"Our mission in Perdium County failed."
"What?"
The man with a strikingly groomed mustache furrowed his brow upon hearing the report from his subordinate.
His name was Harold Desmond.
As the lord of Desmond County, he was serving under Duke Delphine, plotting to destabilize the North.
"We intended to provoke a territorial conflict with the Digald estate, correct? And that failed?"
"Yes, sir."
"We even managed to sway some of their escort knights, yet it still failed. Did they run into the knight commander?"
Though Perdium was a land without money or notable figures, Harold at least respected Count Perdium and Knight Commander Randolph.
His subordinate hesitated, stammering in response to Harold's question.
"The knight commander had gone on an expedition with Count Perdium. But…."
The aide glanced nervously at Harold before continuing.
"Rumor has it that two escort knights were caught attempting to kidnap the count's daughter and were killed by the young lord of Perdium. Frank has gone missing, and it's unknown whether he's dead or alive."
"The young lord of Perdium… that reckless troublemaker? Are you telling me that fool managed to kill a trained knight? Could Frank have been bested by him too?"
"Ghislain doesn't have that level of skill. I suspect… the two knights likely turned on each other while vying for the count's daughter."
Harold sat in silence for a moment before letting out a dry chuckle.
"Is this supposed to be a report? You 'suspect'? You 'suppose'? Are you telling me that no one even has a clear understanding of what happened in that backwater estate?"
As Harold's tone grew sharper, an intimidating aura began to emanate from him.
"I—I apologize, sir. The scene was completely burned, so it's difficult to ascertain the exact events."
Harold looked down at his trembling aide and spoke slowly.
"The lord and the knight commander were both gone on an expedition. Their estate has few knights and soldiers. You sent Frank there, plus you had the escort knights on our side. Yet, somehow, you still couldn't kill a single girl?"
Harold's voice rose in frustration.
"And now you tell me that the pathetic young lord of Perdium supposedly killed a knight? Since when did my aide become so incompetent that he can't even bring me reliable information?"
The aide prostrated himself on the floor, begging.
"I—I'm sorry! Please, give me another chance, and I'll make sure it succeeds!"
"Asking for another chance after failing at something so simple?"
Harold scoffed.
The possibility that the young lord of Perdium was an unexpected variable was laughably low.
If that were the case, then the problem was either his aide's incompetence or a shoddy execution of the plan.
In either case, an aide like that was of no use.
Jingle, jingle.
Harold picked up the bell on his desk and rang it twice. Two knights entered the room.
Looking down at his now-pale aide with an indifferent expression, Harold spoke.
"Take him away."
"No! Please, spare me! Give me one more chance, I beg you! No! Nooo!"
The aide screamed and struggled as he was dragged away, but Harold paid no mind and shifted his attention back to his documents.
"It's enough of a headache keeping an eye on Rayfold, and now Perdium is becoming a nuisance as well."
Harold's primary focus was on Amelia's rebellion plan.
According to reports, Count Rayfold had quietly begun stockpiling food and increasing his forces.
"She'll have to succeed before he grows too strong."
But he couldn't simply ignore Perdium either.
Feeling an odd sense of unease, Harold narrowed his eyes.
"Ghislain Perdium…"
He'd never even considered the young lord until now, but something about him grated on his nerves. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have felt this level of irritation.
"I suppose I'll need to send more people."
After careful thought, Harold decided to deploy more spies to Perdium.
***
"Young master, what on earth happened back there?"
"Oh, just a little lover's quarrel. I think Amelia might love me too much. Ah, the burden of popularity."
Belinda glared at Ghislain, who looked quite pleased with himself.
"Why did you even ask Miss Amelia for money?"
"Well, I have some expenses coming up, and she's the only wealthy person around."
"So, you decided to shake down your rich fiancée?"
Belinda narrowed her eyes, looking at him as if he were crazy. Ghislain shook his head in mock offense.
"Hey, I'm not that kind of guy. There's a reason, you know."
"And what exactly is that reason?"
"In my previous life, Amelia made things very difficult for me. Consider it compensation—a kind of reparations."
"…."
It was the truth, but there was no way she'd believe it.
"Are you really not going to tell me?"
"I am telling the truth!"
Belinda pestered Ghislain all the way out of Rayfold Castle, but no matter how much she pressed him, he didn't provide a clearer explanation.
'Even if I told her, she wouldn't believe it.'
Telling her that Amelia would become Perdium's enemy in the future would only make him seem mad.
And he couldn't reveal Amelia's secrets and sabotage her plans just yet.
If he did, the Delphine Duchy would simply abandon her and find another pawn, making it harder for him to prepare.
Best to use his knowledge of the future as much as possible.
Belinda snorted, still clearly skeptical.
"Fine, if you say so. But is it really okay to take that money? If Count Rayfold finds out, there'll be trouble."
Ghislain shrugged, unconcerned.
"It's fine. Amelia won't say a word."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Hmm… That's a secret for now. I'll tell you later. For now, let's move on to the next part of the plan."
Belinda's eyes widened in surprise.
"The next part? You're not going back home?"
Ghislain nodded.
"Amelia won't let things go."
Belinda didn't argue, nodding in agreement.
She knew well enough the underhanded tactics of the nobility.
At this point, it wouldn't be surprising if an attack came from anywhere.
"She might send people after us."
"Exactly, so we need to be prepared."
Having already experienced Amelia's schemes in his previous life, Ghislain knew her better than anyone.
With her personality, she would never let them return unscathed.
"We need a wild card on our side. I'm thinking of someone who can shake things up for Amelia."
"A wild card?"
"Someone who can work with us and be a valuable ally in the future."
"And who might that be? Do you know someone?"
"Well… I first need to check if they're even around here."
Belinda asked, puzzled.
"You're looking for someone whose whereabouts you're not sure of?"
"My memory's a bit fuzzy. Let's look around, and if they're not here, we'll come up with another plan."
Belinda sighed in exasperation.
"So, what's this person's name?"
"Gillian."
Together, Ghislain and his group searched various places, asking about a person named Gillian.
Before long, one of the knights reported having found his whereabouts.
"Looks like he's nearby. Let's go."
Ghislain felt a sense of urgency and quickened his pace.
Gillian was someone he had only heard rumors of during his mercenary days abroad.
According to what he'd heard, Gillian had spent some time in Rayfold before eventually taking his own life.
'Fortunately, it seems he hasn't done that yet.'
The fact that he'd taken his life meant his situation had been desperate.
Standing in front of a shabby house on the outskirts of town, Ghislain nodded.
'Seems his circumstances are as dire as I thought.'
The house was run-down, looking like it could collapse at any moment. It was isolated, no different from the houses in the slums on the opposite side of the castle.
"Is anyone there?"
One of the knights knocked loudly on the door, and a man soon appeared.
He looked to be in his fifties, with white hair and a beard that looked unkempt from hardship.
His hair and beard were overgrown and messy, and his eyes were hollow, like those of a dead fish.
"What do you want?"
The grating, lifeless tone of his voice filled Belinda and the knights with disappointment.
To Belinda and the knights, Gillian seemed no more than a broken man.
'Is this the person he's been so eager to find? What's he thinking?'
People exude an aura.
Even those without mana have a certain presence, something you can sense the moment you see them.
But Gillian… aside from the lingering stench of alcohol, his aura was no more imposing than that of a street thug.
Belinda looked him over, trying to understand Ghislain's intentions.
'Is he planning to use him as a porter? In that case, a slave or servant would be more useful.'
Gillian was of sturdy build with decent muscle tone, but his tired expression and slouched shoulders made her doubt if he could handle even that.
While the others looked on with skepticism and disappointment, only Ghislain smiled.
"Gillian, I came to see you."
"What business could you have with me?"
Though Ghislain looked young, Gillian responded with a degree of respect. His attire and entourage of knights and maids made it clear he was a noble.
"You're in quite a difficult situation, aren't you? I can solve your problem."
Gillian laughed bitterly.
"Young noble, you must be bored. Save that swagger for somewhere else."
His tone was tinged with irritation and derision, and Belinda and the knights frowned at his prickly attitude.
But Ghislain paid it no mind.
"I can help you."
"No, thank you. I'm already exhausted, and I don't have the energy to entertain some young lord's whims."
With that, Gillian turned his back. It was a level of disrespect a commoner should never show a noble.
One of the knights stepped forward, hand on his sword.
"You're rather insolent."
Gillian glanced back at the knight, sneered, and pointed to his chest.
"If you want to kill me, go ahead. Do you have the guts? Here's my heart. Stab it properly."
"You…"
The knight gritted his teeth and took a step forward but couldn't bring himself to swing his sword.
Gillian's fearless attitude unnerved him more than if he'd shown any resistance.
Ghislain, smiling as if nothing was wrong, gestured for the knights to step back.
"Come on, no need to be so hostile on our first meeting. Gillian, I can truly help you."
Gillian looked back at Ghislain with his hollow eyes.
Bright expression, filled with unshakable confidence.
'What a strange noble.'
Seeing his free-spirited demeanor and lack of concern for authority reminded Gillian of old friends.
After a moment's hesitation, he let out a sigh and said,
"…Come in."
Following Gillian inside, the group instinctively covered their noses. Belinda glanced around in disgust.
'This place is a dump.'
It looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages; dust was piled up everywhere, and there was even mold in the dark corners.
More striking, however, were the various weapons scattered around the house.
'A blacksmith?'
It was a plausible guess, given his sturdy build and the weapons strewn about.
But that didn't explain why Ghislain would go out of his way to find a blacksmith.
'I wish he'd explain why we're here and what he's planning.'
Belinda pouted in frustration. Since Ghislain wouldn't tell her anything specific, all she could do was guess.
"This way."
Gillian led them to a small bedroom.
Inside, a young girl, appearing to be around Elena's age, lay asleep with a gaunt, pale face.
"This is my daughter."
Belinda and the knights flinched, stepping back in shock upon seeing her.
Her once brown hair was now brittle and faded, her lips were cracked and bleeding. She looked almost like a corpse.
The bloodstains on the sheets and her broken fingernails were enough to hint at the agony she was enduring.
Even more concerning were the red spots scattered across her face and body.
Belinda instinctively grabbed Ghislain's arm and cried out.
"Young master!"
Ghislain gently removed her hand and nodded.
"Yes, I know."
"Young master, step back. This isn't something you can help with."
Now, she understood why Gillian was in such a state.
A daughter suffering from an incurable disease, the scorn of those who shunned them, and the hopelessness that surrounded them.
Gillian was withering away along with his daughter, who was inching closer to death with each passing day.
Seeing Belinda's reaction, Gillian let out a faint, bitter smile.
"You offer to help, yet you don't even know what disease my daughter has?"
"No, I know."
"If you know, then this will be quick. My daughter has an incurable disease."
"I'm aware there's no known cure."
Gillian's expression twisted with anger at Ghislain's calm response.
"Then why would you say you can help? What are you trying to pull…?"
Belinda stepped in, blocking Ghislain protectively.
"Young master, please, step back!"
Her voice was loud, a clear sign that she was genuinely upset.
But Ghislain didn't back down at all.
"It's fine. This isn't contagious. That was just a baseless rumor, remember?"
"Still, please! Better safe than sorry!"
"I told you, it's not contagious."
Belinda scowled, unable to understand where Ghislain's confidence was coming from.
What he said next shocked her even more.
"I know the cure for this disease. In fact, I'm the only one in the world who knows how to treat it."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]