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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Our Dog Bites (2)
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3.
Just as Gails secretary had predicted, Karron and his group were released from custody shortly after.
The half-bald chief of the security force personally escorted them to the front of the headquarters.
Take care, Young Masters!
It was a survival skill honed by years of experience.
Karron gave the chief a light wave.
See you again! Ill be sure to visit often.
The chief responded to Karrons friendly farewell with a booming voice.
Yes! We will always welcome you with a smile sir?
The chief sensed something was off.
Should he really be happy about someone promising to visit the security headquarters often?
Though he hadnt been able to conduct a proper investigation, the chief knew how to handle people like Karron Leston.
Smile as much as possible get on his bad side, and youll get bitten.
He shivered, recalling the state of Digol Kian, who had arrived at the headquarters with Karrons group.
The man had looked half-crazed.
Considering the bloodstains all over his clothes, it wasnt hard to guess what had happened.
Complaints about Digol Kian were filed at the security headquarters almost daily. Everyone in the capital knew the scoundrel of that counts family was a piece of trash.
But until now, all those complaints had been quietly closed at the security forces level.
His family was far too powerful to punish him over the complaints of commoners.
This time, however, was different.
Digol Kian, brought to the headquarters under arrest, was confessing to every single one of his past misdeeds.
Ah, Chief. Before I go, may I have a word with you?
Of course, Lord Karron!
That bastard Digol is confessing to his crimes. If you just let it slide you know what happens, right?
He was smiling as he said it, but the words themselves were anything but funny.
The chief broke out in a cold sweat, his expression troubled.
Well, as a rule, investigations concerning nobles are handled exclusively by the Imperial Guard
Arent rules meant to be broken sometimes?
Haha, well, that involves a number of complicated circumstances
I should ask my grandfather about it.
At that moment, the color drained from the chiefs face.
Grandfather?
If it was this boys grandfather
Y-You mean youll ask His Grace, Grand Duke Halo, directly?
Yes. Ill ask my grandfather Oh! I should ask my maternal grandfather, too.
May I be so bold as to ask for your maternal grandfathers esteemed name?
Just then, one of the security officers behind the chief whispered something in his ear.
The light vanished from the chiefs eyes.
The Demon King of the National Tax Service
I trust that you, Chief, will see that justice is served. Well, Ill really be on my way now, alright?
Yes, yessir!
Karron gave him a bright smile, then rejoined his group, who were waiting by the entrance.
Hugo turned to him with a question.
What were you talking so intently about?
Oh, it was nothing. Just asking him to listen well, thats all.
Hmm, since the case is closed, I wont press you for more. But Karron, can you promise me one thing?
Anything for you, brother!
Just tell me beforehand when youre about to cause trouble. Honestly, you can at least do that much for me, cant you?
Hugo knew all too well that Karron couldnt be controlled by words alone.
So he proposed the next best thing.
Trying to restrain a guy like this would only make him explode.
That crazed look hed had back in the restaurant
In his twenty-eight years of life, Hugo had never seen someone so utterly insane.
The image of Karron prying open the unconscious Digols mouth, pouring a potion down his throat, and then beating him with his scabbard again was still vivid in his mind.
The only resemblance he has to Uncle is
Karrons face did bear a faint resemblance to his uncle, Peil.
But their personalities were completely different.
His uncle always set an example of what a nobleman should be. A gentle character who always thought of others first.
Hugo had always respected his uncle for that.
Karron, on the other hand?
Hehe, you got it! Ill be sure to tell you before I cause any trouble!
Thank you. And Id be even more thankful if you didnt cause any at all.
Hehe, thats not really up to me.
He was a true madman.
Grandfather, you asked me to keep him out of trouble, but what am I supposed to do when he is the trouble?
It seemed he would have to request a knights restraining rope immediately.
Or maybe buy one from the Mage Tower.
As Hugo was lost in thought, Eimi bowed her head and spoke.
Im sorry, Lord Karron. You were dragged into this unpleasant business because of me.
Karron waved his hand dismissively.
Dont worry about it. I had fun, too. Anyway, are you deep in debt to the Kian family?
Its a bit of a long story.
Ah, then shall we talk over a cup of tea? If you dont want to, you can just go.
No. It would be shameless of me to leave like this. Would you give me the chance to treat you to some tea?
Sounds good. What about you, Hugo? Leo?
I dont have any plans anyway. Just dont cause any more trouble, Karron.
Im good with it. It wouldnt be right to let Miss Eimi leave just like this, would it?
The other brothers readily nodded.
Karron smiled and looked at Eimi.
They say theyre in.
Ill introduce you to my favorite shop. Shall we go?
What about the duel?
After tea.
Perfect.
And so, Karrons group immediately headed to their next destination.
4.
They arrived at Eimis favorite tea shop.
But upon arrival, a series of baffling events began to unfold for Karron.
This is on the house, Young Master.
The owner of the tea shop, whom he had never seen before, came out with a plate of cookies he hadnt ordered.
Chocolate cookies, steaming as if they had just been baked.
He thought it was a standard service for nobles, but the owners expression was unusual.
Thanks to you, Young Master, my lifelong wish has been granted. Thank you, thank you so much.
Pardon?
I heard that you brought divine punishment upon that heinous villain, Digol!
Ah, yes. That is correct.
When I think of all the things that bastard has done, I still cant sleep at night. If theres any tea or dessert you desire, please just say the word. I will make you anything!
It had barely been two hours since the incident. He hadnt expected the news to have spread this far already.
The tea shop owner bowed to Karron repeatedly.
Please, enjoy yourselves. From now on, whenever you visit this shop, Young Master, everything will be provided free of charge.
No, you really dont have to go that far
Ah, to think His Grace, Grand Duke Halo, would send his own grandsons to aid the people of the capital! Glory to the brilliant Leston Ducal Family!
After quickly paying his respects, the tea shop owner walked away with a happy look on his face.
Karron watched him go, thinking.
I think somethings gone wrong here.
That look in the owners eyes just now.
It was the look of someone gazing upon a hero they admired.
He hadnt expected this.
Beating a nobles son to a pulp on his first day was fine, but shouldnt that have earned him a notorious reputation?
Instead, he had inadvertently become a hero.
Should I have just steeled myself and killed him?
The problem, it seemed, was that the guy he beat half to death happened to be hated by the citizens.
Karron took a bite of the cookie before him.
Tastes good, though.
The harmony of the savory cookie and the moderately sweet chocolate.
Warm and fresh from the oven, it was the perfect dessert.
Ha, damn it. Does this mean my scoundrel career is over before it even began?
Digol Kian. That guy was such a bastard. A notorious one at that. If you lined up everyone who has a grudge against him starting from here, the line would probably extend well past the capital gates.
Hugo said with a smile as he took a sip of his black tea. In the end, it had enhanced the familys prestige, so his grandfather probably wouldnt scold him too harshly.
Of course, political problems could arise later, but that was a matter for the family elders to handle.
Besides, the other side started it.
One could argue he had been excessive, but that could easily be spun as a response to an insult against the ducal familys honor.
You didnt calculate all this before you did it, did you?
Hugo thought that this kid just might have.
But the response that came back was buried in a deep sigh.
Sigh. Im screwed, so screwed What was that, Hugo?
Never mind. What am I even asking you for?
Its easier if you just give up.
Though they had only met a day ago, Hugo was already starting to figure out how to deal with Karron.
An opportunity to make up for this mistake will surely come. Right, Leo?
Of course, Karron. If a guy like you isnt a scoundrel, then who is? Im sure the people of the capital will recognize your true nature eventually.
That almost sounds like an insult.
You little punk, youre quick on the uptake.
After my duel with Eimi, youre next.
Gulp.
At those words, Leo turned his gaze out the window, feigning indifference.
Karron shot Leo a pathetic look, then turned to Eimi with a slight smile.
Shall we get to the real story? Whats your relationship with the Kian family? That guy mentioned debt earlier Are you in a lot of it?
At his question, Eimi gave a bitter smile and nodded.
Yes. My father borrowed money from Count Kian while trying to expand his business too aggressively.
Isnt the main source of income usually taxes from your domain?
Thats true, but for provincial nobles like us, we need to create separate sources of income to cover our expenses in the capital.
Whats so great about this damn capital anyway?
I think so too, but it seems my father doesnt. Still, weve paid back a lot. My father has gotten back on his feet, too
Didnt the Imperial Guard offer any support? With your talent, it seems natural that they would.
At that question, Eimi took a difficult sip of her tea. Then, she answered in a low voice.
I havent chosen a side yet.
Ah.
I know its foolish. If I had decided whose line to follow earlier my family wouldnt be struggling like this.
Politics exist in every organization.
Especially in the Imperial Guard, the knighthood of the Imperial family, politics were unavoidable.
And in the midst of all that politicking, those who chose neutrality were always the ones who suffered.
Those who didnt align with any faction were the first to be ostracized.
Just like Eimi now.
Hmm.
Karron stirred his lemonade a few times with a straw.
Is there a reason you chose not to pick a side?
I felt that Sir Kain would not have wanted an Imperial Guard like this.
In what way?
An Imperial Guard split in two. Knights who prioritize politics over the sword. This wasnt the knighthood I had envisioned. Wouldnt Sir Kain, who upheld his pride until the very end, be disappointed to see what his juniors have become?
In the end, it came back to Kain.
Karron realized this female apprentice knight before him didnt just admire Kain in words alone.
Her resolve to stick to her principles, even if it meant taking the harder path.
The more he saw of that knightly demeanor, the more he liked it.
Youre trying to walk a difficult path.
I know.
Its a good attitude. If my grandfather saw you, he might have praised you.
It was a great shame that such a talent was stuck in a place like the Imperial Guard.
At seventeen, her potential was still limitless.
What if she had been in the Sea Wolf Knights instead of the Imperial Guard?
Her talent might have blossomed even more spectacularly than it had now.
That made him want her even more.
And so, in a gentle voice, Karron said to her.
This isnt an opportunity that comes around every day, so listen carefully.
Yes?
Your familys debt, Ill pay it off. So
He paused for a moment, then smiled at her and said.
Wont you come with me?
In that instant, the cheerful atmosphere shattered.
Simultaneously.
Pffft! Cough, cough.
Leo spat out the tea he was drinking.
He then hastily wiped his mouth with his sleeve and shouted at Karron.
What-what do you think youre doing? Even if you dream of being a scoundrel, you cant do this!
What the hell are you talking about?
Youre telling her youll pay off her debt if she comes to you! How does that make you any different from that bastard Digol? You piece of trash Mmph.
Karron clamped his hand over Leos mouth.
Now that he heard it, he could see how it might be misunderstood.
Indeed, Eimi had bitten her lip and lowered her head upon hearing his words.
And even Hugo
Karron. Miss Eimi may not have been officially knighted yet, but you shouldnt trample on the honor of an aspiring knight like that.
Wasnt he readily agreeing with Leos nonsense?
This was getting complicated.
So Karron quickly corrected his statement.
No, thats not what I meant! I was asking if she wanted to join the Sea Wolf Knights. Eimi isnt an official knight yet, anyway, right?
Its too late to take it back.
No, Im serious!
I need to contact Uncle right away. Karron. Youd better brace yourself.
Just as a feud between the cousins was about to erupt, Eimi, who had been looking down, spoke in a sad voice.
Yes, Id rather it be you than Digol, Lord Karron I will speak to my parents. They will also think this is the better option
You, you!
In that moment, Karron saw it clearly.
A smile was playing on Eimis lips, which were just barely visible.
Ive been had.
As he thought, this woman wasnt normal either.
But not to worry.
There was a way to handle this.
Shing.
Karron drew Guillotine halfway from its scabbard. He looked around at his companions and said.
Anyone else wants to say a word? Lets see what happens.
The effect was tremendous!
The tea tastes wonderful Doesnt it, Leo?
The weather is lovely, too Hugo.
The Sea Wolf Knights Thank you for the generous offer, Lord Karron. Ill have to think about it
No one dared to provoke the mad dogs temper any longer.
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