Chapter 72, The Clan

Translator: Lizz

 

According to Nomani, they were a clan living in a region of the neighboring country.

 

They were mostly self-sufficient, but that alone wasn’t enough to survive, so they also worked as mercenaries or spies.

—However, when peaceful times arrived, mercenary work declined.

On top of that, they were driven out of their original land and scattered.

 

“…Therefore, we would like you to provide a place for the clan to live.”

Hearing this, Edward thought to himself that if it were up to him, the answer would be no.

If people of unknown origin gathered together as a clan, the usual suspicion would be rebellion.

In fact, the reason they were driven out and dispersed was probably because the local Lord feared exactly that.

 

…But that was only the case if Sylvia’s magic wasn’t involved.

Sylvia glanced at Edward.

She wondered, ‘Am I supposed to answer?’ When she tried to gauge the situation, she could tell from Edward’s expression that he wasn’t in favor of it.

 

“…Um. Where would you like to live?”

Sylvia asked before giving an answer.

Edward and Gina both nodded in agreement.

Sylvia thought, ‘I was right!’ and let out a proud little huff, feeling satisfied.

 

Nomani almost burst out laughing at the sight.

…He had thought she might be a puppet of the adults, but instead he had the pleasant impression that she was truly loved.

 

“In fact, there is one more thing I must tell you. Our ancestors once served in this fortress.”

Everyone was shocked by that.

 

—Why would those who served here end up living in the neighboring country?

 

Seeing that everyone was thinking the same thing, Nomani gave a wry smile and explained.

“Something must have happened at the time, and the entire clan was expelled. No, it wasn’t that our clan did anything wrong. I believe it was related to how this fortress has been left abandoned for so long.”

 

Hearing Nomani’s words, Edward lowered his head, resting his hand on his chin, deep in thought.

Nomani glanced at him but continued speaking.

“Therefore, if you would grant us permission to build a settlement in the place where our clan once lived—south of here—we will swear eternal loyalty to Lady Sylvia Hughes.”

Everyone bowed their heads.

 

Nomani had thought Edward would surely forbid it, but—

“Mm! That’s fine.”

Sylvia said it lightly, leaving Nomani and the others completely stunned.

 

“”””Eh?””””

 

All of them lifted their heads and stared at Sylvia.

Receiving their attention, Sylvia puffed out her belly proudly and declared.

“I am a master with a big heart! A request like that is no problem at all!”

“””As expected of Lady Sylvia!”””

Gina, Calogero, and Beffa chanted “As expected of Lady Sylvia” and applauded, while Edward alone looked up at the sky.

 

Nomani understood Edward’s feelings.

As the sole knight guarding her, he wouldn’t want suspicious people like them gathering together in a settlement far away.

Who knew what they might plot or what trouble they could cause.

But the Lord was a little girl, and without thinking of such things, she had granted permission.

And strangely, the attendants who should have stopped her were instead praising Sylvia.

 

Nomani thought with a wry smile that perhaps Edward was the only sensible one.

Edward lowered his face again, sighed, and said,

“Well, I suppose it’s fine. As long as you swear eternal loyalty to Lady Sylvia. —Then, Lady Sylvia, if you would, please.”

Nomani was surprised that Edward agreed so easily.

 

Edward bowed, and Gina, Calogero, and Beffa also stepped back and bowed to Sylvia.

Sylvia, on the other hand, stepped forward and stood before Nomani and his people.

 

What they saw, in stark contrast to before, were Sylvia’s eyes staring at them with no expression, no emotion.

 

“<I am the Lord of the castle, and I am your master, [Dominant]>.”

 

She tapped her staff against the ground.

Nomani thought, ‘Ah… I see. This person truly is meant to be our master’—he understood and lowered his head.

 

“Mm! Everyone can live properly. Um… was it, ‘I look forward to your future success’?”

Sylvia glanced at Edward.

Gina whispered, ‘That’s correct, Lady Sylvia!’ and encouraged her, making Sylvia puff out her belly proudly again.

 

“Mm…! Then let’s do as you wish. If you live together with family, you must first meet Lady Sylvia and obtain her permission. —Beffa, take them to speak with the mayor. Since they won’t be able to move in right away, arrange for them to stay in the servants’ quarters of this fortress for the time being.”

 

Edward almost laughed at Sylvia’s cuteness, but he held back and cleared his throat to disguise it, then gave instructions to Beffa.