Grasping and Shaking Weaknesses. (6)

However, contrary to expectations, there was no sound to be heard around me.

“……”

I furrowed my brow and opened my mouth.

“I know you’re watching. Let’s talk.”

I tried to hide my awkwardness and acted nonchalant.

“……”

An unbearably awkward silence returned.

“Ha.”

It was the moment when the great Abel Kindrial became a fool shouting alone in an empty alley.

‘Is this a waste of time? That can’t be.’

Liam had definitely recognized me. He wouldn’t just ignore the sight of the lord’s reckless son gambling.

He was surely hiding nearby, watching me.

‘What a nuisance.’

In this situation where every minute and second was precious, it was truly unnecessary caution.

“I must return to the castle immediately.”

In the end, I had no choice but to issue an ultimatum.

“I need to tell them who I saw at the Kader estate today.”

Now, could you really ignore me after going this far?

I crossed my arms and twisted one leg. Then I focused my ears on the sounds around me.

Thud.

Finally, heavy footsteps approached from behind.

I turned my body around. Between the narrow alleyways, a figure that hadn’t been visible before appeared.

Dark brown hair and eyes that looked almost black. Liam Schmidt was standing in front of me, still wearing the mask he had used at the gambling house.

Seeing him up close, I felt even more assured of his skills.

He was just standing there, yet his presence was immense. He was definitely different from the three ruffians from earlier.

“-We both know who we are.”

He abruptly threw off the mask he was wearing.

“Let’s drop this, shall we?”

He also removed the wig that had been tightly constricting his head. I laughed at Liam, who was still wearing a mask.

“I have to say, that mask is really terrible. Buy a bigger one next time.”

“……”

Liam, who had been standing still, moved his hand. With a flick, the mask flew off, revealing a rugged face.

“How did you know?”

His low voice had a hint of metallic resonance.

“……Young Master Abel.”

He seemed to scan me carefully, as if trying to assess my intentions. His old, wooden-like eyes emitted a cold light.

“You can tell just by looking. You’re a knight from our estate.”

I met his gaze with a calm expression. It was better not to let on that I had come looking for him on purpose.

“Didn’t you recognize me as well?”

“Of course I did. Your eye color is famous.”

“Oh, really?”

I smirked and gestured behind me, towards the direction the three ruffians had fled.

“But you were just watching, weren’t you?”

“You didn’t seem to need help.”

Liam remained unfazed by my taunt. His gaze shifted to the pool of blood on the ground.

“Besides, it looked like you were enjoying yourself.”

“There were three of them, though. What were you planning to do if I got into trouble?”

“That wouldn’t have happened.”

Liam spoke with conviction.

“You would have revealed your identity first.”

He pointed to the mask lying on the ground.

'You didn’t say a word.'

I couldn’t help but smile subtly. After seeing only people who trembled at my words, it was refreshing to face someone who stood their ground.

Moreover, he was quite accurate.

If I had revealed my identity, those three would have immediately lost their will to fight.

“Then it wouldn’t be any fun.”

“……”

As I smiled, Liam's expression darkened. It seemed he was recalling the moment when the three ruffians were being beaten.

“……Is that why you called me?”

He quickly changed the subject, still looking uneasy.

The fact that I had encountered him at the gambling house and noticed his presence nearby made him as wary as a frightened cat.

“No. That’s not my purpose.”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“Let’s make a deal.”

“……A deal? What kind of deal could I possibly make with you, Young Master-?”

Before Liam could finish his sentence, I pointed at his arm.

“I want your swordsmanship.”

“……”

His face stiffened at my unexpected request. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke.

“Teaching you swordsmanship is forbidden. It’s a decision made by the lord, and I have no intention of going against his wishes.”

“Oh, really? You’re quite the loyal knight.”

My words dripped with sarcasm.

“I guess gambling is now part of a knight’s training, huh?”

Liam flinched at my remark. I didn’t give him a chance to respond.

“My request is simple. If you teach me swordsmanship, I’ll forget what I saw today.”

After a brief silence, Liam asked in a stiff tone, “Are you threatening me?”

“Whatever you think doesn’t matter. I just need to get what I want.”

Liam’s gaze turned more hostile. It was a rough look for someone addressing the son of the lord he served.

‘He must have heard some rumors about me.’

Abel had thoroughly hidden his misdeeds from the outside world.

So, the people of the estate and the knights under Diego only knew him as a foolish playboy, a reckless scoundrel.

Even so, that look in his eyes was a problem.

“Are you going to hit me?”

“……I’m sorry.”

Under my steady gaze, Liam reluctantly lowered his eyes. He seemed to be deep in thought before meeting my gaze again.

“Talking about today’s events wouldn’t be a good choice.”

“Hmm, why’s that?”

“I wasn’t the only one participating in the gambling at that place.”

If I mentioned today’s events, it was a threat that he wouldn’t remain quiet either.

‘Is that all you could come up with?’

Liam’s reasoning was too shallow and meaningless.

“You’re right.”

I casually tapped my chin.

“My father will be furious that I went to the gambling house.”

“Yes, it’s akin to a death wish. So…”

“But.”

A sardonic smile crept onto my lips.

“Even so, I’m his only son. There’s no way I’d be expelled from this estate.”

“……”

“But you? You’re easily replaceable.”

“That’s…!”

Liam clenched his teeth, his face slightly reddening with indignation.

“Don’t try to persuade me with empty words, Liam.”

I urged him in a relaxed tone.

“So make your choice. Will you teach me, or will you be expelled from this estate?”

Liam bit his lip, deep in thought. His furrowed brow reflected intense inner conflict.

Finally, he raised his gaze. Deep within his brown eyes, a resolute will was etched like the grain of wood.

‘Oh? It seems he’s considering refusing.’

He must have calculated that there was nothing to gain from getting involved with me.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

I quickly seized the opportunity.

“But you won’t be able to handle your debts this way.”

The atmosphere around us shifted dramatically.

Liam tensed up, staring at me intently.

“How do you know…?”

“I know everything that happens within this estate.”

I let out a faint smile.

“If you continue like this, your debts will only keep piling up. You must know that the people running the gambling house aren’t exactly clean.”

“……”

“Once the debt collectors start coming, visiting the gambling house won’t be a problem anymore.”

Rather, other issues would arise.

“-!”

Liam, who had been looking at me with suspicion, flinched.

I hadn’t finished my thought, but it seemed he could guess the rest.

“……”

His face darkened further. Hearing the truth from someone else made the weight of his situation even heavier.

‘I think I’ve given him enough of a whip.’

Now it was time to dangle the carrot.

“I mentioned making a deal earlier, right?”

“……Yes.”

“If you agree to my deal, I’ll help you pay off your debts.”

A glimmer of hope flickered in Liam’s eyes. He looked as if he wanted to agree immediately, his lips twitching.

“……”

But he still couldn’t bring himself to speak. He remained caught in his internal struggle.

It was best for me to step back now. The decision was his to make.

I kicked the mask and wig that had fallen to the ground, drawing his attention.

“I’ll give you time to think. Once you’ve made up your mind, come to the stables by 8 AM tomorrow.”

Tomorrow was a day off for Liam, which I knew because I had been keeping track of the work schedule.

“Then.”

I left him standing there, turning my back and walking away from the alley.

**

“Next.”

I tossed the document I was holding aside. Philip, who was standing next to my desk, handed me the next document.

“This is the last one.”

His voice was slightly hesitant. Philip looked at the table as if he were in shock.

“……”

His gaze traveled up and down the stack of documents. Taxes, distribution, agriculture, commerce… All the official documents from the estate piled up on the table every day.

If I brushed off something trivial, it could lead to unforeseen losses later. I had to think several steps ahead and carefully consider the consequences of my choices.

And Abel had been handling all of this alone until now.

‘What a monstrous ability he has.’

I finally realized just how much of a genius the original Abel was.

His memory was astonishingly precise, and his brain worked several times faster than others.

If it weren’t for Abel, the Ovest estate would have gone bankrupt by now.

‘Diego probably thinks everything is running smoothly, just because he signs the documents prepared by the steward.’

That man was good at physical tasks, but he was utterly hopeless when it came to matters of the mind.

I grumbled internally while quickly skimming through the last document.

“You’ve been processing work incredibly quickly lately.”

Philip’s eyes darted nervously, as if he were afraid of what I might do next.

He seemed worried about what I would do if I finished my work quickly or if I might remember something I had forgotten due to my idleness.

Philip’s efforts were commendable. He never brought up the servant incident again, fearing I might call him back.

But despite his efforts, I had not forgotten that servant. In fact, I had been keeping him in mind all along.

Of course, I didn’t tell Philip that.

“Is that a problem?”

I asked, and Philip flinched, his shoulders trembling.