Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: My Dog Bites
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1.
The blond man who approached the table looked over Karrons group and whistled.
Eating with another man besides your big brother? Are they knights?
His voice was slick and oily.
It seemed he was unaware that Karron and his companions were from the Leston ducal family.
Likely because they had taken off their cloaks, which were embroidered with the family crest.
Eimi scowled at the man.
It was a starkly different expression from the one twisted by rage just moments before.
This was a face contorted not by anger, but by disgust.
There seemed to be quite a history between them.
Mind if I join? I had to skip breakfast because of Eimi.
Without waiting for an answer, the man sat down. He then picked up a piece of lamb from the table and shoved it into his mouth.
Even in that short moment, his eyes darted around.
Karron, Leo, Hugo.
He scanned their faces as if sizing them up, a mocking sneer plastered on his face.
So you had time to meet men. Hah, do the apprentice knights of the Imperial Guard have that much free time?
Ive already paid this months interest.
You did. You did, but I came to make you an offer. You never seem to want to see me, do you? You have time for these guys, but not for your dear creditor. If you want, we can even let these men play along. But I cant promise to share the bed.
His words were utterly vulgar.
Judging by his attire, he was undoubtedly the son of a noble house. The trinkets dangling from his body were all expensive.
The man swallowed the lamb in his mouth, then turned to Karrons group and spoke.
My name is Degol Kian.
Degol, announcing his name with confidence.
Hearing it, Hugo frowned and asked back.
The Kian County?
Oh, you know of my family?
How could I not? The noble who lends money to other nobles. The most notorious family of usurers in the capital.
Thats right. You cant live in the capital and not know our name. Were the ones managing the deep pockets of the Diaz Marquisate.
Now that I hear the name, I remember. Degol Kian. Twenty-one this year. The youngest son of the County. A very famous person has graced us with his presence.
I am rather famous. Everyone trembles when they see me, you know?
The Diaz Marquisate was one of the meritorious houses that had deposed the Evil Emperor and enthroned the current one, now serving as a major pillar of central politics.
His confidence was not without reason.
Ive given you my name, so shouldnt you give me yours?
Degol looked at Karrons group with a self-assured smile.
But Karron just snickered and replied.
Who said I wanted to exchange names? What a load of bullshit.
...I dont know whose brat you are, but you clearly werent taught any manners.
They say even a dog shouldnt be bothered while its eating. A bastard who doesnt even know that is talking about manners? Youre a funny one.
The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.
Was this an unexpected development?
Degol ran a hand through his hair and smiled. Then he spoke to Eimi.
So youve always had a thing for brats like this? You should have told me sooner.
But Eimi simply ignored Degols comment and bowed her head to Karrons group.
Im sorry. This is a matter between our families Ill step outside and resolve it. Please wait just a moment.
She immediately stood up and glared at Degol with a cold expression.
Outside. Now.
Hold on. This is getting interesting.
Degol brandished a knife and glared at Karron.
Usually, people in the capital avoid me. I have a knack for making a scene, you see? So most people make sure to remember my face You guys must be from the countryside, aren't you? No wonder. I could smell the hicks on you.
Karron had a pretty good idea of what kind of person this Degol was.
A powerful family.
And a shitty personality to go with it.
You must be a pretty famous scoundrel around here, huh?
These were the types you called real scoundrels.
Idiots who ran their mouths, banking on their family name.
I wonder how many bastards like you there are in the capital?
At Karrons question, Degol wore a relaxed expression.
Quite a few. But I tend to stand out among them. A good number of nobles in the capital are in debt to my father. Including Eimis father, right here.
He got the gist of the situation.
Karron popped a piece of sliced steak into his mouth. Then he casually wiped his mouth with the napkin beside him.
You came at the right time. I was actually wondering what kind of trouble I should get into in the capital. Thanks so much for coming to me directly.
Karron grinned brightly as he gripped the scabbard he had leaned against the table.
Looks like you havent done any training, have you?
Degol replied with a haughty look.
Knights are something you can just buy with money. Are you going to strike me with that sword? The moment you do, the Imperial Guard will rush in and drag you to the execution block. And your family will follow you, cursing your name as theyre executed.
The atmosphere was beginning to take a strange turn.
Sensing the subtle shift, Eimi hurriedly tried to stop Karron.
Sir Karron, this is my problem
But Karron raised a hand, cutting her off.
I dont want you to misunderstand. This isnt about you. I have an illness.
Pardon?
An illness where I just cant walk past a scoundrel. As for the cause how should I put it? Right, its because I want to be the greatest scoundrel in the world. Do you know the easiest way to do that?
A gleam appeared in Karrons eyes.
Leo felt a chill watching him.
Hadnt he seen this somewhere before?
The memory of his first meeting with Karron three years ago came flooding back.
All I have to do is make all the other scoundrels behave. If Im the only scoundrel left, then Im the best, right?
The logic was seriously twisted.
But Eimi found herself unable to refute it.
You cant argue with a madman.
His logic was insane from the start.
Eimi, do you know something?
...What is it?
Kids these days dont really know, but my grandfather was a notoriously famous scoundrel back in his day. And my dream is to surpass him.
Eimi realized what the gleam in Karrons eyes was.
It was madness.
There was no other word to describe it.
Karron smiled and stood up from his seat.
Hugo, my apologies in advance. Ill explain everything to Grandfather.
Realizing what Karron was about to do, Hugo quickly stood up to stop him, but
Karron. You right now
CRACK!
It was too late.
Karrons scabbard slammed into the back of Degols head.
A direct hit.
Degol, who had been wearing a relaxed expression just a moment ago, collapsed to the floor, foaming at the mouth.
And just then.
Young Master!
Men who appeared to be his bodyguards began to rush in from outside.
But Karron had no intention of stopping here.
He looked at Leo and Hugo and said.
The troubles already started, so Ill take full responsibility. But I have one condition.
The smile on Karrons lips deepened.
Since were already making a mess, we might as well finish it properly. Please block the restaurant door so this bastards bodyguards cant get in. As for you, Leo
Aaaaaah!
At that moment, Leo let out a yell and charged toward the door.
He blocked the entrance with his body and waved at Karron.
Karron! Is this good?
You get it right away, brother!
You can count on me!
Watching the two cousins work in tandem, Hugo spoke with a pale face.
...Karron, you really are a madman. Do you ever think before you act?
Karron picked up a water glass from the table and replied.
Honestly, if I become famous as a scoundrel, wont it benefit you and your father, too?
What kind of thought process could possibly lead to such a conclusion?
Hugo decided not to think about it too deeply.
It was just as he had expected.
He should have tied this guy up with ropes from the very beginning.
But personally, he was also curious to see how far this kid would go.
As Karron said, the more infamous he became, wouldnt it be his father who benefited?
If Karron returned after causing trouble in the capital, Halo and the family elders would surely punish him.
You devious bastard.
At Hugos words, Karron smiled and nodded.
Ill take that as permission.
Hes the one who dared to call the Leston ducal family a bunch of hicks from the countryside. If youre going to teach him a lesson, do it right. I suppose we do need to show these capital folks what were made of.
Just watch me.
Karron splashed the water from the glass directly onto the unconscious Degols face.
It was freezing cold, with ice cubes still floating in it.
The moment the water hit him, Degol jolted awake with a start.
Huuuhhh.
How can you suddenly doze off in the middle of a conversation?
A trickle of blood ran down the mans tan face.
He didnt seem to comprehend the current situation.
...Did you just hit me?
When did I do that? Do you have proof?
Are you kidding me?
And what if I did? What are you going to do about it? Call the Imperial Guard to take us to the execution block?
If my father finds out about this
CRUNCH.
Aaaaaaaargh!
Karrons scabbard slammed down on Degols right shin.
So, what will happen when your father finds out?
Karron took out two potions he carried for emergencies from his pocket.
Potions that could heal a fractured bone in an instant.
They were quite expensive, but.
Youre paying for the potions.
This was the capital.
He could always buy more potions from the Magic Tower if he had the money.
Wh-what?
Im going to make you a good boy today. Your father will be grateful to me. Hell probably even shed tears of joy, moved that his good-for-nothing scoundrel of a son has turned over a new leaf. Ill make it so the cost of the potions wont feel like a waste at all.
Shit! What kind of nonsense are you spouting!
The name of this scabbard is Duban. Its one of the Leston family heirlooms, but from now on, you will call it Master Du. Its your etiquette teacher.
...The Leston ducal family? You, from the Leston ducal family
CRUNCH.
Aaaaaaaaargh!
This time, Karron slammed the scabbard down on his left shin. Then he smiled brightly and said.
You only speak when Master Du asks a question. Oh, and for your information, Master Du is a scabbard, so it cant ask questions. Just so you know.
And so, a scene from hell began to unfold in the restaurant.
2.
This was the National Tax Office, located in the capital.
In the office of the Commissioner-General, a man feared even by the nobility, Gail was receiving a report from his secretary.
...Say that again.
Sir Karron Leston, your grandson, indiscriminately assaulted Degol Kian, the third son of the Kian County, at a restaurant near the boutique street approximately thirty minutes ago. As a result, he is currently being held in custody by the city guard.
Hahahaha.
It was only this morning that he had parted ways with his bright-faced grandson.
He had expected him to cause trouble, but he hadnt thought it would be on the very next day after arriving in the capital.
Gail slowly placed the document he was reading down on his desk.
He mulled over the name that had just come from his secretarys mouth.
Degol Kian, Degol Kian I thought Id heard that name somewhere. Isnt he the scoundrel of a youngest son from the County?
That is correct. According to rumors Sir Karron apparently beat Degol Kian while feeding him potions.
Potions? Why would he feed him potions?
Well he said that he had to heal him moderately so he could beat him for longer
Hahahaha!
As expected, his grandsons way of thinking was on another level.
Gail took off his glasses, set them on the desk, and wiped his face with both hands.
Then, in a half-resigned voice, he asked his secretary.
It seems Ill have to go myself.
The city guard cannot investigate a noble.
Even if a noble committed murder, the investigation of nobility was the exclusive duty of the Imperial Guard, the knights of the imperial family.
Moreover, this was an incident between nobles.
If things went wrong, Karron could end up being detained at the Imperial Guard headquartersthe worst-case scenario.
Sir from what were hearing, it seems you wont need to go in person.
What do you mean? Count Kain. Do you think that money-grubber would stand by while his son gets beaten to a pulp?!
...The victim is strongly pleading for leniency.
For a moment, Gail doubted his own ears.
The victim is pleading for leniency, not for severe punishment?
Yes. It is said that Degol Kian is pleading for leniency, even shedding tears. He claims that Sir Karron is innocent, that everything started from his own mouth A peculiar detail is that he is reportedly muttering to himself countless times that he will definitely reform himself.
Degol Kian, that good-for-nothing son of a bitch, is doing that?
Yes, sir.
Degol Kian.
A man with an obsessive lust for women, who would use his wealth and status to take any commoner woman who caught his eye.
He wouldnt even hesitate to lay his hands on a noblewoman if her family was indebted to his father.
Because of this, he had earned a terrible reputation in the capital.
And his womanizing was just the tip of the iceberg. The list of trashy things he had done was too long to even begin to count.
And a scumbag like that was pleading for Karrons leniency?
The very person who had beaten him indiscriminately?
Karron, what in the world kind of magic did this boy cast?
Thanks to this, it seems he will be released from custody soon. This is the first time in a case between nobles that the victim has pleaded for leniency
Nobles are the kind of people who would rather die than lose their honor. Ha, how on earth am I supposed to explain this to my son-in-laws father?
Gail sighed, looking out the window.
By now, the rumor must be spreading like wildfire.
Thats just how the capital was.
Thats one hell of a welcoming party, you brat.
Could his son-in-laws father truly have not predicted this situation?
Not a chance.
A leaky bucket inside will leak outside as well. Grand Duke Halo must have foreseen this.
Gail briefly recalled the nickname Karron had earned in the Azure Sea domain.
It was a blasphemous nickname, difficult to even say aloud, but he felt it fit this situation perfectly.
The Young Mad Dog of the Azure Sea.
Theres no smoke without fire.
There must have been numerous incidents that led to him earning that nickname.
If so, the answer was already clear.
...The Leston ducal family has unleashed a mad dog on the capital.
Gail dreaded to even imagine what would unfold from now on.