The Terminally Ill Prince is the Mad Dog of the Underworld (Novel) - Chapter 41
Chapter 41. Everything Was Bait
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Discord
“What a filthy and vulgar place. You’re saying we can find it in this sewer?”
I berated Peter harshly, channeling Baklava in my mind.
“If you have a mouth, answer me.”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Peter bowed his head like a mouse, giving his all to the performance.
‘Good, natural acting.’
“It does seem rather difficult to my eyes as well.”
Even Olivier chimed in with a stuck-up, rude voice. Who knew he had such acting skills?
“How frustrating. The family won’t provide anything good, so I have to find it myself, don’t I?”
I kindly explained my situation to passersby as if reading from a book.
“I’ll go back and threaten them once more.”
“That goes without saying.”
I could feel people’s ears perking up at our suspicious conversation. Not just merchants, but even those who looked like officials were secretly glancing my way.
…They must be the men connected to this harbor’s nightlife. They’re the type who don’t let the scent of money slip by.
‘Corrupt officials, the lot of them.’
However, I deliberately didn’t approach them first. Who makes the first move – that’s where superiority is determined.
The bait was already cast anyway. Even a fool would understand by now that I was looking for spirit medicine.
“I’ll look around some more. I’m sure we can find it.”
Peter added fuel to the fire.
“Forget it. I’m the fool for believing someone like you and coming all the way here.”
And I fanned the flames.
“…”
Jeffrey was looking at me with a face that seemed to ask what all this was about. I asked in an annoyed voice.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have a problem?”
“Huh? No-“
Jeffrey stammered, unsure whether he should play along or not.
“Not at all.”
Jeffrey’s eyes were starting to look at me like I was crazy. I must be quite something to break a trained soldier’s composure in just half a day.
“Excuse me for interrupting.”
A well-dressed merchant approached me.
‘Finally caught one.’
I looked contentedly at the fish that took the bait.
“Who might you be?”
“Haha. You must be some noble’s precious son.”
“You dare-“
As Jeffrey tried to step forward, I held him back and said,
“Well, that’s right.”
The merchant lowered his voice with a smiling face.
“Would it be alright to have a brief conversation?”
“Hmm.”
Jeffrey’s eyes were sharp. Eyes that seemed to ask what I was trying to do.
That gaze was directed not at the merchant, but at me.
Because of this, I was certain. Any suspicious behavior of mine would go straight to the butler’s ears. Verdzich would soon know too.
That’s not what I want. Of course, I have no such intention.
“Well. What should I do?”
I stared at the merchant. What color of desire was reflected in his eyes?
* * *
As expected, the first one was a dud.
“This crazy b*st*rd. Trying to sell me drugs?”
To think he thought of illegal drugs instead of spirit medicine when hearing our conversation – what an idiot. Just a worthless amateur.
“Unbelievable.”
Did I look like an idiot to him?
“Take him away.”
“Yes.”
“Eek!”
The guards grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck and dragged him away.
“W-wait! I don’t know who you are, but I’m a taxpaying citizen of Grünewald! You can’t just- ughk!”
The merchant who was protesting got punched in the stomach and went limp.
“Fool. As if a smuggler would pay taxes.”
Trying to die somewhere.
“Dump him in a corner.”
Jeffrey ordered coldly.
“Yes.”
The atmosphere around us grew tense at the sight.
“Ah, this spot’s blown.”
Won’t be catching any more fish here.
‘Let’s move fishing spots.’
I casually started walking toward the opposite direction.
“Young Master. How could you personally deal with such lowly people?”
However, Jeffrey, unable to hold back anymore, confronted me.
“This is absurd. Even the butler wouldn’t have imagined you’d do something like this.”
“No need for such dramatics. Think I’ll get stabbed by guys like that?”
Jeffrey’s expression hardened at my nonchalant response.
“I apologize, but please tell me one thing. Why exactly are you doing this?”
I had anticipated this question. I gave my prepared answer.
“I wanted to see the true public sentiment that can’t be known within the castle walls.”
“True public sentiment?”
“Look. Don’t those who can’t belong to the sunny side act as if even nobles are nothing to fear? This means they don’t fear Grünewald’s laws.”
I pointed at Jeffrey.
“It also means that dealings between them and nobles aren’t so uncommon.”
Jeffrey then looked straight at me.
“Then are you planning to expose and report these realities yourself? Are you perhaps some kind of inspector?”
That question was quite challenging. Either he was quite irritated, or…
‘He probably wants to know my true intentions.’
I didn’t take lightly the fact that the butler personally appointed Jeffrey as my guard.
‘Perhaps like with Olivier, they want to see how I handle recruiting rough soldiers.’
It was half intuition, but it was clear their purpose wasn’t simple surveillance. Probably.
‘But I’m sorry about this.’
Today, I am a liar who deceives everyone, a skilled fisherman, the master of chaos, the architect of shadows.
I gave a measured response while anticipating the butler’s reaction when he hears this story tonight.
“If someone gave me such authority, I’d have no reason to decline.”
“If that’s not your intention, are you really looking for business contacts?”
“Who knows?”
I had no reason to give straight answers to his questions.
“Let me tell you one thing.”
“I’m listening.”
“The decisions are mine to make, and the judgments are mine as well. I’ll gladly hear advice, but don’t try to interrogate me.”
“…I see. I apologize.”
Jeffrey didn’t look pleased with that response. But since soldiers don’t act on emotions, I paid it no mind.
“By the way-“
I said, looking back.
“Are you going to keep following us?”
A well-dressed man emerged from the crowd.
“My, you knew all along.”
“Get lost.”
Jeffrey’s killing intent was quite fierce, growling as if he’d found a target for his irritation. But the man wearing a stylish hat just smiled while looking at me.
“Young Master.”
Knowing I was the decision-maker, he showed no interest in talking to the guards. He was someone who knew how to ‘converse.’
“State your business.”
“Haha, no need to be so guarded.”
The man laughed good-naturedly.
“I even dressed up nicely to not look suspicious.”
When I didn’t respond, the man spoke again with a smiling face.
“I’d like to discuss business. Could you spare a moment?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“I don’t. Since you don’t know me either, perhaps we should start with introductions.”
“I’ll pass.”
Despite my aggressive attitude, the man didn’t lose his smile.
“Then at least let me introduce myself.”
I gave a small nod.
“Walk beside me. We’ll talk as we walk.”
“Thank you. Ah, my name is Gimlet.”
Gimlet kept talking even without my response.
“Since you don’t seem interested in my story yet, I’ll get straight to the point.”
What thick skin. That’s a good quality for a merchant.
“Are you perhaps looking for spirit medicine? If so, I know an excellent supplier.”
Would you look at that?
Without looking at him, I asked.
“I’d like to hear why you think that.”
“I apologize, but I overheard some of your conversation. Moreover, your guards’ aura is extraordinary, and you don’t seem to need valuable items.”
“Don’t need valuable items? Why?”
“Isn’t your appearance already more brilliant than any jewel?”
What obvious flattery.
‘How tiresome.’
Even being handsome is this exhausting. This cursed beauty.
“Yet I sense well-developed muscles and aura, so I felt your aspirations differ from noble sons who apply powder and adorn themselves. Then you must be interested in martial arts. For someone like that to come to a place like this seeking something…”
Gimlet lowered his voice.
“Spirit medicine. And not just any kind. Perhaps you’re looking for the mountain people’s spirit medicine?”
Not bad.
Olivier shot me a glance. He was probably saying something like ‘Young Master, everything’s going according to plan.’
But even this wasn’t my real objective. From here on, let’s continue the conversation with the mindset of deceiving even Olivier.
“Well? Not particularly.”
I evasively gave an ambiguous answer.
“Is that so? It seems my guess was wrong.”
Gimlet smiled casually. Was he quick-witted, or just dull-sensed?
“From our conversation, I take it you’re a smuggler?”
“Haha. If you would, please use the more elegant title of ‘smuggling broker.'”
Gimlet joked.
“I don’t need anything right now, but I’ll remember your name if I want something later.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
Gimlet took off his hat and bowed. From his mannerisms, he seemed like he might be from fallen nobility.
“You seem to take pride in your work.”
“Ah, of course.”
Gimlet smiled brightly.
“I believe smuggling is just another form of commerce. I simply take on higher risks for higher profits.”
“Seems you haven’t committed any crimes worthy of court yet.”
“How could I? I don’t want blood money.”
“If that’s true, you’re a man who knows business ethics.”
I almost laughed after saying that. Talking about ethics to a smuggler?
“Haha. I’d like to share a drink with you someday, Young Master.”
“I’m not old enough for alcohol yet.”
“Is that so? You look so mature, I thought you’d already had your coming-of-age ceremony.”
I looked at Gimlet and asked.
“Where can I find you?”
“Ah, please visit the ‘Nasrak Inn.’ They have excellent drinks.”
“Very well. Nice meeting you, Gimlet.”
“I’m glad I took the courage to approach. I’ll take my leave now.”
Gimlet calmly bowed to Jeffrey as well before leaving.
“…No, Young Master.”
Jeffrey, who had been quietly observing our conversation, questioned me accusingly.
“Do you really intend to deal with that person? You even casually exchanged meeting locations.”
Olivier stepped in at Jeffrey’s aggressive questioning. He seemed to be trying to support me by reading my intentions. It made me feel slightly guilty.
“Squad Leader Jeffrey, I won’t tolerate any more disrespect.”
“…That’s what I wanted to say. How can someone who claims to be Young Master Allenbert’s butler stand by and watch all this?”
“That’s enough, both of you.”
I stopped their argument.
“Didn’t I tell you? I merely wanted to observe the commerce taking place at this dock. What makes smuggling ‘smuggling’ in the first place?”
I pointed at Gimlet’s retreating figure.
“It’s smuggling because they trade unauthorized goods without paying customs. Doesn’t that mean the larger the smuggling operation, the bigger the hole in the principality’s treasury?”
“…!”
“If we can understand how that fellow conducts his smuggling, we might be able to cut off his operations. Though I’m not saying I plan to do that right away.”
Jeffrey’s face showed he couldn’t tell whether I was being sincere or not.
“Besides, I wonder if he’ll even be safe. Having conversed with me in front of everyone, people might start investigating him. If he’s unlucky, he might die without anyone knowing.”
“…That…”
Jeffrey closed his mouth. If he had eyes and ears, he’d know well that noble affairs worked in such ways.
“So you engaged with him despite knowing these possibilities, Young Master?”
“He’s either overconfident or recklessly ignorant of the world’s dangers. Either way, he’ll bear the responsibility himself, won’t he?”
If he was capable enough to handle that responsibility, we might meet again. But even if not, it didn’t matter to me.
‘…Because.’
All of this was actually meaningless – just bait, distraction, and deception.
“I’m getting tired. Shall we head back?”
“What?”
Jeffrey was surprised by my sudden change in attitude.
“Why, would you prefer to look around more?”
“…No. I’ll escort you.”
Jeffrey’s tensed nerves finally seemed to settle. And then.
“…”
As I turned to change direction, I briefly scanned a group of men with my eyes.
Someone felt my gaze and turned their head, but my eyes were already looking elsewhere.
‘Found them.’
I secretly smiled.
Those ‘someones’ were the real power players of the underworld that I’d been trying to find, even causing all this commotion today.