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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 17: Who Touched My Servant?
"Are you referring to the Kingdom of Flanders? And what might be the reason for that?"
The tutor's eyes lit up as he awaited my response.
"I can't help but suspect that they might be the strongest competitors to our Grunewald Duchy and the Kingdom of Litvaleur."
He leaned forward as if encouraging me to continue.
"That's quite remarkable. Why do you think so?"
"After waking from my long slumber, I noticed that this city is an immense port."
I gestured towards the expansive sea beyond the window.
"It is a beautiful and majestic sea. Even now, the precious goods of various nations are bustling to and fro through that sea."
"Among them, Grunewald is the kingdom's foremost trading port, is it not?"
"Just by looking at this, it is evident how advantageous the location of our kingdom, situated in the center of the continent and surrounded by the sea on three sides is for trade."
"Excellent insight. You already possess the vision of a ruler."
The tutor murmured in admiration.
How thrilling it must have been for him that a student who had previously been indifferent to suddenly demonstrate such keen understanding.
Of course, I was merely piecing together what I already knew.
"If my guess is correct, the island nation of Flanders must also be specialized in trade, given its strategic location. In fact, I suspect that they must stake their national fate on the sea, lest their fortunes decline."
"How remarkably astute you are."
The tutor's eyes sparkled. If I were not the young master of a noble clan, he would have likely kidnapped me on the spot to serve him as his assistant.
"Even though the sea may be vast, the resources and interests are limited. If the two nations do not engage in a naval rivalry, it would be quite unusual."
"You have observed correctly. They are truly malicious people, having engaged in plunder and piracy against the Kingdom of Litvaleur since ancient times."
"So they turn out to be a despicable bunch."
"It has long been the common belief in the continent that those islanders cannot be trusted."
This was a sentiment I had heard even before crossing over to that kingdom.
'So it really is true, as I've experienced it myself.'
The Karzan from my previous life was treated like a hunting dog and discarded by the Dark King who controlled the light and darkness of Flanders.
'That bastard.'
I'm not sure what exactly I destroyed, but he probably shed some bitter tears.
So if you employ someone, you should at least say ‘good job’ and be done with it. Has the etiquette of the underworld been lost?
"Teacher, it's clear that those islanders are invariably petty and sinister folk."
"They are generally a pathetic bunch. As a scion of Grunewald, you must surely strengthen your power to crush the flat noses of those Flanders people."
We enthusiastically badmouthed the islanders.
"By the way, has there been any recent unusual events in this country?"
To get the information you really want, ask in a casual and offhand manner.
"Let me see. Now that you mention it, the king was rather mysteriously replaced about 10 years ago."
Aha, there's the foul odor.
'I know the person with the skills and heart to sway even the king of a nation.'
"By 'mysteriously replaced', what do you mean?"
"There were rumors of the king's ill health, and then, unnoticed by anyone, the king's third son succeeded him. As the prince was rather low profile, it was quite unexpected."
"That is certainly strange."
'The king was replaced 7 years after my death, and it was that third prince whom I know.'
This is a significant matter. Because there were previously rumors that something would happen earlier.
Then, did something go awry because I destroyed that jewelry box?
Of course, it's possible that the king truly fell ill and passed the throne to his successor. But my intuition tells me that if there was a conspiracy behind it...
There was only one being capable of replacing the king of that country.
'Was this your doing?'
The ugly toad-like bastard who had been ordering me about was merely an agent, the true mastermind behind the shadows lay elsewhere.
But since he had always remained in the shadows, no one knew his true identity. In short, he was a figure akin to an urban legend.
'How fitting that I only know him by the sobriquet ‘Dark King’ and not even his real name.'
In any case, I hope that wretch is still alive.
'May you live long and prosper. For you must perish by my hand.'
Neither the raging river nor the typhoons that churn the seas can wash away Karzan's grudge.
I shall hone the blade of vengeance for you.
No matter how long it takes.
Regardless of what awaits at the end of this path.
I intend to repay what I have received.
* * *
"When the hell is this going to end?"
Barclava, who had stormed into Allenvert's place with murderous intent, was growing impatient due to the endlessly prolonged lesson.
"..."
Originally, his plan was to go barge in and pick a fight while the other was eating, if that was the case.
But barging into his bedroom during a lesson and causing a ruckus wouldn't exactly look good, would it?
"Nothing's going right, damn it."
He could go find his brother and say ‘I came back because the lesson was still ongoing’ but that would likely end with a glass being thrown at him.
Smack!
Barclava slapped his own forehead and singled out a maid who had been fidgeting beside him.
"You, there."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The maid with freckles all over her face responded in alarm.
"As soon as the lesson is over, report to me. I have something to discuss with Allen, and don't tell anyone."
"A-Ah, no one at all...?"
"What, you don’t want to?"
Intimidated by the fiery-tempered Fifth young master's notorious violent tendencies, the maid shrank her shoulders.
"No, I will do as you say."
The maid was worried about what he might do, but she couldn't disobey his order.
'It's already one o'clock.'
Checking the time, Barclava looked at the bustling kitchen preparing the meals.
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't had his own meal yet. He had been so preoccupied with being summoned by his brother and coming to find Allenvert.
"Bring me my food."
"Y-Yes, understood."
Barclava nonchalantly ordered the servants, propping his legs up on the table.
'Damn fool. How dare he make me wait?'
How should he show him who's boss? Throw soup in his face? Or maybe slap him.
The servants eyed the brooding Barclava, who looked ready to explode at any moment, with fearful eyes.
***
"Then, Your Highness, we shall stop here for today."
"It has been the most enlightening session. I eagerly await our next lesson."
"Haha, those are the words I wish to express."
The resignation letter he had harbored in his heart had long been forgotten. With a spring in his step, as if he had just acquired a brilliant new student, the tutor took his leave.
"Wow, I thought I was gonna die."
Allenvert muttered loudly as he stretched.
"Why did he talk so much?"
Peter was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanor.
"No, young master."
"What is it?"
"Earlier, you were the picture of diligence."
"Was it a bit nauseating?"
"A little."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
"Ah, no, I didn't mean 'do' anything about it."
Peter stopped himself from scratching his head, not wanting to reveal the dandruff.
"Good observation. Your memory is sharp."
Allenvert pointed at Peter.
"Hehe, thank you."
"Speaking of which, go fetch some water."
"Understood. But would it be better to just bring a large water jug instead?"
"So you're too lazy to keep coming back and forth?"
"It's not that, I just feel bad for making you wait each time..."
"The intent may be annoying, but the idea isn't bad. Go get the water jug."
"Yes, sir!"
As Peter entered the dining area with light steps, he noticed the peculiar atmosphere.
'What's going on, did someone die?'
The expressions on everyone's faces were somber as if they were treading extremely carefully.
"Ah."
A young maid, making eye contact with him, sheepishly approached someone.
'I-Is that young master Barclava?'
The youngest prince of Grunewald, notorious for his volatile and violent temperament, was eyeing him with a scornful gaze.
"You, lowly wretch."
"D-Did you call for me?"
Peter quickly approached and clasped his hands. The glowering Barclava slowly rose from his seat.
Had he been slapped somewhere? Barclava's face contorted in fury, like that of a demonic spirit.
"How dare you make eye contact with me without showing proper respect."
"I-I'm so sorry. It's just that-"
"Do you wish to die?"
A chill ran down Peter's spine.
'So he came here with that intention.'
It seemed he would be caught in the crossfire of a whale battle.
***
Even after waiting for some time, Peter did not return.
"Did he go to the well to fetch water?"
That couldn't be.
I felt a foreboding sense.
'So it has come to pass?'
The servant's fate is intertwined with the master's. And the fact that Peter was not treated well in this manor was an undeniable truth.
In that case, in the current situation where I have been asserting my presence in ways I hadn't before, if Peter, who went to fetch water, is suddenly taking this long, is it merely a coincidence? Or is he enduring some hardship somewhere?
If it's the latter, this is significant.
'Is there a servant of such status here to accost and detain the attendant of the Fourth young master?'
But that's unlikely.
'If there is trouble, it's probably because someone in the shadows has sent a scapegoat to test the waters.'
Before rival underworld organizations engage in territorial disputes, there is always this process of picking fights, stirring up trouble, and building a pretext for attack by sounding out the situation.
I didn't think the nobility would be any different in their ways.
As I've been asserting my presence since yesterday, I expected this kind of attack would come.
But to pull this stunt just a day later, it's quite a fast reaction, isn't it?
'Perhaps that fucker is the most capable and cunning competitor.'
Who orchestrated this?
The first, second, or third prince?
...Of course, this could all be my overreaction, and Peter's tardiness might be due to some trivial reason.
In this ambiguous situation, I already know the safest course of action - to simply wait and see.
If I ignore it, nothing will happen, but if I step out, I'll have to deal with whatever the situation may be.
'If I fail to properly handle the situation then, I'll be the laughingstock.'
That's how the underworld operates.
'Those noble brats are all the same, goodness.'
But I didn't agonize over it. From the beginning, the choice I had to make was clear.
I won't call the indecisiveness of a pheasant that buries its head and waits for the rain to pass ‘prudence.’
Moreover, this was a situation I had anticipated.
It's an opportunity to announce to the world that I've reached the power of the second rank in a single night, that I possess an astounding genius, and that there is one more lion vying for the throne of the Grunewald Duchy.
'Whoever it is, they're unlucky.'
I lowered my gaze. While my musculature is lacking, the frame itself is surprisingly decent.
My wrists are thick, and my hands are sizable. A good build for wielding a sword and exerting strength.
Above all, against this body that has reached the third level of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique and becomes even more formidable.
Their amateurish antics would be a painfully mistaken notion.
"They thought I was an idiot, huh."
If this were yesterday, I would have resolved it through dialogue. But not today.
'My fist is crying out.'
I tenderly caressed the whimpering fist.
"Shh, be good."
Having calmed my fist, I kicked open the door and stepped outside.
Bam!
The weighty impact on the soles of my feet. Truly, the door is best opened with a kick.
"What the hell is wrong with these people!"
With the mindset of a battle commander going to pulverize the enemies, I strode out the door with a dignified gait.
While my heart raced at the arrival of the opportunity I had been waiting for, I was also angered by the fact that it was the powerless Peter, not me, who was targeted.
It was a cowardly act.
I was the one who, even when I was weaker, had single-handedly stormed into the organization that had taken my defenseless younger brother and caused a bloody massacre.
If someone is truly harming Peter...
"They're all gonna know the meaning of Fuck around and Find out.."
The mad dog Karzan is on the move.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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