Chapter 144: Practice horseback riding skills

At the mention of enemies, Charlotte immediately perked up. Rolling around on the bed, she protested, “I want to learn powerful sword techniques and spear skills too! You went to war yesterday, didn’t you? Damn it, and you didn’t take me with you.”

“Learning martial skills isn’t a problem, but the logistics role you’re responsible for carries no less pressure than the soldiers on the front line. Behind every army stands food and supplies…”

“Huh? What? I… don’t really understand.”

The moment the conversation turned to military strategy, Charlotte’s brain immediately shut down. Her mouth hung slightly open, revealing a look of innocent confusion.

Phield covered his face. “Never mind.”

“Oh.”

Charlotte scratched her head. Her delicate feet, clad in white stockings, swayed gently in the air. Her toes spread slightly apart, each one leaving just enough space to pinch something between them. The stretch made the white stockings thinner and more translucent.

“Hehe.”

Charlotte giggled foolishly, playing with her own feet as if she could amuse herself endlessly.

Phield remembered that in a while, he would have to visit the Maple Leaf territory to attend an underground ball. At the same time, he would need to return that troublesome noble girl, Grolova, to her family.

“Before that, I should finish writing Sherry’s reply. I’ll return the relics of the Investigation Corps when the time comes.”

“To Miss Sherry Gassina, with respect from Phield.

The brilliant sun sinks into the sea, and even the stars hide within the gray mist. The hope you left behind has become the light of Nightfall Domain’s dark nights. When you finish bathing, with your damp hair resting upon your shoulders, and feel the gentle breeze brushing against you—have you ever thought that in Nightfall Domain, I can scarcely smell the fragrance of flowers? This land needs you to bring a trace of that fragrance. When you have time, please be sure to visit my Starnight Manor. Signed, Phield Ross.”

After finishing, Phield let out a sinister laugh.

“Hehehe. Don’t forget to bring a pile of gold coins and supplies.”

“That sounds… so cheesy. Is she someone you love?”

Charlotte felt inexplicably unhappy, her face full of resentment. Yet she still tried to sound defiant.

“I want to see how beautiful she is. I’ll inspect her for you.”

“This is just a writing style. I don’t have half a copper coin’s interest in her.”

Phield patted Charlotte on the head.

“It’s rare to have a friendly noble. This is a necessary diplomatic gesture.”

Between nobles, true love was rare. Most relationships were based on interests, power, and influence.

“I don’t believe you. I’m very smart. Don’t try to fool me.”

Charlotte visibly relaxed, her brows softening. She had clearly believed him.

“Haha. Getting to know more noble ladies is meaningful. In the future, our territory will produce all kinds of goods, many of which will be aimed at women.”

At the thought of gold coins, Phield’s eyes sparkled.

“Don’t underestimate women’s purchasing power. Soap, perfume, and luxury goods—women will be the ones consuming most of them.”

“Fine then. Like how you rescued Miss Grolova?”

“More or less. If we can exchange it for benefits, it’s a profit. Speaking of that, I should go visit her. Otherwise, it would be too impolite.”

Phield tidied his desk, placing the important documents neatly away. Then he smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes.

“Of course, it would be even better if I could get some valuable information.”

Before, he had thought Baron Bull collected girls simply to satisfy some twisted habit.

But now it seemed that might not be the case.

Watching Phield methodically straighten his appearance, Charlotte nodded in admiration.

“You really are a true noble. The first time I met you, I thought you only knew how to fight and kill, like your head was filled with nothing but slaughter. I didn’t expect you to be so careful and kind.”

“Uh… actually, I used to be quite a shut-in. I was sloppy and even felt shy talking to women.”

Phield blinked and sighed.

“Money, power, and influence are powerful catalysts for people. Many times, someone seems terrible simply because they never had a stage to show themselves.”

“Hmph. You’re lying again. Shy talking to women? I never noticed that.”

Charlotte crossed her arms in an X, completely unconvinced.

Pinching Charlotte’s cheek, Phield laughed.

“Alright. Eat your cake. After that, we’ll go for a ride.”

“A ride? I can’t ride horses. I’m scared.”

“What kind of noble doesn’t learn horseback riding?” Phield said in surprise. “It’s fine. I’ll take you once, and you won’t be afraid anymore.”

“…Alright.”

The gravel road leading to Starnight Castle had already been completed. It was smooth and beautiful, with wooden railings on both sides. Beyond the railings were leveled dirt paths.

The gravel road was meant for the commoners. Riders used the dirt paths on the sides, otherwise the horses’ hooves could get injured.

The two arrived at the stables.

“Come on, get on.”

“No, I don’t dare.” Charlotte’s legs trembled. “It’s too tall. This horse is taller than me. If I fall, I’ll be flattened.”

Phield’s warhorse was a magical bloodline warhorse he had obtained during the suppression of the rebellion. Although it had not reached the level of a first-tier lifeform, it was imposing and could run even faster than a motorcycle.

“Up you go.”

Charlotte cried out in surprise as Phield grabbed her legs and directly lifted her onto the horse.

“Wah! No!”

The sudden weightless sensation made the girl panic. She flailed her arms wildly and ended up grabbing Phield’s head.

“Don’t grab my head!” Phield was completely stunned. His vision suddenly went dark as two soft, fragrant masses pressed hard against his face, followed by an overwhelming feeling of suffocation. “Mmph—let go!”

“It’s too high! I’m scared!”

Charlotte clung to his head like a giant facehugger, refusing to release him.

“Mmph—”

Feeling dizzy and suffocated, Phield knew he couldn’t hesitate any longer. He immediately opened his mouth.

“Ahh! Why did you bite me there?!”

A sudden pain shot through Charlotte’s chest, and she immediately let go. Fortunately, Phield, who had finally caught his breath, grabbed her with one hand. Otherwise she would have fallen flat on her back.

Though she probably wouldn’t have been hurt. If a Divine Chosen died from falling from such a height, it would become a joke across the entire world.

“That was close. I almost suffocated to death.”

Phield gulped down fresh air and wiped the sweat from his forehead. This woman was surprisingly strong—no wonder she worked the land.

Looking at Charlotte again, she covered her chest with a pitiful expression. A faint blush spread across her delicate face, her lips slightly parted as she exhaled a soft, alluring breath.

Phield nervously glanced around. Seeing that no one was nearby, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

“Good thing. I planned for it to be just the two of us riding around, so I didn’t bring guards or servants. If the citizens saw that, my career as lord would be finished.”

He had no desire for rumors to spread: Shocking—Baron of Nightfall Domain nearly dies from being suffocated by a chest.

“It hurts…” Charlotte looked like she was about to cry. She knew it had been her fault.

Was that guy doing it on purpose? Phield muttered to himself, black lines appearing across his face.

“Well, what do you expect me to do? Want me to rub it for you?”

“N-no need.”

The girl wished she could dig a hole and crawl inside.

“Sigh. You should just ride in the carriage instead.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep