The Terminally Ill Prince is the Mad Dog of the Underworld (Novel) - Chapter 25
Chapter 25. Too Many Chaffs
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Discord
Inside the archives, there was a reception room for welcoming guests. I drank tea served by the old librarian there.
“Wow, this has an exceptionally good aroma.”
“Can you tell?”
“It feels refreshing with a hint of fruity scent. But the bitter aftertaste would pair well with sweet snacks.”
“Amazing. I didn’t expect you to be so knowledgeable about gourmet food.”
“I just said whatever came to mind.”
“Oh, then you must be not only a genius in martial arts but also a genius in the art of tea.”
I had no words to respond to that.
“It’s not an overstatement.”
What’s there to hide? In fact, I’m quite picky when it comes to food. People who grew up not eating well tend to obsess over food.
“I thought so and prepared a cake.”
“Oh my goodness.”
I quickly dug into the cake.
“Wow, it’s delicious. The bitterness is perfectly balanced, making it easy to keep eating without getting tired of it.”
“I’m glad you like it so much. It makes serving you worthwhile.”
Rudan said with satisfaction, like a grandfather feeding his grandchild.
“Now that I think about it, it seems I got quite a few snacks from you when I was young.”
“You took quite a bit out of my salary back then.”
“To think I ate so much and forgot all about it—how shameless of me.”
“It’s alright. It was a small joy for this old man.”
For some reason, I found talking with this old man quite enjoyable. Perhaps he reminded me of the grandfather who once saved the orphaned Karzan.
“Next time, I’ll have to bring something as well.”
“That’s very kind of you. As one gets older, they crave sweets more.”
“Got it. I’ll prepare something so sweet your teeth might rot.”
“Hahaha! You’ve really changed. To think you’d even joke like this.”
Rudan laughed heartily.
“By the way, what brings you here today? I’ve heard your progress in martial arts is exceptional.”
“You’re well-informed?”
“How could an old man like me have sources? The butler told me just the other day.”
“Oh?”
I hadn’t realized that Butler Aiden and Rudan were close.
“Well, considering how long they’ve known each other, it would be stranger if they weren’t friends.”
“That’s right.”
“In fact, I reached the 4th level of the Ocean Circulation Heart Technique just yesterday.”
“Oh my, is that true?”
Rudan exclaimed in admiration.
“To achieve such progress in just a few days—truly extraordinary. And judging by your physique, it seems you’ve been diligently training as well…”
“That’s right,” I replied.
“However, I haven’t yet begun learning Duke Wittenfeldt’s heart technique. But I do have its principles stored in my mind.”
“Anything done without overreaching is the right way. You’re so wise that this old man has no advice left to give.”
Rudan added with some regret.
“I cannot show you any sword techniques at the moment.”
“Why not?”
“The butler came by and delivered the head’s orders. He said that someone will be sent at an appropriate time to teach you swordsmanship separately, so for now, do not show or practice any techniques.”
“Well… if that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do.”
The head’s orders are absolute. While it was unfortunate that I couldn’t self-study, there was no urgent need to learn right away.
“For your information, higher-level martial arts can only be acquired with approval from both the head and the council of elders. Such techniques require qualifications,” Rudan advised.
“I understand. There’s no need to worry; I’m not in any rush,” I reassured him.
“That’s a relief,” Rudan said.
Perhaps feeling sorry for me as I turned away without showing any impatience or disappointment, Rudan spoke urgently.
“By the way, young master…”
“What is it?”
“Have you recalled any memories from the past?”
“I didn’t remember them on my own; I had some help from my attendants.”
“Oh, then perhaps…”
“You’re probably guessing correctly. I’ve figured out most of what I was curious about.”
Seeing Rudan’s face darken as if recalling the tragedy involving my mother from seven years ago, I added,
“Do I seem disheartened to you?”
“You don’t seem disheartened at all. In fact, I sense a fiery determination in you.”
I grinned broadly.
“So, there’s no need to worry, that’s what I’m saying.”
“Well, about that—”
Rudan lowered his voice.
“When you were young, you used to write a diary as a hobby.”
“A diary?”
“You said you hid it in a hard-to-find place because someone kept trying to look at it.”
“…You seem to know where that is?”
“Would you like to check, if it’s alright with you?”
“Of course.”
Would the diary contain some important secret, or would it just be filled with the idle musings of a child?
Honestly, it didn’t matter either way. I simply wanted to take a deeper look into the mind of the boy named Allenbert.
* * *
“Do you understand? Ruling is about finding common ground between groups with different interests, sometimes pursuing mutual benefit, but at other times employing ruthless purges and cunning strategies…”
I was enduring a tough morning, catching up on lessons I had postponed for several days.
“Indeed, politics is truly an art.”
“That’s right. The reason being…”
In truth, the content was a bit dull, so while keeping my ears open, my mind wandered elsewhere.
‘Olivier must be interviewing the employees by now and making a hit list.’
It was something we had agreed upon beforehand.
While I was in class, Olivier was swiftly sorting out who to get rid of and who to keep.
In short, Olivier’s task was akin to picking out defective products from good ones.
‘But it’s a bit more profound than that.’
You could call this a diversionary tactic, a feint operation, deception, or even blitzkrieg.
Remember this: the mastermind doesn’t reveal themselves easily. But when there’s something to watch, human curiosity makes them crane their necks foolishly.
‘I want to finish quickly and go see for myself.’
“Young master. Young master? You’re listening well, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
But perhaps because it had been several days since our last lesson, the tutor didn’t seem inclined to let me off easily.
‘Being too capable is also a curse. Damn it.’
I felt this during my time with Rudan as well—I’m somewhat weak against the goodwill of those older than me. It’s all because of my grandfather.
But this guy… doesn’t he seem a little unhinged?
“Don’t worry. I’m paying close attention.”
“Heehee! That’s a relief. I was worried that my lesson might be boring… If my lesson doesn’t satisfy someone as exceptional as you, young master, I’ll take responsibility and cut off my fingers as an apology…”
Frightened by his muttering, I quickly calmed him down.
“Don’t say such scary things. Wouldn’t it be inconvenient to write without fingers?”
“That’s true. You’re so kind to even worry about someone lowly like me.”
“It’s nothing.”
Suddenly, the tutor asked me a question.
“So then, young master, in your opinion, what should come first for a ruler: ruthlessness or compassion?”
Of course, I wasn’t stumped by such a question.
“I believe compassion comes first.”
“And why is that? If discipline isn’t maintained, the organization will become lax and easily fall to external enemies.”
“Obviously, neither should be lacking. Let’s make that clear first.”
“Very well.”
“Ruthlessness is generally effective but has its limits. My conclusion is that true loyalty cannot be earned through ruthlessness alone.”
This was a truth I had learned from my previous life.
“Ah, what remarkable insight!”
The tutor seemed satisfied with my answer.
“Your words remind me of an anecdote about a great king. Over 300 years ago, there was a king who ascended the throne despite being born of humble origins…”
While keeping one ear open for the lesson, my mind was elsewhere again.
‘Come to think of it, there hasn’t been any news from Baklava. They’re not planning on backing out quietly now… are they? They wouldn’t dare.’
According to Olivier, there should be some sort of reward coming our way, so that shouldn’t be the case.
‘And nobles aren’t the type to leave things unresolved like this.’
If anything, they’d think it’s better business if they can pay some hush money and move on. And I’m not one to refuse hush money either.
‘Hurry up and give it to me. Elixirs are fine, a good sword is also acceptable. I wouldn’t mind if it’s given in money either.’
In any case, by the time this lesson ends, only the trustworthy ones, filtered through Olivier and Peter’s discerning eyes, will remain in my annex.
‘During the process of replenishing the staff, impurities will inevitably mix in. That’s unavoidable.’
However, the human barrier we’ve already set up will effectively block the flow of information. That means it’ll be easier to catch any spies sent our way.
‘Go ahead and try to send them in. I’ll chop off all their heads.’
Among the underworld organizations, it was common practice to infiltrate, conspire, bribe, threaten, and recruit moles into rival organizations.
I’m a man who has lived for decades in that chaotic world. I intended to show them clearly what happens when they try to play games with me—losing their hands would be the least of their worries.
* * *
“This is the list of those whose positions will be reassigned.”
“There are so many. Damn it.”
I nodded as I reviewed the hit list Olivier had compiled along with the reasons for each name.
“This guy was connected to our eldest brother?”
“Yes. He took advantage of his position as a gardener.”
“This one’s a mole for our second brother, and this one for our third? What a mess.”
Including those who were passing information to external relatives or vassals, there were indeed many spies.
Even so, there were no names from the 1st princess or Baklava on the list. That’s surprising. I can understand Baklava being an idiot but…
“Is our sister not interested in things like this?”
“She generally doesn’t involve herself in internal succession battles within the family.”
“That’s a relief.”
That means she could potentially become an ally.
“But by the way, our butler was amazing earlier.”
Peter exclaimed excitedly.
“When he scolded them with just a few words, the employees couldn’t even breathe. They stammered excuses while trembling, and when they couldn’t speak anymore, they just threw themselves down…”
“He was like a judge.”
Julia chimed in.
“Really?”
My butler is doing his job well.
“It was much easier to sort them out thanks to the information provided by Peter and Julia.”
Olivier said nonchalantly.
“You’re quite capable. But you left Marco?”
This was somewhat unexpected. Wasn’t he one of those who badmouthed me?
“Yes, that was my judgment.”
“Let’s hear your reasoning.”
“First, there was no evidence that he leaked any information outside. Second, the head butler gave me some advice.”
“The head butler? Why?”
Peter answered in Olivier’s stead.
“Didn’t I mention? He’s the head butler’s nephew.”
“What? The nephew of Count Aiden?”
“That’s right.”
I looked at Olivier again.
“So you come from noble blood after all.”
“How could I boast about my lineage in front of you, young master?”
“That’s true.”
It was surprising but not something to make a fuss over. Still, that’s good news. Even that strict old man might show some favoritism toward his nephew.
“You didn’t get stuck with an unwanted position just because you’re his nephew, did you?”
At my joke, Olivier shook his head firmly.
“Absolutely not.”
“I see. I’ve confirmed it then.”
“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“I know. You’re just not someone who gets jokes easily.”
“Well… um…”
Peter whispered to the slightly flustered Olivier.
“You’ll get used to it. Just think of him as another regular person; it’ll make things easier.”
“I can hear you, idiot.”
“Ahem.”
Olivier cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“My uncle advised me to keep an eye on both the most disgruntled person and the quietest one.”
“Oh?”
I quickly understood what that meant.
“So that’s why you kept Marco. And who’s the quiet one?”
“The cook.”
“Aha.”
The most rebellious person and the most cautious one—those are indeed ideal types for gauging an organization’s atmosphere.
‘As expected from the head butler.’
When it comes to handling people, even I felt like I could learn a thing or two from him. What’s fascinating is how similar people’s thoughts are whether in noble families or in the underworld.
“I’ll leave this matter entirely in your hands; handle it freely as you see fit.”
“I will do so.”
“Oh, by the way—”
Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.
“I should meet with that Marco fellow.”
“Huh?”
Peter asked in surprise.
“You’re going to beat him up?”
“Do I look like a thug?”
I flicked Peter on the forehead and said,
“There’s something I need him to do.”
And while I’m at it, I won’t forget to give him a hard time too. That’s how meticulous I am.