episode_0042

“Master! I heard that the imperial family separately invited you to the Constitutional Festival? I heard a rumor that His Majesty the Emperor cares for you so much… ”

In the carriage returning to Duke Winfred’s residence, an old butler with a familiar face was making a fuss.

“Luna?”

“The lady arrived first and is renovating the mansion.”

Are you doing maintenance?

What needs to be repaired in that mansion?

“Tell me more.”

“A few days after Master left the mansion, Lady Luna fired a large number of the employees of the mansion.”

“What? They fired a large number of employees?”

“Yes, master. As a result, the management of the mansion must have been neglected for a while. Because it took time to hire proven users, the mansion is now being refurbished along with various repairs.”

The old butler smiled kindly and nodded.

As I watched the newly hired employees praising their work efficiency, I couldn’t help but laugh.

‘I guess it’s true that the mansion was turned upside down.’

Luna definitely told me.

Now that I’ve cleared away any threat to me, please return to Winfred.

At first, I thought that was some kind of nonsense.

I guess it wasn’t just a simple bluff.

‘Well, that’s okay.’

It’s ridiculous to be condescending just because they changed the users.

There are other real threats.

‘That’s because the Duke isn’t even interested in Kyle in the first place.’

princess.

And, Ian Winfred.

Even without Luna, Duke Winfred is like a minefield to me.

My head is already pounding.

The silver lining is that it won’t be long before we return.

[Scenario progress: 60%]

I didn’t want to, but anyway, after going through all the hardships, the progress rate was over half way.

Of course, there is still a long way to go, but this is enough to motivate me.

Obtain the Precious Blood, complete the progress, and use the Dagger of Rest to neutralize the system through death.

Then, after secretly being revived, kidnap Ludine and seize the holy relic, and all preparations are complete.

At that time, the old butler’s voice fell.

“Ah! I forgot to tell you. The Duchess and the Duke are currently vacating the residence.”

“Why those people again?”

“They both went on a temporary vacation to their maternal cousin, the Marquis of Drieta.”

“Going on vacation with your in-laws? So suddenly?”

“I don’t know the detailed reason either.”

The old butler blinked his eyes stupidly.

It was the face of someone who truly knew nothing.

The Duchess, Winfred’s confidant, has left for her home?

And with Ian Winfred?

There are only two cases that can be guessed.

Maybe the future has changed because I’ve been wandering around so much.

Or maybe Luna wrote it down before I arrived.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

Anyway, it’s good news for me that those damn humans aren’t in the mansion.

While I was lost in thought, I felt the speed of the carriage slowly slowing down.

When the carriage came to a complete stop with a loud friction sound, the old butler opened the door and got out first.

“Master, you have arrived.”

Diana and I got off the carriage one by one, holding the hand held out by the old butler.

When I raised my head, a familiar sight caught my eye.

“Welcome back.”

By Duke Winfred.

I can’t believe I’m coming back to this damn place.

As I barely swallowed the sigh that rose to the tip of my chin, the luggage wagon that arrived behind me stopped.

People who seemed to have come to meet us came rushing in and started moving their luggage.

As Deacon Noh said, they have all been changed, so except for a few, they are unfamiliar faces that I have never seen before.

“The mansion… It has changed a bit.”

“Of course. You will be even more surprised when you look inside.”

It’s so fucking useless.

I barely swallowed my words.

It was then.

“Kyle.”

Luna’s voice drifted softly.

As I turned my head in the direction of the voice, I made eye contact with Luna, who was coming out the front door.

“You’ve arrived.”

Luna slowly started coming towards me.

The old butler saw Luna approaching, bowed, greeted her, and hurriedly left.

I looked at Luna with a sour face.

Luna looked at me and smiled brightly.

“Welcome, little brother.”

****

“Master, what happened to the woman who came with us… ?”

“It’s a personal escort, so take care of yourself. Provide a suitable room and prepare meals on time.”

I left Diana, who came with me, with the old butler.

Diana looked at me blankly, then lowered her head and immediately followed the butler.

‘I can’t believe I ended up coming here again… ‘

Although I was already dizzy from the mounting frustration, the fact that the duchess and duke who I hated the most were not in the mansion was some consolation.

The newly hired employees served quietly without any fuss.

I told them to bring the luggage they had brought in the carriage to my room so I could live at the mansion for the time being.

The same goes for bath water to soothe a tired body and a light meal to appease hunger.

After roughly completing all instructions, I went up to my room.

“What the fuck?”

My room became larger.

It’s not just an optical illusion; the room actually becomes larger.

Without exaggerating, this is enough for a family of five to live in this room without any problems.

I looked around and burst into laughter.

I soon realized.

“Did you expand two rooms?”

The wall was torn down and two rooms were connected.

There is no explanation other than that.

“… … ”

It is not simply wider.

All the shabby furniture was replaced with luxurious furniture made of the highest quality materials, and the bed that was once full even for one person was changed into a large bed like the one you would see in an imperial palace.

Could this possibly be Luna’s doing?

I was speechless due to the unexpected situation.

I lay spread out on the bed.

It’s soft, has a fragrant scent, and most of all, it feels like it gently wraps around your body.

Of course, the advanced level is different.

Every time I tossed and turned, a feeling of comfort that made me not want to wake up pressed down on my whole body.

As I lay down, I reminded myself of the purpose of returning here.

‘How do I rob an underground safe?’

In order to obtain the Precious Blood, you must trick the duke’s eyes and break through the security of the double-layered underground vault.

I heard that after obtaining the genuine Precious Blood, they strengthened the already tight security of the underground vault.

‘Are you going to set the mansion on fire?’

I immediately shook my head violently.

It can’t be like that.

Even if a fire breaks out, it can be extinguished in an instant, and above all, the materials that make up the mansion are not simple materials.

Since they are all specially processed, they will not be able to withstand even a moderate amount of fire.

‘Is Jonber the answer?’

It remains until the duke leaves the place.

Right now, I can’t think of any other suitable solution.

Let’s think about it slowly.

Because there is nothing urgent right now.

It was then.

smart-

A knocking sound broke into the quiet silence.

“Come in.”

The person who opened the door and came in was an old butler.

He smiled kindly and slowly entered the room.

“Do you like the changed room?”

“Okay.”

Despite the insincere answer, the old butler kept smiling.

He immediately took out the business with a smile on his face.

“The Duke is looking for you.”

“… Father me?”

“Yes, master.”

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

Why would a person who doesn’t care whether I return to the Duke’s residence call me for some business?

“For what reason?”

“I did not hear the detailed reason. He simply gave instructions to quietly bring the master… ”

Bring him quietly? me?

At this late hour?

At first glance, it doesn’t look favorable.

‘What should I do with this?’

A brief thought followed.

There may be an option to ignore the duke’s instructions, but due to his persistent nature, he will definitely call me out.

Above all, going against the Duke’s wishes until he gets his hands on the Precious Blood will only increase his vigilance.

It didn’t take long to organize my thoughts.

I frowned and stood up.

“Guide me.”

The old butler bowed his head once and immediately led me to the duke’s office.

I went down the central stairs, turned around the corner, and arrived in front of a richly decorated door.

smart-

“Duke, Master Kyle has arrived.”

“Come in.”

After the duke’s permission was granted, the old butler opened the door.

The cozy smell of paper flowing through the crack in the door passed my nose.

As I slowly entered, my eyes met the Duke sitting at the desk.

“You should just leave.”

At the clear order to congratulate the guests, the old deacon left the place with a light nod.

“… … ”

A cool silence pressed down on the space.

The peacock’s bright blue eyes shot a frost-like gaze.

I also glared at the Duke with annoyed eyes.

After a while, the Duke’s mouth, which had been tightly shut, opened.

“I heard the story. He was in the imperial palace while he was away from the mansion.”

“Well, it was like that.”

I nodded leisurely.

The Duke tapped the desk with his fingertips and continued speaking.

“Princess, Rudine Eckhart.”

“… ”

“They said he was that close to that child. To the extent that I was invited separately to the Konkuk Festival due to my personal relationship with him.”

“Is there any problem?”

“Problem? Yes. A lot of that too.”

The Duke began making a series of unintelligible sounds.

The words exchanged are mixed up, making it difficult to communicate.

While swallowing the cursing that was up to his chin, the Duke asked me in a calm voice.

“Why did you come back?”

Why, I came here to steal the Precious Blood.

Since I couldn’t speak honestly, I chose to remain silent.

“It was strange from the beginning.”

The Duke’s eyes narrowed.

His gaze seemed to be gauging my true intentions.

“The four guys, who were only half a penny in size, suddenly changed their attitude, and as if it were not enough to know the exact location of the Holy Blood, which had never been found before, they left the mansion one day and started coming and going in the imperial palace as if it were their own home.◦# ◦

The sad gaze felt stinging.

The air in the office suddenly became heavier.

“Since when did you know?”

“What do you mean?”

From earlier, I had no idea what the party was talking about.

When he couldn’t bear it anymore and asked, the duke added.

“Pretending not to know won’t work.”

“…?”

“Be honest.”

Fuck.

What do you blow?