Chapter 59: NamesMirable excims, “Dinner? Are you asking me out? Why?”

  “Mirable, you have a sweet smile and a kind heart. If I miss this chance, I’m unlikely to see you again. So, yes, I’m asking you out.”

  “I’m not the sort of woman who would run off with a man she’s just met.”

  “Good, because I’m only asking you to dinner. It’d be embarrassing if you showed up with a suitcase.”

  “Ha ha, you got me. I really thought you were serious for a moment there. I mean, we don’t even know each other.”

  “Right, that’s what the dinner is for. Let’s talk before deciding whether to run towards or away from each other.”

  “Seriously, that’s too much. Alright, alright, I’ll agree to a casual dinner, nothing fancy. It’s just to talk, agreed?”

  “Sure. How about tomorrow around sunset at, um, that restaurant across the street? It’s anything but fancy.”

  “Fine choice. I’ll see you tomorrow then, David.”

  “Yes, see you tomorrow, Mirable.”

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  I’m really happy Luke wasn’t there. Um, for the child’s sake, of course. Regardless, meeting Mirable certainly is a nice reward.

  “Stop right there!”

  Totally oblivious to my surroundings, I failed to notice that several guards approached and surrounded me. Escaping now would cause such a commotion that I’d probably have to stop coming here. They don’t look like they’ll attack, so I’ll just hear them out.

  “Who? Me?”

  “Yes, you. Surrender your weapon!”

  My rod is in storage and my wand is well concealed. The only weapon I’m carrying is Sherry’s dagger. I draw it out slowly and hold it with two fingers — as if I’m surrendering a pistol.

  In a serious tone, I respond with, “Yes, Sir, here it is.”

  He looks at it rather skeptically but still pockets it. I pull back my cloak to show that I’m effectively unarmed.

  “Alright. Come with us.”

  I’m escorted by five guards to a small manor and led inside. Three of them continue with me and another four join them. Two doors ter, we come to a small lounge.

  “Wait here to be called.”

  I pull off my backpack and swap my cloak to my robe. Nice that I hadn’t put it into storage since the guards are keeping a close eye on me. I’m still wearing my hat and gloves so I put them away too for a tidier appearance. Soon, the doors swing open and I’m called in. Here sits a rge, wolf-kin man who appears to be in charge. [1]

  [Baron Ester][Ester Esterlitz Aneste][Male, Age: 44][Holy Knight: 72]

  Whoa, this dude has a seriously high level. The duke has this job too so I guess it isn’t one of the racial ones. It’s probably the advanced version of Knight, though I guess it could just be an unusual job. Maybe only nobles can get it? Now that I look, Oswald also appears to be a wolf-kin with the same st name as the baron. Ugh, this looks bad.

  I’m probably expected to kneel or bow, but if I don’t do that for the duke, it’d almost be insulting to do it for a baron. Fortunately, it seems that my Sacred Robe is doing its part because the baron has certainly taken notice. Oswald probably described me as a dangerous thug, not someone who might have the highest social rank in the room. So, I just stand there and wait for the baron to begin — what a bother to deal with people who space out like this.

  In a calm, clear voice, “I am Baron Ester. Your name and station, if you please.”

  (I’ll try to match his tone, neither deferential nor pompous. More importantly, I’ll try to use some actual diplomacy, not just poorly executed flowery nguage.)

  “Hello, Baron Ester. I am David Moreau, a freeman Mage.”

  “Lord Moreau, you have been accused of showing disrespect to my son, Oswald.”

  (To his credit, the baron’s tone is still rather neutral. There was nothing like ‘how dare you insult my boy’ or ‘grovel at my feet you filthy commoner’.)

  “Baron, I was under the impression that Oswald had already decided on the matter.”

  “Oh? Just how did you come to that conclusion?”

  “It was when Oswald decred, ‘The child was unharmed so the matter is closed,’ and then he tossed a few coins at my feet.”

  “Hmm. Sounds like there’s more to that story. Anyway, what happened next?”

  “I went to check on the condition of the child. Fortunately, she suffered no serious injuries and was soon reunited with her mother.”

  “That’s good to hear but keep to the main topic. What happened next between you and Oswald?”

  “We had no further interaction. After he walked away, I didn’t see him again until I entered this room.”

  “Oswald, is this true?”

  “Yes, Father, but it was what he did before that. He spoke harshly and threatened me with a great sword.”

  “Guard, show me the sword.”

  “Yes, My Lord, this is the only weapon we found.”

  Oswald interrupts, “He obviously got rid of it when he changed clothes.”

  (This is where I tend to make mistakes. I’ll try to remain neutral and detached.)

  “I put away my outer clothing after coming indoors. As a Mage, I do not carry a great sword.”

  “Guard, return Lord Moreau’s weapon.”

  Oswald emotionally jumps in. “I saw what I saw.”

  Sternly, “No, this matter is closed.”

  (Thank goodness this didn’t turn into yet another duel. I’d like to keep the number of nobles I kill to a minimum, at least for practical reasons.)

  “Thank you, Baron Ester. Good day.”

  Instead of dismissing me, the baron switched to a suspiciously friendly tone.

  “Just a moment, Lord Moreau. Are you perhaps the man who fought a duel against the head of the Baradam family?”

  (Hell no. Whatever happened to that family ter has nothing to do with me.)

  “No, Baron, my meeting with the dy was peaceful.”

  “Goodness, no. I meant Sabo, the former head of the family.”

  “A man named Sabo Baradam challenged me to a duel. I accepted and it was properly witnessed.”

  “I would very much like to hear about it.”

  (Is he interested in Sabo, my robe or me? Maybe I’m just overreacting.)

  “Perhaps we could discuss this at another time? I’m running a bit te.”

  “Certainly and I’d like to hear your version of the events concerning Oswald.”

  (That was easy. Is he actually reasonable or especially sneaky? Well, one more push should tell me.)

  “Um, to be honest, Baron, I don’t socialize well. I’m already on the shit-list of a few nobles and would rather not add another.”

  “Ha ha, Lord Moreau, you are absolutely hirious! I absolutely have to hear about that. Seriously though, a baron is barely a noble at all. I couldn’t possibly do much harm. Give me a chance.”

  (His initial reaction was genuine and then the sneaky, duke-like behavior clicked in. Just like a true noble, this guy won’t let go.)

  “Alright, I’ll return in a few days. Maybe then you’ll tell me what you really want from me.”

  “Um, I, well, alright, thanks. I’m usually here around midday.”

  “Goodbye, Baron Ester.”

  (Good that he didn’t try to weasel his way out like the duke would have. The baron might be OK, for a noble.)

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  This was just supposed to be a quick errand over lunch. I’d like to drop by the merchant guild, but I’m not enough of a callous jerk to keep everyone waiting at home — almost, but not quite. After a bit of zig-zagging through the streets, I warp home.

  Alina greets me sternly, “David, what took you so long? We’ve been worried.”

  I hug her and say, “I’m sorry. It was unavoidable.”

  Roxanne runs in. “Master! Sorry, welcome home, Sir.”

  “Sorry for being te. Too long of a story to tell now. Let’s get back to work.”

  I make a ham sandwich while waiting for the others. Munching on the meat I just carved off the hunk we’ve left hanging here, I realize that I’ve never felt the slightest bit ill since coming to this world. Consuming unrefrigerated and unpasteurized food or being near so many different people should have hit me by now. Maybe it’s just another artificial aspect of this world. Actually, ‘artificial’ isn’t quite fair. This is a real world with real people and real retionships.

  Soon, we resume our fight against the simuted monsters of the 34th floor of Curatar’s holodeck. I bst the super-kobolds with Fire Storm, whack floating dragons with my enchanted rod and avoid the rocks thrown by birds made of stone. My dependable cat-kin, dwarven, and wolf-kin companions will stay with me even after our human party members start working for an elven noble, whom I taught magic. Somehow, in all of this madness, I’m considered weird.

  This world would be terrifying for a perfectly sane person. Basically, I’m like Fry of Futurama — just crazy enough to accept all this as reasonable. After being here for not even seven elf-weeks, [2] my old world is like a distant memory of an amusement park ride. That world is starting to feel artificial.

  Fortunately, having to read the map and call off the turns keeps me sufficiently grounded. I fulfill my attacking and healing duties until it feels like time to go home.

  ────────────────────────

  I ask Roxanne to sit with me while the others prepare dinner and do chores.

  “Roxanne, why do you want to call me master? Just tell me honestly.”

  “I will call many people sir but only one will I call master.”

  “Damn, that was good. Did you practice that?”

  “Yes, Sir. I was hoping you would ask me one day.”

  “Fine, you win. Just don’t overdo it until I get used to it.”

  “Thank you for this great honor, Master.”

  Yep, I was wrong to deny Roxanne just so I could pretend to be innocent. Her sense of status seems to be connected to my status. Maybe it’s better to belong to a master than just some rando. I’m already letting people refer to me as a lord so what’s the difference anyway?

  ────────────────────────

  “Good dinner. I guess it’s time to tell you about my day. Luke wasn’t there. On my way back home, I saw that a child was in danger of getting run over by a speeding carriage. I intervened, without killing anyone, but the idiot owner still compined. He had me arrested and brought before the local baron. Fortunately, I charmed my way out of it by fshing my Sacred Robe instead of killing anyone.”

  Alina praises, “David, we’re so proud of you for not killing anyone this time.”

  “Well, I was in a good mood after meeting a nice woman.”

  “Um, what?”

  “Her name is Mirable. She’s agreed to have dinner with me tomorrow.”

  “Oh? What’s she like? When do we get to meet her?”

  “We’ve just recently met so it will only be a casual dinner.”

  “David, you need to get a bigger bed.”

  “No, Alina, I won’t bring every woman I meet to bed.”

  “The bed is already too small for the four of us. No harm in being prepared.”

  “Fine, I’ll look into it. Anyway, the baron somehow knew about my duel against Sabo, just by hearing my name.”

  “I’d rather hear more about Mirable. Hmm, I guess that suspicious baron can’t be ignored.”

  “Agreed. Roxanne, was Sabo famous beyond your vilge?”

  “Yes, at least among us wolf-kin.”

  “The baron is a wolf-kin, so maybe that’s it. By the way, have you ever heard of Baron Ester?”

  “No, the name is completely unfamiliar.”

  “It’s interesting that he isn’t better known, considering that he’s probably stronger than Sabo was.”

  Roxanne ughs, “That’s pretty funny considering Sabo’s boasting.”

  Sherry says, “I’ve seen the names of most of the territories of the empire and Ester isn’t familiar.”

  “How about his full name: Ester Esterlitz Aneste.”

  Sherry expins, “The name Esterlitz could be from the east. Aneste doesn’t match and sounds almost imperial. It’s an odd combination.”

  “Ah, that helps. Maybe he’s first generation. He could be a ndless baron or Ester is a new territory.”

  Alina asks, “David, are you trying to distract us away from Mirable?”

  “Apparently not well enough. The truth is, we only spoke for a few minutes while looking for the child’s parents.”

  “Oh? Already checking how she is with children, huh? So, I guess Mirable’s human, right? You’re looking for a wife.”

  “Yes, Alina, and before you ask, I haven’t forgotten our promise. No marriage agreement could ever force me to give you up. Of course, the same extends to everyone in the party. I take our contracts as seriously as you do.”

  I seemed to have accidentally earned some points with the girls with that little speech. Of course, I meant the guys too, but this doesn’t seem to be the time to point that out. The guys had already read the room and quietly slipped away. I’m starting to think that the guys are leaving to avoid this sort of situation. Well, it’s out of my hands at this point.

  We skipped baths, crystal fusions or any other distractions. We just barely made it upstairs before I needed to activate my special job — no shame in relying on the resources avaible to me.

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  [1] Baron Ester appears te in the LN (v11 c2). His age and level are estimated from that context.[2] David still thinks of weeks as seven days but is trying to adapt to the local convention.