Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Guard in a Count's Family
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I stood at the main entrance to the Plun Knights' training grounds.
A young squire who had been acting as gatekeeper spotted me and came running over. He was the same rude squire I'd seen the first time I came here.
"Young Master Eugene! You've come!"
The squire bowed deeply toward me and greeted me loudly. There was no trace of his previous arrogance.
"I'm here to see Sir Emvis. Lead the way."
I repeated the exact same line as before.
The squire bowed even lower.
"Understood! I'll guide you right away!"
Two weeks had passed since Lexi's attempted assault incident. I'd been visiting the Plun Knights steadily during that time. To improve my relationship with the knight commander, Sir Hent, and to make him support me.
'He's almost won over. I didn't expect the effects to show this quickly.'
What I'd overlooked was that this world had no such thing as entertainment. No TV, of course, and literature was limited.
Commoners were too busy scraping by to care about literature. Even if they did, they'd quickly lose interest. Most books in this world were for knowledge, not fun.
The main pastimes here were theater or circuses.
'Maybe I should sell some novels... Nah, too much hassle.'
Books don't make themselves, and how many commoners could afford pricey paper? Plus, I'd have to translate into this world's language. Too much work for the payoff.
Besides, most commoners were illiterate.
"Um... Young Master Eugene."
The squire leading the way spoke up.
"Yeah?"
"Could I buy some cigarettes now, by any chance?"
I chuckled. The entire Plun Knights were smoking, so even the squire had gotten a taste for them.
"Of course. You know the price, right?"
No reason not to sell if he wanted to buy.
"Heh heh. Of course."
The squire pulled a black coin from his pocket. It was worth 100,000 ner.
"Buying two packs at once?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"Nah, it's fine. Need a lighter?"
"N-No, I'm good."
I nodded. Finding fire wasn't hard anyway.
"Here you go."
"Thank you!"
"By the way, what's your monthly pay?"
"1 million ner!"
I nodded.
It was low compared to regular commoners, but decent for a squire. As a knight order servant living in the barracks, he didn't need living expenses.
'Once he becomes a full knight, he'll get treatment incomparable to now.'
I tucked the cigarettes away and glanced at the delighted squire. He'd be one of my major customers in the future too.
???
"Young Master Eugene! You've come!"
Sir Hent greeted me with a bright face. A metal watch gleamed on his left wrist—the one I'd gifted him.
I'd been visiting him steadily, handing over "gifts" that were basically bribes. I'd sunk nearly 3 million won into him alone.
"I'm here again today. Not a bother, right?"
"Of course not, Young Master. Please, have a seat."
Good thing Hent was a mercenary type. No stupid knightly honor or snobbery—bribes worked great.
"Sir Emvis, had lunch yet?"
"Not yet. Today's menu was awful."
He'd probably skipped it knowing I'd come. I'd shown up at this time yesterday too.
"Then eat with me? I haven't eaten either."
"How could I refuse an invitation from you, Young Master Eugene?"
Hent swallowed hard.
What I brought were mostly modern foods. Stimulating flavors that blew away this era's bland fare.
"Chicken today. You devoured it last time. Beer too—German beer."
"Chicken and beer! Chimaek!"
Hent's eyes sparkled intensely. I got it—this combo never failed.
"Ugh. This golden, crispy fry! How do you even make it?"
Hent tore into the fried chicken as he asked.
"Just what it says—chicken fried in oil."
"True. Last time, I couldn't forget the taste, so I hounded my home chef to make it."
"Oh? Success?"
I chugged beer as I asked. Post-adult ritual, no one batted an eye.
"Failure. Too greasy. Wasted good oil and chicken. Won't you teach me the secret recipe?"
"Hmm. Not ready to release the Korea Secret Chicken Recipe yet. Sorry, bear with it a bit."
"Sigh. Can't be helped. I'll count the days till it's public."
"How's the seasoned chicken?"
"Incredible. Perfect as is. A bit spicy-sweet... Almost lost it all to Lexi when I brought some home."
"Soy sauce chicken?"
"Salty perfection. Doesn't lose to seasoned. But I prefer fried—crispy outside, juicy inside. Best with beer, hands down."
"What if I opened a chicken shop in the city?"
"Really?!"
Hent's voice rose.
"Just hypothetical. No plans."
"...I got too excited. I'd welcome it. A shop with this quality? I'd go daily."
"I see."
Chicken was unbeatable business. No competition here like back home. Even low quality, Hent's reaction said it'd sell.
'I should start a business. Can't keep importing from reality forever.'
Chickens existed here as livestock, just blander.
'Chicken problem's easy. Bring fertilized eggs and hatch them.'
The eternal dilemma: chicken or egg first? Here, egg.
'Recipes are all over the internet... Train people right, and done.'
Possible, but not rushing. Not solo work, and profits might not beat cigarettes.
Meal over. Hent ate most—three chickens gone in a flash, knight's appetite.
"Sir Emvis."
I called him seriously.
"Yes, Young Master Eugene. Speak."
"Could you teach me Plun Knights' swordsmanship?"
"Ah, interested in swordsmanship too, Young Master?"
I gave a wry smile. My current frail body didn't scream swordsman.
"I'm still part of the Prukus Count family."
"My apologies for the slip."
"It's fine."
I recalled Jinwoo Sung's words.
Putting Yeongcheon-ryu aside temporarily to learn other styles and raise skill was one way.
'And I'm curious about this world's swordsmanship. Can't hurt to know.'
Variety is the spice of life.
I liked that. Learning multiple styles would help someday.
"Your heart condition's improved lately, so... short sessions should be fine."
"Yeah, feeling great. Attacks now and then... but maybe once a week."
Lie. "Attacks" were just acting. Had to spread that to exploit my frail image.
"...Can't take eyes off you. I'll teach personally."
"Don't worry. Body's really good now."
"Young Master, know mana breathing?"
Mana breathing. Draws mana into the body. Repeat to sense and use it.
Top secret for elites; commoners couldn't touch.
As the lord's son, I accessed it easily.
"...Tried, but no effect."
I said gloomily. Did it right—even had Head Butler Hasent check. No difference from normal breathing.
"Mana breathing needs consistency. No instant results."
"I see."
I replied weakly. Thinking of it depressed me. Probably mana insensitive.
Mana awakening potion was crucial.
"Keep at it, and you'll feel it."
Hent stood and went to the wall lined with his 13 similar swords.
He picked the one I'd gifted recently.
"That sword. The one I gave you."
"Yes. Makes me smile every time. Not a famed blade, but excellent. Where'd you get it?"
Roughly 2 million won mass-produced hunter shop sword. Modern tech beat most here. Sleek and cool-looking.
"Lucky find. Suits you."
"Haha. Maintaining it's my routine now. Great sword."
Like all knights, Hent was sword-obsessed.
"Then, Young Master, to the training grounds."
"Lead on."
I followed.
'...Smells like cigarettes everywhere.'
Pretty strong. Knew the whole order smoked, but two weeks to this addicted? Wild.
I glanced out a window. Six knights huddled smoking. Further, one leaned on the sill puffing away.
'My ideal scene, but damn. Knights with no self-control?'
Eyes confirmed: popularity exceeded expectations.
"Sir Emvis, how's cigarette popularity?"
"Can't keep 'em in stock. Breaks are all smoking now. Me too."
"...Not great for looks. How about a smoking room?"
"Worried about that. I'll set one up."
???
Hent taught me basic Prukus swordsmanship for nearly an hour. Wooden sword in hand.
Basics any Prukus knight or soldier knew.
"Stance good, but not smooth."
Just proficiency issue.
Prukus basics were physical conditioning. No special talent like Yeongcheon-ryu.
"Pretty tough."
"Basics build muscles for swinging. If serious, train 3+ hours daily."
"3 hours daily... My frail body can't."
"Congenital weakness, unavoidable."
I wasn't seriously into Prukus style. Had Yeongcheon-ryu.
"Heard brothers Zent and Kyle have genius talent. Mine?"
Prukus eldest and second sons called sword geniuses. Zent led now, but Kyle would surpass later.
Hent smiled awkwardly, then got serious.
"This could affect your future... I'll be honest."
"Good."
I expected it.
"No talent, Young Master. With mana breathing... maybe knight level. But sword talent's regular soldier tier. Best case, elite. No higher."
Harsh.
"I see."
"...Not mad?"
"No point raging at what I lack. World's not all swords, right?"
"Wise words. Swords have limits."
Just talk.
No expectations, no anger. Knew my talent already.
'I've got Playful Life app and Yeongcheon-ryu.'