Chapitre 12: Chapter 11: A meeting with Baron
"nyanya nyanyanyanya nyanyanyanya!"
Habetrot (FGO)
Seriously she is too cute.
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(Mael's POV)
It took two days to travel from my village to a small city or town called Bourges.
It was about 4 kilometers journey that I covered using a merchant caravan.
Anyway, it was not hard for me to arrive at the city relatively easily since I didn't travel on foot and easily found a merchant who required people to protect his caravan.
After arriving in the city, I easily made my way in the city. Since I was not a native so guards stopped me but thanks to the merchant who was a little well known in the city, I got a green signal.
Even though I could have bribed guards but according to Eliza, if I show even a tiny bit of wealth, I will be targeted by several people.
In warring times, everyone was desperate in need of money and they wouldn't mind killing someone for the sake of filling their bellies.
Plus, I was new in the city so I had to avoid trouble in order not to attract attention.
Anyway, the environment of the city was not very harmonious. Wherever my gazes fell, I saw beggars or weak people aimlessly tailing on the streets.
'Poor people. I wish I could help them.'
Even though I had my own share of trouble, I was not a heartless person who would simply ignore the suffering of children and weak people.
In my past life, I used to donate millions of dollars to charity even had an orphanage that ran under my name to help people in need.
That kind of person I am.
However, I knew at the time that if I show even a tiny bit of kindness here, I will dig my own grave as people would surely horde me like zombies to ask for more money.
'Please forgive me, dear lord.' I prayed once and decided to ignore the people for now.
Anyway, in no time, I also found an inn to stay in but when I asked the prize, my eyes almost popped out of my sockets.
"20 Silver Franc!"
It was the monthly budget of my family and the lady of the inn asking to pay for 20 silver Franc for only a night! Not to mention that I had to deal with finding food on my own.
"Brat! This is a fair price here! It is even more costly in the city. Take it or leave." The ugly lady in front of me jerked her head then she rolled her eyes scanning my whole body from head to toe. I felt creeps on my spine. "Unless you want to pay the other way~."
"Sigh* No, thanks."
I sighed and came out from the inn. I knew what she was referring to.
Even though I could have paid since I had enough money to buy a large house here, I didn't have any intention to stay in such a creepy place. I also had hidden most of my money outside the city in case if I run into an emergency.
Since the recruitments would start from next day, I had to find a way to spend the night.
I then roamed a half an hour and found a broken barn near the slums. That was where poor stay.
Luckily, I was carrying a sword with me or I would sure find thugs ready to steal money from me.
After entering the barn, I found two small children. One was a boy and the other was a girl but they were looking extremely weak.
I smiled softly and walked towards them and decided to ask some questions.
"Hello, little buddies. My name is Mael. What are yours?"
"I am Ivan and she is Sona." The boy answered without making many expressions. He had dark brown hair while his sister Sona had black hair color but both of them had violet eyes.
"If you guys don't mind then can I stay here for the night?"
"Do whatever you want but don't come near me or her." The boy said covering his sister.
I felt warmness in my heart seeing such siblings still willing to protect each other even in these times.
I patted their heads and then silently took out sweet buns from my bag that I was saving to eat for the other day.
I then handed over those buns to them to eat but not before warning them to be cautious of others.
After some reluctance, they finally accepted the food and ate it. I also fed myself with barriers that I gathered along the way before closing my eyes to sleep on a pile of hay.
The next day, I arrived at the big yard near the city hall where recruitments will be taking place. I arrived late intestinally to get the last spot to show my skills.
Reason? Simple. I followed the example of Kira Youshikage from Jojo Diamond is unbreakable.
Since it was warring time, I knew that there had to be some moles in the upper class so I only want to show my skills enough to get the third spot.
Not very poor, not very good but enough to get a decent job and pay.
I registered my name and age at the registering camp and got the last spot.
"Attention everyone! Baron of this land, Lord Gilles de Rias is arriving! Bow down your heads!"
From the high stage, one knight suddenly announced the arrival of the lord of the town who would be watching the recruitments himself.
Then one man clad in silver armor emerged on the stage. Since he was sitting afar, I didn't see him clearly but I could tell that he was a very strong man.
Anyway, the recruitment exams began and just as I planned, I showed my skills enough to come for the third position.
However, I remained vigilant not to show my weakness of low stamina.
I was easily got recruited by the order and soon was summoned to the city hall of Gilles de Rais.
I along with other new knights lined up according to our ranks in front of the Baron.
I saw him the first time and have to say that he was the very image of a natural-born knight.
A somewhat skinny lady-killer. A knight in his prime. His eyes were pitch black and his black hair was yet to show signs of aging. It was long enough to warrant being tied up into a small bun at its end, with large portions of it falling on either side of his face. Plain-looking and serious.
He was also wearing his silver-white armor, the same one when I first saw in the recruitment program.
He first talked to the other first two knights before he came in front of me to offer his greeting.
"As you know, I am baron Gilles de Rais. I formally congratulate this splendid knight for being part of my little order. Can I know this young knight's name?" He spoke to me first time.
On contrary to his serious and plain-looking demeanor, he spoke very politely to me considering I was just a teen recruited directly as a knight.
By the way, the first ten recruits were already accepted as a knight instead of squires who have to work under other knights.
"My name is Mael. I am honored to be part of my lord's service." I humbly spoke.
"Oh my, are you perhaps an orphan? I apologize if I hurt your conscience." He looked a little surprised since I only told a single name and it means that I am an orphan. Considering how handsome and charming I looked, he must be expecting me a lost heir of a powerful family.
"You are too kind, my lord. And yes, I am an orphan who grew in a church from the 'other side.'"
The other side is referred to as the other part of France divided by the river Loire.
"Does that mean…?"
"Yes, Burgundians destroyed my village before I was accepted by a kind family," I answered.
"It must be tough for you. Please tell me any problem if you face. I may not be of any help in the financial matter but I will try my best." He smiled.
At the moment, I could tell that he was speaking genuinely. Not a single shred of lie could be found so I accepted his offer.
(AN: Gilles was a kind person before Jeanne's death. He then started believing that God doesn't exist who didn't help Jeanne when she was burned alive. So he started murdering children in hope of summoning demons to destroy France.)
"Well, then I will be in your care." I nodded.
"Likewise." He said and then moved on to the next recruits.
I smiled since this baron was indeed a good choice. I then decided to ask permission to run the church to at least nurture children.
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(3rd person)
Jeanne and Eliza were silently sitting in the study of the church.
Jeanne was studying while Eliza was silently meditating.
The reason was obviously the absence of Mael. It had been a month since he left the village and since then the atmosphere turned gloomy.
Mael's presence was like that one friend in the group who keeps the group of a friend connected when he is absent, those friends face awkwardness.
"Sigh* Eliza, when will you teach me how to fight?" Jeanne decided to break the silence and asked Eliza.
"You are not ready enough," Eliza answered without looking at Jeanne.
"I miss Mael…" Jeanne said staring at the ceiling of the chamber. "Eliza, you know what will happen to France, right?"
Eliza then rolled her eyes towards Jeanne who was looking at Eliza. However, Eliza remained silent.
"Eliza, I know you have clairvoyance. So please don't hide from me." Jeanne pleaded.
Although Jeanne was not intelligent or sharp like Mael who could learn fast, she was wise enough to perceive the emotions and feelings of anyone in her presence. A minor ability that perhaps even Mael was unaware of.
She knew what Eliza said when she first revealed herself in front of Jeanne. Her wish was to see France's freedom and as an angel, Jeanne knew that Eliza can't tell any lie.
Also, Jeanne was the only one who knew that Eliza has 'perfect' clairvoyance. This is also the skill that Mael didn't know.
Jeanne then gently held Eliza's hands and spoke, "Eliza, I want to know my fate."
"Eh?!" Eliza was baffled when Jeanne brought this unexpected question but soon calmed down and looked at Jeanne. "Jeanne my child, are you really sure you want to know? There are, however, two fates waiting for you."
Jeanne became a little afraid to hear the answer. Although she wasn't expecting any good news, she was still a little scared to take the step.
However, she then recalled all the memories she made with Mael. The happiest moment of her life but most importantly how much effort Mael was making for her sake. She was happy that there is someone who can put his life on the line for an insignificant village girl like Jeanne but she wanted to do something to fill the hole in her heart and that hole was to help her people and take her country back from the British forces.
Jeanne smiled before nodding with an assured smile, "I am prepared."
"There are two routes you can take. First was what Mael had in mind, you will eventually marry Mael and live a happy life but it will be short-lived." Eliza spoke.
Jeanne gulped a mouthful of saliva from the sheer chill she just felt now. She was happy that she will marry Mael but the expression Eliza expressed was enough to warrant Jeanne the tragedy she will face.
"What about the second?"
"France will gain its freedom. But the cost is huge. So… So much that both of you will suffer a lot but I guarantee the freedom and life you will eventually live is blessed." Eliza spoke and first time in her life her voice trembled.
Jeanne also sensed danger behind the 'cost' that Eliza spoke of.
She then remembered that Mael never used to give up. For him and her own future, she smiled and spoke, "Then I will go with…"
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So sorry for the delay. I have been travelling all around the country for business trips and didn't have chance to write chapters but it wont be long now. Fear not my fellow degenerate readers for I am back move my hand up and down... I think i said something wrong just now.
Just throw all the stones on my face and help me write exciting content.
Lets set a goal: 1k for the end of this week.
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