Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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Prophet Nofil.
He was a real hero from legends. The hero chosen by Serion was said to have received the power to see the future and the past from Serion himself. He was known for guiding the kingdom into a brilliant golden age as the king's advisor.
Of course, a modern person might scoff at legends as just that—legends—and brush it off. But this was the world inside a fantasy novel.
In a place with demons and even a Demon King, how could there not be a hero chosen by a god?
"Indeed! Just as I thought! Your heart condition being cured and your possession of inexplicable knowledge—it's all thanks to Serion's blessing!"
Hasent looked quite pleased. I'd only ever seen his expressionless face before, so this was the first time I'd witnessed such an emotional shift from him. Maybe he was unexpectedly fond of legendary tales.
'Things might actually work out better than expected...'
I froze.
In the blink of an eye, Hasent's face had reverted to its usual blank mask. ...What was this? Not some Chinese quick-change act, surely—how could his expression flip so abruptly?
"Young master, how much of the future and past do you know?"
I'd expected that question. Claiming to know everything would create contradictions in my story.
"...What I know is only fragments, mere knowledge. The ability I received from Serion is different from Prophet Nofil's. It's related to knowledge from the ancient civilization era."
"Certainly. The heroes chosen by Serion in the legends each had different abilities. If it wouldn't be rude, might I ask exactly what your ability is?"
"Does it matter what my ability is?"
"It does. It will influence how I perceive you."
I pulled out my smartphone.
"...I lied to Mother, calling it an ancient relic... but this is actually the ability I received from Serion."
I demonstrated the ability right in front of Hasent.
I took out a massive pile of spices from my inventory. Spices in this world were expensive and rare, not quite as bad as in the real Middle Ages, but still precious. The sight of me producing an enormous quantity would be nothing short of miraculous.
"Impossible! So your ability is to create something from nothing?!"
You could see it that way. The items I'd pulled out were slightly different from the originals—purer, even cleaner.
"Yes. That's correct."
I pushed forward shamelessly. The creator of something from nothing. It practically screamed "chosen by a god."
"Why hide such an ability? If you'd revealed that Serion chose you... many would have revered you."
"I know how mysterious and extraordinary my ability is. Some might admire me purely for it. But others would envy me. And..."
I'd never intended to play the role of Serion's chosen hero. That option hadn't even crossed my mind. Even if it had, I wouldn't have chosen it. My goal wasn't to become a hero.
"My purpose isn't to become a hero or save the world."
Prophet Nofil was a perfect example. Rather than becoming a savior with his prophetic powers, he'd chosen to be the king's advisor. There was no rule saying a hero chosen by Serion had to save the world.
"Then what is your purpose, young master?"
I couldn't exactly say it was to become the Prukus Count and hoard all the mana awakening potions. That would make me look pathetic.
"The peace and glory of our Prukus Count family."
I watched Hasent's eyes. They widened in apparent shock.
Was he moved?
'No way.'
Hasent's pupils trembled. He was shaken.
The old butler, who seemed devoid of blood or tears, couldn't hide his emotions. I mentally reviewed my words. Nothing too shocking or dangerous there.
"The peace and glory of the Prukus Count family... What noble aspirations! But one thing concerns me... Young master, do you not consider the current Prukus family peaceful?"
"Hasent, the current household is at peace. The entire continent is. But today's peace doesn't guarantee tomorrow's."
"What crisis?! What crisis threatens the Prukus Count family?!"
Hasent's voice rose. I felt something off about his intense reaction as I replied.
"A continental war is coming. You've lived through one, Hasent—you know how horrific they are without me telling you."
"But young master, the Prukus family won't fall to something like a continental war!"
"Of course. But our enemies aren't only external. The internal threats are far greater."
This wasn't a lie. The Prukus family's crisis wouldn't come from the continental war, but from internal politics.
"...By internal threats, you mean the Helbrith Duke family?"
"Yes."
I nodded gravely.
It was bullshit.
Left alone, the Helbrith Dukes wouldn't cause friction. They maintained a clean public image and had smooth relations with other nobles. There was no reason for such a powerful family to pick a fight with the Prukus Counts, nor any past grudge between them.
"Ahh... As expected! Those damned scheming bastards! I've suspected they were plotting against us!"
"..."
I was startled. I never imagined Hasent capable of such crude curses.
"Young master, do you know what the central nobles call us?"
I knew. It was in the original story.
On the surface, they praised the Prukus family as Rapelli's guardian sword, but...
"Hounds of the borderlands. Rapelli's mongrels. Arrogant mad dogs. They're jealous and envious of us Prukus Counts."
"Exactly!"
Hasent's face twisted into a demonic scowl.
"Those worthless vermin! They dare insult the Prukus family without knowing their place! The moment we falter even slightly, those maggots will reveal their hidden ambitions! We need to crush their spirits! Make sure they never dream of rising again—show them a ruthless example!"
"..."
Killing intent poured from Hasent in waves. I'd never felt such dense, razor-sharp malice before.
I instinctively stepped back.
Beyond loyalty, his voice carried madness.
"...My apologies. I got too worked up, young master."
Hasent bowed his head. No trace of that madness remained.
"N-no... People get excited sometimes. I understand."
I didn't understand at all.
Was he always like this? In the original, he retired quietly, so I'd had no idea. With this level of loyalty, why had he retired?
"To be frank, the Prukus family's future is dark."
"A crisis is coming in the future."
The protagonist Kyle would overcome everything with his overwhelming prowess.
"The current family head has exceptional martial might but little interest in the count's affairs."
That was true.
Ention Prukus, the Count.
An Aura Master and Rapelli's guardian sword.
He currently resided at Utren Castle, on the border facing enemy nations and the entrance to the Demon Realm's floods.
Despite his prowess, he had no interest in politics. That's why Elain handled the count's duties from the mansion. Politics was entirely her domain.
"Young Master Gent is exceptional. Talented in the sword and interested in politics. But he's too obsessed with knighthood."
Gent was an elitist with a sense of chosen superiority.
He'd hire assassins or do dirty work for his goals but disliked it. In a way, he shared the Helbrith Dukes' mindset.
"Young Master Kyle is a swordsmanship genius, surpassing even Gent. But he's too kind."
Spot on.
Why else would Kyle be called a pushover? It was all due to his soft personality.
Moreover, Kyle had an overzealous sense of justice. He couldn't tolerate injustice and had a merciful heart.
"...And now your assessment of me? I lack the talents of my brothers."
"Yes. That's correct."
"..."
His blunt agreement stung a little.
"But you possess a mysterious power from Serion. These aren't the days of centuries past. Martial might alone has limits. With your mysterious power and knowledge of the future... the Prukus family could usher in a new golden age."
"My power is immense but not omnipotent. There are restrictions when activating it. My future knowledge is limited. The future shifts constantly, and I can't track every change."
I couldn't rely solely on the original story's info.
Even in the recent Ppfrek bandit incident, a variable emerged: the information guild's agent betraying us.
"I hold you in high regard not just for the mysterious power... but primarily for your personality."
"I don't think I'm particularly prickly."
I considered myself neutral—neither saintly nor wicked. Perfectly average.
"I've confirmed your personality today. You're ruthless, young master."
"...Ruthless? Me?"
"As far as I know, you saw a corpse for the first time today. Yet you weren't shaken at all. Corpses don't faze you."
There was no reason to be disturbed by some nameless, faceless corpse. Besides, it wasn't my first.
"Above all, you hired a professional torturer recently. For today. To torture the bandits, right?"
"..."
He was right. I'd hired the torturer to win Yuria's favor by torturing the bandits on her behalf. It would aid her revenge. If she refused, I wouldn't, but that was unlikely.
"Yuria Grace. You took her under your wing to use as a blade, didn't you? Knowing the future, you must see she's no ordinary woman."
I sighed.
"...Hasent. You're right about everything. So please, enough. What do you want from me?"
It irked me, but I was willing to accommodate him somewhat. And later, I'd kill him when the chance arose.
"You plan to kill me, young master."
Did he have mind-reading powers? I waved my hands in startled denial.
"...N-no. What are you talking about?"
"Your killing intent leaked."
"No way."
"I'm sensitive to malice. From my old line of work, I instinctively detect even the faintest killing intent. For reference, this is the 11th time I've sensed it from you."
"..."
What kind of monstrous old man was this? An Aura Master? No, even they couldn't do that.
"I want only one thing from you."
"What is it?"
"The glory of the Prukus Count family. Promise this old man that, and I'll gladly become your dirty blade, slicing down those clueless vermin."
His unexpected words sent chills down my spine.
Hasent was pledging loyalty to me.
The Prukus family's glory?
I planned to become the head of the Prukus Counts. Their prosperity was exactly what I wanted.
I didn't have to do anything for Hasent or suffer any losses.
It was a pumpkin on a vine rolling right to me.
"I promise. No one will be able to look down on the Prukus Count family."
At my answer, the white-haired old butler closed his eyes and bowed deeply.
"Please use this worn blade as you see fit, my lord."
Today, I gained two people.