Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Translator: Penny
Chapter 34
"Hey, you bastards! How could you leave me alone in the mansion and all go out?!"
Two days later, Lawrence spotted Agron in the dining hall and immediately started yelling at him.
He must have been genuinely terrified.
"Didn't you take care of the assassin who broke into the mansion anyway? What's there to be afraid of?"
"Hey! Even if I killed him, they could have sent another assassin!"
"Why would they bother?"
Lawrence's face flushed slightly as he answered Agron's question.
"Well... they know I'm the Third Prince... they might think I'm a huge catch..."
"Ah, that's what you're worried about. Don't worry, you're not that valuable."
"...?!"
"A 'huge catch'? If anything, you're more like a tadpole."
This bastard?
Lawrence gripped his fork tightly, glaring at Agron.
He swore that the moment he became King, he would force Agron to kneel before the throne and use him as a footstool.
"What are you staring at?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Just..."
"You're looking at me like you're already imagining using me as a footstool when you sit on the throne."
"Cough! Hiccup?!"
"...?"
"Hiccup!"
Lawrence was so startled that he grabbed Elena's water glass instead of his own and gulped down the water.
Elena stared at him with a face like she'd bitten into something foul.
"Shall I get you another glass?" Jacob asked Elena, approaching her.
"No."
"Are you alright?"
"Smash the glass and throw it away."
"Understood, Master."
The moment Lawrence set down the cup, Jacob snatched it up, crushed it, and tossed the shards into the trash.
Lawrence stared, dumbfounded.
"Hey! Even so! You're throwing away the cup just because I used it once?! And you completely smashed it?!"
"It's not about the one time. It's about who used it, you little brat."
"Hey...! I'm the Third Prince of this nation, a Prince! I might even inherit the throne!" Lawrence roared, glaring around the room.
Agron—from another tribe.
Baek Woon—from another continent.
Elena and Jacob—from another race.
Come to think of it, there wasn't a single person here who would take Lawrence's words seriously.
"So what if you're a prince, you little brat?"
"Ah, no... it's just... you know."
"Elena, you have to understand. Lawrence values appearances over substance. He lacks the soul of a true warrior."
"Ah, I see. As always, Master, your wisdom is unparalleled."
Those damned lovebirds!
Lawrence vowed that the moment he ascended the throne, he would seize that couple and force them to attend to his every need for an entire day.
"Master, what did you think of the girls you saw yesterday?"
"Hmm, are you referring to the newly turned Vampir girls?"
"Exactly. They were originally part of the 'Six Fingers,' but I've trained them well and made them my thralls. Feel free to use them whenever you need them."
"Very well. What are their names?"
"The blonde girl is Saiki, and the black-haired girl is Temurin."
"Hmm, so they're on equal footing with Jacob?" Agron asked.
Jacob's eyes flashed as he shook his head. "Absolutely not, Count. While we're all Lady Elena's thralls, I am unequivocally the senior Vampir here."
He alternated proud glances between Agron and Elena.
"You're the senior one, then. Understood. From now on, I'll issue orders to them through you."
"An excellent decision, Master. I'll ensure they follow your commands."
"Wait, hold on a moment, Count! Lady Elena! Please, give the orders to me instead!" Jacob protested, his voice tinged with panic.
"But you said they're the juniors?"
"Yes, but one of the greatest joys for a thrall is obeying their Master's commands! Therefore, I would be honored if you would give me orders regarding them as well!"
"I was just worried it would be too much trouble for you."
"Not at all!" Jacob replied, a hint of anxiety in his voice. He felt as if his position was being encroached upon.
"Very well. Then, as the senior member, I entrust you to lead them well and manage the Night Alley."
"Understood, Count! I will do my utmost!"
"What about the items seized from Felipe and Yamong?"
"The Majordomo and Secretary are currently inventorying them in the storage warehouse."
"Is that so? Summon Luna from the Deiron Merchant Guild. We need to appraise and sell these goods."
Luna, visiting the Count's Mansion after a long absence, gaped at the staggering mountain of treasure before her. It was far more magnificent and dazzling than any noble's vault she had ever seen.
"W-what is all this?"
"Goods seized from other nobles and merchants."
"Seized...?" Luna tilted her head, as if wondering if such actions were permissible, but refrained from asking the impolite question aloud.
"I plan to sell about half of this. Can the Kotaru Branch handle it?"
"Um... It's not just the sheer volume, but the appraisal process will take time. We'll need to sell it gradually. If you need to liquidate it urgently, we can accommodate you, but we might not be able to get the best prices."
"I see. Take your time. And please convert the sales proceeds into the Empire's standard gold and silver coins."
The continent had platinum, gold, silver, and copper coins issued by various nations, but those issued by the Empire were considered the most trustworthy.
This was because countries facing political instability sometimes debased their coins by mixing in impurities to increase quantity while lowering quality.
"Understood. But nobles usually prefer to keep their wealth in treasures rather than cash. Is there a specific reason you want to convert them?"
Agron frowned as he surveyed the mountain of treasures piled as high as himself.
"These things are utterly useless."
"Useless?"
"Exactly. You can't pay for a meal at a restaurant or buy a book at a bookstore with these. The only thing you can exchange treasure for is more treasure."
For a warrior, treasure had always been the bones and hides of beasts they had slain, or the swords of their defeated foes.
These piles of jewels and ornaments held no appeal for Agron.
"Is that so? To me, they seem like an incredible opportunity and of immense value. Your aesthetic sense truly sets you apart, Count."
"Opportunity and value, you say?"
Agron picked out a large gem from the pile and handed it to Luna.
"What's this...?"
"The opportunity you've gained from me."
"Ah, no, no, it's too big, Count!"
"Excellent. I expect you to continue giving your best for House Veilain in the future."
"No, but... this is too much for me..."
"I won't say it twice. Take it."
"Th-thank you..."
Agron turned and left the supply warehouse, leaving Luna standing there, dazed, with the gem in her hand.
Luna pinched her cheek as she stared at the massive blue gem. Even a rough appraisal revealed it was worth enough to establish at least three more Kotaru Branches.
Is this a dream or reality?
If another noble had commissioned her, she would have sold the goods while skimming her share along the way. But Agron's commission, she resolved, would be calculated down to the last silver coin.
But what does the Count need all this money for?
"An orphanage?" Elena repeated.
"Yes, as I mentioned before, I plan to build an orphanage to protect the street orphans," Agron replied.
"What a noble idea, Master! Your compassion is as vast as the sea."
"What's the point of building something like that?" Lawrence interjected, munching on a cake.
"Shut your mouth, you little brat! How dare you contradict Master's words!" Agron snapped.
"Ah, no... but shouldn't the Prince be allowed to speak his mind...?"
"Enough, you pest! You're just a glutton who does nothing but waste food!"
"Eek...! Is that all that matters—a pretty face?! Agron! I'll introduce you to a proper noblewoman. Get rid of this fierce woman right away—hic!"
Lawrence froze in terror as he saw blue magic gathering at Elena's fingertips, and he scrambled to hide behind Agron's back.
"Master, if you just tilt your head slightly, I'll catch that pig who keeps babbling like a human."
"No! Agron, don't move!" Lawrence shouted, grabbing Agron's neck to hold him still.
Agron clicked his tongue at Lawrence. "Why pick a fight you can't win?"
"Hey! Did I start this? That Orc—ah, never mind! I take it back!"
As Elena raised her hand, her crimson eyes blazing, Lawrence hastily threw his hands up in surrender. He had a gut feeling that this time, she really meant to kill him.
At that moment, Baek Woon, who had been listening to the conversation from the side, spoke up, his curiosity piqued.
"I have the same question as Lawrence. What exactly are you planning to do with that orphanage?"
"Quiet, brat. Are you questioning Master's orders too?"
"Ugh, I'm just curious."
Agron paused to choose his words before answering Baek Woon's question.
"There's no grand reason. My late father used to tell me often to take good care of the people of our fief."
"Magnificent, Master. This servant, Elena, will continue to serve you faithfully and carry out your orders diligently, unlike those others."
"Hey... I'm not a servant... I'm a Prince..."
"Shut up, you whelp."
Lawrence could only grumble under his breath as he brought the dessert to his mouth.
"I see. The Former Head of House was indeed a remarkable man. He sought to extend benefits not only to citizens but also to freemen and serfs."
Baek Woon stroked his beard, lost in thought.
Lawrence spoke up again.
"But wouldn't there be backlash? If we give homes and food to beggars who don't even pay taxes, the other people won't stand for it."
His words were accurate.
Lords always paid more attention to free citizens than serfs, and to city dwellers more than free citizens.
To avoid trouble, they had to keep those with the greatest influence—the ones who could exercise power second only to the Lord—close and listen to their opinions.
Otherwise, the Lord's plans would be constantly challenged or met with non-cooperation.
"Even if it's funded with private funds, not taxes?"
"How would anyone know that? If the opposition starts claiming it's a waste of tax money, everyone will believe it."
"Hmm."
"Master, if you command me, Jacob and I will behead those traitors and display their heads at the city gate."
"Hey, are you crazy? If we do that, the people will revolt!"
"Is that so, you little blood clot? Then we'll just behead them all—"
Lawrence was relieved that this insane woman, utterly infatuated with Agron, wasn't their enemy.
"Let's think about that later. I'll handle the persuasion myself."
"Wait, Agron... Let me make this clear: the citizens of the fief aren't criminals. You mustn't kill them."
"Elder, do you think I'm some kind of madman? Why would I just start killing people?"
But Baek Woon, having witnessed such atrocities far too often, couldn't easily trust Agron's words.
"Absolutely not!"
"Don't worry, I won't kill them. Trust me."
"At least you seem to have finally grown up."
"First, get me some potions—the kind that heal flesh and bone quickly."
"...Even torture won't work on you."
"Huh? Torture? I'd never do such a horrible thing. What do you take me for?"
Baek Woon glared at Agron with a skeptical expression.
"What else would you call what you did to the Boss of Six Fingers or Ludicain?"
"Huh? That wasn't torture—it was a warrior's trial."
"...Where on earth did you learn about such a ridiculous trial?"
"Well, you wouldn't know about it, Elder, since you're not a warrior."
"..."
"Elena would understand, though, since she's a warrior."
"That's right, kid. It was a warrior's trial, not torture," Lawrence interjected, unable to watch any longer.
"Hey, have you ever considered that maybe you're all just insane?"
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny