Became the Unjust Contract Slave of the Archamage’s Book

When Binaeril’s name was mentioned, everyone praised him unanimously.

“When we entered the audience chamber, Sir Binaeril had already subdued the nobles.”

“He also took the lead in subduing the demons we encountered on our way to the duchy.”

“Even the knights who challenged him…”

Praises for him poured out in a dizzying stream. Alcohol tends to make people honest, but Binaeril wasn’t drunk, and the compliments made him a bit uncomfortable.

Vivian chattered to Duchess Melina.

“All of Father’s knights who challenged Sir Binaeril were defeated by him. Even at Paguin Castle…”

“Sir Binaeril uncovered the lord’s conspiracy and saved my life from being entangled in it.”

What surprised the Duchess more than his achievements was the fact that her daughter, Vivian, had never spoken so highly of a man her own age.

“What kind of conspiracy was the lord plotting?”

The Duke briefly explained the situation to his wife.

“That’s quite serious.”

“Indeed, my dear. We must head to Rotfallen immediately.”

“If the lives of the fiefdom’s people are at stake, you must go, of course.”

The Duke was always busy. While he traveled the vast territory handling incidents, the task of guarding Vinzburg Fortress always fell to Duchess Melina. Because of this, her stature within the fortress was almost as significant as the Duke’s.

Binaeril, intending to change the subject, asked as he watched the Duke drink beer like water.

“Is that good?”

Only then did the Duke realize that Binaeril’s glass had been empty all along.

“Why is your glass empty? You should have it filled.”

“I declined. I’ve never had alcohol before…”

The boisterous noise around the table quieted at once.

The Duke, looking incredulous, asked,

“You’ve never had alcohol before…?”

“Bring the best beer from the cellar!”

“No, Your Grace, that’s not necessary…”

“Nonsense! Leaving Vinzburg without tasting our special beer is unthinkable!”

The Duke evidently took great pride in his beer.

“Is it that good?”

“Absolutely! It’s brewed with the secrets of the natives. There’s no better drink in the Empire!”

“Natives, you say?”

‘Oops.’

The Duke realized he might have said something unnecessary. If Binaeril showed hostility towards the non-humans, the festive atmosphere could turn sour. The Duke’s army included many non-humans, most of whom were natives. Everyone present considered them comrades beyond racial boundaries. If Binaeril offended this sense of unity and pride…

“If it’s brewed with the natives’ secrets… then I’ll have a glass.”

“Hmm?”

“Why the hesitation? Just one glass.”

The Duke, still unsure, filled Binaeril’s glass.

“Do you know what a native is?”  

“Isn’t it a short non-human race?”  

“That’s right, but…”

Binaeril gulped down the beer he was given. The refreshing sensation that tingled his throat was indescribable. He now understood why the Duke wanted the beer cold.

“Ahh!”

As Binaeril finished the glass in one go, applause erupted from the knights.  

‘Most nobles would shun anything made by non-humans as filthy.’  

Binaeril seemed to have no such qualms.

“…How is it?”  

“Your Grace, this might sound rude, but…”  

“It’s so good, one might die while drinking it!”

With raucous laughter, applause broke out again. The anxious Duke finally relaxed and pounded Binaeril’s shoulder heartily.  

“It’s the best drink I’ve ever had.”

The Duke was delighted as if he had received a personal compliment.  

“Hahaha! Excellent! Absolutely excellent!”

After the modest banquet ended, the Duke and Duchess retired to their bedroom. The Duke pointed to the piles of papers stacked in the corner of the room and asked.

“Dear, what are all these?”  

“What do you think? They’re letters proposing marriage to Vivian.”  

The Duke roughly tore open the topmost letter and read its contents.  

“Dear Duke Dux, the prestige of your house spreads across the Empire… your daughter, who has come of age…”

The Duke stopped reading and tore the letter into pieces.  

“Calling my only daughter a wench!”  

“…‘Come of age’ means she’s past the usual marriage age, not an insult.”

“Why do you keep these, my dear!”  

Melina sighed and tried to soothe him.

“It’s because you dote on Vivian so much. She’s of an age where she needs to find a match.”  

A strange noise, half burp, half wail, escaped the Duke’s mouth.  

“Not yet! Not until I’m in my grave!”

“If you leave her alone until then, she’ll end up hating you the most.”

The wail-like noise grew deeper.  

“That’s why she sneaked off to the capital this time. She’s always cooped up in Vinzburg. How long do you plan to keep her locked up?”

“Then what should I do?”  

“You need to find her a match.”

“What impudent rascal could be a match for my daughter!”  

Duchess Melina looked through the stack of letters. Most were from nearby noble families. Some bore the names of powerful and high-ranking noble houses.

“You don’t like any of these suitors?”  

“Not a single one!”

Melina subtly approached her husband. She had noticed the peculiar emotions her daughter displayed at the banquet.  

“What about Sir Binaeril?”

“What? Who?”

“The Sir Binaeril we met today. Wouldn’t he be a suitable match for Vivian? She seemed to like him….”  

Duchess Melina hit the Duke where it hurt. The Duke had already struggled throughout the journey to keep Vivian away from him. He even instigated the knights to duel with Binaeril every night to protect her.

“No, it won’t do!”  

“Why not?”  

The Duchess stepped a bit closer to the Duke.  

“Why not?” Another step closer.  

“Do you want Vivian to grow old and die alone?” Another step closer.  

“How long do you plan to keep her locked up like a prisoner?”  

The Duke couldn’t meet his wife’s gaze and started sweating profusely. While she was the person he loved the most, she was also the person he feared the most.

“But Sir Binaeril’s appearance…”  

“What about his appearance? He’s quite handsome. I find him preferable to someone who looks fierce and rough like you.”  

“His family…”  

“I asked earlier; his family is from the Marquis of Ruben. He’s not a commoner. He’s suitable.”  

“His abilities…”  

“Were the praises from your knights at dinner all lies?”  

“His character…”

The Duchess silently glared at her husband before walking over to the window and flinging it open. Despite their youth, the knights were still chatting and drinking beer even after dinner. Binaeril was among them, conversing with other soldiers and even some of the natives.

“We should also consider Sir Binaeril’s wishes…”  

“That’s nothing to worry about.”  

The Duchess crossed her arms confidently.  

“What man in the world would dislike our daughter?”

Though less overtly, she was just as much a doting parent as the Duke.

“Alright, dear. Alright! But there’s still one thing Sir Binaeril lacks.”  

“What is it?”  

“Merit!”

It was the Duke’s last line of defense. The Duchess immediately countered.  

“But at Paguin Castle…”  

“Ahem! That alone is not enough. While Sir Binaeril did perform admirably, many of my knights have achieved similar feats.”

The Duke wiggled his fingers.  

“But I never considered marrying Vivian off to any of them.”  

“Sir Binaeril will be leaving soon. What are you expecting?”  

“No, he won’t.”

The Duke had already agreed to Binaeril’s request at Paguin Castle.  

“He will be accompanying me to Rotfallen. If Sir Binaeril accomplishes great feats there…”  

The Duke closed his eyes tightly and made a promise to his wife, feeling as though his heart was being torn apart.  

“I will consider Vivian’s wishes.”

***

“I’ll be there, grabbing His Grace’s sword like this…”  

“Hey! I was there too. Where do you get off lying? Such bluster…”

The drinking party continued late into the night, with everyone getting drunk and speaking their minds.

Though Binaeril drank quite a bit of beer, he was unaffected. While the knights slurred their words, he only needed to visit the restroom a few times, remaining fully sober. Knight Baron looked at Binaeril in amazement.

“Sir Binaeril, you handle your alcohol remarkably well.”

“Do I? After a while, it just tastes like a beverage.”

“Sir Binaeril isn’t just strong in drinking, you dolt! He’s strong in general. You know what ‘indestructible’ means, right?”

The post-banquet drinking session included regular soldiers and some natives. Initially, people were worried about Binaeril’s reaction, but he curiously started a conversation with the native sitting in front of him.

“The beer tastes excellent.”

“Does it? Haha! Beer is one of our prides as natives. No race in the world can make beer as good as ours!”

He grabbed Binaeril’s hand firmly and said, “My name is Bapaluga!”

The strength with which he shook hands was impressive.

“His nickname is Buffalo. He’s like a wild ox,” added another soldier nearby.

Bapaluga had a bushy beard and was short. However, the solid muscles that could not be hidden by his clothes were remarkable. Whether it was because he was one of the Duke’s soldiers or his race was naturally strong was unclear.

‘Come to think of it, most of the Miao Tribe seemed slender and agile.’

“I heard that natives are also excellent craftsmen.”

“Please, speak comfortably! As the Duke’s guest, you’re practically my superior!”

But it wasn’t easy to speak informally to a bearded man.

“This is fine, Bapaluga.”

“Where do you think all the weapons of the Duke’s army come from? They all pass through our native hands!”

“Do you make the weapons yourself?”

“Of course. We natives are the Duke’s soldiers and also his blacksmiths, artisans, and miners.” He pounded his chest proudly.

“In that case, could you take a look at this?”

Binaeril removed his necklace and handed it over. It was a primitive design with a tooth-shaped pendant. Bapaluga examined it closely.

“It was a gift from the Miao Tribe.”

The mention of the Miao Tribe piqued the curiosity of those around, and they gathered to look at Binaeril’s necklace. Most of the non-humans in the Duke’s army were natives, so they hadn’t seen anything from the Miao Tribe before.

“This, this item is…!”

Bapaluga exclaimed as he inspected the necklace from the Miao Tribe.