Chapter 40: The Viscount’s Offer

It was just the two of us sitting across from each other.

The man called Baron Tams looked to be in his mid-thirties.

The way he looked me up and down wasn’t exactly pleasant.

It was as if he disapproved of me even coming here.

But the words from his mouth made it clear that it wasn’t me he found fault with, but this place itself.

“How did you end up staying in a place like this? Hardly seems fit for a noble to be staying in…”

He complained that the chair he was sitting on was uncomfortable, the table was dirty, and the decorations around us were far too informal.

“What nonsense.”

I actually liked this place.

The table wasn’t dirty at all—if anything, it was just a bit cluttered because business was going so well.

The decorations were more than modest and pretty enough, thanks to my sister-in-law’s flowers.

Admittedly, the chairs were a bit stiff, but there was nothing to be done about that.

Anyway, my first impression of him was far from favorable.

“Ahem, ahem. How did you even know I was here?”

I asked brusquely, making no effort to hide my discomfort.

But that man, Tams, just smiled at me obliviously.

“Your reputation precedes you. Starting with the nickname ‘Battlefield Butcher’—every time you appeared on the battlefield, victory followed, so it’s no wonder word spread. The most decisive feat, of course, was helping Count Lakajet achieve victory in war, earning yourself the barony. You’re already one of the famous figures of the Londinium Empire. But the most well-known title for you isn’t Baron, but rather ‘the Mercenary Mage with Endless Mana.’”

He recounted my recent exploits with his own mouth.

It wasn’t as if he knew what I’d been doing since first entering the Londinium Empire, but from the moment my name became known, he seemed to know where I’d been, what I’d done, and roughly how powerful I was.

‘Wow… damn, he knows everything?’

Listening to him, I got goosebumps.

It was almost stalker-level intel.

No matter how famous I might be, this was a bit much…

It was both unsettling and, frankly, a little scary.

“Isn’t it because of that mana of yours that you were called the Battlefield Butcher?”

“Well, yes, I suppose that’s true.”

Baron Tams’s eyes sparkled as he asked, clearly convinced of his guess, so I just answered honestly.

I tried to speak as nonchalantly as possible, but Baron Tams laughed heartily, satisfied.

“Ha ha ha! That’s good to hear. Very good indeed.”

He laughed briefly, then his face turned serious.

“Since I’ve found you, I’ll get to the request.”

“A request?”

“That’s right. It’s a request from Viscount Filton.”

I quickly recalled what I knew about Viscount Filton.

He was a key figure among the forces supporting the second prince, wielding considerable power.

His domain was in the southwest, at least two weeks’ ride from here by horse.

‘And he’s rumored to be cold and ruthless.’

If you got on his bad side, you might be sent to the gallows in an instant.

“What is it?”

I asked carefully.

Before he spoke, Baron Tams nudged the knight beside him.

The knight then shooed the Inn’s owner outside.

The remaining two knights moved in other directions, checking the area to ensure no one was listening.

“We must maintain secrecy. If word of this gets out elsewhere, Baron Solo’s life could be at risk.”

Baron Tams’ gaze grew sharp.

Recalling Viscount Filton’s personality, I nodded quietly.

“I understand. I’ll keep it secret.”

“Good. Then I’ll explain. The request is for help investigating a Labyrinth. Ah, not to actually enter it—there’s something I’d like your help with at the entrance.”

“Huh…”

I didn’t react much, but Jenny was different.

She understood the value of the word ‘Labyrinth.’

The baron’s sharp gaze shifted to Jenny.

His expression made it clear he didn’t like her presence.

“Go to your room.”

I sent Jenny away.

That was the safest choice.

If anything happened with her here, it would be hard for me to handle.

Watching her retreat, I fell deep into thought.

“A Labyrinth…”

It was an incredibly tempting fruit.

So much so, that I couldn’t help but be interested.

But it was never going to be easy.

First, Baron Tams wanted this done in secret.

That meant this was definitely a Labyrinth Viscount Filton was trying to monopolize.

There’d be heavy security all around, and likely a large military force stationed nearby.

‘And I’m supposed to sneak in there?’

There are plenty of ways to commit suicide, but I wasn’t planning to pick any of them.

‘I don’t know what the reward is, but should I just ask to participate?’

I was very curious.

About this place called the Labyrinth.

In the games, fantasy, and martial arts novels I’d read, whenever someone gained a ‘chance encounter,’ it usually happened in a place like this.

Who knows what kind of opportunity might come my way?

‘Forget it.’

But I decided to give up neatly.

There was nothing I could do about it anyway.

I’d just fulfill the task as requested and get out quickly.

My gaze returned to Baron Tams.

“Ahem, ahem. It seems you’ve picked up some bad habits.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Baron Tams nodded at my reply and continued.

“The request is simple: help break through the barrier at the entrance. That’s all you need to do.”

“Isn’t that something your own Mages can handle?”

“If they could, would I be here?”

He said there were over a hundred Mages under Viscount Filton.

But only two were Five Circle Mages; the rest were Four Circles and Three-Circle Magic Armor types.

The Five Circles and Four Circles had to actually explore the Labyrinth, so the remaining Mages had tried to break the barrier but failed.

The bigger problem was, even if all the Mages worked together, it wasn’t enough—they’d realized this and had hurried to find me.

“And the Viscount knows Baron Solo doesn’t have a domain. You visited the Government Office recently, didn’t you?”

“…I see.”

It was honestly terrifying how much he knew about my movements.

“That’s why the Viscount is offering a small domain as payment for the request. It’s a place he usually uses as a villa—not too big or too small, and whether it’s worth using depends entirely on your abilities as a baron. What do you think? Isn’t that more than enough for a request fee?”

“A domain, you say?”

I asked with some surprise.

Baron Tams’s face suggested he had no other choice.

“To be honest, it’s a level D domain. It’s a fishing village by the sea, separated from the main Viscount’s Domain. You know what that means, don’t you?”

I knew.

What a D-level domain meant.

That’s why, when he first offered a domain, he mentioned how much its potential would depend on me.

A D-level domain was almost like a manor.

It was the smallest size among all domains, with very few residents.

And being a seaside domain, the village itself wouldn’t be large, and there wouldn’t be much farmland.

It was bound to be a rather poor place.

‘The sea… a fishing village… seawater…’

I quickly ran through what I knew about such a place and how I’d manage it.

I even added in my own plans for a workshop.

‘Not bad.’

No, it might actually be an opportunity.

From what I understood, on the Creseria Continent, there weren’t many materials for seasoning or salting food.

Even Salt was harvested not from the sea, but by slowly collecting it from Salt Rock.

They probably didn’t know much about making Salt from seawater.

‘But I know the basics!’

I’d learned about it in school, and even done it as a part-time job once.

Not only did I have experience working at a company in modern society, but before the military, I’d taken any part-time job I could find to support my family.

I had the experience and knowledge to produce Salt.

“I’ll do it.”

I agreed, and the baron pulled two sheets of parchment from his coat and handed them to me, looking satisfied.

They were Documents of Proof transferring the domain to me.

They already had the Viscount’s signature, so as long as I signed and reported it to the Government Office, the transfer would be completed immediately.

“When do we depart?”

“We’ll leave for the Viscount’s Domain in two days. Please report the paperwork to the Government Office today.”

“Understood.”

I signed the Document of Proof, signaling my acceptance.

Baron Tams, very pleased, took one signed copy and tucked it away.

That one would go to the Viscount.

“I’ll be staying elsewhere. Before departure in two days, I’ll send soldiers to this place. Be ready.”

“Understood.”

With that, Baron Tams left the Inn.

Once all the knights had left and I heard them move off into the distance, the Innkeeper and sister-in-law came back in.

“What was that about? Is it dangerous?”

“It seems so.”

“When it comes to nobles, you need to be extra careful. Just because you’ve become a noble yourself, don’t forget: those who rise from commoners to nobility are the easiest to use and discard.”

“From the way you’re talking, did you used to be a noble yourself? You know quite a lot.”

At my words, the Innkeeper seemed briefly startled.

But he spoke as if it was nothing.

“Wouldn’t that be nice? I’d just live a carefree life.”

He laughed and went back into the kitchen. He seemed to have a story, but I decided not to pry.

Everyone has a story or two of their own, after all.

I quietly went up to my room.

Once inside, I told Jenny we’d be leaving in two days.

That night, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.

***

The next day, I sent Jenny out to buy food and supplies for our upcoming long journey.

I headed straight for the Government Office.

To prevent another mishap like yesterday, I asked Ers, one of the Innkeeper’s sons, to drive the carriage for me.

Unlike when I walked, we passed smoothly through the main gate.

Once inside, I submitted the Document of Proof for the domain transfer.

After the process was done, I received a new piece of parchment confirming the transfer.

“This document certifies that Ajof Territory now belongs to Baron Solo. The domain has been officially registered.”

“Thank you.”

I collected the documents and left the Government Office, returning to the Inn with Ers, who had been waiting for me.

Then, I walked to the market, found Jenny, and we quickly finished preparing for departure.

Before leaving, I intended to teach Jenny everything I could.

Education Skill has been activated.

You may select a target for education.

Please select an item from the list below.

1. Understanding of Magic.
2. Understanding of Swordsmanship.
3. Understanding of Cooking.
4. Manual of Night Skills.

Without hesitation, I began teaching her the skills related to Magic.

I started with the basic spells: Fire, Aqua, and Wind.

Luckily, because they were basic Magic, Jenny picked them up quickly.

“Fire!”

A small flame flickered from Jenny’s hand.

She was delighted, and I encouraged her to keep practicing whenever she had time at the Inn.

“Thank you, Solo.”

Following my instructions, she practiced Fire Magic whenever she had a spare moment, enjoying herself while I watched on and rested in peace.

The next morning.

We followed the soldiers who had come to escort us, heading towards the Viscount’s Domain.