Chapter 153
Chapter 153. The Duke’s Contract (1)
Eluna did her utmost to obtain the materials Young Master Prah had requested. After receiving the interim report, I smiled in satisfaction. The results were better than expected.
“So you secured about twenty out of thirty in total? If we include the ones reserved, that means only ten materials remain.”
“That is correct. The ones we have obtained so far are relatively easy to acquire. Anyone can buy them as long as they have money.”
“What about the remaining ten?”
“They are magic-related items, so they are somewhat difficult to obtain. We need connections.”
“Yes. Connections. They are important.”
I suddenly recalled the time when I had made the Face Mask. Back then, Simon had said he needed materials imbued with magic. If so, would there not be a point of connection?
“Would Simon not know something about this?”
As expected, Eluna smiled.
“I have already sent a Messenger Pigeon to Metis Headquarters. I intend to try obtaining the materials through Mr. Simon.”
“Hahaha. I asked something unnecessary. This is Eluna, of all people, after all.”
“You must still confirm things. You are the Master, of all people, after all.”
She even picked up my rhythm like this?
“You seem to have changed a little.”
“I have?”
Eluna widened her eyes and pointed at herself. Her slyness had increased too, had it not? In the past, she had only been obedient, but these days, she seemed to have gained some composure. Was it because we had become closer?
I did not think it was bad. After all, it was proof that our relationship had become that much closer. The more people I could trust and entrust work to, the better.
I chuckled and waved my hand lightly.
“Forget that. Then when do you think the rest of the materials will all be gathered?”
“We will need at least one month.”
“One month. Hmm…….”
I calculated the schedule ahead and the plan for our return. It felt clean, like a long block appearing in Tetris at exactly the moment I needed it.
“Good. That should be around the time I return to the Adeline Territory.”
“I will do my utmost so you can confirm the materials when you arrive, Master.”
“Let us see whether that happens.”
“Leave it to me.”
After offering a bow, Eluna went outside. I also gathered my weapon and Face Mask, then left.
Princess Ophelia’s birthday was approaching, so the Adeline Branch Residence had been hectic lately, preparing the items to be sent to the birthday party. Items brought in from various regions were being carried on carts.
“Are you going out?”
Chief Brituang, who had been directing the scene, asked. I lowered my head slightly.
“I have a brief mission to attend to.”
“I am curious what sort of mission it could be.”
“If you wish to safely reach retirement, it would be best not to be curious.”
“Hahaha! Is it that dangerous?”
I merely smiled. Ever since it had become known that I was an Aura User, more and more people had begun to perceive me not so much as a butler, but as something like a secret agent. Because of that, even when I went out so suddenly, they did not raise objections.
“Then go carefully.”
“I will leave the rest in your hands.”
“Do not worry. It is what I always do.”
Thanks to Chief Brituang, I could focus on my side business.
Once outside, I transformed into Suhyeon.
I had told Young Lady Sapiela separately that I would briefly go out to resolve matters concerning the house. I had told her it would not take very long, but the Young Lady had looked worried.
There was nothing I could do about it. I did not have two bodies.
I had specially asked Arwen and Eluna to help, so there would be no problem at all with attending to her.
While organizing the plan in my mind that way, I entered Crow’s Forest, and the owner recognized me and raised his hand.
“Sir Suhyeon! A letter has arrived for you. Shall I give it to you now?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Please wait a moment!”
A short while later, the owner personally came out from behind the bar table with the letter. I looked over the surface, but nothing was written on it.
“It seems to be the letter I was waiting for. Thank you.”
“Not at all. Hahaha. Please go upstairs and rest!”
I answered with a smile and went up to the Special Room.
I half-lay on the bed and opened the letter. It was not specially sealed with wax or anything, but judging by the contents, it was a formal letter from the ducal house.
“It seems the contract preparations are finally complete.”
It contained a message saying that His Excellency the Duke was waiting, so I should come to the mansion quickly. I formed a Hand Sign, raised a flame, and burned the note.
Then I rose.
“It took longer than expected. That must mean they prepared all the more thoroughly, does it not? I am curious what additional conditions they have attached.”
I expected that the Duke would not simply accept all the conditions obediently.
If I had not demanded information about Count Astria’s House and the Delfino Merchant Company, the contract would likely have proceeded smoothly without any special options.
However, the fact that I had contacted the Mystic Trading Company, and that the Duke had arranged it for me, must have become a burden to him. He would try to compensate for that somehow with money.
Anyone could easily predict that much.
But the real matter had to be confirmed by going there personally and checking the contract. I would handle the rest with quick thinking.
“Shall I get going?”
I went down to the first floor, paid the remaining room fee, and left Crow’s Forest.
***
“Welcome, Sir Suhyeon. We have been waiting for you.”
Senior Butler Elwin, who was guarding the front of the Bahamut Ducal House’s mansion, greeted me. I handed him the bag I had brought and asked after him.
“It has been a while. Have you been well?”
“As for me, I am always in this place, unchanged.”
“Butler work does not seem easy either.”
“What in this world is easy? Now, I will escort you inside.”
Elwin guided me to the Drawing Room. As we walked through the corridor, we exchanged a simple conversation. Even though this was only the second time he had seen me as Suhyeon rather than Dilen, he made me feel comfortable, as though we had known each other for a long time.
He must be guarding the front gate of the Bahamut Ducal House because he possessed such outstanding ability.
“If it is not rude of me, may I ask whether Sir Dilen has been well lately?”
“That friend has also been busy these days. It has been difficult to see his face. Since Her Highness’s birthday party will be held soon, he must be in the middle of preparations. I heard that while delivering a few items to the Branch Residence.”
“Oh, I see. Certainly, high society has been unusual lately. It seems Princess Ophelia has taken firm control of it.”
Of course she has. That woman is a five-star talent, and she has a tremendous appetite for all sorts of things. Men blinded by love and power must have swarmed toward her like bees.
“By the way, is something the matter? Do you have something to tell Sir Dilen?”
“No. It is just that the Duchess sometimes asks after him…… so I asked in case you had heard news of him. Please do not be too concerned.”
“Is Her Grace well?”
“Of course.”
Unlike his answer, his expression was not very good, so it seemed her health was not good. If I later prepared some good medicinal herbs and delivered them to the Duchess, she would probably be pleased.
When I entered the Drawing Room, the maids prepared refreshments as though they had been waiting. It felt like checking into a luxury hotel.
Senior Butler Elwin, who stood to one side, lowered his head.
“I will briefly go confirm the Master’s schedule. Could you please wait?”
“Of course. Please go comfortably.”
I sat comfortably on the sofa and spent time looking around. When I first opened my eyes in this world, it had been extremely inconvenient because there was no cell phone, but now my mind was at ease. Even so, I still missed it at times like this. There was nothing suitable to pass the time.
Left with no choice, I took a book from the bookshelf and began reading.
After quite some time, Sir Elwin returned, but his expression was not very good. It seemed the Duke was quite busy.
“I am sorry to tell you this, but he has entered an important meeting right now, so it seems it will take some time.”
I had expected that. Since the Duke held an important post in the Kingdom, many people visited him, and he had many official duties. In the first place, it was my fault for coming without making an appointment.
Still, I had nothing to lose.
They would have to somehow inform him that I had come, and it would also be entertaining to see how the Duke reacted to that.
It was a waste to accommodate the other party in every detail just because their status was higher.
When one held the initiative, one had to avoid looking like an easy mark in order to avoid being stabbed in the back.
“That is unfortunate.”
I did not hide my regretful expression as I placed the book on the table.
“How long is ‘some time’? I am somewhat busy with work as well, so I do not think I can spare a long time…….”
“It is usually a meeting that takes about two hours. About thirty minutes have passed since the meeting began, so I believe it will be finished in about an hour and a half.”
“Does he have no schedule afterward?”
“He does have a schedule, but since he instructed us to report to him immediately if Sir Suhyeon arrived, you should be able to meet him right away.”
He had told them in advance. In that case, it seemed I could act a little more forcefully.
“Then I will visit next time. His Excellency’s schedule is the most important, of course, but I also have many people I must meet for business. I will wait only about half an hour more for now, and if it does not end, I will visit another time.”
“I will convey that first. Please rest comfortably.”
Senior Butler Elwin lowered his head deeply and went outside again. I hoped he would convey my intentions properly.
However, a short while later, an unexpected man came to see me. It was Head Butler Hermes.
“Is that not the Head Butler?”
I rose and greeted him. I had thought someone at Senior Elwin’s level would be the one to deal with me, so the fact that the Head Butler of the ducal house had come personally was meaningful.
“I was ordered to attend to an honored guest, so I came to see you. Last time, I regretted that we only briefly met. How about we share a pleasant conversation for a while?”
“This is very discourteous of me. I hope I have not interfered with your duties by coming here without an appointment.”
“Not at all. I have heard well that you are busy with business. Now, please sit comfortably.”
It seemed the Duke was taking measures to keep me from leaving. It looked as though he could not interrupt the meeting midway. There was no helping it. I had no choice but to play along for a while.
Thus, the tedious pleasant conversation continued, and when about an hour had passed, someone came.
“Sir Suhyeon. His Excellency the Duke has asked us to bring you.”
“It seems it ended earlier than expected.”
Instead of the person who had come, Head Butler Hermes answered.
“That is how important he considers this contract. I sincerely hope both sides can produce a good result.”
“I agree.”
I headed to the Duke’s office together with Hermes. When we entered, there were no retainers, and only the Duke and a few maids were visible.
Hermes, who had entered with me, stood beside the Duke. I knelt on one knee and showed the utmost courtesy.
“I greet Your noble Excellency, the Duke. Have you been at peace?”
“I have not been as busy as you. I sent people several times, yet each time, you were absent. That is why I left a letter.”
There were thorns in his words.
“This may sound like an excuse, but lately, too many people have been seeking me out, so there was nothing I could do. May I ask for your understanding?”
“I understand. Unless one is quite a fool, one could not fail to recognize your potential.”
The Duke extended his hand and offered me a seat. We moved and sat on the sofa prepared on one side. Before us was a square table, and on it lay a set of papers.
It was the contract the Duke had prepared.