About thirteen years had passed since my life in Japan ended and my new existence as Ars Louvent, heir to a noble family in another world, began. I was reborn with the ability to judge the strengths and abilities of the people around me, and using that skill, I managed to gather a whole host of outstanding individuals to serve as my retainers.
First and foremost was Rietz Muses, an all but perfect superhuman who could do nearly anything, but had been cast to the wayside before I found him on account of the fact that he was a Malkan: a race discriminated against in the land we lived in. Next was Charlotte, a girl I found in a slave market with truly monstrous magical capabilities. Followed by Rosell, the son of a hunter who was physically unimpressive but staggering in mental acuity. All three of them were more than capable, but all three of them had been born into circumstances that had kept them from living up to their full potential. And so, I took them into my service, where I knew they would shine.
My father passed away long before his time, and I was thrust into a position of rulership over his barony at the age of twelve. I’d lived for thirty-five years in my previous incarnation, but almost nothing I’d learned in that lifetime was of any use when it came to governing a territory. If I’d been on my own, I doubt I would’ve been able to handle it, but thanks to the help of my retainers, I’d managed to get by. I couldn’t exactly call myself self-reliant, but at least I was surviving.
Soon after, a civil war split the Duchy of Missian in two. We picked a side and took up arms, and thanks once again to my retainers’ abilities, we achieved great things on the field of battle. Thus, bringing Couran, the elder son of the late duke, massive strides closer to his eventual victory. Thanks to that distinguished service, Couran chose to grant me the title of Count of Canarre. I was to manage a far vaster realm than the petty barony I’d ruled over so far, and be responsible for the livelihoods of more people than ever before. My personal dwelling would be different, as well: I’d be moving from the estate I’d lived in all my life to the count’s castle.
One thing was for sure: I was moving up in the world, and fast.
I used to be your everyday, run-of-the-mill office worker. Back then, I never could’ve dreamed I’d come this far. That success brought its fair share of anxiety along with it, to be sure, but with my ever-faithful retainers at my side, I felt a defiant sense of confidence that no matter what happened, we’d be able to work something out.
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