In just a few weeks since that adventurer arrived in this town, she had already successfully completed most of the quests that have been left stuck in the guild for a long time. Those monsters, more importantly, the troll and the basilisk, were both a hindrance in my territory. Thankfully, they're gone now, and that's because of her.
Eria—an A rank adventurer, and a swordswoman that even my brother had respected. That Jonah, I never would have expected that he would ever recommend a woman to work for me, but I can see the reason for it now.
"Unbelieveable..."
And not only was she strong, she's beautiful as well. Without even wearing a hint of make-up, she nonetheless far surpasses the beauty of any females I have ever seen in my life. Even my gorgeous and youthful wife couldn't compete with her.
Frankly, I would have wanted her to marry my eldest or my second son. I know it's unlikely to happen as well, but even with the smallest chance it's ever possible, I would like to make her my mistress.
"It appears that miss Eria is currently away from the guild and her inn..."
"I see, then we'll just try again tomorrow," I nodded at my secretary who made the report.
As what Jonah had suggested, I'm now at the process of recruiting Eria. I didn't try to rush it at first because I was still ever so skeptical, but now that I've seen her achievements first hand, I won't hesitate anymore.
"Father!" just then, the door in my office banged open, and a shout came echoing at me.
Who came running inside the room was my son, Nero.
Like myself, he has a brightly-colored orange hair. He's not as built as I am, but he's lean, and nonetheless muscular. Combine that with his well-defined face, he's extremely popular amongst women.
"Kuku! I've finally assembled my own army! I'm confident I can now take down that menace!" he confidently shouted.
"Hmph! That basilisk you were eyeing for the past months? It's already been defeated."
Indeed, just a few days ago, the basilisk the strongest people in this town was eyeing for was defeated in such a short notice. I heard from the guild that the way it had been slain was clean and smooth as well, as if its killer didn't have any difficulties defeating it at all.
"D-Defeated...!? Defeated...? By who!?"
"By a new adventurer who just came to town..."
"I... I can't believe it! I've spend so much money and time preparing to defeat it myself, and it's just...!?"
"That's why I told you to let the adventurers take care of it. I told you, didn't I? One of them will succeed on it eventually."
Truthfully, that monster was starting to worry me as well. The villages nearby are within my territory, so it's my obligation to protect them from such a threat. That's why I also hatched a plan to take it out with the help of the guild, but just as I was about to relay it entirely, it was killed. It had honestly saved me a lot of resources.
"Dammit! Fuck!"
"Hmph! You really should stop mouthing those cursive words. You're about to get married, if the other family finds out about that attitude of yours, they might pull back on the deal."
This is why I hate this brat. He had spent so much time with commoners, that even the way he talks had been influenced by them.
"W-Wait a minute! I thought we agreed that I won't get married?"
"What's wrong? Your fiancée is quite the beauty. I don't see any reason why you would want to refuse..."
"But...! If I get married, I won't be able to sleep around with as many girls as I want anymore! I'd be stuck with that spoiled girl!"
"You really are stupid..." I sighed in genuine dissapointment. "That won't be a problem, as long you're not doing it with some other aristocratic women, you will not get into trouble."
Noble women don't usually compete with commoners. As long as it will not endanger their roles, they won't mind their husbands sleeping around with them that much. Furthermore, most aristocratic women only and exclusively marry into the house, so they are not usually romatically inclined to their husbands. As long as they get to give birth to the first male child, they'd be satisfied.
Nero and his fiancée also don't seem to be attracted to each other. They're both spoiled, so they won't work well together. I'm pretty sure that the two of them would just end up sleeping around with different people. But that isn't my problem. As long as it will benefit my connection with the other family, I'm satisfied.
"Indeed. You'll still be able to sleep around with commoners. With that said..."
That's right... There's still one thing I'm concerned about regarding Nero's habits...
"Never...! Once you get married, don't ever sleep with married aristocratic women ever again! In fact, even now when you're still not, don't you dare do it!"
It will be a problem if he ever tries the same thing again. His first attempt on it was an issue, and the second was a disaster. If he ever tries it for a third time, he might just get executed.
Since he's not really the one who will receive my inheritance, it won't be that much of a problem in my wider scheme of things. It's truly fortunate that he's the third one on the line for it. However, a scandal will nevertheless cause a small dent in my reputation, and it might hinder my plans for the future. I don't want to take the risk.
"I-I get it, okay?" he nervously replied.
"Hmph! Remember, you're going to get married, so you should at least stop sleeping around with the wives of my friends!" I sternly said, making sure he'll understand.
"Guh...! Fuck it!"
"I know you're eyeing your fiancée's mother as well! If you ever cross the line with that woman, I'd execute you myself!"
"F-Fine... Whatever... Tch! First I got my kill stolen, and now I'm getting forced to get married!?" he yelled the part of his complaints not to me, but to himself.
"Where are you going now?" I asked, seeing how he turned away, intending to leave the room.
"Since I'm going to get married soon anyway, I might as well spend my remaining time as a single man playing around with as many women as possible."
"No married noble women!" I reminded him again.
"I know! Shit!" he hissed.