The Count's Way To Secure The Victory
The count was left with anger, anxiety, and feeling disrespected after Shugal left. He may have composed himself when Shugal began to act familiar with him, but now that he was gone, there was no need to put up the facade. He cursed and slammed his fist on the table as if it would all erase the new knowledge he had learned.
"My lord... I'm so sorry for making you degrade yourself for me like that."
"It's fine. You were only protecting my honor."
"..."
They shared a moment of sincerity between the two of them. But it seemed more like formality than sincere because what they said felt rehearsed.
They were lines every ruler and their subjects would say after such a moment.
However, it was time to return to reality and face the situation before them.
"My lord... This situation doesn't bode well for us. What shall we do?"
The butler spoke. He, too, was feeling the pressure the count was feeling. If he were ever to come under attack, he would not be spared.
"Curse that muscle-bound man. Curse them all! Why shall they stand in my way? I am their lord, dammit! They only live to serve me!"
"..."
The butler just remained silent and let the count release all his anger. He is already doing what the count wants, to serve him without question.
To speak and say the things that he already knows would make the count feel stupid and attract his ire.
He couldn't make the count any more livid, but he couldn't remain silent forever. The situation had to be addressed, and as the count's right-hand man, he had to create a way out.
"If Reina is alive, she will come here as soon as she learns our crest was found on the remains of her mansion. She will be more unhinged than ever."
"Then what shall we do, huh? You said that it was guaranteed she would die in that forest."
The count looked at the butler standing at his side with absolute disappointment and anger. The plan appeared to be developing multiple holes everywhere, and soon it will fall apart.
"Forgive me, my lord. Those assassins didn't come back yesterday or today. They must have failed in causing her death as promised in that forest..."
What he said beset the count, and he was making a weird, angry face, almost like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Seeing his face, the butler spoke rashly, trying to take all attention from his mistakes.
Even if they weren't his mistakes, Count Juliq couldn't care less.
"B=But do not fret, even if she did manage to survive, coming back would take some time, and we shall use that time well."
He was brimming with confidence and calmness. He even grinned as he was reassuring the count that everything would be fine and that they had the time to act.
It must have worked because the count even smiled a little at him.
"This is what we're going to do..."
He then explained the plan to the snotty count, and he nodded along in agreement and joy. The plan was to his liking.
☆
**Knock! Knock**
"You may come in."
A demihuman, also in butler attire, came in through the door, accompanied by a man in his mid-30s.
They walked in and bowed before the count.
"You may raise your heads, Vevil and Bradsby."
The count said to them in a happy tone of voice.
They both raised their head and gazed upon the count's chubby body and the man standing beside him.
"I have to thank you, Vevil. You did a wonderful job infiltrating that woman's mansion over the past two years. You served me well, and as promised, you will be rewarded for your service."
"You honor me with praise, sir."
Vevill is the demihuman from Reina's mansion.
The one who swiped a sleeping drug into Mariada's tea and the one who killed the guards and adventurers at the gate before the invasion.
In other words, he was the betrayer who caused all this pain to everyone at Reina's residence.
He smiled lightly when the count praised him. Clearly happy with himself.
"However, there is a slight mishap. Turns out Reina is still alive."
"What?!"
Vevil's eyes widened in horror.
This is not the news he had expected to hear, after believing he would never have to answer for his actions.
He had hoped that what he saw at the end of their plundering wasn't true. That was what he saw was not Krai carrying Reina back there.
He was shocked and instantly began calculating all possible ways for him to survive.
"Don't worry, there is a way we can ensure that our victory stays that, a victory."
"If I can help, please use me, my lord."
A chance to work for more praise and money presented itself. But most importantly, this was an opportunity to ensure that he remains clean in the eyes of those who don't know anything, especially Reina.
Juliq was pleased to hear him say that.
It even showed on his face.
Bradsby was acting like a spectator in the room. Ever since he arrived, he had remained silent, listening to their conversation and bowing along when Vevill said, "Please use me, my lord".
"Good."
The count was stroking his chin. He really was feeling good with himself for having this man in the palm of his hand, willing to do anything to satisfy him.
"Okay, here's the plan. Vevil, you will assist me in fortifying the manor. Not only is Reina alive, but the man known as Shugal might be a problem as well. We need to be ready for anything."
"Right."
He eagerly responded.
"We will make sure that every soldier is in top shape. As you know, Reina is a powerhouse, and dealing with her will be tough. But with the strategy I implemented, we can win."
"..."
The first step of the plan was successfully discussed, and those involved were in good spirits. Now he shifted his focus to the other man - Bradsby.
"Bradsby..."
"Sir!"
"I'm afraid having those demihumans now will only cause problems, so you will handle selling them to the slave market."
"But... why?"
Concern filled his mouth. He didn't quite like the things the butler was saying.
"Yes, I know how you feel, Bradsby. I, too, would have liked to enjoy my time with those half-demons before selling them off."
A snotty voice rang out and joined in spouting nothing but words filled with desire.
It was the count wearing a lustful expression, but he quickly changed it to somber, matching his words. If only his intentions were pure, the face would have been a pleasant one and touching to the heart.
But his intentions were not the same as those of Bradsby.
"..."
He remained quiet to that remark from the count, and the butler continued speaking.
"If they remain here, they will only serve to make our lord look bad, not to mention justify Reina and those adventurers' attack if they ever do so.
We need to get rid of them quickly. At least in return for depriving our lord of pleasure, he can get money for them.
Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
If one were observant enough and truly felt the real meaning and emotion in his voice, one would understand that Bradsby was not agreeing with this plan.
But there was nothing he could do.
"Good. That settles it then."
When it looked like the conversation was about to come to an end, Vevill spoke up.
"Then what about Mariada, my lord?"
"Who's that?"
The count asked, clearly not remembering anyone by the name Mariada.
"The cat woman you so longed to possess. The one I was originally there for."
"Ah, yes, that gifted half-demon. That one stays."
He then remembered her, not because they had memories together, but because their campaign was all about getting her.
"...Speaking off... How is the condition of the wounded soldiers?"
The butler asked. Though he wasn't asking out of worry, it was more like he didn't want them to be an inconvenience to the count.
He wanted them ready for anything.
"Their wounds have healed without fault."
Bradsby spoke. His voice was kind but also stern.
He looked and sounded like the man you would trust with serious things, a man who would do anything to protect.
"Good, they shall be included in our plan... What of the woman who healed them?"
Still the same tone of voice. Unworried, just checking to see if she is still useful or not.
He sounded more like the kind of man who would use you and discard you afterward, like the person he serves.
A match made in heaven.
"I'm afraid her condition doesn't look good. Please, my lord, she needs some care. Summon the temple healers to care for her."
"If she proves herself useful, she will be attended to."
"But hasn't she done that already? She healed everyone of the wounded soldiers, and that's why now she has lost a lot of mana.
If she dies, she won't be useful at all!"
"You would dare raise your voice in the presence of your lord?!"
Bradsby was distraught. He disliked how they were treating Mariada, even after completing the job of restoring everyone's health to its fullest.
He doesn't have the power to defy or save her from the count, so he has to bear this pain and discomfort in silence.
And the butler was also not taking it.
"Not to worry, Sir Bradsby. Miss Mariada has regenerative abilities. She will heal up soon."
Vevil spoke up. Just like the three of them, he too only cared about how one could be used with little care to give them.
Knowing that Mariada has regenerative abilities, they got even greedier in exploiting her powers.
Hearing this, Bradsby was not put at ease; in fact, he only bit his lower lip even more. For a sensitive man such as him to be in that state was heartbreaking.
"You heard him, she will heal on her own. Now focus on your task and secure us a contract from the slave market for these half-demons. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
He reluctantly agreed.
Bradsby's demeanor was out of place in the count's service. He was way too kind for his position. But alas, he doesn't want to quit and so must bear with it until whatever he seeks comes to fruition.
