Three days after my return to Gimul, a letter arrived out of the blue announcing Eleonora-san’s arrival.
I knew she was eager to start her new post, but this was surprisingly quick. The message included a note saying she wished to speak with me as soon as possible, which suggested that while it might not be an outright emergency, a situation had developed that required my attention sooner rather than later.
Wondering what could have happened, I got ready and headed into town. Her letter mentioned she would stop by the laundry shop the moment she arrived, so as long as we didn't miss each other on the road, I expected to find her there.
"Excuse me for interrupting."
I felt a wave of relief when I reached the shop and Li Ling, who was at the front desk, confirmed that a guest was waiting. I headed straight to the reception room and found Eleonora-san there. Instead of her usual maid uniform, she wore a sharp pantsuit that made her look every bit the professional secretary.
She was in the middle of a discussion with the shop manager, Calm-san, as well as Yudum-san and the butler, Sebas-san, who had presumably escorted her. They all turned toward the door the moment I opened it.
I scanned their faces, and judging by their expressions and the general atmosphere of the room, the news didn't seem particularly dire.
"Master Ryoma, I apologize for calling upon you so suddenly," Sebas-san said, bowing first.
If an unexpected situation had occurred, it couldn't be helped. If anything, I was grateful for the swift response. When I told him as much, Sebas-san and the others offered small, relieved smiles.
The tension in the room eased slightly, much like a stalled meeting when fresh tea is finally served. However, I was still in the dark. I asked for an explanation so I could join the conversation properly.
"Then, allow me to explain," Eleonora-san said, taking the lead.
Perhaps because this was an urgent report, her usual stiff tone sounded even more formal and severe than usual.
"To be blunt, we have received reports suggesting that a certain lord is suspected of building and operating a facility modeled after your waste processing plant, Master Takebayashi."
...I see.
Currently, the Jamil Ducal House officially recognizes me as a technician. Therefore, while the waste processing plant is my personal business, it also functions as a site for technical research under the Duke's protection. If these reports were true, it meant a rival noble was suspected of stealing technology from a technician under the Duke’s wing.
"We are currently investigating the veracity of these claims, as well as the facility's progress and operational status," she continued. "His Grace the Duke judged that, given the possibility, it would be easier to respond to the situation if I were stationed here immediately."
It was certainly true that having her on-site would be a huge help, and it explained why her arrival had been moved up.
"If we don't have definitive proof of theft yet, we can't make any major moves," I noted. "Though it might be wise to double-check our own management and the current status of the slimes at the processing plant."
"We were just discussing that very point—waiting for further reports while keeping a close watch on things," Calm-san added.
There was no sense in making a scene without proof; doing so might only complicate the situation. For now, the goal was to share information and ensure we were fully prepared to act when necessary. This was precisely why the Ducal House had sent Eleonora-san. I had always expected that other nobles would eventually try to make a move, anyway.
"Still, it happened faster than I expected. Assuming the information is true, of course."
"Rather than 'fast,' I believe 'reckless' is a more appropriate term," Eleonora-san replied. "Common sense dictates that one does not attempt to steal the technology of a technician protected by a Ducal House. Most would refrain from even the appearance of such a suspicion."
"I suppose so... but is this noble someone the Duke believes might actually commit such an 'abnormal act'?"
When I asked, the members of the noble group—excluding Calm-san—all made sour faces.
"The truth is, we have seen an increase in problems originating from a certain segment of the nobility lately," Yudum-san explained with a wry smile. "It actually traces back to the incident at the end of last year. You remember how the nobles involved in hostile actions against the Jamil Ducal House were punished?"
"Yes, I remember. To be honest, I wasn't that interested in the politics, so I didn't follow the details. But I believe several were arrested, and the subsequent investigation uncovered even more crimes, leading to a whole string of arrests."
"Because of those punishments, quite a few houses have seen their leadership change," Sebas-san added. "However, in some cases, the heirs were just as guilty as their fathers and were arrested alongside them. This has forced individuals who were never meant to inherit the title to become the heads of their houses. Predictably, their behavior has been notably unsuitable."
Apparently, these new lords were raising taxes under flimsy excuses to line their own pockets, taking bribes from wealthy merchants for favors, and using their new power to crush anyone they disliked. It seemed a wave of people had suddenly come into power and were now doing whatever they pleased.
Even if they were nobles, they were still human. I could accept that such things happened, but I still wondered why they were being so short-sighted. Yudum-san noticed my confusion and offered more insight.
"Part of the reason is that heirs and younger children receive vastly different educations, even within the same family."
"A difference in education?"
"Nobles value their bloodlines above almost all else, so 'ensuring the line continues' is vital," Yudum-san said. "That's why they often have many children. But the more children you have, the more likely you are to have succession disputes. To prevent this, many houses deliberately limit the education of younger children. The knowledge and skills needed to manage a territory are usually only passed down to the heir, or perhaps the second son. They’re taught the basic etiquette required of a noble, of course, but that’s about it."
I see... so these were people who had suddenly been thrust into leadership roles in a field where they had zero experience and almost no knowledge. That sounded like a recipe for disaster.
"Territorial history, current economic status, shifting relations with neighbors... even the manners used in social settings differ from the nuances of negotiation between lords," Yudum-san continued. "There are countless customs and agreements to learn. It’s practically impossible to do the job well if you’re suddenly forced into it."
"Normally, if there is a sudden change in leadership, a seasoned house steward would act as a deputy or assistant," Sebas-san explained. "Or they might rely on allied noble houses for support. But in these cases, the changes were due to criminal punishment. Most likely, the stewards who served the previous heads were arrested as well, and other noble families are keeping their distance to avoid being associated with the scandal."
When people are cornered and isolated, they tend to lose their composure. If they weren't thinking clearly, it was entirely possible they would choose a path that made others wonder, "Why on earth would you do that?"
"So, they’ve become isolated and are heading in a dangerous direction?" I asked.
"That's possible, but ultimately, it's a character flaw in the new heads," Eleonora-san muttered, her brow furrowed. "Many noble children who aren't in line for succession are... well, I cannot say it too loudly, but they are often quite 'loose' in their morals."
Yudum-san shifted uncomfortably at her remark. "Haha, I can't really deny that. There are plenty of guys like that."
"I was not referring to you," she replied coldly. "I was merely stating a fact. There are many who never have to worry about their livelihood, assume they will just be married off eventually, and spend their time playing around and acting arrogant using their family’s money and power. My ex-husband was the embodiment of that lifestyle."
"Ah..."
Right, I remembered hearing that she was a divorcee and that her husband had been a piece of work. I didn't intend to defend the noble in this new case, but her harshness—even when it was only a suspicion—probably stemmed from her own past.
"Well, for now, the information is unconfirmed," I said. "Let's prepare as best we can and wait for the next report. We'll be hearing from them soon, right?"
"Yes. In the next few days—within three days at the earliest—the verification will be complete," Sebas-san stated firmly.
When I asked how he could be so sure, he explained that the moment the rumors surfaced, Master Reinbach, the former Duke, personally headed to the territory in question. He had taken three tamed dragons and packed them with as many elite soldiers as they could carry.
That was enough to do more than just rattle the opposing noble's nerves.
"Is that going to be alright? Diplomatically, I mean."
"There is no problem," Sebas-san assured me. "When he was in active service, he always traveled with a guard of that scale when visiting other territories. While our house prides itself on a small number of elites, appearances must be maintained when visiting other noble houses. Besides, in matters like this, it is vital to demonstrate a firm stance right from the start. In that sense, this incident may have been a blessing. We should be able to warn the other lords to stay in line without much actual effort."
There weren't many people crazy enough to pick a fight with someone who could have dragons at their doorstep in hours. It was clear that the Jamil family was protecting me fiercely, so it seemed I really didn't need to worry about outside interference.
"I'll leave that matter in your hands, then. Eleonora-san, Sebas-san, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"I shall return to the estate to deliver my report," Sebas-san said.
"And I would like to begin my duties immediately, but..."
She had only just arrived, and while there was much to do, we couldn't just dive into a complex handover. Calm-san had been preparing, but this was still very sudden.
"If you'd like, I can show you to the property we discussed before. Also, if you have time, I can show you around town and introduce you to some of the people we'll be working with. I think it’ll make things easier for you later."
"I appreciate your consideration. I would be very grateful," she replied.
Apparently, she had come straight to the laundry shop the moment she entered town, so she hadn't even found an inn yet. All her luggage was currently stored in Sebas-san's Space Magic, so once she collected it, she could head straight to her new home.
"Then, we'll head out to tour the town," I said to the others.
"In that case, I shall take my leave," Sebas-san said.
As we left the shop, I took Eleonora-san's luggage from Sebas-san. Her belongings consisted of only two large leather travel bags. It seemed she really had come here with only the bare essentials.
One bag was brand new, but the other was quite worn. It had been well-maintained and was clean, but it was covered in small scratches and repair marks. I could tell it was a cherished item she had used for a long time.
I tucked the bags into my own Space Magic to keep her unencumbered. We could have reached the property in an instant with magic, but since this was also meant to be a tour, we decided to travel on foot and use public transportation.
We boarded a shared carriage running along the main street and headed toward the northeastern part of Gimul. I spent about twenty minutes explaining the various shops and landmarks we passed before we reached an alley near our destination.
"The atmosphere here is quite different from the commercial district," she observed. "The roads and buildings all look brand new."
She noticed the difference immediately.
"You're right. This area was part of the slum until last year. It’s a new residential district now, built as part of the land readjustment project."
"So this is it... I read the reports, but there truly isn't a trace of the old slum left."
I noticed her gaze sharpen. She was scrutinizing every corner of the neighborhood with an intense, deliberate focus. She seemed so absorbed that she didn't even notice I was watching her. Was she on guard because of the area's history? Or did she simply dislike the location?
It was better to address any concerns early, so I asked her directly. Her answer, however, was not what I expected.
"My apologies. I do not dislike it at all. Quite the opposite—I am in awe."
"In awe?"
"Yes. Master Takebayashi, how much do you know of my family home and our territory?"
I knew they were a Baron's house and that their territory was small but contained a gold mine. I also knew that other noble houses had meddled in the mine's operation and were siphoning off the profits.
When I answered honestly, she gave a slow nod, a shadow passing over her face.
"As you say, the House of Baron Lansol had its primary interest—the gold mine—seized by other houses. While the revenue from the mine was high, the vast majority of it flowed out to four other houses and their territories, leaving almost nothing for the Lansol lands. Our treasury was in a constant state of distress. Our failure to prevent this interference was a blunder on our part, but the consequences fell upon the people. Exploitation was rampant, and the economic gap between those connected to the four houses and the common citizens grew vast. By the time I was a child, more than half of our people were already struggling in poverty."
She seemed to be forcing the words out through a sense of lingering shame. I didn't know the specifics of her territory, but it was clear that life there must have been as desolate as any slum.
Neither she nor her family had stood by idly; they had searched for a way to improve things, but they had yet to see any real success.
"I was not the heir, but my parents were rare among nobles—they provided me with a full education regardless. Because of that, I understand at least some of the immense difficulty involved in governance. That is why I cannot help but feel surprise and awe at this streetscape. To see a slum 'improved' into a proper residential area... it is remarkable. I apologize if my reaction was confusing."
"You don't need to apologize for that. If you had a deep-seated aversion to the slum or its residents, I would have had to reconsider what kind of work I could entrust to you. I interact with people from the slum quite often in my business, after all. Even this neighborhood only looks like this because they helped me build it."
"Please rest assured," she said, her voice steady and sincere. "'Saving those mired in poverty is the duty of the high-born. If one turns their eyes away from those who need saving, how can one possibly claim to lead?' That is what my parents taught me. I am your secretary now, not a lord, but I feel no aversion toward these people."
Her words felt clean and honest. She was clearly a person of integrity, raised by a family with a strong sense of noble responsibility.
While her perspective was rooted in her noble upbringing, that was only natural. She had the motivation, and I figured Yudum-san and I could help fill in the gaps for her.
I also noticed she became slightly hesitant when talking about her family. There was no real malice in what she said, but I sensed a rift or some lingering pain there.
Even in our short time together, I was beginning to understand her bit by bit. I wanted to be careful not to pry too much into her personal life, but I decided to make an effort to talk with her more for the sake of our future partnership.
With that thought in mind, we finally arrived at the property.