------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
Chapter 7: Summarising the Situation
"What? You said he wanted more food?"
Let's rewind time a bit.
Peter, who had come to request a second meal for Allenvert, was rolling his eyes and looking around cautiously.
"Really?"
"Hey, why would I lie?"
The exclusive chef of the annex was already feeling a bit annoyed that he had been interrupted from his break to cater to the Fourth Young Master's order, which had come in well past mealtime.
In his opinion, the worst kind of person was someone who couldn't make up their mind and gave orders in bits and pieces.
So, to have his break interrupted twice by the Fourth Young Master was more than he could bear.
If it hadn't been for the boy's status, he would have spat on the ground and told him to go eat dirt.
And to think that the boy, who usually only ate porridge, was suddenly so voracious? It was all very strange.
"Peter, are you trying to sneak some food away? I know your situation is tough, but if you get caught doing something like that, you'll be out of a job."
"No, really. He said he was really hungry."
"That's ridiculous. He's never been like that before."
"I know, it's weird. It's the first time I've ever seen him eat so much. Hehe."
Peter scratched his head, smiling cheerfully despite the scolding.
As Allenvert had said, servants were treated just like Peter just like that. In fact, it was often even worse.
So, as he had observed, that foolish and silly smile was Peter's way of survival.
‘Pride won’t fill your belly.’
His meager salary was enough to feed his sick mother and two younger siblings.
It was all thanks to his position as the servant of the Fourth Young Master of the Grunewald dukedom, even if it was only in name.
The humiliation he endured was the price he paid for having a job that was above his station.
‘...But to think that the young master would understand.’
Sniff.
Peter began to sniffle.
"What, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"Ugh, I'm sorry."
The rough-looking chef patted Peter awkwardly.
"I didn't mean to upset you."
Feeling guilty about making Peter cry, the man rolled up his sleeves.
"Just wait. Since he's woken up after so long, his taste buds must be going crazy. I'll show him what I can do."
"Thank you, sir."
Peter smiled through his tears. His eyes were red and swollen from crying so much.
‘It's so strange. How could he change so much? It's like a different person has taken over his body.’
But Peter didn't mind the change. Even though the young master could be harsh, he was also kind.
‘The young master is a good person after all.’
He had thought that once.
***
"Your name."
"Peter."
"Your age."
"Fifteen."
"How many years have you been working at the dukedom?"
"Five years."
Peter, who had been answering the questions diligently, suddenly sighed.
"...Oh, come on. Can you cut me some slack?"
"What are you talking about? You're a disappointment."
I scolded Peter and asked my next question.
"When did you become my servant?"
"Oh, about three years ago."
"How did that happen?"
"...Firstly, you drove away your other servants very quickly. Secondly, I had been taking care of you since I was a servant, so I think you felt a special connection with me."
"I see."
I wondered if Peter was perhaps one of the few harmless employees for Allenvert.
"Is there a third reason?"
"Yes. Well, I heard a rumor that someone had a hand in it."
"Any guesses who it might be?"
"...Young master, this is just my speculation."
"I know, so don't worry."
Peter thought for a moment before biting his lip and saying.
"It was probably one of the Duke's sons, the Second or Third Prince."
"Does that mean the First Princess and the youngest son wouldn't do something like that?"
"Based on my feelings and the family's reputation, I don't think so."
"Let's hear your reasons."
"First, I don't think the youngest prince would scheme to outmaneuver his older brothers, and the princess is focused on her external activities, so she probably wouldn't have the time for something like this."
"I see."
Looking at Peter's uneasy expression, it seemed difficult to ask any deeper.
"Alright, let's move on to another question."
"Phew."
"I have a general understanding of the situation surrounding me. But are there any restrictions on my movements?"
"As far as I know, there aren't. But you used to say 'It would be better for both me and Mother if I didn't leave my room'."
That was a very significant statement. Why would a noble of the ducal family be confined to his room?
Perhaps it meant that his mother's situation was just as difficult as his own.
"Is my mother alive?"
"Yes."
"Is she far away?"
"...She's in this castle."
I asked a crucial question.
"Who decided that I couldn't see my mother?"
Peter was unable to answer.
"Was it my father's decision?"
Peter closed his eyes tightly, his face contorted in pain.
"It's the Duchess's decision."
"Because of me?"
"..."
"Peter."
"It's not like that. It was just... unavoidable, Master."
Unavoidable. What kind of tragedy had caused a mother to push her child away, and for the child to accept being confined to a room, saying it was for his mother's sake?
I had a feeling that discovering the truth wouldn't be easy.
‘This is a mess.’
Even the unresolved matters from my past life as Karzan seemed less daunting.
As Allenvert, the road ahead was going to be tough.
‘The biggest problem is that I'm terminally ill.’
Power rarely stays with those who are about to die. Although my body was young, I was no different from an old man waiting to be buried.
‘But I'm a noble of the dukedom.’
Should I just give up? Should I not even try to find a cure?
No way.
"Peter. Do you know anything about the incurable disease I have?"
"Well, I heard that it's an unknown disease without a name."
I slapped my forehead.
"This is ridiculous. How can I cure something if I don't know what it is?"
"Actually."
Peter said hesitantly
"Mr. Joseph told me that there might be a way."
"Really? The clumsy doctor? I don't know how reliable that is."
"He may be clumsy, but he's incredibly intelligent. I've seen him memorize an entire book in one sitting."
"So he's that smart, huh?"
I nodded and asked.
"What is this method?"
"He said there's a mythical creature called 'Ereshkigal' somewhere in the world. It's said to be a legendary panacea that can cure any disease and even bring the dead back to life."
"Ereshkigal?"
I rolled the unfamiliar word around in my mouth, then slapped my knee.
"I've heard of it."
“But you have amnesia, don’t you?”
"Shut up."
"Yes."
"Ereshkigal."
In the northern country where I lived, it was a mythical creature from fairy tales, a fanciful legend. I remember when I was a starving orphan, my friends and I used to say that if we could only find one, we could live like rich people.
"Does it really exist?"
"According to the records, it does.”
Peter said.
“And not just based on Joseph’s words, but also his teacher confirmed it. He's one of the most famous physicians in the entire dukedom, so he wouldn't lie."
"If that's what such a great man says, I guess I have to believe it."
"But, finding it is incredibly difficult..."
"How difficult? As difficult as finding a dragon's tooth, a phoenix feather, or a star from the night sky?"
Peter's expression darkened.
"Even the king of this country couldn't obtain it. It's something that can't be bought, no matter how much money you have. You need a special kind of luck to find it."
"What kind of luck?"
"No one knows for sure. Some say it's something only dragons can create, while others say it's made from a fruit that grows once every hundred years on the highest branch of the world tree."
I nodded.
"In other words, it exists, and there are historical records of people being healed by it, but no one knows how to find it."
"That's right."
"I'll be dead before I find it."
I banged my fist against my chest in frustration.
"Anyway, I understand the point. There's a way, but there's no immediate solution, right?"
"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."
Peter was about to cry again, so I waved my finger back and forth.
"It's okay, I wasn't expecting much."
"Yes."
"And just knowing that there's a way is a big deal. It's not like I'm going to die tomorrow."
"That's true."
"So what's the problem?"
"Wow, you've really changed. I never thought you'd be so positive."
"I'm not the kind of person who looks at a half-full glass and complains that it's half empty."
"That's my master."
Peter glanced at me and added
"...By the way, If you diligently trained your body, took good medicine, and practiced your martial arts, you could extend your life by a few years."
"Is that Joseph's idea too?"
"Yes."
"So you two are pretty close."
"Well, I sometimes bring him snacks."
"Good. Why?"
"...Because he's treating you. I thought if I was nice to him, he might put in a little extra effort."
"Hmm."
This guy has a knack for surprising me.
"I'll give you credit for that. Good job."
"Thank you, hehe."
"Keep it up."
"Yes, sir."
After pondering our previous conversation, I asked.
"About that martial arts thingy, can I learn whatever and whenever I want?"
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
