The very next day, Alfred paid a visit to the Liegel family estate.
”Mmm, this tea’s lovely, innit? Must be the leaves, but I reckon the brew makes a difference too. Never seen such fancy-lookin’ teaware before. An’ these biscuits-crispy as anything, with that rich butter taste spreadin’ through your mouth-absolutely delicious. Wouldn’t mind takin’ some back as a souvenir for me little sister Misha. Reckon they’d give me some if I asked?”
He glanced toward the maid standin’ in the corner of the room.
She looked barely into her mid-teens. Whenever his tea ran low, she’d glide over without a sound, top up his cup, and retreat just as silently.
Not a single wasted movement. The very picture of a polished, professional maid.
Sorry, Lina, but there’s a world of difference in quality here. You just can’t beat that level of trainin’.
Still-it had been nearly three hours since Alfred had been shown into this room.
Apparently, nobles did this sort of thing on purpose-kept visitors waitin’ to assert their authority, remind ’em of their place, and drive home the difference in status. A little power play.
He’d known that goin’ in, but three hours was pushin’ it. He was startin’ to wonder if the viscount had a stomach ache or somethin’.
…And that maid, standin’ the whole time… that’s got to be tough on the legs.
He sighed inwardly.
What a waste of everyone’s time…
Just as he was thinkin’ give me a break already, the door finally opened, and Viscount Bruno strode in.
Alfred rose, placed his right hand over his left chest, and bowed his head.
”Lord Viscount Bruno Liegel, thank you for grantin’ me an audience today. Me name is Alfred, newly appointed lord of the neighborin’ Lindrott territory. I’ve come today to pay me respects and introduce meself. I’m still young and inexperienced, so I humbly ask for your guidance and wisdom goin’ forward.”
He delivered his greetings with careful politeness, then raised his head.
And there, floppin’ onto the sofa with his boredom written all over his face-was that an orc?
…No, a pig?
…Actually, it was Viscount Bruno.
The man was bloated, slack-bodied, with a greasy face. That triple chin could probably hide three stray cats underneath it.
And he was decked out in so much jewelry-necklaces, rings, the works-that he looked absolutely ridiculous.
Viscount Bruno slowly placed a cigar between his lips, took a long drag, and blew out a cloud of smoke.
…He looks like a giant toad smokin’ a cigarette.
Alfred had to fight the urge to burst out laughin’. Then a voice-exasperated, impatient-cut through the air.
”So? I’m a busy man, ya know. Ya didn’t really come all this way just to say hello, did ya?”
Bruno’s eyes drifted toward the box at Alfred’s feet, his expression practically shoutin’ whatever ya got, hand it over already.
…I’d heard rumors about Viscount Bruno, but this is somethin’ else. Ah well-best keep me head down for now.
”Yes, me lord. Along with me formal greetings as a newly appointed baron, I was hopin’ to present you with this.”
Alfred pulled out a Reversi board from the box.
He’d had it crafted as a luxury item, usin’ White Demon Stone-a material only found in the Lindrott territory-for both the board and the pieces.
”This is called Reversi, a game of me own invention,” Well, from me past life, but still. “A little indulgence, if you will.”
”…Hoh? You invented this yourself?”
”Allow me to demonstrate how it’s played.”
With that, Alfred had the young man-presumably the butler-standin’ behind the viscount sit opposite him, and explained the rules as they played a few rounds.
”…T-this is brilliant!! Alfred, was it? This is brilliant!!”
”Thank you, me lord. And this Reversi set has a little trick to it. Would you mind channelin’ some magic into the board?”
At Viscount Bruno’s nod, the butler poured his mana into the board-and the entire surface began to glow with a soft, pale blue light.
The black and white pieces started glowin’ too, each faintly shimmerin’, makin’ the board sparkle beautifully.
”Ohh! Th-this is…”
”I thought it might be enjoyed even on dark evenin’s, so I added a little extra flair.”
Indeed, White Demon Stone had the property of glowin’ faintly when infused with mana. The color varied dependin’ on where it was mined, but the glow was too dim to serve as a practical light source-so the stone had never really found a use before.
…For a moment, Viscount Bruno and the butler just stared with their mouths hangin’ open. Then, snappin’ back to his senses, the viscount shot to his feet, grabbed Alfred by the shoulders, and shook him while shoutin’.
”Magnificent! Magnificent, Alfred! This is magnificent!! Truly, what a magnificent thing you’ve made!!”
Viscount Bruno’s nostrils flared wide, his breathin’ heavy, barely able to contain his excitement.
After a moment, he seemed to realize somethin’ and turned back to Alfred.
”O-oh! That’s right! Alfred, have you shown this to Margrave Rommel yet?”
”No, not yet. I was plannin’ to visit his lordship next, to present me greetings as a newly appointed baron and offer him a set as well, but…”
At that, Viscount Bruno’s lips curled into a sleazy grin.
”I see. Well, in that case-I’ll accompany you on that visit. The Margrave is a busy man, ya know. Normally it’s quite difficult to get an audience with him, but with me along, it shouldn’t be a problem. And don’t worry about the greetings-just leave all that to me. I’ll handle everything. Heh heh heh…”
With no room for argument, Bruno steamrolled ahead while Alfred tried to piece together what he was really up to.
”Hey! Send word to Margrave Rommel at once! By fast horse, of course! Push ’em to the limit!!”
”Alfred! Stay here at me estate until preparations are complete. I’ll have someone fetch ya when we’re ready to leave. Relax and make yourself at home until then. Maribel, the rest is up to ya.”
”Yes, me lord. As you wish.”
He left Alfred in the care of the young maid who’d been in the room since the start, and then Viscount Bruno swept out-chucklin’ to himself in that unpleasant, greasy way of his.
Guoh… guh huh huh…
Trivia:
- Alfred’s past life knowledge from Japan is the source of his game invention, but he keeps this secret even in internal monologue.
- The three-hour wait is a deliberate power move by Bruno, establishing his dominance before negotiations even begin.
- Bruno’s excessive jewelry and gaudy appearance contrast with Alfred’s modest presentation, highlighting class tension.
- White Demon Stone’s glowing property was previously useless—Alfred’s innovation repurposes a worthless resource into luxury goods.
- Bruno’s sudden enthusiasm shifts from boredom to greed once he sees the Reversi’s potential for currying favor with Margrave Rommel.
- Alfred’s mention of Misha reveals his caring nature despite his position—he thinks of family even during political negotiations.
- Maribel’s flawless service is noted with professional admiration, contrasting with Alfred’s own inexperienced household staff.
- Bruno’s decision to accompany Alfred is motivated by self-interest—he wants credit for introducing the game to the Margrave.
- The butler’s silent obedience during the Reversi demonstration underscores the strict hierarchy in Bruno’s household.
- Alfred’s ability to read Bruno’s intentions through his body language shows his social intelligence and past life experience.