Chapter 25 : It’s a shame that things didn’t go as planned

“Boss, are you really going to do this?”

“No matter what, this is going too far. 

How are we supposed to deal with the aftermath?”

As his subordinates voiced their concerns, their leader, Zelpine, took a deep drag from his cigarette, his emotions complicated.

The same men who had dabbled in every crime imaginable for money were now trembling like scared dogs. 

If this were any other time, he would have cursed them out for being pathetic idiots.

But even he understood why they were reacting this way.

The order from “above” was just that insane.

“Attack a noble’s house? 

Does that even make sense?!”

“And that monster is there! 

What the hell are we supposed to do about that?!”

“Shut the hell up, you bastards! 

You think I want to do this?!”

His head was already killing him, and yet they kept whining. 

Unable to hold back his frustration, Zelpine threw away his cigarette and shouted.

Of course, he didn’t want to do this. 

But refusing meant losing his head. 

He had no choice. 

And it wouldn’t just end as a mere threat.

The person who gave the order was fully capable of making good on it.

“I know what you’re worried about! 

But don’t worry. 

Our job is a lot simpler than you think!”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah. 

They said they’ll lure the head of the house away, leaving the place empty. 

All we have to do is rob the damn house! 

Simple, right?!”

Zelpine’s roar was meant to boost morale.

Hearing that they wouldn’t have to deal with their biggest concern, his once-anxious subordinates began to regain their confidence.

“That’s right. 

As long as that monster isn’t there, it’s fine, right?”

“The Count must have stashed away a fortune in there. 

This is kinda exciting.”

“Should we do it?

Not like we have a choice anyway.”

The same men who had been shrinking moments ago now smirked wickedly.

Their eyes gleamed with the dirty mix of excitement and greed at the thought of raiding a noble’s estate.

Seeing that they were finally ready, Zelpine bared his teeth in a grin.

“Then get ready, you bastards! 

In two days, we’re wiping that noble scum off the map!”

A sudden letter arrived.

Normally, I’d assume it was another marriage proposal and just burn it, but the sender’s name made me pause.

Duke Tesbion.

As one of the most powerful figures under the royal family, he wasn’t someone I could ignore.

“Didn’t the Duke’s family send a letter before?” 

“Yeah. 

Guess they’re sending another one since I didn’t reply last time.”

Not someone I wanted to get involved with.

Still, I should at least check what he wants.

I just hoped that, at his age, he wasn’t sending me a proposal.

But as I read the letter, my brows furrowed.

[Since you have not responded to my previous message, I am sending another. 

There is something I wish to discuss with you privately.

I am not accustomed to rejection, so I trust there will not be a second time, Count.]

“…That’s a straight-up threat.”

“What is it, my lord?”

Sensing that something was off from my reaction, Ord took the letter from me.

His hands trembled as he read it, his eyes burning with fury.

“This is…! 

No matter how powerful he is, this is beyond rude!”

“Yeah. 

Hard to believe someone like him became a Duke.”

Then again, the fact that he could get away with this kind of behavior just meant he had that much power.

I really hate these aristocrats who rank people by their titles.

Still, is it really necessary to go this far just because I ignored one letter?

No. 

He must have another reason. 

The previous letter was probably just an excuse.

“My lord, you don’t have to go. If you do, he’ll just look down on you even more.” 

“I know. 

But I have to. 

Look at this.”

There won’t be a second time.

That means if I don’t go, who knows what he’ll do.

Honestly, if he tries to use force, I can handle myself… 

But that man isn’t stupid. 

He wouldn’t challenge me head-on.

For the sake of my territory and the people I’m responsible for, I had no choice but to step into that pig’s den.

“Don’t worry. 

I’ll go and come back quickly.”

Fortunately, the Duke’s land wasn’t too far.

If I flew at full speed, I’d be there in about thirty minutes.

“But my lord, weren’t you supposed to visit the village with Serena today?”

“…I guess I’ll have to tell her we’ll go tomorrow. 

I have to take care of this first.”

I just hoped she wouldn’t be too upset.

“Humph.”

“Hi

LF?”

She’s mad. 

And not just a little.

When I went to explain in her room, she turned her head away completely.

She was actually looking forward to it, huh.

I felt bad, but what could I do?

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. 

I’ll come back quickly, and we’ll go tomorrow for sure. 

Okay?”

As I gently patted her head to appease her, Serena let out the air she’d been puffing into her cheeks.

“…Fine. 

Just be careful. 

Don’t come back looking like a corpse again.”

“Got it. 

Want me to bring you something?”

“No need. 

You said it’s urgent. 

I don’t want to be a burden.”

Wow. 

Serena’s such a considerate girl.

With a heart this pure, how could I not squish her cheeks?

So soft.

This feeling alone would help me endure facing that pig of a man.

“…Hurry up and go. 

Aren’t you leaving? 

Go.”

“Ow. 

Okay, okay. 

No need to hit me.”

I got smacked a few times as payback for playing with her cheeks, but it didn’t really hurt.

After promising to return safely, I took off into the sky with magic.

“I’m here. 

Damn, this house is massive.”

From above, the Duke’s estate looked less like a mansion and more like a fortress.

It was at least three or four times the size of my own. 

How much money did he dump into this place?

As I landed at the front gate, the guards immediately raised their spears, on high alert.

“C-C-Count Christian?! 

W-What brings you here?!”

Wow. 

So he’s openly keeping a private army now, even though it’s illegal?

I knew he was powerful, but seeing him outright break the law like this was still shocking.

“Here. 

The Duke sent this.”

“W-What…”

I showed them the letter I received.

After checking it, they lowered their weapons.

“Our deepest apologies, my lord! 

We will inform him of your arrival immediately—”

“No need. 

He’s already expecting me.”

Either he saw me flying in, or he knew I’d come this way.

A carriage was already rolling up to the gate.

This estate was so large that even within the grounds, people needed to ride.

No surprise there. 

It was huge even from the sky.

I got into the carriage as the butler led me inside, passing the time by looking out the window.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the mansion.

I ignored the greetings of the servants and was soon escorted to the Duke’s office.

Knock, knock, knock.

“My lord, Count Christian has arrived.”

“Good. 

Let him in.”

A deep voice answered, and the butler opened the door.

“Welcome, Count. 

It has been a long time since we last saw each other.”

The one greeting me was a massive middle-aged man.

A thick beard covered his bloated face, his beady eyes narrowed under layers of fat, making him look even more suspicious.

Despite that, his fingers were covered in gold rings, and a massive gemstone necklace hung from his neck, as if he wanted to flaunt his wealth.

“…It’s been a while, Duke Tesbion.”

This was the owner of this fortress-like mansion—Faigle Tesbion.

A man infamous among the nobility for his greed.

And possibly the one who would have adopted Serena in the game’s storyline.

“I couldn’t trust him, so I took Serena away from him.”

A corrupt noble whose name was never revealed.

It was just speculation, but if there was an evil Duke in this world, it had to be the man before me.

“Now, sit. 

We have much to discuss.”

The Duke gestured generously as he sat on the sofa.

I just wanted to finish this quickly and leave.

That was the only thought in my mind as I sat across from him.

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Straight to the point, I see. 

Hah. 

Still as bold as ever.”

Unlike me, Faigle remained as relaxed as ever.

He said there was something important to discuss, but was that a lie too?

“That’s fine, but since you must have had a tiring journey, why don’t we have a drink and talk?”

Before he even finished speaking, as if on cue, a group of maids entered with a tea set.

True to his reputation as a man frequently involved in scandals with women, all of them were stunningly beautiful. 

Their maid uniforms left little to the imagination, with skirts revealing their thighs and tops accentuating their cleavage.

That didn’t particularly matter to me, but what did catch my attention was how unnaturally calm their expressions were, as if they were used to this.

“Come, have a cup. 

I’ve prepared a fine blend just for you, Count.”

A cup of tea was placed in front of me.

The aroma that wafted up was pleasant, but I didn’t touch it.

There was something I needed to check first.

‘Analyze what’s in the tea.’

I issued a command to improve my skill mentally, and the result came back: [No abnormalities detected.]

But just to be sure—

‘Check if anything is on the cup itself.’

This time, the answer was different.

[Small amounts of an aphrodisiac and a mild hallucinogenic drug detected.]

…I hadn’t expected him to play fair, but I also didn’t expect something this predictable.

This just confirmed that he was an even worse human being than I had imagined.

And thank god Serena didn’t fall into this bastard’s hands.

“…What’s the matter? 

Please, drink.”

“Yes, but first, I’d like to borrow a maid for a moment.”

“What?”

I gestured, and the maids hesitated, glancing at each other nervously. 

Eventually, one stepped forward cautiously.

“Come a little closer.”

“Count, what exactly are you—”

The moment she was within reach, I grabbed her by the collar and yanked her forward, forcing the tea down her throat.

“Mmff! 

Mmmph—!”

I wasn’t sure if she was struggling because of the heat or because she knew what was in it, but I didn’t let up. 

She was in on it anyway, so I had no reason to show mercy.

Once the cup was empty, I let go. 

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

“A… 

Ahh…?”

Her unfocused eyes, slack mouth, and the eerie, blissful smile spreading across her face left no doubt—she was drugged.

So, even though it was a small dose, the effect was strong, huh?

Well, not my problem.

“My apologies. 

There was something impure in the tea, so I had to take care of it.”

My blatant audacity must have pissed him off because Faigle’s once composed face immediately twisted with anger.