Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Sowing the Seeds of Doubt
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What's going through Ian's head right now?
He's probably racking his brains, trying to figure out if what I said holds up or not. But no matter how he turns it over in his mind, there are no holes in my story.
Everything I've done can naturally be pinned on White Light.
Why?
Because White Light has both the manpower and the perfect justification for it.
Evil Society and White Light.
Those two forces are like irreconcilable black and white.
It's only natural they'd get in each other's way.
Ian let out a thoughtful 'Hmm...' and turned to me.
"Such people existed? I can't wrap my head around it. White Light strikes me as far too suspicious."
You know full well, yet you're pretending otherwise?
Just as White Light knows of Evil Society, so does Evil Society know of White Light.
Ian would know too, of course. The problem is him playing dumb. It doesn't matter. I've already planted the false idea in his head that White Light and I are connected.
I added one more layer to ensure he couldn't possibly doubt it.
"If some stranger had told me that, I'd have been suspicious too. But it was the princess herself who revealed the truth to me."
Ian's eyes froze in genuine surprise this time, his pupils going still.
"The princess?"
"Yes. Don't you remember how she saved us all back in Trial Valley?"
"Indeed, a most regrettable incident."
"She knew that accident was coming. She said it was Evil Society targeting her, and she gave me the antidote. From that moment, the princess and I have been in secret contact. She even brought me to the duke's estate because I was still clueless about the situation."
"So that's why you went to the duke's together? But how does that inspire trust?"
Playing dumb when you know damn well?
If the other side wears a mask, so must I.
A thick iron one at that. I gritted my teeth, feigning outrage.
"The duke was poisoned by Evil Society's schemes too—the same culprits who poisoned me. The princess and White Light knew about it. While pursuing that poisoner, they learned about me and ended up saving my life."
Come on, Ian. Use that brilliant mind of yours to dig for the truth.
Ian's eyebrows twisted into an inverted eight.
"They tracked the poisoner and discovered you'd been poisoned...?"
"Yes. The princess showed me the duke's condition and the scene where a White Light member fought Nemet, the poisoner. That Nemet fellow—an Evil Society executive—wielded terrifying power."
To sell the deception further, I channeled my inner energy to make my body hair stand on end.
I had to act scared, recalling Nemet.
I told Ian,
"Anyone could see that Nemet was evil. Fortunately, the White Light member's swordsmanship was exceptional enough to defeat him. That swordplay of his..."
I had to pretend to be mesmerized by it.
Damn it, why does that annoying Sword Saint's face keep popping up?
I nearly let my expression slip.
I forced my face back to normal and continued.
"It was beyond words. You might not believe me, but his skill rivaled yours or even Father's."
I have no idea if White Light actually has some master swordsman, or if they'd match Ian or Father.
But it had to be that level to take down Nemet.
Still... if they know of Evil Society and oppose them, they probably do have a few such experts.
This tidbit would solidify Ian's misconception.
Ian knows Nemet's strength, so my story gains credibility.
Did it work?
"The world is vast, and there are many strong ones... Yes, that fits perfectly."
Ian nodded a couple of times, intrigued.
"I get White Light and Evil Society now. So the princess is part of White Light too?"
"No, she said she's not a member. Like me, she's someone who owes them a debt and cooperates with them."
"Just hearing this gives me a headache."
"Yes, it was a whole new world to someone like me, who'd only known Pador estate until now. But Uncle Ian."
"...?"
"That's not why I came to see you."
"There's something bigger than this?"
As if I'd come here just to drop that one bombshell?
To fool Ian completely, I needed to plant a seed.
"As they cured my poison, they told me: if someone kept me poisoned for years, there must be... a traitor in the family."
Rrrrrumble!!
My body twisted with sudden nausea.
Ian’s aura surged, threatening to engulf the room.
A monster is a monster, after all.
One of the continent's top five swordsmen by the blade. No wonder he vied with Father for the family head position in their youth.
Ian was furious at White Light for insulting Pador estate.
"What kind of place do they think this is, spouting such nonsense?"
Yet strangely, no windows shattered, no tables rattled.
It was pure, refined rage—perceptible only to my heightened senses. All the more chilling for it.
"I thought the same... but Uncle, there's no other explanation."
"You're saying this family truly has an enemy within?"
"Yes, there's definitely a traitor among us. That's why I came to you—the one person I can trust most."
Time to drive it home.
"Among Pador's leaders, one serves as Evil Society's vanguard."
Accusing a traitor in the family leadership—excluding Ian. This secures his trust.
At the same time, it echoes what past Deyan would have said.
Back then, I probably would have gone barking up the wrong tree.
Ian wouldn't be the suspect—not even a fleeting thought.
He was the one who taught me what a knight is, made me dream of knighthood, put a sword in my hand.
If past me hadn't seen Ian's betrayal with my own eyes, I'd never suspect him even now.
That's what Ian was to me.
Which made the resentment burn deeper.
"Uncle, I can't tolerate that bastard. That's why I dueled the North family's son—to show what happens when they touch Pador blood."
No acting needed; genuine fury boiled up from within.
Because the target was Ian himself.
"I feel the same. I don't know who it is... but they won't die easy."
Ian’s mind must be spinning right now.
He's probably listing candidates to take the fall in his place.
"Good, well said. Deyan, leave this to me. I'll root out that snake and drag him here myself."
"Of course, I knew you'd say that. Who else can I trust if not you, Uncle?"
"Right, then off you go."
"Yes, Uncle."
That was my prepared gambit.
Mixing truth and lies just enough to confuse Ian.
That White Light and I both target Evil Society? Pure truth.
And that truth perfectly aligned with my movements and actions.
It explained how I overcame the poison and crushed the North family's heir.
But all of it meant nothing unless I triumphed over Ian.
Of course, I had faith I'd win... but never underestimate your opponent.
He might be hiding schemes, plots, and skills beyond my expectations.
To lower even that slim chance, I should recruit some help.
I'd already met the perfect ally at Ran Pador's birthday party.
Bernard Sherman.
The fallen noble of the south—I needed to pay him a visit.
As I pondered excuses to approach him, I spotted Jayvolg waiting out front.
I puffed out my chest and asked the awkwardly rigid Jayvolg,
"What are you doing here?"
Jayvolg pointed to the new crest emblazoned on his chest.
Pador family emblem.
"Your escort knight, of course? A needle goes nowhere without its thread."
"Weather's chilly—you didn't have to come. I could've gone alone."
"Aw, come on. Right, Marian? Nellin?"
At Jayvolg's call, Marian and Nellin peeked out from behind him.
Nellin handed me an outer coat, while Marian pressed a cup of hot tea into my hands.
"We have to go together, young master!"
"Exactly! We can't just sit around while you head out."
What a pointless fuss.
Still, their sincerity touched me, so I'd let them have their way.
I walked through Pador estate's gardens with them.
But then.
"Young master, this way! Over here!"
Nellin kept steering me onto side paths.
"That's not the way—what's with dragging me there?"
"I wanna see it!"
Even Marian, unlike her usual self, chimed in.
"Me too!"
So obvious what they're up to.
But they were just girls, so I followed along.
Soon enough...
"...?"
I sensed presences lurking around the garden fountain.
Amateurish hiding jobs.
Jayvolg subtly signaled from behind, and I caught it from the front.
Impossible not to notice.
They've prepared something?
I hesitated. Play dumb or call it out?
The Dark Venerable in me would've scoffed at the hassle and walked away...
But.
"Young master! Over here, come on!"
Marian's wave pulled my feet forward unwittingly.
Maybe once... I could indulge in young Deyan's life?
This was my third go at living, but their first. No—for me too, this was the first time being welcomed with smiles.
I stepped forward and took position by the fountain as they guided.
And then...
"Congratulations, young master!"
Head butler Bator and Janitz appeared in ridiculous costumes.
Musicians with their instruments, a long embroidered banner from the head maid and maids conveying celebrations, platters of food borne by the estate chefs on silver trays, crisp white tables.
Even Jayvolg popping champagne.
What a commotion.
Champagne splashed everywhere amid it all.
"Young master, we put this together to celebrate your recovery and stellar performance!"
Seeing me stand there dumbfounded, the boisterous arrivals exchanged glances.
"Th-this isn't it...?"
"Uh...?"
Marian and Nellin gave awkward smiles.
"Young master?"
"..."
I scanned them slowly, then the surroundings. Dusk had fallen, but this spot shone brighter than anywhere else.
"Perfect..."
"Really?!"
That one word melted their tension, and the party kicked off.
"I knew you'd love it!"
"Hahaha! Party time!"
Of course, when Jayvolg tried smearing cake on my cheek, I smashed a full one into his face. But it was fun.
I'd always thought events lose their spark once you know the ending.
Yet time with these precious people... even knowing it all, felt this wonderful.