How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Episode 3】

“Young master.”

Maranello showed a somewhat disappointed expression.

“Such an attitude is not wise.”

“What’s wrong with my attitude?”

“Right now, young master, far from repenting for your sins, you are trying to evade responsibility. I can say with certainty that with such an attitude, His Grace the Grand Duke will not show any tolerance or mercy whatsoever.”

It seemed Maranello had thoroughly misunderstood Carlisle’s meaning.

‘That’s understandable.’

Carlisle understood Maranello’s reaction.

Looking at the case records alone, the fact that Carlisle had killed Alberto was undeniable.

Moreover, it was a clear fact that Carlisle had drawn his sword at the tavern, and there were dozens of witnesses.

With witnesses present, Maranello’s reaction was perfectly natural.

“I understand what you’re saying, but it’s not like that, so don’t worry. Do you think I’m an idiot? Would I try to get out of this situation with some lame excuse?”

“…That’s usually how you’ve acted though.”

“…”

Oh my.

Let’s not talk about it, let’s not.

“Not this time.”

Carlisle said that and then carefully examined the case records again.

“Then do you really think that way?”

“Yeah.”

“You must have some basis for it.”

“It’s too early to say.”

Carlisle answered that way and turned his attention back to the case records.

Looking closely, the witnesses weren’t the only strange thing.

‘Alberto… a war veteran highly respected by the territory citizens. Someone who greatly distinguished himself in the war against the barbarians in his youth. He even received two medals.’

The man named Alberto who was supposedly killed by Carlisle was by no means an easy opponent.

Of course, if he were sober, it might have been somehow possible.

Since Carlisle had also practiced swordsmanship from a young age, he could probably cut down street thugs and the like.

The problem was that Alberto was a robust middle-aged man who usually worked as a hunter and even worked as a mercenary when monsters became rampant.

In addition, being a war veteran, it went without saying that he would have abundant combat experience.

Such a battle-hardened veteran was killed by a drunk scoundrel?

‘That’s not even funny.’

The investigator who examined the case had also written down such a view, but the problem was that there were witnesses.

‘How can we trust the word of a spy from the Loren family.’

The Nurburg Kingdom was a kind of confederate kingdom.

Its members, the thirteen families, each ruled their own territories while constantly repeating cooperation, rivalry, and conflict.

As far as Carlisle knew, this Jeffrey fellow was one of the spies deliberately planted by the Loren family, which was hostile to House Sigmund.

This was a fact revealed when playing as Frey, one of the protagonist characters in the game Overlord.

Of course, since that would be revealed more than ten years in the future, Carlisle would be the only one who knew that fact now.

‘This could be the Loren family’s scheme.’

Since there were suspicious aspects no matter how he thought about it, Carlisle’s thinking was quite reasonable.

The problem was that there would be no one to believe those words.

Infamy 311

Reputation –99

Trust –99

Infamy 311

Reputation –99

Trust –99

Infamy 311

Reputation –99

Trust –99

Infamy 311

Reputation –99

Trust –99

Infamy 311

Reputation –99

Trust –99

‘With trust at –99, even if I said beans make soybean paste, no one would believe me.’

Already having such a bad reputation, making such claims in court would surely only earn him more insults.

Though it was suspicious, it was also difficult to be certain that he had been framed.

‘Isn’t there a way to investigate the case in detail? There must be some method.’

While pondering for a long time, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

“Ah, there was that.”

“Why are you suddenly like that?”

“I think I’ve thought of a way to find out exactly what happened that day.”

“What is this method?”

“First, can you help me out?”

“How can this old man help you?”

“Get me out of here. Tonight.”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that, young master.”

Maranello firmly shook his head.

“Right now, young master, you are under house arrest. If you were to be discovered…”

“I know. But I still have to go out.”

“What’s the reason?”

“I want to go look around the crime scene. There’s also someone I need to meet.”

“Still, it’s not allowed.”

“You never know. I might not be the culprit, so are you telling me to give up like this?”

“That’s…”

“You know. If things continue like this, I’ll die by father’s hand. Even if I’m lucky, I’ll rot beyond the border for the rest of my life. Like a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment.”

“…”

“Please. Just help me this once.”

Maranello remained silent for a while, seemingly troubled.

He wanted to grant Carlisle’s request, but given the circumstances, he couldn’t rashly bring himself to do it.

But that was only for a moment.

Maranello seemed to have made his decision and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Just this once. I will never again help you while disobeying His Grace the Grand Duke’s orders.”

“I understand.”

Maranello’s loyalty was beyond question.

Among House Sigmund’s retainers, he was the most faithful person.

If it weren’t a matter of Carlisle’s life being at stake, he wouldn’t have disobeyed Grand Duke Guntram’s orders even if a blade were held to his throat…

* * *

That night.

“I’ll be keeping watch personally tonight, so you all go and get some rest.”

“B-but…”

“I have urgent matters to discuss with the young master, so stop worrying and go on. Just return around dawn. Surely you don’t distrust this old man?”

“If Sir Maranello says so…”

Maranello made the knights leave their posts and took Carlisle outside the castle.

This was only possible because Maranello was such a deeply trusted and respected figure.

‘He’s as impressive as I heard. Even a bird wouldn’t be this fast.’

Carlisle clicked his tongue as he watched Maranello’s back while being carried at a sprint.

Maranello, a retainer of House Sigmund, was by no means an ordinary butler.

Maranello was once called the [Reaper of the North] and was a formidable warrior who had made quite a name for himself.

Though he had laid down his sword 20 years ago due to some incident and chosen the path of a butler, Maranello’s martial prowess was still among the top three within House Sigmund.

‘He might even be the strongest.’

Lost in such thoughts, they had soon arrived near their destination.

“This is the place you mentioned, young master.”

“Let me see…”

Carlisle searched his memory to confirm once more that this was indeed the right destination.

A run-down old house on the verge of collapse.

‘This should be it, right?’

Though he was somewhat uncertain, it seemed to be the house where the person he wanted to meet lived.

“Wait here.”

“Understood, young master.”

Carlisle left Maranello behind and knocked on the door of the house he had been looking for.

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

The door opened, and a young girl with a youthful face appeared, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

She was a girl with striking light green hair, almost jade-colored.

“Evangeline, right?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. But… who are you?”

“Carlisle van Sigmund.”

Carlisle answered while removing the hood he had been wearing pulled low.

“Gasp!”

Evangeline was startled and gasped, then stumbled backward as she spoke.

“P-please spare me, young master. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“…”

A bitter smile appeared on Carlisle’s lips.

‘A scoundrel who even killed someone suddenly showed up, so it’s understandable she’d be shocked.’

Carlisle tried to reassure Evangeline.

“Calm down. I’m not here to hurt you.”

“B-but…”

“Really. I just came because I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor… you say?”

“That’s right. There’s something I’d like you to do for me.”

Carlisle said this and placed a pouch of gold coins on the table with a thud.

“I-I can’t do that! Even if you offered me a fortune, I absolutely won’t…”

“What kind of dirty thoughts are you having?”

Carlisle frowned.

“Don’t tell me you thought I came here to buy you?”

“If that’s not it, then I’m truly sorry. Please forgive my rudeness, young master.”

“Why did you think that?”

“Sometimes… there were men who made such proposals…”

“Well, there are scumbags like that everywhere… Wait. So you thought of me as that kind of disgusting person?”

“I’m sorry. I heard rumors that you frequented the Red Light District…”

“…”

Carlisle found himself at a loss for words.

“I… quit.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I quit that now.”

“…”

Evangeline didn’t argue further with Carlisle’s awkward excuse.

She thought that if that scoundrel were to fly into a rage, she might really end up in serious trouble.

“It’s not for that purpose, so let’s drop that topic and get to the main point.”

“P-please speak.”

“You…”

Carlisle opened his mouth toward Evangeline.

* * *

‘Good heavens. What could he be thinking?’

Maranello, who was standing at a distance, was confused as he couldn’t quite understand Carlisle’s intentions.

He had said there was someone he urgently needed to meet, but who would have thought it would be a poor commoner girl.

‘What help could that child possibly provide?’

It wasn’t that he looked down on commoners.

It’s just that in such a serious situation as this, there didn’t seem to be much that girl could do.

Nevertheless, Maranello just let Carlisle do as he wished.

Seeing him act so seemingly without rhyme or reason, it seemed like he had some plan in mind…

‘Hmm. The young master’s personality has changed quite a bit.’

Maranello was someone who had watched Carlisle for a long time.

There was no way such a person wouldn’t notice the change in Carlisle’s personality.

‘He’s become calm and composed, and he doesn’t even get angry anymore. He does seem to have become somewhat more cynical than before…’

In fact, that wasn’t the only strange thing.

He didn’t seek alcohol, didn’t hurl abuse at his subordinates,

Though considering his past behavior, it wouldn’t be strange at all if he went back to his old ways at any moment.

‘Is it because of the accident?’

Though rare, there were cases where people who had nearly died or suffered severe head injuries became different from before.

Carlisle fit both categories, so his sudden personality change wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

‘If only the young master would truly reform himself…’

If that were really the case, it would be the most welcome news imaginable.

Though it might already be too late for him to reform, that is.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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