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“Hmph, do as you wish.”
With that dismissive remark, which basically meant I could address him however I wanted, my exploration of the vast ducal residence began once again.
At first, I was made to memorize the labyrinth-like halls and layout of the main building. In the afternoon, they had me learn the locations of the annex buildings behind the main residence.
Before I knew it, the day had slipped away in a whirlwind of forced memorization.
Growl.
My stomach gave a clear signal that it was time for food.
Norbert, the old steward walking ahead of me, glanced back with an incredulous expression and muttered,
“It’s only been two hours since dinner.”
“You dragged me around all day, Master,” I retorted.
He muttered something about how two hours should be more than enough for digestion.
Then he shot me a sharp look and clicked his tongue. Norbert wasn’t exactly fond of me calling him Master.
Well, of course. Not too long ago, we were practically at each other’s throats.
On top of that, I was a person with no clear identity and supposed amnesia.
There’s no way he’d be pleased to be called ‘Master’ by someone so suspicious.
Still, wasn’t it a bit petty to get worked up over something as small as eating?
I glared at the back of his head and hurried to keep up.
“The fifth floor of the main building is a restricted area. Don’t even think of going up there,” he warned.
“What’s up there?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
“Yes, sir.”
I replied calmly.
I had no idea why it was off-limits, but in my current state, I wouldn’t be able to sneak in even if I wanted to.
After that final warning, Norbert and I exited through the back door of the main building.
Before us spread a row of annex buildings arranged in perfect symmetry, filling my entire field of vision.
At night, lit by lamps, the annexes created a completely different scene from the one I saw earlier that day—majestic and beautiful, almost like a small village.
I have to admit, the duke is an impressive man.
Not just because of the size of the main building and the annexes.
That was secondary.
After spending the day touring the estate with Norbert, I’d learned something else.
Even though dozens of butlers had died over the years due to frequent infiltrations, there wasn’t the slightest hint of fear or unease among the duke’s employees.
In their casual conversations, I could also sense their quiet concern for their lord.
That kind of loyalty and trust doesn’t come easily.
And then there were the piles of paperwork on the duke’s desk.
A lord who ignores his people doesn’t drown in paperwork.
This means the duke actually listens to his subjects personally.
I’d heard that a ducal territory in the Kadea Empire rivaled the capital in size.
And despite his notorious reputation, he had a surprisingly loyal following.
Even the contract Norbert had shown me earlier was more generous than unfair—high salary, extensive benefits.
All of this indicated that the duchy’s finances were flourishing.
The duke wasn’t just a skilled commander on the battlefield; he was also an exceptional ruler.
Yes. Even though it’s only been a day, I can tell for sure.
Duke Valotte was living in a completely different world from me, someone who’d spent his life swinging a sword under the crown prince.
He’s not just some brainless brute.
I had to acknowledge that.
But I also couldn’t afford to lower my guard.
Without a doubt, if left unchecked, he’ll become a threat to our Tenacis Empire.
An enemy is still an enemy.
In the end, either he or I would have to die. Either our empire or theirs would have to kneel.
Once I regain my strength…
I recalled the plan I had shoved to the back of my mind earlier.
When the time comes, I’ll return to the Tenacis Empire with the duke’s head in hand.
This wasn’t the full extent of the duke’s power.
Serhin, the crown prince, secretly raised private soldiers in another territory.
There was no reason the duke couldn’t be doing the same.
Moreover, Serhin had created a secret assassination organization.
I was its leader.
The Ariad Assassins.
—“Serhin. What does ‘Sia’ mean?”
When I’d asked why he named me Sia, he’d answered curtly,
—“Shadow. From now on, you’ll live as the blade within my shadow… for life.”
That’s how Serhin raised me—not only as the crown prince’s personal knight but also as the head of his secret assassins.
Our group was small but lethal.
And yet—
Even they all failed to bring back the duke’s head.
Perhaps some of the assassins Serhin sent had been among those responsible for the many butlers who died.
Crossing the imperial border into Kadea itself was no easy feat.
And infiltrating the duke’s mansion at the empire’s northernmost point was even harder.
If I think about it… this might be the perfect opportunity.
I needed to recover my strength quickly.
As I followed Norbert toward the west annex, where my quarters were, I mulled over how to deal with the duke later.
At the entrance to the servants’ annex, Norbert turned to me.
“That’s it for today. You can return to your quarters and rest.”
Those were the sweetest words I’d heard all day.
“Does that mean my work hours are officially over?”
He nodded.
“Yes. On normal days without special events, most work ends around this time.”
“Most?”
“The annex forge runs day and night in shifts. The knights take turns on watch. And the main kitchen works late to prep ingredients for the next day’s meals.”
“I see.”
I thought to myself, I’ll have to avoid kitchen duty at all costs.
If I got assigned there, I wouldn’t have time to train.
Norbert continued,
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
He was about to leave, but I quickly called out,
“Master.”
He paused mid-turn and looked back at me.
“May I ask for a favor?”
“A favor?”
I asked cautiously,
“Would it be possible to use the training grounds after my work hours?”
One of his eyebrows twitched, and his already sharp eyes narrowed even further.
“The training grounds are closed to everyone except the knight corps during their scheduled hours. Of course, servants aren’t allowed to use them for personal reasons.”
“Ah, I figured as much,” I said, unsurprised.
The training grounds were directly connected to the knight corps. There was no way they’d let someone of unclear status like me use them.
“But why do you want to use the training grounds?”
Yes—there it was. The question I’d been waiting for.
I answered honestly,
“To train my stamina.”
“……”
“I hate to admit it, but after following you around all day, I realized my stamina is far below yours, despite your age. I’d like to improve quickly, and the training grounds seem most efficient for that.”
As he listened, Norbert’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Stamina training, huh… Sounds like you think servant work is child’s play.”
“Huh?” I raised an eyebrow.
“No, Master, you’ve misunderstood. I only want to train for personal reasons, not because I take the servant work lightly—”
“That’s enough,” he cut me off.
Apparently, he thought I was looking down on the work.
As if!
I was exhausted just from keeping up with him.
But there’s no way I’m admitting that I nearly collapsed following him around.
Besides, the training grounds weren’t even my real goal.
I’d planned to use stamina training as a cover to run around the estate and gather information after hours, but now it looked like that plan had backfired.
Maybe I should look for another location…
And then—
“Fine,” he said.
“…Excuse me?”
He smirked slyly.
“I had a book sent to your room. It contains all the basic information every servant of the ducal house must memorize.”
“……”
“Memorize the entire thing by this time tomorrow. If you succeed, I’ll give you access to the training grounds—or better yet…”
He paused, muttering to himself thoughtfully.
“Yes, that would work nicely.”
Then he looked at me with a piercing gaze.
“I’ll give you your own private training ground, so you won’t run into any knights.”
Flash.
A private training ground?!
There was nothing to think about. A space where I could train without anyone’s interference? That was priceless.
I answered immediately.
“Deal.”
“Does that mean you can do it?”
I nodded firmly.
“By this time tomorrow, I’ll give you the answer you want. But you have to keep your word—about the private training ground.”
“Of course. I’m not a man who goes back on his word.”
His reply was resolute.
After parting ways with Norbert, I rushed back to my quarters.
A private training ground… What a stroke of luck!
I’d memorize five or even ten books if I had to!
Burning with determination, I entered my room—only to spot a single book sitting on the desk.
I muttered under my breath,
“This old man, seriously…”
