The Age Of Arrogance

“Of course, Your Highness has always had excellent observation skills. I can’t see it no matter how hard I look.”

 

Lionel pursed his lips and nodded nonchalantly. Then he stopped his gaze on the long scar on Carlyle’s side.

 

“That scar doesn’t seem to be going away.”

 

“Huh? Oh, this?”

 

Carlyle, who was wiping off the sweat, glanced at what Lionel was looking at and shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.

 

“It’s a scar from a sword, so it’s not going to go away.”

 

Three years ago, a fierce war broke out between the Parl Kingdom across the border and the Imperial Southern Border Region, Louispognac.

 

In fact, it was not a war that should have been so difficult, but absurdly, the Empress and Matthias hindered the rear material support, so they had quite a hard time.

 

It wasn’t all bad, though, as it became an excuse to behead all the Empress’s people who were in charge of material transportation after the victory. However, Lionel’s expression always turned bad whenever he saw this scar.

 

“You tend to be a bit obsessed with this scar. It’s not even a scar on your body.”

 

“It’s a scar that didn’t have to happen.”

 

“It might have been a scar that had to happen. Thanks to that, we were able to cut off a few of the Empress’s purse strings. Your expression at that time was quite something to behold.”

 

Carlyle smirked as he put on a new shirt that he had prepared in advance and buttoned it up.

 

Claiming that he had only moved as ordered by the Empress and Matthias, Carlyle beheaded several humans who were ranting and raving, saying that he would “add the crime of lese majesty.”

 

The Empress, who had been creating supporters of Matthias with the money she received from them, had no choice but to watch as her own purse strings were cut off without saying a word.

 

“I knew Your Highness was a positive person, but I’m still amazed. Do you remember that you almost died back then?”

 

“I won’t die. I’m blessed by God.”

 

“You used to say that you don’t need such things, or that you don’t believe in them… …”

 

“It’s a time-honored political tactic to only bring it up when you need it.”

 

Carlyle walked away, muttering shameless jokes.

 

“By the way, is Sir Solon doing well?”

 

Isaac Solon was the Grand Commander of the Haven Knights, which belonged to Carlyle.

 

He was a man with the ability to become the Grand Commander of the Imperial Knights, but he chose Carlyle as his lord and turned down the higher position.

 

“He was the one training the soldiers in Louispognac as well. Would he be foolish? He started reorganizing the troops the third day after arriving here, and he started training five days ago.”

 

“The sound of screaming must be coming from there.”

 

“Of course. But there’s nothing we can do about it. Even though the journey here was difficult, if we let the soldiers rest too long, their discipline will deteriorate.”

 

“Especially here, it’s the border area of the ‘Abandoned Lands.’ We need to be on high alert.”

 

Carlyle said, looking towards the direction where a cool breeze blew even under the scorching sun.

 

There were many who ventured out on expeditions, but few returned, and even those who did often returned with wavering minds, making the vast land a vague source of fear.

 

It was a habitat for creatures of a different level than the savages who raided the empire and those that appeared in the south.

 

That was the ‘Abandoned Lands.’

 

“We may need to inquire more about the creatures attacking Pervaz soon.”

 

“I’ll make sure to do so.”

 

They entered the castle and headed to the second floor.

 

As they ascended the stairs past the dim and musty entrance, the atmosphere changed completely.

 

The stairs and corridors were adorned with rich, thick carpets, and tapestries hung on the walls that were almost like works of art. Torches were spaced evenly along the walls, emitting a pleasant scent.

 

Carlyle’s servants, who only stayed on the second floor, all wore uniformed and bowed respectfully as they stepped aside.

 

“Has all the luggage from the capital been sorted out?”

 

“Most of it is done. Items that are not immediately needed have been stored in the warehouse.”

 

Lionel wanted to ask why they brought consoles, dressing tables, couches, and the like that belonged in a women’s chamber, but he held his tongue.

 

‘If only he could make the Emperor collapse with a fit of rage, he would have taken even more.’

 

It was the lower servants who suffered because of it, but Carlyle didn’t care about such things.

 

“But there’s something a bit worrying.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Lionel recalled the complaints and grievances of the servants who had been grumbling since they left for Pervaz.

 

Although they were generously compensated for following to the frontier, the servants seemed to vent their frustrations on the servants of Pervaz Castle due to the conditions there being much worse than expected.

 

“It’s natural for friction to arise when two different groups meet, but it seems our servants might provoke the Countess Pervaz’s servants.”

 

It was easy to understand just by considering Asha’s affection for Pervaz and its residents.

 

But Carlyle’s response was lukewarm.

 

“We told our servants to stick to our area.”

 

“That’s true, but it’s not possible to completely separate the two areas.”

 

“It’s probably just a minor issue. Focus more on taking care of the nobles in the capital. Out of sight, out of mind, you know.”

 

Lionel nodded uncomfortably.

 

‘I’ll have to warn the Countess later.’

 

But due to Carlyle’s overwhelming workload, the task of overseeing the servants was continuously postponed.

 

***

 

“Oh, what is it?”

 

“Pardon? Are you talking to me?”

 

Nina, who was passing by the stairs leading to the second floor of the castle, turned her head at the sound that came from the direction she had just passed.

 

There stood a maid with a scowl on her face, glaring at Nina.

 

“Who else is here besides you?”

 

“What… did I do wrong?”

 

“What did you do wrong? You crossed the path I was walking on!”

 

“What…?”

 

The woman who was angry at Nina was one of the maids that Carlyle had brought from the capital. She didn’t know her name or even seen her face before, but she could tell by the clothes she was wearing and the way she spoke.

 

However, she had no idea what she was talking about.

 

“What on earth are you talking about? I was just walking my way.”

 

“Doesn’t Pervaz even have something called castle etiquette? Don’t you know your superiors?”

 

“Superiors? I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

 

“Ha! I thought you were some kind of country bumpkin…”

 

The maid looked Nina up and down and said haughtily.

 

“Do you think all maids are the same? The hierarchy depends on who you serve. You’re the maid of the Pervaz lord, and I’m the maid of His Highness the Prince.”

 

She pointed at herself with her finger and tilted her head coquettishly.

 

“So who’s superior?”

 

“…”

 

“Who’s superior!”

 

At her question, which demanded an answer, Nina clenched her jaw and barely managed to answer.

 

“You… seem to be superior.”

 

“So you’re saying it’s rude to cross the path of the superior? Do I have to explain everything to you?”

 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”

 

“Tsk. Be careful in the future. Got it?”

 

The maid, whose words had become shorter, brushed past Nina, who had her head bowed, and added one more word.

 

“The lord herself is like that, so the lower-ranking people are hopeless, tsk.”

 

At those words, Nina felt like fire was burning in her eyes.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

“What?”

 

The maid turned back with a brazen face, as if she had expected Nina to call her.

 

Nina didn’t bow her head anymore.

 

“Just because you’re the maid of His Highness the Prince doesn’t mean you’re higher than our lord, does it?”

 

“I didn’t say anything, so why are you getting so excited and making a fuss? Is something wrong with your ears? Or maybe your head is wrong.”

 

She tapped her head with her finger and went up to the second floor with a mocking smile.

 

Nina couldn’t follow her.

 

The servants of Pervaz Castle were not allowed to enter the second floor where the prince was staying without permission or order.

 

‘How dare you insult our lord…’

 

Nina clenched her fists.

 

She could have tolerated it if she had been insulted and ridiculed herself. After all, she must have seemed very lacking in the eyes of those from the capital.

 

She could understand that from their point of view, it would be unpleasant to be treated as an equal with someone like her.

 

‘But I can’t stand it when you insult our lord!’

 

Nina was one of the Pervaz people who had survived the horrific war.

 

It was a life where death, poverty, disease, suffering, fear, and despair seemed to be lurking right next to her.

 

Since she was born that way, she had never imagined that a life without it would come.

 

But…….

 

[Nina! The war is over!]

 

[What?]

 

[The lord killed the Lakmusha bastard! We won!]

 

[Are you serious? Are you for real?]

 

[Yes, I am! Hurray! Hurray! Nina, you too, hurry up and shout hurray! Lord, hurray!]

 

Nina would never forget the voice of her colleague who had informed her of the end of the war until the day she died.

 

At that time, she shed tears mixed with all sorts of emotions, laughed uncontrollably, and shouted hurray like crazy.

 

So much so that everyone must have been yelling, as there was not a single person whose voice came out properly the next day.

 

Asha, their lord, was a hero who had ended the horrific 28-year war and brought a ray of light to this desolate land.

 

No, to the people of Pervaz, she was a god.

 

 

****

 

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