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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 137: The Self from a Better Time
“Uncle.”
Olivier quietly approached the head butler as he returned.
“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you privately.”
How could he refuse a request from his beloved nephew? The head butler spoke solemnly.
“Lead me to a quiet place.”
“Yes.”
Olivier guided the head butler to his office.
“Actually, after the subjugation of Nepherus, Young Master coughed up blood.”
“What? Explain in detail.”
“Yes, well—”
Olivier cautiously revealed that the cause of the vomiting of blood was suspected to be a terminal condition, and they strongly believed it might be a hereditary illness stemming from his maternal lineage.
“I suspected as much.”
The head butler nodded.
“His Grace and I had the same suspicions regarding that matter.”
“Ah! Is that so?”
“Yes. But vomiting blood is certainly no ordinary occurrence.”
“According to the doctor’s diagnosis, it seems his internal organs were damaged from forcibly absorbing an excessive amount of energy.”
“Hmm.”
The head butler crossed his arms and pondered.
“But a constitution that absorbs external mana into the body? I’ve never heard of such an illness.”
The head butler furrowed his brow.
“There are rare spells that absorb an enemy’s mana, but…”
“What’s hard to understand is that young master seemed to have some control over that energy. If that’s the case, then it’s not just an incurable illness. Depending on how it’s utilized—”
“It could become his unique weapon.”
The head butler stroked his chin, lost in thought. If that were the case, it would be like giving wings to Allenvert.
Why not? The ability to turn an enemy’s power into his own—theoretically, it wouldn’t be impossible to infinitely replicate mana.
“And before meeting you, young master personally met with Evan Bergen—”
“Yes, I heard about that.”
The head butler nodded as if it were expected, making Olivier inwardly uneasy.
Perhaps Allenvert’s activities in the underworld had already been discovered? Suppressing his anxiety, Olivier honestly reported the matter. After all, it wasn’t something that could be hidden.
“As a result, Evan Bergen has agreed to cooperate with young master.”
“Ah, he’s already spoken?”
The head butler raised an eyebrow, as if he hadn’t known.
“To persuade a man whose mother’s life is held hostage so easily—that’s quite remarkable.”
“It’s thanks to your help, Uncle.”
Olivier’s ability to use the intelligence network of the Borgart was, of course, impossible without the approval of Count Aiden.
“What help did I provide?”
However, the head butler laughed heartily, as if it were nothing.
“Still, I was quite surprised by the moves he has shown this time. I thought the matter had already been settled.”
“He has an exceptional intuition that doesn’t miss what others overlook.”
Indeed, Allenvert had left a deep impression on Olivier with his extraordinary eloquence even when he had no power.
“However, I’m worried about the aftermath this might have on Peter’s family. If you permit it, I’d like to assign some of the clan’s warriors to guard them.”
“Do so. But does young master know about this?”
Olivier bowed his head apologetically.
“I thought there was no need to mention it yet since I hadn’t received your permission—”
“Hmm.”
Not a bad judgment. However.
“It’s possible that young master might not want that for some reason. Don’t act presumptuously, thinking you’ve anticipated your master’s wishes, and end up unintentionally upsetting him.”
“Ah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
The head butler offered his nephew sincere advice.
“It’s the virtue of a competent butler to handle matters the master can’t attend to personally, but going too far and acting rashly is not right.”
“Then I should report this matter to young master afterward.”
“Do so.”
The head butler looked at his nephew with satisfaction. It’s rare to find a young person who is humble and doesn’t take an elder’s nagging to heart.
“In any case, your meticulous handling of the matter is commendable.”
“I merely learned by observing over your shoulder.”
“Then, I shall take my leave now.”
“I apologize for having taken up your time unnecessarily.”
The head butler smiled inwardly at those words.
How could that be? Watching his nephew grow was one of the few joys left to an old man.
* * *
“This is young master Allenvert’s request. Quietly move Evan Bergen’s mother to a safe house and ensure her protection.”
The deputy commander of the 6th Battalion of Special Operations Division, who had received a secret order from Rudgarda, immediately headed to a remote area within the territory of the Bergen County.
“To have only this level of escort… they’ve grown complacent.”
Like wind, they slipped past the surveillance and carried out their mission.
“Th-thank you.”
A gaunt old woman, tears welling in her eyes, asked, “My lords, is it true? Is the fourth young master truly trying to save my son?”
“Of course. So, old woman, do not question our identities. Simply stay here quietly and pass the time.”
“Yes, truly, thank you…”
“There’s no need to thank us.”
The Grunewald Special Operations Division was the most autonomous among all the forces in the duchy. Once they chose one of their secured safe houses to hide someone, no one could ever find them.
“Now, you must be startled. Rest well.”
After reassuring the old woman, the giant man stepped outside and removed his mask.
“Phew. Finally, I can breathe a little.”
As he did, the strange patterns covering his entire face and his scorched skin were revealed beneath the mask.
“You’ve worked hard, Deputy Commander.”
“Yes. The mission is complete, so all of you should get some rest too.”
“If the Deputy Commander rests, we can rest as well, no?”
“Are you giving me a hint right now?”
“Not at all.”
The giant man, Turnak, sighed.
“The young lady has gone to the underworld, and we’ve infiltrated the Bergen County to retrieve someone. Somehow, the entire 6th battalion has been pulled away from their posts.”
If a sudden summons came from above, it would be a disaster.
“The 2nd Commander is there, so we won’t be questioned unnecessarily, right?”
“That’s likely.”
They felt reassured under the protection of Ulbhild Grunewald. Without her assistance, the suspicious movements they had planted here and there might have been quickly noticed by the eyes of the Verdzig or the relatives.
“Heh, by the way, tomorrow will be quite chaotic. The leash that bound Evan Bergen has been removed.”
“That’s likely.”
Before they were the Grunewald Special Operations Division, they were people of Angantyr. Though their clan had abandoned them, they had clung to survival with Rudgarda as their focal point.
Thus, their ability to read the situation was sharp, to the point where it could not be dismissed as mere barbarian warrior instincts.
“The more I see, the more I realize how precise the young lady’s judgment was.”
“Indeed.”
Through this mission, they had come to see Allenvert in a new light.
“The fourth young master is more meticulous and kinder than I thought.”
“…Hmm.”
Protecting Evan Bergen’s mother safely—this couldn’t be seen merely as a move to secure Evan’s cooperation.
‘He even thought to exchange codes to reassure Evan. Simply saying his mother was safe and not to worry would have been enough.’
This was clearly an idea that couldn’t have come without thoughtful consideration.
Having been abandoned by a ruthless master and surviving tenaciously in a foreign land, they felt Allenvert’s actions resonate deeply with them.
“Indeed, the fourth young master’s mother, Lusatia Eisenach, no, Lusatia Grunewald, was also an exceedingly kind person.”
They remembered Lusatia in her younger days.
“Back then, we never imagined we’d end up in such a situation.”
Turnak muttered in a bitter voice.
Originally, they held no ill feelings toward Eisenach. If it hadn’t been for Grimnar’s ruthless ambition, even to the point of selling his own daughter, the relationship between the two clans might still have been amicable.
“…You return and report the results. We’ll hold our position.”
“Understood.”
One of the team members disappeared into the shadows, and Turnak, with his arms crossed, stared into the darkness before closing his eyes.
“Let’s rest now.”
“Rest well. I’ll keep watch.”
Guarding the darkness of the night was second nature to those who were born and raised in the mountains.
‘…Young lady.’
He gazed into the pitch-black sea of night. Within that dark canvas, it was impossible to tell whether he had returned to the better days of his past.
* * *
What determines a person’s dignity?
A high position? Wealth? Outstanding reputation?
Of course, those are part of it. But in my opinion, the most fundamental factor is the appearance of a person as seen by the eyes.
Expensive clothes, good nutrition, dignified posture, a handsome or stately appearance…
Among these, the first thing that undoubtedly comes to mind is, of course, outrageously expensive clothing.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
The white-haired court tailor greeted me warmly.
“It really feels like it’s been a long time. How have you been?”
“The days of a tailor are always the same. Cutting, measuring, sewing—I’ve been busy with all that.”
I looked around the tailor’s workshop. The expensive fabrics fluttered in the breeze.
“I was just about to contact you. The clothes are ready.”
“As expected, I have good timing.”
During the last banquet, I only had my measurements taken and had to borrow my father’s clothes due to lack of time.
“As per Your Highness’s request, I made it to match Lady Lusatia’s tastes, while also resembling the style His Grace the Duke favored.”
The tailor, who remembered my order perfectly, revealed the ceremonial attire with a proud expression.
“Wow, this is…”
The sheen of the fabric, the luxurious material, and the elegance. The night-black garment was embroidered with gold patterns that were both lavish and refined. At a glance, it was an incomparable masterpiece.
“Please, try it on.”
At the tailor’s urging, I quickly changed into the outfit.
“It fits perfectly.”
The texture was smooth without any discomfort, and it stretched just enough when I moved my shoulders, making it comfortable. It felt like I could even wield a sword in it.
“Wow, young master.”
Peter, who had followed me like a shadow, gasped in admiration.
“How do I look?”
“You look truly magnificent.”
“Pathetic fool. Your vocabulary is too crude to properly describe my majesty.”
I scolded Peter and then glanced at Olivier, signaling him to compliment me properly.
“Grace, beauty, elegance, sophistication—in every aspect, it’s a demeanor worthy of representing Grunewald.”
“Well said.”
I nodded in satisfaction at Olivier’s flattery and stood in front of the mirror.
“Do you like it?”
The tailor asked with a confident smile.
“Like it? I love it. You’ve truly outdone yourself.”
The tailor chuckled.
“It was no trouble at all. By the way, you look much better now. You seem more playful and at ease compared to last time.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled faintly.
“By the way, don’t I look better than my father?”
“His Grace was a handsome man in his own right, but I suppose you inherited your mother’s beautiful features, didn’t you?”
“Indeed.”
I thought of my mother, Lusatia Grunewald, whom everyone praised for her beauty but whom I had never truly known.
“Actually, I plan to ask my father to let me see my mother at the upcoming banquet.”
“Ah! Really?”
“Being able to see her while wearing your creation makes it even more special.”
“Then it would be the greatest honor for me.”
The tailor spoke with a mix of joy and sorrow.
“There wasn’t a single servant who wasn’t saddened to hear of her seclusion.”
“Is that so?”
“She was truly kind and admirable. Even to someone like me, a mere tailor, and to the servants who could have been ignored, she was always kind.”
Then, Allenvert’s kind nature must have been inherited from his mother.
I nodded and said, “I will strive to carry on my mother’s kindness.”
“You already have. Which nobleman would treat a humble tailor like me with such respect, as if I were a master craftsman or an elder?”
“It’s my belief that anyone who works deserves respect.”
“Moreover, Your Highness has truly inherited your father’s strength. His Grace must be proud to have such a noble son.”
“Well, my father did raise one good son.”
The tailor laughed at my joke.
“By the way, are you planning to turn the banquet upside down again this time?”
“Well, we’ll see about that.”
I shrugged.
“But at the very least, I’ll be the most dazzling man there. These clothes will be my wings.”
“Haha, you flatter me. No matter the clothes, it’s the person wearing them who matters most.”
That’s true.
Even if Peter wore this outfit, he could never exude the same noble presence as I do, right?
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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