Morse Town

After everyone had been sent off, the two of them walked back toward the manor, talking as they went.

Uncle-in-law Lev said bluntly, "Starting tomorrow, you'll need to return to your own territory to arrange your father's burial and inspect the estate. Because of my position, I can't accompany you, so you'll have to manage on your own. As for your safety, don't worry. I'll have people travel with you."

Seeing Lev's serious expression, Altair asked in confusion, "Uncle, won't that attract too much attention?"

Seeing that Altair didn't understand, Lev explained, "You're now the Sheffield Family's sole heir. Although no one dares lay a hand on you here, there's no guarantee once you're on your territory. Your family's wealth is considerable, too."

"It's all for your safety, and to keep 'them' from underestimating you because of your youth. If you find anyone 'slacking off' during this time, punish them severely. Don't go easy on them."

When the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window the next morning, Altair had managed to sleep in and wake up naturally for once.

A good night's sleep put Altair in a much better mood than usual. Even Bexland's gray, overcast sky looked especially pleasing from the window.

After washing up, Altair saw the servants downstairs already busy at work.

"Good morning, Hahn."

"Good morning, Count Altair."

"Looks like Bexland's having one of its rare sunny days. The sunlight's even made it inside."

Hearing his count's remark, Hahn compared the weather with the past few days and agreed there was something different. "Bexland really is having one of its rare bright, sunny days."

After the morning greetings, Hahn began arranging for the staff to serve breakfast and clean the rooms.

While Altair ate, Hahn began reporting the day's schedule. For instance, at nine that morning, Altair needed to head to the steam train station and take a train to Tingen City, then travel by carriage to Morse Town for the burial...

"After you retired yesterday afternoon, I received a letter from Madame Anna, the etiquette tutor appointed for you by the Royal Family. She said she'll accompany you to your estate so you can learn proper etiquette as soon as possible. Her luggage has already arrived..."

Hahn's report had been proceeding normally, but when Altair heard about his etiquette tutor, he choked on his soup and started coughing.

Once he'd recovered, he asked, "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

Hahn replied calmly, "It came yesterday evening, after you'd retired. You should have seen the letter, but you'd already gone to bed, so I didn't wake you."

"Hmm, I see." Hearing Hahn's explanation, Altair understood. Why's the etiquette tutor the first one here? Shouldn't it be a mysticism tutor?

By the time breakfast was over and they were ready to leave, the etiquette tutor, Madame Anna, finally arrived. Altair's first impression of her was that she was "stiff."

On the steam train to Tingen City in Awwa County, Altair was driven nearly mad by Madame Anna's instruction. "Count Altair, when we first met, you shouldn't have reached out to shake my hand. You should have accepted my curtsy instead."

"Now that you've inherited the title of earl, you shouldn't bow to me in public or other settings. I may be your tutor, but I have no noble status myself."

"My Professional Authority lessons apply in the classroom. Outside it, you need only maintain basic courtesy."

"And your clothing. In the Loen Kingdom, men mainly wear black and white. Only commoners dress in all sorts of colors. Women mainly wear dark colors, such as black, dark blue, or dark purple. Black and white outfits are chiefly worn by commoners."

"Although people have become more relaxed about clothing as the times have changed, I'm afraid I can't accept you wearing an outfit designed for women."

In short, as soon as Altair had settled into his private carriage after boarding the train, Madame Anna launched into a two-hour etiquette lesson. She critiqued everything, from his greeting when they first met to his words and actions, his clothes, and the way he treated the servants.

Then she taught him what he ought to do if he encountered similar situations again. If they hadn't been on a fast-moving train, she would have started the etiquette lessons much sooner.

Under Madame Anna's formidable presence, Altair could only play the part of a good student and learn.

At lunch, she found another pile of faults, from his posture at the table to how wide he opened his mouth...

But, strangely enough, Madame Anna didn't bother him in the afternoon. She went to find the butler, Hahn, instead, and her lecture left him wanting to jump off the train on the spot.

Poor Hahn.

After a five-hour journey, the steam train arrived in Tingen City on schedule at three in the afternoon.

When they stepped off the train, Hahn's younger brother, Amos Clayton, was already waiting on the platform.

As soon as he saw Amos, Altair performed a Deep Bow and said,

"Count Altair."

To avoid facing another lesson from Madame Anna, Altair returned the greeting properly with a Nodding Bow, dipping his head slightly.

He then looked at Madame Anna. Seeing her smile, Altair knew he wouldn't be "educated" that evening.

After the coffin and luggage had been loaded onto the carriage, they rode toward their destination, Morse Town, in the carriage Old Clayton had arranged.

After a journey of over half an hour, they arrived at the Sheffield Family's castle. Old Clayton was waiting at the entrance with a crowd of servants.

When the carriage arrived, he personally opened the door for Altair. After a brief exchange of greetings, they entered the castle.

Since they had arrived early and Altair had never been here before, not even as a child, Old Clayton showed him around and introduced him to the castle.

"The castle was designed under the supervision of the first Sheffield. It was built over ten years, following the popular Gothic Style of the time. It was expanded under the fifth Sheffield... and after more than six hundred years, it has taken on its present form."

The day after their arrival in Morse Town, the funeral was held as scheduled.

Since Old Sheffield had worshipped the Lord of Storms, Old Clayton had invited a priest from the River and Sea Church in Tingen City to pray for him.

After Altair cast the first shovelful of earth, members of the Holy See who had been invited filled in the grave...

After the funeral, Old Clayton began giving Altair a brief introduction to the town. "Morse Town was named after the first Sheffield."

"The barons of every generation have kept the town's name to honor the founder of the family."

"Most of the residents' ancestors followed Sheffield on his many campaigns. Of course, some were people left behind after the Slave Act was repealed."

"The last major migration of people here was seven years ago, under the direction of Altair's father."