The Terminally Ill Prince is the Mad Dog of the Underworld (Novel) - Chapter 13

Chapter 13. A Somewhat Lacking but Good Attendant

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“Why have you been fidgeting like a dog about to pee since earlier?”

I asked Peter after washing up and changing clothes.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Then go to sleep.”

“Yes.”

Attendants typically lived and ate in a separate room nearby. However, I heard Peter would return home every few days since he had a family to support. This was likely due to Allenbert’s consideration.

“Peter.”

I called out to Peter’s back as he slowly moved, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn’t muster the courage.

“Say it if you have something to say.”

“Really, it’s nothing.”

“I’ll give you one last chance.”

“…”

Peter brought his hands together, his eyes welling up as if he was about to cry.

“Actually, my mother has been very sick for several days. The youngest also has a high fever, so I need to go bring food and medicine.”

The weight of life was heavy on the face of this fifteen-year-old boy.

“But now that young master has awakened, I can’t possibly leave my post.”

“That would be shameless.”

I nodded.

“Yes. Moreover, being absent for two consecutive days would be neglecting my duties. I can’t even think of such a thing.”

“But your mother and siblings must be weighing on your mind.”

Tears fell from Peter’s eyes.

“Crying again. Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“I understand the situation. You must have been surprised. You probably didn’t expect me to wake up today.”

“Surprised? Not at all. It’s joyful and fortunate.”

Peter quickly rubbed his eyes and responded.

“Even if young master hadn’t awakened, I would have kept my post today.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. To ask for two consecutive nights of absence would be unthinkable.”

“Excellent. It’s not easy for even adults to maintain their duties when family is in trouble.”

I pointed at Peter and asked:

“Is the sick youngest the mature brother you mentioned?”

“Yes.”

“Did he catch a fever?”

“No, just a light cold. He usually doesn’t take care of his own meals, instead sharing with his brother and mother… I think his physical strength has dropped.”

“The second son seems weak. He’s not a useless fellow who doesn’t do his part, is he?”

Peter quickly waved his hand.

“No, he’s a good boy. Just physically weak like mother, lacking energy.”

“You’ve had it tough.”

“Oh, no. I’m grateful I can support my family. If not, mother and the second son would probably have…”

Peter shuddered as if the mere imagination was terrifying.

“But you know.”

“Yes?”

“If you get them some meat and the lowest-grade potion to restore their strength, they’d probably improve quite a bit.”

I know the illness Peter’s family suffers from. Its name is poverty.

“Yes. Josef said the same. But considering living expenses, it’s impossible.”

Some illnesses that could be cured with just a few coins can be an incurable curse for others. Just like the terminal illness that made Allenbert who he is.

I know the horror of poverty and hunger better than anyone.

“Peter. Do I have an emergency fund hidden somewhere?”

“Huh?”

Peter immediately prostrated himself.

“No, no! How could I, truly…”

“I’m a duke’s son. Small change means nothing to me. But it might mean everything to you, Peter.”

Peter just kept dropping tears.

“Young m-master. Why are you being so kind to me?”

This isn’t a grand kindness to me. But Peter had never received genuine kindness in his life. Here was the pitiful boy from the slums I’d seen countless times as Mad Dog Karzan.

But people like Peter, who maintain their integrity despite poverty and misfortune, are rare.

“Today you showed me a small but certain loyalty. Most importantly, you were one of the few retainers who remained faithful to me when I was pathetic.”

“Ah…”

Peter trembled.

“This is just a tiny repayment for your simplicity. It’s not that significant.”

“It means everything to me. I’ll remember your kindness for life.”

“Don’t be dramatic. It’s not that much.”

“Waaah! Boo hoo!”

Peter wailed. What an amusing fellow. His reactions are entertaining, making it fun to both tease and be kind to him.

“Get up. You look even uglier when crying.”

Peter rose, tears flowing like a basin.

“Go home today. But be prepared to not come home for a few days if everyone recovers.”

“Of course. Thank you, truly thank you.”

Waving his hand, he asked:

“So, where’s the emergency fund?”

“In the middle drawer.”

“Bring it.”

Moments later, Peter brought a pouch of gold coins.

“Two should be enough.”

“Oh my! Even one is more than enough! Please take it back!”

Peter was shocked.

“Take two and prepare for emergencies. You can’t be here every day. When family suddenly falls ill like this, you’ll need quick money.”

“W-well…”

He looked as if wondering how I knew his circumstances so well. I chuckled. A day or two of business?

“Give it to the youngest and have him keep quiet. Large sums can easily bring trouble to poor families.”

Peter hunched his neck and replied:

“I’ll ensure absolute secrecy.”

“Good. Go now.”

“Won’t you be uncomfortable without me?”

“I have things to do alone today, so don’t worry.”

“Oh, what are you going to do?”

“You’ll know when you return tomorrow.”

I gave Peter’s heavy behind a light kick.

“Hurry up. Are there any shops still open at this hour?”

“Yes. I know a place since childhood. They’ll open if I knock.”

“Good. Sing or play music to get them to come out. Add some extra money.”

“Understood. Thank you so-“

“Shut up. You’ll give me earwax.”

“Oh, sorry. I’ll go right away.”

Peter bowed to me several times before finally leaving the bedroom. Goodness, it was hard to send this fellow home.

“…”

Silence returned.

But I still had work to do.

‘The path is long, but the destination is clear.’

Goals as Karzan and goals as Allenbert. But above all, ‘survival’ itself was paramount.

‘With a terminally ill body, if I sit idle, all that awaits is a dog’s death.’

I needed to become strong. But if I acted recklessly, I’d either be assassinated without a trace or end up a complete invalid.

Simply dodging and blocking incoming arrows wouldn’t be enough to overcome this fate.

‘I need to cut off the head of whoever’s shooting those arrows.’

In other words, I was firmly resolving to become the family head and planned to smash everything blocking that path. In this process, I couldn’t neglect finding loyal confidants and allies.

So what’s the first thing to do? I must prove my capabilities and gain father’s recognition to qualify for the heir’s battle.

The unintended encounter with the head butler was actually fortunate. I could attract more attention earlier.

‘If I had quietly hidden my strength, I might have faced less interference from my siblings.’

But what I truly need to hide isn’t my heir qualifications.

‘The darkness of the underworld I’ll return to someday.’

No matter how fierce my siblings’ obstruction, that’s not my concern. Instead, if I could shatter all those trials, it would prove my own competence.

What qualities does Duke Georg expect from an heir? Probably many. Reputation, influence, mental strength, leadership, direction, intelligence, strategy, martial power…

And among these, what’s most immediately visible?

‘Martial power, obviously.’

Moreover, in a renowned martial house like Grünewald, demonstrating outstanding achievement in family martial techniques is the most basic requirement.

Therefore, I’ll first prove that I have the most exceptional martial talent among the heirs.

What is there to fear? I was a genius and will continue to be. Even as everyone laments the seven-year gap, unable to believe such a gap existed…

‘I’ll show overwhelming talent.’

I savored the mental technique principles circling in my mind.

“Perfect.”

Tonight, I planned to enter the Ocean Circulation Technique and completely reconstruct this frail body.

“It’ll be a long night.”

And when dawn arrives, I’ll be an entirely different person.

* * *

“Young master.”

A careful, delicate knock sounded.

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

A child’s voice.

“Y-young master. I’ve prepared a late-night meal.”

A freckled girl entered, carrying a bread basket.

“Working hard at this late hour.”

“It’s, it’s fine!”

The maid fidgeted uncomfortably. Seems she was pushed here by her shift, poor thing.

Sorry, but it couldn’t be helped. I missed dinner while in the library.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The maid, seemingly frozen from whatever she’d heard, bowed her head.

“And, this…”

“Mm?”

The maid pulled out a package.

“Medicine from Josef.”

Come to think of it, he was supposed to prepare medicine. The fact he didn’t come personally might mean he’s avoiding sensitive questions. Or perhaps his master prevented him? Without knowing the exact circumstances, it was just speculation.

“Thank you.”

“Yes.”

Since no dismissal was given, the maid stood awkwardly, looking at her feet.

‘Looking closely, she’s even younger. Twelve or thirteen, perhaps?’

But her appearance seemed better than Peter’s. Though somewhat timid, working as a maid in a duchy inevitably brings various grievances.

“Go rest.”

“Yes!”

“If anyone bullies you and you have no one to tell, come speak to me.”

“Huh?”

Only then did the maid look up at me.

“Why? Is someone bullying you?”

“No! Absolutely not!”

“Alright then.”

After sending the maid away, I chewed the simply prepared bread and opened the package.

“Bread tastes good.”

As I’d noticed at lunch, the food quality here was generally excellent. This was typical of a wealthy port region with good climate, active trade, and abundant ingredients.

“Let’s see.”

The package contained medicine in bead form, easy to swallow. Tasting it, it was disgustingly bitter.

“Am I not supposed to chew?”

Swallowing the medicine with water made my stomach burn like I’d drunk strong liquor.

“Wow.”

I could feel mana pouring into my stomach. They must have used good medicinal ingredients. Higher-grade medicines tend to be rich in mana.

‘No wonder so much mana remained in my body. Even without learning mental techniques.’

Indeed, a ducal house was a ducal house. Despite being considered the least promising among the young masters, I still received such good supplements.

“Excellent.”

Compared to the Karzan of the same age, this was truly a blessed environment. Of course, I knew Allenbert had many wounds, but those wounds couldn’t defeat me.

“Burp.”

After consuming both medicine and bread, I let out a satisfying belch. I was pleased with my robust digestive power.

“Let’s begin.”

Unexpectedly gaining the medicine’s help too.

It was a perfect night to enter mental cultivation.