[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 24: The Duties of a Butler
Aiden received a visitor in his study.
"I pay my respects to the head butler."
"There's no need for formalities between us, is there?"
"I apologize, Uncle."
"You're still so stiff."
Head butler Aiden smiled faintly at his most cherished nephew and disciple, Olivier.
It was a rare sight that would surprise many.
Few people had ever seen the head butler smile, a smile as rare as a phoenix's feather.
"How is the young master doing?"
"Well, it's..."
When his nephew hesitated, a wry smile appeared on the butler's face.
"It's rare to see you be at a loss for words."
"It's difficult to explain in a single sentence."
It was only natural. How could one easily understand the changes in Allenvert, who had recovered his past life as Karzan?
"That's alright. It's better to avoid oversimplifying a person, especially one you serve."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"You never make repeat myself, so I won't nag you any further."
Aiden, the head butler of the Grunewald dukedom and the head of the Borgart clan looked at his nephew who resembled him the most.
He personally taught him everything about being a butler, from his duties to his mindset, etiquette, and even martial arts. He was more like a son than a nephew.
"Having served him for a few days, I now understand why you appointed as the young master's butler."
"I'm glad you understand. At first, you might have felt demoted."
"...No."
"You're still not very good at lying."
"I apologize."
Olivier bowed his head respectfully as if he were addressing a teacher.
"I've always felt sorry for you."
"I know."
"How I wished you had been born five years earlier."
It was also a matter of luck to be born at the right ti. Despite his abilities, Olivier had been held back by his age.
"I had hoped you could beco the sole butler serving a young master with great potential, rather than just one of many serving the clan head."
It was a sentint born from familial affection.
"But by the ti you ca of age, those who were worthy of serving had already found their butlers."
And he hadn't been keen on assigning him to the youngest son, Barclava.
As a result, Olivier had been enduring a period of stagnation, unable to fully utilize his abilities.
"I even considered sending you to another clan."
Olivier smiled faintly.
"But I always wanted to stay in Grunewald."
"I know."
Allenvert's sudden transformation after his fever had alleviated Aiden's worries.
"Perhaps it was a hasty decision."
"No, I admire your foresight in recognizing Young Master Allenvert's abilities so quickly."
Olivier said.
"He's like a dragon awakened from a long slumber."
"Indeed."
Whether Allenvert's changes were the result of a long-prepared sche or an awakening brought about by his fever, what mattered was that he might have finally found a worthy master to serve.
"And there's a certain connection between you and the young master."
Olivier smiled slightly.
"Yes, that's right."
When Oliver was very young, he was a timid boy who had just arrived at the castle and would cry in secret…
He had found great comfort in a boy who, without knowing who Olivier was, would place sweet snacks in his hands.
"It seems he doesn't rember."
Olivier said with a hint of disappointnt in his voice.
"He hasn't fully recovered his mories yet. It's only natural."
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Tell him about it later. He'll like that story."
Aiden had always felt a mixture of pity and mild contempt for the seemingly aimless Allenvert.
Who would have thought that the boy would change so much?
"It's rare to see the second young master caring so much about soone."
Indeed, the second prince was sharp. He must have sensed sothing about Allenvert without even eting him.
"...But there's sothing I'd like to ntion."
Olivier said hesitantly, as if unsure if he should be so bold.
"Yes?"
"His personality has changed quite a bit. He's beco bold and even playful."
"You an he has beco more like a carefree man from the underworld or the military?"
"Yes, exactly."
Olivier nodded in agreent as if confirming a fact.
"And his eyes seem a bit wild."
"Well, that..."
Olivier changed the subject, unable to quite agree with that observation.
"Anyway, the young master has given two tasks."
"What are they?"
"The first is to prepare a training ground where he can exercise. And the second..."
Olivier lowered his voice.
"Is to weed out the untrustworthy servants."
"So, you intend to remove those who spy and replace them with loyal servants."
The butler easily guessed his intentions.
'It's what most promising young nobles would do.'
Just like Allenvert's other brothers.
...And of course, the butler was well aware that Barclava, the fifth son, had failed in this task and was now under his brother's control.
"What do you plan to do?"
"First, I'll consult with the servants who have been closest to the young master to create an initial list and assess their reputations. Then, I will conduct interviews to determine their fate."
"Good. When information is lacking, it's best to seek help from soone you trust."
"I understand."
Seeing Olivier handle the matter so competently, Aiden was relieved.
"Be careful. Don't let any information leak out."
"Yes."
"While we're at it, let give you so advice."
"I'm listening."
"Keep a close eye on those who complain the most and those who are the quietest."
"!"
"Do you understand why?"
Olivier thought for a mont before replying.
"I believe those who complain the most represent the discontent within the villa."
"And?"
"Those who are the quietest are likely observing the rumors and atmosphere within the villa. They're cautious, yet they probably know a lot."
"Precisely."
Aiden patted his nephew on the shoulder.
"I have no worries, knowing you as I do."
"Yes."
"So, what has the young master been up to?"
"He told he would be going to his study to read martial arts manuals after his training today."
"Hmm."
The old man was constantly surprised by the boy.
"It seems he's progressing rapidly in the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique."
"He has already reached the fourth level."
"That's an incredible pace."
Aiden murmured.
"Ludan would be pleased."
He had recently acquired a fine ride but spitefully hadn't invited him.
'What a nasty old man.'
...It was common for colleagues to beco friends after working together for decades, especially if they didn't have any professional conflicts.
"You may leave now."
Aiden dismissed Olivier.
"Yes."
Olivier bowed. His movents were filled with grace and etiquette. Even the most demanding nobleman would find nothing to fault in his deanor.
***
"Man, I'm so tired. Damn it."
I yawned, opening my mouth as wide as I could. It felt like I was breathing dragon fire.
"I don't even have the energy to walk up the stairs."
I couldn't believe how far the library seed. All I wanted to do was collapse and sleep.
"How about I carry you?"
Peter asked, sounding a bit silly.
"Are you crazy? You're going to break your back trying to carry with those skinny arms and legs of yours."
Peter was still small and had narrow shoulders, not exactly built for carrying people.
"I know, I was just kidding."
"Don't push it, or I might just make you do it."
"Sorry."
"You should be. What a useless guy."
"But Young master, you've been looking really healthy lately."
Peter's flattery was true.
"Want to try it? You could look completely different in just three days."
"I think I'd end up in a coffin before that."
"Yeah, probably."
"You're too much."
As silly as Peter sounded, the training was incredibly difficult.
It was no wonder I could already see muscles forming on my body after just a few days.
'My body's in pretty good shape.'
Actually, it was more than just good shape. My recovery rate, flexibility, stamina, strength, and explosive power were all far superior to Karzan's.
If I had had a body like this in my past life, how much stronger could I have beco?
'It's a pointless question now.'
But soday, I intend to untangle and sever all these unresolved ties with my own hands.
Even if it takes ten years, that’s fine.
'Until then, I hope that guy is doing well.'
I thought of my most trusted subordinate. He was the true successor of Karzan, my second-in-command. And in a way, he was also my disciple.
I wondered if he was alive and well, and what he was doing.
'I bet he's still cursing for all the shit I put him through.'
I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait a little longer. I will be back, eventually.
Thinking about the past made grin, and Peter looked at strangely.
"Why are you so happy?"
"Why not?"
I couldn't tell him the real reason, but it was true that I was looking forward to going to the library.
"I never thought I'd be able to move on to swordsmanship so quickly."
Swords were heavy weapons.
But now, I was strong enough to wield one and dance with it. So, there was no reason to delay any longer. I wondered how great the Grunewald swordsmanship techniques were.
"We're here."
I turned around and dismissed Peter.
"You can go back to your work."
"Yes, sir."
"And don't get into any trouble."
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"You? You're nothing special."
"I'm your one and only servant, sir."
"Oh, really? How impressive."
I waved him away.
"Alright, go on."
"Yes, sir."
I watched Peter run off and then turned back to the library.
***
Olivier, along with Peter and Julia whom Allenvert had acknowledged as his people, was compiling a personnel file on the servants.
"The cook is really trustworthy. I heard he's never once stolen any ingredients or substituted cheap ones for the real thing."
"That's impressive."
Olivier nodded, jotting down notes in his notebook.
It was truly remarkable for a cook to possess such a high moral character.
"He's very quiet and dedicated to his work. That's why he hates it when people disturb him during his breaks. And also..."
Olivier was surprised by how smoothly Peter was rattling off his assessnt.
'I didn't expect this.'
Peter had quite an observant eye. Perhaps he'd picked up these skills from constantly being around Allenvert. He seed to have underestimated Peter.
'You've made a hasty judgnt, Olivier.'
He chastised himself. Peter might be young and lack formal education, but he was an excellent servant in terms of attitude and work ethic.
He was carefully observing who was beneficial and harmful to his master.
"Who's next?"
"Um, Marco."
Peter and Julia eagerly started talking.
"He's got a foul mouth and is very careless. He's basically useless."
"He's weak to the strong and strong to the weak, I think."
Seeing that even Julia agreed, it was clear that Marco had a terrible reputation.
"That's why he's been completely silent ever since Young Master Barclava lost to our master."
"Yeah, he's probably afraid that what he's said in the past will co back to haunt him."
"Hmm, that's interesting."
Olivier nodded, barely suppressing the words ‘What a useless man.’
'This is tricky. Perhaps he's so cowardly that he's no threat.'
Maybe reassignnt wasn't necessary? While he was unpleasant, was that reason enough?
'Managing people is more difficult than I thought.'
Everything seed to be turning out differently than he'd expected.
"I think I should et him first."
"That's a good idea."
Peter grinned.
"He'll probably be so scared he'll grovel at your feet."
"Really? That's pathetic."
"It is. He was so rude to , but now he acts like we're best friends."
"He even gave bread once. It was delicious, though."
"Haha."
Watching the two youngsters chatter excitedly, Olivier couldn't help but smile.
They were quite endearing companions. Guiding them was also part of the task Allenvert had entrusted to him.
'Now, about Marco.'
He had decided to et Marco, but he wanted to have a plan before doing so.
'Those with loose lips often have loose morals. If soone were to bribe him...'
If there was even a possibility of that happening, he would have to get rid of him.
Olivier added Marco's na to his ntal list of people to eliminate, marking it with a large X.
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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