LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 20 - Silence.
“Now, this is Lord Ethan, whom you will be serving from now on. Greet him.”
Head butler Edgar brought two children to my room.
The children bowed to me and greeted me.
“Nice to meet you, Lord Ethan. My name is Lena. This is my younger brother Ray.”
“Hello. I’m Ray.”
They were twin siblings with almost identical appearances except for their hair length.
The older sister was Lena, and the younger brother was Ray.
I stopped by the orphanage two days ago and talked with the director.
And I decided to adopt two children as my servants.
If this were Earth, it would be unacceptable, but this is a different world from Earth.
The children at the orphanage received education from an early age and were prepared to earn money.
I sat still and looked at the twin siblings who were greeting me.
‘Hmm.’
If they had lived on Earth, they seemed to be at the age of attending middle school.
I smiled as pleasantly as possible and welcomed them.
“Yes, welcome. You must be tired from the trip.”
Even though they learned to work at the orphanage, the real thing is different.
Moreover, this is the Count’s mansion.
There are many servants, and they will experience favoritism while working in the future.
Even if you learn at university, you start learning from scratch when you get a job at a company, right?
It’s the same principle.
At times like this, a word of warm encouragement is important.
“It will probably be very hard at first. But if you follow well, I’ll take care of you without disappointment, so I hope you’ll do your best too.”
I spoke kindly, trying to remove my authority as a nobleman as much as possible.
Then Lena bowed her head.
“Yes, I will pledge my loyalty to you, Lord! If you order me to die, I can immediately commit suicide!”
“I can do that too!”
At Lena’s words, Ray also bowed his head and shouted.
No, what?
I was at a loss for words at the siblings’ passionate ambition.
‘Have they already realized reality at such a young age?’
It was a pledge of loyalty with the resolution to die, but it didn’t suit the siblings who were younger than me.
Of course, this was based on my standards, and Edgar nodded with a smile.
He seemed to find the children’s behavior amusing.
“Haha, you’ve taken in really interesting children. As expected of you, Lord.”
No, that’s not it.
They’re the kids recommended by the orphanage director.
“I’ll give Lena and Ray a brief orientation.”
Edgar entrusted Lena and Ray’s education to Chloe.
After Chloe took the twin siblings out, only Edgar and I remained in the room.
Edgar looked at me with a smile and opened his mouth.
“Certainly, the mansion has been lively since you arrived, Lord.”
Yeah, it’s been lively.
It’s been more than ten days since I came to the mansion.
During that time, I didn’t just play around and eat.
I started learning as a nobleman.
First, it was the continental common language and the language of the Arcadia Empire.
They were essential subjects when writing, not just for conversation.
Fortunately, learning was easy.
I don’t know if it’s because I had experience learning foreign languages in my previous life, or if Ethan’s head was originally good, but I learned quickly.
“The Count is pleased with the praise that you have a talent for languages, Lord.”
Perhaps because of that, the tutor who taught me languages praised me without hesitation.
– Lord, you have tremendous talent in languages! At first, I was worried about how to teach you…
After language, I studied history, politics, and etiquette.
They also met with quite good results.
I’m working hard like this partly because I plan to live comfortably later on, but also because I can move on to the next stage after completing this.
“Due to your diligence, I’m sure the Count will give permission soon.”
At Edgar’s words, I clenched my fists.
‘Yes!’
The Count’s permission.
It’s not confirmed yet, but if the head butler is talking about it, it’s practically a fait accompli.
I’m waiting for the Count’s permission to learn magic.
I casually brought it up to Edgar while studying.
I said I wanted to learn magic.
However, magic is not something that is taught to just anyone.
I’m also an illegitimate child, and even if they only teach me swordsmanship for enlistment, the family has practically done their part.
But I wanted magic.
‘Magic is better than a sword.’
Of course, it would be useless if I couldn’t feel mana, but magic was better than a sword if I could.
Mages were treated well wherever they went.
For the future, being a mage was a better choice than being a knight.
And above all, it seemed safer to shoot magic from a distance than to engage in close combat.
‘It’s important to have the power to at least protect myself.’
That’s why I wanted magic.
I gave a simple nod to Edgar, who delivered the news.
“Thank you, Head Butler Edgar.”
I expressed my gratitude to him because Edgar’s efforts were also involved in obtaining the Count’s permission.
Originally, the Countess was the one who objected the most to me learning magic.
She’s probably afraid that I, an illegitimate child, will take over the family by pushing aside her own sons.
But I had no intention of doing such a bothersome thing.
‘Being the head of the family seems really troublesome.’
Just looking at my father, the head of the family, isn’t he very busy?
There was no need for me to take on the troublesome work.
Anyway, the head of the family is the head of the family, and I just need to plan how to live my own way.
At my greeting, Edgar smiled and waved his hand.
“Haha, what did this old man do to deserve that? This is all because you are exceptional, Lord.”
I smiled brightly, looking at him.
Compared to the first day, the head butler’s attitude has become much softer.
‘My efforts have paid off.’
I didn’t assert my authority as a nobleman to the servants.
And with the money I received from my father, I raised Chloe’s wages.
I also gave rewards to the servants related to me.
In addition, there were recent volunteer activities at the orphanage.
Edgar’s view of me completely changed after the volunteer work.
‘It’s also beneficial for me to maintain a good relationship with Edgar.’
Edgar is the head butler and the closest confidant who has served the Count for a long time.
Since he thinks highly of me, didn’t he make an effort to allow me to learn magic?
And that’s not all.
“Ah, by the way, a priest is scheduled to visit the mansion tomorrow.”
“A… priest?”
“Yes, Lady Lavender specially invited a priest to diagnose Lord Ethan’s health.”
“I see…”
Lavender was the name of the Countess.
I could hear from Edgar what was planned, like now.
“Then please rest comfortably.”
Having said what he had to say, Edgar immediately left the room.
But I stared at the door silently and mulled over what Edgar had said.
“The Countess called a priest.”
According to Edgar, he was invited for my health.
Priests also healed people using holy power.
But is that all there is to it?
‘If she really cared about me, she wouldn’t have opposed me learning magic.’
Moreover, inviting a priest costs a hefty amount of money.
Even if they invite one, I’ve heard that it’s customary to inform and make a reservation at least a week in advance.
But suddenly saying he was coming tomorrow, something was strange.
“Don’t tell me…”
I narrowed my eyes and stared at the door.
* * *
Bang!
Lavender, the Countess, slammed the desk.
She was so angry that her nails scratched the desk.
“How dare he! Does this make any sense!”
Then, she started throwing things around nervously.
“Eek!”
Seeing that, the maid’s face turned pale, and she trembled.
But Lavender became even more furious.
“Allowing magic to that illegitimate bastard!”
No matter how much it is to enlist him in place of her son, it has crossed the line this time.
They could have just taught him swordsmanship, but teaching him magic had a different meaning.
Of course, if Ethan can’t feel mana, that’s one thing, but looking at his appearance so far, it doesn’t seem like that will be the case.
‘I-It’s dangerous.’
Moreover, the tutors have been praising Ethan to the point of drying out their mouths recently.
He showed talent not only in language but also in history and politics.
At this point, Lavender was worried that the power dynamics of the Count’s family would be overturned.
Of course, the eldest son was studying at the Imperial Academy and had a talent for magic.
No matter how well that illegitimate boy studies, he won’t be able to surpass the eldest.
However, there was a possibility of ‘what if’.
‘I absolutely won’t let that happen.’
Lavender, who had been complaining, changed her gaze.
She had already invited a priest from the territory at a huge cost.
The purpose of the priest is to examine Ethan’s body, but there was an ulterior motive.
“Soon, everything will return to the way it was.”
Lavender’s face distorted like an evil spirit.
* * *
Morning came.
A guest visited the Hartwell Count’s Family.
“Welcome. I am Edgar, the head butler of the Hartwell Count’s Family.”
“Thank you.”
Priest Kiel gave a rough greeting and immediately moved his feet.
And he headed towards the room of someone named Ethan.
‘Confirming if he’s a real son…’
As he walked, Kiel organized the situation.
A request to confirm if he’s a real son.
Moreover, the Countess herself sponsored the request.
“……”
Kiel would have been fine if it was simply confirming whether he was a real son.
But the Countess wanted something else.
“Please conduct the examination secretly. Regardless of the result, you must say no. I will handle the Magic Tower myself, so I’m trusting you, Priest.”
Looking at the letter, it was an examination that the Magic Tower had already confirmed.
But could they overturn the result again?
It would be a fatal flaw for the Magic Tower, even if he didn’t know about it.
Even if they have a lot of money, it would cost an enormous amount to silence the Magic Tower.
‘Well, it has nothing to do with me.’
Kiel just needed to receive the money.
Above all, if he maintained a good relationship with the Countess, his position within this territory would rise, so it wasn’t a loss.
After a while, Kiel knocked on the door and opened it.
“Nice to meet you, Lord. I am Priest Kiel.”
He delivered a plain greeting and looked around the room.
There were not only Ethan but also two children.
‘Twins?’
Judging by their similar appearance, they were probably twin siblings.
As Kiel’s gaze was momentarily captured by the twins, Ethan spoke.
“Ah, they are my servants. You don’t need to pay attention to them, Priest.”
At Ethan’s words, Kiel nodded.
They’re just kids anyway.
Kiel began diagnosing Ethan’s body as planned.
“Hmm, there are no particular problems. Lord.”
The result was normal with no abnormalities.
While doing so, Kiel retrieved the holy power he had infused into Ethan’s body.
‘This is the end.’
Kiel controlled the holy power he had retrieved from Ethan.
“Well, all the examinations are over. Good work.”
“Good work. Priest.”
Priest Kiel gave a brief greeting and immediately left the mansion.
He just needed to return to the temple and conduct the examination.
If he wanted to diagnose precisely, he would need blood, but priests could conduct examinations with just holy power.
Of course, it takes a little more time for the results to come out.
But Kiel didn’t care.
‘I just need to wait for the contact.’
Anyway, this matter couldn’t be carried out alone.
He just hoped that the Countess could quickly persuade the Magic Tower.
* * *
The priest’s examination ended early.
‘So this is what it feels like to have holy power passing through my body.’
It’s an examination to see if there’s something wrong with the body, but when the priest’s holy power entered my body, I felt an unpleasant feeling.
It felt like hundreds of earthworms were stirring inside my body.
“Lord, are you alright?”
As I sat down momentarily, Lena, who became my attendant, spoke to me first.
If what the director said was true, Lena and Ray were indeed children who had received thorough education.
Chloe took them for additional education, but she said they had learned everything in less than a day.
Thanks to that, they became my hands and feet by my side.
Above all, their loyalty was the best.
Lena’s appearance of immediately asking about my well-being seemed admirable.
“Hmm, it’s just unpleasant.”
As I thought about that feeling again, I frowned without realizing it.
Hearing my answer, Lena immediately bowed.
“I understand. Then please rest comfortably.”
Lena took Ray and left the room.
Seeing the twin siblings, I inwardly admired them.
“As expected, the director picked the right kids.”
If the other kids at the orphanage were like Lena and Ray, letting the director give me more of them wouldn’t be bad.
* * *
As evening came and the sky darkened,
Kiel wanted to check the examination results first.
Even if the examination using holy power was slower than using blood, this much was enough.
And after checking the examination, Kiel…
“……!”
Was shocked, trembling.
An unexpected result occurred.
“H-He’s really not blood-related?!”
There was no need to persuade the Magic Tower.
Because the examination showed that Lord Ethan was not a real son of the Hartwell Count Family.
‘I-I need to inform them of this fact right away!’
Kiel immediately tried to go to the Count’s Family.
But there was another unwelcome guest in the temple.
It was the twins he had seen in Lord Ethan’s room.
“Y-You-”
Kiel’s words didn’t continue.
Stab-
Because his neck was pierced by the dagger Lena thrust.
“W-What is this…”
Kiel looked at the twins with a stiffened face.
Lena’s mouth twisted, and she showed a cold smile.
“It’s unpleasant.”
Kiel had no idea what was so unpleasant.
The moment he tried to beg for his life, Lena’s words were faster.
“Shh, a crow should stay silent.”
Then, Lena’s hand holding the dagger moved swiftly.
Kiel endured the pain of holes being pierced all over his body and eventually breathed his last.
Only silence lingered in the temple.
Translator’s Corner
I can’t find anything specific about crow and raven violence, but there was one research on how those two birds fight each other often. They aren’t prey and predator, so just let the line hit by itself.
-Ruminas