Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: 088. Reborn in the Count's Family as the Plum Blossom Sword Guard
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-Yujin. What on earth are you thinking?
A cold voice came from the crystal orb on the table. There was a hint of anger, but she was maintaining her composure.
I had to listen to Elaine's nagging for a while.
-Yujin Prukus. The moment you return to the mansion, you're confined to quarters for a month.
"Yes, Mother."
I gave a wry smile in response. Confined for a month. Far longer than I'd imagined.
Once back at the mansion, I'd be stuck in my room for the next month. Sure, I could make excuses for short walks.
Confinement was a light punishment. I could just rest up for a month. Or let time pass on autopilot if needed.
-...Finally. Taking down that bandit gang was a good deed. You truly are a noble of the Prukus family.
"Of course, Mother. Ah, please leave the disposition of the captured Pfprek Bandits to me."
-Very well. Capturing the bandits alive is your achievement. Executing them is also your authority.
Elaine acknowledged my accomplishment.
Suppressing the bandits was more than enough for a noble's tale of valor. My reputation would rise a bit because of it.
"Thank you, Mother."
After some more back-and-forth, we ended the communication.
Tomorrow morning, they'd send troops and wagons to escort the bandits. And a carriage for me too.
If all went as planned, we'd arrive at the mansion tomorrow afternoon. The long-unused dungeon would finally see some action.
'When did Hasent even grab this?'
I picked up the magic communication orb from the table. Hasent had packed it. What a thorough butler.
I then glanced across from me. There sat Yuria, cloaked in black robes and cloth, hiding her form. In front of her was the porridge I'd given her. She was obviously malnourished, so I couldn't feed her greasy pork belly.
"You left some. Not to your taste?"
"No, sir. I'll finish it all properly."
"I didn't mean force it down. Just commenting. Your stomach's probably shrunk from starvation, so it's natural you can't eat much. Still, take this."
I handed her a palm-sized container.
"What is this?"
"Super vitamins. Lemon flavor. It's got all the nutrients a person needs. One a day. Remember, wait a full 24 hours after taking one before the next."
It was from the random gacha. The container held 99 pills.
I'd taken one and never touched them again.
With my abundant diet and top-tier vitality, I didn't need them.
I watched her swallow the pill, then stood up.
"I'm going to eat. Stay put."
"Yes, Master."
???
Sizzle sizzle sizzle!
Pork belly on the giant pot lid began cooking deliciously. A bonfire roared beneath.
I swallowed hard at the scent of grilling kimchi. In my opinion, kimchi fried in pork fat was unbeatable.
I glanced around. Knights and villagers stationed everywhere were drooling just like me, eyes fixed on the pot lid.
Inviting villagers wasn't just for knights—it was to spread my reputation for mercy toward commoners. And if they spread word about pot-lid pork belly, it was a win for me.
Rumors could sell pot lids and kimchi!
'Wanted to let Yuria taste Korean barbecue... too bad.'
It'd be bad for her health, so no forcing it.
"Not yet? Still not ready?!"
A plaintive voice asked beside me.
"Not yet, Sir Marethin. Time to start snipping."
Marethin was the least senior among the six knights here. As a noble, I didn't count, and Butler Hasent held a baron's title.
"Yes, sir. Leave it to me."
Marethin declared confidently, lifting a strip of pork belly with tongs to snip away.
I clicked my tongue. Amateur moves.
'Ugh. So frustrating.'
I got it. First time snipping pork belly.
"...Sir Marethin. Hand over the tongs and scissors. Let me show you how it's done."
I stood up. Too short to do it sitting. Eyes from other tables focused on me. They'd copy me.
"Snipping's like this."
Tongs in left hand, scissors in right.
I love grilling and eating meat. Not just at restaurants—I sometimes did pork belly at home.
With practiced ease, I sliced the meat. No awkwardness like Marethin's.
After snipping, I grilled a bit more.
"Alright. Time to eat."
I demonstrated first. Chopsticks picked up well-grilled kimchi and pork belly onto my plate. Let it cool slightly, then into my mouth.
My body shivered. Pork belly and kimchi—timeless combo.
Everyone followed suit.
"Pork belly's the pig's belly fat? Who knew it could taste this good!"
"This kimchi? A bit spicy, but perfect for my taste!"
"Ugh, can't stop with the chopsticks!"
The knights marveled as they snatched pork belly with chopsticks. I'd taught them last time with ramen. They were clumsy, unused to them.
"Young master. What's that?"
"Ah, this is a wrap. Pork belly on lettuce with ssamjang."
I demonstratively stuffed a lettuce wrap in my mouth.
Knights hurried to mimic, grabbing lettuce for wraps.
"Oh! Ooh! Just wrapping meat in grass, and this flavor?!"
"This ssamjang sauce pairs perfectly with pork belly! Delicious even alone!"
"Young master! What is this ssamjang?!"
"Ah, it's called Korea Magic Sauce."
"Korea Magic Sauce! Made with magic, eh?!"
"...Yeah, sure."
No need for details.
They wouldn't get it anyway. Point is, ssamjang's delicious.
The meat on the pot vanished in a flash. These hearty men had fought a battle today. Eating little would've been weird.
"I'll grill the next batch, young master."
As I reached for scissors, Hasent stepped up. His movements were smooth.
"Raise your soju glasses! Can't let a good day pass without a toast!"
"As expected of the young master!"
"I'll teach you an ancient Korean toasting method. Follow me."
Everyone held soju glasses, eyes on me.
I raised mine high and shouted.
"Gukppong!"
The knights echoed.
"Gukppong!"
"Gukppoong!"
"Gukppo-o-o-ong!"
I downed my shot amid their gukppong cheers. Pork belly demands soju.
'This is isekai gukppong right here.'
Shiver. Pure bliss.
"Gukppong coin gazua!"
It slipped out.
And they mimicked without knowing what it meant.
"Gukppong coin gazua!"
"Gukppong coin gazu-a-a-aa!"
"Gukppong coin gazu-a-a-a-a-a-aa!"
Gukppong echoed everywhere.
???
After eating, I chatted late with the knights before heading to my temporary lodgings.
The cleanest, nicest house in Artel Village was mine.
Inside the room, Yuria slept sitting in a chair.
'...Because she's mine.'
I approached and picked her up. Yuria had devoted everything to me for revenge. And I treat my possessions well.
"......"
Yuria's eyes snapped open. Sharp senses.
"Just close your eyes and sleep."
I laid her on the bed and left the room. One more task kept me from sleep.
Outside, I told the guarding knight,
"Sir Marethin. Hard work."
"Not at all, young master. Not sleeping?"
"Need to talk to the butler. Know where he is?"
"Hasent is next door."
"Thanks."
I headed next door.
Tense. Hasent wasn't stupid. No clue what he wanted.
"Butler. You in?"
"Yes. Come in, young master."
Inside, the old butler stood ramrod straight.
His perfect posture always impressed me.
"Butler Hasent. Something to discuss?"
"Young master Yujin. Your heart condition... it was cured some time ago, yes?"
His words shocked me to the core.
"No, what? As you know, my congenital heart disease was severe. Top potions failed, famous healers and specialist mages gave up."
If curable, it'd been fixed long ago. Prukus power could summon even the Tower Master.
But it wasn't. Prukus Count's first wife, Yujin Prukus's birth mother Har-El Delishk, died of the same disease. If curable, the Count wouldn't have let his love die.
"You had a flare-up recently."
"It's improved lately, but flare-ups happen occasionally."
"Young master, you talk well but suck at faking illness. Servants fell for it... but those with sharp eyes like me see through it."
"......"
No point denying. Hasent was convinced. No memory of faking in front of him... must've watched from blind spots.
I sighed.
"Yes. The heart disease is cured. One day, suddenly, it was gone."
"One day, suddenly?"
"I know it's hard to believe. But truly, one day it vanished."
"The day your demeanor changed?"
"......Yes. Something like that."
A nagging unease. Demeanor change? Unclear. I'd laid low gathering info at the game's start.
"Did you receive Serion's blessing?"
"......Pardon?"
Out-of-left-field question tilted my head.
Serion was this world's sole god. Creator goddess with omnipotent power. Her church existed but was weak against the Magic Tower.
Serion never appeared in the original story, so who knows if real.
"You've matured greatly. Sure, some baffling actions, but your knowledge exceeds what books explain."
Other servants and retainers shrugged it off, uninterested. But Hasent noticed oddities and investigated.
"You said you learned my identity from the study. But nothing there hints at it. I wouldn't make such a rookie mistake. Only the family head, madam, and select retainers know."
"......"
I scratched my head. Using Hasent rashly backfired.
'Can't kill Hasent with my skills. What now? Emotion controller? ...Nah, too wasteful on an old butler.'
Head spinning.
"You knew about Artel Village. Even that the Pfprek Bandits disguised as mercenaries would attack. And Yuria Grace. Isn't she the Helbrith Ducal Family's bastard?"
"......Butler. You win. No convincing you. What do you want from me?"
"One thing. Answer truthfully, no lies."
Hasent's deep, cold gray eyes fixed on me. I met them squarely.
"Like the legendary prophet Nofil, did you receive Serion's blessing?"
"Yes. Exactly."
In the end, it's medieval fantasy.