Absolutely Do Not Touch Eldmia Egga - Chapter 390
The place he arrived after being unilaterally teased by Esmuer was a mansion so luxurious that he wondered if a place like this existed while living in the capital city. The mansion built for the VIPs was located very close to the royal castle, and it even came with a large garden, as if they didn’t care about the price of land in this expensive capital.
Even, rather than the generally open stables, a single building was connected to the mansion and a passageway, so it had a structure that was structured so that it was not attacked from the outside while barely moving between the stable and the mansion. It was quite shocking that the shed, with only a wagon and horses, was bigger than our house and made of good stone.
But what was even more surprising than that was that it didn’t feel empty at all, as numerous servants came and went as if it were natural for this spacious mansion and site.
In fact, when even ordinary nobles were invited to a party and moved, 20 family members followed them. I thought so in my head, but seeing the scale in person gave me a new feeling.
“Then… now let’s talk about the rewards the Empire will give you and why we called you this way.”
Arriving at the office in a solemn atmosphere that made it uncomfortable even though the courtesy was clear, Esmuier lightly clapped his hands, and the old butler, who naturally followed us, handed me a document sitting on the sofa.
“This?”
“It’s a memo written briefly about the contents of the meeting related to the compensation plan. There’s no reason to show you a stiff official document. But the outline is all written.”
I looked it up, wondering what it was, and it was like meeting minutes, very neatly organized in Esmuer’s handwriting. At first, I wondered why I bothered to show this, but fortunately, while I was reading the memo, Esmuye sent the old butler away with a light gesture and quietly gave a further explanation.
“The opening is an empire. This is an undeniable fact. Saving a woman like that is no different from saving an empire, right?”
Not befitting his small frame and cute face, Esmuye spoke with great confidence, and continued, raising the teacup the old butler had prepared before leaving.
“Since you protected the future of the empire, there must be a corresponding reward. However, if the gratitude and reward to be given interfere with your long-cherished wish, it will be a complete turn of events, so we went through many meetings to give you the most useful reward.”
The first proposal that came out was the title. It was an unconventional proposal that is hard to find a precedent, but no one raised an objection. Since I was a commoner at Ethiel, there seemed to be an opinion that I should take this opportunity to bring talented people to the empire.
“However, position comes with its own responsibility. It was clear that this would become a shackle to you, so I refused.”
The note on the paper that reads ‘Noble – Annoyance’ probably means that. Most of the subsequent compensation plans were similar in nature. Granting lands, enlisting in the knights. In general, these were privileges that could be said to be enormous, but they were also rewarded with a lot of intention to tie me down.
“That’s how the Empire views you. I thought it would be better to take this opportunity to give you a word in advance, so I wrote it down diligently.”
It was as she said. In the end, the main content of the meeting minutes was compensation, but through this, it was close to moving fiercely over how to embrace the character of the empire. Some had already confirmed that Esmuer was favorable to me, and had even indicated signs of trying to make extra contact in order to win her eyes.
There was also a memo written saying that everyone would be blocked by someone.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle since there are many people who interpret your sudden actions in Ethiel according to their own convenience. I think it’s good for the servants to be proud of their country, but it’s difficult if they make the wrong decision and die because of that pride.”
Since I was dissatisfied with ‘Etis-L’ and playing around, it is said that there were more people than I thought that it was an opportunity for the empire. If it had not been for the connection with Esmuier, it is clear that many members of the empire would have paid for their portraits.
I got it. It must be an incredibly prudent, cautious, and insane idea to consider that there will be a nobleman who will try to bite everything if he touches him.
“Still, since it is impossible to unreasonably disregard the reasonable opinions of the servants, I have come to the conclusion that I will definitely convey the symbolism and the will of the empire by awarding the final reward myself.”
The text, slightly larger than the other memos, was even circled for ease of viewing, and thanks to that, it was not difficult to see that it was the compensation Esmuer was talking about.
“Armor?”
“Shouldn’t you be wearing a proper suit of armor anyway? It seemed that the weapons were already sufficient, so I turned this way. Performance varies depending on the funds, so you can show condescension, and it has a symbolism, and it prevents you from dying screaming. I might be able to stop it.”
Although the pitching fell short of what was shown, it lost its meaning.
As he murmured, Esmuer rang the bell on the table, and as if he had been waiting, the door opened and two attendants appeared holding a cloth-covered stand. They could just put it on a cart and roll it, but perhaps they thought that the sound of the wheels rolling was inelegant, so the two lifted the cradle with force, quietly set it down next to the sofa where Esmuer was sitting, and quickly left the room.
“It was made at the request of a famous artisan.”
Esmuer stood up and removed the cloth, and there lay a pair of dark blue armor.
Unlike normal symmetrical armor, the armor she prepared was asymmetrical. The first thing you notice is the right shoulder blade, which is noticeably larger than the left one. Looking more closely, not only the silk pauldron, but the armor of the right arm, starting with the elbow guard, is thicker than the left arm as a whole. The breastplate did not come down to the abdomen, but was in the form of covering only the ribs, and below it were articulated iron plates and dense chain armor, which seemed to be able to bend down on the ground.
As a result, there was no fold fould that protects the hips and pelvis area. Instead, the thigh guards, which are similar in design to my gauntlets, sit a little higher than normal. Looking at the shape, it seems to be fixed by wrapping a leather strap like when a gas mask case is worn around the thigh in the military. The knee guards and shin guards are also designed with efficiency in mind in a very modest form without excessive decoration.
In fact, the pitch was also quite cool, but it was already meaningless, so I didn’t really notice it. After looking through the armor once, I asked Esmuer, who gave me an expectant look.
“Is this perhaps made for my swordsmanship?”
“As expected, you’re quick-witted. In fact, it’s unreasonable to say that it was made to fit perfectly, but it’s true that it was made based on what you showed at the academy.”
I don’t even use exceptional swordsmanship in the first place, so I wonder what’s the use of all the swordsmanship-tailored armor, but right now the slightly asymmetrical armor was related to my habit.
Because of the obsession with protecting the heart, it’s usually the right side that goes forward. Even if the lower body changes every time according to the step, it was a habit that was almost fixed when using the upper body. While living in the empire, I hadn’t done sparring much, but it was surprising that he caught and applied such a habit like a ghost.
Perhaps it was because I didn’t hide my feelings, Esmuer, smiling with satisfaction, reached out to take off my cape and said,
“Now, it’s time to fulfill the purpose of calling you today. Try it on.”
“Huh? Uh…”
I wondered if she was referring to the adjustment of the armor, so I obediently followed her and took off the cape and coat and prepared to put on the armor. Contrary to my expectations, Esmuier began to take off the armor from the holder with a whimper, contrary to my expectations, as I had assumed that there would be no problem wearing it alone, but of course I would call someone to get the job done quickly.
“…Esmuet? Calling people…?”
“This, this was the purpose.”
“…adjusting the armor?”
“To be exact, putting this armor on you for the first time…! I wanted to do it at my leisure.”
I was wondering what to say, but once I helped her and started taking off the breastplate, Esmuer moved a small hand to help me and continued talking.
“Even Ragnis and Asili can fight on the same battlefield as much as they want, but they don’t. This means that from the moment you head to the distant front after your ordination ceremony, there will be an endless wait. Seeing off the knights who are lovers. Every time I read the stories of women praying and praying every day, I thought it was really pitiful, but even women find themselves in a situation where there is nothing much different.”
Usually, the story of such women comes from third-rate romance novels, but it was a refreshing moment to realize that Esmus had read such a thing as well. Of course, I couldn’t focus on that feeling for long. What she said was very serious.
“Then, at least I wanted to prepare at least the armor to protect you. So, I personally inquired, prepared, and secretly asked a lady-in-waiting who was closest to me to learn how to help me put on the armor.”
Not only did he struggle with the weight of the armor, but Esmuer certainly helped him wear it more skillfully than I expected. I couldn’t ask if he learned it right away because he was a genius or if he practiced a lot for it.
As soon as I put on all the armor and faced her, I could see that there was a bit of bittersweet emotion on her young face.
“After today, you won’t be able to see your face properly until the day of the event. Needless to say, on the day of the event. In the end, it was only today that I was able to personally put on the armor on you like this, so I called for the sake of your life. .”
Esmuer’s face as he looked at me showed a glimpse of regret and regret. As if he was worried that by gifting this armor he had pushed me against my back and that it might put me in danger of dying. However, she quickly put those feelings to rest and said,
“Promise me. When you find your enemies and achieve your goals, you will return to the Empire as soon as possible.”
I was speechless because I was sorry, and I asked Esmuier’s request, which he uttered abruptly through the silence that hovered for a moment, tilting my head involuntarily.
“That’s not difficult. Why?”
“Just as I helped put on the armor today, I will help take it off then.”
Seeing Esmuer pounding his breastplate with a confident smile seemed like he was trying to lighten my mood, so I responded with a moderate joke.
“Then I’ll have to come back covered in blood without even washing properly.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to just take off the armor.”
She answered with a playful smile and smiled brightly, and I laughed along.
…?
Wait, what did he just say?
I suddenly find it difficult to laugh.