Back to the official residence of Duke Klover,
"I've lost them, Your Grace. They're most likely entered the forest to escape our pursuit," the servant reported with a trembling voice.
Johann eyed him for a mont before nodding. "I see. You may go now."
The servant breathed a sigh of relief. It was the first task the new duke had given him, and he had failed.
Thankfully, the new duke didn't seem to mind too much about it.
As soon as the servant left, Johann turned his gaze to the window and stared at the darkness outside.
The current ti had already been one or two hours past midnight.
Despite achieving his long-cherished goal of becoming a Duke, he felt an emptiness gnawing at him. The absence of his grandson made this position worthless.
"Did you already predict that I'm going to kill you, Percival?" Alone in his new room, Johann muttered slowly.
That has to be. If not, Percival wouldn't leave with a minimal amount of luggage.
Johann's gaze shifted again, this ti toward a new intruder in the room.
"Why can't you enter like normal people did?" Johann asked.
"Sorry, it's a habit of mine," Dunn replied.
Johann sighed and sat down. "What's the purpose of your visit at this hour?"
"I wanted to congratulate you on becoming a duke. My mission is also completed because of you. Percival now has beco powerless. So, let's conclude our cooperation here."
"So soon? What's the rush, Mr Greecious? Stay here a little longer. Percival is still alive."
"Don't worry about it. That's already good enough. Moreover, I'm not as free as you think. There are many tasks piled up that require my attention."
"Well, that's too bad. I want to take you to the capital with ."
Dunn smiled, "That won't be necessary."
Dunn doesn't know what Johann is thinking. As such, it's better to cut ties before he falls into a trap.
Johann stood up. "It's been a short but aningful cooperation with you. I hope we can work together again in the future."
He reaches his hand out.
"Our side has no problem as long as the situation permits it. You know how to find us."
The two shook hands, formally marking the end of their partnership.
Dunn turned around and exited the room. This ti using the door like an ordinary person.
....
Dunn disappears from the estate and appears in another place.
There, his three fellow agents sent by the headquarters were waiting for him.
"How is it? Did they succeed?" Agent No. 45 was the first to ask.
"No. Percival and his daughter escape unscathed."
Contrary to the attitude he had shown in front of Johann, Dunn's current tone is displeased by the result.
"A bunch of useless knights," Agent No. 54 cursed. "Should we track them instead?"
"That's what I've been thinking," Dunn said. "However, we don't need three agents to chase after two fallen nobles."
"Then let do it," Agent No. 45 volunteered.
"No, let No. 54 do it. You, No. 45, are going to the capital and contact our agent nad Dorothy. She's currently working as a palace maid. I'll brief you on the details later."
He turned to the third agent, who looked nervous and fidgety.
"As for you, Agent No. 202…"
"Y-Yes!"
"Go ho and report to the headquarters. Inform them of the situation here and see if there are any further instructions."
Agent No. 202 nodded vigorously.
He was slightly disappointed to be excluded. But, at the very least, he got a relatively safe task.
After Dunn delegated the tasks to his fellow agents, all that was left for him was to quit the job.
Usually, he would wait for instruction from the HQ before making his move.
But, his current circumstance dictated imdiate action now that Johann had beco the duke.
While the likelihood of Johann encountering a re gardener was slim, the risk still existed.
If Johann discovered Dunn's identity as a gardener, he might start reevaluating the events leading up to his ascent to power and could potentially arrive at a different conclusion.
This was a situation Dunn couldn't afford to let it happen.
Everything he had worked for over the past year would beco useless. All the effort he had invested in from the shadows would be for nought.
Since Johann will soon go to the capital, Dunn had two weeks at most to quit his job and disappear.
Before he left for good, there was one last thing to do.
On the next day, he invited Han Jester for a drink.
Dunn wouldn't say Han was his friend. He considers Han as soone who's experiencing a similar situation as him.
Both of them were outsiders making their way into the estate for their own purposes.
Ever since Adam died, Han didn't have much presence in the estate.
Being a commoner, many were not pleased by his existence.
The servants in the mansion also stop treating him as nicely as before.
As such, Han decided to quit and escape this place.
"How are you doing, Han?" Dunn asked as he slid into the chair.
"Old man, isn't it currently your working hours?"
Dunn waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry about it. Why does it matter?"
"I heard the managent had their eyes on you. Be careful or you'll get fired."
Dunn laughed, "That's even better. I plan to quit anyway."
"What?! Why?"
"Let's just say... I got bored. More importantly, what you're doing right now?"
Han sighed, "Not much. After I quick, I helped around the house, doing odd jobs here and there while searching for a formal one."
"Don't be so disheartened. You made the right choice. Now Adam is gone, Johann had no reason to keep paying you."
"Yeah, I figured as much. What about you, old man? What's the plan?"
"? Going around from place to place I guess. We might never see each other again."
"I see... That's sad to hear."
User Comments
0 comments from readers