After leaving the count, the two returned to his room, and Eitan turned to Farrel with a stately expression. "I want you to go back to Bloody Gold's bases and loot as much as you can." This money was technically due to become the property of the government, but he didn't care. Farrel and he, well, mostly just Farrel, had single-handedly exterminated the organization. Weren't they due to be rewarded for their efforts? "A full investigation shouldn't have kicked off just yet, but once Doriol's body is discovered, there will be chaos. So be as quick as you can." He went over to the bookshelf that opened to the secret passage and activated the mechanism. "Go through the route you saw me use. You mustn't be noticed by anyone." There were some risks in having Farrel take action outside, but the possible payoff far outweighed any of them.
"As you order." Farrel bowed respectfully, grabbing only his dagger from his bag before speeding off into the dark passage. This was his first task from his liege, and he wasn't going to waste a moment.
Eitan closed it behind him, letting out a sigh of relief as he did so. I obtained Farrel way quicker than I planned. I already got Father's permission to take what I need, so after he returns with the money, I might be able to procure everything necessary to make myself able to use mana before I leave.
But the time for preparation passed quickly, and with only two days remaining until departure, Eitan still hadn't obtained the final ingredient. He had procured whatever possible from the castle and handed Farrel a list of the items he could not. True to their name, Farrel had managed to scrounge up quite a sizable sum from the Bloody Gold remnants, so cost was no issue, but the nature of the last component made it difficult for him to obtain it easily.
Eitan sat at his desk, tapping the smooth wooden surface with a heavy expression. Was it really impossible on such a time crunch? He found himself wishing he had regressed even just a few days sooner, but swiftly vanquished the thought. Just being given a new life was plenty of a miracle; what else did he have to be greedy about?
He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. I was unable to use aura for decades, so what's a little more waiting? At least now, there is hope for me yet. He quelled his impatience and was about to get up to train before he heard a knock on the door.
"Young Master Eitan, her ladyship has extended an invitation for dinner." Lind's voice informed him from the hall.
Eitan's mouth twitched a bit. He had forgotten about this. In the past, he refused this invitation, too afraid to face Callen, who would no doubt be present as well. But things were different now. Might as well see what else that broad has up her sleeve. He only knew when and where the assassins would appear, but besides being under orders from the countess, he never had the chance to uncover their origin. They didn't appear in the war, so it was highly unlikely to be a group privately raised by Kathryn, but instead a contract hire.
Although even if he figured it out, he wouldn't be able to do anything too soon, he would eventually seek them out to pay the debt of blood from the past. He stood up slowly with a cool expression. "Come in and find suitable attire for me to wear."
"... Yes, Young Master." There was a moment's pause before the door pushed open and Lind entered. His eyes betrayed his surprise at Eitan's apparent eagerness as he moved to put together an outfit for Eitan to wear.
Eitan obviously didn't explain his intentions, and after getting dressed, he grabbed his walking stick and left for the dining hall. Lind escorted him dutifully, and when they arrived, he stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Young Master Eitan has arrived."
The door was pushed open, and Eitan quickly surveyed the situation inside. In the center of the room stood a long table with three people seated and servants waiting by the sides. The dishes on the table were diverse and no doubt costly, a stark contrast from Eitan's typically more humble meals. But what he focused on was not the food, but the people at the table.
At the head sat an elegantly poised woman with chestnut hair and deep brown eyes. Two dark beauty marks sat under her eyes, which made her originally just-above-average face quite striking. To her immediate right was an expressionless young man with reddish-black hair and eyes that resembled dried blood. He sat with an upright posture resembling a soldier, not acknowledging Eitan's entrance. This was the eldest son and heir to the countdom, Malon Reidar. Next to him sat Callen, whose gaze was spitting fire as he looked at Eitan. His expression seemed to say that if the other two were not present, he would be running to pay Eitan back for the last encounter.
Eitan stepped through the doorway and simply bowed his head a few degrees, hands layered neatly atop his cane. "I greet the countess,"
Kathryn's lips curled. "You must be having a hard time coming all the way here. Come sit."
Eitan snickered internally. This was her noble way of hinting that the only reason she let such a lackluster greeting pass was because he was unwell. Such motherly care this was. He went over and took the empty seat on her left with a slight smile. "I'm honored to have been invited to such a lovely dinner." He remarked smoothly as he took in the luxurious spread. He began grabbing food for himself without concern. The countess never dared try anything within the castle walls, after all, so he didn't hold any fear towards being poisoned so openly.
Kathryn laced her fingers together as she watched Eitan with a refined smile. "As your mother, I thought it only right to provide a good meal before your time is up." Every movement of hers seemed to ooze nobility, creating a stark contrast to Eitan's undisciplined behavior,
And whose fault is it that my regular food isn't good? Eitan bit back the retort that threatened to jump off his tongue. Then, his eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he properly analyzed her words. Kathryn did not specify that his time at the castle was soon to be over, but made a general statement. So she's already finalized the contract. It was a pity he didn't have the time to dig up the records, although even if he did, it was unlikely he'd be able to track down the culprit. With a sensitive request like this, it was more than likely that everything was kept anonymous. Oh well, he'd just have to force one of the assassins to spill the beans themselves later.
Assessment over, Eitan took a bite of his food. Even in the presence of someone actively planning his murder, he ate unhindered. Perhaps due to his consciousness about the quality of food from growing up as a noble, one rule he followed as a mercenary was to never give up the chance to eat a good meal.
They ate in silence for a short while, each party left to their own thoughts. A tense air hovered over the table, making even the usually rash Callen keep himself in check. This was broken by the one person who appeared unaffected by the strained atmosphere.
"I have finished eating. Pardon me." Malon suddenly stood up, giving only a slight glance to Eitan before taking his leave. Neither Kathryn nor Callen appeared particularly disconcerted with his blunt behavior, as the entire household was accustomed to it. Malon was the one who most closely inherited the count's taciturn personality, after all.
"Oh, that boy. But Eitan," Kathryn smiled lightly. "I heard you picked up a slave to accompany you?" She inquired naturally as a servant cleared away Malon's plate.
Eitan pretended to shrink back a bit. "He, uh, looked strong, so…"
This was the demeanor Kathryn was used to, and her shoulders relaxed slightly. "I see, and where is he now?"
Don't tell me she's thinking of targeting Farrel? Alarm bells rang in Eitan's head, but his outward expression didn't change. "He's out preparing things for the trip."
Kathryn's brow raised slightly. "Are the supplies provided not enough for you?"
"No, well, I want to be prepared for everything, since…" he trailed off with an anxious bite of his lip.
"I understand," Kathryn smiled genially. "But there is no need to worry so much. The border may be dangerous, but I am certain Sir Aengus and the soldiers will protect you well."
A surge of fury coursed through Eitan's veins at this comment. Hearing such words when this woman was the reason for the deaths of those exact people made his blood boil. He took a deep breath and lowered his head. "... Yes," he answered shortly, his fingers trembling. To an outsider, he appeared anxious, but he was actually struggling to suppress the urge to leap up and stab a steak knife into her phony throat.
Kathryn looked rather satisfied and gracefully rose from her seat. "I will be busy in the coming days, so I won't be able to see you off. Hence, I'll take this opportunity to wish you safe travels." She patted Eitan's shoulder before walking away, maid in tow.
Eitan's every muscle tensed at the touch. What a load of bullshit. When I have the opportunity, I'll send you traveling to the next world. He cursed in his head.
"Hey!"
Eitan lifted his head to see Callen glaring at him. "What do you want?"
Callen's face contorted slightly. "Disrespectful bastard."
"Shall we go another bout?" Eitan raised his cane threateningly, not caring about the presence of the servants. These people were under the countess's control, so even if there was a fuss, she would cover it up to ensure Eitan's departure wasn't delayed. Ironically, this was the one time their intentions aligned. But beyond these considerations, he was currently bristling with anger. A solid beatdown seemed like a good way to vent. Unknowingly, some bloodlust began leaking out of him as he thought back to Kathryn.
Callen had looked ready to charge, but his body began shaking uncontrollably. He looked at Eitan with wide, undeniably fearful eyes. He was never a strong man to begin with, so facing such bloodlust directed at him had him all but paralyzed. "You- I-" he stuttered meaninglessly.
Realizing what he was doing, Eitan hastily regulated himself. The atmosphere calmed, but Callen's bravado didn't reignite. The feeling had been like a heavy sword pressed against his throat. Even if growing up as a Reidar tended to be more intense than a standard noble upbringing, this was the first time he had experienced what it was like to have a threat to his life. It was not a sensation so easily recovered from.
The few servants in the room were all gawking at the situation. Eitan sighed and stood up with the support of his walking stick. "Pathetic bastard." He spat back at Callen before striding out of the room, not paying any heed to the eyes that stuck to his back. He intended to follow his original plan to train, just this time with the intention of releasing his frustrations, but came to a halt as he spotted a familiar figure.
Lind was loitering in the hallway with a somewhat tense expression. It appeared that this typically inattentive servant had actually waited for him. When he noticed Eitan, his expression shifted, and he promptly approached him. "Young Master Eitan are… you alright?" He asked cautiously, his eyes landing on Eitan's hands, which were still shaking slightly.
Facing the concerned man, Eitan's heated demeanor cooled slightly. "I'm fine," he replied calmly and steadied himself after noticing the direction of Lind's gaze. "Get a towel for me. I'm going to need to work up a sweat to clear some indigestion."
Lind's face brightened slightly. "Yes!" He gave Eitan a short bow before stepping back.
Eitan's eyes followed after him until the blond servant was out of sight. Let's get some exercise. The clacking of a walking stick resounded as he headed to the courtyard, his expression a bit more eased than before.