Ch.77. Living the Sweet Life is Damn Hard.

“That’s enough for the report. Good work.”

“Thank you.”

“Padericks.”

“At your service.”

“What about Elina?”

“She only occasionally leaves her room to walk with Butler Rigard, but hasn’t done anything else noteworthy.”

Unlike her beautiful appearance, she’s an extremely tough woman.

It’s already been three days since Elina came to this place of exile.

One would think she’d want to discuss the broken engagement by now, but she’s maintaining a silence within silence as if there’s no rush, which makes me feel even more suffocated.

That’s how fear works.

If things go as expected, there’s no need to be afraid.

However, since Elina never appeared in the original story, I already lack information about her, and it’s difficult to understand her personality through conversation, so I can’t help but be afraid.

“Report immediately if you notice any unusual behavior.”

“Understood. And… I have something to tell you about Luna Brillhart.”

At the mention of Luna Brillhart, my hand holding the report trembled slightly.

Why does her name keep coming up even though the incident has been resolved…?

It was especially uncomfortable since she was the character who killed me in the original story.

“What about her now?”

“Luna Brillhart seems quite anxious.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, you know the assassin that Rio Sergan captured recently is currently at the training grounds, right?”

“Yes, I ordered Rio to keep him tied up for the time being.”

“There are strange rumors circulating among the servants who saw the assassin tied to the scarecrow.”

I tilted my head in confusion, as there shouldn’t be anything to gossip about—the knights had only struck him with wooden training swords.

“What kind of rumors?”

“They’re saying the assassin tied to the scarecrow was originally caught while trying to assassinate Luna’s parents.”

“What nonsense is that? That bastard was caught by Rio while trying to kill me. And why would an assassin target Luna’s parents anyway?”

“Didn’t Luna’s parents testify against those corrupt business owners? Everyone’s saying it’s because of that…”

I jerked upright in my chair, startled.

“How do the servants know about Luna’s parents’ testimony?”

“That’s what I’m wondering too.”

“So they’re saying the corrupt business owners were exiled because of Luna’s parents’ testimony, and those who were exiled hired an assassin out of resentment?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Sigh…

They say misfortune never comes alone. Despite resolving the issue with the corrupt business owners, I’m now in a situation where Luna might resent me.

What if her parents are killed by an assassin?

If Luna awakens her powers from the shock, I might end up dying according to the original story’s scenario.

Moreover.

Although I’ve been busy cleaning up the karma of Selden Alphonse, this body’s original owner, since my possession, I never expected rats to be running around inside the mansion.

While I might not know about the villagers’ testimonies, Luna’s parents’ testimony was conducted in absolute secrecy.

The only people who should know about it besides the parties involved are Rio and Padericks.

But the information leaked?

This is evidence that there’s a rat hiding in the mansion.

Otherwise, how would the servants know about Luna’s parents’ testimony, even if it’s just a rumor?

‘Right, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’

I adjusted my posture as I looked at Padericks.

“Strengthen security for the time being. If the servants know, it means the corrupt business owners have heard about it too.”

“Surely an assassin wouldn’t target the mansion itself?”

Since the previous assassin was caught so easily, the corrupt business owners will likely hire a higher-grade assassin even if it costs them more.

That’s why I need to go outside the mansion soon and clean up their base thoroughly.

Well, I plan to catch the rat hiding in the mansion first.

“Do you think people who kill for money care about location?”

“W-well no, but wouldn’t they fear the knights?”

“Only the one currently tied to the scarecrow would fear them.”

“…Anyway, I’ll strengthen security as you ordered, young master.”

“Give the knights a heads-up. They need to understand the seriousness of the situation to stay alert.”

“Understood.”

As Padericks left the study with quick steps, I tilted my head back and stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Sigh… Living the sweet life is damn hard.”

Is it because this world is inside a novel?

I still have no clue how to increase my magic stats, problems keep piling up, and incidents occur endlessly.

All this struggle just to avoid death, and at this rate, I might end up high-fiving the Grim Reaper from overwork.

‘Damn, should I just clean everything out and run away?’

Still seated, I diligently turned my head to slowly survey the study.

Metal sculptures and various art pieces displayed on one side.

I’ve thought about taking those and running away several times.

‘I’d live comfortably for a while.’

But that’s as far as it goes.

The money would eventually run out, and with my only ability being the status window, I’d end up living as a monster hunter until death.

Conversely, if I endure until I restore my family’s status, I could live comfortably for the rest of my life.

Knock knock-!

While I was painting a picture of my future, a voice came from outside the door along with a knock.

“It’s Rio Sergan.”

“Oh, come in.”

When the door opened, I couldn’t help but smile.

Rio was entering the study with a man whose arms and legs were tied, slung over his shoulder.

“I’ve captured Delen as you ordered, young master!”

“Good, put him down here and you can go.”

“Pardon? Ah, understood!”

“I’ll tell Padericks about your reward for this matter, so collect it from him.”

“Thank you!!”

The disciplined Rio threw Delen, or rather Riden Solis, onto the floor with a ‘thud’ and left the study.

I slowly rose from my chair with a meaningful smile.

“Y-young master, what wrong have I done to be captured like this?”

Despite wearing ordinary clothes that would blend into any crowd, his sturdy physique was clearly visible.

In the early parts of the novel “The Youngest Son of the Brilliant Family,” Riden was described as a coward gifted in escape and disguise, but there was a twist in the middle section.

Hong Hwa Ru, one of the top information organizations.

Riden’s past was as the leader of its shadow operatives.

Currently, he’s in conflict with the leader of Hong Hwa Ru, the “Poison Woman,” and has left on his own to establish a new information network, testing the waters here.

And two years later, he becomes the protagonist’s reliable informant.

“Have you been well?”

“Do you know me…? I’m seeing you for the first time today, young master.”

“You still don’t understand why you were captured?”

Riden, tied up on the floor, shakes his head vigorously while putting on his characteristic naive expression.

“I truly don’t know. Sir Rio suddenly came into the tavern and captured me without any reason.”

“Wow, seeing you in person, you really are a good actor.”

“I-I don’t understand what you’re saying—”

“Riden Solis.”

A moment of silence passed.

Then, veins bulged on Riden’s neck.

“Uuugh!!!”

“Trying to break free? It’s useless, you know?”

“…What?”

“Have you heard of Peil fruit? If you squeeze it by hand, apply it to rope, and dry it in the sun for a day, it becomes very hard and tough.”

Riden, still not trusting me, continues to exert himself, rolling around on the study floor.

About a minute passed.

Still unwilling to give up, he grits his teeth with a reddened face, trying to break the rope.

“Nnnggh!!”

“You’d better give up. The compound dissipates over time and returns to normal, but even someone with great strength would find it difficult to break free on their own for at least a month.”

“Huh, huff… I am Delen.”

“Kuk! Since you can’t break the rope, you’ve changed your approach, I see.”

“I don’t understand why you’re misunderstanding, young master, but you’ve got the wrong person.”

I pulled a chair in front of Riden and sat down before continuing.

“I don’t like lengthy conversations, so I’ll get straight to the point. I’d like you to get me some information I need for the time being.”

“No matter what you say, I don’t understand this situation—”

“I’m not asking you to do it for free. I’ll pay the same rate as Hong Hwa Ru.”

Riden’s pupils moved rapidly once more.

He’s calculating profit and loss.

He originally planned to establish himself in this area, and if he answers incorrectly, all his plans could come to nothing.

“First, please untie me.”

“Who am I untying? Delen? Or Riden Solis?”

“…It’s Riden.”

“That’s right, very good attitude.”

Seems like he’s ready to talk now.

I got up from the chair and untied the rope, and Riden also stood up, dusting off his clothes.

“Your promise to pay the same as Hong Hwa Ru… is that certain?”

“Yes, I’m not the type to tell lies that would be quickly exposed.”

“Good. What information do you want?”

“There are two urgent matters. First, why the Parseche family is rushing the marriage.”

“And the second?”

“Do you know about the corrupt business owners who were recently exiled from our territory?”

Riden immediately nods.

“I do. Do you want information on their current whereabouts?”

“No, there’s someone among our knights or servants who’s communicating with them. I want you to find out who it is.”

“Understood.”

“How will we contact each other?”

“Once I obtain the information, I’ll find you myself, young master.”

As Riden bowed and was about to leave the study, I tilted my head curiously.

“Aren’t you curious? About how I knew you were Riden Solis.”

“I am curious, but I don’t want an answer.”

“Why not?”

Riden stopped at my second question.

Then he turned around with a gentle smile.

“Because every piece of information demands its proper price.”