I immediately checked Ella's status:
[Ella – Lv. 95]
[Strength: 326]
[Stamina: 179]
[Magic: 23]
[Wisdom: 17]
[Agility: 45]
[Charm: 10]
[Physical Defense: 33]
[Magic Defense: 44]
[Special Traits: Unorthodox Swordsmanship SS / Custom Training S / Berserk A]
[General Traits: Freedom, Money]
[Possesses Artifact 'Frenzied Gale Sword']
'Ella has the qualities of a master! Could it be that Chloe is by her side to learn something from her?'
The phrase 'custom training' caught my eye among her special traits. When I had considered finding a master for Lena, this was one of the traits I prioritized. Custom training isn't about the teacher teaching however they want, but about instinctively identifying and amplifying the strengths of the student.
Considering Ella's money-oriented personality, it seemed like a mismatch, but the trait was undeniably there. Apparently, Ella is capable of playing the role of a master better than I thought.
Is that why the Gray Elf warrior is learning under her guidance?
At that moment, Ella spoke as she noticed Chloe sitting down.
"Chloe, care for a drink?"
"No, thank you. Alcohol dulls the mind and unnecessarily elevates emotions."
"So prickly! When you find a guy you like, you'll want to share at least one drink, won't you?"
"I'll just find someone who doesn't drink. I'm not planning to accommodate others."
"That's why you're amazing, Chloe! I love that cold side of yours. Maybe I'm just too worn out... I can't seem to do it myself."
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
Ella downed a whole mug of beer in one go. It was easily more than 500cc, yet she drained it in one shot. Raising the emptied mug, she shouted.
"Hey, another round!"
I thought now was the best time to join the conversation. I told Hayes and Isabel in a low voice, "You two have a chat here for a bit. I'm going to talk to that person."
"My lord, what on earth? You shouldn't speak with strangers without an escort!" Hayes protested.
"Jared, I agree. Maybe you should be cautious?" Isabel chimed in, concern visible in their eyes.
But I shook my head lightly. Although Ella has an aggressive personality, she doesn't confront people without reason. And Chloe is composed. Although she'd instinctively be wary of me, she'd be careful with her actions since there are many eyes around.
"Don't worry." I briefly reassured them and shifted seats.
As I was about to speak, Ella cut me off, "Excuse me..."
"Pfft, I'm not interested in kids. Don't start flirting."
Before I even finished my sentence, Ella's response hit hard. Being treated like a child at the age of 25 felt strange. Given that Ella is currently 32, her reaction was somewhat understandable. Maybe it was because my polite introduction was cut off like a blade?
Before I knew it, Hayes, unable to contain herself, sprang up and rushed over to Ella.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry, but!"
"If you're sorry, go back to your seat. Why are you trying to join and talk to us on first meeting?"
Ella's cold voice pierced the air, its huskiness making it even sharper. Next to her, Chloe sat silently with her arms crossed, only glancing occasionally, observing without a word.
"This is our lord, the lord of the Cribia territory, he's a viscount! Shouldn't you show him some respect?" Hayes' fierce reaction caused the tavern's atmosphere to plummet. The hunters, who were previously chatting about our territory, fell silent upon realizing I was present.
"So what if he's a lord? A noble? Sorry, but I'm a noble too."
"Our lord is a viscount."
"You seem like a maid, but you have some nerve. Maid, I'm a viscount too. Do you think there's only one title in the world?"
"......"
Hayes, lacking a comeback, shut her mouth tightly. She seemed to have stepped forward thinking Ella disrespected me, but it resulted in achieving nothing. I understood. Knowing Hayes' consistent nature, I wasn't upset or displeased with her actions.
"Hayes, wait outside with Isabel. Don't interrupt. You shouldn't be disrespectful to this person."
Frowning slightly, I scolded Hayes. Despite her intentions, her presence didn't seem suitable here. The two quickly exited, leaving just Ella, Chloe, and me.
As I was about to resume speaking, Ella spoke first.
"Apologies for the brashness. I'm used to frequenting taverns and naturally, there are plenty who try to hit on me."
"No need to apologize. I apologize for the maid's rudeness. I'm Jared, lord of the Cribia territory. I approached you because..."
"Jared? Just call me Ella. The kid next to me is my apprentice, Chloe."
A swift introduction.
It seemed both of them were familiar with such exchanges. Typically, when someone hears "lord," especially in any territory, they'd usually adopt a humble tone. But Ella showed no sign of such demeanor. Chloe was the same.
"Ella, what brings you to this territory?"
"I heard the air is nice here, and I can live freely without worrying about others' gazes, so I decided to visit. I might stay for a year if it's nice."
"Combining travel and your apprentice's training?"
"That's one way to put it. I'm not bound by regions or countries, so I travel freely. Cribia territory is no exception."
"Ella, it's sudden for a first meeting, but may I make a request? I promise a fair reward."
"Sudden indeed. I was surprised you joined me, and now you're offering a proposal?"
"I can't afford to let you two slip away."
"Can’t let us slip, huh? Do you know us? Chloe's only recently become an apprentice, and I've only visited the northern continent of Nas for the first time. You don't know us, do you?"
She was right.
Chloe would start gaining fame in <Paradiso> around the time of the Black Orc leadership assassinations, about 10 years in the future. Meeting her now, before she's known or active, was unexpected. The same goes for Ella.
As far as I remember, Ella was a named figure mostly active in the southern continent of Nas. There were no records of her in the north. Seeing her now suggested that this part of the story was either omitted or considered unimportant.
"It's just that I keep up with news from the southern regions. I'm quite interested in information from other lands."
"That's a bit too nosy. It's surprising someone from a small northern territory would be curious about distant southern news."
Ella's straightforward, fact-filled comment struck like a thorn. She was right. Even though I've expanded more than before, Cribia remains a small territory. A Sword Master or a 9th-class mage visiting could spell doom for everything here.
"I wish to grow the territory. To nurture promising talents."
"Lord Jared, let’s not beat around the bush. I'm sure there’s something you want to address by approaching me."
She was seasoned. Despite my chronological age—now 34 in my previous life—her perceptiveness was so sharp that she felt more experienced than me. It felt futile to approach cautiously, even as a social pleasantry.
"Alright, let's get straight to the point. I have a talented young swordsman named Lena. Please mentor her."
"I already have an apprentice. I accepted a request to teach Chloe. Mentoring someone involves a significant amount of time, effort, and money..."
"Wait!"
I interrupted immediately. Seizing the opportunity before Ella could subtly start bargaining.
"Let’s not beat around the bush! Fine. Would 5000 gold a year be enough for the two of you to stay put? I'll even provide a private residence."
There is a private villa under my ownership in the territory. I built it about 10 years ago by straining the territory's finances. Though it's a ghost property I've barely lived in, I'd recently had the maids clean it thoroughly, thinking it would be necessary if I invited a mentor for Lena or another promising individual.
"5000 gold?"
Ella’s eyes widened in surprise. Even Chloe, who had been quietly listening, showed noticeable shock. In today's value, 5000 gold translates to about 5 billion won in my past life. Based on the economies of both worlds, I estimated as much. 5 billion won a year means about 400 million won a month.
Would investing such a significant amount in Lena be worth it? Absolutely. When the best talents meet the best mentors, the hidden potential within their special traits can burst forth effortlessly!
A well-trained talent can sustain the entire territory and defend against its threats. With recent profits from medicine sales providing ample resources, I was well-funded.
"I'll pay in advance. Though, of course, we'll draft a notarized contract."
I decided to take a bold approach. I wanted Ella and Chloe to settle in our territory. Although Ella’s love for freedom and money meant she might not stay long, Chloe, on the other hand, could be a different story. If possible!
I wanted to keep her, a future named figure, for our territory. Turning her into one of our own would be even better.
“I will follow my master’s will. No place in the world is really different.”
Before Ella even asked, Chloe stated her opinion. It seemed she wasn’t just passively compliant but voiced her thoughts as well. Then Ella asked me.
"Jared, do you trust me?"
Honestly, I replied. "No, I don’t trust you at all right now. But I have complete faith in someone who has received payment."
"Haha, I like that answer. It's the most exciting thing I've heard recently. Okay, I accept."
"Is it a deal?"
"Yes. Jared, where is the child you want me to teach? Just know, she’ll train alongside Chloe. That alright, Chloe?"
"I hope she’s not too timid."
Chloe's cold words betrayed no emotion. And thus, the deal was sealed.
A fateful meeting with an unexpected noble guest. The dramatic turning point that would lead to talented Lena's remarkable growth was arriving sooner than expected.
That night.
The agreement with Ella was secured. She and Chloe decided to stay at the villa, as I had suggested. I had the head maid select enough maids to attend to them. Even if I had fewer hands around me, it wouldn't be enough to bother me.
And I planned to formally introduce Lena in the morning—a meeting that I would personally attend.
Midnight. Normally, it would be a time when I'd fall asleep, exhausted. But thanks to Gorzas’ necklace, I felt no fatigue. Regardless, I settled at my desk with an ink pen poised in hand.
The reason was to begin documenting things properly. Until now, I coped with the memories from my past life as they emerged, and there were no significant issues. However, with the territory developing and those around me increasing, there were more things to consider.
Given the vast array of information and knowledge I’d posted about in <Paradiso>, I wasn’t worried about suddenly forgetting everything. The problem was the occasional lapses of memory. Additionally, the knowledge that slowly faded over time added up substantially.
Hence, I decided to keep records. I would write in Hangul, not the Nasian script. In Hangul, no one but I would be able to decipher it.
"Handwriting it all might take about two weeks?"
That was my rough estimate. As the territory flourishes, there might come a time when leisurely recording thoughts would be impossible. And I wanted to leave definite records—just to be prepared.
Paradiso Note was an essential task for me, to recall many future trials and unexpected figures that might come my way.