A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

27 – Uninvited Guest (5)

How did this happen?

Noir recalled the situation before leaving the study.

“I think the master told me not to come out here….”

“I have to go to the bathroom. I want to hear something later. I wonder if something happens while I’m going to the bathroom?”

He said he woke up at dawn, and he just wanted to go to the bathroom.

“It’s okay, Master. It won’t be a big problem.”

After the head butler and the trusty driver headed to the bathroom together.

“Master, while I’m here, me too.”

While Noir was finishing his business and washing his hands in the sink, the moment the driver stood in front of the urinal, scratching his head.

Fuuuk!

The door behind him burst open, and the knight collapsed, with a fountain of blood gushing from his neck instead of urine.

“Rain, emergency—!”

The head deacon ran toward him, screaming urgently, but-

“I’m sorry.”

With a creepy voice, the shadow that came out of the toilet stall threw something at the head butler, who immediately caught it.

“Kid. If you don’t want to die, just shut up?”

A cold voice that pierces the lungs.

“I have no desire for my sister to be murdered by your father.”

To begin with, he couldn’t even speak because his mouth was covered with his hand.

“hehehehe. I’m glad he’s the second son and not the eldest son. If the Margrave has the talent to teach swordsmanship at the age of 7, he’s definitely valuable as a hostage-“

Quaduk.

“Ugh?!”

Noir bit his hand covering his mouth.

It was momentary, but his hands lost strength, and Noir ran forward as soon as his body fell to the floor.

Gugugugugu.

“Ha. Let’s play hide and seek? Sorry, but no.”

Pa-u-ang!

The moment Noir was about to cross the corner of the hallway, something passed before his eyes.

“Huh, huh…?!”

“Wow. You’re avoiding that. Is it Gibraltar after all?”

Piing.

A sharp silver needle-like object trembles on the nightstand decorated in the hallway.

If I hadn’t trained with my father, I would have gotten my temple pierced by that needle.

I shouldn’t have thought that.

“That’s right.”

Phu-wook.

“Even if I was scared, I should have run, right?”

The shadow came closer, took out a new needle, and stabbed Noir in the shoulder.

“Eup…!”

“Wait a minute, my body won’t move. Ha, damn it. It feels like a slight delay. If this were going to happen, should I have killed that butler too? No. Anyway, the barrier is-“

Weeeueuing.

“…Why is it open?”

A red light suddenly flashed in the hallway, and soon the entire mansion began to be covered in magical light.

“Ah, damn it.”

The shadow let out a curse.

“It’s not like the Margrave Abbey survived, so how did he close the barrier so quickly…?”

Gugugugu.

“Tch…!”

I can hear the sound of running.

“First, let’s hide.”

Noir was caught by the shadow’s cruel hand, and had no choice but to go in the direction the shadow went while being lifted like a doll.

* * *

There have been countless attacks against Gibraltar so far.

500 Years.

Even while they were occupying the Western Continent, the Empire often tried to cross the canyon, but were always blocked by the Sword Master of Gibraltar.

But in the end, masters are also human.

Sometimes there is appeasement.

Sometimes they give bribes.

He also sent a woman.

Of course, kidnapping, confinement, and assassination were also attempted.

Successful assassination occurred once in the case of ‘Cadian Gibraltar’, where 10,000 imperial elite soldiers were wiped out.

The eldest son was murdered.

Fortunately, despite the misfortune, the second son survived and succeeded the family, but after that, the empire began to discourage assassinations.

However, when it came to the ‘kidnapping’ part, they tried every possible way to attempt it again and again.

Even though they knew that there was a magic circle installed by a high-ranking wizard in the Gibraltar mansion, the shadows of the empire tripped over the Sword Master’s weakness.

And the effect is special.

“Ah….”

My mother fainted.

“Say, madam?!”

“Ugh, first put the countess on the sofa!”

When forced to give cold instructions as the hostess of Gibraltar, she lost her wits and fainted.

“Tsk.”

She promised herself that she would become a lady, but maybe she couldn’t imagine this situation?

‘If you think about it the other way around, what mother wouldn’t faint in a situation where her child was kidnapped and likely to die?’

My mother collapsed.

But if she is a countess, she shouldn’t be.

‘The unconsciousness is at work.’

I wonder if I am being too mean to people, but if my mother had been strong-willed, she would have somehow managed to hold on to her spirit.

I have to do something.

Only I can do anything in this situation.

Until the Margrave returns, I have to take care of the situation and somehow save the day.

Although this is a situation where you have to think like that.

-Grey, please do it.

“Huh.”

There is nothing we can do.

Because this is the average of Nostrum Kingdom.

‘To put it the other way around, it’s like an opportunity has come to me.’

The first adult fell.

Now that the person who is supposed to be the commander has fallen, someone must hold the baton.

“Chief maid. Make sure that your mother and Letard never leave the study. Sir Armand keep a close eye on the door of the study, and Sir Tanian keep a close eye on the windows. Risk your life to protect your mother and Letard.”

“Do, Master…?”

“Shut up and do as instructed.”

Do you have to show authority to come to your senses?

“I command you in the name of Gibraltar.”

Jinglang.

I took out her ring that I had received from her father in preparation for any unexpected situation.

“I am the Acting Count. Disobeying my orders is the same as disobeying the Margrave’s orders. Damn it, do I even have to explain this now?”

“Oh, no!!”

“Then move now! Search the mansion and find it!”

“Yes—!!”

When I shout out full of frustration and anger, only then do the knights start to move.

‘As expected, my father’s people are not allowed.’

I’m not saying I ate it.

They are capable, but they do not listen to orders from a 10-year-old child.

‘As expected, I need to raise some people at the orphanage.’

I need children who will become my limbs.

If the rebar used for the maintenance of the overpass is stolen, a fairly decent ‘facility’ will be created.

Still, if there is any power I can mobilize right now-

“Lord Mente, I have a favor to ask.”

“…Order.”

Sir Mente clenched his fist and raised it to his chest.

“I follow.”

“Thank you. Then, I will give Lord Mente permission to enter and exit the mansion’s barrier.”

I took out a knife and slightly cut his little finger, then smeared a drop of blood behind Sir Mente’s ear.

“Please be wary of those attempting to enter the mansion from outside or collaborating with kidnappers inside.”

“External collaborator. I understand.”

“For more details-“

“Follow instructions.”

Sir Mente ran out without another word.

As long as my blood remains behind her ear, she can enter and exit the barrier as she pleases until it is lifted.

“Sir Robert.”

“Yes, master!”

“There are now about 7 minutes until my father comes back.”

My father clearly recognized that I had set up a barrier.

So, we are leaving the defense of the wall to the soldiers and returning to the count’s mansion.

‘I can’t just leave it to my father.’

Noir was kidnapped.

There is a 99% chance of being used as a hostage, but there is also a 1% chance of being killed.

When the value as a hostage disappears.

Lightly run the simulation in your head.

-Are you planning to kill Noir, your talented second son?

-I already have a son, so I just need to have another son.

-What.

-To threaten me, you should have kidnapped my wife, not my son.

“…….”

Although it happened later, I felt a chill down my spine for a moment because this was actually the person who did that.

‘Yes. My father is that kind of person.’

Mother or father.

And my younger siblings.

The people of this family are all flawed people who deviate from common sense.

“Huh.”

Me too.

“Sir Robert, do you have a dagger?”

“It’s always a dagger….”

“Would you like to do some sword fighting?”

“When it comes to knife throwing, I’ve been pretty good at it since I was young.”

“Thank goodness.”

Seeueueup.

I took a deep breath.

“If you happen to confront the kidnapper, I will draw his attention, so you can aim for his hand.”

“Yes?”

“Do you understand?”

“…You’re not trying to do anything dangerous, are you?”

“What if it’s for your beloved younger brother?”

People like Robert should not try to persuade rationally.

“Please, sir.”

“…I understand. However, please refrain from dangerous actions…”

Persuasion, complete.

I bowed slightly to Robert and then looked inside the study.

“Master….”

Everyone looks at me with strange eyes, and Lettar, who is clinging to my fainted mother, looks up at me with tearful eyes.

“Lettar.”

I walked up to Letard and stroked her small head.

“Stay with your mother until your father comes, okay?”

“Uh, yes….”

“He’s nice. Yes.”

Please stay still and don’t get into an accident.

After conveying my earnestness with a smile, I immediately turned around and left the study.

“Young Master!!”

Just as I was screaming, a knight who had run outside came running towards me.

“Adam!”

“Robert?! Where are you now…?!”

“Report.”

“Ah, yes! There are no traces of anyone escaping outside the mansion! Unless they used magic…!”

“Unless people can fly in the sky, it must be somewhere in the mansion. Sir Adam, search the inside of the mansion. Every single place.”

“Yes…!”

Sir Adam salutes and runs quickly down the hallway.

I’m a little sorry, but the knights won’t be able to find the kidnapper.

‘If you can find it, it’s actually okay. If you can’t find it, it means it’s the shadow of the empire.’

An espionage and assassination organization operated directly by the imperial family.

If they came, they would probably be hiding in a place where they wouldn’t normally be noticed, looking for an opportunity.

‘There is no choice but to pray.’

If the shadow is correct, it is highly likely that it is there if it is trapped within the barrier.

“Sir Robert. If you were a kidnapper and took a hostage and couldn’t get out of his mansion, where would he hide?”

“Uh, um….”

“First. Food warehouse or wine warehouse.”

I went straight to the food storage room.

“I was wrong. I thought it was hiding in an empty oak barrel.”

The technicians have already searched the inside of the warehouse, and there are no traces of the kidnapper.

“Next time will it be under the bed or in the closet somewhere?”

“Well, master. There are already knights in places like that….”

“It is not a place for living people to lie down.”

“……!!”

I put my hand on the door handle leading to the basement.

“The dust has swept away.”

“…….”

“Let’s go in. I don’t know what kind of great person he is, but I want to see his face. Who touched the morgue?”

Kkiik.

Open the door.

Cold air stung my skin from the stairs going down to the basement, so I put the knife in my sleeve and leisurely went down to the basement.

Jeopuk, Jeopuk.

The footsteps are heavy.

The candles placed throughout the morgue have just begun to shake, and there is no other reaction.

“…….”

When the light of the magic stone hanging on the wall is illuminated, a pale gray light illuminates the interior of the morgue.

“There is no one….”

“Riga.”

It is invisible to the eye.

However, a unique smell that should not be present in a morgue tickles your nose.

‘Refined white silver. …It’s low class.’

Probably because of the timing, they are putting it in a paper bag, but people who know it probably don’t even know that they can smell it.

‘I’m glad.’

I can handle it on my own.

“Sir.”

“Yes?”

“You went to the restaurant earlier, right? Someone touched the cheese.”

“Uh, was that so…?”

“Yes.”

The smell still remained in the restaurant.

Not for the purpose of hiding, but for food supply in preparation for a long-term war.

“Kyeong. I think the living are more important.”

“Yes…?”

“He is a person who is capable of even touching a corpse in order to save a living person.”

Even if.

“Even if it’s an act of betrayal towards our ancestors.”

“No way.”

“If they say they are hiding in the coffin where their ancestors are placed, just stab the knife into the coffin-“

Kwa-eu-ang!!

A coffin lid rose upward as if it were exploding.

“Master!”

At the same time, Robert pulled me and swung his sword forward sharply, and soon something fell to the floor with a ‘kang’ sound.

“You bastard!!”

“Hey, hey. I thought the eldest son was an outcast, but unlike Gibraltar, he’s got a good head.”

The person who crawled out of the coffin, speaking sarcastically, was a kidnapper clad all in black.

“Don’t come closer. Unless you want to see your little brother’s eyes fly.”

The shadow grabs Noir and points the dagger at Noir’s eyes.

Kingdom-style dagger.

On the topic of people of the empire, this side is very careful.

“Hmm.”

“Hmm? Ah, do you wish your younger brother would die? Of course. If you’re that smart, you’d understand, right? If your talented younger brother dies, the position of Margrave will definitely be yours.”

“No.”

I raised my arms and took a step forward.

“Let go of my brother. I’ll be caught.”

“What?”

“The value as a hostage will be higher this way. I am also serving as an envoy to the Grand Duchy.”

“……Hoo?”

Even if the shadow talks a lot, its head seems to be moving to some extent.

“Hmm, yes. Is that so…? Interesting. Okay, I’ll let you go. Instead, just keep walking.”

“…Huh.”

“Keep smiling?”

“No. Just.”

The results are out.

Forward, five steps.

“Noir.”

“Tongue, bro…!”

“If you want to live, just close your eyes.”

After saying those words, I ran forward.

“!!”

Boo-euung!

As soon as I run, something sharp passes by me.

“Ik…?!”

The shadow tried to stab something towards Noir’s eyes, but soon the dagger thrown by Robert hit the back of the shadow’s hand.

Ka-euang!

“What?!”

Robert is surprised.

It is natural that he did not know that he was touching the back of his hand with an iron plate, and the dagger bounced upwards sharply.

Wow.

I grabbed Noir’s collar and pulled him back.

And using that inertia, he stretched his right hand wide forward.

The knife sticking out of the sleeve is-

“Ha, look how cocky you are?”

Immediately discovered by the shadow, the shadow takes a step back and laughs at me.

“What are you doing with that knife?”

“You.”

Grab the knife and put mana on the tip.

“!!”

A subtle gray glow on the tip of the knife.

The shadow’s pupils dilate greatly, but it is already too late.

Fuuuk!

Poke from bottom to top.

The knife imbued with mana pierces the shadow’s neck as if digging into a cake, and goes deep into the front of the handle I was holding.

“Wow, huh…?!”

His eyes are bloodshot, and he tries to move his hands to resist.

But it is slow.

Kuwoouk.

I already applied strength to my hand and scratched the handle from the inside as if lifting it from the bottom up.

“…….”

The shadow stopped.

Both arms fall down and collapse on top of me.

“Phew.”

After returning, I felt rewarded for working hard to accumulate mana while listening to the bed creaking every night.

“You.”

Although he was already dead, he whispered with his mouth to the shadow that collapsed towards me.

The loser is you.

“Ah.”

I turned my head.

“Good job, little brother. I gave it to you because you are alive and not dead. But…”

Noir was very scared.

“I told you to close your eyes.”

He was looking up at me.

“Huh?”