The sky hung heavy with clouds, the land below blurred into a dull haze, and between the two stood a small manor belonging to the local lord. Of course, he wasn’t the lord of the entire province—just this district.
From horseback, Lieutenant Macaran of the cavalry pointed it out.
「That is the manor of Lord Humarzov, who governs the villages in this region.」
「What kind of man is he?」
「Ambiguous in his attitude. I have no idea what he’s thinking. We’re trying to cooperate to capture the leader of the revolt, and yet he keeps dragging things out…」
The young cavalry lieutenant made a bitter face. I gave him a wry smile.
「Dealing with that sort of gentleman is also part of our job. Useless on the battlefield, perhaps, but in bargaining games like this, we’re more than capable.」
「I’ll be counting on you.」
The suddenly docile Lieutenant Macaran bowed his head lightly. Definitely the well-bred noble youth type. He smelled of someone raised in a cocoon of goodwill.
I only hoped this Lord Humarzov fellow was the same.
「Young lord, let’s proceed.」
As the cavalry vanguard began to pass through the manor’s gate, I spoke to Macaran.
「Order them to wait.」
「Eh? Oh—wait!」
The cavalrymen normally obeyed only their squad leader, but once the order came, they reacted instantly—like the horses themselves had heard it. They stopped dead. How the hell do they train them to do that?
「What’s the matter, young lord?」
「No, it’s just…」
With Macaran watching me, I pointed at the gate.
「See how low that gate is built?」
「Hm? Ah, yes. It’s annoyingly low to ride through.」
The cavalrymen nodded, so I explained.
「When a structure is designed so unnaturally, it usually carries an intention. Likely to force dismounting.」
「And why would anyone want to do that?」
The cavalrymen looked puzzled. Not the sharpest bunch.
「Lesser lords are often treated lightly. You men tried to ride through without dismounting—but could you do the same at the Imperial Palace gate in the capital?」
「Absolutely not!」
The bearded cavalrymen shook their heads violently, and I smiled.
「Within his own domain, the lord is the highest authority. He must be shown respect as sovereign. Thus the gate is kept deliberately low, compelling visitors to dismount.」
The cavalrymen exchanged glances.
「I see…」
「Heh, at this height I could still dash through at full gallop.」
「Me too. Imperial cavalry can’t be underestimated.」
What a troublesome lot.
I chose my words carefully.
「Indeed, for elite cavalry like you, it’s meaningless. But any lower and the gate loses dignity. The mark of a good soldier is to recognize the intent and dismount voluntarily. Wouldn’t you agree, Lieutenant?」
Turning the point toward their direct commander, Macaran hesitated, then nodded.
「Y-yes. Show the lord your respect. All men dismount.」
「Sir!」
The order was executed at once. The cavalrymen dismounted and took their horses’ bridles.
I addressed Lieutenant Crimine.
「We should get down as well.」
「U-understood.」
She dismounted awkwardly, stumbling badly as she landed.
I quickly steadied her with a hand to her back and whispered.
「Negotiations are best handled by paper-pushers like us. Let’s do our best.」
「Hyai!」
Her voice cracked. Maybe she was more timid than she looked.
＊ ＊
The lord did not appear immediately, so I, Lieutenant Crimine, and Lieutenant Macaran were left waiting in the reception room.
Crimine sipped her tea cautiously, glancing up at me as though the cup might be poisoned. Perhaps she was still shaken from the poisoned tea incident the other day.
「Um, Captain?」
「What is it?」
「That gate—you knew about it so well.」
「No.」
I shook my head.
「Just a guess.」
「A delusion, perhaps?」
This girl was rather impertinent.
With a sigh, I took a sip of tea. The fact it wasn’t just hot water but actual tea meant this was hospitality—at least on the surface. It wasn’t cheap.
「There’s a story from a foreign land. An army passed through a minor lord’s town without showing him respect, carrying their spears upright while crossing his bridge. Tell me, Lieutenant—what would you do?」
「Blow up the bridge during their crossing.」
「You might consider showing more respect to engineers. That’s not it.」
I sighed again.
「The lord planted a pine beside the bridge. One that spread its branches far across.」
「Ah—so they’d have to lower their spears to pass.」
I once heard that tale on a trip in my former life—“the Spear-Bowing Pine.” True or not, it left an impression. Perhaps it had come in handy now.
「Thanks to one pine tree, the lord’s dignity was preserved. Amusing, isn’t it?」
「Yes!」
Lieutenant Crimine actually smiled for once, and I felt oddly pleased. She rarely did so in front of me. Maybe she was starting to open up a little.
Glancing sideways, I found Lieutenant Macaran staring at me with sparkling eyes.
「Captain, you’re quite learned.」
「Whereas in horsemanship and valor, I couldn’t hope to match you. Just a difference in specialty.」
「Thank you, sir!」
For some reason, he saluted me.
Then, an old man entered the room, clad in fur garments of the northern people. A stout figure, giving the impression of a wild Santa Claus. Likely the lord himself.
Lieutenant Macaran stood to salute.
「Lord Humarzov.」
「Ah, Lieutenant Macaran. I heard new officers arrived from the capital.」
The old man’s gaze turned to me, so I rose and saluted as well. Even a small-domain lord was sovereign here. Normally I should kneel and bow, but as soldiers of the Emperor, we are forbidden to do so for anyone but the Emperor or God.
「I am Captain Fonkt, Vice-Captain of the Imperial Ceremonial Battalion, 3rd Company.」
「Ho, a vice-captain.」
In our battalion, every captain was technically a vice-captain of their company. Too many vice-captains. But the title looked impressive enough, so it stuck. I’d seen this kind of thing in my past life, and apparently it worked here too.
Now, which side was this man on? I was on the side of letting the rebel leader escape. But as a lord, he should be inconvenienced by the revolt, so perhaps he’d prefer the leader executed.
Lord Humarzov stroked his beard and said gently:
「The letter to your major—was the ink smudged at all? The winters here freeze ink solid.」
Oh?
I noticed immediately but answered blandly.
「I have not read it myself, my lord.」
「I see. Still, the capital must have fine ‘ink sellers.’ I would dearly like ink that never freezes. Perhaps I shall go there ‘next summer.’」
Ah… so he was on our side. He used both of the ciphers Major Gehenbach had told us, and “Ink Seller” was her nickname. Hard to mistake. And his expression all but demanded I acknowledge it.
「There is indeed a fine ‘ink seller’ I know of. If it’s ‘next summer,’ my schedule is free—I would gladly accompany you.」
His face brightened.
「Splendid! Truly, distant guests bring fortune.」
The old man nodded, then turned back to Macaran.
「Well done guiding them. Your horses must be tired in this strange land. My stable doctor wishes to examine them. Will you allow it?」
「That would be most helpful. I shall attend as well.」
A neat way to dismiss him. Without suspicion, the cheerful Lieutenant Macaran left.
Now then—what kind of conversation awaited us?