The Top-Tier Butler of the Marquis Family

Chapter 019

“Did something good happen?”

Rohan asked while mopping the floor.

I was working beside him, and I simply shrugged. Something good had happened, yes. I had become able to handle mana in earnest, and my physical abilities had improved even further.

It still did not feel perfect yet, but I was now able to handle mana much more freely than before.

Even so, I did not tell anyone about it.

I intended to hide this power thoroughly.

From a rational standpoint, there would be more harm than benefit if my power were revealed. It might open a path to success, perhaps, but there was every chance it would not.

More than anything, I still lacked knowledge of this world, and I had no desire to show off recklessly.

Was it not often the case that those who rose through magic perished through magic as well?

“Tch, something good must have happened. Do not tell me you found yourself a lover or something?”

“When would I even have time to meet a woman?”

“True enough. I did hear that lately you have been going back and forth only between the library and the Training Ground. Your reputation is pretty good these days, you know? Everyone keeps praising you for how hardworking you are.”

Rohan said that with a hint of envy.

Rumors moved faster than words.

Just as I had worked hard, the favorable rumors about me were spreading quickly through the mansion. Perhaps even Yanrof, the Head Butler, had heard them by now.

I was steadily becoming an S-Rank Butler Apprentice: diligent, capable, and devoted to training.

Of course, there were also those who looked at me the other way.

That bastard glaring at me unpleasantly from a distance right now.

Beron and his gang.

It had been a while since I last disciplined him, and apparently he was starting to get restless again.

Rohan changed the subject.

“But has there still been no word from Arwen?”

“No.”

“Wow. Who would have thought meeting the Young Lady would be this difficult? Why do not you try approaching her yourself? Did she not speak to you before at Rosetta?”

So that rumor had spread too?

That was not a good sign. Rumors always became distorted, and if it turned into something like, That little apprentice is wagging his tail at the Young Lady, then my neck would not stay attached for long.

“If I approach her from my side for no reason, it will only make people suspicious. I need to meet her as naturally as possible.”

“I see.”

Just then, Beron, who had been staring from afar, twisted his face into a scowl. He looked openly contemptuous of me. Expressionless, I stopped moving my mop.

Beron flinched and hurriedly left.

Cute little bastard. Just wait. Before long, big brother will deliver you an upgraded slap.

If I thought about it, that bastard was a little pitiful too.

If he had even a bit of brains, he should not have been showing such open hostility. Would it not have been better for him to wag his tail at me first, then smash me in the back of the head at the critical moment?

That was why fools always ended up making their own hands and feet suffer.

“Dilen!”

A clear, lovely voice rang out.

When I turned toward the sound, I saw Arwen hurrying over in quick little steps.

Speak of the tiger, and it appears.

Rohan and I both stopped mopping and looked at her. Had she brought good news at last?

“I just spoke to the Young Lady, and she said she wants to see you right now.”

She spoke while catching her breath. A smile rose naturally to my lips.

“You worked hard. That could not have been an easy favor.”

“It was not a hardship at all. If it is for the House, then I should do whatever I can.”

What incredible loyalty.

I would like to have a subordinate like that someday.

“So then, where should I go?”

“The Young Lady’s residence.”

“Understood.”

I handed the large mop I had been holding over to Arwen. She had been staring blankly at me, and she startled so badly that she nearly dropped the handle from her hands.

Naturally exchanging duties like that, I went straight back to my quarters and opened the floor tile where I had hidden the documents.

All right.

Now let us go meet the real master of this place.

***

I had never once been to Young Lady Sapiela’s residence.

But I knew where it was. I had passed near it once while working at Rosetta.

The House of Adeline was a marquis house of the kingdom. Since it held the rank directly below a duke, the family lived in spaces of magnificent luxury. Even from the outside, anything adorned with gold or set with jewels clearly belonged to the royal family of the house.

Steadying my breath, I made my way boldly toward the Young Lady’s chambers.

My heart was pounding.

Because I was nervous.

How would Young Lady Sapiela react upon being directly confronted with a report of internal corruption? Since I did not know what kind of person she really was, I could not picture it at all.

At last, I arrived at her residence.

But the ones who greeted me were the sharp eyes of the knights.

“What is it?”

“I have come to see Young Lady Sapiela. I am Dilen, a Butler Apprentice.”

“A Butler Apprentice?”

The knight looked dumbfounded. Then he told me to wait a moment. The knight who had gone inside came back out and looked at me with displeasure.

“Show proper respect before the Young Lady. I will not tolerate even the slightest mistake. Come in.”

“Thank you.”

At last, I entered Young Lady Sapiela’s residence.

But then an unexpected complication arose. One of the two knights who had been standing guard outside the door followed me in.

I had not anticipated that.

Then again, perhaps it was fantasy on my part to expect that someone of such low status and suspicion as me would be allowed to meet her alone.

Damn it. What now?

“Arwen said you wished to see me?”

There was a fine fragrance in the air. Even without looking around, I could tell the place must be filled with lavish ornaments and paintings. Since the knight stood beside me, I naturally lowered my head in proper respect.

“It is an honor to see you, noble Young Lady.”

“You are the one from Rosetta...”

A good start.

It seemed she recognized me.

I nearly lifted my head in gladness, but if I raised it before the Young Lady gave permission, the knight beside me would surely rebuke me.

“You are that Butler Apprentice who went out on assignment carrying a sword, are you not?”

“It is an honor that you remembered me, my lady.”

“Raise your head.”

At that icy command, I slowly raised my head.

But I did not shrink back. I straightened my shoulders and looked directly at her.

At that moment, I sensed a strange light enter the Young Lady’s eyes.

Had I sparked her interest?

“So then, for what reason have you come to see me?”

“There is something urgent I must tell you, my lady.”

“Speak.”

This was awkward. I needed to get the knight beside us out of the room.

I did not even bother hiding the expression and glanced sideways toward him. Fortunately, Young Lady Sapiela was not a dull-witted person.

“Sir Roland. Leave us for a moment.”

“But—”

“At once.”

She had force to match her beauty. The knight called Roland yielded and withdrew outside.

Now there were only two of us.

All right.

Let us begin the game.

“Do you remember the banquet that took place at Rosetta not long ago?”

I lowered my voice as much as possible. Perhaps because it was an unexpected opening, Young Lady Sapiela looked slightly startled.

“If you mean the banquet... are you referring to the party I hosted?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Why are you bringing that up now?”

“That banquet very nearly ended in failure. The reason was that a corrupt relationship had been established between the Arkain Merchant Company, which delivers ingredients to Rosetta, and someone inside our own mansion.”

“What?”

Her eyes, already large, widened even further.

How cute she looked when surprised.

But it was still far too early for that.

“Who committed the corruption?”

“Training Officer Cornel.”

The Young Lady openly frowned. Hard to believe, was it? But this was the truth.

I took the evidence I had gathered from inside my clothes and placed it on a nearby table.

“These are materials I gathered at the risk of my life. They clearly show the collusive relationship between Training Officer Cornel and the Arkain Merchant Company. Please look them over.”

Young Lady Sapiela slowly read through the documents. It took time. She went over the same things two and three times before moving on.

Only after she was finally convinced did she set the papers down.

Accompanied by a short sigh.

“What in the world is this?”

She was confused.

But just as the rumors said, she had not lost her intelligence. If anything, she had begun to suspect me instead.

“Are you not slandering Training Officer Cornel?”

“No, my lady.”

“What is your proof?”

“Because slandering Training Officer Cornel offers me no benefit whatsoever.”

It was a line I had prepared in advance. Fortunately, Young Lady Sapiela was dancing in the palm of my hand.

“With loyalty to House Adeline in my heart, I could not stand by and ignore Training Officer Cornel’s outrages as he trampled upon this family’s honor. That is why I came to see you, my lady.”

“Why me of all people? You could have passed this information to the Head Butler or the knights.”

“Because I could not guess how far the collusion with the Arkain Merchant Company might extend. Therefore, I came to ask for the judgment of the wise Young Lady herself.”

“......”

“As I said, this is a matter I have risked my life over, so I had no choice but to act cautiously.”

Sapiela let out a low hum.

She seemed to have much to think about. For a long while, she said nothing at all and only stared down at the floor.

I waited patiently.

At last, her small red lips opened.

“You. What did you say your name was again?”

“My name is Dilen. I am an old friend of Arwen, who serves at your side. We come from the same village.”

“Dilen. That will be all for today. You may leave.”

“Yes, my lady.”

I bowed, then carefully withdrew from the room.

Now all that remained was to wait quietly.

***

One day passed.

Then another.

And still there was no word at all from Young Lady Sapiela.

Arwen told me that the Young Lady was living exactly as she always did. When she had time, she drank tea, walked in the garden, and went in and out of salons.

Because of that, Rohan and Arwen both worried, but I immersed myself in my own work.

I simply carried on as usual.

By day, I worked in the library.

By night, I buried myself in the library and read books.

And at dawn, I shortened my sleep and honed my Mana Circuit at the Training Ground.

“It is definitely different now.”

Thanks to that, by the time a week had passed, I was finally able to handle mana with a fair degree of freedom.

It left me with a deep sense of satisfaction.

Time was completely on my side.

And it was not only my use of mana that had improved.

My once feeble body had grown into a sturdier frame. Not only had my strength increased, I looked much better too.

If I kept training at this rate, I felt certain I could grow even stronger.

More than anything, I had not devoted myself only to books on magic. I had also read books connected to martial arts, and in particular, I had finished an entire book dealing with the fundamentals of swordsmanship. Fortunately, because it was a manual, the postures and movements were illustrated, which made it easy to understand.

The reason I chose swordsmanship was simple.

Because the weapon Smith had lent me was a sword.

“Still, I feel as though it is about time I gained some real combat experience. My hands are itching.”

There would be plenty of opportunities.

In particular, once the midterm training began in a few days, the physical conditioning of the Butler Apprentices would start. There would be chances to spar then, so all I had to do was wait.

When I returned to my quarters late at night, I saw a familiar face.

It was Rohan.

“Hey! Where have you been wandering around until now? I have been looking for you forever!”

Something about the atmosphere felt strange.

“I was at the Training Ground. Why?”

“Lord Yanrof told me to bring you to him! Right now!”

So the time had finally come.

I answered that I understood, changed neatly into proper clothes, and made my way toward the Head Butler’s Office where Yanrof stayed.

Just what was he going to say to me?