I stood at the main entrance of the Plum Knights' training grounds.
A young squire guarding the entrance spotted me and hurried over. It was the same impudent squire I'd encountered on my first visit.
"Young Master Sung Yujin! You've arrived!"
The squire bowed deeply and greeted me with a booming voice. His previous arrogance had completely vanished.
"I've come to see Sir Embis. Show me the way," I said, repeating the exact words I'd used before.
The squire's bow deepened even further.
"Understood! I'll escort you immediately!"
Two weeks had passed since the case with Lexi.
During that time, I had consistently visited the Plum Knights, hoping to improve my relationship with their commander, Hent, and secure his support.
He's almost won over. I never expected to see results so quickly.
What I had overlooked was the absence of entertainment in this world. There were no TVs, of course, and even literature was scarce.
The common folk were too busy surviving to care much about literature. Even if they did show interest, they quickly grew bored.
This world's books were mostly for knowledge, not entertainment.
The main forms of amusement here were theater and circuses.
Should I try selling novels while I'm at it? No, that sounds too much like hard work.
Books don't just appear out of thin air, and how many commoners would actually pay for expensive paper to buy them? More importantly, the text would need to be translated into this world's language.
The effort required seemed disproportionate to the potential profit.
Moreover, the vast majority of commoners were illiterate.
"Excuse me... Young Master Sung Yujin," Squire called out from where he was leading the way.
"Hmm?"
"Could I buy some tobacco now?"
I chuckled. It seemed Squire had developed a taste for tobacco, given that the entire Plum Knights smoked it.
"Of course. You know the price, right?"
There was no reason to refuse a paying customer.
"Hehe. Of course!"
Squire pulled a Black Silver Coin from his pocket worth 100,000 Nerza.
"You're buying two packs at once?"
"Is that a problem?"
"No, not at all. Don't you need a lighter?"
"I'm, I'm good."
I nodded. After all, getting a light wouldn't be difficult.
"Here you go."
"Thank you so much!"
"By the way, what's your monthly salary?"
"1 million Ner!"
I nodded again.
Compared to ordinary commoners, his income was definitely low. But considering he was a Squire, it wasn't too bad. Squires, as squires of the Knight Order, lived in the training grounds' dormitories and didn't need to worry about living expenses.
Once he becomes a full-fledged knight, his treatment will be incomparable to what he has now.
I tucked the cigarettes into my coat and watched the Squire's delighted expression. This kid would become one of my key clients in the future.
"Young Master Sung Yujin! You've arrived!"
Hent greeted me with a bright smile.
The metal watch on his left wrist flashed a gift I had given him.
Over the past few months, I had been consistently visiting Hent, offering bribes disguised as gifts. The total amount I'd spent on him must have been close to three million won.
"I'm here again today. I'm not being a nuisance, am I?"
"Of course not, Young Master. Please, have a seat."
It was fortunate that Hent was a former mercenary. He lacked that damned knightly code of honor and was thoroughly materialistic, making the gifts highly effective.
"Sir Embis, have you had lunch yet?"
"No, I haven't. The menu today was rather unappetizing."
He probably skipped lunch deliberately, knowing I would arrive at this time. After all, I had visited him at the same hour yesterday.
"Then why don't we eat together? I haven't had lunch either."
"How could I possibly refuse an invitation from Young Master Sung Yujin?"
Hent swallowed hard, his mouth watering.
Most of the food I brought was modern cuisine boldly flavored and utterly delicious, a world apart from the bland fare of this era.
"Today's chicken. I saw how much you enjoyed it last time. And of course, I brought beer too German beer."
"Chicken and beer! It's chimaek!"
Hent's eyes sparkled with an almost overwhelming intensity. I understood. This combination was a guaranteed win.
"Ugh... this golden, crispy fried chicken! How is it even made?" Hent asked, tearing into a piece of fried chicken.
"So, it's just fried chicken, like the name suggests?"
"Exactly. After trying it last time, I couldn't forget the taste, so I pestered our family chef to make it."
"Hmm. Did he succeed?" I asked, chugging my beer. Now that I'd come of age, no one could stop me from drinking.
"He failed. It turned out too greasy. We just wasted expensive oil and chicken. Could you teach me the secret recipe?"
"Well, I'm not ready to reveal the Korean Secret Chicken Recipe yet. Sorry, you'll have to be patient."
"Hmph. It's a shame, but there's nothing I can do. I'll just have to wait eagerly for the day the Korean Secret Chicken Recipe is finally revealed."
"How does this seasoned chicken taste?"
"It's incredible! No words can describe it. Slightly spicy yet sweet... Last time I tried to take some home, Lexi almost snatched it all."
"What about the soy sauce chicken?"
"The savory flavor is exceptional. I think it's just as good as the seasoned chicken.
Personally, though, I prefer the fried chicken.
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside... It's perfect for my taste. And it goes best with beer, I think."
"What if I opened a chicken restaurant in the city?"
"Are you serious?!" Hent's voice rose in excitement.
"Just a hypothetical question. I don't have any plans for that right now."
"...I got a little too excited there. Of course, I'm all for it! If a place selling chicken of this quality opened, I might end up going every day."
"Is that so?"
Chicken is undeniably a foolproof business venture. In the real world, the market is saturated with competitors, but in this world, there's no competition whatsoever.
Judging by Hent's reaction, people would buy it even if the quality were subpar.
I should start a business too. I can't keep relying on things I bring from the real world forever.
Chickens are common livestock in this world, but they seem slightly different from the ones we eat. The taste is... blander, perhaps.
The chicken problem is easy. I just need to bring fertilized eggs and hatch them.
The age-old dilemma: which came first, the chicken or the egg? In this world, the egg came first.
Chicken recipes are all over the internet... Hmm. If we just train the people properly, it should work.
Just because it was possible didn't mean I was going to do it right away.
I couldn't do it alone, and it was hard to imagine it being more profitable than tobacco.
The meal was over. Hent had eaten most of it. Being a knight who worked his body hard, he devoured three whole chickens in no time.
"Sir Embis," I called out in a serious tone.
"Yes, Young Master Sung Yujin. What is it?"
"Could you teach me the swordsmanship of the Plum Knights?"
"Ah. Young Master Sung Yujin is interested in swordsmanship as well?"
I smiled wryly. My frail physique certainly didn't seem suited for swordsmanship.
"Despite appearances, I am a member of Count Prucus's family."
"Oh dear. I've spoken out of turn."
"It's quite alright."
I recalled Jin Woosung's words: Perhaps setting aside the Youngcheon Style for a while and learning another swordsmanship style to improve your skills would be a good idea.
And I'm genuinely interested in the swordsmanship of this world. It wouldn't hurt to learn more.
The more, the better.
I liked that saying. Learning various swordsmanship styles would undoubtedly prove useful someday.
"Since Young Master Sung Yujin's heart condition has recently improved... a short session should be fine."
"Hmm. I've been feeling remarkably healthy lately. I still have occasional seizures, but... well, they only occur about once a week now."
It was a lie. The seizures were just occasional performances. I needed everyone to believe in my frail health to exploit it.
"...I can't take my eyes off this. I'll explain it to you myself."
"Don't worry. I've been feeling genuinely well lately."
"Young Master Sung Yujin, have you mastered the Mana Breathing Technique?"
The Mana Breathing Technique. As the name suggests, it's a breathing method that draws mana into the body. Repeated practice is said to allow one to sense and use mana.
It's a supreme secret technique, unattainable for ordinary commoners.
As the son of a Great Lord, I had easy access to information about the Mana Breathing Technique.
"...I've tried it, but it doesn't seem to have any effect."
I spoke with a hint of melancholy, having diligently practiced the Mana Breathing Technique.
I even summoned Butler Hassent to verify my form, but to no avail. There was no discernible difference between performing the technique and simply breathing.
"The Mana Breathing Technique requires consistent practice," Hent said. "Immediate results are not to be expected."
"I see," I replied weakly.
Just thinking about the technique made my spirits sink. I might be Mana Insensitive.
Upon further reflection, the Mana Awakening Potion seemed more essential than ever.
"With persistent practice, you'll eventually feel it," Hent said, rising from his seat. He turned toward the wall where his swords were displayed thirteen in total, each remarkably similar in appearance.
Hent picked up the sword I had gifted him recently.
"That sword... it's the one I gifted you."
"Yes. I feel a sense of satisfaction every time I look at it these days. It may not be a famous sword, but it's an exceptionally fine blade. Where did you acquire such a weapon?"
It was a sword worth roughly two million won.
A mass-produced item sold at the Hunter Shop, its modern craftsmanship surpassed most swords in this world. Its design was particularly striking simple yet elegant.
"I obtained it by chance myself. It suits you well."
"Haha. Maintaining this sword has become part of my daily routine. It's truly a magnificent blade."
Like all knights, Hent was obsessed with swords.
"Then, Young Master Sung Yujin, let's head to the training grounds."
"Very well."
I followed Hent, noticing the pervasive smell of tobacco in the air.
This is quite severe. I knew the entire Plum Knights smoked, but I didn't expect them to become such chain smokers in just two weeks.
I glanced out the window. Six knights were huddled together, puffing away.
A little further away, another knight leaned against the windowsill, smoking.
This is exactly the scene I imagined... but what the hell? Knights are supposed to have self-control, right?
Seeing it with my own eyes, the popularity of tobacco was even greater than I'd anticipated.
"Sir Embis, how popular is tobacco?"
"So popular we can't get enough. Nowadays, everyone smokes during breaks. Myself included, of course."
"...It's not exactly a pretty sight. Perhaps we should create separate smoking rooms?"
"I was concerned about that myself. I'll set up a proper smoking area."
I spent nearly an hour learning basic Prucus swordsmanship from Hent. The weapon in my hand was a wooden sword.
This basic swordsmanship was said to be something every knight and soldier of Prucus was expected to know.
"Your stance is good, but your movements lack fluidity."
It was simply a matter of practice.
Basic Prucus swordsmanship was more akin to physical conditioning. Unlike the Youngcheon Style, it didn't require any special talent.
"This is quite strenuous."
"The purpose of this basic training is to develop the muscles needed to wield a sword.
If Young Master Sung Yujin intends to continue practicing swordsmanship, he must consistently train in basic swordsmanship for at least three hours every day."
"Three hours every day... That might be too much for my frail body."
"Since you were born with a weak constitution, there's no helping it."
I wasn't particularly interested in the Prucus Family's swordsmanship. After all, I had the Youngcheon Style.
"I've heard Brother Gent and Brother Kyle are exceptionally talented in swordsmanship. What about my talent?"
The eldest and second sons of the Prucus Family were already being hailed as sword geniuses.
Currently, Brother Gent, the eldest, was considered the more skilled of the two, but later, when Brother Kyle reveals his true abilities, the evaluations will shift.
Hent gave an awkward smile at my question before adopting a serious expression.
"Since this could determine Young Master Sung Yujin's future... I'll be frank with you."
"Just as you wish."
I anticipated what would come next.
"Young Master Sung Yujin lacks talent. If you continue practicing the Mana Breathing Technique... you might become a knight, but your swordsmanship talent is only at the level of an ordinary soldier.
Even at best, you could become an elite soldier. Anything beyond that seems impossible."
The words were quite harsh.
"I see."
"...Aren't you angry?"
"I have no desire to be angry about something I lack. The world isn't just about swords, is it?"
"You're right, Young Master. The capabilities of swords are limited. You're wise."
It was just something I said casually.
I hadn't held high expectations in the first place, so I wasn't angry. I already knew my own limitations.
But I have the Pleasure World App and the Youngcheon Style.