The Matter of Me Being Picked Up and Adopted by Talula

After that, Early Dew's voice stopped coming through, replaced by the silence of the mansion.

Orson leaned against the side of the room, silently contemplating one thing.

—If I were to be caught by a Rostov family member needing to pee in the middle of the night right now, how could I explain myself in a way that would make them believe I wasn't a perverted stalker who wanted to peek at Early Sister sleeping but didn't have the guts to open the door?

31. Beaten Up on the First Day of Work

In the early morning, as a newly appointed senior security officer of the Rostov family, Orson woke up alone for the first time in a long while.

Not having to cautiously check if Ino was on him felt quite subtle for Orson.

The events of yesterday had been too absurd; Orson was still somewhat dazed. Although, in a sense, acquiring a status and connecting with the Rostov family had been perfectly achieved.

After putting on the custom-made black suit, Orson left his room and proceeded to a building as instructed.

"Whoa—"

When Orson pushed open the door, he discovered it was the staff cafeteria specifically for the security force, located right next to the dining room for the nobles.

These capitalists are detestable... Hmm, the bread is so soft.

Orson wanted to criticize them, but the food was too good.

"Hey, where did you come from, kid? This isn't a place you should be!"

As Orson was eating, several burly Rostov family bodyguards gathered around him. Compared to these imposing, tall middle-aged men, Orson did indeed look like a lost boy looking for a free meal.

"..."

Orson ignored them and continued eating. However, his behavior was misinterpreted by them as fear of conflict, leading them to escalate their taunting.

"Kid, do you think you can call yourself a guard just by carrying a dagger? Even though the Rostov family is taking anyone due to special circumstances right now, someone like you should just go back to your mom's embrace... Wait, you're actually a senior security officer?!"

Several bodyguards noticed the name tag Orson was wearing. It indicated he was a senior security officer, earning five times the salary of ordinary bodyguards like themselves. This made them even more displeased, and they even prepared to grab Orson by his collar.

"Amplify—"

Orson was somewhat interested in what these people had said about the current situation of the Rostov family, but he had no intention of getting entangled with them further.

"Ugh—!?"

The collar of the bodyguard who had approached him rapidly increased in temperature under Orson's Originium Arts, eventually igniting. The others, due to this interlude, temporarily shifted their attention away from Orson.

Although the Tuning of the "Black Score" was direct and effective, it also had many limitations. Firstly, the object being tuned must not have subjective consciousness, and its structure and properties must not be too complex, so that the Black Score could be applied to objects within a certain size.

After temporarily fending off these boring fellows, Orson transformed back into a food enthusiast.

—Hmm, the carrot sticks taste good, I can bring some for FrostNova.

The stew has a rich flavor, Alina would probably like this texture.

Spicy Borscht? An interesting taste, I'll see if I can make some for Talula when I get back.

There's even herbal tea! Patriot would probably like this kind of health drink.

Orson ate while pocketing dishes. Although he had forgotten much, he had never forgotten the favorite foods of his friends... Take care of the lonely Orson, don't let waiting become regret—

After breakfast, security work would begin. Orson, with Natalia as the center, kept watch at the edge of her field of vision while observing the house.

Although the Rostovs were the most influential new nobles in Kazimierz City, their house wasn't that outrageous. Compared to Koschei's castle in the spiritual realm, Natalia's family's residence was a more modern villa, perhaps because their titles were not hereditary.

Of course, "not that outrageous" was only relative. After all, normal people would never be able to live in a house with a garden that required dedicated care at the entrance in their lifetime.

Early Dew returned to her room after finishing breakfast. During this time, Orson took a brief stroll, wanting to map out the structure of the entire mansion. Adhering to the core principle of "since I'm already here," he at least wanted to maintain a proper work attitude.

"Hm?"

As he approached the main hall, Orson noticed that the previously empty main hall was now occupied by a stranger dressed in expensive Ursus noble attire, accompanied by several heavily armed guards.

The man held a cigar in his hand. Although his face did not show a fierce expression, his entire demeanor was extremely arrogant and aggressive.

In contrast, the head of the Rostov family, the businessman who had risen from humble beginnings, Natalia's father, was responding to the man, but both his aura and his confidence seemed somewhat suppressed.

"Can't hear what they're saying... Right."

Orson took out an Anchor Spike and threw it near the main hall, then took out a similar Catalyst, synchronizing their frequencies.

"Your business is really booming, Andrei. It's great to buy the right to control everything with money, isn't it?"

The voice that came through sounded like it belonged to the arrogant noble.

"We are merely trying to make Kazimierz City more—"

"Don't be so arrogant. You were originally just lowly vassals of other nobles. Have you forgotten your place after tasting a little sweetness? Of course, I wish for peace, but there are too many people coveting Kazimierz City, Marquis Rostov. You'd best think carefully, otherwise—you'd best be prepared to see the heads of your daughter and wife the next morning."

"You—"

"Give up Kazimierz City and get off our territory. Or we'll ship you out piece by piece. Make a choice, Patriarch—or should I say, shameless mongrel."

The head of the Rostov family was overtly threatened by the man, but before he could say anything, the other party had already unilaterally interrupted and ended the conversation.

Noticing the other party preparing to leave and heading towards him, Orson immediately put away his makeshift listening device and pretended to be on guard. This time, Orson also got a close look at the noble.

The feeling was not much different from before. Although the man had the appearance of a middle-aged and elderly "kind" face, he exuded an oppressive and arrogant aura of a superior.

"New here?"

The high-ranking official casually asked Orson with disdain.

"Mhm, I just reported for duty not too long ago."

"Ha, Andrei, you're already resorting to using people like this? Fine, those Sarkaz mercenaries are at least somewhat useful, letting someone like him get a security job. Oh right, let me test if you're Infected."

The high-ranking official seemed to have an idea and ordered the guards beside him to draw a blood sample from Orson.

"Isn't this a bit much? I'm affiliated with—"

Thump!!

Before Orson could finish his explanation, the nightstick in another guard's hand swung down mercilessly towards his head.

"Don't you dare refuse a toast and ask for a forfeit! You wanna die, kid?!"

"...I'm sorry."

Blood trickled down his forehead, but Orson didn't lash out or get angry. He was incredibly submissive, allowing himself to be dragged by the arm by the guards as they prepared to draw blood.

This is getting a bit tricky. While I could take out these people, doing so would be like throwing FrostNova and her family directly into the furnace.

I'll have to track these people later and find an opportunity to disable the testing equipment.

The needle pierced Orson's arm. He didn't want to admit it, but this sudden turn of events felt quite awkward.

32. Conflict Between Old and New Nobility

"Stop!"

Just as the guards were about to pull back the plunger to draw blood, a voice halted their actions.

FrostNova's voice came from the other side. Her status as the daughter of the Rostov family was just enough to make the guards pause their work.

"I apologize for not being aware of your arrival, Duke Baikal, but isn't it a bit too harsh to treat our people like this?"

FrostNova first bowed to the high-ranking official addressed as "Duke Baikal," then questioned his excessive actions with a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing.

So he's Baikal. I see.

Duke Baikal—the de facto ruler of Kazimierz City, an old noble who could command the Third Army Group. Although he still held military power, the industrial upgrades by the Rostov family and Marquis Boris had caused him to lose most of Kazimierz City's economic revenue.

"Hahaha, because this 'senior security officer' looked so frail, I couldn't help but want to bully him a little. My apologies, Natasha."

Duke Baikal walked over to Natalia, laughing, and gently placed a hand on FrostNova's shoulder.

"I'm happy to see you're still alive, Uncle, but I might be even happier to see Natasha torn into many pieces."

"—!"

Duke Baikal turned and prepared to leave with a laugh. The two guards also roughly pulled the syringe from Orson's arm.

"Have some awareness of your situation and status, you self-important noble."

"Does some gutter trash think they can become nobility just because they have a bit of money? The rules of a brothel don't apply here, Student Council President."

Duke Baikal's two guards also hurled various insulting remarks at FrostNova. One of them, the guard who had beaten Orson earlier, even poked FrostNova's sensitive area with his nightstick.

"But you really don't look your age. It's a shame you're going to die like this. How about becoming my mist—"

Before the guard could finish speaking, a sudden, bone-chilling dread from below caused goosebumps to erupt all over him.

"—!?"

In an instant, he felt as exposed as meat on a chopping block, but he couldn't pinpoint the source of this bone-piercing killing intent.

"...Tch, lucky for you, brat. Bitch."

Finally, the guard put away his nightstick and left the Rostov family villa with Duke Baikal.

So, it was a success, I guess? Sigh... It's just that I still can't learn that kind of [Intimidating Presence].

Orson, the true source of the killing intent just moments ago, sighed.

Although he had learned far more combat techniques and methods than ordinary people during this time, he simply couldn't master the "aura of a king."

While the [Silence of the North] had become a nightmare for most people, Orson himself didn't possess the oppressive deterrence of Patriot.

When ordinary people saw Bojokasti as an enemy, their first thought would probably be to reflect on their lives while tearfully writing their wills.

But when ordinary people saw Orson, they'd just think, This stubborn young man is really mischievous, isn't he? So cute. Come here, let big sister give you a hug.

Despite having undergone special training for Conqueror's Haki, the evaluation of Orson's "full aura" by Talula, FrostNova, and Patriot was respectively:

"A cat whose tail was stepped on," "A cat that fell into a bathtub," and "A cat with a cucumber behind its back."

"Why are they all cats!?"

After that incident, Orson basically gave up on trying to research "fierceness."

After confirming the uninvited guests had left, FrostNova, standing beside him, sighed and asked Orson.

"Are you alright, Orson? Your forehead is bleeding... I'm sorry. This happened on Rostov family territory, and it's our negligence."

"I'm fine. More importantly, was Duke Baikal just the mastermind behind the hired killers?"

Orson wiped the blood from his forehead, took the tissue FrostNova handed him, and asked for information about Duke Baikal.

"It's basically confirmed... He's the leader of the old noble faction, but he hadn't taken such drastic actions before."

FrostNova replied with a sigh, trying to rally her spirits.

"They've even brought in Sarkaz mercenaries. I don't think this looks like a lack of extreme measures—though, in a way, it's not wrong."

The Third Army Group—this was Duke Baikal's greatest trump card, and also the most restrictive. While the army belonged to the old nobility, the two were not in a superior-subordinate relationship.

The Army Group would not work for Duke Baikal unconditionally.

If there was any silver lining to FrostNova being assassinated by W, it was that the old noble factions had not yet fully united the army and prepared to launch a devastating strike against the Rostov family in Kazimierz City.

It was easy to understand. If the army was also dragged into the fray, while the oppressive force would be immense, after extinguishing the new noble factions, there would be one more large mouth, "the Third Army Group," to contend with for the distribution of spoils. This was certainly not something that noble would want to see.

"Duke Baikal wants our family to abandon all our industries in Kazimierz City and withdraw. My father has been negotiating for three months now, but it seems Duke Baikal's patience has reached its limit."

FrostNova said worriedly, then suddenly realized that she shouldn't be confiding these somewhat disheartening words, whether for public or private reasons, to the "worker" beside her.

"What's wrong, Natasha! I just heard sounds of conflict over here... Huh? Aren't you that Oreo?"

FrostNova's father rushed over, noticing Orson beside FrostNova.

"It's Orson. Next time you're interviewing, at least look at the name properly, Lord Rostov."

"Just call me Mr. Andrei. I can probably guess what happened by looking. Remember to apply for worker's compensation later."

After a glance to confirm FrostNova was alright, the family head hurriedly prepared to leave.

"Mr. Andrei, Duke Baikal wanted to test me for Originium infection earlier."

Orson called out to the Rostov family head.

"Ah, a typical Ursus thing. What about it?"

"If I were an infected—how would you handle it?"

Orson asked the question, which was somewhat unexpected, but the Rostov family head only thought for a moment.