Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Let Others Do the Dirty Work (3)
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"Is it okay if I take these documents?"
"Yeah, I've seen them all."
"Hmm... Understood."
Elice gathered the papers with a slightly distrustful expression.
I ignored her and flipped through the next stack of documents. In between, I issued additional orders to Elice.
"About this lady."
"Yes."
"She takes a certain medicine every day. Find out where she gets it."
A flicker of doubt appeared around Elice's eyes.
"Where do you even get information like this...? Ah, trade secret, right? Got it."
She grumbled to herself even though I hadn't said anything.
"I didn't ask. That was just you talking to yourself."
She meticulously noted everything on the documents I handed her, then stacked them neatly to the side.
"How on earth do you dig up these family skeletons that even I don't know about...?"
Elice shook her head.
And just like that, I cleared the first tower of documents Elice had prepared. Then I reached for the second tower beside it.
"Uh... You've gone through all of this already?"
Elice's finger pointed at the first tower of documents.
"Yeah."
"You've read all of this? There are so many nobles in the capital alone."
Elice gave me a skeptical look as she countered.
"What if you missed something?"
"Nah, I didn't."
I reached for the top document while nodding toward the cart.
"I ordered ice too, room service style. Is it in there?"
"...Yes."
Elice approached the cart with a pouty face.
"You're not planning to put it in the wine, are you?"
The ice bucket full of ice was placed next to the table.
"Ice doesn't go with wine. Whiskey, maybe."
It was a remark befitting Elice's knowledge of alcohol.
"You think I'd do that?"
To correct her misunderstanding, I pointed with my finger toward the window sill.
"Dump the ice over there."
Elice's gaze followed my fingertip.
"...?"
She narrowed her eyes and examined around the potted plant. Spotting the ice piled on top, she looked puzzled.
"Why pour ice there?"
"You'll see if you look closely."
Elice tilted her head and picked up the ice bucket, approaching the plant. Then she spotted the snake with glittering golden scales on top and
"Kyaaah!"
let out a piercing scream. Fortunately, she had gripped the bucket tightly with both hands, so the ice didn't spill.
"Oh dear."
Seeing the expected reaction, I chuckled.
"Don't scream. You'll scare the little guy."
"No, what... what is this snake!"
Elice placed a hand on her chest, still pounding.
"You startled me!"
"You'll be seeing him regularly from now on, so get over it and pour the ice."
Elice gaped, then questioned my words.
"Regularly? This thing?"
"You think I'm gonna keep looking after him? The guild's raising him."
Elice's incredulous gaze darted between me and Gold Star. The corners of her eyes twisted in disbelief more than usual.
"Do we have to raise him?"
"Of course. If anything happens to him, I'm turning whoever did it into the same state."
As soon as I finished speaking, Elice's face changed.
"You're joking, right?"
"Have you ever seen me say one thing and mean another?"
I picked up the next document and continued.
"So take good care of him so he doesn't overheat. He's very sensitive to temperature."
"He gets hot? I thought snakes usually like warm environments."
"Gold Star here's a bit special."
Elice scowled as hard as she could and sighed.
"Gold Star. Your naming sense is really..."
"Brilliant? I know."
"...Sure, let's go with that. Understood for now."
Elice crept toward the potted plant, set down the ice bucket, and observed Gold Star's movements.
Soon, a quivering voice came.
"...Does he bite, by any chance?"
"Not right now."
"So he does bite sometimes...?"
I silently picked up another document. Seeing that, Elice shook her head.
"Next time, I'll get Dexter to do it..."
She muttered softly, then carefully placed the ice on the soil. Watching her, I suppressed a grin.
'No need to tremble that much.'
I didn't mention that Gold Star ignored humans entirely and only ate eggs. Or that he was quite popular as a pet snake.
Elice's shivering as she transferred the ice was just too entertaining.
"Whew."
After emptying the ice bucket, Elice wiped her forehead and returned to her seat. In that short time, she looked utterly exhausted, sweat beading on her brow.
'Did I tease her too much?'
She'd learn all about the snake eventually. For now, it was best to keep quiet.
"Huh?"
Elice looked at the table and let out a confused sound.
"Why are all the documents... mixed up?"
While she was away finishing her task, the papers had become jumbled—unlike their original order.
That was because I'd finished reading them all and resorted them.
"Don't touch them yet."
Elice blinked and watched my actions quietly.
"Let me see..."
I gazed at the newly categorized documents with a calm expression.
'These ones: nobles who will side with Cain in the future.'
I shifted my gaze to the right.
'And these...'
The families that ultimately rebelled against Cain. And the ones I planned to acquire.
"Perfect. This'll do."
I pointed to the stack on the right and spoke to Elice.
"Investigate the places frequented by the second sons of these families."
"Second sons?"
"Yeah. Planning to make contact."
"Understood."
Elice nodded slowly. She didn't grasp my full intent but obeyed the order anyway, which pleased me.
"Good work."
I sat on the sofa and poured wine into my glass.
"You can go now."
At the dismissal, Elice looked stunned.
"That's... it? You've gone through all the documents?"
"Yeah."
I didn't hide my bored expression as I popped some cheese into my mouth.
Mmm, delicious. A sip of wine would rinse away the sticky aftertaste perfectly.
"...Aren't you being a bit too much?"
As I lifted my wine glass, Elice's indignant voice reached my ear.
"These are the documents you told me to prepare for tomorrow's Noble Conference, right?"
Elice stared at me with flushed cheeks.
"You know how important this is to you, and it's your first direct order to me."
Her voice cracked at the end.
"I put my heart and soul into preparing them. And yet, you just skim through them like this..."
"Who said I skimmed them?"
I openly showed my irritation.
I wanted to relax and prepare for tomorrow, but she was being a hassle.
"Here."
I held out the top sheet.
"Look at the first item in the left chart."
"Pardon?"
"1980, 178, 134, 124, 56. Done."
"...?"
Elice's brows furrowed. She buried her nose in the document and said,
"Please repeat that once more."
"Sigh."
It was annoying, but I held back. I didn't want her questioning everything in the future.
"1980, 178, 134, 124, 56. Happy now?"
"Th-this."
Elice lifted her face from the document. It was filled with astonishment.
"How did you do it? How did you memorize all these numbers?"
"How? I just memorized them all."
"Is that even possible?"
It wasn't hard at all.
All the documents I'd seen today were stored perfectly in my mind. I just pulled them out and read.
"Want me to do another? Pick any document."
"Ah... No, that's fine."
I tapped my temple.
"See? I remember every single one you prepared with such care."
"Ah..."
Elice blankly alternated her gaze between the documents and me.
"So you memorized all of them..."
Doubt, confusion, and various emotions flashed across her face. She reflected on everything I'd said so far, pondered deeply, and then,
"...I see."
Her expression showed full understanding.
"Understood, Lord Abel."
The only things left on her nodding face were awe, admiration, and a touch of relief.
"Anything else you want to say?"
"I'll be at the imperial palace all day tomorrow. It'll be busy."
"Yes."
"Take the snake and care for him properly. And have someone walk him around with those stones he eats—collect every one he puts in his mouth."
"Y-you want me to take him?"
"You don't have to do it yourself. Get someone else tomorrow."
I waved her off and took a sip of wine.
"Also, check for any good mansions for sale in the capital. Don't worry about the price."
"Yes, understood."
"Oh, and send this letter for me."
I pulled an envelope from under the table and handed it over. Elice grumbled but received it politely with both hands.
"You're really working me to the bone."
"It's nothing. You'll be busier from now on."
"Yes, yes. Where should I send the letter?"
"To Melina on 3rd Street in Ovest Territory."
A sly smile crept onto Elice's face.
"A woman, huh?"
"..."
"Maybe a cute lover you have hidden away in the territory...?"
"Nonsense."
I curtly dismissed Elice's remark.
"That's enough. Go on. I'll contact you soon."
"Hehe, understood. Rest well."
Elice bowed politely. She carefully reloaded the documents onto the cart without scattering them and pushed it out slowly.
"Oh, wait."
"Yes?"
I added one last thing.
"Bring another bottle of wine."
"Drinking heavily the night before an important day isn't wise."
"Don't worry. I won't get drunk."
Elice shrugged and vanished out the door.
A few minutes later.
Knock knock.
"Excuse me. Room service with your order."
The voice from outside was not Elice's, but another staff member's.
"It's open."
I called out loudly and leaned back comfortably.
By now, Elice had probably shed her disguise and returned to the tavern.
"Tomorrow should be fun."
Toward the white moon visible outside the window, I sent a faint smile.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day.
I prepared to head out early in the morning. I wore the clothes Elice had brought yesterday and shaved cleanly.
"Doing everything alone is such a pain."
Used to servants in Ovest Territory, handling it all myself felt tedious.
"Need to get a mansion soon."
After one last look around the room, I stepped out. Entering the lobby, I spoke to the counter staff.
"I requested a carriage yesterday."
"Ah, the guest from the fifth floor. Understood."
For reference, I was the only one staying on the fifth floor. So the rooms there had no numbers.
"I'll guide you. This way."
I boarded the pre-arranged luxury carriage and headed to the imperial palace. The ride and interior comfort were indescribably excellent.
"Money really is the best."
It was worth the generous tip to the staff.