Chapter 8

# Chapter 8: <Found>

Late at night. Butler Hans stood before Viscount Dert. He began his report, and Dert listened silently until the end.

"And he is currently sleeping."

When the report finally concluded, Dert spoke.

"The coachman's report about visiting Flynn's bastard's teahouse. And today, he brought back an unidentified boy. He drank alcohol, but not as much as usual, just enough to be slightly tipsy."

Hans's report was brief. Dert savored the short content.

"Should I assign someone to follow him?"

Dert waved his hand in refusal to Hans's question. He didn't want to know what his son was doing outside.

"No need. After all, as long as he's within the estate, whatever he does is within my reach."

Dert favored Hans among the young butlers. He was good at his job and had a human touch.

"Just keep watching Kale in the mansion as you have been, and report to me about it."

"Understood."

Hans bowed his head without any objections to Dert's words.

Dert, a man with no outstanding abilities and no strong connections to power, was someone who, like the previous viscount, governed the Hennithus estate and accumulated wealth through marble and wine. He was good at protecting his own domain.

'Kale has changed.'

Kale seemed different, though not suddenly smarter or stronger. His behavior was different from before.

"Ah, Hans, one more thing."

"Yes, Viscount."

"Bring me some information about Flynn's bastard."

The teahouse owner, Villos, was Flynn's bastard, and Dert knew this because Flynn's trading company was the largest buyer of the estate's wine.

"I'll go get it."

"Good."

Dert watched Hans disappear from the office, then fell into deep thought in the empty space. There was much to consider besides Kale.

The atmosphere on the continent was tense.

It was like a volcano about to erupt. Dert, located in a corner of the kingdom, clearly felt this tension due to his constant suspicion and vigilance. The letter from the royal family today only confirmed his suspicions.

The Hennithus viscount family, who had protected and gradually expanded their wealth over generations, always passed down one piece of advice to the head of the family.

'You don't need to be recorded in history. Instead, live for happiness and peace.'

"The walls need to be repaired."

Dert, though lacking in strategic thinking, constantly pondered how to protect what he had.

* * *

Sometimes the body overpowers the mind.

"Master, I didn't wake you because you were sleeping soundly."

Kale overslept. Moreover, the butler Ron handed him lemonade instead of cold water in the morning, making his stomach feel queasy. But he couldn't say anything.

Because Ron's neck was bandaged.

"Are you hurt?"

"…Are you worried about me?"

"No, it's just… it's distracting."

"It's nothing. I was scratched by a cat with sharp claws."

A cat with sharp claws, another innocent human, perhaps.

Kale was certain that someone had met their end last night. He avoided Ron's gaze, which was fixed on him with a knowing smile, and headed for the bedroom door. He needed to move faster because of oversleeping.

"Are you going out now?"

"Yeah, I'll handle things outside."

"Yes, but Master."

At Ron's call, Kale let go of the doorknob and turned to look at him. Ron had a suspicious smile.

"How is the lemonade?"

"It's good. Very good."

Ron's voice lowered.

"…Is that so?"

"Yeah."

What a pointless question.

Kale couldn't ignore Ron, so he gave a perfunctory answer and turned the doorknob. The door opened wide.

Bang. And then it closed.

"…Ron."

At his call, Ron stood beside Kale, his kind smile turning into a whisper.

"Did you get a fright, Master? The guest who came yesterday was waiting outside the door."

To startle him. As soon as Kale opened the door, he saw Choi Han's eyes staring at him, and his heart skipped a beat, so he closed the door. His hand moved to the inner pocket of his coat, where the 10 million kelons calmed his nerves.

Ron continued to stare at Kale.

"I didn't have time to tell you. I told him to wait comfortably in the room, but he insisted on waiting outside to see you."

Not having time to tell him. There were plenty of opportunities, but he didn't. Kale couldn't say anything to this malicious old man. He took a step back from Ron and opened the door.

"What is it?"

Kale faced Choi Han as if he had never closed the door. He asked indifferently while scanning Choi Han's appearance.

Choi Han looked clean and tidy, having washed, combed his hair, and changed into new clothes. But his eyes told a different story.

They were twisted, making him feel uneasy.

Choi Han, who had been staring at Kale, finally spoke.

"Payment for food."

"Huh?"

"I'll work to pay for my food."

Unlike yesterday, Choi Han used polite language. But Kale winced at the word "payment for food."

Payment for food. Who would be scared by such a thing? Using Choi Han's labor was out of the question. His only wish was for Choi Han to leave the estate as soon as possible.

Of course, Choi Han would agree if Kale asked him to do something in exchange for food. That was his nature. But Kale had no intention of involving himself.

"Fine. I don't need it. Is that all you wanted?"

He hastily rejected the offer and asked if there was anything else. Choi Han stared at him even more intently. Kale felt as if he was being judged and goosebumps started to form on his arms. Then Choi Han spoke.

"I have a favor to ask."

At the word "favor," Kale closed his eyes. He shouldn't get involved. The only thing Choi Han could ask for was related to Harris Village.

Kale, recalling how the book's Kale had called the people of Harris Village "scum" and had been hit for it, opened his mouth.

"Ask Hans. He'll handle it."

Kale opened his eyes and met Choi Han's gaze, who was standing like a statue with his mouth shut.

"He's a capable butler. He can handle most requests, so go to him."

Kale put his hand on Ron's shoulder. He felt Ron flinch but decided to get both of them out of his sight.

"Ron is capable. He'll help you with your request. Ron, treat him as my guest and do your best to fulfill his wishes."

Kale removed his hand from Ron's shoulder and gave him instructions. Then he heard Choi Han's voice.

"Do you know who I am?"

Kale turned his gaze. Choi Han's eyes, which had been staring at him, now seemed less unsettling and revealed a hidden kindness.

"Why should I know who you are? Do you need a reason to help someone worse off than you?"

At Kale's words, Choi Han's eyes slightly distorted. For a moment, Kale, who had been watching him closely, saw this. Was he upset by the comment about being worse off? Kale quickly continued.

"You don't seem like the type to ask for difficult tasks. If it's something difficult, Hans will handle it."

He pushed Ron towards Choi Han and turned his back on both of them.

"I'm busy, so I'll be going."

Kale hurried to his father Dert's office. He needed to get more pocket money today. He heard Ron's voice from behind.

"Master, I will do my best to fulfill your request."

Whatever. That was the job of the protagonist and his companions, not Kale. Since he had met Choi Han four days earlier than planned, maybe things would progress faster.

Ron watched Kale walk away and looked at the empty glass in his hand.

"Interesting."

That fearless puppy dislikes new things. He still does. But now he drinks it.

Ron touched his neck. Though he had been injured, the wound was less interesting than the person who kept catching his attention.

The fearless puppy is afraid of him.

What does he know?

"Lead the way."

Ron turned to the voice beside him. Choi Han's eyes, filled with deep disgust, met his. It seemed Choi Han had realized he was a killer from their brief encounter last night.

"Sure."

Despite the stench of blood on him, Choi Han pretended to be clean. Ron found it amusing.

Last night, he had smelled the dark forest, the intense and violent stench, from that boy. It was a smell Ron and Bikross could detect.

Of course, it wasn't Choi Han's own stench but one he had picked up from someone else. Now, after washing, Choi Han no longer smelled of it.

'Of course, they wouldn't come over.'

Recalling last night, Ron spoke to the intriguing boy.

"Follow me."

Ron took a step to follow his "puppy" master, and Choi Han followed behind. Choi Han's gaze briefly lingered in the direction of Kale's room before turning forward.