Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Grasping and Shaking the Weakness
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However, contrary to expectations, no sound came from the surroundings.
"......"
I furrowed my brow and opened my mouth.
"I know you've been watching. Come out and talk."
I tried to hide my awkwardness and act nonchalant.
"......"
What returned was an embarrassingly heavy silence.
"Ha."
It was the moment when Abel Kindriel of all people became a fool yelling alone in an empty alley.
'A bust? No way.'
Liam had clearly recognized me.
There was no way he'd just pass by after seeing the lord's son right in front of him, winning big at gambling no less.
'Which means, as I thought,'
He was definitely hiding nearby, watching me.
'What a hassle.'
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
In this situation where every minute and second was precious, this excessive caution was truly unnecessary.
"I guess I'll have to head back to the castle right away."
In the end, I had no choice but to issue an ultimatum.
"I'll go tell them who I saw in Cader Territory today."
Let's see if you can hold out without coming out even after this.
I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one leg. Then I focused on the sounds around me.
Thud.
Soon, heavy footsteps approached from behind.
I turned around. Between the narrow alley walls, a figure appeared that I hadn't seen earlier.
Hair and eyes so dark they seemed blackish-brown.
Liam Schmidt stood before me, still wearing the mask from the gambling den.
Seeing him up close like this only confirmed his skill even more.
Just standing there, his presence was overwhelming. He was definitely different from those three thugs earlier.
I smiled and tossed off my mask.
"We both know each other's identities, so why don't we drop this?"
I also yanked off the wig that had been constricting my head. I sneered at Liam, who was still masked.
"Honestly, that mask looks ridiculous. Next time, buy a bigger one."
"......"
Liam, who had been standing motionless, moved his hand. Snap—the mask flew off, revealing his rugged face.
"How did you know?"
His low voice carried a slight rasp.
"Young Master Abel."
He scanned me carefully, as if sizing me up. His eyes, like aged wood, gleamed with cold intensity.
I met his gaze head-on.
"You can just tell at a glance. They're my territory's knights."
It was best not to let slip that I'd come looking for him on purpose.
Liam asked in a dubious tone.
"You just knew at a glance?"
"Yeah. That knightly aura, and your build. You think a mask hides that?"
Liam flinched at my sharp words.
"You recognized me for the same reason, right? Or not?"
"There's no way I wouldn't. Your eye color is famous, after all."
"Oh, really?"
I chuckled and jerked my chin toward the direction those three had fled earlier.
"But you just watched?"
"You didn't seem to need help."
Even under my scorn, Liam remained unfazed. His gaze shifted to the pool of blood on the ground.
"Besides, you looked like you were enjoying yourself, Young Master."
"Still, there were three of them. What if I was in danger?"
"That wouldn't have happened."
Liam spoke with firm conviction.
"You would have revealed your identity first."
He pointed to the mask lying on the ground.
'He doesn't miss a beat.'
I smirked subtly.
After dealing only with people who trembled at my slightest word, facing someone who pushed back without cowering felt refreshing.
And quite accurately, too.
As Liam pointed out, I had chased those guys and fought them head-on because I had something to rely on.
If I'd revealed my identity, those three would have lost their will to fight instantly.
"But that would've ruined the fun."
"......"
As I grinned, Liam's expression darkened. He seemed to recall the moment those three were being butchered.
"......Did you call me out just to say that?"
He quickly changed the subject. His face was still full of unease.
From running into me at the gambling den to noticing him watching nearby.
Everything had him on edge like a startled cat.
"No. That's not my business."
I paused for a moment before speaking.
"Let's make a deal."
Liam raised an eyebrow at the unexpected proposal.
"What kind of deal could I possibly make with you, Young Master?"
I pointed a finger at Liam's forearm.
"I want your swordsmanship."
"......"
Liam's face stiffened at the sudden demand. After standing rigid for a moment, he spoke.
"Teaching swordsmanship to you is forbidden, Young Master. It's the lord's decision, and I have no intention of going against it."
"Oh? Such a loyal knight."
My words twisted sarcastically.
"Is gambling part of a knight's duties these days?"
Liam's shadow trembled. Before he could respond, I cut in.
"My demand is simple. Teach me swordsmanship, and I'll forget what I saw today."
After a brief silence, Liam asked stiffly.
"Are you threatening me right now?"
"Think whatever you want. I just get what I want."
Liam's eyes grew fiercer—rough for someone facing his lord's son.
'He must know my rumors to some extent.'
Abel had displayed his cruelty and violence freely within the castle but strictly prevented it from leaking outside—to the territory's people or Diego's knights.
Because of that, they saw Abel as nothing more than a spoiled playboy, a reckless wastrel.
They figured since he was the son from the one woman Diego truly loved in his life, they had no choice but to obey him.
'But that's not the whole story.'
I stared intently at Liam.
"Want me to hit you?"
"......I'm sorry."
Liam lowered his eyes reluctantly. After a moment of thought, he met my gaze again.
"Talking about today wouldn't be a wise choice."
"Hmm, why not?"
"You weren't the only one gambling in that den."
It was a threat: if I spoke, he wouldn't stay silent either.
'That's your big plan?'
Liam's shallow ploy was transparent and pointless.
"You're right."
I leisurely tapped my chin.
"My father would be furious that I went to a gambling den."
"Yes, it would be mutual destruction. So......"
"But."
A sly smile crossed my lips.
"Even so, I'm his only son. I won't be chased out of this territory."
"......"
"But you? You're easily replaceable."
"That's......!"
Liam gritted his teeth. His face flushed slightly, pride wounded.
"You'd better not try to talk your way out of this weakly, Liam."
I urged him leisurely.
"So choose quickly. Teach me, or get chased out of this territory."
Liam clamped his mouth shut, lost in thought. His furrowed brow twitched with intense conflict.
Finally, he raised his gaze. Deep in his brown eyes, a resolve like wood grain gleamed.
'Oh dear. Looks like he's going to refuse.'
He probably figured getting involved with me would bring nothing good. That was the kind of thinking possible because he knew one thing but not two.
"I know what you're worried about."
I struck first.
"But with your current method, you won't pay off the debt."
The air around us shifted abruptly. Liam tensed and stared at me.
"How do you......"
"There's nothing in this territory I don't know about."
I let out a faint laugh.
"That way, the debt will just keep growing. You know the gambling den operators aren't that clean."
"......"
"Once the debt collection starts, visiting the den won't be the problem anymore."
Something else will be.
"-!"
Liam, who had been eyeing me suspiciously, flinched.
I deliberately didn't finish, but he seemed to grasp it fully.
"......"
His face darkened further.
Hearing a fact he already knew from someone else's mouth seemed to weigh heavier on him.
'The stick seems enough.'
Now it was time for the carrot.
"I said let's make a deal earlier, right?"
"......Yes."
"If you accept my deal, I'll help you pay off the debt."
Light flickered in Liam's eyes. His lips twitched as if he wanted to agree immediately.
"......"
But no words came out. He still hesitated, wrestling with the decision.
Better to pull back here. The agonizing is his to do.
I kicked away the mask and wig on the ground.
"I'll give you time to think. If you decide, come to the stables by 8 tomorrow."
Tomorrow was Liam's day off. I knew because I had the duty roster memorized.
"Then."
I left, leaving Liam behind.
❖ ❖ ❖
"Next."
I tossed the document in my hand aside. Philip, standing by the desk, handed me the next one.
"This is the last."
His voice held a subtle reluctance. Philip stared at the desk with a weary look.
"......"
His gaze traveled up and down the stack of papers.
Taxes, distribution, farming, commerce....... All the territory's official documents piled up daily.
Overlook even the trivial ones, and who knows what losses they'd bring later. You had to think several moves ahead, consider the consequences carefully.
And Abel had handled all of it alone until now.
'A monstrous talent, really.'
I finally realized just how much of a genius the original Abel was.
An astonishingly precise memory, a brain that spun several times faster than others.
Without Abel, Ovest Territory would have gone bankrupt.
'Diego doesn't even realize, thinking the territory runs fine just by stamping papers the steward prepares.'
Anyway, that guy was great with physical work but hopeless with brains.
I grumbled inwardly as I quickly scanned the last document.
"You're...... handling the work much faster lately."
Philip's eyes darted anxiously.
He seemed fearful of what I'd do with the free time now that work was done quicker. Or maybe recalling something he'd forgotten in his idleness.
Philip's efforts were admirable. He never mentioned that servant again, afraid I'd call him back.
But despite his efforts, I hadn't forgotten that servant. I kept him constantly in mind.
Of course, I didn't tell Philip that.
"Is that a problem?"
Philip flinched at my retort, shoulders trembling.