"Please go ahead, Miss Aria." Sean was also curious to hear what terms she might offer.
The girl before him didn't seem to be here on orders or as a noble's daughter out gaining experience. From what he'd observed so far, she had her own agenda—one that went beyond merely delivering Count Hamilton's verbal message.
She had dismissed all the servants in the hall, and even glanced at Luke standing beside Sean.
"This is my scholar. I consult him on all matters. It's fine... he can be privy to this." Sean introduced Luke, noting the 【Grateful!】 status that appeared on the other man—exactly the effect he wanted.
"Oh, a scholar? So you've studied abroad and returned."
Upon hearing the title "scholar," Aria gave Luke a brief look.
In a small town like Tylermian, there wasn't even a basic school. Most children were illiterate, and those who knew a few characters were taught at home—provided someone in the family could read. Otherwise, they'd have to go to another household to learn.
"Yes, Miss Hamilton. I studied at the College of Koga City for a time." Luke bowed his head respectfully.
"Good! So you understand Koga City's capabilities. That makes our discussion easier..."
Sean watched as she 【Thought!】 for a few seconds. It seemed the second matter this noble lady wanted to discuss involved both cities.
"The Viscount Weigel family of Tylermian originated about two hundred years ago, back when the Empire was in the midst of the Northern War. Famine plagued many regions, and rebellious forces emerged on the estates. The southern dukes organized a suppression campaign, and a soldier named Weigel saved a grand duke's life in battle, earning the title of nobility in Tylermian."
She recounted her family's history.
Sean had read these stories before, though some details she didn't know—not even Luke did—because they were recorded in the family genealogy, now stored under his bedside cabinet, alongside the grimoire Lucille had given him.
"That's correct, that's my family's origin... but why bring this up, Miss Aria?"
As the descendant of a count ruling a developed city, she likely had records of minor nobles like him in the grand archives of the aristocracy. Knowing the Weigel family's origins wasn't surprising.
"Actually, I think the previous generations of the Viscount Weigel family were full of fighting spirit. Every noble's founder was remarkable! When I was young, I often heard stories about my own family's history, including mentions of a suppression campaign a few generations back, where the Viscount Weigel family also participated..."
This girl was referring to the tale that had been sung in the town for over a hundred years.
If he went to the town tavern now, he might hear even more versions! Enough to write several novels.
"Back then, I always wondered why people said our ancestors were so great. We're not bad either, and we might even do better! You must feel the same way, Lord Sean?" This time, she addressed him by name instead of his title.
After all that rambling, was she asking if he had ambition?
She'd gone through all that historical background, but that last sentence was the key.
But what did she mean by this? Was it important to ask a rural noble about ambition?
His entire town's population barely reached ten thousand, and tax revenue didn't even hit ten thousand gold coins... his biggest income was still the state's supplementary rewards! Was she asking this to recruit him?
"Of course. I've thought that way too..." Sean said after a moment.
A count probably couldn't cause too much trouble. The empire was vast—what could he do, rebel?
Upon hearing his answer, 【Delighted!】 and 【Relieved!】 appeared above her head.
Just one reply from him triggered such a reaction.
"Actually, when our family heard about the incident in Tylermian, we remembered there was a small town nearby. Don't take this the wrong way—it's because Tylermian rarely interacts with the outside world. I asked around, and it seems only old mercenaries, adventurers, or veteran merchants know about this place. Newcomers probably have no idea."
Aria was right. The town rarely communicated with outsiders. Trade was handled by traveling merchants who came and went for high profits. Ordinary people didn't usually visit—otherwise, the population wouldn't be so sparse.
"But precisely because a town that rarely engages with the outside world sought our help, my father took it more seriously... The supplies were sent on his orders, but I also want to do more for Tylermian, like opening up trade routes and establishing a mercenary guild."
Sean hadn't expected such terms...
Opening trade routes and setting up a mercenary guild.
That meant Tylermian could become a reimbursement point for mercenaries, and the town's resources would be cataloged and transmitted to mercenary guilds everywhere. Then, those in the south wanting these resources would come to the town.
As for opening trade routes, that was even clearer—something he'd always wanted to do but lacked the funds to start.
"You're willing to help my town with all this, Miss Aria?" Sean asked again.
"Of course."
"But... there must be a price, right?"
Even an incredibly wealthy count wouldn't give without expecting something in return. How rich would you have to be for that?
"Of course." Aria gave the same answer.
"Then may I ask what you need from me, Miss Aria?"
As he spoke, Sean kept his eyes on her. After a while, all her attributes began to appear. Her friendliness was still neutral, but her displayed status showed not only 【Expectant!】 but also 【Anxious!】.
She was worried?
But what was she worried about? That he'd refuse? That would save her a lot of expense. And of course, he wouldn't refuse the count's gifts—only the proposal that followed.
"What I need is for you to support me," Aria said.
"Support?"
"Yes. Stand by my side. And support me in Koga City."
Koga City, support, taking sides?
Sean caught these keywords and suddenly realized—when she introduced herself, she'd said she was the third daughter, meaning she had siblings.
He was starting to understand her purpose here. She wanted him to pick a side! To help her inherit the count's position.
Tylermian had always been too isolated, barely interacting with other nobles. But now that he'd sent someone to make contact, they'd entered her line of sight...