Reincarnation of a Hunter

 

On the third day after we left the city of Aachen, we arrived at the Lordship of Westphalia.

 

I immediately went to the Lord’s office with an administrator for a quick report. My father welcomed me with open arms.

 

‘

What is it with this man and his behavior lately? Is something wrong?’

 

The overwhelming attention and kindness made me wary, and I hope it’s nothing.

 “Thank you. Did you get a response?” “Yes. Right here.” 

When he got the letter, he read it quickly and then threw it into the fireplace. There was no fire, but the servant would burn it later.

 “And you received nothing else?” “He did give me a gift.” “Really? The Cardinal gave you a gift?” 

The father looked quite surprised. The idea of receiving a gift from a cardinal, the highest religious authority in the country, seems intriguing.

 “It’s yours, just keep it.” “You are not going to check what it is.” “I don’t need to.” 

Then he looked at the official. As if to say, report anything strange.

 “There was nothing unusual about Master Eric.” 

This official was loyal to the House of Westphalia.

 

Such a report was natural and expected. That’s why I’ve been traveling with this fellow everywhere.

 

Finally, I took off my signet ring and offered it to him.

 

He didn’t take it but handed it back.

 “You can keep that, too. You are a member of the family and shouldn’t be without a seal.” 

Having a family seal means that you are authorized to represent the family.

 

It doesn’t mean that you’ve become your father’s successor; it simply means that you have the right to represent the family. 

 

It acts as a representative agent. Just like a family member could receive a post office box for you.

 

But after the ceremony, I would be kicked out of the county, so in the end, the ring would only be a memento of my family’s connection.

 

I held the signet ring tightly in my hand. I had worked diligently for the manor, even though he had only a small amount of authority as a clerk.

 “And all I get is a souvenir.” 

I laughed bitterly. Not that I expected much, but what’s the point of a signet ring?

 

But then my father said something more.

 “You’ve done a good job, so I’m rewarding you. I’ll combine it with your coming-of-age ceremony gift. Look forward to it.” 

Correction. There was another reward in addition to the souvenir.

 “May I ask what they are?” “Can I tell you that at the coming-of-age ceremony?” “…Yes, Father.” 

What and how big of a gift to give?

 ‘

I hope you give me a lot of gold coins. If I’m leaving for the countryside, I deserve a lot of money. I was looking forward to the coming-of-age ceremony.’

  

As soon as Eric left the house, Count Michael wrote to his father-in-law, the former Count of Westphalia.

 

[Dear father-in-law,

 

If I leave ‘the job’ to my son Eric, he will do well for a long time. Eric, as I’ve seen and spent a few days within the Palatinate, is a man of great courage. He is also a man of analysis and tactics. 

 

He is responsible, sociable, and political and is the only one of Marcel’s blood, he has good reason. I realize the decision has already been made, but for the sake of our future, I suggest you replace him with Eric.

 

—from Michael, your loyal son-in-law].

 

He thought that if Eric were to be put to work on the project that the former Count of Westphalia and the minor lord Noah were planning together, the results would be very satisfying.

  

My room was not in the main building but in the servant’s quarters behind it.

 

However, having lived there since childhood, I was used to it and had no complaints about the hospitality.

 

Upon entering, I was greeted by my escort, Martin.

 “Master, I hear you’ve been in trouble. I should have followed the tax collector’s procession.” “Nonsense, if you had tried to follow them, you would have been killed.” “What? Were the warlocks really that strong? I heard you defeated them easily.” 

The Knights of Westphalia were indeed fast and strong, and it seemed they had just defeated a horde of warlocks. But Martin didn’t seem to know the details.

 “I can’t tell you the details, they’re classified. It’s how I’ve been living my life.” “Okay, but what’s in the bag?” 

He must have noticed that I was holding a bag wrapped in expensive silk.

 “A gift from the Cardinal of Aachen.” “A cardinal? That must be a valuable gift.” “I don’t know.” 

Martin took the package and unwrapped it.

 

Inside was a box with a black oddly shaped dagger with both blade and handle 30 centimeters long, the color stood out like a sore thumb.

 “What is this? It’s an unusual shape. Is it just a dagger?” “Ah… I remember it’s a dagger.” 

I remembered the drinking party with the Cardinal at dawn two days ago.

  

I was telling the Cardinal bad jokes.

 “Hahaha! Eric, tell me one more!” “What if the dragon ascends to heaven is shortened to four letters. ‘Go up~’.” “Hahaha, where did you hear that, it’s funny.” 

The Cardinal and I were both so drunk that we were too busy giggling to understand what the other was saying.

 “Another one, what’s the most obscene food in the world? Mushrooms!” “Pfft! I’ll have to mention that in my sermon at the church. I’ll need to write it down so I can remember.” 

The Cardinal stumbled to his feet and went to his desk to get a pen. Then he got knocked over the sword-adorned stand.

 — Clunk, clunk “Oops! Eric, help me.” 

I tried to call the soldier outside, but he was too drunk to do it himself, instead picked up the swords from the floor and hung them on the racks.