The other kind of power I needed was influence, as cliché as that sounded. As a former noble, I knew well that political power was critical to surviving in society. I had lacked that, or just hadn’t had enough, and now I was wanted by the Church. This made me all the more aware. If Oraculum Kingdom or House Olipiage had had more influence than the Church, this never would have happened to me. Influence was just that advantageous. I’d be better off amassing it wherever I had the chance. If aiding Katarina would get me influence...then it would behoove me to accept the proposal.
Even if Oraculum or the Church sent people after me, the Urizen Federation wasn’t on good terms with either party. That would work in my favor. Oraculum had an antagonistic relationship with it, and the Church didn’t have significant influence in this country.
Consequently, if I could borrow the power of this country’s politicians...I wouldn’t necessarily have total security, but it was at least possible that we could secure a place to eke out our existence. Therefore...
“Lord Noah, you’ve hardly eaten. Are you quite well?” Katarina asked me at the dinner table. We were in the dining hall of Katarina’s manor, which was natural given that we were presently enjoying her hospitality. However, the kobolds were still eating in a different room. Katarina had wanted to eat with them, but we hadn’t fixed their manners yet, so I’d given the excuse that they were too self-conscious. The kobolds still weren’t very accustomed to human interaction, so I wouldn’t mind letting them join us once that improved. And Aht had whacked basic manners into them, so they were still capable even if they weren’t yet accustomed to it. In due time, they’d be able to eat alongside other people without issue.
I responded to Katarina. “Ah, yes, I simply had some matters on my mind. Excuse me. I’m sure it irks you to see such unpolished etiquette.”
When I apologized for zoning out, Katarina quickly shook her head.
“No, not at all. Your table manners are impeccable. I wonder where you learned them.”
Her remark gave me pause. She hadn’t seemed to pay it much mind, but she was guessing at my origins too. Well, that was only to be expected. I’d called myself a rogue, but I’d commented on politics and knew a bit about high-class manners. That would have made anyone wonder about my identity.
Mentioning the Urizen Federation’s political system had been a blunder, but after that, I was honestly giving in. I didn’t mind so much if they found me out. It was a strategic move which would make it easier to bring up some things later. At first I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do, but part of me had known that I’d need political influence after all. This could be a good starting point to that end.
With this in mind, I spoke to Katarina. “On that subject, Lady Katarina, I have something to discuss with you.”
“Goodness, what is it?” Katarina tilted her head.
I cut right to the chase. “I heard from Mr. Fresco about your current position.”
Noble etiquette dictated that one typically bring up subjects in a roundabout manner. But I was no longer nobility; I was just Noah. I didn’t have to be bound by these customs. Besides, this seemed like a complicated matter in a couple different ways. To be honest, I really didn’t want to make the conversation any more annoying than it had to be.
Katarina’s eyes widened. “Really, Fresco... Um, exactly how much did he tell you?” she asked.
This manner of speech was much more in keeping with noble etiquette than how I’d spoken.
At present, the nobility of the Urizen Federation was quite obsolete compared to that of the Oraculum Kingdom. While they weren’t completely figureheads, the gap in status between nobles and commoners was much narrower, and I’d heard that many of the nobles had consequently been tainted by commoner values. To give a specific example, some nobles went out into town without even bringing an escort. This wasn’t completely unheard of in the Oraculum Kingdom, but on such occasions, there would generally be guards just out of sight. This wasn’t the case in the Urizen Federation.
Well, that was partly because some states in the federation didn’t have nobility at all. When nobles visited such places, they would have no choice but to share a space with commoners. Of course, in these instances, they would typically patronize a luxury inn or restaurant.
With that said, while the Urizen Federation had plenty such nobles, Katarina likely maintained the proper grace of a noblewoman because her family was practically the highest-ranked nobility in the state.
Meanwhile, I’d thrown away any grace I had long ago. I said to her, “I believe he told me the overall picture. Including that your succession to the title of marchioness is uncertain, and that Margrave Frausen opposes your father, the honorable Marquess Trahn.”
“That much... I see. Why did he—”
“He wanted me to aid you. At least, that was the reason he gave. I think he asks too much of a novice who only just registered as an adventurer today.”
I added a bit of humility, which got a response from Katarina.
“No, Lord Noah. Your party effortlessly routed the thugs who attacked us. Knowing that, I believe it’s only natural he sought your aid.”
“It wasn’t without difficulty, though.”
This was no lie. We’d made it out nearly unscathed, but our enemies had been considerably powerful. We’d just had the advantage of surprise and unusual skills. Cath and the kobolds had their monster skills, and the majority of my skills had come from Aht. Few people would have been able to tackle opponents like that without forewarning. I could tell they were decently trained, but even then, they hadn’t been a match for us. That was all.
“You are too modest. However, I do understand. Given that you’ve brought up this subject, may I assume that you will provide me with your service?”
“Yes, if there’s anything I can help with,” I said, as if I were a butler who would do whatever she asked.
Katarina gave a courteous smile, but it didn’t reflect in her eyes. She pointedly responded, “But it won’t be for free. I can tell by your expression.”
I understand now. She looks like an average, naive heiress, but that’s not really the case. Well, she didn’t seem capable of defending herself during the attack, but she had been pretty composed immediately afterward. A fourteen-year-old girl, retaining her composure in the face of assassination...
She had to have nerves of steel. The average noblewomen I knew would faint at the drop of a hat. It was a generalization, of course, but that certainly seemed to be the trend in Oraculum. Considering this, Katarina was quite a tenacious girl for her age. Her reaction wasn’t particularly out of character.
I replied to her, “That’s correct. I could work for free...but that wouldn’t make our cooperation very reliable, would it? If you don’t pay appropriate compensation for your request, you won’t have much right to complain if the results are not to your liking.”
“You raise a good point. However, Lord Noah...if I am to compensate you, I must first know what you are capable of.”
“Was saving you from those thugs insufficient?”
“That was an unforeseen event, so it’s difficult to judge objectively. Therefore, there is another matter I would like for you to settle. Once I can observe your skills and the results, we can then deliberate on our future relationship. Of course, if you are successful, you will be rewarded for it as well. How does that suit you?”
I was intrigued by her proposal and saw no drawbacks to it, so I nodded.