Villain Family’s Strongest Butler - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13

As I slipped out of the Grand Duke’s study, Norbert was waiting for me in the corridor.
“……Everything all right?”
“The floor below.”
……
“The Grand Duke said……it’s Your Highness’s private training ground?”
“So he mentioned it.”
“Yes……”
Why was that?
Those few moments with the Grand Duke had drained me far more than an entire day spent learning maid’s work throughout the work quarters.
It felt as though every ounce of strength in my body had been pulled from me.
‘Of course. Mutual Destruction.’
For just a breath, I’d thought of him as a comrade—an enemy, yes, but one with whom I could cross blades in pure combat.
That thought had flickered and vanished.
‘An enemy is an enemy, nothing more.’
I would see his head delivered to Serhine, no matter what it took.
I made that vow again.
I followed Norbert down the corridor, my footsteps hollow against the stone, when a question suddenly occurred to me.
“Master, why didn’t you check whether I’d memorized the book?”
Norbert answered flatly.
“I saw it with my own eyes. That’s enough.”
“Just like that? So carelessly?”
“I’ll verify everything piece by piece as time goes on. That’s not your concern.”
“Yes, Master.”
Well, I’d at least secured a private training ground out of it, so I couldn’t complain.
‘Right. The private training ground.’
The image of the training ground I’d be sharing with the Grand Duke surfaced in my mind again.
My head throbbed. Worse than it had when I’d faced him on the battlefield.
Then Norbert reached into the pocket at his chest and tossed something toward me.
“Here, catch.”
“Huh?”
I caught it with both hands as it flew toward me, and a light metallic ring sounded. Clink.
“The key to His Highness’s private training ground.”
“……!”
My eyebrows shot up as I stared at Norbert. He continued.
“Behind the Knight Order barracks, you’ll find Berdan Tower. It’s the tallest building on the Grand Duke’s Estate—you can’t miss it.”
Ah, yes. I recalled the structure I’d glimpsed in passing.
It had been impressively tall and ancient-looking, and Norbert had shown me every other building on the grounds without mentioning that one.
‘So that’s where the Master’s study and the Grand Duke’s training ground are located.’
I looked down at the key, picturing the building in my mind.
Norbert went on.
“My study is on the fourth floor. Below that, the third floor is His Highness’s private training ground—and the one you’ll be using from now on.”
……
I nodded limply.
Norbert paused, choosing his words carefully, then spoke.
“Don’t be curious about the other floors, and don’t go near them. Those are training grounds and studies for retainers of other houses.”
“Understood. I have no interest in the other floors anyway.”
Despite my firm answer, Norbert couldn’t hide his unease and warned me again.
“I’ve allowed you to enter and leave that tower because of our agreement, but in truth, your station and title grant you no right to step foot in that building. Use it quietly. Very quietly.”
“Don’t worry, Master.”
……
I kept nodding and then asked.
“Can I use it right now?”
“If I judge it interferes with your duties, I’ll confiscate that key immediately.”
“That won’t happen, I promise. Can I use it this moment?”
“……Very well.”
I bowed deeply to Norbert.
“Then I’ll head out first.”
And with that, I climbed straight to my bedroom.
I changed into the training clothes I’d arranged with Norbert beforehand, then slipped back out of the dormitory building.
By then, the main house was dark except for the Grand Duke’s office and a few work areas where lamps still burned.
There was something desolate about it.
‘No time to waste.’
Two years from today.
To recover my former strength within two years, I’d need to cut back on sleep and expand my training hours.
I circled widely around the Knight Order’s dormitory, and just as Norbert had described, a tall tower came into view.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My heart was racing.
Even on the fiercest battlefields, my pulse had been steady—but now, seeing that tower, it thundered in my chest, loud and rapid.
‘This is where it begins.’
After all, Sia herself had risen to that position with nothing but a hollow body.
The first time is hard, but the second time is easier.
I’m beginning that second challenge now.
And I will see it through, no matter what.

***

Two years later.
Snow lay thick across the sprawling gardens of the Grand Duke’s Estate, accumulating in layers with each passing year.
In the frozen Northern Region, spring and summer and autumn were mere fleeting whispers before the long winter settled in.
Waking from a peaceful night, the Kardrian household moved with the same restless energy it always did.
“Who put sprouted potatoes in here?! Get your head on straight! You didn’t even check? You expect me to serve this to His Highness?! Have you no eyes?!”
The head cook Rend’s thunderous voice rang through the kitchen.
“This is what you’d bring to the table?! Well?!”
At his words, the kitchen staff moved with lightning speed to dispose of the potatoes.
Once the commotion died down, Rend tapped the chunks of meat stacked on the counter and spoke.
“Now then—today we’ll be using the fresh lamb that arrived yesterday. Michel, you’ll prepare the salad. Alto, trim the vegetables for the garnish. And—.”
Rend quickly delegated tasks to his staff, then turned to butchering the meat.
Anna, washing vegetables at a counter a few stations away, spoke in hushed tones.
“The head cook’s really fired up today, isn’t he?”
Riel laughed softly.
“Well, can you blame him? Today’s the day His Highness returns.”
Anna nodded enthusiastically, agreeing.
A year ago, Kardrian had departed on campaign.
It was his first expedition since the day a dark sorcerer appeared in the Lemart Disputed Territory.
Kardrian was returning now, having seized a flawless and brilliant victory that made the long absence seem like nothing.
It had been a year away.
“Oh, there’s Freya.”
Just then, Anna, gazing out the window, spotted Freya walking toward the garden.
At Anna’s words, Riel’s gaze followed.
Following Freya were Celi, the youngest maid in the Grand Duke’s Estate, and her brother John.
“Is that so?”
“She looks awfully busy again today, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah.”
“She won’t have time to play with us.”
“Well… that’s probably how it is.”
Riel gazed after Freya with a wistful expression, murmuring to herself.
‘It feels like only yesterday we were peeling potatoes together at the next station over….’
Six months ago, Freya had become Steward.
She managed the great and small affairs of the house, bearing responsibility for its honor and tradition, order and dignity—the very heart of the estate.
Freya had claimed the position of Steward, a role long considered the exclusive domain of men.
“Wow, what a striking uniform.”
Anna offered her praise in the loose, effusive tone of a fruit seller who’d had a drink or two.
Riel giggled.
Freya’s Steward’s uniform was different from those of other noble households from the very beginning.
It was a custom-tailored outfit made on Norbert’s orders, designed exclusively for her.
When the house’s first female Steward sparked a small commotion about whether she should wear a dress or trousers, Freya didn’t hesitate—she chose trousers.
It was a matter of not hindering mobility.
The simple combination of black trousers and white top only made Freya’s distinctive presence shine all the more.
The pristine white blouse suited her pale skin, adorned with elegant lace and ruffles. In the design that was neither excessively ornate nor austere, there emanated a strict and composed professional dignity.
‘Steward’s garb suits her like that. Who could have known.’
She looked valiant, like a young nobleman attending a gala, and at the same time, she appeared more handsome than any handsome man—enough to make one’s heart flutter.
‘Now, no matter where I look, I no longer see glimpses of her servant days overlapping.’
She was no longer the Freya who lacked the stamina to match her knowledge and got into all manner of trouble because of it.
Just as Riel and Anna were gazing slack-jawed at Freya’s bearing, a shout like a beast’s roar came flying toward the two of them from behind.
“You there! Stop your chattering at once! Riel, Anna. The two of you—prepare the herbs and seasonings! Make haste!”
“Ah, yes! Chef!”
“Yes, yes! Coming, coming!”
Riel and Anna, who had been admiring Freya from afar, turned away with reluctant steps.

***

“Is that the poisonous plant?”
I received a glass tube containing the poisonous plant from Patrick, the gardener.
It was the poisonous plant that had begun spreading throughout the Kadea Empire all of a sudden.
‘It just looks like ordinary grass.’
I cradled the glass tube containing the poisonous plant and nodded.
“I’ll send this poisonous plant to the Magic Tower. If you find any more of it, please let me know.”
“All right. Understood.”
I watched Patrick’s retreating back, and then my gaze lifted suddenly to the sky.
Clouds laden with snow drifted slowly across the blue sky, frosted with winter’s chill. Just then, a breeze stirred, brushing against my skin.
My heightened senses responded sharply.
Vibration and sound.
He comes. The Grand Duke.
I could feel it. The army led by the Grand Duke was approaching like a wave—the image unfurled in my mind.
I gazed out at the distant Hertia Mountain Range, blanketed in pristine white snow.
It was the highest place in the Kadea Empire, the mountain range where the World Tree, said to protect the continent, lay sleeping.
Whoooosh—the wind blew, and the frozen forest of the distant mountains swayed as well.
With only a slight exaggeration, if I concentrated just a little more, it felt as though I might meet the Grand Duke’s gaze across that distance.
I could not suppress the corners of my mouth rising.
At the same time, I quietly clenched my fist.
‘Come, Grand Duke.’
Come quickly and see for yourself.
—”Learn well from Norbert. Who knows? If you grow to become so magnificent that I cannot do without you, perhaps I will find myself revealing all the secrets I have hidden from you.”
How magnificently I have grown.
Whether I have become an existence indispensable to you.
‘So, will you feel moved to reveal all the secrets you have hidden from me until now.’
Two hours from now.
I turned my body around again to verify one last thing.

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