Chapter 2

Ziel sat opposite Duke Hazell in the carriage to the Neigal Kingdom's capital, Moissan city.

"In the previous explanation, you said that you were lost in the forest. May I know where you are from?" Duke Hazell was curious about Ziel's origins.

"I come from a remote village on the outskirts of this forest. I went to the city to seek life experience. Unexpectedly when I passed through this forest, I got lost." Ziel looks depressed when he says it.

"Then what are you going to do when you get to town?" Duke Hazell still doesn't know what Ziel's real goal is.

"Hmm...I still don't know what I will do when I get to town. But most importantly, I have to find a place to live and a job first." Ziel thought for a moment before answering Duke Hazell.

"Job? Are you going to be an adventurer? Or a guardian knight? Or maybe something else?" Duke Hazell looked like he was thinking about something else while asking Ziel.

"I thought about that too. But you know, my swordsmanship is mediocre. I was able to beat those guys with the help of magic tools. For now, I'll probably look for a job that matches my other skills." Ziel could only think about his servant job in the Argaint Kingdom because he didn't know what to do once he reached the city.

"What skill do you mean by that?" Duke Hazell kept asking about Ziel. He seemed to have other goals after he found out his background.

"Servants. My parents are former servants who once worked for certain nobles. Since childhood, I was taught a little about being a good servant. Although not as good as my parents." Ziel was telling the truth except about his parents being former servants. Since his adoptive parents were still active as servants until recently in the Argaint Kingdom while his birth parents were, he didn't know anything about them.

"Servant? If you really can be a servant, how about you work at my house? Let's say I'm returning the favor for saving my life." Duke Hazell smiled and offered Ziel a job without hesitation.

"Is that okay? Hire someone you haven't known for long?" Ziel felt Duke Hazell had other intentions towards him.

"I need a guardian knight for my daughter." Duke Hazell suddenly said seriously.

"Does this have something to do with the men in black who attacked you in the forest?" Ziel already knew that the people who attacked Duke Hazell before were not bandits but more like organized soldiers. In other words, it is a matter of politics and power.

"Yeah, you're right. It seems you already know. I have a lot of political enemies who want my death. If they're targeting only me, that's fine. But if they're targeting my family, especially when I'm not around, that's always a burden on my mind." Duke Hazell honestly admitted it.

"So you want me to be the guardian knight for your daughter?" Ziel quickly caught the intention of Duke Hazell.

"Yes, but I want you to protect her while being her servant. I want you not to tell her." Duke Hazell's face looked complicated.

"So I have to protect her secretly? Don't let her know that she or her family is in danger, right? You don't want your daughter to be worried about you." Ziel nodded and understood what Duke Hazell wanted.

"You're right. Because you already understand, everything becomes easier. So, will you be my daughter's servant and protect her secretly?" Duke Hazell said with a hopeful face.

"Would your daughter agree to this? I mean, suddenly you gave her a servant." Ziel doesn't know if the person in question needs or is willing to accept a servant his father suddenly brought out of nowhere.

"You don't have to worry about that. I've discussed this matter with my daughter before, but I haven't found the right person until I meet you." Duke Hazell was already thinking about hiring Ziel when he allowed Ziel into the carriage.

"What's your basis saying that? Shouldn't you be more suspicious of the person you just met? What if I was a spy sent by your enemy?" Ziel asked Duke Hazell with a serious face.

"Hahaha... Even if I look like this, my eyes won't misjudge others. I believe you are the right person to protect my daughter." Duke Hazell convinced Ziel.

"Hmm... well, then I will accept it. After all, I need this job." Ziel nodded in agreement with Duke Hazell's request.

"Good! Then we will go straight to my residence. I will introduce my daughter to you. So you can start protecting her." Duke Hazell looked happy after Ziel agreed to his request. Perhaps he was relieved that he had found the right guardian knight to protect his daughter.

Along the way, Duke Hazell and Ziel kept chatting until they didn't realize that they had arrived at Moissan city.

***

Moissan city is the capital of the Neigal kingdom. Although not as big as the capital of the Argaint Kingdom, the existing buildings and houses look classic and neatly arranged. Besides that, Moissan City was as bustling as Silvast City.

The residence of the Duke of Castilene was in the center of the city and not far from the castle of the Neigal Kingdom. It wasn't long after they passed through the city gates they arrived in front of a luxurious Mansion. Ziel didn't know how grand a noble house in the Argaint Kingdom was because he had never seen one. He always practiced at the castle and rarely socialized with the people around him.

At this moment, they stopped in front of a large gate. Ziel could see a classic-style mansion dominated by black and gray from inside the carriage. In front of the mansion, there is a large green garden filled with various kinds of flowers. The soldier on guard immediately opened the gate upon seeing Duke Hazell return.

When Ziel and Duke Hazell got off the carriage, they were immediately greeted by a beautiful middle-aged woman with blue braided hair. It seemed the guards had already informed that Duke Hazell was back.

"I'm home, honey." Duke Hazell smiled and hugged the woman.

"Welcome home, honey! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?" The woman examined Duke Hazell's body from top to bottom.

Ziel could tell that the woman was Duke Hazell's wife and the mistress of this house from the affection they showed.

"Cough...I'm fine, honey. This kind of thing is unsightly to outsiders." Duke Hazell felt awkward with his wife's behavior in front of Ziel. The woman realized that someone else was watching them.

"Oh my...I'm sorry. I didn't realize someone else was watching us because I was too worried. Then, who is he, honey?" The woman laughed while covering her mouth.

"He was the one who saved me, honey. If it weren't for him, I might not have come back." Duke Hazell said with a gloomy face.

"What!? So they attacked you again on the way!" The woman was angry, and five magic circles appeared on her body.

"Calm down, honey. The important thing is that I'm fine now, right?" Duke Hazell tried to calm his wife.

"But, honey..." The woman still couldn't suppress her anger.

"Calm down, honey. We'll talk about this later. More importantly, I'll introduce him. He's the one who saved me. His name is Ken." Duke Hazell cut off his wife's words and introduced Ziel.

"Ooh, I'm sorry! I got carried away with anger earlier. I am the wife of Hazell Castilene. My name is Eleanor Castilene. Nice to meet you." Eleanor introduced herself elegantly while pinching the hem of her dress.

"My name is Ken Nijisaki, and I'm just an adventurer. It's an honor to acquaintanced with you." Ziel put his right hand on his chest and slightly bowed while introducing himself.

"Ara... your manners look very subtle. Are you from a noble family?" Eleanor was impressed by the way Ziel introduced himself.

"I'm just the son of a former noble servant. I've been taught manners since childhood. So I understand a little about it." Ziel said the thing he had said before to Duke Hazell.

"Okay, let's continue the conversation inside." Duke Hazell interrupted them. Ziel and Eleanor nodded and followed Duke Hazell towards the mansion. But just as they were about to enter the mansion, a girl of Ziel's age suddenly appeared from inside.