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Chapter 49: It’s a Bit Dangerous Right Now. (3)

Belinda and Gillian couldn’t hide their skeptical expressions as they heard about the reinforcements.

Ghislaine’s plans were always so far-fetched, it was hard to believe.

“To be honest, it’s hard to trust… but this is the first time the Young Master has explained anything.”

“If the Grand Duke says so, then that must be it.”

Although they weren’t entirely convinced, they had no choice but to go along with it.

After all, he was just being considerate enough to explain, which was more like a notification that this was how it would be.

When had Ghislaine ever acted according to common sense or truly listened to others?

“Well, I guess the Young Master must have some kind of plan.”

Gillian nodded as well.

Just like when he treated his daughter, there had to be something that only Ghislaine knew.

“Yeah, so hurry up and gather yourself. We’re heading out to sell the runestone right away.”

Finally freed from Belinda, Ghislaine lightly patted Gillian’s shoulder.

“Gillian, go take a break. You should see Rachel’s face again after such a long time.”

Thanks to the maids preparing medicine for her, Rachel’s health had improved significantly.

Elena, who was about the same age, often visited her and they got along like friends.

“I’m doing well thanks to the Grand Duke.”

“No, you need to make sure to see her when you have time. Things are going to get busier from now on.”

Gillian smiled faintly.

“Understood. Please rest as well, Grand Duke. You need to finish your treatment too.”

“Got it. Don’t worry.”

After Gillian left, an overwhelming fatigue hit Ghislaine, but he didn’t go to bed right away.

Although everyone was happy about getting the runestone, Ghislaine couldn’t relax.

“How long will it take?”

Already among the retainers, there was a buzz about the acquisition of the runestone.

By tomorrow, rumors would start to spread like wildfire, and before long, there wouldn’t be a single person in the territory who didn’t know.

That meant it would soon reach Amelia and Duke Delphine’s ears as well.

As he told Belinda and Gillian, they had surely planted someone in Perdium.

“Although Amelia is aligned with the Duke Delphine… still, we should consider her capable of moving independently.”

The Duke Delphine family is Perdium’s greatest enemy. They would surely take action to either occupy or weaken Perdium.

Yet Amelia was targeting Ghislaine, not the territory.

For him, having to fight the Duke Delphine family while dealing with Amelia was like having a thorn in his shoe.

“Amelia’s movements could become a variable.”

In fact, he hadn’t expected her to act this quickly again.

If she were to find out about the runestone, she would resort to even more drastic measures.

“A fortnight? No, it’ll be all out in a week.”

The worst-case scenario was indeed war, but even if war broke out, it wouldn’t be tomorrow. A justification would be needed to fight.

If the other lords, who were not yet on the same side, became overly cautious, they might come up with even flimsy justifications.

Even if they staged a surprise attack afterward, a minimum amount of time would still be required to prepare for war.

Just as Gillian predicted, they would probably strike in two to three months.

While it may take longer for a territory like Perdium that lacks funds, other territories wouldn’t need that much time to prepare for war.

“Right now is the best time to take advantage of this.”

Even with more money, it takes time for a territory to prosper.

Although they had obtained a runestone, they were still poor and insignificant as a territory, making it the perfect time to swoop in and grab what they could.

“I have no choice but to use all the runestones I’ve acquired.”

Even if he predicts what will happen and prepares, the results can only be known by facing them head-on.

Would things unfold as he had planned? Ghislaine paced the room, half-excited and half-anxious.

“Oh, speaking of which, I still haven’t heard from that Cain fellow, have I?”

As he thought about preparing for war and where to sell the runestone, he remembered the money he hadn’t collected.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of heat and stopped right in the middle of the room.

The agreed time had come and gone, and the lack of payment meant he had no intention of sending it.

Ghislaine really, really hated having his money stolen.

After all, he had been in the mercenary business long enough to be called a “king.”

For a mercenary to get cheated out of money was tantamount to quitting the trade.

Of course, Ghislaine had a reputation for being particularly money-minded as a mercenary… but that too was proof of his “kingly” caliber.

“That guy is quite bold. How dare he try to cheat me out of my money?”

To still be siphoning off money after instilling that much fear meant there was something somewhat reliable about him.

Determined to create an opportunity to meet him again soon, Ghislaine went to bed.

Even after lying down, he thought for a long time and only fell asleep at dawn, so he ended up sleeping in late.

Even though he had recovered quickly, part of it was likely because he hadn’t been feeling well.

Upon waking, he was shocked by the scene unfolding before him.

“What on earth is all this?”

Taken aback, he asked, and the two maids standing nearby answered.

“Those were sent by the Treasurer.”

“This was sent by the Chief Officer.”

“That one was delivered directly by the Chief Officer….”

“That’s from the Secretary….”

“And this is from the Pubic Order Officer….”

“The Knight Commander sent this….”

In front of Ghislaine stood a pile of gifts including alcohol, meat, animal hides, and various fabrics.

While he had been sleeping, multiple people had come by to deliver gifts.

All the names of those who were said to be influential in the territory spilled out of the maids’ mouths.

It seemed that since Ghislaine was sleeping, they had only come to drop off their gifts and left.

“How strange, life is full of surprises.”

Ghislaine scratched his head and chuckled while looking at the gifts.

Desperate to align themselves with Ghislaine, everyone had reddened their eyes, even going out of their way to visit him in his sleep just to leave gifts.

Considering how he was treated before acquiring the runestone, the change in status was not just significant; it was monumental.

Back then, everyone avoided or ignored him.

“Now I can’t really complain about people approaching me for money.”

Until recently, he had been a huge headache; it must be unsettling for his retainers to flatter him now.

In the end, Ghislaine had dug his own grave. Prodding it could lead to poking a hornet’s nest, so it was probably best to remain still.

“Still, these gifts are all quite cute.”

As Ghislaine inspected each gift, he couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

How much could poor retainers possibly have if they happened to have some money?

They had likely scraped the bottom of their coffers to bring these gifts, but none of them were particularly valuable.

Honestly, compared to what he had enjoyed during his time as the Mercenary King, this was hardly satisfying, but he couldn’t ignore the sincerity of those who brought them.

“Bring me the list.”

One of the maids handed him a piece of paper.

It was a list detailing who had visited and what gifts they had given.

Responding with gifts is a matter of noble honor, so the maids had made sure to record every present.

Ghislaine checked the entire list and nodded at the maids.

“Give the alcohol and meat to the mercenaries, and share the fabrics and other necessities among the other servants.”

The maids looked happy and asked, “Is there nothing the Grand Duke needs?”

“No, nothing. You can all share it.”

“Thank you.”

The maids repeatedly bowed their heads.

What was worthless to Ghislaine, was, for the poor like them, something hard to come by.

“Is the Grand Duke acting differently? They say he made a lot of money; maybe it’s true!”

“Indeed, you need money to win hearts.”

The maids exchanged glances, unable to hide their joyful expressions.

They had thought the Grand Duke had changed since he no longer cursed or bullied them, but now he was actually giving gifts—it was unbelievable.

Of course, they still felt nervous wondering when he might revert to being a tyrant, but for now, all they felt was joy.

“Make sure to convey my thanks to those who visited and let them know I’ll come to see them one by one soon.”

“Understood.”

After roughly organizing the issues that had arisen while he was asleep, Ghislaine checked his condition.

“Strange.”

As Ghislaine pushed through his aching body, he stood up and looked into the mirror again.

The dull, purplish tint that had shown on his face when he was poisoned was nowhere to be found.

His cheeks were just slightly sunken in and a bit pale, that was all.

Surprised by how much better his condition was than he expected, he decided to take a seat and begin mana circulation.

After slowly rotating the three cores for some time, Ghislaine opened his eyes in surprise.

“The quality of my mana… has changed.”

Mana is most influenced by the mana circulation method someone practices, their tendencies, and their constitution.

Depending on which mana circulation method one learns and how they utilize it, everyone ends up with different properties.

Originally, his mana was so wild and unruly that it was difficult to control.

Even when fighting and expelling mana, that trait was clearly revealed.

But now, along with that wildness, a subtle and sinister aura was woven in.

This was an experience he had never encountered in his past life.

“Can the properties of mana change?”

Once mana accumulates in the body, it is exceedingly rare for its properties to change.

Even mages who process mana to cast spells of different attributes are exceptions in this case.

Mages can only forcibly alter the properties of the mana they release to the outside through incantations.

That’s why there are mages specializing in fire magic or ice magic depending on their mana properties and constitution.

“Could it be… that the venom of the Blood Python mixed with my mana?”

It was a nonsensical hypothesis, but it was the only explanation.

Ghislaine raised his hand to attempt to draw out that sinister aura separately.

However, that aura was so weak that it was difficult to feel and act upon without conscious effort, and his poor physical state made it not easy either.

After several more attempts, Ghislaine gave up and sighed.

“Okay, let’s not rush. I need to rest anyway to recover. I can figure things out slowly. Could this be the reason my recovery has improved so remarkably?”

His head was complicated with the unknown phenomena, but he could not afford to just dwell on worries.

“Well, it’s a good thing my recovery has improved. I’ll be able to move a little faster now.”

He had thought he would have to rest for over a fortnight, but things were going smoothly.

While there was an odd energy mixed in with the mana, it wasn’t too strong, so he felt he could handle urgent matters first and then confirm later.

Just as Ghislaine was about to set things in motion, someone came looking for him.

“Hahaha! Our Grand Duke has finally stirred from his slumber! You look so much healthier than yesterday. You must be blessed with good health! A true knight among knights, the heir of the territory. You’re truly so manly! Hahahaha!”

Laughing heartily and oddly flattering him, was Randolf, the Knight Commander of Perdium.

 

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