"How did you get here?" When Sean saw the notification [Someone approaching...], he instinctively thought it might be Ignia.
After all, she had been following him around a lot these past few days.
He never expected the person to appear would be that Red Dragon Witch!
"What's wrong? Disappointed it's not your little sister?" She said with a smile as she walked forward. For a moment, Sean even felt she could see through others' attributes too.
Judging by her appearance alone, it was hard to guess Freya's age. She looked like a woman in her twenties, but she had mentioned that Count Hamilton had sought her out ten years ago. If she really was in her twenties, she would have been just a teenager back then!
Who would believe a decades-old wizard organization was led by someone that young?
So Sean had always found her age quite puzzling...
"Just a bit surprised, that's all."
"Oh? But I can tell the treatment is vastly different from what your little sister gets." Freya continued.
The "little sister" she referred to was Ignia...
Wasn't that obvious?
With such a gap in favorability, of course the treatment would differ. Sean only dared to think this, keeping a smile on his face.
"Anyway, I was originally heading to the academy to find you, but your little sister said you'd left the city. I figured you'd come here, so I followed."
Earlier, when they were discussing the Cain Tablet, they had mentioned the rioters and this village. At the time, Sean had told them about the fruit-selling girl.
"Yeah, I've been wanting to find out where those fruit trees came from. Now that I'm here, I see they really are here."
Looking at the desolate little village...
Though the roads were overgrown with weeds, the peach trees were thriving.
"I plan to bring them back to Taylemian to plant. I hope these fruits can bring prosperity to my townspeople."
"You really are a baron who cares for his people!" Freya said with a laugh from behind.
Sean turned around and looked at her seriously.
"Who wouldn't cherish their own people?" He had heard stories of lords oppressing their subjects, but that didn't fit his current situation.
He was already this poor. If he messed around and drove everyone away, his territory would be empty.
"That depends on the person. But even if you care about your people, there's something more important you need to do right now." After a few brief exchanges, Freya finally got to the point of her visit.
From the moment he saw her, Sean had noticed the status [Distracted!] above her head.
She must have been thinking about something else...
"What is it?" Sean asked.
"I received word from above today. The matter in Koga City has reached the king. But regarding the appointment of the new count and the details of what happened in Koga City, I need to report personally to Prince Philip." Freya said.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Prince Philip has also extended an invitation to you. He wants to meet you." Seeing that Freya's status didn't show [Lying!].
So she was telling the truth!
The prince wants to see me?
A lowly baron? And from a remote area at that.
"The prince wants to see me? I don't even have the right to an audience with a prince. You didn't throw me under the bus, did you?" Sean said casually, only to notice her status immediately change to [Somewhat Angry!].
"I said I'd handle this matter. Do you think I'd go back on my word? Honestly, I don't know who mentioned you to the prince. It was probably one of the other viscounts."
That day, when Freya led Sean and Ignia out of the count's mansion, many people saw them, especially the nobles waiting outside.
Among them, there must have been connections to higher-ups, so it was likely one of them.
But under the laws of the Basharan Empire, a baron didn't have the direct right to meet a prince. The highest noble a baron could approach was a count.
This was part of the country's class protection system. Otherwise, the higher the noble, the fewer there were, while the lower ranks were abundant—like a pyramid. If everyone could meet the higher-ups whenever they wanted, those at the top wouldn't have any peace.
Because of these rules, it was deeply ingrained that "big shots" like princes and dukes wouldn't bother with minor nobles like him.
"Of course, if you have concerns, you don't have to go. I'll explain it to Prince Philip. Don't worry about that... But I think even if you stay here, you won't be welcomed."
Freya's words were true.
Because of Count Hamilton's situation, his three children now had very particular attitudes toward Sean. Especially Aria, whose favorability had dropped from [Friendly] to [Neutral], even though they had previously been cooperating.
She kept smiling, but deep down, she was probably already dissatisfied with him.
Whether it was wanting him to forge Count Hamilton's will or to learn more about her father's final moments.
All these emotions had been projected onto him...
After all, the Red Dragon Witch's status was too high. Even if they didn't believe her, they wouldn't dare say it.
Only he, a minor noble, was being targeted!
"So you think I should go?"
"At least it'll be better than now... A new identity, a new place. Maybe when you come back, they won't dare to mess with you anymore. Don't worry, since I asked you to keep a secret, I won't let you suffer. Whether it's your territory or you yourself, oh—and even your little sister, I'll protect her."
Hmph~
That sounded like something a big-shot gang leader would say.
"But the north is far away. If we go there, how will you protect my territory?" Sean could tell she wasn't bluffing. This time, she spoke [Seriously!] and [Confidently!], so it was probably true.
But out of sight, out of mind. By the time he returned, Taylemian would be an empty town.
"Don't worry about that. I'll announce that you're an apprentice of my Sky-Covering Wings. With that protection, no one in the south will dare touch your stuff." Freya said.
Damn~
That sounded pretty slick.
But that name...
Sky-Covering Wings.
Sean didn't even know where to start with the criticism.
"Let me think about it..." Sean didn't reply immediately.
"Alright, let me know when you've decided. I'll be in Koga City for another four days, so anytime within that window works." With that, she prepared to leave.
But just as she was about to go, she couldn't help turning back to say something.
"You've learned some abilities, haven't you?"
"..."
"You don't need to deny it. From the moment you fired that gun, I knew you knew some magic. But your method of cultivation is unique... Similar to a gunsmith, yet different. There are many famous gunsmiths in Riyetis. It's worth meeting them, rather than just staring at that book all the time!"
Freya said with a smile.
She was tall and well-built, wearing little fabric but offering high defense!
As she turned, her exaggerated curves were clearly visible...
So she had already noticed the magic tome he carried with him.