The Terminally Ill Prince is the Mad Dog of the Underworld (Novel) - Chapter 39
Chapter 39 – Why Go To Such Lengths Just to Get Some Fresh Air
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Turning time back slightly, before Allenbert received approval to go out.
Duke Georg Grünewald was discussing matters with his head butler.
“Pay attention to the security detail, and make sure he doesn’t deviate from the planned route.”
“Understood.”
“What about Verdzich?”
“He won’t act rashly.”
Georg nodded at the butler’s words.
Of course, he knew his son’s nature. However, he highly valued his competence and skillfulness.
Even his personality was quite fitting for someone who would sit on the throne, wasn’t it?
‘As expected, the master is concerned about Young Lord Verdzich’s temperament.’
In Aiden’s opinion, ruling subordinates through only schemes and fear wasn’t the best approach. Though the Duke himself had claimed his position through schemes and blood, Verdzich seemed excessive.
‘Though Lady Ulvhilde’s abilities are outstanding, her disposition isn’t suited for the ruthless ruler this vast duchy needs. And both Young Lords Karl and Somerset have their shortcomings.’
That’s why he welcomed the emergence of Allenbert, who might become a new young lion.
Though he couldn’t overturn the situation, hopefully Allenbert would provide good stimulus to Verdzich…
While thinking this, Aiden secretly wanted to place even more expectations on Allenbert.
Above all, it was true that he currently felt more drawn to Allenbert’s character. Something that only Young Lord Allenbert possessed. That was popular support.
“The escort?”
“I’ll assign five royal guards.”
“Hmm.”
The head of the family nodded.
“How is Olivier’s martial arts?”
“Excellent.”
“If he’s mastered the Borgardt family’s secret martial arts well, there’s nothing to worry about. Even when I saw him before, his physique and energy channels were impressive.”
The head of the family instructed.
“Keep a close eye on this matter.”
“Yes, sir.”
While watching his sons’ power struggle, he had been coordinating to ensure the sprouts weren’t cut too early. Therefore, the fact that he was personally monitoring like this meant he had acknowledged Allenbert’s qualifications to some degree.
“He swung his sword until his palms were bloody?”
“Yes.”
“An impatient fellow. I was planning to assign him a swordsmanship instructor soon. Is he making some kind of demonstration?”
“…I don’t think that’s the case.”
Georg leaned back against the massive chair’s backrest. He wasn’t worried about Verdzich suddenly acting recklessly. He was a man who didn’t cross lines unless necessary.
‘Should this also be called trust between father and son?’
Duke Georg smirked. Father-son relationships in noble families had such bizarre aspects. One couldn’t expect ordinary family warmth. If that’s what one wanted, they should have lived modestly as a branch family, far from power long ago.
“…”
Because he thought this way, his wife and son were hurt.
But even if he could go back, even if he knew all these consequences, he had no choice but to make the same decisions then.
“Head Butler.”
Georg said.
“I am a heartless father.”
“…Your Grace.”
The head butler was momentarily breathless at the bitterness in his lord’s voice. But his answer was always the same.
“The true virtue of a ruler lies in that lonely, misunderstood position.”
“Yes. I know.”
Georg nodded.
Allenbert had overcome that despair, regained his intelligence, and recovered his memories on his own. Not only that. How many hearts had he already won over?
A servant from a fallen noble family, a young maid, a tutor, a butler, a doctor… even his eldest brother and sister.
‘Perhaps that’s why.’
He didn’t want to see Allenbert, who had managed to stand up without his father’s help, fall too easily.
Georg couldn’t bring himself to express such feelings out loud, but-
“My lord. I will personally select the royal guards.”
The head butler was a man who understood his master’s heart better than anyone.
To this, Georg only said:
“Do so.”
* * *
On a bright sunny morning in the port city.
I rubbed my eyes at the seagulls’ nagging cries and finished preparing to go out.
“Yaaaaaawn.”
I scratched my belly while walking out in front of the annex, mouth wide open in a yawn.
“Greetings, young lord.”
Five royal guards in gleaming armor covered with uniforms and a luxurious carriage were waiting in front of the annex.
“Do we really need all this just to get some fresh air?”
I looked at Olivier while still scratching my belly.
“This is an outing for someone of the most noble bloodline in the duchy. You must show proper dignity.”
Olivier replied as if I’d asked something obvious.
“You’re not wrong, but…”
This made me feel like some delinquent young lord showing off his bloodline. Back home, we called such people attention seekers.
“I’m not some Baklava.”
“…”
This time, Olivier and Peter struggled to hold back their laughter.
“That was too obvious. Still, not bad.”
“Ahem.”
Anyway, for a simple outing, the escort’s combat power was quite impressive.
“Young lord.”
The suspiciously muscular coachman, wearing a dagger under his uniform, bowed his head to me.
“Good to meet you.”
“It’s an honor to serve you.”
“That’s too much, but thanks anyway.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
The momentarily flustered coachman quickly composed himself. Indeed, to be a coachman serving noble persons, one needs such qualities. Deaf ears, sealed lips, and hands faster than eyes.
‘I wonder if that whip becomes a weapon in emergencies?’
Meanwhile, the five royal guards armed with swords and spears cut truly imposing figures. They seemed like genuinely cold warriors devoid of any emotion.
“Anyone want to fight me?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean sparring. No one?”
“…How could we dare.”
“I see. Noted.”
Unlike some of the guards I saw yesterday with disrespectful eyes, these five showed no such signs.
“Sorry. I was being mischievous. Please bear with my occasional fits of madness.”
“…”
They were people who knew the virtue of keeping quiet rather than giving awkward responses.
“By the way, whose orders brought you here?”
“The head butler personally interviewed and selected us.”
“Oh.”
Then my conclusion is that none of them will act foolishly. Though they’ll surely report every foolish thing I do.
“I’ll be in your care.”
“We will protect you safely.”
Five royal guards and a coachman who would serve as both protectors and watchers.
Add to that Allenbert, the reincarnation of genius swordsman Karzan, and Olivier, the hope of House Borgardt.
‘This force could be called platoon-level strength, capable of instantly crushing a small organization and dragging out its boss by the hair.’
In short, it was excessive for a mere escort force. Since when did they start paying this much attention to Young Lord Allenbert Grünewald?
‘Then the question I should ask needs to be different.’
Is this force truly consideration for my protection, or a warning to just get some fresh air quietly without causing trouble?
“Are we perhaps going somewhere to fight?”
I asked while looking at the guard captain.
“No, sir.”
He was a young man with a considerable level of martial presence. If regular royal guards were at the 4th rank, this man seemed to have reached the beginning of the 5th rank.
‘Quite strong.’
In short, he was above the level of merely guarding me in a place like this.
“We heard you don’t prefer overly grand processions, so we minimized the personnel. The head butler believed that meant ensuring flawless protection with an elite few.”
“Yet this carriage seems plenty grand.”
“Ah, is that so?”
The captain asked, somewhat flustered.
“We chose the most modest one…”
“…”
This? Anyone would read this as ‘make way, noble young master passing through.’
“Anyway, I understand. Are there places I shouldn’t go?”
“How could there be? There’s nowhere in this duchy that you cannot go, young lord.”
“I see.”
“Of course, going to dangerous places would be problematic. For instance, slums harbor all sorts of vagrants and criminals where unexpected accidents could occur.”
“Surely that wouldn’t happen?”
I said something I didn’t mean.
“By the way, young lord. Where do you plan to go today?”
“Well…”
I exchanged glances with Olivier and answered casually.
“The harbor looks quite beautiful from afar.”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to go slowly to the docks. It would be embarrassing for a Grünewald man to be unfamiliar with the sea.”
“Ah, that…”
After brief consideration, the captain nodded.
“Understood. We will escort you safely.”
“I feel like some human gold bar. No one’s going to steal me, so don’t be so tense.”
“I appreciate your words.”
But his meaning was ‘though I won’t relax as you say, shall we get going?’
“Then let’s depart.”
See how I respect others’ intentions.
“Wow, nice.”
The carriage had a covered top and was enclosed on all sides, with only windows to see outside. It smelled pleasant, suggesting regular maintenance.
“Comfortable.”
“Several magical devices are installed for shock absorption. They provide a comfortable ride.”
The coachman said proudly.
“That’s reassuring. I’m counting on you.”
“Of course. Hya!”
The carriage began to move slowly as the coachman cracked his whip.
“Ah, could you lower the Grünewald flag for now?”
“Pardon?”
“Should we display the family flag privately when this isn’t even an official event?”
“…”
After a moment’s silence came the answer.
“As you wish.”
They probably calculated it would be easier to figure out my true purpose that way. However, I had no intention of revealing my true intentions easily.
‘No one will be able to guess my real purpose.’
Today, I planned to identify which underground force controlled the smuggling operations in Grünewald harbor.
‘Ultimately, I must make that enormous privilege mine, and use those vast funds and power to emerge as an influential figure in the underground.’
To compete for the position of Grünewald family head against Verdzich and his maternal family, my abilities alone would be insufficient.
‘Just as the Dark King did…’
I too needed ‘the power of darkness.’
Of course, I currently had no way to shake off my watchers and go to the underground.
But coincidentally, Verdzich’s gift had greatly accelerated the realization of what seemed like a distant plan.
‘If I can use the Aminicrus mask.’
No one would suspect me coming and going from the castle disguised as an annex employee.
‘For that, I need to throw bait to deceive the watchers’ eyes.’
So that no one can grasp my true purpose.
‘Today I’ll have to act like a madman for all to see.’
But isn’t that exactly my specialty?
‘I am Karzan, the mad dog of the underground.’
* * *
“That b*st*rd is going out to the harbor?”
“Yes, young lord.”
Somerset Grünewald snorted upon hearing his servant’s report.
“The ignorant fool doesn’t know how dangerous the outside world is.”
Going to see such a chaotic and dangerous place by his own choice.
“What if some thugs pick a fight with him? Don’t you think?”
“…”
Somerset grinned.
“Should we play a little nasty prank on our arrogant brother?”
“Young lord.”
The butler tried to dissuade Somerset with an aghast expression.
“It’s dangerous. With the royal guard escort for the Fourth Prince, if an accident were to happen…”
“Shut up. As you said, with the royal guards protecting him, what accident could possibly happen?”
Somerset waved his hand as if annoyed by the butler’s words.
“It’s just sending a light warning. Stop talking and make the ‘contact.'”
When he took this stance, almost no one could change his mind.
“…Understood.”
The butler’s expression was dark as he bowed in response.
‘It would be terrible if things go wrong.’
Though worried about the consequences, he had no choice but to follow Somerset’s orders for now.
‘I should report this to the Third Madam.’
If something went wrong, she would be the only one who could handle the situation.
* * *
The carriage crossed the main street without obstruction. It was remarkable. Despite the many pedestrians, the center was kept clear for carriages to pass.
“Nice weather.”
“Indeed.”
I listened to the wind and noises flowing through the window.
“Is it alright to stick my head out?”
“Ah, that’s fine.”
With the captain’s permission, I stuck my head out. The pedestrians’ gazes all turned toward me at once.
“Wow, did you see that?”
“Who is that?”
“A noble I’ve never seen before.”
“That’s not the issue. How can someone be that handsome?”
“Why isn’t there a flag? Someone that handsome…”
“Isn’t he a noble?”
“But his dignity suggests…”
It’s amazing that all this commotion was caused by my face.
“Being handsome is tiring too.”
“…”
Peter looked at me somewhat pathetically.
“Can’t you look at me more kindly?”
“I’ll try.”
“Pathetic fellow. The jealousy of an ugly man is unseemly.”
“Hey, what did I do?”
“Shut up.”
While berating Peter, I felt a strange wonder. Just now, a baby in its mother’s arms smiled at me, which was quite baffling. Weren’t babies supposed to cry at the sight of strangers?
Anyway, I took note of everything – the city scenery, road conditions, the sea smell carried by the wind, the fishy odor, and the smells of food and waste. I intended to map the entire city of Grünewald in my mind.
‘Wow. Wait.’
Suddenly, a terrible smell assaulted my nose.
…The picturesque scenery began mixing with a foul stench.
It meant the carriage was getting closer to the slums.