Reincarnation of a Hunter

Episode 8: Unity (1) 

Getting my hunter system back, and also got some useful weapons.

 

But just because I’m stronger doesn’t mean I could manage the land alone.

 

I needed a team, people to help me.

 

It was still a question if the officials and knights in Marseille would be loyal to me. Would they be competent in progress?

 

The day before we reached Catalonia, Head Maid Chloe came to my cabin upon my request.

 ―Knock, knock, knock! “Come in.” “My lord, did you call for me?” “Yes. Please make yourself comfortable.” 

I gave her the seat next to me.

 

It was an exhausting journey, so we don’t need to compare each other’s day.

 

Wearing a pair of slippers, Chloe was sitting comfortably on a chair.

 “Did the Countess give you separation pay?” 

I scratched my head and initiated the conversation.

 “…” 

As expected, she frowned as she heard what I said.

 

Chloe failed to hide her emotions.

 

She still seemed to be furious at the Countess.

 “The Countess is very ungrateful. After years of service, she still throws me out, it’s not something a person would ever do.” “…” “And I don’t care what you’ve done before, because it was all ordered by the Countess. Let’s just think about how we get along from now on. It’s a new beginning. What do you think?” “…” 

Well, she’s still holding her tongue tight.

 

There was no doubt that Chloe’s mind was a mixture of anger at Countess Laurian and fear that I had discovered the attempted poisoning.

 

It’s more challenging than it sounds.

 “Let’s get straight to the point. I heard that you were the one who saved the little lord’s life when he married Count de Dizon’s daughter.” 

Chloe seemed to sense something in my words.

 

She could probably guess what I meant by that I don’t consider the House of Westphalia as family.

 

I didn’t wait for her answer.

 “Liguria, Veneto, Catalonia.”

 

“…what do you mean.” “These are the estates I wish to ally with.” 

After a while, Head Maid Chloe spoke, 

 “They are lands with huge trading ports, but Marseille needs to expand. Why would they ally with a small land like Marseille when there’s nothing in it for them?” “Did you say it’s small land?” 

Chloe realized she had said too much, so she shut her mouth.

 “I’m from a large Westphalian family.” “What?” “I am the son of the Lord of Westphalia and Lord of Marseille. Don’t forget to tell them so that if I marry their daughter, they will think she is connected to Westphalia.” 

‘You’re probably wondering what that means.’

 

Any person with Chloe’s connections would have guessed that Westphalia had abandoned Marseille.

 “But did the Count of Westphalia abandon Marseille?  No, he left.” “They don’t know that. They might think of it as giving me a huge present, so we have to be clear about that. Do you understand?” 

It’s true. But to others, it might look like I’m the favored son of the Lord of Westphalia.

 

Like I proclaimed myself,

 

Of course, he would treat me as his son.

 

I’m from the Family of Westphalia, but not all of them are.

 

It targets a weak spot in perception.

 “Then do I travel to other estates?” “For now, yes. And once you’ve completed your mission, you’ll serve as my chief of staff and help me with the estate’s affairs.” 

Chloe looked even more confused with what I said.

 “What do you mean, chief of staff? I’m just a maid.” “I believe that you’re worth much more than a maid.” “What’s that supposed to mean…?”

asked Chloe.

 “Everything Countess Laurian has done in the last ten years was your idea, isn’t it?” 

Countess Laurian aimed to identify and eliminate the traitors in the Westphalian defense system to ensure her power. 

 

They negotiated with the lord of the estate, profited from trade, and so on.

 

She also forced most Vassals, including the knights, to swear an oath of loyalty to Lord Noah.

 

Chloe was behind the scenes of all those negotiations, collecting and analyzing data and then putting it out there.

 

Taking Chloe away from Laurian wasn’t just about cutting off Laurian’s right arm.

 

There was also a purpose for me to use Chloe’s skills.

 “What will I be doing as a Chief of Staff?” “We’re going to organize a council of secretaries. Economy, civil affairs, security, defense, and foreign affairs. Of those, I want you in charge of foreign affairs. Not just normal diplomacy with other realms, of course, but also gathering information.” “Are you saying that we’re going to create and run an intelligence unit?” “Yes. That’s what you’re good at, getting information from sources.” 

Only a few people know that Westphalia has abandoned Marseille, including my mother, who always watches news from her hometown.

 

But Chloe was able to figure it out just by looking at the facts.

 

I pushed Chloe once more, who was worried.

 “Don’t you want to see Countess Laurian’s face and regret what she missed out on such a great talent?” “…” 

Chloe has only two options at this point.

 

Either help me run the estate, or run away.

 

As a smart and honorable woman, it was obvious what she would choose.

 

Chloe thought for a moment and spoke,

 “Make my family honorable again, that’s my condition.” “I’ll make you a Countess.” 

And then she smiled.

 “All right. I will help you, my lord.” “I’m counting on you.” 

I took the signet ring of the House of Westphalia from my pocket and handed it to Chloe.

 

It has become more of a souvenir, it’s an object that signifies the family’s marriage.

 “Now, Chloe, you are the vassal who holds the hand in marriage of the son of the Count of Westphalia.” 

Chloe accepted the signet ring and smiled as if something had come to her.

 “Countess Laurian would have paid a fortune for this ring.” “Really? I’m not that smart.” “I know that.” 

Chloe paused for a moment.

 “Well, the travel expenses?” “For now, go with your own money. I’ll settle the bill later.” “…” 

Even though I wanted to give money, I didn’t have much cash.

 

Luckily, Chloe saved up money from her work with the Countess.

 

Sorry, but this must be traumatic.

 

“

When we dock in Catalonia, start there.” “Yes, Viscount. What do you want me to do until then?” “You need to cover for me.” 

Chloe’s eyes grew as wide as calves at that.

 “No, I’m not ready, you don’t even know my name.” 

I didn’t know her full name, so I performed a Level Appraisal.

 ‘

Emotions.’

 

➺

The second daughter of the former Baron Verbier

 “I know your name. Chloe Verbier, 26 years old, second daughter of the former Baron Verbier.” “Oh! Hahaha! That’s it!” “But what kind of preparation do you have?” “It’s…still night markets are—” “Go ahead.” 

I took off my slippers, making a weird sound.

 

Of course, since you’re a subordinate of mine, I didn’t bother to guess.

  

Thanks to the favorable winds, we arrived in Catalonia seven days after setting off.

 

Given the group’s severe seasickness, we decided to take two days off and catch a ferry to Marseille.

 

We stayed at an inn, then me and Martin went to the market.

 

It’s also a trading port with Marseille. We walked around the market to check out the types of goods and prices.

 

Martin was amazed at the size of the market.

 “This place is huge.” “Yes. It’s the third-largest city in Iberia, haven’t you seen it before?” “I was just a little kid back then, so I couldn’t see.everything.” 

It still does.

 

Anyway, the market was crowded.

 

The Catalonia castles were the center of commerce because they had huge harbors.

 

There were tons of products as if they were all there.

 “But what are they selling over there and why are there so many people?” 

There were people with ropes around their necks gathered where Martin pointed.

 “I’ve heard it’s the largest slave market in the world. It’s a symbol of Catalan territory.” 

I grabbed Martin and went there.

 

The market was crowded with thousands of slaves.

 

Elves and beast-man slaves are the most common at over half, followed by humans, dwarves, gnomes, and others.

 My God, I didn’t know that there were so many slaves and so many different races.” “I’ve never seen so many people here.” 

I’ve seen the slave trade in Westphalia, but it’s nothing compared to this.

 “Surely not all of these people are criminal slaves?” “They were probably war slaves from the Far East, the Balkans, or the Southern continent.” 

In the Balkans, where the various Ain nations are at war, and in the Southern Continent, where the elf tribal nations are at war with each other, there are many slaves.

 “We lost the war and ended up becoming a slave. It’s not fair.” 

That’s Martin, the man of the people.

 “Well, by that logic, I suppose debt or criminal slavery would be the same.” “I would rather choose not to have slavery at all.” “It’s hard to get rid of it just like that.” 

Looking back at history, slavery has been going on for a long time.

 “How about getting rid of it at Marseille first?” “As a Lord, my answer is no.” “Why is that?” ” Slavery is a powerful crime control method. And we need slaves to increase Marseille’s population.” 

In addition to the enslaved people Noah would send, he planned to buy family slaves and settle them in Marseille.

 

Isn’t this a common cliché?

 “If you buy them then set them free, isn’t that the same as freeing the estate from slavery?” “The very act of buying is an action that confirms slavery, so you can’t just get rid of it.” “Ah. I see, Lord Eric is a saint after all.”  What brings you to that conclusion? And call me your lord. Call me a great hero.” 

I walked deep into the slave market with Martin.

 

It didn’t take long before we were approached by mobsters.

 

They are rubbing their palms together and smiling meanly.

 

“

Hey~ Sir~ what are you looking for, I’ll find you a great deal, right on budget, haha!” “If you don’t have enough money, I can arrange a loan. I’ll take a small percentage of the interest upfront, and you’ll own a nice set of slaves in no time. How much do you want?” “Just put a little down payment and pay in installments. We have some of the lowest interest rates in the market.” 

I’ve heard this one before. Martin then held his sword and gave them a warning.

 I’ll have you all cut down if you don’t get out of here!” “Whoa!” 

Then they all ran off with their tail behind their legs.

 “Take it easy. They’re just trying to make a living, too.” “I’m sorry. Those words they said made me angry. ” Mmm, yeah, I guess.” 

I thought to myself as I walked away.

 

‘Isn’t it normal to meet your wife in a slave market like this? We’re just meeting hustlers.’

 

I moved on with some frustration.

 

Then a shout came from the other side.

 “Ahh! Help!”