Chapter 540
Chapter 540
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 540
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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「Advice: Take the butler's uniform from the closet and put it on before heading outside.」
"......"
I raised my right hand and stroked my neck.
The sensation of having my head severed wasn't something I could call pleasant, even as a euphemism. This world was fake, yet the sensations were identical to reality, making it all the worse.
But the physical pain in my neck was nothing compared to the mental shock.
'Yuria ignoring me?!'
I'd always believed Yuria would treat me with utmost care, no matter the time, place, or situation. The idea that she'd show me such a cold side had never even crossed my mind.
"......"
I stood there in a daze for a moment before getting up and heading to the closet.
I'd confirmed what needed confirming.
Even if Yuria didn't remember me now, all I had to do was see this world through to the end and return to the original one.
'Gotta take this more seriously.'
???
"I wish to see the faces of the butlers who will become part of our house. Raise your heads."
The Duchess of Piltania said.
I lifted my head. Yuria stood behind the duchess. But things were different this time. I didn't act like I knew her. Pretending otherwise would just get my head—and Kopan's—chopped off like in the last loop.
"Hmm. All fine talents. I hope you grow to support our house."
The duchess glanced around before walking toward me with sharp clicks of her heels.
"Number 21."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"I've heard you're the most outstanding. Indeed, your aura sets you apart. There's a sharp glint in your eyes, and your firm mouth gives you a weighty presence."
For the record, I hadn't done a thing. I'd just been staring blankly at Yuria.
This was similar to how the duchess had mistaken me for a talented chef when I simply stood around in the kitchen.
"Thank you."
"You might end up serving at the main estate. If you keep growing like this, you could even serve as Yuria's guard."
"I will live up to Your Grace's expectations."
The duchess gave the trainee butlers one last look before stepping back.
"Yuria. Do you have words for them?"
"...They will likely lead our house alongside me. Please become capable butlers."
That was it.
The duchess and Yuria left the room. But the retainers stayed, peppering us with questions. Mostly about Piltania house history.
"Number 21. House Piltania has grown fiercely. We even lost the ducal rank once and were demoted. Do you know how far we fell?"
Normally, I wouldn't have known the answer.
I'd probably have looped a few more times. But the advice had started helping me.
"We lost even the baronial rank."
"Do you know how long it took to reclaim the ducal seat?"
"64 years and 2 months."
"You know it perfectly. As expected of Number 21."
"Hmph. Isn't that common knowledge? Let me ask one this time."
The retainers were very interested in me.
I later learned that quite a few had risen from servant to retainer through merit. Though baron was the ceiling for them.
???
"No water to drink. Always keep water ready for emergencies. Number 21. Go to the kitchen and fetch some."
Kopan handed me a bucket as he spoke.
Crunch.
This bastard Kopan made me want to kill him every time I saw his face.
"Number 21. What are you doing? Hurry up! Didn't I always tell you not to dawdle?"
"Right away. Yes. Right away."
"Wait! You weren't planning to go out like that, were you? Dress properly! Don't forget your place! Number 21!!"
"......"
Killing intent surged. But Kopan glared at me, oblivious.
'Fuck. Killing him would just hurt me.'
I changed back into my butler uniform and left the room.
The corridor was dark. The small lamps on the walls were too dim to light the whole hall. Barely enough to make out the path.
'This castle is huge. Even the royal palace last time wasn't this big. Why's the layout such a maze?'
Doing dishes in the kitchen earlier helped. Otherwise, I'd still be lost looking for it.
"Heh heh heh heh."
A laugh echoed from somewhere. A faint sound I'd miss if it weren't so quiet.
I stopped. As the lowest in this castle, I had to yield the path and bow deeply if I met anyone.
"Take a look at this. Liquor from the west 15 years ago. See that color? Crystal clear, right?"
"Heh heh. You're drunk. Pulling out such a treasure."
Familiar voices.
The Piltania retainers who'd grilled me with questions hours ago.
"Gotta open it on a night like this. When else? Dry spell starting tomorrow, so drink up now."
"...Tch. You're really drunk. Don't you know it hasn't started yet?"
The conversation sounded off.
Curious, I muffled my footsteps and approached. The door was shut tight, but voices leaked through the crack.
"Heh heh. It's as good as done. Tomorrow, Lady Yuria dies. To our success."
"Mad. You're mad. What if someone hears... Ack, fill your glass properly. No heart."
"Oops. Sorry. Blurry vision from the booze."
I pressed my ear to the door. Yuria dies? Unbelievable.
"Ah~. Killer stuff. With booze this good for a toast, everything'll go smooth."
"But do we really have to kill the lady?"
"Hey now. Dragging up old talks?"
"She's a genius. In ten years, she'll be the greatest house head ever."
"True. Too capable, that's the issue. How much have we skimmed over the years? His Grace looks the other way, but not her."
"Won't she overlook like His Grace? We've served House Piltania over 50 years."
"Heh heh... You say that 'cause you don't know how ruthless she is. If you'd seen her face... Ugh... Look at my arm shake. Need more booze."
"Let's see... If the lady dies, next in line is..."
"His Grace's nephew. Competent enough; house won't falter. Even if not, we've got it covered. Heh heh."
"No betrayal from the sacrifice?"
"Locked in tight. The sous-chef stole His Grace's underwear once... Heh... Embarrassing to say."
"What...? His Grace would execute him."
"Exactly. So he'll die clean this time. Same poison as the lady."
"Drake steak banquet's confirmed... Huh?"
"What?"
"Wait a sec."
The door opened, and a red-faced old man stepped out, looking around. Booze stench wafted.
"Hm. Just my imagination."
Slam.
I dropped silently from the ceiling.
"Isn't that overdoing the drinking?"
"Nah. Got hangover cure ready. Heh heh. With that, no one'll know we toasted. Drink freely!"
I'd heard enough. I slipped away.
"Ah, go tattle to Yuria exactly as I heard?"
Telling her would earn trust.
'Problem is, she's far from here.'
Plus, as a lady, her quarters were guarded by knights.
'No way knights let me in late at night, and I'm not high-status enough. Gotta sneak in.'
I was confident.
Body was young, but abilities intact. Hadn't forgotten Eternal Heaven Style, so infiltration was easy. Even without inventory—no Invisiter to turn transparent—I could manage.
'...Do I have to follow the advice exactly?'
Advice was always right so far. Couldn't deny it.
But what if there was a better answer?
'It's just advice. Doesn't force my actions.'
I grinned and headed to the kitchen.
Returning with water, Kopan scowled at me.
"Why so late? Fetching water that hard?"
"......Sorry."
Kopan. This prick again. Lightning bolt tempting.
???
Dawn broke.
I'd been busy since early morning, timing it by asking kitchen staff. When the moment came, I bolted.
"Number 21!!! What are you doing! Stop! That's His Grace's—!!"
Pale-faced Kopan chased behind. Too slow. Couldn't catch me at that speed.
Knight-guarded dining hall door. They drew swords calmly. Reliable. Frightened Kopan dared not approach.
I channeled mana into a shout, kneeling before the knights.
"Your Grace! Lady! I stake my life to report!!"
Knight flinched. Held swords to my neck instead of killing.
The door opened.
"Stake your life, you say... Very well. Enter. But trivial words will cost you for mocking me."
Duchess Piltania permitted. Knights sheathed. I rose proudly, entered, and knelt before her.
Ornate dining hall held servants, head chef, and sous-chef standing.
Meal hadn't started. Perfect timing.
"Speak. What brings you?"
The duchess said coldly. But I wasn't one to cower.
"Some retainers plot to poison Lady Yuria! The sous-chef is their pawn!"
Before the duchess could respond, servants subdued the sous-chef. He tried biting something desperately, but a servant clamped his jaw.
"Your Grace. Poison pouch in the sous-chef's mouth."
The duchess grimaced. But Yuria, the target, stared blankly.
'Heh heh. Good deeds need witnesses.'
"Appetite's gone. Cancel breakfast. Check food for poison. Summon retainers. Drag any who don't come by severed limbs."
Knight and servants bustled.
"Impressive loyalty. But how did you know? Speak."
I lied boldly.
Telling truth would prompt why I didn't report last night. Lie was safer.
Sous-chef caught anyway. My words held credibility.
"This dawn. As trainee butler helping, I went to kitchen. Saw sous-chef acting odd..."
I blabbered on, emphasizing my greatness. Summary: Spotted sous-chef's oddity by chance, saw him meet retainers, investigated his kitchen on suspicion, found poison, rushed here.
'Bit sloppy. But if busted, no biggie. Restart. Tighter next time.'
I had retries. Refine then.
'Should be fine though. Because...'
This world wasn't real.
Plausible bullshit flies. See? Duchess nodding, convinced.
"Hoo... It's about time."
Bloodlust dripped from the duchess's words.