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EP.101 [The Noble Lady with Roll-Bun Hair, Pieta Merchant Guild Leader, Overwhelmed by Eugene's Beastly Physique.]
'A noble?'
Lady Vivian Saint-Pierre.
Of course, she wasn't dressed in the glamorous attire befitting a noble lady at the moment. Currently, she was living primarily in her role as the head of the Pieta Merchant Guild. Even so, her clothing and bearing were clearly different from those of ordinary nouveau riche merchants, so Eugene immediately sensed she was not just any noble, but a high-ranking one.
'What's with the roll-bun hair? Is she trying to show off that she's a noble?'
Most striking was Vivian's hairstyle. She looked about 23 to 25 years old, yet she wore her long hair in two large roll-buns a style typically seen on much younger high-ranking noble ladies. The two huge golden roll-buns filled Eugene's field of vision, making him feel not only that she was a high noble, but also that she exuded an unusual presence.
"Are you mute? Why aren't you answering me? I'm quite disappointed in Lord Antonio. How rude."
Vivian's attitude was also remarkable. A duke's daughter would normally be accompanied by attendants when out walking, for security if nothing else. Yet here she was, alone, facing a shirtless man of 190 cm and 106 kg, holding a greatsword. Still, Vivian showed no sign of being intimidated and asserted herself confidently.
'She's got guts. She mentioned Commander Antonio could she be the Pieta Guild Leader? Isn't she a bit young for that? I heard it's a huge guild.'
Eugene quickly sized up the situation and turned toward Vivian.
"Hmm…"
Pause!
Vivian, who had been scolding Eugene so fiercely that he was almost taken aback, suddenly paused when Eugene turned fully to face her.
"When did the Iron Cross Knights become so slovenly in their dress? The name 'Iron Cross' is embarrassing with you looking like that."
Even if both were shirtless, the front and back were worlds apart. Those who know fitness might get excited by a back, but to the average person, the broad pectorals on Eugene's front would be more striking. Eugene Schneider's chest was as broad as the Pacific, with perfectly square pecs. Below that, his abs were sharply defined, like a chocolate bar, and his body, still glistening with sweat from training, was almost indecently exposed. The wild, masculine aura was so strong that even the bold Vivian hesitated.
"Well, I…"
Slick !
At that moment, Eugene swept his hair back to introduce himself, revealing his ruggedly handsome face from behind his messy bangs.
"Hmm… Are you, by any chance "
Vivian, who had been hesitating, immediately cut Eugene off. This was the vibe of a true noble lady. Jeanne, Charlotte, and Elisabeth were too gentle by comparison.
"Are you a member of the Red Fox Mercenary Band, the group collaborating with the Iron Cross Knights?"
Eugene's appearance was far from the refined image of a knightly order. Even if a commoner were scouted into a noble knight order, they would receive strict etiquette training. So what flashed through Vivian's mind was the mention Antonio had made in passing of a collaborating mercenary band. After all, the Pieta Guild was funding the quest for the Red Fox Mercenary Band.
"That's right. I'm Eugene Caesar, assault captain of the Pangaea Red Fox Mercenary Band."
Thunk!
When Vivian mentioned the Red Fox Mercenary Band, Eugene felt the situation was finally resolving and slung his greatsword over his shoulder as he introduced himself.
"I see. That explains it. That's why you're so bold about being here. I suppose mercenaries can get away with that."
Having confirmed Eugene was a mercenary, Vivian straightened her back and responded with the full bearing of a noble lady, as if determined not to be outdone by Eugene's relaxed demeanor.
But then
"GRAAAWR!!!"
A beast's roar echoed toward the space where Eugene and Vivian stood.
'That's a serious beast, not your average animal!'
Eugene's expression shifted to battle mode, and he immediately turned toward the source of the roar.
Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!
The thick brush in that direction was shaking. The whole thicket was moving this was a very large creature.
"GRAAAWR!!"
Crash! Thud thud thud!
A mysterious beast burst through the brush at high speed, charging straight at Eugene Schneider.
'That's a huge cat. At least three times the size of a Siberian tiger.'
Slick !
It was a massive feline with sandy golden fur, resembling a tiger but without stripes. As a sword expert, Eugene readied his greatsword to face the beast.
"No, Siakan!!!"
At that moment, Vivian shouted at the golden beast. The beast's name was Siakan.
Skid !
At Vivian's command, Siakan came to a sudden halt.
'Is that her pet?'
Not only did she know its name, but the beast responded instantly to her command. Eugene figured Siakan must be Vivian's property.
In the western desert, there are beasts called golden tigers. Siakan was one of these, not only Vivian's pet but also her bodyguard and friend. Vivian could walk alone in the morning because Siakan was always watching over her. Siakan had followed her from a distance, and when Eugene slung his greatsword over his shoulder, Siakan took it as a sign of aggression and charged.
"Come here, Siakan. He's not your enemy."
"Grrrr…"
Vivian called Siakan over, and the beast immediately walked to her side.
'Seeing her like this, she really does seem like the head of the region's external trade. A woman who commands a desert beast.'
Eugene watched with interest. During his pilgrimage, he had visited a shrine near the western desert, the sacred ground of the legendary Baramion Tiger. The golden tiger is said to be a descendant of that mythical beast.
"I apologize for making you feel threatened. Let's call it even for me entering this area without permission. How about it?"
"That's fine. I also apologize for entering without knowing."
Despite her noble bearing, Vivian also showed the cool-headedness of a major merchant guild owner. She suggested they call it even, and Eugene readily agreed.
At that moment, from the side
"Oh no! We're a step too late!"
"Eugene! I mean, Captain Eugene!"
Da-da-da-da-da!
Davis and Thomas came running up the hill, looking pale.
"So, you met the Pieta Guild Leader?"
In the temporary tent office set up for Jeanne by the Iron Cross Knights, she looked up from her paperwork with wide eyes.
"Yeah. I went for a morning workout on the southern hill, but apparently that was the Pieta Guild Leader's private property not open to the knights, just her personal walking area."
The person she was talking to was, of course, Eugene Schneider. After returning to his quarters, showering, and having breakfast, he went to see Jeanne. This was their usual time for a one-on-one conversation between the captain and the assault leader, and naturally, the topic was Eugene's morning encounter.
"I figured she was a noble, but how high-ranking do you think? She seemed pretty significant. I don't think just any noble could own land like that, especially within a count's territory. They wouldn't just give it to anyone."
Hearing that Eugene had met the Pieta Guild Leader, Jeanne started asking for more details. While Antonio was the main collaborator in battle, the Pieta Guild Leader was the key financier for the entire quest project.
For Jeanne, dealing with the guild leader was even more of a headache than dealing with the knight commander Antonio. They were from completely different worlds; at least the knight commander had some political connections, but mercenaries unless they were from a huge band rarely did.
"I didn't catch her name, but judging by her appearance, attire, and the way she treated Davis, who's from a baron's family, I'd say she's at least from a count's family. She had that look in her eyes that high-ranking noble ladies have."
Jeanne already knew the Pieta Guild Leader was a woman, so Eugene explained on that basis.
"So she's strict and sensitive? Well, it would be odd if a high-ranking noblewoman running a big business wasn't."
A high-ranking noble lady and a major merchant guild leader a formidable combination. Jeanne could only shake her head in amazement.
Then Eugene said something that made Jeanne's jaw drop even more.
"She looked about your age or maybe a bit older, but she still wore roll-bun hair. That's some serious stubbornness, don't you think?"
Eugene mentioned the roll-bun hairstyle, which had left the strongest impression on him.
"Roll-bun hair??"
Jeanne's eyes widened and her brow furrowed at the mention.
"Huh? You're reacting even more than I expected, Jeanne. Does my description really resonate that much?"
Even Eugene noticed Jeanne's unusually strong reaction to the mention of Vivian's roll-bun hair.
"Ah, no, I just thought it was a bit eccentric."
But Jeanne quickly changed her expression and brushed it off, clearly not wanting to discuss what had made her frown with Eugene.
'Seriously, what grudge do I have against roll-bun hair…? Now I'm feeling even more anxious…'
But Jeanne couldn't hide her feelings, no matter how much she tried to brush them off. A strong sense of foreboding welled up inside her, and she let out a faint sigh of irritation.
"Now then, the Pieta Guild Leader, whom we were supposed to meet yesterday, will be joining us."
Two hours later, the truth behind Jeanne's premonition was revealed. The first official joint meeting between the Iron Cross Knights and the Red Fox Mercenary Band was held, and the Pieta Guild Leader, Vivian, attended. After Antonio's opening remarks and a brief explanation, he called Vivian in.
"Please, have a seat. It's a bit much for everyone to stand and greet me like this."
Step, step, step, step.
As a matter of courtesy, Jeanne turned her head slightly to look at Vivian as she entered the Iron Cross Knights' meeting tent with her secretary.
"!!!!!!"
Jeanne's eyes immediately widened in shock.
It turned out that Jeanne and Vivian were, in fact, very well acquainted.
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