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[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 153: The Craftsman and the Librarian
“He must be really exhausted today.”
Olivier muttered softly as he closed the door behind him.
“It’s understandable. Just standing there made me so tense I thought I’d die.”
Peter exaggerated as he rubbed his arm.
“That’s true.”
Facing three heavyweights in a row—Elder Geninghen, Verdzig, and Duke Georg—must have drained Allenvert’s mental energy completely.
“But even in that state, he achieved incredible results.”
Jeffrey grinned.
“On top of that, he gained recognition from the elder, the clan head, and even Young master Verdzig.”
“Though the last one was a bit scary…”
At Peter’s muttering, Olivier chuckled.
“It can’t be helped. Someone aiming for the throne can’t afford to fear their competitor’s strength.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
“And Peter, you showed remarkable courage this time too.”
“Me?”
Peter blinked in surprise.
“Facing an assassin in broad daylight and calmly talking your way out of danger—that’s truly commendable.”
Peter scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed.
“You’re overpraising me. If it weren’t for the security guards…”
“It was a miracle born of quick thinking. No need to be so modest.”
Olivier’s words were sincere. It was indeed praiseworthy that the timid and still-immature boy had shown such wit.
‘He’s not just a simple, loyal boy.’
Olivier thought fondly as he looked at Peter.
“By the way, Butler.”
“Yes.”
Jeffrey cautiously asked.
“Don’t you think the Duke’s favor toward the young master is… unusual?”
“I agree.”
It was clear that the Duke held high expectations and affection for Allenvert—enough to make Verdzig and Emmengarde jealous.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say his ability to draw people in is almost innate.”
“That’s true.”
Hadn’t Jeffrey himself, following the head butler’s arrangements, ended up pledging his loyalty to Allenvert?
“However, the duel with the Valkenhain dukedom won’t be an easy task.”
Olivier expressed his concern.
“Isn’t Lady Siena of Valkenhain the most renowned prodigy among the younger generation in the entire Litvaleur?”
“Yes.”
Even if only half the rumors were true, she would undoubtedly be a formidable opponent.
“But if he wins that duel, he’ll gain immense honor and rewards.”
Seeing their excited faces, Peter hesitantly asked.
“But… isn’t it presumptuous of me to feel a little sorry for the young master?”
“…Not at all.”
Olivier shook his head.
If one’s heart doesn’t ache seeing their young lord fighting against a fate with a time limit, can they truly call themselves a loyal retainer?
“That’s why we must do what we can.”
“I plan to rebuild my information network.”
From now on, he needed to make full use of his position as a captain of the royal guards.
“I’ll also leverage the intelligence capabilities of the Borgart Count clan to the fullest.”
Though they didn’t have the same influence as the Visquera, Bergen, or Agrippa Count clans.
Olivier’s position as the nephew most favored by Count Aiden, the current head of the Borgart clan, was quite special.
“But finding the kind of exit the young master wants won’t be easy.”
“Ah, about that…”
Jeffrey scratched his head.
“My father might know something.”
“Ah!”
Olivier exclaimed.
“Of course, as a fox hunter, he’d know all the holes through which beasts sneak in to prey on livestock.”
“There are probably a few sealed-off passages that aren’t used anymore.”
Jeffrey smirked.
“Then I’ll leave that to you.”
“Consider it done.”
Having coordinated their tasks, the three suddenly became aware of the snoring coming from behind the door.
“We’ve been too noisy.”
“Indeed.”
“Have a good night, both of you.”
The three quietly returned to their respective rooms.
* * *
At dawn, as the eastern sky began to lighten.
“Line up! Don’t crowd in all at once!”
“Merchants, this way!”
“Did anything good come in today?”
The auction house, filled with large buildings, stalls, and display stands, buzzed with merchants who had started their day earlier than anyone else.
Rain or snow, whether the nobles were feasting or not, the workers’ day began at this unchanging hour.
“Hey, I heard. Something good came in today, right?”
A well-dressed merchant approached an auction house employee.
“You’ve heard already? Over there.”
“Where?”
“There, to the right.”
“Wow, this is…”
The merchant’s jaw dropped.
At this auction, held every three days, fish caught by fishermen, monsters hunted by mercenaries and hunters, weapons and armor crafted by artisans, and byproducts from monsters slain by Grunewald soldiers were all up for bidding.
But today’s star attraction was undoubtedly the byproducts of the 5th-tier giant monster ‘Nepherus,’ which Allenvert Grunewald, the 4th Young master, had slain single-handedly.
“Wow, this isn’t just a big catch—it’s a monster.”
“I never thought I’d see a Nepherus carcass in Litvaleur.”
“This size is rare even in Flanders.”
Even the foreign merchants murmured in awe.
To the people of Flanders, Nepherus was a monster so famous it was called ‘the gold of the sea.’
Its scales, perfect for armor due to their strength, lightness, and mana conductivity, its teeth and bones ideal for weapons, its blood rich in mana and prized as a magical reagent, even its pupils used in potion-making—
Nepherus was a monster with no waste, its ‘economic value’ unparalleled.
“The condition of the scales is excellent.”
“How did he hunt it so cleanly?”
“I heard from the royal guards that he pierced its brain precisely.”
“Wow. He’s no ordinary man.”
They inspected the goods as meticulously as if appraising a large fish or cow.
“Damn it! This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!”
Among them was a dwarf craftsman, practically drooling with excitement.
“This luster! This hardness! This color!”
He darted between the displays, half out of his mind.
“Oh, look at this mana conductivity!”
He tapped the scales, bones, and teeth, held them up to the light, and even infused them with mana, marveling at their quality.
“Even its heat resistance is perfect. What an exceptional specimen.”
The craftsman held a torch to the Nepherus’s teeth and was amazed when they didn’t scorch.
“Materials like these are too precious to be entrusted to mediocre craftsmen. Absolutely.”
“Hey! What are you doing? Put that fire out right now!”
A manager rushed over, startled by the sudden flame.
“Oh, you’re here? Bring the contract.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“We’re buying everything, so write down the price!”
The manager snorted.
“Come on, if you were going to do that, you should’ve come earlier.”
“What?”
“The top-grade items are already reserved. What’s here are the lower-grade ones.”
“Don’t mess with me! The auction hasn’t even started yet. How can there already be buyers?”
“You’ve been to auctions before, haven’t you? A few big shots placed bulk orders in advance—”
The dwarf craftsman was furious.
“Shut your mouth! Who in the world can craft better weapons than me, Baldun Grashelm, the royal blacksmith of Grunewald, the greatest craftsman in the kingdom, the idol of the dwarves?”
“Hey, mister. We’re just selling to whoever placed the order and paid first. We’re not judging who’s more skilled.”
The manager sighed, clearly used to dealing with such situations.
“I don’t care about that!”
Baldun stomped his foot, throwing a tantrum unbecoming of his age.
“I need to use these materials!”
While obsession with good materials is a common affliction among blacksmiths, Baldun was particularly notorious for it.
“Ugh, what a mess so early in the morning.”
The manager reluctantly said.
“Why don’t you go see the Young master instead? I heard he kept some materials aside to commission equipment—”
“You should’ve said that earlier! Of course, he’d come to me, Baldun Grashelm!”
“There’s no guarantee of that. What makes you so confident?”
“You fool, do you even know I personally crafted his treasured sword?”
“How would I know? Why are you cursing at me?”
“The Voyager of the Night, a sword with a magnificent name!”
“I didn’t ask about that.”
“You insolent brat.”
Baldun grinded his molars and turned away without hesitation.
“Well, I’m off.”
“Where are you going?”
“To meet the Young master, of course.”
“What? Do you think you can just barge in without an appointment? Do you even know who he is?”
“Who else would he be? The son of our employer. Do you think I don’t know that?”
“No.”
That’s not what I meant, you ignorant dwarf, the manager thought, biting his tongue to hold back the retort.
“…Sigh.”
This old man, who acted far younger than his age, was, after all, the greatest craftsman in Grunewald.
“Hehe, I’ll make a few things for free in exchange for some leftover materials. An offer he can’t refuse.”
Baldun hummed cheerfully, as if he hadn’t just caused a scene.
* * *
After sleeping in for the first time in a while, I headed to Ludan’s library.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
I set down the refreshments I’d brought on the table, greeted by Ludan’s hospitality.
“I came for a cup of tea and a chat.”
“You’re always welcome.”
“Actually, I asked Peter to get some wafers, but he ran into an assassin and they were stolen, so I brought something else instead.”
“Oh. That’s unfortunate.”
Ludan’s expression turned serious.
“Stealing cheap snacks from a child’s pocket—what a pitiful thief.”
I wondered if he’d been scolded by Verdzig.
“Did you catch the thief?”
“No.”
“Ah, then—”
“It’s fine. My second brother played a little prank.”
I reassured Ludan, recalling last night’s conversation.
“I prepared a counterattack, and as a result, we agreed last night to overlook each other’s weaknesses.”
“Hmm. If that’s the case.”
Ludan nodded with a worried expression.
“Be extra careful. Throughout history, succession battles between siblings have always been bloody.”
“My brother is practically a monster, so it won’t be an easy fight.”
I took a sip of the tea Ludan had prepared.
“Your tea-brewing skills are still exceptional.”
“I read some old books to prepare for Your Highness’s visit.”
His answer was so typical of Ludan that I chuckled.
“Thank you. Speaking of which, I’d like to browse a couple of martial arts manuals today.”
“Just say the word.”
“The Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique I saw before, and maybe a useful stealth technique.”
“Ah, understood. While you enjoy the refreshments, I’ll—”
“No need to rush. We have plenty of time.”
I stopped Ludan from hurrying and opened the refreshments.
“Why don’t we catch up a bit? It’s been a while.”
“That would be my pleasure.”
Ludan smiled warmly and sat back down.
“Ah, by the way.”
“Hmm?”
“What about Venion?”
Ludan had once warned me about Venion.
“He’s a hard man to figure out. He seems to be hiding something, but I don’t know what.”
“Hmm. I thought so.”
“I plan to keep an eye on him.”
“Yes, you should be cautious.”
I appreciated Ludan’s advice.
“Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you last time but didn’t get the chance.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“I’d like to know more about the influential figures in this city. The merchants, mercenaries, and underworld figures I might not be aware of.”
“…!”
Ludan silently studied me before asking.
“Before I answer, may I ask why you’re curious about this—and why you’re asking me?”
“The Ludan I know—”
I set down my teacup and answered.
“Is, at his core, a scholarly man. Scholarly means he enjoys researching, recording, and pondering things.”
“….”
“It’s natural for someone buried in books to want to write one themselves. I thought you might have been compiling some kind of hidden record.”
“Hmm.”
Ludan nodded, looking slightly flustered.
“You’re right. But how can you be so sure based on just that?”
I grinned and revealed the truth.
“Actually, your diary hinted at it.”
“Ah!”
Ludan’s eyes widened.
“You’re quietly working on a book, and you promised to show it to me first once it’s finished, didn’t you?”
“…Haha.”
Tears welled up in Ludan’s eyes.
“Yes, I did. That was over ten years ago, a promise made in passing. You kept it in your diary.”
“Thanks to that, I remembered the promise.”
“What’s written down never fades, even if memories do.”
Ludan dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief.
“I’m sorry. I’ve become more emotional with age.”
“It’s good to have sensitivity.”
“Haha, that’s true.”
Ludan acknowledged my words.
“As you guessed, I’ve been recording rumors and events from here and there. You could say it’s a chronicle of the history of the Duchy of Grunewald.”
“Did you record anything about the underworld?”
“I thought that might be what you’re most curious about.”
Ludan smiled.
“I’ll answer anything I can.”
And so, I was able to hear the secret history of Grunewald’s underworld.
‘If possible, I’d like to hear about the Visakino Brotherhood too.’
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[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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