"Young Master Eugene. What brings you here?"
I looked at the old butler standing upright in front of me.
Hassent Fortan.
He is the head butler of the Pruckus family, which holds the title of Baron. He's in his 60s, his snow-white hair was neatly combed back. His face was full of wrinkles that couldn't be hidden, but his black butler uniform was impeccably wrinkle-free.
Hassent has been serving the Pruckus Count family since the time of the previous family head. Not even the current family head or any of the vassals can command him.
'He's also the assassin who silently carried out the dirty work of the previous family head.'
He was once the master of the now non-existing assassin group, 'Fatal Sting.'
'In the original story, he's described as incredibly strong, but he retired without much fanfare.'
The reason for his retirement was simply his age. After that, he wasn't even mentioned in the original story.
"Head Butler Hassent. I have a request."
Hassent is a neutral figure who stays out of the family's internal politics, but he cannot be ignored. If he were to take a dislike to me and turn into my enemy… that would be a nightmare.
"Are you speaking to me?"
"Yes. Actually, while reading in the study… I discovered your true identity."
I tensed up here. Hassent might express displeasure. But contrary to my expectations, Hassent didn't even twitch an eyebrow. He simply nodded calmly.
"I see."
His response was straightforward. It was almost as if he had no emotions at all.
However, his next words shocked me.
"Young Master Eugene, do you wish to become an assassin?"
"…What?"
"I sensed a slight assassin-like aura in your gait. If I'm mistaken, I apologize."
He wasn't mistaken.
Lately, I've been applying the techniques of the Yeongcheon Style's Hidden Steps while moving around. Jin Se-young told me it's a way to train in daily life. But since the training effect seems minimal, I'm considering giving it up.
"…It's true that I'm interested in assassins, but that's not why I reached out to you."
"Then what is the reason?"
"Do you know much about the underworld?"
"…Young Master. The underworld is not a pleasant place. Do you have someone you want to kill?"
Hassent said such a chilling remark without changing his expression.
"No, it's not like that. Personally, I want to use an information guild."
At my words, Hassent's eyes showed a slight change. It was the first time I'd seen any change in him.
"...Information guilds are not exactly reputable. Just using one could land you in scandal."
I know.
While they claim to specialize in information, in reality, they're nothing more than criminal organizations. If rumors spread that a noble used an information guild, it would tarnish their reputation.
'But the funny thing is, secretly, all the nobles use information guilds. Some even sponsor them.'
The conclusion is, as long as you don't get caught, it's fine.
"I'm aware. But there's no place as convenient as an information guild, right? Head Butler. I find the mansion too stifling. I want to know about the outside world."
"If you wish, the servants can tell you about the outside world. You could also summon adventurers or mercenaries to hear their stories."
"Those would be shallow stories. I want to know about the deeper aspects of the world."
"...."
The head butler looked at me. His gray eyes were as sharp as a honed dagger.
"...Very well. Since you wish to use an information guild… I will personally visit the guild and procure the information you desire."
"You'll go yourself? I thought just assigning a butler would suffice."
"Unfortunately, there are only a few butlers under me whom I can trust. It's better if I handle this myself."
This was somewhat unexpected. But I soon nodded. It's only natural to trust the head butler more than most others.
"However, using an information guild requires a considerable amount of money."
"Will this suffice?"
I took out a money pouch from my pocket. I opened it slightly to show him the contents. Inside were gleaming gold and silver coins.
One gold coin is worth 500,000 nerl, and one silver coin is worth 300,000 nerl.
Eight gold coins. Four silver coins. Totaling 5.2 million nerl.
Considering the average monthly income of the middle class is around 2.5 million nerl, this is quite a sum.
"That's quite a sum. May I ask where it came from?"
"I sold some inventions I made to the knights of the Flune Knight Order."
I sold cigarettes and beer. Especially cigarettes, which were far more popular than I expected. A pack of cigarettes sold for 50,000 nerl.
'In real-world terms, that's roughly 80,000 won per pack.'
To me, it seemed like an outrageous price, but the knights bought them without complaint. Since there were no cigarettes in this world, they had no idea what a fair price was.
'I could have sold them for even more. But cigarettes aren't just for knights; they're also for middle-class customers…'
Once addicted, there's no escape, so they'll keep selling. Ideally, I'd like them to smoke ten packs a day.
"…This should be enough to get some decent information. What kind of information are you looking for?"
"I want information on the current state of our Rapherry Kingdom and the Helbrit Duchy."
"The kingdom's situation is manageable… but information on the Helbrit Duchy will be limited with this amount. At best, you'll only get publicly known information."
"That's enough."
That's exactly what I wanted. I'm not interested in the kingdom's secrets. They wouldn't be of much use to me now. Besides, I already know most of it from the original story.
The Magic Tower isn't something I need to worry about yet.
"Understood."
"Ah, and I want to hire someone."
"Someone?"
"A professional torturer."
"...Pardon?"
Hassent's eyes widened. My request seemed genuinely unexpected.
"I want to hire a torturer. Personally, not on behalf of the Count's family."
"Is there a need for a torturer…?"
"There might be."
"…This is something I must report to the Madam."
"I'll speak to my mother myself."
I'll get an earful, but it's not a problem. Most noble families with some influence have torturers anyway.
Of course, the Pruckus Count family also has a torturer. However, they're currently not at the mansion but living at the border fortress, Utrein Castle, with the family head, Count Pruckus.
"Understood. Is there anything else?"
"I want to know the locations of Artel Village and the Ferek Mercenary Group."
"Those are names I've never heard before."
"Artel Village is a fugitive village located on the outermost edge of the Akwon Flooded Region."
"A fugitive village? It seems you know quite a bit about that village, Young Master."
"...I've only heard the name in passing."
I brushed it off casually. Hassent didn't press further and simply nodded.
"Understood. However, more money will likely be needed."
"How much more?"
"It depends on the Ferek Mercenary Group's capabilities."
"They're not that impressive. At best, they're C-rank."
"Then an additional 3 million nerl should suffice."
"Here you go."
I immediately took out another money pouch. Inside was 5 million nerl. Including what I gave Hassent earlier, this was practically my entire fortune.
"3 million should be enough."
"You can keep the rest."
Money can always be earned later. If a few million nerl can win the head butler's favor, it's a bargain.
"That won't be necessary. I'll return the exact amount."
He wasn't swayed.
"Ah, Head Butler. I heard there's a prison near the knight training grounds."
"There is… but it hasn't been used in 40 years."
I originally planned to use Illusiter to sneak in alone. But I was blocked right at the prison entrance. The door was locked, and Hassent held the key.
"I'd like to take a look."
"We clean it occasionally, but it's mostly ceremonial. It's not exactly hygienic."
"I just want to take a quick look. The prison is the only place in the mansion I haven't seen."
"...."
Hassent looked at me suspiciously. First, I wanted a torturer under my command, and now I wanted to visit the prison… it was only natural for him to be suspicious.
"...Very well. However, you must be accompanied by a butler."
"Thank you, Head Butler."
***
"Young Master Eugene. Please just take a quick look. If you stay too long, I'll get scolded by Head Butler Hassent."
A young butler spoke in front of the prison. He looked no older than 17. He was trembling in fear at the prison entrance.
I understand. The prison door leading underground was neglected, exuding a sinister atmosphere.
"I got it. I just want to take a quick look and leave."
"You promise?"
The young butler inserted the key and unlocked the door. He grunted as he pushed open the heavy iron door. Surprisingly, he was strong for his age.
A staircase leading down came into view. There wasn't a single proper light, making it pitch dark.
"Ugh! I came here two years ago, and nothing's changed."
The butler held a lamp and slowly descended the stairs.
Squeak~
A rat, startled by the sudden appearance of people, scurried out.
"Ahhh!"
The butler screamed in fright.
I clicked my tongue briefly. Why did Hassent assign such a clumsy guy to me? Is he messing with me? Did I do something wrong?
"Y-Young Master. It's dangerous here. Should we hold hands?"
The butler turned to me and asked. I waved my hand, telling him to stop talking nonsense and keep moving.
"Hurry up."
I frowned and spoke with irritation. Hold hands with a guy? Unless I've lost my mind, there's no way I'd do that.
"Ugh…"
The butler eventually moved forward with a pained expression.
The further down we went, the gloomier the atmosphere became. There was some ventilation, but due to neglect, there were many bugs and rats. Especially cockroaches and spiders crawling on the walls and floor.
Even if they occasionally clean, it's probably half-hearted. It's not like they use this place anyway.
'The territory has its own guards and court prisons.'
Most criminals are taken to the guards or court prisons for processing. There's no separate prison. Serious criminals are executed, while minor offenses usually end with fines. If execution isn't appropriate, they're often demoted to slaves.
'From a noble's perspective, slavery is preferable. Labor is a valuable resource.'
I didn't come to this prison just to look around. I came to obtain an ancient artifact hidden deep within.
'Originally, it's the first ancient artifact obtained by the protagonist, Kyle Pruckus.'
I plan to keep it and occasionally lend it to Kyle during the original story's timeline. It's an important item for him.
'I must avoid making Kyle an unstoppable powerhouse.'
But without his combat prowess, Kyle is pretty much useless. He needs to be strong enough to rival his elder brother, Zent.
'When they fight, I'll reap the benefits. Heh~! What a perfect plan!'
I can imagine the Pruckus territory falling into my hands.
First, I'll use the Count's authority to claim the right of the first night and have my way with all the beauties in the territory…
"Young Master! It seems we've looked around enough. Shouldn't we head back?"
My happy thoughts were interrupted. I frowned and looked at the butler with displeasure.
"We haven't gone all the way in yet. Keep going."
The further into the prison we went, the filthier it became. Evidence that the servants only cleaned superficially.
And soon enough, we reached the deepest part.
This is the prison where Kyle was originally imprisoned. It's also the largest cell in the current prison.
The rusty iron bars weren't locked but left open. It's questionable whether this prison could even function properly.
'Well, in the original story, Kyle was only imprisoned as a formality.'
I stepped inside the cell.
"Young Master?!"
"No, I just wanted to see what it feels like to be in a prison. You should try it too. It's quite an interesting feeling."
"N-No. I'll wait here."
The frightened butler shook his head vigorously. I chuckled and headed to the corner. Fortunately, it was out of the lamp's light.
'There should be a crack in the wall.'
Found it.
I reached out and took a small key hidden in the crack, tucking it into my pocket.
"So this is what a prison is like... I get it now. Let's go back.
***
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