Blony, with a frightened face, stamred.
“Y-You’re the Southern Wonhwa, right? Then you’d know.”
“So you an soone from the royal palace? Who is it?”
I asked with a stern face. Blony swallowed dryly and hesitantly opened her mouth.
“It’s Lord Dumans.”
Dumans? If it’s Dumans...
As I mulled over the na, I frowned deeply.
“Wolfgang Dumans?!”
The man who was the judge in the 5v5 open battle and secretly helped Silin.
The Wolfgang Dumans I ordered Rika to deal with?
Blony nodded.
“Y-Yes.”
Unbelievable.
‘That guy was a mber of the ?’
So that’s why he helped Silin?
Shaking my head, I thought,
‘I’ll look into that later. Right now, Masah and Mari are more urgent.’
“How much information did you give away?”
“Um, the first one I gave information to was Rilu, no, Miss!”
“If you lie in this situation, you know it’ll be truly uncontrollable, right?”
“I know. Really! It’s true!”
Blony spilled out her words with a pale face.
“I searched the servants’ belongings to find weaknesses!”
“Why weaknesses?”
“To find weaknesses so that Lord Dumans could get what he asked for...”
“What did he ask for?”
Blony glanced at Alexis.
Then she lowered her head deeply and stamred,
“The records of migration of Ishiron’s serfs from 14 years ago...”
“...Unauthorized removal of domain records wouldn’t just end with a punishnt room.”
“......”
That’s truly a cri punishable by death.
If such information leaked to a foreign country, it could be exploited.
That’s why, even half a century ago, it was a cri punishable by exterminating the whole family.
Now I understand why she hastily pinned the cri of leaking information on .
If caught, I’d really be dead.
‘Anyway, I can sowhat believe her.’
Admitting to such a serious cri ans she’s revealed all her cards.
‘But why records from 14 years ago?’
Why would she want to view records from 14 years ago?
Fourteen years ago was when Duke Ishiron was head of the dukes.
Although still a powerful family, there’s a huge difference compared to then, when he held power comparable to the emperor.
But why look at old records instead of current ones?
‘Feels fishy.’
“I’ll have to see those records myself.”
I muttered, and Blony flinched, looking up at .
“I-I can’t do it anymore. I can’t bring them out!”
“Who told you to?”
Who would be crazy enough to have those records smuggled out?
She probably no longer has influence among the servants.
I picked up the transmission stone.
‘A straight fight.’
After inputting the code and waiting, a familiar voice soon ca through.
[So, what is it?]
“I want to see the migration records of Ishiron’s serfs... Duke Ishiron.”
[...]
He was silent for a while.
Then I heard a snicker.
[No outsider can view the records without the lord’s order.]
“But if the lord orders it, it’s possible, right?”
[Why on earth would I give away my domain’s records?]
“Well, it’s because cute Alexis asked!”
Alexis, holding a teacup, flinched and looked at .
“......”
[...]
Alexis and Duke Ishiron were silent.
I poked Alexis’s side.
What are you doing?
He glared and sighed deeply.
“He’s not the kind to give records lightly. Please....”
[...]
The grandfathers above the duke are all as stubborn as steel cables.
Duke Ishiron was as stubborn as my grandfather, giving no reply even to his grandson’s request.
‘If that’s the case, I have no choice.’
Despite appearances, I was once soone who advanced without backing, just by social skill.
Using the social skills I learned in this second life, I beca the favorite grandchild of Duke Astra.
I clasped my hands and stared at the transmission stone.
“Please, Duke.”
[...] “What?”
“I would never harm Ishiron. Because now we’re ‘one family’.”
[Ha, really...]
“I’ll behave in a way worthy as the duke’s daughter-in-law...”
[...]
“Duke...”
Still no reply from Duke Ishiron.
‘Is this not working?’
Maybe I was too angry last ti?
Now all that’s left is to threaten.
‘I could say sothing like, “If need be, our Lagon might sneeze and set fire to Ishiron Castle’s tower...”’
While thinking about how to threaten,
[Can see you playing above my head clearly.]
Han Ji-hyeok muttered, “It’s no use.”
I raised a hand slightly to stop him and looked back at the transmission stone.
‘Though his tone sounds annoyed, sohow it’s similar to my grandfather’s.’
This is the voice that cos out when I say,
“I’ll live with grandfather forever!”
“Duke?”
[Good grief.]
“D-Duke?”
[Ha, really!]
“...Father.”
[I’ll inform the castle. Take it.]
Now that I see it, dukes aren’t just stubborn but also similarly sharp-tongued.
Ishiron’s duke was much more sly, though.
‘I wanted to hear “Father,” but for now “Father” will do.’
Actually, I might have wanted to hear “Grandfather” more, but for now “Father” will suffice.
He is certainly at an age to dotingly spoil grandchildren.
Since his only grandchild is a stiff fellow like Alexis, he might dream of a warm grandchild.
I was a little displeased to suddenly have another grandfather.
But he kindly sent his regards.
“Thank you, Father. Please be sure to eat properly.”
[Yes!]
Ha ha ha ha!
The hearty laughter echoed as the communication ended.
Alexis looked displeasedly at the transmission stone.
I said to him,
“He seems to like it a lot.”
“......”
“Call the duke sothing nicer.”
“...Why don’t you just stab him?”
Blony looked at in disbelief.
She seed more scared than surprised that the fearso Ishiron Duke collapsed with a single “Father.”
Han Ji-hyeok shook his head, muttering,
“If you beca the young master’s concubine, before opposing the lady, Duke Ishiron would have breathed fire...”
Alexis looked at Han Ji-hyeok with a dumbfounded expression.
“What nonsense is that?”
Han Ji-hyeok winked at Blony and said,
“It ans there was a girl who wanted to be the young master’s concubine.”
Alexis looked at Blony with a contemptuous gaze.
Blony bit her lip hard, blushing deeply.
Tears dripped from Blony’s eyes onto the floor.
That night, the migration records of Ishiron’s serfs were delivered into my hands.
While reading through dozens of volus, the older brothers and Alexis were giving each other challenging looks.
“Oh? There’s a murderous look in your eyes?”
Balzac said, and Alexis just raised the corner of his mouth in reply.
“Maybe you’re just trying to see it that way.”
“Short reply?”
“You’d better look at yourself first.”
“You bastard—”
I blocked Balzac’s face with one hand as he tried to jump out.
“Enough.”
“But that bastard—!”
“You’re a nuisance, Balzac.”
Only then did Balzac quiet down.
Joshua smiled and asked,
“What are you searching for so hard?”
“Sothing suspicious.”
“I don’t think you’ll find it alone tonight. I’ll help.”
“No, I found it.”
I slamd the book on the table with a wicked face.
[Hans Bender – Migration to Euroseg Domain (Illness)]
This was why I desperately searched for the migration records of Ishiron’s serfs from the Veil.
‘Found you, Wild Mage.’
The next day.
Disguised as Alexis’s maid, I went out into the busy streets.
Of course, my goal was to find the Wild Mage who is definitely ‘Hans Bender.’
Han Ji-hyeok ran his hand through his hair, frowning.
“It’s good that you know which Hans is the Wild Mage.”
“Yeah.”
“But why can’t we find where he lives? ...We’ve been looking for an hour.”
That’s because Hans Bender, or the Wild Mage, doesn’t have a fixed residence.
“I’ve never seen anyone without an address before.”
“Well, people who work in the shadows are like that. But why are we wearing cold-weather clothes when the weather’s getting warr?”
I waved my hand with a “pfft.”
“Because if the Veil recognizes us and chases us, we can’t be caught.”
“But you have disguise magic tools.”
“Perfect disguise is impossible. At least hiding the silhouette properly is a decent disguise.”
It was really hot.
Now that it’s spring and the yard shimrs with heat waves, I was wearing an extrely thick coat.
Han Ji-hyeok ground his teeth and said,
“That looks even weirder.”
“They say the uniforms for lower retainers are distributed last by season? It’s fine. It’s a plausible outfit.”
I said while looking around.
“They said he lives in this back alley...”
“We’re on the second lap. Not a single sight of Hans Bender or anyone like him.”
Han Ji-hyeok and I walked wearily.
“When did you say he’s leaving the Euroseg domain...?”
I asked gloomily, and Han Ji-hyeok answered with an equally gloomy face.
“Tomorrow.”
“We should have found sothing today...”
“Yeah. Anyway, the alley looks pretty grim.”
I looked around following Han Ji-hyeok.
The alley was indeed a terrible sight.
Several people wore ragged shirts that looked like old rags, lying on the ground.
So kids younger than were carrying army bags, begging.
“......”
As I stared at the kids, Han Ji-hyeok muttered,
“Don’t even think about giving them money.”
“I know. They’ll all just be taken away.”
Just monts ago, a passerby mistakenly gave coins to a beggar.
Then grown n fought each other over a single coin.
“They look like bottles more than people...”
Their faces were all dirt-colored, with yellowish whites of their eyes.
“Do they even have dicine? The best thing is for Alexis to talk to the Euroseg lord.”
Han Ji-hyeok sighed.
I suddenly stopped walking.
“There was an apothecary at the entrance, right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Before alerting the Euroseg lord, so dicine won’t hurt.”
“Well, that’s...”
Han Ji-hyeok and I turned and headed toward the apothecary.
‘What was that disease with yellowed whites of the eyes again?’
Since most people in the alley looked similar, I should ask if there’s an epidemic.
Entering the apothecary, I asked the owner, who was chewing sothing.
“All these people in this alley look the sa. Is there an epidemic?”
“Oh, it’s Pigen disease.”
“Pigen...? Is that a disease from malnutrition? Isn’t Euroseg providing relief?”
“Relief? No way. They’re all illegal immigrants. They ca committing cris, so they don’t even get treated as serfs.”
“...Is there dicine for Pigen disease?”
“Forget--not root works well.”
“Then forget--not root and... huh?”
As I spoke, looking around, my eyes widened.
Han Ji-hyeok, who was inspecting a dried bulb that looked like a person, looked at .
“Why?”
“Tricolor plant!”
“Huh?”
“Tricolor plant, tricolor plant!”
I dashed to the stall piled high with tricolor plants.
‘Amazing! Amazing!’
It’s a rare herb, hardly seen even in Astra, the empire’s largest comrcial district.
Han Ji-hyeok looked at , groaning.
“Are you seriously going to buy it?”
“Of course!”
“Sure. And I’ll carry it for you...”
Han Ji-hyeok gave up and started gathering the tricolor plants.
I quickly paid for all of them.
The owner looked surprised.
“You’re buying all of these?”
“I can also trade for any that co in later.”
“Why do you need so many? It’s mostly used for athlete’s foot. There are better herbs for that.”
The owner looked baffled but quickly took the money.
“Buying it is your choice, but don’t regret it.”
“If more tricolor plants co out, sell them to . I’ll give you a contact.”
“That’s good. I know the farm owner, so I’ll accept them, but no one buys them.”
“Farm? There’s a farm for tricolor plants?”
At that mont,
Ding-a-ling.
A man wearing a thick robe as heavy as mine entered the apothecary, ringing a bell.
“Seven tricolor plants.”
The man imdiately said what he needed.
The owner chuckled.
“They hadn’t sold all month, but today they’re popular.”
“They say tricolor plants are sold here.”
“They did sell. But that girl bought them all.”
Hearing that, the man whipped off his hood.
His ssy black hair covered most of his face.
He grumbled as he approached .
“You! What are you thinking, buying all the tricolor plants!”
“Ah, if you need so, I can—”
“There’s limits even to bad manners! How could your parents have taught you like that?!”
The man stopped as I was about to hand over so plants.
“...Is hoarding illegal in the empire?”
“It’s not illegal, but herbs...”
“Tricolor plants aren’t for serious diseases. They’re used for athlete’s foot or to remove foot odor.”
“Who talks back to adults like that? Did your parents ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) teach you that?”
Han Ji-hyeok looked at , startled.
I have limits on whom I tolerate.
Kids who can be reford.
Kids whose sins aren’t severe.
Kids without malice.
I don’t tolerate fully grown adults.
And in this life, I’ve never lost a verbal fight.
...This was the start of a war.
“Fine. Since I was well raised, I’ll share the tricolor plants.”
“Hmph, you need seven—”
“Say, ‘Please, I beg you.’”
“What?! W-What?!”
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