Reputation among the nobility.
Sean hadn't cared about it early on, but ever since he stepped out of Taylemian and into aristocratic circles, such a reputation had become crucial. It could even earn his territory more respect. The reason the current Count Hamilton hadn't chosen to withdraw the merchant caravans and guilds from Taylemian Town was largely that it would tarnish his name—after all, trade had been decided by the previous Count Hamilton, and pulling out abruptly would make him seem untrustworthy.
Even the most powerful local noble had to mind their image, and Sean was no exception...
"Yes, that's exactly why I came in person."
He looked at Aria's expression, which was tinged with [Despair!].
"Why not? I've heard you once met the Grand Duke and even grew close to his granddaughter... Can't you help me just once, considering the help I gave you in the past?" Perhaps realizing that bargaining wouldn't work, she switched to a [Pleading!] expression.
"I can help, but not with that request!" Sean left no room for negotiation.
Aria was the daughter of the previous count. In the southern border region, nearly all nobles and commoners had to show her respect. Being dragged down from that state was hard to adapt to, and if she didn't seize any chance now, she might never have another. You couldn't judge others or yourself from some moral high ground—everything was just about living a better life later.
In Rietis City, he had always avoided choosing sides between the Prince and the Grand Duke, staying quiet and keeping a low profile. If he directly asked the Grand Duke for a favor for someone, given their last inconclusive conversation, the Duke might agree—but that would put Sean in his debt. Moreover, doing so would likely draw criticism from the northern nobles. The relationship between a man and a woman would become murky: an unmarried baron and a woman from a count's family—it would turn into something impossible to clarify.
Instead, it would boost Aria's popularity among the northern nobles.
Sean had thought this through when he received her letter with the request. Based on his understanding of Aria's character, she wasn't someone who could be satisfied with just an honorary title.
Seeing Sean's firm gaze, Aria sighed and refilled the teacups.
Just then, the old servant from earlier came in to swap out a pot on the table. Since entering the estate, Sean had seen few people, and the knight with Order Level 8 who had been constantly by Aria's side seemed to have vanished.
The atmosphere grew quiet...
After pouring another cup of tea, Aria finally couldn't hold back and spoke.
"I heard Baron Viger has become a member of the Sky-Covering Wings?"
"Yes, I studied there for a few weeks."
Changing the topic felt much lighter...
"I heard it's a wizard organization made up entirely of girls."
"Uh... that's right."
"No wonder..." The [Thinking!] status kept appearing above Aria's head.
It showed she wasn't just making small talk but was carefully considering how to phrase and steer the conversation. That "no wonder" was a bit puzzling.
"It's fine. The people in the organization are nice, and they taught me a lot back then." Sean replied with a smile, deciding to play the agreeable fool—agree to everything, but do nothing in the end!
"Baron Viger, do you still remember Viscount Isaac?"
"The viscount of Xiaowan Town, of course I do."
Back when the previous count was still alive, Sean had exchanged a few brief words with him. At the time, Viscount Isaac was one of Aria's strongest supporters, but now it seemed that was no longer the case.
"Viscount Isaac once... proposed to me!" Even the scheming Miss Aria blushed with embarrassment as she said this.
"Isn't that great? Viscount Isaac is one of the most capable people here besides the count. Xiaowan Town may not be as big as Koga City, but its location is good, and the income is decent." Sean didn't have a deep impression of the viscount, but he often heard talk about how great Xiaowan Town was. He'd never actually been there, but it seemed like a nice place.
After all, no one ever said Taylemian was good!
"But Viscount Isaac already has two wives." Aria turned to look at him.
He understood.
Seeing her [Emotional!] status, Sean got it—she was trying to appeal to his emotions and reason.
"Sean, you know my background. I once dreamed of marrying some noble and living a comfortable life, but not like this... Lately, my brother has been shifting all of Koga City's commerce to the southeast, leaving the north increasingly desolate. He's trying to force me out!" Her eyes were slightly red as she spoke, even changing how she addressed him.
What could he say?
Aria was born into a noble family, so of course she didn't want to marry into a position as a third or fourth wife. But given her current circumstances, she didn't have much room to be picky. She could still claim youth and beauty now, but in a few years, worn down by life, who knew what she'd become...
"It's a big gap, but nothing in this world stays the same forever—whether it's circumstances or people. Even with a different status, you can find a different way to live... If Miss Aria is considering business, I have many directions I'd like to explore. We could collaborate again."
Sean felt he was being quite upright, offering some help where he could.
Esmeralda was also a girl fighting against fate... but the outcome was completely different.
Still, everyone was different, and you couldn't expect the same mindset from all.
"Business? What future is there in business?!" Aria said, puzzled.
"At least it's a path. You can think it over."
That was all he had to say. Sean didn't elaborate further.
This lady's starting point was too high. Even without inheriting, she still wanted to remain a noble, and the simplest way she could think of was marrying someone. Now Sean understood why she wanted him to ask the Grand Duke—because honorary titles required a personal ceremony. In the north, where nobles were everywhere, she'd have access to many more people.
She hadn't even considered him at all!
Tsk, tsk~
It seemed this lady's standards were still high.
"You can think it over, or let me know if you have any ideas." Sean said with a smile.
After a few cups of tea and some idle chatter, Sean chose to leave. As he departed, Aria still hoped he might take her north sometime...
Noble gatherings were common, but most were initiated by the most prominent locals. Sean was a noble from the southern border, not a northerner, so he naturally couldn't attend northern gatherings unless invited. For now, the only one who could truly invite him was Freya. To others, he was still a minor border noble, not worth cultivating connections with.
……………………
Leaving Aria's estate, Sean headed toward Skov's shop.
He had arranged to meet Ignia there... and she had arrived earlier, holding a thick book.
"You're back, Sean. I searched the tower today and finally found a book that gives a detailed account of the Sun Crown."