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Julia Memendin Albraun, the new Duchess of the Duchy of Affnaria. She said that the previous Duke was actually her Uncle, but she had already demonstrated to us that she didn’t care about him one bit.
She stated that he made her mother’s life hell when they were younger, so I assume her mother is part of the royal family while her father is the outsider. I don’t know how royalty works, but if they gave a woman a duchy, they don’t discriminate by gender as much as in Earth’s past.
Usually, Duchess’ were very rare, and often the husband, even if an outsider, ended up becoming the Duke of the Duchy at the end while they were left behind. But this young girl seems to have been given the role of Duchess, and she looks way too young to be married.
But even then, after seeing how corrupt the aristocrats were, it was very shocking to see a young girl being given the position of Duchess, even more seeing how she was a good girl that was actually trying to clean all the trash her Uncle left behind in this place. She’s really a commendable and amazing girl. I give her that.
“Mary, tell me more about you, now I am more than intrigued… I think we could become good friends! I might even employ your services. Are you an adventurer?” She asked.
“Yes, and I am also Mercenary, though I am currently busy, I came here for provisions. I am taking care of my own people far away… I came across this shady group and had thought about taking care of the former slaves by myself, as I often do,” I said.
“Y-You do?!” She asked in shock.
I had just revealed to her that I’ve been rescuing the people from slavers and taking care of them myself, which actually shocked the pink-haired royal girl.
Partner and Emeraldine at my sides were mostly silent and nervous. They seemed to have never directly interacted with royalty. But I have! Of course, only before killing them.
Perhaps due to my own insanity, it was easy to break the ice, but these two girls, who are usually brave and strong fighters, had become rather shy, standing at my side quite tightly.
“You girls should relax a bit,” I said to the two.
“O-Oh, feel free to drink some tea, and there are also pastries if you want to….” Said Julia.
Partner and Emeraldine faintly nodded. I think they didn’t like this deep down and probably disliked her for being an aristocrat.
But can you blame them? Every aristocrat we have met so far was just sick bastards anyways.
Finding one that was a cute girl and also a good person was rare.
Oh well, maybe all of this is a façade, and she’s actually evil.
We’ll have to see more of her.
“Indeed, Julia. I’ve been rescuing these Slaves, but I don’t intend to bring them here. I have been moving them through caravans. They will be moved to a territory I own, where they’ll become my citizens,” I said.
“C-Citizens? Are you part of the Kingdom’s aristocracy?” Julia asked, surprised.
“No, but I have a village. That doesn’t make me an aristocrat. It is just an empty plot of land I bought,” I said.
“I see. Mary, your abilities are… commendable. Your power over the shadows seems to bring you some amazing capabilities. The Spell ‘Shadow Storage’ is an impressive one I had never seen before. And if you were able to kill those thugs so swiftly, your offensive Spells must be just as incredible,” Said Julia while drinking some tea.
“You’re flattering me too much. There are still stronger people than me out there. I am not as impressive. However, I have to admit that my abilities make it easy to rescue people,” I said.
“Indeed… Mary, I have brought you here to thank you but also now that I’ve spoken to you for a bit, I’ve realized that I cannot easily let go of you,” Said Julia.
“Oh?”
“Due to this, I would like to see if it’s possible to hire you and your friends as mercenaries. I want you to help me find these people, these despicable bastards hiding within the aristocrats of the duchy and the underworld….” She said.
“So that’s it? Hmm, well, as long as there are certain conditions you can fulfill, I am willing to help you. But I must tell you right away that my services are not cheap,” I said.
“Hmm! I like your attitude. I think we’ll become good friends, Mary. I am willing to pay the price… Whatever do you desire? Money?” Asked Julia.
“Money is something that is always needed, yes, (even though I can just steal whatever I want very easily with my abilities), but I want something else….” I said.
“Something else?” Asked Julia.
“I want information. That would be good pay,” I said.
“Information… What might that information be?” Asked Julia.
“I want you to use your connections to find anything regarding Arthur Belle and Ernestina Bellaluna,” I said.
Julia looked at me with eyes filled with intrigue. The atmosphere suddenly went from carefree to still, even dark.
“Those names…” She said.
“Hm?”
“Very well, I will do what I can, but don’t expect everything from me. I am a low-ranking Aristocrat, after all. Even as the granddaughter of the King, I am still one of the youngest of the royal family, and well, what I can do is limited,” She said.
“I understand. Any help will be appreciated,” I said.
“You’ve asked for something strange, but I won’t question you,” Said Julia.
“I appreciate it,” I said.
Arthur Belle is my little brother, the one I learned about some time ago, and Ernestina is the supposed aunt that is taking care of him.
But based on Julia’s response, it might seem as if the family name of “Belle” is seen strangely.
I won’t ask her anymore for now…
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