The only ones living in this house are —officially the owner—and Ingrid-san, who’s been assigned to manage the house, act as a liaison with the Edelgard Ducal House, and keep an eye on .
There are rooms for Amina and Nel, but they only stay over about once every three days.
"All good here.""Mmmph..."
For now, I carried Amina upstairs and laid her down on her bed, where she was already sprawled out and snoring, then returned to the first floor.
"Liberta-sama, your tea is ready.""Thank you."
Given that this place used to be an inn, the space is pretty spacious.
The living area is set up in front of the fireplace. Though it’s warm today and the fire isn’t lit, in winter, it would undoubtedly create a refined, cozy atmosphere.
Nel was sitting on the sofa in that living area, so I took a seat beside her. A teacup was gently placed before .
"It’s delicious.""I’m glad to hear that."
I don’t usually drink tea, so I can’t compare flavors—I only know how this one tastes.But I can honestly say it’s good.
"Liberta.""Hm?"
As I leisurely sipped my tea, Nel called out to .When I turned to look, she had set her cup down and was sitting in a posture that suggested she had sothing to say.
"Once Amina masters her singing technique, we’re moving on to the next stage, right?""Yeah. At this rate, she’ll master both her singing technique and the Song of Acclaim by the end of the week.""So then—""Right. We’ll go retrieve our gear from Ganji-san by the end of the week and move forward.""Yay!"
Though she enjoyed our live performances, Nel is clearly more suited to adventuring outside. She often checks in like this to confirm our schedule.
Each ti, I try to give her as specific a tiline as possible. When I told her we’d officially be heading out for fieldwork, she pumped her fist in a small, triumphant gesture.
"Liberta-sama, in that case, I’ll also—""I don’t mind, but..."
And so, Ingrid-san would be joining us on our adventures as well.As part of the Edelgard family, she likely has orders to keep close tabs on and gather detailed information.
"Ingrid-san, you can’t fight, right?""No, I have no combat experience. My level is only Class 1, Level 15."
I’d like to think the Duke wouldn’t exploit her weakness to give her unreasonable orders, but if I apply his in-ga personality, it’s entirely possible.
No—considering the risk of damaging our trust, he wouldn’t openly do anything inhumane.
But what if this falls under what nobles consider "acceptable"?
When Ingrid-san first ca to manage the house, she openly showed her level, stats, and skills:
Ingrid Grüle – Class 1 / Level 15Base Stats:
Stamina: 10
Magic: 5
BP: 0Skills (1/1 Skill Slot):
Cooking: Class 3 / Level 88
Looking at those stats, she’s honestly weak.Well, this might be normal in this world, but with stats like a textbook non-combatant, taking her outside feels risky.
"Honestly, it’s dangerous, so I’d prefer if you stayed here.""Is that an order?""No, it’s not an order.""Then I’d like to request permission to accompany you.""Hmm..."
If I had to explain why—once we retrieve what Ganji-san made for us, it’ll be ti to put a long-standing plan into action.
That plan accounts for safety, but in case of ergencies, we’d still need basic self-defense.
Right now, Ingrid-san is like a quest-giver whose level is too low to accept the quest.
"Hey, Liberta.""Hm?"
If I said we’d protect her, we could, but I was still hesitating when Nel tugged on my sleeve.
"If Ingrid-san gets stronger, then it’s fine, right?""Yeah.""Then! I’ll help her level up! That solves the problem, doesn’t it?"
Nel was right—the biggest issue was Ingrid-san’s low level.That could be fixed by leveling her up.
But the other problem was whether we should use our leveling thod on her.
Both Nel and Amina have ward up to Ingrid-san, who’s been taking care of them, and they treat her like an older sister they can rely on.
Given how sensitive they are to ill intent, the fact they’re so comfortable with her ans she’s definitely a good person.
But even if she’s good, the Duke is behind her.
"Hmm, let think about it.""Ehh—""Sorry. Ingrid-san, is that alright? I’ll give you an answer by tomorrow.""Understood."
If I revealed our EXBP farming thod here, there’s a high chance the Duke would find out.
First, I need to confirm her stance on this.
I feel bad since she politely backed off, but I have to draw a line here.
As I fell into thought, Nel and Ingrid-san started chatting—though it was mostly Nel talking while Ingrid-san nodded along.
It made think back to that day.
After wiping out the goblins in the royal capital, I wasn’t allowed to return ho and was practically dragged to the Edelgard estate.
I’d have preferred to leave, but there were things left unresolved.
The nobles of the ducal house didn’t look kindly on a commoner child being invited.
But—
"He is my guest."
With just that one line from the Duke, their disdain vanished instantly.
After a quiet al, I was able to take my first proper bath since reincarnating into this world.When the maid asked if I needed help washing, I practically shouted, "No, thank you!"
Once cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes, an elderly butler led to the Duke’s office.
"Now then, have you recovered sowhat?""Yes. Thank you for the delicious al and the bath."
The room was more luxurious than anything I’d seen in my previous life.
In the ga, it felt much plainer. There were no paintings or vases like this.
"Though I’ve allowed you to return ho temporarily, if an ergency arises, you must return to the battlefield at once. Let’s hear your conditions."
He’d been processing docunts even in the brief ti I was resting. When I entered, he handed them to the butler and dismissed him.
"You refused servitude. I want to know why.""Please don’t pressure . I’ll seriously consider running away.""Honest, aren’t you?""It’s just how I am."
This was the real test—though all I had to do was explain my stance, it wasn’t going to be easy.
"Esralda-san isn’t here?""What, do you miss my daughter?"
Only the Duke and I were present. I’d assud Esralda would be here too, but apparently not.
"She’d probably defend .""That’s precisely why she isn’t here."
Having her as an ally would’ve helped, but he clearly anticipated that and excluded her.
"I see.""Enough idle talk.""Right. First, my personal condition: the safety of Nel, Amina, and their families.""Hmm. Starting with that, are you?""You’ve probably already looked into the people close to . I don’t want them suffering because of .""Then what about officially employing them to ensure their safety?""No. That ties into my next condition—I also refuse noble status. I think you understand why."
In these negotiations, my demands were simple: safety for those around and no noble interference.
"The divide between nobles and commoners?""Exactly. You could also call it the corruption of the privileged class.""...Indeed, many nobles despise upstarts. Especially if soone without rit is elevated by soone of my standing."
I also refused noble status.Even in FBO, becoming a noble had few real benefits.It didn’t grant powerful skills or stat bonuses.
Even the best noble NPCs could be recruited as regular companions.
The only real perk was gaining access to special quests directly from royalty.Those quests had great rewards, but they weren’t essential.
The downsides, though—hostility from noble NPCs—were far worse.Obstructive behavior, lowered NPC affinity, base raids—the list went on. The world was harsh to upstarts.
"Your influence could suppress most nobles, but...""Against other ducal houses or the royal family, it’d an little.""Exactly."
So while becoming a noble was possible, it wasn’t a practical solution.
"Which is why I propose a relationship where I’m just a ‘slightly useful citizen.’"
In a way, it was almost like having no relationship at all.
"...That’s—""Yeah, it’s purely my personal request. From your perspective, it’s so thin it might as well be a refusal."
Being acknowledged by a ducal house as a citizen was impressive in its own way.But it wasn’t employnt, kinship, or even a rcenary contract.
Just recognition.That’s all.
"But this is the least likely to provoke other nobles."
Anything more direct would draw too much hostility.Being tied to a ducal house was that dangerous.
"I understand. But this makes cooperation difficult.""We can work around that. A few indirect connections would suffice."
That much, at least, I had to prevent.It was already impossible to cut ties entirely.
I’d accepted that.
"For example, you could have a trusted subordinate’s trusted subordinate’s trusted subordinate act as a liaison with ."
The problem was direct ties. Having so connection wasn’t without its benefits.
"You’re quite cautious.""I’m a coward.""Nonsense. A coward wouldn’t negotiate with so boldly."
Considering the risks and benefits, this seed like the best compromise.
"But your reasoning is sound. My house can’t openly take you in either. Forcing a connection would only invite scrutiny. A ti for patience, then."
He probably wasn’t happy about being persuaded by a child.
But to his credit, he showed great magnanimity and accepted my proposal.
"Very well. I accept your terms.""Thank you.""However, given the risk of you vanishing, I’ll have to insist on a collar.""Uh, I don’t have that kind of—""Don’t play dumb. You know what I an."
And so, we reached an agreent: a connection with the ducal house, but hidden.
In the course of the discussion, he also pointed out that living in a stable with no fixed residence made too mobile—so he offered a house.
"Just sothing modest, please! Really, just modest!""I know."
I pleaded for sothing commoner-appropriate, but now I’m living in this lavish house with a maid.
For a mont, I wondered if it was deliberate, but to the Duke, this might actually be modest.Which made it hard to complain.
And that’s how Ingrid-san ca to be assigned here.
Given these negotiations, my relationship with her is… complicated.
Which is why I need to ask now, while we’ve grown sowhat closer.
No—maybe this is just wanting to make the call myself.
Can I trust her or not?
If I can, I’d want her help.
Because, despite everything, I’ve grown attached.
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