Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child (5)
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'That's the fundamental difference between him and Diego.'
Diego, that man, would never accept help from others, even if it killed him.
But Mikel had a family to protect. His daughter, whom he cherished more than anyone else in the world, more fiercely than anyone could imagine.
"With that, the meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for your hard work."
The advisor struck the gavel, bringing the three-day Noble Conference to a close.
"Hwaaaah."
I stretched languidly as I left the conference hall. Looking around, everyone else was shuffling along with exhausted faces.
'Getting this tired from just that.'
They were lords who spent most of their time at desks in their offices, that much was clear. Still, their complexions were much brighter compared to the past two days.
"Aigoo... Well, at least it's finally over."
"We can relax, eat, and drink comfortably today."
"They say the banquet on the third day has the best food of all."
They clustered together, heading toward the banquet hall. But the tips of my shoes pointed outward, not toward the hall.
"Young Lord Abel."
Mikel's voice caught me.
"Lord Mikel."
"Don't go alone. Come with us."
I stopped in place and flashed an awkward smile.
"I appreciate the invitation, but I'm afraid I can't today."
"Hm? Skipping the banquet?"
Mikel tilted his head.
"This is a great chance to make an impression on the other nobles. That's why everyone's so eager to attend."
"I've already made plenty of impressions."
"That's true. You've certainly left your mark."
Mikel chuckled heartily, then spoke with a hint of concern.
"Are you sure it's alright? His Majesty the Emperor might take offense."
"I'd love to attend, really... but ever since yesterday's duel, I've been feeling off."
I rubbed my perfectly fine arm as I added,
"My muscles are sore, and my head's dizzy. I think I need some rest."
"Haha, is that so?"
Mikel gave a knowing smile.
"For someone in that state, your tongue was moving pretty smoothly."
It was a jab at me for proposing the monster subjugation battle.
"I barely held on. But now I'm at my limit. I don't think I can make it to the banquet hall."
I grinned, clutching my arm and playing up the injury.
"If His Majesty asks, please put in a good word for me, Lord Mikel. After all, this is partly your fault."
"You seem to have forgotten who requested that duel."
Mikel said that, but he didn't try to hold me back any further.
"Fine, fine. I understand. These events can be quite taxing for young people."
"Thank you for understanding."
In truth, today's event was likely to be quite taxing.
'Princess Violet will be there.'
Who knew what scheme that wild princess was plotting? Especially in a place filled with so many nobles today.
Teasing Cain had been fun, but dealing with the princess was a hassle. Besides, I had a backlog of tasks to handle.
"Then I'll be off."
"Wait a moment."
Mikel stopped me as I turned.
"What's your schedule like from here?"
"It's hard to say exactly, but I'll be quite busy until the Harvest Festival."
"I see. Well, now that you're in the capital, you must have a lot to do."
"Pretty much."
The tasks he had in mind were probably quite different from mine, but I nodded along.
"So, how long will you stay in the capital? You'll attend the Harvest Festival, right?"
"Of course. I plan to stay in the capital until the subjugation battle."
"Hoo."
Mikel's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"You're not returning to your territory, then. Will Diego allow that?"
"My father will respect my decision."
In reality, I hadn't even told him, so respect had nothing to do with it.
"Anyway, that's good news. I'll be in the capital for a while myself."
Mikel smiled warmly and walked away.
"I'll contact you soon. Let's have some tea."
A group of nobles followed in his wake.
"Hmm."
Then Carlo and Cain's group passed by my side. Their piercing glares prickled my back.
"Hmph."
With a single snort, I left the area.
Without calling for a servant, I strolled leisurely out of the main building. The carriage I'd been using for the past three days was waiting.
"Let's go."
We set off immediately toward the castle gate. The guards on duty confirmed the carriage and opened the gate.
At that moment, I spotted someone I knew well just outside the gate.
"It's true. Young Master really..."
"We can't let you in without confirmation from the person himself. Wait here."
"Understood..."
I opened the carriage window and ordered the coachman.
"Stop for a moment."
After halting at the gate, I opened the window.
"Hey."
Philip, who had been squatting by the gate, looked up at my call.
"Young Master!"
Confirming it was me, he shot to his feet.
"Aigoo, my head."
He must have felt dizzy from standing up too suddenly, letting out a pitiful groan. The guard followed as he staggered toward me.
"Oh."
I remembered him. He was the guard captain who had struggled with Yonas earlier.
"You're working hard today as well."
"Thank you, sir."
The guard captain saluted and continued.
"This man insisted on seeing you, Lord Abel. Is he really an acquaintance?"
His sharp eyes scanned Philip up and down.
"Given the previous incident, I didn't let him in lightly and had him wait here."
"You did the right thing. Good work."
The imperial palace wasn't a place a mere commoner could enter with just an ID. Even ordinary nobles couldn't come and go without cause.
"No need to be so wary. He's the butler of the Kindriel family."
Only then did the guard captain relax his gaze.
"Is that so? Why didn't you come together?"
"I like speed. I came ahead, and had him follow slowly."
Philip stared at me with a pale face as I lied without changing expression. He quickly averted his eyes upon meeting my gaze.
"Anyway, good work. Forget the past incident entirely."
"Thank you, sir."
I dismissed the guard captain and beckoned Philip.
"Come closer."
Philip hesitated before pressing close to the window.
"Young Master."
His clothes were relatively clean, but his complexion was worse than last night. He must have suffered through the task I'd given him overnight.
Of course, no sympathy stirred in me at his pitiful sight.
"Where's Yonas?"
Only sharp reproach emerged.
"Ah, well..."
"Don't tell me you couldn't find him."
"No, no! It's not that!"
Philip broke into a cold sweat as he explained.
"I found him, but... he's in no state to come here..."
"What does that mean?"
My question was answered once we arrived at the inn Philip guided us to.
❖ ❖ ❖
"Mmmnya mmmnya..."
In a small room at a rundown inn. Only after seeing Yonas passed out on the cheap bed.
"Ugh, the smell."
A foul odor wafted from him sprawled on the bed. Booze, cheap snacks, unwashed body stench, and more.
And that wasn't all.
"What's this?"
Empty liquor bottles he'd downed littered the floor by the bed. All of them were incredibly strong stuff, judging by their labels.
"Th-that's..."
Philip, standing apologetically, explained.
"When I found him, he was in the middle of drinking heavily... He saw me, threw a bottle, and started raging, so I barely escaped."
Sure enough, shards of broken bottles were scattered by the door.
"Aigoo..."
Philip kept sighing, as if he couldn't bear to watch Yonas like this.
Who would believe it?
The drunkard snoring away on the bed was Yonas Klein, the promising star of the Ovest Knight Order.
Just a few weeks ago, this man had galloped off with gleaming eyes, clutching the lord's seal. Now he looked like an irredeemable bum.
"Tsk tsk."
I clicked my tongue and approached the bed.
"Y-Young Master. What are you planning to..."
Ignoring Philip's attempt to stop me,
Splash!
I grabbed the water glass from the table and splashed it on Yonas's face.
"Upfupfut!"
Yonas bolted upright with a loud sputter.
"What the hell?! Who the fuck?!"
His vulgar outburst was utterly un-knightly. Anyone would believe he was a street thug rolling in the gutters.
"Who the... Huh?"
Yonas wildly scanned the room, then his face froze.
"You, you're...?"
His blue eyes trembled. The yellowed beard stained with grime below twitched along with them.
"A-Abel Kindriel?"
Well, well. Now he's saying my name?
As I opened my mouth to speak,
"Uwaaaak!"
Yonas leaped from the bed and charged at me.
"Abel Kindrieeel!"
A scream thick with resentment filled the room.
Whoosh!
His fist flew toward my face with all his might.
"Tsk."
Of course, it was so slow it drew a sigh from me. Inaccurate too, thanks to the booze and sleep.
I could dodge this blindfolded. Sidestepping casually,
"Uwaak!"
Yonas tumbled forward in his charging stance.
Crash!
His face met the wardrobe in a solid kiss.
"S-Sir Yonas!"
Philip, watching, gaped in shock.
"Ugh..."
Yonas wiped his face as he stood.
Drip.
Blood trickled from under his nose. But the impact wasn't enough to snap him out of it.
"You bastard...!"
It only fueled his rage.
"Well, well."
Now it was 'you bastard' instead of my name. He clearly needed some mental re-education.
"Abel Kindrieeel! Because of you, I...!"
Blood spurted from his flaring nostrils with every breath.
"I'll kill you!!!"
Yonas roared and lunged again.
"Indeed, the rod is the medicine."
Snickering, I didn't dodge this time. I stood my ground.
"Young Master!!"
Philip screamed,
"Abeeeel!"
As Yonas's meaty hand reached for my collar,
Crack!
A sharp knuckle rap exploded on his forehead.
"Krkhek..."
Yonas clutched his forehead and staggered back.
"You, you bastard!"
I'd thought a hit would sober him, but no.
Instead, he rampaged like a bull goaded in the ass. The knuckle rap apparently lacked potency.
"It's all your own doing."
Grinning, I clenched my fist.
"How dare you!!"
I swung at the wild-eyed charging Yonas.
Boom!
When does a human body spin? When dancing? When slipping on the floor?
No.
A human body spins when punched square in the forehead.
"Kyuek!"
Yonas spun wildly through the air.
Crash!
He hit the floor and finally stopped.
"..."
His twitching body went limp.
"Eeek!"
Philip covered his mouth and shrieked.
"H-he's dead?!"
"He's not dead."
Such exaggeration.
I crossed my arms, clicking my tongue.
"I controlled my strength, so don't worry."
"But that sound was huge..."
"Loud knuckle raps hurt less, usually."
Half true, half not. But it didn't matter.
"Get him up."
"Huh? Sir Yonas? Right now?"
"Should I wait until he wakes? I'm busy as hell."
Philip approached Yonas with a tearful face.
"Ughhh."
Even just lifting him seemed grueling.
As a knight, he was big, and drunk and limp from booze—twice as heavy, no doubt.
'Ah, what a sight. Too good to watch alone.'
Giggling at the scene, I quietly stood up.