The return to the estate was much calmer than the battle.
But the tension hadn't completely disappeared.
Adrian walked beside Kael, still feeling the aftereffects of the fight.
"…So," Adrian muttered,
"…is almost dying a daily thing here?"
"Only if you're unlucky."
"…That's not reassuring."
Audience Chamber
The knights gathered once more.
Count Rosenberg sat at the front.
"Report."
Kael stepped forward.
"Bandits engaged twice. First ambush failed. Second was anticipated."
The Count's gaze shifted.
"…Anticipated?"
"…By Lord Adrian."
Silence.
All eyes turned.
Adrian sighed internally.
Here we go again.
"…They retreated too easily the first time," Adrian said.
"So I assumed they'd try again from a better position."
A pause.
"…That's all."
Murmurs spread.
"…Simple reasoning," Sebastian said.
"…But effective," Kael added.
[+6 Reputation]
Leonhardt crossed his arms.
"…Still just a guess."
Adrian shrugged.
"…A correct one."
Count's Reaction
The Count observed him quietly.
"…And in combat?"
Kael answered:
"Inexperienced. But stable."
Adrian nodded.
"That's a polite way of saying I almost got hit."
A few knights hid smiles.
[+3 Reputation]
"…Yet you did not panic," Kael continued.
"…That is acceptable."
The Count leaned slightly forward.
"…You're improving."
Adrian blinked.
"…I'll try to continue that."
[+5 Reputation: Recognized]
Small Friction
Leonhardt stepped forward.
"…Improving doesn't mean capable."
"…Noted," Adrian replied calmly.
"…Don't get in the way tomorrow."
"…I wasn't planning to stand in front."
A brief silence.
Kael almost smirked.
After the Meeting
The hall emptied.
Adrian stepped out into the corridor.
"…That went better than expected."
"…You handled it well."
He turned.
Seraphina stood there.
"…I answered questions," Adrian said.
"…Most nobles would have tried to impress."
"…That sounds tiring."
A small pause.
"…You're strange," she said.
"…I've been told."
She studied him for a moment.
"…But not useless."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"…That's an upgrade."
[+4 Reputation]
Setup for Next Day
"…The bandits will be dealt with tomorrow," she said.
"…Good."
"…Your idea?" she asked.
"…Not yet," Adrian replied.
"…I'll think of something simple."
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…Simple solutions are often the best."
"…Exactly."
Final Scene
Adrian returned to his room.
He dropped onto the bed.
"…New world. Swords. Politics."
A pause.
"…And I still have to think for everyone."
[System Notice]
→ Reputation Increasing
→ Evaluation: "Promising"
"…I'll take that."