Chapter 109
Horentz Marcano
Johan headed for the Marcano estate in time for lunch.
A carriage emblazoned with a crescent-moon crest stopped before an elegant mansion.
Inside the carriage, Haman spoke.
“Baron, we’ve arrived. Please wait a moment.”
He climbed out and approached the mansion’s main gate.
After exchanging a few words with the guards standing watch, the enormous iron gates slowly opened.
Haman returned to the carriage.
Looking at him through the window, Johan said,
“You can head back first. I’ll see you at the mansion.”
His private conversation with Horentz might take quite some time.
There was no need for Haman to wait for Johan here.
Haman bowed his head.
“Understood. I hope you have an enjoyable time, Baron.”
The carriage began moving again.
It passed through the main gates and entered the Marcano estate.
Johan quietly gazed out the window.
‘It’s exactly as the novel described.’
—House Marcano abhors “ostentation” to the extreme.
The original novel had always used phrases like that to describe House Marcano.
Frugal. Dignified. Unpretentious. Modest. It had constantly emphasized their austere way of life.
The novel’s description had been accurate.
The scenery outside the window could not have been plainer.
Not even a small ornament could be seen in the sprawling gardens.
Their natural beauty was expressed solely through the arrangement of the plants and trees.
The buildings scattered throughout the grounds were also designed with practicality rather than appearance in mind.
Their walls consisted entirely of neatly cut stone without a single lavish decoration, while their roofs were covered with weather-resistant slate.
The estate was remarkably simple overall.
Yet it did not look impoverished.
Everything blended harmoniously together, emphasizing its “frugality.”
‘Just like the Marcanos.’
They cared greatly about how the world viewed them.
They never allowed themselves to appear extravagant.
It was practically an obsession.
The Marcanos had money, but they lacked legitimacy.
Their family history was far too short.
It had not even been a century since they had received a noble surname.
A family descended from lowly merchants—that label had always followed the Marcanos.
No matter how hard they tried, it never disappeared.
The moment they indulged in even the slightest luxury, accusations of vulgarity invariably followed.
The Marcanos could never allow themselves to appear ostentatious. The more they flaunted their wealth, the more vulgar they appeared.
Even now, despite belonging to the Council, they had yet to overcome the limitations of their origins.
They had no choice but to embrace frugality.
That was what House Marcano lacked.
Johan could supply what they were missing.
After all, Myatro was one of the noblest surnames on the continent.
When it came to “legitimacy” and “nobility,” scarcely any house could compare with Myatro.
Johan possessed what the Marcanos desired most.
The two houses would probably make good partners.
Each could make up for what the other lacked.
While he was lost in thought, the carriage came to a stop.
The coachman spoke to Johan.
“Baron, we’ve arrived.”
A knock sounded, and the carriage door slowly opened.
A middle-aged man dressed in brown fur stood before the carriage.
He smiled warmly.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Johan.”
There was no mistaking who he was.
Horentz von Marcano. His appearance perfectly matched the description in the original novel.
Narrow, slit-like eyes, neatly arranged gray hair that fell past his shoulders, and unadorned clothing. Anyone who had read the original would immediately have recognized the man before them as Horentz.
Johan stepped out of the carriage and spoke.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Marcano.”
Horentz extended his hand.
Johan took it, and the two shook hands.
“You recognized me immediately.”
“You are as handsome as I’ve heard. It would have been difficult not to recognize you.”
Horentz was indeed handsome. He gave off an extremely pleasant impression.
His smile brightened.
“The Watcher of Narak is also exactly as the rumors describe. Despite your young age, you possess a remarkably composed air. I can sense an indescribable spirit within you.”
His narrow eyes curved into crescents as he regarded Johan.
His smile possessed the power to put people at ease.
Horentz treated everyone with that same expression.
He was always wearing a mask.
Johan knew his true nature well.
‘A fox of a man.’
There was always calculation behind Horentz’s smile.
He was a man who constantly sought ways to manipulate and devour others.
His methods had always worked.
His achievements proved it.
With his exceptional understanding of human nature, Horentz had risen from humble origins to his present position.
His daughter Serena’s Mind-Piercing Eye had also contributed to Horentz’s success, but Horentz himself was fundamentally quite capable.
At least, that was how the original novel had portrayed him.
Johan responded with a composed smile.
“I hardly know how to respond to such excessive praise. I can only thank you for your hospitality.”
“Not at all. I’m embarrassed that I was unable to prepare anything special. I didn’t expect the Watcher of Narak to visit so soon. Ha ha! I am not blaming you, of course.”
Johan had visited House Marcano immediately after arriving in the royal capital.
Horentz had probably been quite surprised as well.
Johan said,
“I wanted to visit you as soon as possible. There is something I particularly wished to discuss with you.”
“My, something the Watcher of Narak wishes to discuss with me? I must admit, I’m feeling a little nervous. Shall we talk over a light meal?”
There was no trace of tension on his face.
Horentz still wore the same serene smile.
Johan nodded.
“That sounds good. I was beginning to feel hungry.”
“Oh, then let us hurry. I’ll show you to the dining room.”
The two immediately entered the mansion.
Several dishes had been arranged neatly upon the dining table.
The spread was neither meager nor extravagant.
It was modest yet more than sufficient for entertaining a guest.
The meal was Marcano through and through.
Horentz spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“I’m afraid we haven’t prepared much, but please enjoy the meal.”
Johan smiled gently.
“Not at all. To me, this is a feast the likes of which I haven’t enjoyed in quite some time. I don’t know whether you’re aware of the situation in the south, but the poor harvest has been severe. It has been a long time since I was served a meal like this.”
Johan’s words were not mere courtesy.
He meant them sincerely.
The Myatro domain was currently desperately poor.
Everyone was suffering from Grian’s tyranny, compounded by the sudden crop failure.
Johan had not even collected taxes this year.
He was a lord in name, but in reality, he was practically a beggar.
Without Count Staviana’s support, he would not even have been able to travel to the capital.
Horentz looked deeply saddened.
“It truly is heartbreaking. To think that the land which should receive the Great Saint’s love above all others is withering away. Someday, the Great Saint will surely take notice of your suffering. Saint Margiel.”
Johan stared at him silently before replying in an even voice.
“The Great Saint does not hear our prayers.”
He uttered the blasphemy without the slightest hesitation.
Horentz’s expression stiffened slightly.
He appeared somewhat taken aback.
Silence descended.
A moment later, Horentz smiled and said,
“His ears are always open. Someday, the Great Saint will fulfill all our wishes.”
Johan swallowed a disappointed sigh.
‘He won’t take the bait immediately.’
There was only one reason Johan had spoken such blasphemy.
He wanted himself and Horentz to speak directly, without any pointless pleasantries.
Horentz did not believe in the Great Saint.
Of course, that did not make him a heretic.
He simply possessed no faith.
Horentz despised the hierarchy and class system created by the Great Saint. He valued nothing more highly than skill and ability.
Had he not been constrained by social status, Horentz would probably have been respected by everyone.
Naturally, he could never voice such thoughts anywhere.
Johan said,
“My words were somewhat extreme. I apologize. I merely wished to say that rather than endlessly waiting for the Great Saint’s grace, we should strive to overcome the misfortunes before us through our own efforts.”
Horentz contemplated Johan’s words before slowly nodding.
“On that point, I agree. The Great Saint also taught us to forge our own destinies rather than succumb to despair in the face of misfortune.”
Horentz was probably genuinely sympathetic to Johan’s words.
Johan opened his mouth.
“Precisely. The reason I am here follows the same principle.”
He intended to get to the point.
Horentz also sensed Johan’s intention.
His narrow eyes curved into even thinner arcs.
Smiling, he said,
“It seems the Watcher of Narak wants something from me.”
Johan answered without hesitation.
“I need House Marcano’s support and endorsement.”
He did not mince words.
He stated his demands with complete directness.
Nobles like Johan were rare.
Nobles loved to dress up their desires with all manner of flowery language, dealing with others while concealing their true intentions.
They considered that a noble virtue.
Johan was different. He did not want to waste time talking in circles. It did not suit his temperament.
Horentz found him quite intriguing.
“Since you are being so direct, I will also speak frankly.”
“Good. Please go ahead.”
Horentz’s narrow eyes opened slightly.
The gaze that showed through was remarkably sharp.
“What will the Watcher of Narak offer me in return?”
Johan found his question highly satisfactory.
He answered with a calm expression.
“I will offer you myself.”
Horentz fell silent for a moment.
After a brief pause, he spoke.
“In other words, you are proposing to become House Marcano’s son-in-law?”
As expected, Horentz was someone with whom Johan could communicate easily.
Johan smiled calmly.
“That is correct. House Marcano will become House Myatro’s partner and share in the sacred duty of watching over Narak.”
House Marcano possessed neither honor nor authority.
Not even the vast mountains of gold they possessed could purchase sincere respect and reverence from others.
That was because, throughout its entire history, House Marcano had never borne a sacred duty.
House Marcano was nothing more than the royal family’s treasury.
If someone amassed greater wealth, the royal family could replace that treasury at any time.
Horentz knew that fact well.
He said,
“...This is a rather sudden proposal.”
Horentz had not anticipated that Johan would request an engagement.
None of the houses on the Council wished to mingle their blood with the Marcanos.
They considered a family of merchants beneath them.
Johan was different.
Or at least, that was how it appeared on the surface.
Naturally, there was still a possibility that he had some other intention or scheme in mind.
After all, Johan was ultimately an aristocrat from a prestigious house.
Such people were adept at concealing their true motives.
Johan carefully observed Horentz’s expression before speaking.
“You do not need to decide immediately. I will give you time.”
Horentz remained silent for quite a while.
After becoming lost in thought, he slowly spoke.
“I would like to ask for my daughter’s opinion. Would you care to meet her? Right now, I mean.”
Johan chuckled.
‘Would you look at that.’
He shrugged.
“Very well. But promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
Johan’s expression grew calm and serious.
“Please make sure you tell your daughter not to use her Mind-Piercing Eye on me.”
At that moment, Horentz’s face froze.
Almost no one in the world knew about Serena’s Mind-Piercing Eye.