The prophet Nophil.
A legendary hero who is said to have truly existed. It is said that this hero, chosen by Serion, was granted the power to see the future and the past. He is known to have led the kingdom's glorious golden age as the king's advisor.
Of course, modern people might dismiss legends as mere tales and laugh them off, but this is a fantasy novel's world.
In a world where demons and demon kings exist, it's only natural that there would be heroes chosen by the gods.
"Indeed! So that's how it is! Your heart condition being cured, and the inexplicable knowledge you possess—it's all due to Serion's blessing!"
Hassent seemed quite pleased. I had only ever seen his expressionless face, so this was the first time I witnessed such a change in his emotions. He might actually enjoy legends and such.
'Unexpectedly, things might work out well…'
I paused.
In the blink of an eye, Hassent's face returned to its usual expressionless state... This isn't some Chinese face-changing act, how can his expression change so abruptly?
"Young Master, how much of the future and past do you know?"
I expected this question. If I claimed to know everything, it would create contradictions.
"…What I know is limited, and it's merely knowledge. The ability I received from Serion is different from that of the prophet Nophil. It pertains to knowledge from ancient civilizations."
"Indeed. The abilities of the heroes chosen by Serion in legends varied. If it's not too presumptuous, may I ask what exactly your ability is?"
"Is it important what my ability is?"
"It is. It will influence how I should perceive you, Young Master."
I took out my smartphone.
"...I lied to Mother, calling it an ancient artifact… but this is actually the ability I received from Serion."
I demonstrated my ability in front of Hassent.
I pulled out a large amount of spices from my inventory. In this world, spices aren't as expensive as in the medieval era, but they are still valuable. There's nothing more astonishing than pulling out an enormous amount of spices.
"Incredible! So your ability is to create something out of nothing?!"
You could see it that way. The items I pulled out were slightly different from the existing ones. In fact, they were cleaner.
"Yes. That's correct."
I boldly pushed forward. The ability to create something out of nothing—it certainly gives off the vibe of being chosen by a god.
"Is there a reason you've hidden your ability? If you had revealed that you were chosen by Serion… many would have looked up to you."
"I know how mysterious and great my ability is. There might be people who genuinely admire me. Conversely, there would also be those who envy me. And…"
I never intended to play the role of a hero chosen by Serion. I hadn't even thought of such a method. Even if I had known, I wouldn't have chosen that path. My goal isn't to become a hero.
"My goal isn't to become a hero or to save the world."
The prophet Nophil is like that. He became the king's advisor rather than a savior using his prophetic powers. Just because you're a hero chosen by Serion doesn't mean you have to save the world.
"Then what is your goal, Young Master?"
I couldn't truthfully say that my goal was to become the Count of Pruckus and hoard all the mana awakening potions. It would sound too petty.
"The peace and glory of our Pruckus Count's family."
I observed Hassent's expression. His eyes widened, and he looked at me in surprise.
Was he moved?
'That can't be.'
Hassent's pupils shook. He was visibly agitated.
The old butler, who seemed to have no blood or tears, couldn't hide his emotions. I pondered over what I had said. There shouldn't have been any dangerously shocking statements.
"The peace and glory of the Pruckus Count's family… What a noble goal! However, I'm a bit concerned… Do you think the current Pruckus Count's family is not at peace?"
"Head Butler Hassent. The current family is at peace. The entire continent is at peace. However, just because it's peaceful now doesn't mean it will remain so in the future."
"What crisis is coming?! What crisis is approaching the Pruckus Count's family?!"
Hassent's voice rose. I felt a bit strange about his intense reaction but continued.
"A continental war is approaching, Head Butler. You've lived through a continental war, so you know how devastating it can be."
"But, Young Master, the Pruckus Count's family won't fall to something like a continental war!"
"Of course, Head Butler. However, the enemies of Pruckus aren't just external. In fact, the internal threats are more dangerous."
This wasn't a lie. The crisis of the Pruckus Count's family isn't due to the continental war but internal politics.
"…Are you referring to the Helbrit Duke's family as the internal threat?"
"Yes."
I nodded gravely.
This was a lie.
The Helbrit Duke's family won't cause friction if left alone. They maintain a clean exterior and have good relations with other nobles. There's no reason for the powerful Helbrit Duke's family to antagonize the Pruckus Count's family. There's no historical grudge between the families either.
"Ah… I knew it! Those damn scheming bastards! I expected they were plotting against us!"
"...."
I was startled. I hadn't expected Hassent to use such crude language.
"Young Master, do you know how the central nobles insult us?"
I do. It was mentioned in the original novel.
Outwardly, they praise the Pruckus Count family as the Sword of Rapherry, but…
"The dogs of the frontier. The hounds of Rapherry. The noble mad dogs. They envy and resent our Pruckus Count's family."
"Exactly!"
Hassent's face twisted like a demon's.
"Those insignificant vermin! They dare insult the Pruckus Count's family without knowing their place! If the Pruckus Count's family shows even the slightest weakness, those vermin will reveal their hidden ambitions! We must crush their spirits! We must trample them so thoroughly that they can never rise again!"
"...."
A murderous aura emanated from Hassent. I had never felt such a dense and sharp killing intent before.
I instinctively stepped back.
Hassent's voice carried not just loyalty but also a hint of madness.
"...My apologies. I got too excited, Young Master. I'm sorry."
Hassent bowed his head. There was no trace of the madness he had just shown.
"Well… well. It's natural for people to get excited sometimes. I understand."
I don't understand.
Was he always like this? In the original story, he quietly retired, so I had no idea. If he had this level of loyalty, why did he retire?
"To be honest, the future of the Pruckus Count's family is bleak."
"A crisis is indeed coming."
The protagonist, Kyle, overcomes it with his overwhelming martial prowess, but…
"The current family head possesses great martial strength but has little interest in the Count's family."
That's true.
Count Ention Pruckus.
An Aura Master and the Sword of Rapherry.
He currently resides in Utrein Castle, located at the border facing enemy nations and the entrance to the cursed sea of the Evil Abyss.
He possesses immense martial strength but has little interest in politics. That's why Elaine handles the Count's affairs at the estate. When it comes to politics, Elaine is in charge.
"Young Master Zent is outstanding. He has talent in swordsmanship and an interest in politics. However, he's too engrossed in knighthood."
Zent is an elitist. He also has a sense of superiority.
He's capable of dirty deeds like hiring assassins for his goals, but he doesn't enjoy it. In a way, he has a similar mindset to the Helbrit Duke's family.
"Young Master Kyle is a genius in swordsmanship. His talent surpasses even Zhent's. However, he's too kind."
That's accurate.
There's a reason Kyle is called a pushover. It's all because of his overly kind nature.
Moreover, Kyle has a misplaced sense of justice. He can't stand injustice and is merciful.
"…Now, what about me? I don't have the same talents as my brothers."
"Yes. That's correct."
"...."
His blunt acknowledgment stung a bit.
"However, you possess the mysterious power granted by Serion. The world is different from centuries ago. Martial strength alone has its limits. With your mysterious power and knowledge of the future… the Pruckus Count's family will enter a new golden age."
"The power I possess is immense but not omnipotent. There are restrictions when using it. My knowledge of the future also has limits. The future is constantly changing, and I can't foresee the altered future."
I couldn't rely solely on the information from the original novel.
Just look at the Ferek Bandits incident—a variable occurred when the informant from the information guild betrayed us.
"The reason I hold you in high regard isn't just because of your mysterious power… but also your personality."
"I don't think my personality is particularly remarkable."
I don't consider myself particularly good or bad. Just an average personality.
"Today, I confirmed your personality. You have a ruthless nature."
"...Are you saying I'm ruthless?"
"To my knowledge, today was the first time you saw a corpse. Yet, you showed no signs of agitation. This means you aren't shaken by something as trivial as a corpse."
There's no reason to be shaken by the corpse of someone whose face and name I don't know. Besides, it wasn't my first time seeing a corpse.
"Moreover, you recently hired a professional torturer. To torture the bandits, wasn't it?"
"...."
That's right. I hired a professional torturer to win Yuria's favor by torturing the bandits. Torturing the bandits would help Yuria's revenge. If Yuria herself objected, I wouldn't have done it, but the likelihood of that was low.
"Yuria Grace. You took her under your wing to use her as a sword, didn't you? Since you know the future, she must be no ordinary person."
I sighed.
"…Head Butler Hassent. Everything you've said is correct. So, please stop now. What do you want from me?"
I feel a bit annoyed, but I'm willing to accommodate Hassent's demands to some extent. And later, when the opportunity arises, I can just kill him.
"Young Master, you're thinking of killing me, aren't you?"
Does he have some mind-reading ability? I was startled and waved my hands in denial.
"…No. No. What are you saying all of a sudden?"
"Your killing intent leaked out."
"That can't be."
"I'm sensitive to killing intent. Due to my past, I instinctively detect even the faintest traces of killing intent or malice. By the way, this is the 11th time I've sensed killing intent from you."
"...."
What kind of monster is this old man? Is he an Aura Master? No, even an Aura Master shouldn't be capable of that.
"There's only one thing I want from you, Young Master."
"What is it?"
"The glory of the Pruckus Count's family. If you promise this old man the glory of Pruckus… I will gladly become your dirty sword and cut down those vermin who don't know their place."
His unexpected words sent shivers down my spine.
Hassent's words were essentially a pledge of loyalty to me.
The glory of Pruckus?
I intend to become the head of the Pruckus Count's family. The prosperity of Pruckus is what I desire.
I don't have to do anything for Hassent or suffer any losses.
It's like a pumpkin rolling into my lap.
"I promise. I will ensure that no one dares to look down on the Pruckus Count's family."
At my answer, the white-haired old butler closed his eyes and bowed.
"Please use this old sword appropriately. My master."
Today, I gained two people.
***
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