Arte was next up. She greeted him a little bashfully. “It has been a while, Father. Thanks to Lord Van, I have been doing well.”
A warm smile graced Ferdinatto’s face. “I see. I do not know how to express my gratitude toward you, Lord Van.”
“Please, think nothing of it.”
Ferdinatto seemed amused by my easygoing attitude: his shoulders shook with gentle laughter. “Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that. Truth be told, I was thinking I might try to garner myself the most accomplishments in the coming battles. I will distinguish myself from even you, Lord Van.”
He said this with a fighting spirit I’d never seen from him before. I’m sure he’s been preparing for this.
“Well, I don’t intend to fall behind either! Let us both give it our all.” I smiled and pointed toward the village. “Please, make yourself at home. Arte, would you do the honors?”
I wanted to give them some time together. For a single moment, Arte’s expression tensed, but before long she nodded, having apparently found her resolve. “Of course. Allow me to escort you, Father,” she said.
Ferdinatto beamed at his daughter. “You have my gratitude.” The way they spoke to each other still didn’t exactly feel natural, but they were certainly more like father and daughter than ever before.
I always found managing relationships with nobles to be a pain in the ass, but I had to admit, at that moment things were going swimmingly. I was on good terms with His Majesty, Viscount Panamera and Count Ferdinatto were both my allies, and I seemed to be doing well with Count Ventury. Even Viscount Pinin, who’d initially looked down on me, had become pretty chill.
My only real problem was my own flesh and blood: House Fertio.
I watched Ferdinatto and Arte enter the village, then folded my arms and nodded. “I’m kind of awesome, aren’t I? I mean, I only just became a baron and started my own house, and look how much I’ve already done.”
Till smiled widely. “Indeed. I know how hard you’ve been working, Lord Van.” Khamsin nodded vigorous agreement.
“Heh heh, I’m just messing around. I can’t let myself get conceited; people always mess up when they get a big head. I have to be careful,” I said, mostly to remind myself.
I felt a bit embarrassed by their compliments, but internally, I wanted to jump for joy. If someone’s happiness was determined by their environment, then I was the happiest guy alive. Till, Khamsin, and Arte were basically siblings to me, and I was close to Esparda, Dee, Arb, and Lowe too. I had even built good, trusting relationships with the Seatoh Village Chivalric Order and Ortho’s adventurers.
You know what? I am gonna jump for joy! Go Li’l Van! A toast to an awesome life!
So much for remembering to stay humble.
Just then, I spotted one of my messengers running our way, waving. Had someone else arrived?
“Lord Van!” he shouted. “Another Chivalric Order has arrived! They bear the flag of House Fertio!”
“Ah. Daddy Dearest.” Already here, eh? “There goes all the wind out of my sails…”
But the messenger tilted his head, a strange look on his face. “Actually, the marquis is not with them. There are two noble carriages in the caravan, but he is not aboard either. Instead, there are two younger men…”
“Huh?” If the head of the house wasn’t appearing in person for such an important battle, then he must have sent his family. “Don’t tell me it’s Jard and Sesto? Is he really using such a crucial battle as their first campaign?” I didn’t mean to say that aloud, where I risked being overheard, but I was startled; this was not common practice.
The messenger watched me for a moment, hesitating, then continued. “Additionally, the soldiers with them don’t appear to be House Fertio’s Chivalric Order. Their equipment lacks uniformity, and they seem more like a group of adventurers.”
“Mercenaries? Huh? What the heck is going on?”
Had Daddy Dearest finally lost it? Or issued orders while drunk or something? I was at a total loss. That man had a way of dumping cold water all over my good mood.