Bow-.
…Can I ask you a favor?
The baby opened his eyes without realizing it at the sound of his mother's voice.
But it's still nap time.
The baby, unable to overcome his sleepiness, blinked his eyes again and closed them again at the sound of his mother's voice, which sounded like a lullaby.
… Heh heh, just speak as usual.
… This will be the last. Butler
… Heh heh.
… please, Albert.
… Hmm, good. Let’s conclude our ‘contract’ here. Thank you for your time, Princess… .
Bow-.
What is a contract?
The baby fell into a peaceful sleep amidst a conversation that was difficult for a newborn to understand.
Infinitely peaceful.
*
*
*
… Honestly, it wasn’t something to be really upset about.
Isn't it common for politicians to use one of their most common methods to present results that they didn't achieve as if they were their own?
Even when a fellow non-commissioned officer from a previous life went on leave and saved a civilian's life from a heart attack, it was not the person involved who was praised, but the battalion commander.
To summarize what the battalion commander said, he took the spotlight by saying, 'I raised him well, so this was possible!'
After taking advantage of his subordinate like that, the battalion commander simply patted the guy on the shoulder as if he was glad he got what he deserved, and did not offer any compensation.
He was a guy who even gave up his vacation because of the battalion commander.
– are you okay?
– Haa, I didn't save the person expecting anything in return… but this makes me feel a little weird.
It was not something I had hoped for, but it was really a feeling that the good deeds I had done were taken away and the honor went to someone else.
– It's dirty.
Said.
Then the guy continued talking.
No matter how good a deed or how well-intentioned you are, it is of no use if others do not recognize it.
If I don't say it first, no one will know.
From then on, the once decent guy became a cynical person.
The person who picked up the trash on the street went somewhere and pretended not to notice.
Why should I pick up what others have thrown away?
‘I threw it away because I felt bad about it… .’
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it's a very unpleasant and bitter experience to have your work packaged as if it were someone else's.
Especially, the situation where it was used politically was something that made others sigh.
so….
“I think it would be okay if you came to Wangseong by tomorrow morning. Here is the invitation and the script. Please behave like this when you come tomorrow. I definitely want you to learn it perfectly by tomorrow. Otherwise….”
"hey."
“?”
It wouldn't be all that strange for him to get angry.
… and even more so if you act like that.
“What, what did you say?”
The attendant who said he was from the palace stuttered at the sudden informality.
This seems to be the first time he has been rude like this.
But he didn't seem to know that such an attitude was just adding fuel to the fire.
“Have you never heard of my rumors?”
“Oh, it’s just a rumor….”
“You must be a newbie. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have heard of my personality.”
Bam.
Lee Han lightly placed his hand on the attendant's head.
Although he is called a servant, he is a servant belonging to the royal family and even has a noble title, so he has no time to be angry at this insult.
Splash!
He floated in the air with his head held.
“Kwaaaaak…!”
“Where did you get the notice? Do you think I’m your pet? When I tell you to go, you go, and when I tell you to fetch, you fetch? It’s already a bad feeling… Why are you provoking me like this?”
Kkuddeuk!
“──!”
As the pressure on his skull increased, the servant's screams died away.
The pain was so severe that I couldn't even scream.
There were soldiers who assisted and guarded the attendant, but they did not come forward.
No, I couldn't.
“You guys, do you know me? I think we’ve seen each other’s faces once or twice.”
“Oh, I’ve probably seen it more than once or twice….”
“Then shouldn’t you have given this kid some advice? Don’t you know my personality and the rumors? No, before that, is this the right attitude to have when inviting me?”
“That, that….”
The soldiers were sweating profusely and did not dare meet his gaze.
But inside.
'That crazy noble bastard!?'
'I advised you to do so! Why did you buy it and make me angry!?'
'You're such a low-IQ kid!'
They were all spitting out all sorts of insults towards the servant.
Yeah, I understand.
The royal nobility is a race that lives as nobles their entire lives and cannot even ignore other nobles.
However, arrogance also has to be done while looking at the person.
Why are you touching Lee Han-kyung instead of someone else?
'That' strange turtle?
It just looks like he's doing that because he wants to die.
'You little bastard. If you're going to die, you're going to die alone!!'
There was no soldier who did not know the rumors about the strange turtle that were circulating among the soldiers and were confusing whether they were real or a ghost story.
They say all the Silver Lion Knights were hospitalized.
Or, he slaughtered all the assassins sent by the knights who held a grudge.
The families that sent assassins all fell apart.
In addition, there was a recent incident where the city walls were destroyed, which adds to the credibility of the previously mentioned rumor.
That's why the soldiers knew how strong the knight Lee Han Turtle was, and that he was not someone who would be lenient just because he was a noble.
Rather, it would be better to beat him up.
But that arrogant guy who doesn’t even know the topic… .
– Ha, isn't he just a common knight? For three years, no, it's already been four years! If you've been in the knighthood for four years and your rank is low, then no matter how strong you are, you're just a fool who only cares about strength. It means you're like a mercenary, and would a mercenary dare to ignore the authority of the royal family? Of course not! As a commoner, it's natural to be wary of the authority of the royal family! I guarantee it, he'll kneel down at the sight of me!
He said, and he unfolded some strange logic, and as you can see, the result is.
“Ugh…….”
He was on his knees, no… he was in an even uglier state.
Gulp… .
He bared his teeth fiercely as he roughly threw the unconscious servant on the ground with his pants soaked through.
“Tell your superiors and this bastard’s superiors. If they send another bastard like this, I’ll tear his head off and throw it in the palace.”
“Gulp….”
“I also told him that if he wanted to test whether I was joking or serious, he was welcome to do so.”
“Yes, I will follow your orders!”
chuck!
They were soldiers who saluted and paid their respects without realizing it, and they dragged the unconscious attendant away and hastily disappeared.
They disappeared as if they had met a ghost, and Lee Han's expression gradually relaxed as he felt their presence disappear.
“…Was it too much?”
I secretly wondered if I had overreacted.
It was just a bit rude, but it wasn't something to be this angry about.
No, I should be angry only at the attendant, it seems like he did something terrible to the innocent soldiers.
When I see things like this, I wonder if I am being too emotional… .
“- Hehe, you are so concerned about trivial things, Lee Han Kyung. Well done. Rather, it is amazing how you have the patience to not stretch out your neck even after hearing such insulting words. If a knight from a noble family had heard such words, he would never have tolerated it.”
“…….”
“Hmm, there are more things than when I came last time. Hoo! Did you make this table yourself? You’re very talented, Lee Han Kyung.”
“That…. Thank you, sir?”
“Don’t worry, it’s just my honest opinion.”
A kind expression and compliments.
Although Lee Han felt grateful, unfortunately there was an emotion that took precedence over gratitude.
“……Butler.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“…Can you please make some noise next time? I think I’m going to have a heart attack.”
I mean 'fear'.
Lee Han broke into a cold sweat as he looked at the old butler who suddenly appeared.
The sight of the butler, Albert, appearing without any sign, smell, or even energy is more frightening than a ghost in a horror movie.
Albert….
“Well? I can’t guarantee that I won’t do it again next time. After all, teasing the young is a small pleasure for old people who don’t have much time left to live, ahaha.”
“…….”
…Why are all the adults around me so scary and mean?
‘Did I commit a sin in my past life? … No?’
He was a person whose only sin was being polite to adults.
* * *
First, Lee Han handed him a car as he came to see him after a long time.
“Hoo, is that honey tea?”
“I got this as a gift from the guys living on the mountain behind me. I think it tastes pretty good.”
“Isn’t this a pretty good deal? Even the honey presented to the royal family isn’t of this quality. It’s almost like a leap in skill.”
“This is it?”
Lee Han blinked, wondering if the honey he had received as a gift from the bees was really that good, but soon he understood.
I sometimes forget, but isn't it Yeongchung?
It is no wonder that the honey given by those bees has magical properties.
“I didn’t receive any medication….”
“It’s natural for a knight of Lee Han Kyung’s level. We’ve passed the stage where we can increase our strength through leaps and bounds. Well, it would be different if we were at the level of the Heart of the Demon King, but that’s not common.”
“…….”
“Why are you doing that?”
“Oh, no….”
That was such a great thing… .
I had the impression that it was pretty great.
'Should I have eaten it a little more carefully?'
Although he was a little embarrassed to eat anything, he decided to focus on the burdensome gentleman right in front of him rather than dwelling on the past.
“So, why did you come here, butler? You didn’t come to get tea from me, did you?”
“Do you feel burdened by my presence?”
"……no."
“Hmm, Lee Han-kyung can’t lie anywhere. It’s so obvious.”
“Ahem….”
“It’s not a bad thing. Sometimes, being honest can be an advantage.”
Albert was gentle throughout.
He was polite, kind, and generous.
however-.
‘… … Can a person be like this?’
Lee Han couldn't relax at all.
Brrrrrr… .
On the contrary, his hands were trembling with fear more than ever before.
I can tell because I am proud to say that I have grown a little.
– John Ray Albert.
This kind-looking person.
'Geomgong, you're stronger than that gumiho lady.'
… He is clearly superior to the Sword Master, and may even be on par with Baltar.
Felicia the Swordsman, she is of course a great person.
Because there is still no way for Lee Han to win.
But that doesn't mean he's a scary person.
She is essentially a [seeker] who lives to see the end of the sword, and in some ways, she would be a character who fits in well with a priest.
In that sense, she may be strong, but she is not dangerous.
So, it is no exaggeration to say that he has a clumsy side and is a failure as a warrior.
It means that even she herself said that her talent was the worst in the history of the kingdom, and it wasn't a lie.
In that sense.
'This is not the guy. Literally… .'
It was 'something' that compressed and compressed the great murderous intent that the spearman held, turning it into something trivial.
If I had to name something, it would probably be this.
‘Deep sea… .’
[[[Gooooooooo──.]]]
There is a vast abyss out there.
An unknown fear that is dizzying just to look at and that humans can never understand.
It felt like I would be sucked in once I entered, and the moment it got angry, I felt like I would disappear from this world without a trace.
‘… That’s why I was scared.’
I've been curious since our first meeting.
Why is it that I always feel scared when I see this kind butler?
There's no reason to be afraid?
But now I understand.
Because I have stepped into the world of ideas and encountered things like great demons.
'Is this the kind of thought a person can have?'
You shouldn't trust this man's kindness.
You shouldn't treat someone comfortably just because they lack spirit or momentum.
This guy is the kind of guy who would twist your neck with a smile on his face any time.
Seriously… .
'There are no normal Auror users.'
It seems like I’m going to get tired… .
“Okay, okay. It’s gotten a lot better.”
Albert seemed genuinely happy, knowing that Lee Han had already judged him.
Because it was evidence of growth.
The growth of a young person you like is a joy to adults.
Albert was pleased.
So….
“I asked, why did I come here?”
“…….”
“For your information, I did not come here to ask you to accept the King’s invitation, nor did I come here to ask you any favors. I simply wanted to meet you, Lee Han-gyeong, and have a conversation, and I wanted to tell you something. … But now that I think about it, I don’t think I really needed to tell you anything.”
Albert simply enjoyed the meeting itself and decided not to say anything.
Because he was good enough as he was.
“…Butler?”
For some reason, Lee Han felt strange.
It's not that he doesn't say what he wants to say.
For some reason, starting today, I will meet him… .
'Why do you act like we'll never meet again?'
… … It felt like our last meeting.
widely.
“Well, that’s it. It was a pleasure meeting you today. See you next time.”
Albert quietly put down his teacup and stood up, and it seemed really slow.
At that moment, he turned his back and was about to disappear as usual.
“Butler!”
“?”
Lee Han called him in a loud voice.
He looked back as if he was wondering, and even Lee Han didn't know why he called him so loudly.
But somehow I felt like we couldn't break up like this.
Let's talk some more….
A 'clear conversation' was needed.
And at that moment, as if he had gained some courage, Lee Han's mouth moved without going through his brain.
“Butler… Can you fight me just once?”
“…….”
“I know I’m talking crazy right now… but I feel like if not now, I’ll never get another chance.”
He himself was aware that it was an accidental and strange act.
Knowing that it was nothing more than a novel act of suicide.
…but isn’t it strange?
“Hmm, you won’t regret it, right?”
“Yes, I think so. Rather….”
─This sounds refreshing.
In a more exciting way than just chatting about catching clouds!
“What should I do if I keep feeling uneasy like this? If I keep going like this, I won’t be able to sleep properly. I think you should hang out with me for a while so that I can get a good night’s sleep.”
"her…."
Lee Han smiled provocatively at the abyss monster.
And in his provocative expression… .
“As expected…, I should have discovered it before Baltar.”
Albert raised the corners of his mouth even brighter.
Because I enjoy receiving unexpected gifts.
