The Terminally Ill Prince is the Mad Dog of the Underworld (Novel) - Chapter 12

Chapter 12. The Young Lion Reclaiming His Prowess

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The sun had set, and the surroundings began to grow quiet.

“…”

Allenbert remained immersed in the book without even raising his head. Some pages he skimmed past, while others he lingered on endlessly.

What on earth was happening? How could he concentrate so deeply?

The librarian had been reflecting on his own past habit of turning pages and feeling satisfied thinking he understood everything.

But as darkness gradually grew thick enough to obscure the text, surely the boy’s concentration would break.

He suddenly feared that some brilliant insight might vanish with that interruption. So the librarian quietly lit a lamp. The flickering light seemed to transfer to the boy’s eyes.

‘…What could have sparked such a flame in this young man?’

In truth, he had many suspicions. Therefore, the librarian simply remained silent, quietly observing Allenbert.

The night grew deeper. The librarian’s closing time had long passed, and even the watchers wondering why the Fourth Young Master hadn’t emerged yet were beginning to yawn.

Just as Peter, who had been waiting obediently for his master, was about to completely nod off.

Allenbert opened his eyes.

“…Wow, what a relief.”

He laughed, feeling as if answers to long-held questions had been hammered into his mind at once.

“Congratulations, young master.”

“Congratulations? For what?”

Allenbert smiled quizzically, and the librarian laughed along.

“You must have gained insight. Did you understand everything?”

“Mostly. I’d like to apply it immediately, but that would be premature now.”

“I see.”

Allenbert blinked and looked around.

“How much time has passed?”

“About six hours.”

“Thank you for waiting.”

Allenbert grasped the librarian’s thin hand.

“I know you extended an unnecessary kindness. Now I’d like to ask your name.”

The librarian was involuntarily moved by this profound yet confident respect.

“My name is Rudan, young master.”

“Rudan. I will express my gratitude to you.”

Allenbert softly released his hand and spoke.

“Would it be alright if I occasionally visit and request tea?”

“How could someone like this lowly old man deserve your time?”

“Lowly? In my eyes, I only see a sage who has quietly walked his path for a long time.”

“…!”

Allenbert turned his back.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“P-please take care.”

Smiling at the librarian Rudan, who was slow to respond due to small emotions, Allenbert said:

“Well then.”

As the door opened and Allenbert walked away, swatting the dozing attendant and walking with a leisurely gait, Rudan thought:

That extraordinary concentration.

Those eyes full of talent.

The flame flickering in those eyes…

Rudan had to admit that Allenbert Grünewald, the timid and powerless recluse, had ‘changed’.

‘More people will start coming from tomorrow.’

Allenbert’s transformation could create significant ripples in this ducal castle. Many would likely come to probe and investigate him.

Rudan pondered whether telling the truth would be good for this pitiful young man, while realizing he essentially had no choice.

“…I should prepare some good tea.”

Of course, he would only serve that tea to Allenbert. Even if other ‘lions’ threatened him with teeth and claws.

* * *

The corridor was silent.

A wide, deep darkness gaped open, with beautifully crafted lanterns drawing scenes between the shadows.

A man walked alone through the long night’s tunnel, heading toward the inner sanctum of Duke Georg Grünewald.

‘It’s gotten quite late.’

The sound of Count Aiden’s shoes was as consistent as a clock’s second hand.

“…”

The royal guards standing in the corridor gave light salutes, maintaining their vow of silence.

“My Lord.”

“Enter.”

The head butler adjusted his clothes after receiving permission and gently pushed the door. The thick door opened slowly.

“Apologies for the late hour.”

A large window overlooked a simple work desk. Moonlight poured softly through the glass. Looking at the back of the man gazing at the black sea spread out under the moonlight, the head butler spoke.

“I have some unusual matters to report.”

The man’s back remained silent, but the head butler knew this silence meant he was listening. Duke Georg Grünewald was originally a man of few words.

“It seems Allenbert, the Fourth Young Master, has only now left the library.”

The duke continued to gaze at the moonlight scattered by the waves, saying nothing.

The head butler, accustomed to looking at the lord’s back, continued:

“…There were no particular incidents, but the young master’s expression when leaving the library was unusually bright.”

“I see.”

“Since he said he was reading martial arts books, he presumably gained some achievement.”

The duke asked in a dry tone.

“What book did he read so intently?”

“I’ll confirm with the librarian tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

The duke’s voice was authoritative yet calm, exuding the dignity of a ruler through his mere tone.

“It’s curious that despite forgetting the past, the first thing he wanted to read was a martial arts book.”

The lord spoke in a flat voice.

“Indeed. If Young Master Allenbert has recovered his childhood talent, he could certainly master the Ocean Circulation Technique in just…”

“Comprehend it in just a few hours?”

“Nothing is certain. But I have a feeling he might have.”

“It seems your conversation with him was quite impressive.”

The duke knew well that he rarely praised anyone.

“Do you believe Alen has been hiding his talents?”

The head butler carefully chose his words.

“I believe there’s a fifty percent possibility. He certainly displayed a lion-like demeanor I’ve never seen before. If he was hiding it, he’s deeply calculating. If he’s truly changed, it’s extraordinary.”

“Either way, it’s unexpected.”

Though he had been reported about Allenbert’s actions and changed appearance, the duke showed no particular emotional reaction.

“If your words are true, it means Alen has rekindled his will to live, grasping even the slimmest hope through this fever.”

Whether he had hidden his talents or suddenly changed, the fever was clearly the catalyst.

“It’s not uncommon for someone near death to have a significant awakening. However, it’s hard to believe that Alen’s previous disposition was all an act.”

“I also find that difficult to accept. Rather than a change in nature, perhaps his mindset shifted during his seclusion while going through puberty.”

The duke finally turned around.

Silver strands mixed with his blonde hair. His well-developed jaw, thick neck, and sturdy physique perfectly matched a lion’s dignity.

This was Georg Grünewald, the true king ruling the massive duchy.

“He was certainly a clever child until that incident.”

“Yes.”

He spoke in a tone that made it unclear whether he found his abandoned child’s change curious, indifferent, or pathetic.

“If his seclusion was intentional, it becomes a foolish missed opportunity. If not, it’s merely a momentary youthful commotion.”

“Correct.”

“But from your perspective, it’s neither?”

“I’m only worried that I, being dull, might have misread the situation.”

“If your capabilities were that limited, I wouldn’t have appointed you to this position.”

The head butler asked cautiously:

“Would you like to meet him personally?”

“There’s no need.”

The duke slightly shook his head.

“Unless there are significant developments, there’s no need for further reports.”

“Understood.”

The head butler was a man who knew when to withdraw, even without being dismissed.

“Then, have a peaceful night.”

He left the bedroom with impeccable etiquette.

“…”

Walking back through the corridor, the head butler reviewed the conversation to understand his master’s intentions.

‘I’ll need to continue observing for now.’

He would monitor and gather information until something significant occurred.

‘If His Grace shows direct interest, that would attract unnecessary attention.’

The head butler thought.

‘He’s still in a position unable to handle even a small parental interest.’

Requiring significant qualifications for the lord’s attention was standard. Otherwise, his blood relatives and in-laws would subtly check and complicate matters.

Why not? In this castle, rumors spread faster than arrows. Servants, maids, employees, and cooks were all ears and eyes for someone.

‘Of course, because His Grace “permitted this much”.’

No matter how ambitious the young masters and in-laws were, they couldn’t cross the lines set by the lord in this duchy.

And the actions the head butler would take would remain within the authority granted by the lord.

‘I should send a tutor to check on him.’

As a vassal, it would be disrespectful and impossible to presumptuously interpret the lord’s entire will.

But as the lord’s hands and feet, examining and handling even unsolicited matters was his duty.

‘The librarian would be good to directly visit and hear the story.’

Even for someone as busy managing the duchy’s affairs, Allenbert’s matter – being a direct descendant – was quite important.

‘I have a strange premonition.’

A feeling that he would soon return to the lord to report Allenbert’s story. If Allenbert appeared as he had seen, Grünewald would soon realize a new lion had emerged.

The head butler, emerging from the night’s tunnel, suddenly turned to look at the annex hidden in the corner.

The light was still not extinguished.