Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

Chapter 54: From an Otherworldly Window (5)

A barbarian like Tullius wouldn't care if a slave was dressed as a maid or a butler. However, such servants need to have a minimum status in order to serve a noble. If you were a maid, you must be a commoner or a child of a lower class noble, and if you were a butler who would be sometimes consulted on the management of the house, the standards were even stricter. A slave was still a slave, no matter how you dressed them up or whatever etiquette they learned. They were only there to perform menial tasks behind the scenes, not to be entrusted with serving the guests. That was the common sense of this world.

Simone can hate him more for all he cared, Linus thought. Apparently, when Tullius was staying in the capital, she was often having tea with him. That was unbelievable. Not only did she not know what he had served her, but this insane man must have had his slaves make the tea. If any upright noble had been served such a thing, they would have left immediately. She was truly poisoned by this madman.

At any rate, this should be a good way to turn away whatever Tullius has installed for him.

...it was supposed to be.

"Don't be so grumpy, Count."

The female knight, Elisha Rosmond Balbastre, said as she stepped down from the carriage to the ground in a splendid manner, with the ringing of her armour like a bell.

"And I hope you don't speak too ill of slaves. The Second Order is made of people of all origins, and some of us were slaves. If they heard what the Count had said, they would be offended."

"Lady Balbastre......!"

Linus couldn't help but look up at the sky.

He had forgotten. He had been distracted by the unexpected appearance of Tullius, but there was another person here who didn't take common sense as seriously.

With his older brother behind him, the younger brother, who was the cause of the situation, bowed reverently to the woman who appeared.

"Well well, dear guest. I am sorry to have behaved deplorably, and also hindered you from getting off the carriage."

"I don't mind being kept waiting. I'm proud to say that I have patience."

How dare a woman who, at age thirteen, killed her opponent after being insulted, say that. Although there was another girl right here who did it at the age of ten.

"My late introductions. I am Elisha Rosmond Balbastre. As young as I may be, I am in charge of the Second Order of the Imperial Guards. I look forward to working with you in the future."

"That is very kind of you, thank you...... My name is Tullius Shernan Oubeniel, Lord of Marlan. I have long heard of Lord Balbastre's high reputation."

They exchanged words and looked at each other. Elisha looked at Tullius intently as if she was trying to appraise him, while Tullius looked at her as if he was uninterested despite his friendly smile.

That was the impression Linus got from their meeting.