The Barbarian of the Count’s Family Is Too Strong

Chapter 18: Conflicting Dreams (2)

House Veilain was abuzz with a rare atmosphere of excitement.

It was the first time since the previous head and his wife had perished in a terrible incident.

For a while, the noble faction had been embroiled in a power struggle over the position of family head. Vassals and elders were either killed or expelled, leaving the household in an overall state of turmoil.

Servants and attendants, now sporting bright expressions, bustled around in a sweat as they worked.

During the time when the administrator and the knight commander had been imprisoned, even breathing inside the manor had been terrifying.

No one knew when or where the new head might become enraged and either execute or expel them.

Rumors even circulated that the servants attending the new head up close would cry and pray every night.

“Hey, what do you think?”

“Huh? About what?”

“The new Count, of course. What do you think of him?”

“Hey, are you crazy? You’re saying things that could get us killed!”

The armorer, who managed Agron’s weaponry, pressed a finger to his lips as he looked at the lord’s gamekeeper.

Even if it was praise, it was a serious matter for servants to talk about a noble behind their back.

If someone overheard and reported it, they wouldn’t just be scolded—whipping could follow.

“Come over here!”

Yet, just as laws could not force absolute compliance, people still did things they knew they shouldn’t.

Like these two, for instance.

The armorer dragged the gamekeeper to a spot where there were no listening ears.

After looking around to ensure no one was passing by, he finally spoke.

“You’ve never seen the new Count before, have you?”

“No, not yet. He hasn’t mentioned going hunting.”

Gilbert, the gamekeeper, had a look of both disappointment and relief.

When the head of the household went hunting, failing to present game would result in a harsh scolding. However, catching a sizable beast would earn him silver coins.

Thanks to such extra income, the gamekeeper often lived more comfortably than the other servants, so he secretly looked forward to noble hunts.

“If you do see him, don’t be too shocked.”

“Why? What’s so shocking?”

“The new Count is a Barbaroi.”

“Oh, come on… What nonsense are you spewing? That’s not even funny as a joke.”

Neither the kingdom’s nor the empire’s people held a favorable view of the Barbaroi.

When one thought of barbarians, they imagined those from the northern tundras or the southern jungles. True to the name ‘barbarian,’ both were known for their savagery and violence.

People scorned and despised them.

Even the lowliest serfs did.

Just as nobles considered themselves superior to commoners, the people of the kingdom and empire saw the Barbaroi as something different from themselves.

Like animals—dogs and pigs at best.

“I swear it’s true! That’s why there was such an uproar!”

“No way… A Barbaroi dares to claim the title of Count? Of course, people should have stopped it!”

“Hey! Are you looking to get yourself whipped? Watch your words!”

The armorer, Canon, scowled and scolded Gilbert.

He only confided in him because they were close. Otherwise, he would have walked away and pretended not to know him.

“I-I didn’t mean it like that… I-I’m sorry. I would never disrespect His Excellency the Count.”

“You’d better not. Word is, he killed the administrator on the spot. Even Baron Ludikain was imprisoned along with the knight commander.”

“Dear gods… Are we all going to be slaughtered next? I heard Barbaroi eat people alive.”

Savage and uncivilized.

The unknown world, as perceived by the common folk, was often nothing more than a canvas painted over with blood and violence.

People feared the unknown most of all, which was why they dreaded magic, spirits, and demons—things beyond comprehension.

“I asked the head chef, just in case. Fortunately, no human corpses have turned up in the kitchen. But I did hear they eat monsters.”

“Damn… Shouldn’t someone report that to the church?”

“A noble? And not just any noble—a Count? You planning to do it?”

Canon scoffed in disbelief, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Gilbert, his face flushed, quickly waved his hands.

“I-It was just a thought.”

“Don’t even think about it. If the Inquisitors show up, the entire family could be ruined.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll remember that.”

“Make sure to warn the other servants. We don’t want any accidents when they meet the Count during the banquet.”

The two men scurried off in different directions, whispering amongst themselves.

From a distant office in the manor.

Agron listened to the servants’ conversation through the open window, gathering the information he needed.

“Inquisitors, huh… I read about them in books, but I wonder if they’re as terrifying in person.”

Blasphemous words occasionally slipped from the servants’ mouths, but Agron didn’t reprimand or punish them.

The power over life and death was the right of the strong.

A true warrior should know how to show mercy to those weaker than himself.

Knock, knock.

Just then, the door to the office opened, and the vassals entered.

“Your Excellency, the guests will be arriving soon.”

It was the head butler, Alfred.

Agron nodded and rose from his seat.

“Alright, let’s get ready.”

***

The banquet was grand and splendid.

The Count’s banquet hall was quite spacious, and the decorations, paintings, and statues adorning the corridors and halls clearly displayed the status of House Veilain.

“The food here is rather impressive!”

“I agree. Given the rumors about Veilain’s domain, I wasn’t expecting much, but the cuisine is excellent.”

“Haha, have you tried the wine yet? It’s from the renowned Bordin region!”

“What? That’s an incredibly expensive wine, isn’t it?”

The honored guests laughed as they enjoyed the food carried in by the tirelessly moving maids.

Overseeing everything with a satisfied smile was none other than—

“Yes, yes. Place that dish on that table. Ah! The floral wreath should go by the entrance!”

—Luna, the manager of the Kotaru branch of Deiron Trading Company.

Having wanted to repay Agron for saving her life, she insisted on handling all the banquet’s supplies when she learned he was holding a feast to declare his ascension as Count.

—“Can’t we just hold a simple banquet? We can always hunt more monster meat.”

—“Are you insane!? No, seriously… Are you out of your mind? Serving monster meat to nobles from all over the region?”

—“I fed monster meat to a prince. Why not?”

—“That’s… Ugh, no! Absolutely not! I’ll take full responsibility, so leave it to me and the head butler!”

She had traveled not only to other branches but even to the main office of Deiron Trading Company, searching for the necessary supplies. As a result, she had been away from Veilain’s territory for some time, only arriving at dawn.

She had dedicated several weeks entirely to this task.

Of course, part of it was to express her gratitude to Agron, but it was also a way to make a name for both Deiron Trading Company and herself.

“Where did this wine come from?”

One of the invited nobles asked a passing maid.

“I heard that the Kotaru branch of Deiron Trading Company provided all the supplies for today.”

“Oh, the Kotaru branch of Deiron Trading Company, you say? I should consider hiring them for my own banquet in the future.”

This was precisely how she planned to expand her and her company’s influence.

Typically, when merchants supplied goods for a noble’s banquet, the payments were either drastically reduced for various reasons or delayed indefinitely—sometimes never paid at all.

─“What? That banquet was hosted by my father! Didn’t you know he passed away last year?! I have no obligation to pay you!”

─“Please, my lord… Without that money, our company will have to close…”

─“Perfect timing. A close acquaintance of mine is opening a trading company soon. Why not sell your stock at dirt-cheap prices?”

─“T-This isn’t right! We have a contract here! If necessary, we will take this to court!”

─“Hahaha, do as you please. But did you know? According to noble law, debts must be claimed directly from the debtor. That means you’ll have to shout at my dead father’s grave.”

No matter how much the merchants begged and cried, nobles did not consider commoners their equals, and so the laws never changed.

Deiron Trading Company had faced the same hardships.

Having experienced such incidents several times, they usually provided only minimal supplies for noble banquets. However, things were different now.

Deiron Trading Company had recently been elevated to the status of a grand trading group, gaining noble patronage.

Their patron was none other than ‘Guntar von Bavier,’ the Margrave of the western border.

He was one of Astrarea Kingdom’s Five Golden Lions, guarding the border against the Kingdom of Jafarbad.

With such strong backing, Deiron Trading Company no longer had to worry about being swindled and could participate in noble affairs with confidence.

Of course, Luna was currently providing goods to Agron for free.

‘This should be worth my life, at least.’

She watched the nobles enjoying the feast with satisfaction, a proud smile forming on her lips.

If this event helped her build a lasting connection with Agron, today’s efforts wouldn’t be a loss but a massive investment.

For a mere branch manager of a trading company to establish ties with a Count was an incredible achievement.

As they enjoyed the well-prepared food, the nobles subtly began discussing the absent host.

“The banquet seems quite well-prepared.”

“Indeed. I wonder how many came today out of sheer curiosity. Haha.”

“Have you heard the rumors? They say the new Count is a barbarian.”

“I have. Word is he looks like a beast.”

Since Agron had been entrusted to the Snowridge Tribe as a child, no one in high society had ever seen him.

Thus, the nobles relied on second-hand gossip from Veilain’s territory.

At that moment, the head butler entered and tapped a spoon against a wine glass, drawing everyone’s attention.

The musicians ceased playing, and all eyes turned toward him.

Beside him stood a strikingly handsome man dressed in a black and gold formal outfit.

Gasps escaped from the noblewomen and young ladies who had yet to marry.

Some even turned as red as the wine in their glasses.

Even through his formal attire, one could tell that his physique was well-built and muscular.

“Greetings, I am Agron von Veilain, the new head of House Veilain. I thank all esteemed guests for attending this evening.”

The moment they heard the word ‘head,’ murmurs erupted throughout the hall.

The sudden change in leadership had been a widely debated scandal in high society, and rumors had run rampant. Now, seeing such a refined young man introduce himself, they were genuinely shocked.

“I shall carry out my duties with pride—for the family, the domain, and even for the kingdom. I swear upon the sword etched into my soul.”

Though they weren’t sure exactly what he meant by ‘fight,’ the nobles erupted into cheers and applause.

There was nothing more exhilarating than the passionate cry of a young knight.

Moreover, the young Count spoke in the sophisticated noble dialect as if he had been trained in etiquette since childhood.

“Now, let us eat and drink for the future!”

As Agron raised his glass, the musicians resumed playing.

Normally, a bishop from the diocese would have been invited, and the event would have followed a more elaborate protocol. However, Agron had insisted on keeping things simple.

In fact, he had wanted to say only the last sentence, but the head butler, Baekun, and Elena had convinced him to add the preceding lines.

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations, my lord.”

“Congratulations, Your Excellency.”

Nobles approached one by one to greet Agron.

Most were barons or viscounts, while those of higher status, such as counts or viscounts serving great lords, waited from a distance for Agron to come to them.

“Hm? You’re quite different from the rumors, Lord Agron.”

A noble with a protruding belly approached.

His face was slightly flushed, likely from drinking too much.

“I am Fabia Stenbach, aide to the Count of Copellus, one of the great lords.”

“Pleasure to meet you. I am Agron.”

Fabia did not use honorifics, speaking as though they were equals.

It was no surprise—after all, the Count of Copellus was a central noble and a great lord.

Even though both bore the title of Count, the difference in influence was vast.

Rank aside, one’s environment and backing could bridge any gap in status.

“You look quite dashing. The rumors said you were a horned barbarian. Haha.”

“Really? Shame I don’t have horns, then.”

Agron remained calm despite Fabia’s mocking tone.

Fabia, hoping to get a reaction, grew even more mischievous.

“I heard that barbaroi eat human flesh. Are we sure none was served tonight?”

“Why? Are you disappointed?”

“N-No, I was just—asking if barbaroi really eat such things!”

“Unfortunately, we don’t. Monster meat, on the other hand…”

Fabia scoffed loudly.

“Ridiculous! Who would eat such filth? Even my slaves wouldn’t touch it! A man who eats monster meat? Absurd!”

At that moment, someone beside Agron answered in a sharp tone.

"W-What?! Who dares to speak to me like—ugh!"

"It’s me, you bastard!"

It was none other than the Third Prince, Lawrence, who shouted as he grabbed Fabia by the collar.