𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Count Luke Surberry of the Kingdom of Arrogas in Narejji. I look forward to getting to know you.”
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Luke bowed deeply, placing his right hand on his chest.
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However, Barbassa’s cold attitude did not change.
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“Hmph, so you’re the young upstart who came as Flora’s proxy. To send us such an unknown fellow, we seem to have been taken lightly.”
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Barbassa looked down at Luke with a displeased expression and then glanced sharply at Alma behind him.
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Alma quickly grabbed the hem of her skirt and bowed her head.
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“I, I am Alma Bastille, the daughter of the Margrave of Rampart. I wish you continued good health, Sir Berlanji.”
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At Alma’s words, Barbassa slightly raised his eyebrows.
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“The only daughter of the Margrave of Rampart, huh? So you’re not just some nobody.”
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Barbassa muttered and then took a step forward.
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“Since you came as Flora’s proxy, we probably won’t meet again.”
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With that, he left the grand hall without looking back.
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“Phew.”
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Once Barbassa was gone, Luke let out a light sigh.
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As expected of someone who rules a territory in the demon realm, his presence was oppressive.
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It seemed that Luke was not the only one who felt this way, as the entire grand hall was enveloped in a sense of relief.
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“I, I was so nervous.”
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Alma, who had been clutching the hem of Luke’s suit, let out a big sigh.
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“D, Did I do okay? I didn’t do anything rude, did I?”
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“I think you did fine. . . at least, I hope so. I can’t tell if we upset him since it’s our first meeting.”
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Luke muttered, looking at the exit where Barbassa had disappeared.
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He was unapproachable, but Luke didn’t sense any anger. Was that just his natural demeanor?
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Luke couldn’t help but worry about the future of the Berlanji territory, which had the most active trade with the Kingdom of Arrogas in the demon realm, with such a stubborn lord.
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“Well, I’ve shown you an uncool side of me.”
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Omid came over, wiping his sweat.
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“That’s the lord of the demon realm’s Berlanji territory, Count Berlanji. He’s strict and hates humans. As the southern territory supervisor, I’m having a hard time with that man.”
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Omid, who had been humble until now, began to vent his frustrations about Berlanji.
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“He’s, how should I put it, a demon supremacist, looking down on us humans. But without our trade, it would be difficult to maintain his territory. He vents his frustration at not being able to reconcile that fact on us. He’s a real problem.”
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Omid puts his hand on his forehead with a theatrical gesture.
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“Haah.”
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“Anyway, he’s gone and that annoying Dandale has disappeared too. The party is finally getting started.”
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Omid shows a relieved smile as if a burden has been lifted from his shoulders.
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“By the way, Sir Wilkinson, you don’t seem to get along well with Sir Dandora.”
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“Please call me Omid. All my close friends call me that. Yes, he’s a real problem.”
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Omid presses his forehead again with an exaggerated gesture.
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“He’s a terrible villain. He’s fattening his own belly by illegal means, taking advantage of Count Berlanji’s lack of business acumen. Moreover, he’s even trying to cut off our territory by hiring private soldiers with the money he’s unfairly accumulated.”
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Omid takes out a handkerchief from his pocket and presses his eyes.
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“The bandits and pirates around here are said to be under his influence. The number of our people who have fallen into the hands of the bandits is not just a hundred or two. I also have to gather soldiers to counter him, and the treasury is always in a state of emergency.”
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“Is that so. . . So that’s why there are so many soldiers. . .”
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The soldiers we saw on the street probably included Omid’s private soldiers.
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There were as many soldiers as if a war was about to break out.
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Omid suddenly grabbed Luke’s hand.
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“I’ve repeatedly requested the royal family to remove the bandits and the Dandora behind them, but it’s like shouting into the wind. . . Sir Luke, no, let me call you Luke as a friend. I heard you’re close to Flora-sama. Could you please support us in our efforts against the demon realm?”
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“That’s. . .”
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Luke was at a loss for words.
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This was the first time he had heard that Iam was in such a situation, and he didn’t even know how to respond to Omid’s sudden request for support from Flora.
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Omid continued to plead with tears in his eyes, regardless of Luke’s hesitation.
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“Please! They’re planning to forcibly occupy the magic stone mines in this area. If that happens, the southern territories will dry up. This is already a national crisis!”
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