The Top-Tier Butler of the Marquis Family Chapter 19 : Chapter 19

Chapter 019

“Did sothing good happen?”

Rohan asked while mopping the floor.

I was working beside him, and I simply shrugged. Sothing good had happened, yes. I had beco able to handle mana in earnest, and my physical abilities had improved even further.

It still did not feel perfect yet, but I was now able to handle mana much more freely than before.

Even so, I did not tell anyone about it.

I intended to hide this power thoroughly.

From a rational standpoint, there would be more harm than benefit if my power were revealed. It might open a path to success, perhaps, but there was every chance it would not.

More than anything, I still lacked knowledge of this world, and I had no desire to show off recklessly.

Was it not often the case that those who rose through magic perished through magic as well?

“Tch, sothing good must have happened. Do not tell you found yourself a lover or sothing?”

“When would I even have ti to et a woman?”

“True enough. I did hear that lately you have been going back and forth only between the library and the Training Ground. Your reputation is pretty good these days, you know? Everyone keeps praising you for how hardworking you are.”

Rohan said that with a hint of envy.

Rumors moved faster than words.

Just as I had worked hard, the favorable rumors about were spreading quickly through the mansion. Perhaps even Yanrof, the Head Butler, had heard them by now.

I was steadily becoming an S-Rank Butler Apprentice: diligent, capable, and devoted to training.

Of course, there were also those who looked at the other way.

That bastard glaring at unpleasantly from a distance right now.

Beron and his gang.

It had been a while since I last disciplined him, and apparently he was starting to get restless again.

Rohan changed the subject.

“But has there still been no word from Arwen?”

“No.”

“Wow. Who would have thought eting the Young Lady would be this difficult? Why do not you try approaching her yourself? Did she not speak to you before at Rosetta?”

So that rumor had spread too?

That was not a good sign. Rumors always beca distorted, and if it turned into sothing like, That little apprentice is wagging his tail at the Young Lady, then my neck would not stay attached for long.

“If I approach her from my side for no reason, it will only make people suspicious. I need to et her as naturally as possible.”

“I see.”

Just then, Beron, who had been staring from afar, twisted his face into a scowl. He looked openly contemptuous of . Expressionless, I stopped moving my mop.

Beron flinched and hurriedly left.

Cute little bastard. Just wait. Before long, big brother will deliver you an upgraded slap.

If I thought about it, that bastard was a little pitiful too.

If he had even a bit of brains, he should not have been showing such open hostility. Would it not have been better for him to wag his tail at first, then smash in the back of the head at the critical mont?

That was why fools always ended up making their own hands and feet suffer.

“Dilen!”

A clear, lovely voice rang out.

When I turned toward the sound, I saw Arwen hurrying over in quick little steps.

Speak of the tiger, and it appears.

Rohan and I both stopped mopping and looked at her. Had she brought good news at last?

“I just spoke to the Young Lady, and she said she wants to see you right now.”

She spoke while catching her breath. A smile rose naturally to my lips.

“You worked hard. That could not have been an easy favor.”

“It was not a hardship at all. If it is for the House, then I should do whatever I can.”

What incredible loyalty.

I would like to have a subordinate like that soday.

“So then, where should I go?”

“The Young Lady’s residence.”

“Understood.”

I handed the large mop I had been holding over to Arwen. She had been staring blankly at , and she startled so badly that she nearly dropped the handle from her hands.

Naturally exchanging duties like that, I went straight back to my quarters and opened the floor tile where I had hidden the docunts.

All right.

Now let us go et the real master of this place.

***

I had never once been to Young Lady Sapiela’s residence.

But I knew where it was. I had passed near it once while working at Rosetta.

The House of Adeline was a marquis house of the kingdom. Since it held the rank directly below a duke, the family lived in spaces of magnificent luxury. Even from the outside, anything adorned with gold or set with jewels clearly belonged to the royal family of the house.

Steadying my breath, I made my way boldly toward the Young Lady’s chambers.

My heart was pounding.

Because I was nervous.

How would Young Lady Sapiela react upon being directly confronted with a report of internal corruption? Since I did not know what kind of person she really was, I could not picture it at all.

At last, I arrived at her residence.

But the ones who greeted were the sharp eyes of the knights.

“What is it?”

“I have co to see Young Lady Sapiela. I am Dilen, a Butler Apprentice.”

“A Butler Apprentice?”

The knight looked dumbfounded. Then he told to wait a mont. The knight who had gone inside ca back out and looked at with displeasure.

“Show proper respect before the Young Lady. I will not tolerate even the slightest mistake. Co in.”

“Thank you.”

At last, I entered Young Lady Sapiela’s residence.

But then an unexpected complication arose. One of the two knights who had been standing guard outside the door followed in.

I had not anticipated that.

Then again, perhaps it was fantasy on my part to expect that soone of such low status and suspicion as would be allowed to et her alone.

Damn it. What now?

“Arwen said you wished to see ?”

There was a fine fragrance in the air. Even without looking around, I could tell the place must be filled with lavish ornants and paintings. Since the knight stood beside , I naturally lowered my head in proper respect.

“It is an honor to see you, noble Young Lady.”

“You are the one from Rosetta...”

A good start.

It seed she recognized .

I nearly lifted my head in gladness, but if I raised it before the Young Lady gave permission, the knight beside would surely rebuke .

“You are that Butler Apprentice who went out on assignnt carrying a sword, are you not?”

“It is an honor that you rembered , my lady.”

“Raise your head.”

At that icy command, I slowly raised my head.

But I did not shrink back. I straightened my shoulders and looked directly at her.

At that mont, I sensed a strange light enter the Young Lady’s eyes.

Had I sparked her interest?

“So then, for what reason have you co to see ?”

“There is sothing urgent I must tell you, my lady.”

“Speak.”

This was awkward. I needed to get the knight beside us out of the room.

I did not even bother hiding the expression and glanced sideways toward him. Fortunately, Young Lady Sapiela was not a dull-witted person.

“Sir Roland. Leave us for a mont.”

“But—”

“At once.”

She had force to match her beauty. The knight called Roland yielded and withdrew outside.

Now there were only two of us.

All right.

Let us begin the ga.

“Do you rember the banquet that took place at Rosetta not long ago?”

I lowered my voice as much as possible. Perhaps because it was an unexpected opening, Young Lady Sapiela looked slightly startled.

“If you an the banquet... are you referring to the party I hosted?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Why are you bringing that up now?”

“That banquet very nearly ended in failure. The reason was that a corrupt relationship had been established between the Arkain rchant Company, which delivers ingredients to Rosetta, and soone inside our own mansion.”

“What?”

Her eyes, already large, widened even further.

How cute she looked when surprised.

But it was still far too early for that.

“Who committed the corruption?”

“Training Officer Cornel.”

The Young Lady openly frowned. Hard to believe, was it? But this was the truth.

I took the evidence I had gathered from inside my clothes and placed it on a nearby table.

“These are materials I gathered at the risk of my life. They clearly show the collusive relationship between Training Officer Cornel and the Arkain rchant Company. Please look them over.”

Young Lady Sapiela slowly read through the docunts. It took ti. She went over the sa things two and three tis before moving on.

Only after she was finally convinced did she set the papers down.

Accompanied by a short sigh.

“What in the world is this?”

She was confused.

But just as the rumors said, she had not lost her intelligence. If anything, she had begun to suspect instead.

“Are you not slandering Training Officer Cornel?”

“No, my lady.”

“What is your proof?”

“Because slandering Training Officer Cornel offers no benefit whatsoever.”

It was a line I had prepared in advance. Fortunately, Young Lady Sapiela was dancing in the palm of my hand.

“With loyalty to House Adeline in my heart, I could not stand by and ignore Training Officer Cornel’s outrages as he trampled upon this family’s honor. That is why I ca to see you, my lady.”

“Why of all people? You could have passed this information to the Head Butler or the knights.”

“Because I could not guess how far the collusion with the Arkain rchant Company might extend. Therefore, I ca to ask for the judgnt of the wise Young Lady herself.”

“......”

“As I said, this is a matter I have risked my life over, so I had no choice but to act cautiously.”

Sapiela let out a low hum.

She seed to have much to think about. For a long while, she said nothing at all and only stared down at the floor.

I waited patiently.

At last, her small red lips opened.

“You. What did you say your na was again?”

“My na is Dilen. I am an old friend of Arwen, who serves at your side. We co from the sa village.”

“Dilen. That will be all for today. You may leave.”

“Yes, my lady.”

I bowed, then carefully withdrew from the room.

Now all that remained was to wait quietly.

***

One day passed.

Then another.

And still there was no word at all from Young Lady Sapiela.

Arwen told that the Young Lady was living exactly as she always did. When she had ti, she drank tea, walked in the garden, and went in and out of salons.

Because of that, Rohan and Arwen both worried, but I imrsed myself in my own work.

I simply carried on as usual.

By day, I worked in the library.

By night, I buried myself in the library and read books.

And at dawn, I shortened my sleep and honed my Mana Circuit at the Training Ground.

“It is definitely different now.”

Thanks to that, by the ti a week had passed, I was finally able to handle mana with a fair degree of freedom.

It left with a deep sense of satisfaction.

Ti was completely on my side.

And it was not only my use of mana that had improved.

My once feeble body had grown into a sturdier fra. Not only had my strength increased, I looked much better too.

If I kept training at this rate, I felt certain I could grow even stronger.

More than anything, I had not devoted myself only to books on magic. I had also read books connected to martial arts, and in particular, I had finished an entire book dealing with the fundantals of swordsmanship. Fortunately, because it was a manual, the postures and movents were illustrated, which made it easy to understand.

The reason I chose swordsmanship was simple.

Because the weapon Smith had lent was a sword.

“Still, I feel as though it is about ti I gained so real combat experience. My hands are itching.”

There would be plenty of opportunities.

In particular, once the midterm training began in a few days, the physical conditioning of the Butler Apprentices would start. There would be chances to spar then, so all I had to do was wait.

When I returned to my quarters late at night, I saw a familiar face.

It was Rohan.

“Hey! Where have you been wandering around until now? I have been looking for you forever!”

Sothing about the atmosphere felt strange.

“I was at the Training Ground. Why?”

“Lord Yanrof told to bring you to him! Right now!”

So the ti had finally co.

I answered that I understood, changed neatly into proper clothes, and made my way toward the Head Butler’s Office where Yanrof stayed.

Just what was he going to say to ?