I encountered Kyle Pruckus, the protagonist of the original work "Baekhwan," in the mansion's hallway.
With his black hair, black eyes, and a face as handsome as a nobleman's, he looked exactly as described in the original story. Kyle was three years older than me.
'He looks like an idol.'
With a face like that, it's no wonder women flock to him.
'But what's the point? He's practically a eunuch.'
As he approached, I painted a smile on my face.
It was a fake smile, but I didn't care. The basics of acting are shamelessness and confidence. I wasn't planning to become a movie star, so as long as I could deceive him enough, it was fine.
'In that sense, Kyle is great. He's gullible, so he's easy to fool.'
When I smiled, Kyle smiled back. If nothing else, I was quite envious of his handsome face.
"Eugene! Long time no see. I'm glad you look well."
"Kyle, you seem to be in good shape too."
Kyle was the Plum Blossom Swordsman of the Hwasan Sect in his past life. Not only that, but he was also the official successor of the sect's leader. Kyle knows all the martial arts of the Hwasan Sect.
Above all, he possesses the Zaha Divine Art, known as a peerless martial art.
'He's been training in the Zaha Divine Art since birth, right? No wonder he's always in top condition.'
I wasn't envious of the Zaha Divine Art. According to the original story, it's a martial art meant for geniuses. Besides, I would learn the Heavenly Origin Art in the future.
"Is that still on you?"
I pointed to his collar, where a golden brooch shaped like a plum blossom was pinned.
"You gave it to me, remember? And I really like plum blossoms."
Well, in the original story, he was obsessed with plum blossoms too.
"I'm glad you like it. I had it specially made, so don't lose it."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
It would be troublesome if he lost it.
That brooch had a tracking device from the Code: XTK world attached to it. As long as Kyle wasn't too far away, I could always pinpoint his location.
I chatted with Kyle for a while. The topics were nothing special—my health, recent events in the city, and so on.
To use Kyle, I needed to build some goodwill with him.
"Kyle, weren't you on your way somewhere?"
"Ah, right. I was heading to my private training room."
Of course, there were cameras installed in that training room too. I had been closely watching Kyle's training, trying to analyze his Plum Blossom Sword Technique, but I gave up because I couldn't make sense of it.
"Kyle, why do you train so hard?"
"Don't most people train like this?"
"Even so, not everyone spends more than eight hours a day training."
Perhaps it's because he's been training since birth. Currently, Kyle's level is that of an upper-tier aura user. Soon, he'll reach the top tier, and by the start of the original story, he'll become an aura expert.
"Haha, I've even been scolded by my mother for it. But I can't help it. I just enjoy training too much."
"...Are you planning to become a general or a knight commander?"
"That wouldn't be bad. But I have a different dream."
"What's your dream?"
"To establish the Hwasan Sect in this world."
"The Hwasan Sect?"
At my question, Kyle smiled meaningfully.
"Yes, that's right. It might be impossible, but I have to try."
In the novel, Kyle's dream comes true. He becomes an Aura Master. In martial terms, it's called the "Flame Realm." Upon reaching that level, he establishes the Hwasan Sect.
If he becomes an Aura Master, he'll at least be granted the title of viscount, and depending on his achievements, he could even rise to the rank of count or higher.
Most importantly, becoming an Aura Master would place him at the center of the political stage for a while.
"Eugene, what's your dream?"
"I..."
I couldn't exactly say, "To sleep with every woman in the world."
Instead, I painted a melancholic smile on my face.
"I want to travel the world."
'I want to have sex with women all over the world.'
"That's good. Since your health is improving, you'll be able to achieve your dream."
"I hope you achieve your dream too, Kyle."
"Thank you."
A heartwarming conversation between brothers ensued.
I was starting to get bored. What was the point of this meaningless chatter?
"Kyle, I should get going. The head maid will scold me if I'm late for my lessons again."
The head maid was in charge of my education. Within the mansion, she held power second only to the head butler. Since she was originally my step-mother Elaine's nanny, I had to be careful around her.
As I tried to pass by Kyle, he grabbed my right shoulder.
"I was worried when I heard about what happened last time... But I'm relieved to hear you've been apologizing to Sir Elvis and his daughter."
"...That was a mistake."
"Everyone makes mistakes. What's important is not repeating them."
"..."
"Alright, I'll get going now."
"..."
Kyle walked past me. After confirming he had disappeared down the hallway, I brushed off my right shoulder with my palm.
'Who does he think he is, lecturing me? That gullible fool.'
***
Three months had passed since I arrived in this world.
Of course, I had used the auto-progress feature in between. Since I had been behaving normally, my auto-progress avatar had also acted normally.
During this time, I had been consistently using the information guild through Hassent. The good thing about the information guild was that it provided information the Pruckus Count's family didn't bother to collect.
'In terms of information gathering, the information guild is several times ahead of the Pruckus Count's family.'
For domestic information, there was no need to use the information guild. The Pruckus family also paid some attention to information gathering. If I asked Elaine or the head butler, I could obtain domestic information.
'The Pruckus family's information network is mostly limited to the nobility. Plus, their information on foreign affairs is lacking.'
What I needed to focus on wasn't just the Rapherry Kingdom but also foreign countries.
'War will break out. It has to, because it's been brewing for so long.'
Currently, the continent is enjoying a prolonged period of peace.
'Though there are small-scale wars breaking out here and there... They're just territorial skirmishes.'
The kingdoms on the continent all have similar levels of national power. Someone's ambition will surface, and so will someone else's.
'The smart ones are probably already preparing for war.'
War is inevitable. After all, it happened in the original story!
'I have no intention of preventing it.'
It's impossible to prevent, and there's no reason to try.
'What's important is how to benefit from the war.'
I chuckled as I reviewed the information. What I was most concerned about was whether the future would deviate. I didn't want my actions to alter the future, and if the future did change, I would need to respond immediately.
'My plans are ultimately based on the original story's knowledge and future information.'
Fortunately, the future hadn't deviated.
There was information about the undead causing trouble in the southern regions, but that was no problem. It was just like the original story.
'I've located Artel Village. The Ferek Mercenaries... They should be arriving in our territory soon. I need to prepare.'
I had the information guild track the Ferek Mercenaries. If I wanted, I could always know their location.
After reviewing all the information, I got up from my seat.
'Today... Maybe I'll sell some wet wipes.'
***
I left Elaine's office.
Elaine had given me an earful. She said it was time for me to have a personal servant.
Of course, I wanted a personal servant too. It's much more convenient than not having one. The problem was that there was no servant who suited my tastes.
A butler? He's competent, but he's a man. The fact that he's the same gender as me disqualifies him.
A maid? Preferably a pretty one. The problem is that my status is too high, so ordinary maids don't become my personal servants. Plus, after the Lexi attempted rape incident, the maids are a bit wary of me.
'The maids I like are all busy with their own tasks.'
The maids who serve Elaine are the most appealing... But since they serve Elaine, I can't take them.
Next, my eyes are drawn to Kyle's maid. As the protagonist's personal maid, she's quite beautiful.
'...Damn it. How can a count's family be so lacking in talent?'
The maids who do menial tasks aren't capable. A personal maid needs to be somewhat competent to make my life easier.
'Maybe I should just bring one in from outside the mansion.'
Within the mansion, my nickname is the 'Genius Inventor.' Everyone, including Elaine, knows how amazing my inventions are.
Using the excuse that it would help with my inventions, bringing in a maid to serve me personally wouldn't be a bad idea.
'That's it. I'll find my own personal maid! Hehehe.'
Of course, she has to be beautiful and capable of nighttime duties.
"Lord Eugene."
On my way back to my room, I ran into Hassent.
"Head Butler?"
I looked at Hassent with a puzzled expression. Hassent is an extremely quiet man. Unless it's something important, he rarely seeks me out to talk.
"The information guild contacted us. The Ferek Mercenaries are moving quickly toward Artel Village."
"...It's still far from our territory, right? Based on their last known location, it should take at least three days for them to reach us."
"The informant tracking the Ferek Mercenaries betrayed the guild."
"...So, the information I had about their location was wrong?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Damn it!"
I cursed and started running.
My original plan was to ambush the Ferek Mercenaries as soon as they entered our territory, capturing them in Artel Village.
One piece of wrong information had thrown my plan into disarray.
"Lord Eugene?"
"Head Butler Hassent! I'll head to Artel Village with the Flune Knights! Please explain things to my mother!"
"Lord Eugene, please calm down. Wouldn't it be better to ask the lady for help? I know the Ferek Mercenaries aren't high-quality, but there's no need for you to intervene personally."
"No! I have to do this myself!"
"...I also bear some responsibility for this. I'll accompany you."
Hassent's expression was resolute. It seemed he intended to follow me no matter what. I didn't try to stop him. Having Hassent's help would actually be reassuring.
I ran to the Flune Knights' training ground. Ignoring the to-be-knight on guard duty, I headed straight for the training area. Knights were training here and there, and in the center was Hent.
"Sir Hent! I need your help!"
"Lord Eugene, what brings you here so suddenly?"
"An evil bandit group is planning to attack a village! I need the Flune Knights' assistance!"
At my words, Hent scratched the back of his head, looking troubled.
"Lord Eugene, we can't just deploy without permission. We need Countess Elaine's approval. Please get her permission first, and we'll gladly deploy."
Elaine would probably give her approval within five minutes. Despite her appearance, she's a kind woman. But if I did that, I wouldn't be able to join them. She would definitely exclude me for being in danger.
"I'll take responsibility!"
Elaine would surely give me a disciplinary action. That's fine. It's no big deal.
"Ten knights! That's all I need. Can't you help me?!"
I spoke to the knights. Knights in this world are like superhumans. One of the qualifications for being a knight is being a mid-tier aura user.
"..."
The knights didn't step forward. They knew I wasn't being rational.
'Damn it. I can't take them on alone right now. I need the knights' help to get there quickly... These guys should help if they've received favors from me!'
I was getting frustrated, but when I thought about it, our positions were different.
"If you help me, I'll give each of you one box of ramen!"
"...!"
The knights' eyes widened.
Ramen.
It's a food I provide very occasionally. And it's explosively popular among the Flune Knights. The knights often approach me separately to ask if I can sell them ramen.
"...How many packs are in one box?"
Hent, who was also obsessed with ramen, asked. While crispy chicken could be somewhat replicated by frying a chicken, ramen was something only I could provide.
"Forty packs per box!"
"...!"
The knights' eyes widened.
Forty packs of ramen. That's enough to eat one pack a day for forty days.
"Commander! As a knight, I cannot stand by in the face of injustice! I will follow Lord Eugene to uphold justice!"
"I will join as well!"
"Exterminating bandits is my specialty!"
"Commander! This is for justice! Please grant us permission!"
"Commander! Please grant us permission!"
The knights were in an uproar.
Hent frowned and looked at me. I subtly held up three fingers to him. Three boxes. Hent, who was quick on the uptake, would understand my intention.
"...Lord Eugene will take full responsibility."
"Of course."
Hent shouted to the knights around him.
"Squires, prepare the warhorses immediately! The knights accompanying Lord Eugene, including me, will be twenty in total! Exactly twenty!"
The knights stepped forward.
"I'll go!"
"Commander! We've known each other for eight years!"
"Those with less experience should step back, right?"
In the end, it was decided by seniority.
***
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