No Need, No Hurry
“Sob, sob… Young Master… Our young master…”
The middle-aged woman who entered Kael’s room couldn’t string words together properly and collapsed to the floor, weeping bitterly. She wiped away her tears endlessly with hands rough and cracked from hard labor. It was Marie, the wet nurse who had reportedly raised Kael like her own child when he was just a newborn babe.
Kael sat leaning back on the sofa, silently watching Marie, whose face was drenched in tears. She held no place in Cheon Woo-jin’s memories. Even the lingering remnant thoughts of the original body’s owner, tormented by long years of illness, couldn’t clearly recall her face.
But Kael knew at once. The tears streaming from this woman in her shabby, worn clothes held not the slightest trace of falsehood or deception. Her heart brimmed with pure joy and relief, as if she had gained the whole world just from seeing Kael alive and breathing so healthily.
“Stop your crying and stand up. How can you weep so sorrowfully when I’ve returned safe and sound like this?”
At Kael’s calm voice, Marie startled and lifted her head.
“N-no, Young Master! How could I cry out of sadness? It’s just… seeing our young master, who was nothing but skin and bones, grow into such a sturdy, handsome man—it’s so moving I couldn’t help myself.”
Marie hurriedly dabbed her tears with her apron hem and caught her breath. Ella, standing beside her, was also red-eyed, sniffling with her nose twitching.
Kael took a sip of the tea on the table and cut to the chase.
“Well then, there must have been circumstances keeping you away all these long years. And now, right at this moment when I’ve returned from the annex to the main estate—what urgent business brings you to me?”
Marie’s shoulders flinched at Kael’s pointed question. She glanced anxiously at the door, then crawled forward on her knees toward Kael, prostrating herself on the floor as if resolved.
“Young Master. Listen carefully to what I say.”
Her voice, choked with emotion just moments ago, was now a grave whisper laced with resolve.
“It happened a few days ago… A criminal gang called Regnum raided our village.”
Kael’s eyebrow twitched.
“Continue.”
“It was total chaos. But there was something strange.”
“What?”
“I swear on my life, I never once told anyone in the village that I was the young master’s wet nurse from the ducal estate. Yet somehow, everyone there knew…”
“Hoo… And so?”
“The villagers begged me to plead for help from the ducal family… That’s when I realized. This was a trap aimed at you, Young Master…”
Marie forced a smile as she spoke.
“Young Master… You mustn’t come… Someone’s targeting you, I don’t know who. We can handle our village’s troubles ourselves.”
Her hands trembled, her eyes filled with unease.
“Now that I’ve seen you healthy, I should be going.”
Kael nodded, permitting her to withdraw.
“Very well. Since you’ve come all this way, rest a bit longer before you leave.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master.”
After Marie departed, Kael issued an order to Ella.
“Find out what happened to Wet Nurse Marie.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
A few days later, Ella returned with the information and reported in detail on Marie’s situation.
“Slum village? You’re saying the ducal family’s wet nurse is living in the slums now?”
Ella’s face paled.
“Th-that’s… I didn’t know either. She said she was chased out of the estate right after you left, Young Master.”
“Chased out?”
“Yes.”
“Ha, would you look at that? So what happened in that village?”
Ella clenched her fists tight as she replied.
“Most of what Nurse Marie said is true. Except…”
“Except?”
“Her family members were all kidnapped too…”
Kael tilted his head.
“Kidnapped? For what reason?”
“Probably to sell them into slavery. But it’s weird.”
“What is?”
“The ones who want their family back were told to bring money and make a demand.”
“Deliberately?”
“Yes, it’s like they’re waiting for someone. Just as Nurse Marie said—a trap.”
Hmm, can’t touch me here, so they lure me out for a roadside ambush? Heh, they’ve prepared quite a bit in that short time.
Ella gazed earnestly at the silent Kael.
“It’s a trap, Young Master. But we still have to help.”
Kael glanced at her eyes.
“Haha, telling your master to walk right into the trap yourself?”
“Yes! You’re not someone those scum can touch anyway!”
Ella’s eyes shone with unwavering faith. Kael chuckled at the sight.
“Oh dear, can’t refuse my maid. Fine, since it’s Ella’s order, I’ll obey.”
Kael teased playfully, and Ella’s face flushed red.
“Eek!? Th-that’s not what I meant, Young Master!!”
“Hahaha.”
Acting family head’s office.
“Ahahaha! Ohohoho!”
Silina’s laughter echoed through the office after a long while. She waved the report in her hand triumphantly, her face alight with glee.
“That fool bit the bait hook, line, and sinker! A formal expedition request, no less. Of course it’d be hard to resist.”
Standing before her as always was the head butler, his weasel-like smile plastered on, hands clasped.
“Didn’t I tell you I’d prepared a flawless script, Acting Lady?”
“Yes, yes. Splendid work, Head Butler. A fresh-faced kid just risen from his sickbed charging into the jaws of death without knowing his place.”
Silina fanned herself elegantly with a luxurious fan, smirking.
“You’ve already tipped off Regnum, I assume?”
“Of course. Since the young lord will walk right into their turf, we’ve struck a deal: clean it up without a trace, and we’ll cover for them afterward. They’d never refuse such a sweet offer.”
“Perfect. All traces must be erased before the family head returns from the subjugation. You’ll handle the cleanup?”
The butler bowed deeply.
“I’ll see it done flawlessly.”
“Ahahaha, excellent. Time for a glass of wine after so long. It’ll be Kael’s last day stepping out these gates alive—I’ll sleep soundly tonight.”
***
The next morning, at the Blue Wolf Knights’ training grounds on the outskirts of the main estate.
Dozens of elite knights in gleaming silver armor sparred fiercely, sweat pouring down. Kael appeared there, with Weger and Ella carrying luggage behind him, and Oliver yawning lazily and trailing along.
In truth, Kael had no intention of seeking out this military force. He figured he, Weger, Ella, and Oliver were more than enough firepower.
But that morning, as he packed, Ella had thrown a fit, nagging relentlessly, practically dragging him here.
“The ducal heir heading to that notorious hellhole with just a couple guards and maids? Makes no sense! It’s a matter of the family’s honor!! You must requisition escort knights from the order right now!”
Unable to withstand her hysterics, he’d come, but inwardly, Kael figured he’d scout the elite knights for any promising talent while he was at it.
But before Kael could ascend the platform, the Blue Wolf Knights’ vice-captain blocked his path with an awkward expression.
“My deepest apologies, Young Lord Kael. We’d love to serve your noble cause and join the subjugation, but circumstances prevent us.”
The vice-captain bowed politely, conveying refusal.
“Circumstances, you say? What urgent matter keeps the ducal knights from escorting the ducal heir on his mission?”
Kael asked with arms crossed. The vice-captain looked visibly troubled.
“Lady Silina, the acting family head, has issued orders. In preparation for the duke’s return next month, all knights are confined—no outings or dispatches for a full month. We’re to focus solely on estate defense and security.”
An official military decree stamped with the acting head’s seal. With the duke absent, no one in the territory could defy it.
“Oh? The family head is returning?”
“Y-you didn’t know?”
“Who’d tell me?”
The vice-captain looked flustered at Kael’s nonchalant reply. A typical noble would rage at the slight to their authority or throw a tantrum, but the young lord accepted it with eerie calm.
Hmm, tying down the knights to eliminate variables? Going this far in advance. Have to give her credit for the scheming.
Far from anger at Silina’s petty check, Kael found it amusing.
“Well, can’t be helped. Estate security comes first—carry on, everyone.”
Kael turned away without a hint of regret.
“Loyalty!”
The knights watched his resolute back with a mix of relief and strange guilt.
***
In the end, the party exiting the grand ducal estate’s main gate was laughably sparse.
The family’s frail heir Kael, ex-lowly guard Weger, third-class maid Ella, and the panting mutt Oliver with his tongue lolling.
It looked less like a crackdown on criminals and more like a band of wanderers setting off.
Ella, gripping the horse reins as they passed the gate, couldn’t hold back her indignation and erupted.
“This is outrageous!! Unbelievable! Sending us after those infamous thugs without a single knight? It’s not a mission—it’s telling us to go die!”
“The official expedition request was approved, so we go, Ella. You trying to embarrass me?”
“No!! But this is too much! How are the four of us supposed to take down a massive crime syndicate!?”
Ella whirled on Kael in fury, but the man supposedly marching to his death looked utterly relaxed, like he was off for a stroll.
“Don’t get so flushed and heated, Ella. You’ll ruin that pretty face.”
“Young Master! This isn’t the time for jokes! They said there are dozens of Experts in that gang!”
Despite Ella’s scolding, Kael smirked and flicked the reins lightly.
“Experts, eh… All the better. Where else to gain real combat experience?”
Ella gaped at Kael’s optimism. Beside them, the quietly riding Weger stroked the heavy iron sword at his waist, eyes gleaming.
“Young Master’s right! If we smash that smug Regnum lot ourselves, those stuck-up knights won’t breathe a word—they’ll look up to us! My sword’s already humming for blood! Kraahaha!!”
Kael chuckled.
“Good man, Weger! I’ll leave one Expert to you!”
Weger paled.
“...Me? I’m just cannon fodder—I’ll stick to fodder…”
Oliver barked at him pityingly.
“Woof woof woof!!”
“Haha, see? Even Oliver says you’re not man enough.”
“But… an Expert’s a bit…”
Kael laughed heartily, urging his horse slowly forward.
“Relax, everyone. Light hearts now. Beat up some alley thugs for training, grab their cash, feast like kings on the way back. Got it?”
Ella asked incredulously.
“Wait… that actually possible? Young Master, you’ve got some secret plan, right?”
Kael smirked enigmatically. Seeing it, Ella brightened.
“Ah! Of course! As expected of my young master! You had it all figured out! No wonder—I worried for nothing!”
As if, Ella.
Kael just smiled and tossed out one line.
“No need, no hurry.”
Ella, naturally, had no clue what it meant.
“Ooh… Sounds like some profound strategy name?”
It meant nothing like that was necessary or urgent.