Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Using Others' Things as My Own (6)
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At that moment, she knew exactly how desperately Elice had searched for it and how deep a sense of loss she had felt when she ultimately failed to find it.
"That's the one, right? The necklace that Lady Elice sold off when she was a kid."
Dexter whispered under his breath. William nodded, and Dexter scratched his chin vigorously.
"How did it end up at the capital's auction house?"
"I don't know either. We'd never found a trace of it until now."
"But yesterday, that bastard... no, Abel, tells us exactly where to go, and there it is?"
Their eyes met.
"He's a real weirdo."
"It's downright strange."
The two spoke at the same time, their words similar yet different. Dexter scratched his nose awkwardly and pouted.
"But seriously, is that guy really Abel Kindriel?"
He grumbled while scratching at the faint scar on the back of his hand.
"What kind of noble young master acts like such a delinquent?"
That scar was from when Abel had smashed a liquor bottle, and a shard had grazed him.
"His behavior makes him seem like some street rat who's been rolling in the back alleys for years. His speech and actions are so rough."
"You..."
"Ah, I get it! I'll watch my mouth!"
Dexter mimed zipping his lips,
"Ah, but it's not here, right?"
then dropped his hand.
"I heard you're supposed to hold back on the cursing when the boss lady isn't around. Whatever, though?"
His ability to stay brazen and cheeky in any situation was both Dexter's strength and his flaw.
There were plenty of targets who'd gotten heated over his provocations disguised as teasing.
"Come on, Brother, be honest. Didn't you hate that guy's guts too? Huh? Am I the only narrow-minded one?"
William was the taciturn type, but he showed his emotions more around Dexter.
"Honestly... his manners weren't exactly refined."
"Aw, you're putting it too nicely. He's basically a back-alley thug."
Dexter crossed his arms and spoke curtly.
"When he grabbed Lady Elice's wrist at first, man. I thought he was insane. I nearly snapped it right off."
"I felt the same."
On this point, even William couldn't disagree. But after a moment's thought, he added another opinion.
"Though it probably would have been impossible to actually break it."
"Yeah, I figured as much."
Having sparred together for so long, William and Dexter knew each other's skills inside out. And until now, there had never been anyone they couldn't take down with a joint attack.
"He's an incredible powerhouse."
"He's seriously strong."
They nodded in unison.
Truth be told, Abel Kindriel's martial prowess was astonishing.
The superhuman strength to lift and toss an adult woman with one hand, combined with his swift movements and swordsmanship—it was beyond what you'd expect from a mere twenty-year-old greenhorn.
"Maybe a tiger's cub can't be a wildcat..."
William muttered, hand on his chin.
Having walked the path of the martial world himself, he'd heard Diego Kindriel's name so often his ears had blistered.
He had once glimpsed Diego from afar. He didn't remember the details of his face, but those sky-blue locks stood out vividly.
That's why he'd been startled when Abel first revealed his face. It was like Diego Kindriel from back then was standing right in front of him.
"But why'd he come all the way here from that distant place?"
Dexter changed the subject, pulling William from his reverie.
"Probably for the upcoming Noble Conference."
"Whoa. He's that young and already representing the family?"
"Most likely. More importantly..."
William glanced toward Elice.
She was still staring only at the necklace, not sparing them a look.
But as her loyal servant who'd attended her for so long, he could tell. Just from her profile and the light in her eyes, he knew what was in her heart.
"She seems to have made her decision."
"Lady Elice has?"
William didn't respond to Dexter and simply walked over with steady steps. He stood quietly by her side, waiting.
"...William."
Finally, Elice's lips moved. Her voice was clearer and more resolute than usual.
"Yes?"
William realized she had shaken off her past regrets. And not just that—she'd fully dispelled the turmoil in her heart.
"I think we should accept yesterday's proposal."
While William nodded gravely in affirmation,
"Eek!? For real?"
Dexter leaped a full meter into the air right there.
"Ah, Lady Elice! You're serious?! We're really going to serve that mangy mutt as our master?"
He scurried up to her in a fluster.
"Ah, I really hate it! Noble scum are all so obnoxious! And that Abel guy is the worst of them!"
"Dexter."
William cautioned him, but Dexter's mouth didn't stop.
"We're doing just fine on our own! We don't need to work under that jerk!"
Dexter whined at Elice, his face twisted in displeasure.
"Honestly, why should you have to bow to him, Lady Elice? Because he knows too much?"
He bared his blue-tinted nails and gripped a dagger tightly.
"If that's the case, leave it to me! I'll kill him so clean no one will even know how he died! Right?"
Dexter wasn't exaggerating. The deadly poisons he handled could send someone to the afterlife without them even realizing it.
He'd snuck up to countless targets and slipped poison into their plates or glasses for assassinations—he'd lost count.
"...Dexter."
At Elice's call, Dexter snapped his head up like he'd been waiting.
"Yes, Lady Elice! Shall we head out now?"
"You've always hated nobles."
Dexter's face hardened coldly for a moment.
He had become an orphan at a young age because nobles had stripped him of his family and home.
"...Hate them? Come on."
A chill smile flitted across Dexter's lips.
"I loathe them."
Elice nodded calmly.
"And you know my thirst for revenge is as great as yours, if not greater."
"Of course."
"Then you can understand why I'd join hands with him for the greater cause."
Dexter gaped, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
"...You're serious?"
"Look at him. He knew every secret about me that no one else does. My illness, my origins."
"That punk must've dug into your background..."
"What profit would he gain from that? And how would he even obtain information about me from that territory?"
Dexter fell silent, like a mute who'd eaten honey.
He had a mouth that never backed down in front of anyone, but not in front of Elice.
"Above all, he knew this necklace would appear at the auction house."
Elice shook the necklace lightly. The silver locket inside clinked softly.
"The one I've searched for years."
Dexter chewed his lip.
"It could just be coincidence..."
"This is no coincidence. If it were, why would he pay the exact amount for the necklace?"
Dexter finally went quiet.
He understood the oddity of the situation too. And in truth, he'd sensed the extraordinary aura around that Abel faster than anyone.
"But..."
Dexter spoke with difficulty.
"Still, you're my top priority, Lady Elice. I just can't stand seeing you bend to him."
Elice let out a soft chuckle, finding Dexter endearing.
From the day she'd picked him up from scavenging food waste in the back alleys, he'd been like an incorrigible little brother to her.
"For revenge, what wouldn't I do? Even if it means licking the enemy's heel."
At Elice's words, a new light shone on the two men's faces, different from before.
Yes. What had brought them together all this time?
Revenge.
For revenge, they had to cast aside all shame and conscience.
William spoke first.
"I shall obey your command."
He glanced at Dexter, who nodded reluctantly.
"I'll follow too. But if that guy tries anything with you again, Lady Elice, I'll really kill him."
After a pause, Dexter added,
"...Not sure if I could, but anyway, I won't let him off."
Not to be outdone, William stepped up.
"If that man... no, that person lays a hand on you, Lady Elice."
William's words carried more weight than Dexter's. Once he decided something, he never looked back and acted without hesitation.
"Yes, yes. I get it."
Elice smiled gently.
With these two by her side, protecting the guild they'd built and achieving the revenge they craved—she could do anything. Even kneel before a cocky young upstart.
"Then..."
Elice slowly rose to her feet. Dexter, grasping his master's intent, followed right away.
"I found out where he's staying. The finest inn on First Street."
"The Ovest Family doesn't own a mansion in the capital."
"I've secured the infiltration route too."
Elice squeezed Dexter's shoulder lightly and let go.
"Good work, Dexter."
"No big deal, basics."
"And from now on, be careful not to upset him."
"...I'll try."
Elice blinked slowly. A stern glint entered her blue eyes.
"He's not the type to let 'cute, cute' slide like I do."
"He'd probably just snap a finger or something."
Dexter grumbled, clasping his hands behind his head.
"Got it, I'll be careful."
William sidled up close to Elice.
"Shall I go fetch Lord Abel?"
It was a quick shift in address, noticing her attitude. Elice smiled brightly, catching on.
"No. I'll go myself."
"But Lady Elice, no need for you to go personally..."
"He'd just tell me to come directly anyway. Besides..."
Elice gripped the necklace tightly with her fingers.
"He gave me a gift, so it's only proper to meet him in person and give my thanks."
William gazed at her steadily for a moment before stepping back.
"Understood."
He always trusted and followed her decisions.
"Then, when should we..."
Knock knock.
The three turned toward the tavern door.
"Who's that? At this hour."
Elice tilted her head.
Customers rarely came at this time.
"Come in!"
Dexter called out sharply.
Creak.
The door opened, and the one who poked their head in was,
"Uh... hello."
a boy who looked no older than twelve.
"What're you, a kid?"
Dexter muttered softly, then feigned friendliness.
"What brings you here?"
"Uh... well."
The kid looked around, spotted Elice, and let out an "Ah." Soon, a bizarre expression crossed the boy's face.
"...?"
The three exchanged glances. They had no idea what the boy's expression meant.
'Why's he like that?'
Elice mouthed, but the two just shook their heads.
'No clue.'
'Dunno.'
Elice shrugged helplessly.
"Come on in for now."