Chapter 78

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 79 (78/324)

79

No one stepped forward in the face of the overwhelming skill difference shown in a single move.

They must have realized that, if the top-tier gladiator could do it in one move, their attempts would be futile.

Thus, the squad leader for the newly formed team was decided to be Saron.

After that,

the battle among the gladiators, excluding Saron, continued with wooden swords.

The only remaining position was the deputy squad leader.

Perhaps because they had been promised benefits for higher positions, even though they were using wooden swords, the battles were as intense as real combat.

The final contestants were quickly determined.

Hans and James.

The two top-tier gladiators who had survived until the end faced off in the final match.

Both were skilled, but Hans's skill was a step above James's.

Whoosh!

Hans narrowly avoided the wooden sword aimed at his head and, discarding his own, lunged at James.

He did this to engage in close combat, his specialty.

Thud!

With a solid punch to James's face, the match was decided.

"The squad leader is Saron, and the deputy squad leader is Hans."

After the match, they immediately moved to the annex.

The dining room in the annex was already filled with a considerable amount of food.

It looked like a buffet.

The gladiators' eyes widened at the splendid spread.

"Everyone, take a seat. You must have had a tough time getting here, so you need to eat properly."

At my words, the hesitant ones found their seats at the tables.

"Enjoy your meal."

As I said this,

"Thank you, we will!"

They responded loudly.

I was surprised.

This isn't a gang, after all.

The gladiators started eating the food.

The hesitant attitude they initially showed gradually relaxed as the food entered their mouths. The large amount of food prepared was depleted in no time.

Having fed them a full meal, it was now time to assign them sleeping quarters.

'Accommodation is no problem.'

The annex, which consisted of one floor, had many empty rooms.

"These will be your rooms from now on."

When I showed them a few of the empty rooms on the first floor, their eyes widened.

Although the rooms on this floor were a bit lower in quality compared to the others, they were still much better than a typical inn.

Compared to the nights they spent sleeping outdoors, these could be considered the best accommodations.

"Four of you can stay in each room. Deputy squad leader?"

"Yes!"

"Since you have a position, you can have a room to yourself."

Hans's expression brightened at my words.

"Thank you!"

"The rest will also receive appropriate rewards based on their skills and loyalty in the future. For now, rest in your rooms. If you have any questions, ask the servants who are walking around. Saron?"

"Yes, young master."

"Take care of these guys for a while."

"Understood."

After assigning the gladiators, I looked at Leonhardt.

"Can you train them a bit?"

"Training...?"

"Ah, you don't have to teach them sword techniques or mental techniques like Saron. Just the basic training that knight candidates do. Building up their basic strength and getting them used to swords."

"That's possible."

"Then, can you do it for about an hour each day?"

"...Young master."

"Yes?"

"Are you planning to accept them?"

"Initially?"

"They could be dangerous."

I had a rough idea of what he was worried about.

In fact, all we knew about these gladiators was that they had been brought to the arena. Their identities were unknown.

"Are you worried about betrayal?"

"...Not exactly, but I'm concerned that you're accepting people you don't know too easily."

"You're right, but don't you think you need to keep people close to properly understand them?"

"You could choose better talents, couldn't you?"

"They might be a bit disappointing as direct subordinates, but they are still quite good. They've probably experienced real combat in the arena. Besides...,"

I smiled at Leonhardt's expression.

"They look like they have nowhere to turn. If they had families or a place to go, they wouldn't have come to me after escaping."

"...That's true, but..."

"Actually, it might be more trustworthy that they came to me. The guys trapped in the illegal arena are unlikely to be 'spies.'"

The guy flinched at my emphasis.

"...Did you know about them, young master?"

"The servants in the annex?"

"...Yes."

"I had a rough idea."

Although I had some help from Mr. Shinan.

Leonhardt, who had been staring at me, whispered quietly.

"They were quite secretive."

"Of course."

Adolph.

A meticulous guy, he would have maintained secret communication and been prepared to cut ties at any time.

Given that my bodyguard was an expert-level knight,

'I would have been even more cautious.'

I said to Leonhardt.

"Just leave them alone."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Since they've been around for a long time and aren't particularly high-level, it would be suspicious to suddenly deal with them as spies. It's better to let them show themselves to some extent."

"...Understood. Then, investigating them...?"

"Don't do that either. I have a rough idea of who sent them."

"...Who?"

It seemed Leonhardt still hadn't figured it out.

The spies who had been around me for a long time made it difficult to pinpoint who could have sent them.

It was time to reveal the villain to him.

"Adolph."

Leonhardt's eyes widened in surprise.

"...The second son? Why...? They have been servants by your side for a long time."

"Given his meticulous nature, it's possible. He dislikes variables."

"..."

"It might be hard to believe, but it's true. I only found out about the spies recently. If I hadn't felt a strange sensation, I wouldn't have noticed. Anyway, when I investigated them... Baron Lewis came up."

"...Baron Lewis?"

Lewis.

One of the senior knights, like Baron Jerome, who had helped me cross the Jordan River.

Although I hadn't actually investigated,

The culprit was already decided, so I just needed to provide a plausible scenario.

"One of Adolph's confidants. He was in contact with the spies."

"Did they notice you?"

"If I hide, you can't find me easily, right?"

Hyde.

After mastering this magic and using the in-game magic formula, even Leonhardt had a hard time finding me.

"Even at the 1st Circle, it was difficult, let alone the 2nd Circle. You don't need to worry; I wasn't noticed."

This would sound plausible.

He stared at me.

"...It was a dangerous move. If the second son is as meticulous as you say, he wouldn't have just sat still if he noticed."

"Adolph can't touch me. He probably hates me a lot right now. So even if he noticed, it wouldn't have been a big deal. He would have apologized and tried to smooth things over. He needs me for the aftermath."

"...Aftermath?"

"The succession ceremony. He'll probably move then."

I looked around, and Leonhardt quietly replied.

"...Young master, are you really sure? This is a very dangerous situation."

"Yeah, it's likely."

"...Is this also a hunch?"

Originally, I planned to claim it was a hunch, but now it wasn't necessary.

I had a very plausible piece of evidence.

"Actually, I was unsure, but Ersiel's words made it clear. You know what his spirit is, right?"

"Yes."

"Apparently, with the increase in spirit power, he can now have direct conversations with spirits. He told me about a sinister aura he felt here."

"...A sinister aura?"

"Exactly. According to the ancient spirit, it's an aura he felt a long time ago."

Leonhardt's face gradually hardened.

The sinister aura mentioned by the spirit of light.

Spies.

Rebellion.

Adolph.

The keywords I threw out were forming a picture, a very plausible and soon-to-be-executed situation.

"So, do you think the source of the sinister aura is the second son?"

"Yes. I've always felt uncomfortable around him, and it seems to be that. What if Adolph reached out to dark powers to secure the position of the next head of the family?"

"...Even if he were to start a rebellion, would other knights easily join him? It's not something he could do alone."

"Adolph. You know he has gone through many changes, like me. It was around ten years ago, right? From then on."

"...Yes."

"From that period, he started selecting soldiers and knights to form the 5th Legion. If he had been seeking that power for a long time, it wouldn't have been a clumsy force. If he used it to gradually gather an army to follow him, a rebellion would be possible."

"...If that's true, shouldn't you inform the head of the family?"

"It's impossible without concrete evidence. Even though Father has reached the Sword Master level, he wouldn't have felt this aura. It's hidden very secretly."

I added, with certainty.

"If I went to Father now and told him this, would he trust me?"

"...It's difficult."

"Moreover, if I tell him, it would be a problem. The moment Father's attitude changes, he would notice immediately. If he decided to play it cool, there would be no way to expose him."

"If it's a dark power, the priests... well..."

"If it were a type of power that priests could sense, it would have been exposed long ago. How many priests have visited the family?"

"..."

"Without a way to expose his power, and if I start spreading rumors, I might be killed without anyone knowing. If he has prepared for so long, he wouldn't leave any obstacles unattended."

After a moment of silence, the knight asked quietly.

"...What do you plan to do?"

"Luckily, there is a way. It seems my older brother is also sensing something from him."

"...The first son? Does he have a special ability like you?"

"Probably. I plan to talk to him."

Even though the guy has tightened his surveillance to the maximum, I have been in regular contact with Abel.

He wouldn't be suspicious if we met.

If he were to question it, I could just say Abel called me as usual.

Now, I needed to prepare as secretly as possible to avoid being noticed.

"Let's go to the inner castle. I need to meet my older brother."

"...Understood. Shall we go now?"

"Just a moment."

Before we went,

I needed someone to provide evidence.

Naturally, the witness would be my personal maid.

I immediately called Ersiel to join us.

Then, the three of us started moving towards the inner castle.