EX-SOLDIER: In Another World
Status and Issues - Part 4

As promised, tonight Vincent was invited by Duke Mandoze to his manor for business. Their talks revolved around cooperation and alliances that would be mutually beneficial, his goal being to find traitors in the ranks of the aristocracy of the Iwreneian Kingdom.

Duke Mandoze has the same thoughts as Vincent about the attack on Angelbarrow City. It was obviously absurd regarding a platoon of enemy warriors who could easily enter their territory undetected. Therefore, Vincent who is considered a Wild Card by Duke Mandoze will fit this job. In addition to Duke Mandoze himself who is starting the search for information with his own connections, he also needs Vincent for additional strength.

It was originally due to rumors, but after Duke Mandoze heard the story of his second daughter Sofia. Duke is sure to need Vincent's services in this case because according to Sofia, Vincent is considered a one-man army with his abilities.

Initially Vincent is not interested in this cooperation, but when Duke Mandoze raised the topic of a hitman named Black Robe, Vincent agreed to this cooperation. The reason is very simple actually, that was because one of the bandits who attacked him had the appearance of an assassin from Black Robe who had his own distinctive features such as black robes and silver masks with strange carvings according to Duke Mandoze's explanation. The criminal group that intrigued him in fact, moreover his last meeting with the Black Robe members was nothing more than measuring his own strength, assessing whether Vincent was a threat or not according to his perspective and of course, his own, Vincent wanted to give a warning through them to the person who had hired these assassins so as not to mess with him.

The conversation between Vincent and Duke Mandoze took a lot of time. It took them 3 hours to talk about their cooperation and reach an agreement. Their conversation ended just before dinner at the start with a notice from a waiter and the two dined together according to an invitation Duke Mandoze gave Vincent.

Speaking of other things, Duke Mandoze apparently had 3 children. One man and two women, one of whom is Sofia Mandoze. The thing that attracted Vincent was one of the reactions of his son, a pale-skinned young woman who was very beautiful, petite and slender with thigh-long blue white hair that has long bangs dangling to the right and clear sky blue eyes. Celestine Mandoze is the first daughter of the Duke of Mandoze.

Enough to make Vincent fascinated by his beauty, but that is not what makes Vincent curious. But his reaction at the sight of Vincent's weapon, which was faintly heard whispering the word 'Pistol' behind the folding fan he held to hide his mouth.

So far, the people Vincent has met in this world no one knows what name of weapon he used, he said, and upon hearing Duke Mandoze's first daughter whisper the word Pistol behind her fan before Vincent introduces her weapon, it clearly makes her curious about who Duke Mandoze's first daughter really is.

XxxxxXXXXXXX

It's night time and Vincent accepts Duke Mandoze's offer to stay as his guest, after all if he comes home, it's still back to Duke Mandoze's property. Walking in the corridor of the manor, Vincent was accompanied by one of the servants to deliver him to one of the guest rooms provided for him, on the way, he meets Celestine who seems to be waiting for him.

"Good night, Sir Vincent." safa the first princess, her movements were graceful unlike Sofia who was too stiff. Perhaps because Sofia chose the path of a knight and her older sister did not.

"Good night Lady Celestine. What can I help you with?" Vincent asked as Celestine had the servant accompanying him go away with a hand gesture.

"Can I ask for your time?" Celestine asked who lifted the folding fan she brought to cover her mouth.

"Sure, please." Said Vincent who nodded, his face was calm yet there was tension within him.

"Then please follow me." Celestine said, leading the way to a room.

Celestine entered the room first, allowing Vincent to sit on the sofa in the room. But Celestine was still standing by the door, making Vincent a little worried.

Click!

The sound of the door being locked and Celestine waved her hand to chant the "Silent Field" spell that Vincent managed to hear.

Because of Vincent's pure instinct to direct his truth, Colt M1911A1 which he had shown before he had dinner in the direction of Celestine. He aimed his weapon right between Celestine's eyes in a quick motion.

"What do you want?" Vincent in a low growl, his attitude was very intimidating but Celestine remained calm even though the gun was pointed right at his head.

"Sir Vincent, can you calm down?" Celestine asked in an unusually calm voice as if Vincent's actions would not threaten his life.

"I repeat again. What do you want? Who are you and what have you done?" Vincent asked not to relax his vigilance.

"I just locked the door for privacy, and the magic I chanted was just a precaution if someone eavesdropped. After all, the servants would be curious if the women and men were alone in the same room." Celestine answered Vincent's question, but Vincent was not satisfied and still put his gun to Celestine's head.

"Can you get rid of this weapon?" Celestine said knocking on Vincent's weapon with her fan twice, "I just want to talk, so there's no hostility."

"What do you want to talk about?" Vincent said his weapon was still aiming at Celestine with one hand ready to take the other weapon in its sheath.

"Sir Vincent's. You're not from this world, are you?" Celestine asked, but the question made Vincent freeze for a moment and then become tense.

Celestine, who noticed Vincent's change in attitude, pointed back to the sofa in the room.

"Can we talk about this? From your reaction, I'm sure that my guess is correct." Said Celestine who walked towards the chair.

"Please." Celestine said as she offered Vincent a cup of tea.

"So, I just want to confirm. Are you really not of this world, Sir Vincent?" Ask Celestine.

"Why do you think that?"

"Simple, pistols and rifles have not been found on this continent, let alone weapons with modern designs like you have. As for why I assume that, since I myself am not a native of this world but rather born from the process of reincarnation and coincidentally, have my memories in the previous world." Clearly Celestine and sipping her tea.

"And if that's true, what do you want from me?" Vincent asked as he folded his hands in front of his chest.

"I want a bond with you, an engagement." Celestine said casually as if she was talking about the weather today.

"Huh?"

Vincent on the other hand was surprised by the request of the first princess of the Mandoze family. Blink a few times and scrape his left ear with his little finger, making sure that he does not hear wrong.

"You heard me well, Sir Vincent. I want an engagement with you." Celestine said as if reading Vincent's mind.

"Why?" Said Vincent who had recovered from his shock.

"Simple, I want your power. Plus we come from the same place I guess, which comes from the earth. Am I right?" Celestine and Vincent asked. "With your strength and the knowledge we both have, we can change the Iwreneian Kingdom for the better."

"Are you suggesting a coup by proposing this engagement?" Ask the curious Vincent.

"Oh god, no. I just want to clean up some trash from this Kingdom and a little revenge for my former fiancee who's a bastard."

"Hee... There's a personal reason there it turns out." Rich Vincent is starting to relax.

"I admit, yes. It's true that there was my selfish desire there. However, my ex-fiance's family was suspected of being traitors of the information I got despite not being very specific." Celestine.

"What advantage do I have from all this? I can only see you just want to use my power for your benefit." Displeasure is seen on Vincent's face as he understands what the Duke's daughter's intentions are.

"Status and strength. You'll get all that and also wealth."

"That's all?"

"And I will be yours, we can start a new, stronger noble family with a royal faction behind you."

"Royal Faction?" Ask Vincent. That's something he just heard.

"Yes, in the Iwreneian Kingdom consists of two Factions. First there was the Nobles Faction that had the goal of having the goal to gain power, usually they had their own different rules in each of their territories and were always looking for available advantages. Royal factions on the other hand, obey the direct orders of the King who is incorporated in the loyalty. Support the king's decree and instill the same rules as the king's command." Celestine.

"Let me guess. This faction of nobles is planning to overthrow the throne for themselves right?"

"Exactly. And that's why the current king is so young and the war never ends with the empire." Celestine said finished with her explanation.

"Say I'm interested. What am I supposed to do?" Ask Vincent who is now sipping his already cold tea.

"For now, complete the task my father gave me. With satisfactory results, I can recommend you to go up the title and strive until you reach the Earl level to become my fiancee."

"Deal then."