Ch.143EP.36 – The Knight Hates Love Triangles (2)

Ihan had almost never gone fishing.

That includes both his past and present lives.

‘It was an expensive hobby.’

Fishing was a more expensive hobby than one might think.

Not only were fishing rods costly, but other equipment was quite expensive too, plus renting a boat cost money, and fuel expenses weren’t cheap either.

So for Ihan, fishing was a luxury hobby, and that opinion hadn’t changed in this world.

No, if anything, fishing in this world seemed like an even more expensive hobby.

And for good reason.

“…So, this is a private fishing spot… no, a private fish farm?”

“Yes, if you try fishing in ordinary rivers or lakes, you might get attacked or eaten by monstrous fish. That’s why nobles create their own fish farms. Still, they say only the truly wealthy can afford something like this, with maintenance costs, upkeep expenses, and construction costs all being astronomical.”

“……”

“Is fishing really that fun? I don’t understand why someone would create a whole fish farm for it.”

“…Indeed.”

…He responded while feeling completely dumbfounded.

This must be what they call a ridiculous waste of money.

‘This is seawater, right?’

The unmistakable scent of the ocean that even ordinary people could recognize without a keen sense of smell.

And then…

“…Are those actually sea bream?”

He could see fish species that belonged in the ocean.

Red sea bream, black sea bream, and similar fish, plus squid and octopus, and even…!

Splash!

“Wow, a shark!”

“……”

…They were even raising sharks.

Ihan was stunned as he realized this enormous lake was an artificially created “sea.”

‘I guarantee this artificial sea is the only one of its kind.’

No matter what fish farms other nobles might have created, they couldn’t compare to this one.

Not only was it an artificial sea, but the species living in it were extraordinary.

Many of them must have been brought directly from the ocean and released here.

‘Gold coins are melting away in real-time, melting…’

Thinking about how much gold must be dissolving by the second to maintain this sea-like fish farm, Ihan was already feeling overwhelmed.

But as if there was still more to be overwhelmed by…

“Welcome, my lady.”

“Oh, it’s Elza.”

At the fish farm, or rather fishing spot, countless servants were lined up waiting.

There were well over a hundred maids and servants, with knights and soldiers scattered among them.

It matched the total number of crew members he’d seen on luxury cruises in his past life, but considering they were all waiting for just one person, it was certainly something to be amazed at.

“Hmm, there are fewer servants today?”

“His Highness dislikes having unnecessarily large numbers of people moving about.”

“True, having 200-300 people move every time is a bit much.”

“However, considering His Highness’s status, it is my opinion that twice that number should be mobilized.”

“Come on, that’s going too far.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

“……”

…What was this insane conversation?

Ihan somehow found the chick unfamiliar.

It was like having a neighbor who seemed completely ordinary, but then suddenly witnessing them call for a private jet as their personal vehicle—would that make sense?

‘I’m just now realizing…’

Thinking the world was truly unfair, Ihan shook his head.

After passing by dozens of servants…

“—Finally, you’ve arrived.”

“……”

…He came face to face with a familiar face.

A man he hadn’t particularly wanted to see—a man maintaining a youthful, handsome appearance that made it impossible to imagine he was in his 50s.

But that was just his outward appearance; inside, he was a cunning politician who had raised hundreds of sly serpents, and one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom, second to none.

And that man…

“It’s been half a year since we last met, Knight Ihan.”

“…Why are you personally greeting me? It’s burdensome.”

“Well, shouldn’t the host show at least this much sincerity?”

“…Because of that sincerity, they’re all glaring at me intensely.”

“It’s just their excessive loyalty. You’ll have to understand.”

“……”

…He greeted Ihan kindly, and Ihan rarely broke into a cold sweat.

‘Even if I wanted to understand, my whole body is stinging…’

From the moment the Duke welcomed him, Ihan thought about the hundred soldiers and knights emitting intense pressure.

…Perhaps it would be wiser to run away now.

* * *

Duke Blake de Vivian Galahad.

The kingdom’s only duke, the kingdom’s finest swordsman, inheritor of the greatest magic sword in history, the greatest Galahad ever, and so on.

He was a man with no shortage of impressive titles.

The noble among nobles, with rumors that even having one conversation with him could change your life…

‘I heard some people even squander their entire fortune just to have one conversation with this man?’

Recalling a rumor he’d learned unintentionally, Ihan scratched his cheek.

Whether the rumor was true or not, it was extremely uncomfortable to face such an important figure against his will.

While others might envy him, for Ihan…

‘Ah, I just want to go home, eat dinner, and sleep.’

It was nothing but a bothersome time.

“Hmm, you’re having disrespectful thoughts.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Don’t lie. Your expressions are so simple they’re completely transparent.”

“……”

“And there you go with strange thoughts again. I don’t have mind-reading abilities.”

“…Have you perhaps learned telepathy?”

“Hahaha! That would be quite nice. Unfortunately, your expressions are just extremely easy to read.”

“…Hmm.”

Somehow, it seemed like everyone he met often said the same thing.

That his expressions were easy to read.

‘…Should I wear a mask?’

Just as he was about to drift into idle thoughts as the Duke had mentioned, the Duke personally guided him.

“Now, please have a seat.”

“…?”

Before Ihan could even wonder why the Duke was personally guiding him, he blinked at the sight of luxurious fishing.

Splash!

Female divers—no, male divers—were catching seafood.

Sea urchins, shellfish, and crustaceans like shrimp were being brought up, and as for the fishing rod…

“That’s a big one.”

A fishing rod plated with gold—no, made of actual gold—was reeling in a massive tuna, creating an absurd scene.

‘…If old man Santiago saw this, wouldn’t he feel wronged?’

Having been impressed by the old man’s struggle to catch tuna in “The Old Man and the Sea,” Ihan found it completely absurd to catch tuna in a fish farm.

I mean, where in this world is there a river where tuna live…?

“It’s a tuna. Have you ever eaten it?”

“I, maybe once?”

“Oh? It’s difficult to eat inland, yet you have experience? That’s fortunate. Then you won’t be averse to eating it. Butler.”

“Yes.”

“Have it prepared and brought to us.”

“As you wish.”

The butler, an elderly man, took the tuna weighing easily over 300kg with one hand after it was handed to him with one hand.

He didn’t seem like an ordinary butler, but rather a knight who had mastered martial arts to a considerable level.

However, the butler’s skills weren’t surprising because…

‘Does everyone here practice martial arts?’

…All of the Duke’s servants were formidable.

From maids to manservants, and everyone doing miscellaneous tasks—they all emitted considerable pressure.

‘At least junior knight level.’

The soldiers were practically worth a hundred men each, and they could easily be knighted in any province.

As for the knights…

‘Are they among the upper ranks of the Bloodred Eagles?’

They were on par with the upper ranks of Tristan’s eagles.

In other words, there was an abundance of talent capable of becoming vice-captains or captains of knight orders.

‘Wow, they make the Order of the Silver Lion look like white kittens.’

This was on a completely different level.

In Taechang’s terms, while the average power of the royal forces including the Silver Lion was barely Level 4, Galahad’s average power was Level 6.

According to Taechang, a difference of one level was like the difference between a sparrow and an eagle, and if that was true…

‘If it weren’t for Uncle Baltar, the royal family would have been devoured long ago.’

He thought that the name of this country could change from Pendragon to Galahad at any time, and Ihan understood why that sister had shown such wariness toward Galahad.

With such power, it was no wonder the royal family would be concerned.

As these uncharacteristically surprising experiences continued…

“The food has arrived, let’s eat.”

“……”

“It’s a delicacy difficult to eat inland. It would be good to try it.”

“…It does look delicious, but this situation is quite burdensome.”

Despite the appetizing tuna and various seafood dishes like carpaccio and ceviche being served in abundance, Ihan didn’t feel hungry.

And for good reason.

“You must understand. It’s just their excessive loyalty.”

Every time the Duke showed kindness, the Duke’s servants displayed hostility toward him, and in such a situation, it was hard to imagine food going down easily.

“…How could food go down easily in this situation? …Oh, it actually does go down well?”

“…Still as shameless as ever.”

Surprisingly, the meal prepared by the Duke was very delicious, and Ihan devoured the sashimi with gusto regardless of their hostility.

‘Wow, so this is what tuna tastes like!’

For reference, the only tuna he had ever eaten was all-you-can-eat tuna, and this was his first time eating such fresh tuna in his life, so he ate the sashimi ravenously.

Some might find it embarrassing to eat so voraciously in front of the Duke, but…

“Our instructor eats so heartily, don’t you think?”

[A man shouldn’t nibble at his food. He should eat well like that!]

…The magician chick and ghost girl, who were already completely smitten with him, simply enjoyed watching him eat well.

* * *

“Here’s some tea. It will help with digestion.”

“My digestion is already fine, just give me more cake. That was delicious.”

“…Would you like me to pack some for you to take home?”

“That would be even better. Thank you, Butler.”

“Haha….”

The elderly butler nodded, though somewhat bewildered by his shameless remarks.

Despite his shamelessness, he maintained good manners, so he wasn’t unlikable.

“…You must be well-liked by elders.”

Duke Blake, who had barely touched his food, remarked with admiration.

It was quite extraordinary that he had devoured about 20 portions of seafood and was still helping himself to cake and fruit.

“I’m actually quite picky and don’t usually eat food prepared by others, but the Duke’s household food suits my taste. The chef’s skills are excellent.”

“…Our head chef would be pleased to hear that.”

Ihan told a lie without even taking a breath.

He actually eats almost anything.

Having lived as a slave, mercenary, and soldier, how could he afford to be picky?

Only his compliment about the taste was sincere.

‘This was the finest meal of my life.’

That included his past life.

‘Indeed, with money and power, you can eat delicious food regardless of the era.’

Thinking this was probably a luxurious lunch he would never be able to afford with his wallet, and having received such generous treatment, Ihan…

“So, what do you want from me that you’re treating me so well, Duke?”

“What do you mean?”

He wanted to get to the point.

“Meaning or not, there’s no way you’d show me kindness without a reason. I really don’t understand why you’re treating me to such an expensive meal.”

“Hmm, couldn’t I simply be treating you to a meal because I like you?”

“Come on, that’s not it. There’s absolutely no way you’d summon me for such a simple reason.”

“Oh? And why do you think that?”

“Well, because you seem similar to the powerful people I know…?”

“…How impudent of you to judge me.”

“You’re overinterpreting.”

Ihan shrugged his shoulders.

He wasn’t ill-mannered enough to be rude to someone who had treated him to a delicious meal, but it seemed appropriate to be a little impolite now.

After all…

“I’ve noticed that people in power tend to be kind when they want something. In that sense, it seems like you want something from me right now, Duke.”

“……”

“Or maybe not.”

It seemed that today he was the one in the position of power, not the subordinate.

“…You have good instincts, unlike your appearance.”

“…What’s wrong with my appearance?”

“Haha.”

“I was asking seriously….”

“I was indeed in a hurry.”

Duke Blake seemed to be reflecting on his attitude.

He was acknowledging that he had been noticeably eager.

And then…

“You’re right, there are three things I want to request. However, you don’t have to grant two of them, but there’s one request I’d really like you to fulfill.”

“…?”

“…Pierre, was it? That young Inquisitor girl you have with you.”

“……”

“I’d like you to hand that girl over to me.”

“……”

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Duke, you might want to reconsider what you just said.”

“Hmm? What’s strange about it?”

“……”

Did he not realize his statement sounded criminal?

Ihan was bewildered, but then he met the Duke’s eyes and finally understood.

Now that he looked closer…

‘Is this man also a bit unhinged?’

First the Dark King, now this man, somehow…

‘Why do they all make murderous statements so sweetly?’

Deep breath…

‘Red really has a tough fate.’

…Should this be considered a form of popularity?

Truly…

It was nothing short of a potentially murderous love triangle.