite interesting. Jerna was the little girl who had previously broken into my room. She looked very cute in her little dress as she curtsied in the fashion of nobles. Her eyes were glued to me with fascination and I was surprised to learn that when I tried to view her status one of her skills was listed as???. While I was checking her status, she never broke eye contact with me.
Staring——
More staring—-
"Hehe"
It was quite uncomfortable to eat while someone was staring at you the whole time. After the meal had ended we moved to the lounge to have some tea.
"I heard from my father that you were of great help to our family, I'm forever in your debt."
Jillian straightened up his posture and gave me a deep bow. It must be so tiresome to uphold the proper noble etiquette all the time.
"No, it was nothing much."
"I don't know how you have such incredible knowledge about ores, but I'm incredibly thankful that you chose to help us so. Most people would not be so selfless."
I could see it in his eyes that he was genuinely grateful for my assistance. From behind the count smiled at his son's behavior, gushing with pride.
"I'm glad you appreciate my help"
"Johra, would you like to be an honorary knight in our family?"
Following the count's invitation Jerna eyes grew round, perhaps ecstatic at the thought of seeing more of me.
"An honorary knight?"
"Yes, giving an official noble title can only be done by the Royal family. However as a count I can appoint my own knights. Of course with your ability you could also choose to serve more powerful nobles, but please consider my offer."
Compared to my previous life of a beggar, it would be quite the leap in social status. It was definitely a good thing to have a close relationship with the count, but I had this sinking feeling that doing so would embroil me in further political turmoil, not to mention those large beady eyes that were constantly staring at me.
"Could you give me some time to think about it?"
"Ah right... consider our poor financial status you might be ashamed to join us..."
"Not at all."
In fact I had half a mind to accept. Compared to my homeless life, just a soft bed and good food was enough to win me over. My two biggest worries were that becoming the family's honorary knight would affect the future in some unknown way and whether he was a benevolent ruler.
I returned to my room and lay down on the bed.
"It's a bit hard to come to a decision right now."
"Create Material: Gold"
I was finally able to create small amounts of gold and it was also part of the list of materials which Lena required so it was an important breakthrough.
'I probably won't we lacking any money with my current level in the skill. '
I realised that there wasn't any real reason for me to become an honorary knight if I could easily make money and buy those comforts with my own ability.
'No, it takes more than just money. In human society sometimes who you know is a kind of power which can't solely be achieved with gold. Still, there are a few things I would need to straighten out first. '
Knock! Knock!
"Who is it?"
"Jillian, do you have a moment?"
"Sure come on in."
It was Jillian joined by his little sister hiding behind her.
'Seems the lady joined'
I laughed inside but didn't try to expose her.
"Come, take a seat."
I pointed towards a chair and sat opposite of him. Jerna was still hiding behind her brother, popping her head out curiously.
"I'm sorry if my sister is a bit suffocating, but I'm glad to have her around, I hope it doesn't bother you."
"Not at all, she is adorable."
To my comment her face instantly turned red.
"My father asked me to come speak with you about any hesitation you might be having."
"Not at all, the offer is very attractive, unfortunately due to personal circumstances it might be a bit difficult."
"Please let me know, I might be of some assistance."
"Well I have many personal matters to attend to so I can't always be staying here at the count's estate."
"Oh this isn't at all an issue. The position of honorary knight is more symbolic than anything, there aren't really any strings attached."
'Well that's one less problem. '
"And there was one more point...."
"What is it?"
Jillian's eyes were shining, no doubt eager to have me accept the position and have earned some merit in his father's eyes.
"Can I meet your house's serfs?"
"Hmm that is..... a bit difficult."
I felt that I would need to take a firmer stance on the matter because it was something I wanted to be clear about.
"It is would play an important part in my decision."
"Okay, I was just worried about your safety because there are many unknown wanderers among our serfs."
"Don't worry I'm also a vagabond/adventurer so I can take care of myself."
"Really? That's hard to believe!"
Jillian's eyes grew incredibly curious.
"Well I there's quite a long story behind it. So, can I visit them tomorrow?"
"Ah, yes! I'll go inform my father right away."
I wanted to thank him for helping me put to ease any of my doubts.
"Oh and one more thing, could you prepare a block of wood for me?"
"Sure, that won't be any problem. May I ask what you need it for?"
"It's a secret."
I chuckled as I escorted the pair of siblings out of the room.
'It will be a small gift. '
A short while later the siblings returned with the wood which I asked him for as well as the token carrying the count's crest which I could use to bypass some checkpoints and meet with his family's serfs.
"Thank you."
Not at all, good night Sir Johra."
"Yes, good night."
I laughed at Jerna's cute gestures.
"Both of you sleep well and have nice dreams."
When they both left I began to sculpt the wood using my dagger.
"Johra are you going to carve it yourself?"
"Yes"
The next morning I presented Jillian with a chess board and a set of pieces. As I taught him how to play, he showed a great interest in the game and we spent most of the morning together. Due to that, I wasn't able to visit the farmers.
"This game called chess is very interesting. Does the pawn represent a soldier?"
I nodded in return, we had already played 5 matches but Jillian seemed eager to play even more.
"Johra can I show this game to my father?"
"Of course, this is my gift to you Jillian, you may do as you like with it."
"But you have already been far too kind to our family."
"Are you saying that you don't want to accept my gift?"
"Ah... no it isn't like that."
His unexpectedly honest answer made the young boy blush.
"Then please accept it. For my part it's past time I go meet the farmers."
Jerna's eyes indicated that she wanted to follow me around but she knew she couldn't because I had said that I wanted to go alone. With a sad expression she followed behind Jillian who had scooped up the chess set and they disappeared together.
'Shall I get going?'
I had to meet a group of their serfs in order to put to bed this hidden worry which had been nagging at me. That's why I gifted the the chess board to keep them occupied in order for me to visit the farmers alone and get an authentic reaction.
Showing the count's token I was easily able to get past the guards an into the villages where they lived.
'Hm, are they focusing on growing barley?'
It was late autumn and the farmers were hard at work sowing seeds into the ground. As I approached I asked them curiously.
"Are you planting Barley?"
"Yes indeed, are you from the count's estate?"
"I am simply a guest in his care."
"Why would you speak with us lowly peasants?"
It was the eldest in their group which approached me and asked cautiously.
"I heard there are a lot of vagabonds which have come here recently, is it true?"
"Yes, last year's wheat harvest was pitiful and food prices soared as a result. Even miners had to run away form the jobs as it could no longer support their families. Countless people became refugees. If it were not for the count's benevolence we would also be struggling to get by, surviving on eating roots and tree bark."
"There have rumors flying around that the count would enslave regular folk and force them to becomes serfs against their will."
The faces of those before me immediately twisted in disgust.
"Who are those that are sprouting such nonsense? It was our own decision to become serfs because the count takes very good are of us. Tell me whoever spoke those words and I'd kill them myself for bad mouthing our savior.
I knew then that I had heard enough to be convinced of the count's benevolence. I had been concerned about how he treated those in lower positions. But, I now knew that he took good care of those in need, so he must be a reliable person.
After our conversation, they gave me some dirty looks because I had spoken badly of the count, so I hightailed it out of there and went back to the manor.
"Phew! Any longer and I would have been in trouble."
Just as I was about to cross the gates to the estate, the head butler ran up to me.
"Sir Johra! There is some trouble."
"What's going on?"
"Please follow me immediately!"
I was worried by his urgent tone and simply did as he asked.
'I hope nothing has happened to the count. He's righteous person who I'd like to support with all my heart.
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