Grasping and Shaking Weaknesses (7)

"Could that be possible? I simply wondered if you might be fatigued, young master."

"Not at all."

I added with a mocking tone.

"Thank you for your concern."

Even though I wasn't grateful in the slightest.

"......Yes."

A sense of relief, followed by a faint disappointment, flickered across Philip's face. I scoffed inwardly at the sight.

'Concern? He's probably praying for my death every single day.'

If I were to name one person in this territory who doesn't worry about me, it would undoubtedly be him.

Unfortunately, Abel's body was remarkably robust. Even after finishing that mountain of documents, he was as lively as ever.

"Is this the last one?"

"Yes, it is."

I stamped the document with a thud and set it down. While Philip neatly organized the papers, I rose from my seat and stretched my stiff shoulders.

"Hoo."

With today's agenda settled for now, I wondered what task to tackle next.

"Young master, your coat."

Philip, having finished organizing, draped my outer garment over my shoulders. As soon as I adjusted my attire, I abruptly flung open the office door.

"Yo, young master."

Philip hurriedly followed me.

"Might I inquire where you are headed at this hour......"

"Can't you tell?"

"Th, then are you going to your chambers again today?"

"Yeah."

As I strode down the hallway, the surrounding servants hastily lowered their heads. They were filled with trepidation, lest they incur Abel's displeasure.

I passed through their midst like a king, making my way to my room. Upon opening the door, a scene quite different from before greeted me.

The wine cellar, once brimming with expensive vintages, had been pushed to a corner, creating a spacious area in the center. A plush mat was laid on the floor, and beside it, a heavy rod to grip and lift was prepared.

'This is, well......'

In a word, indoor exercise.

Lately, I had been devoting all my spare time to building up my physical strength.

'To wield Requiem and swing it around, this level of fitness is far from sufficient.'

Of course, Requiem was far lighter than an ordinary steel sword. At the same time, it possessed exceptional cutting power, and it even drained the life force of any creature it touched.

However......

Thump.

Suddenly, my heart began to beat erratically.

"......"

I halted in my tracks, my brows furrowed.

'It's starting again.'

Abel's madness would surface like this, unexpectedly, even in ordinary moments. I had thought it would subside if I stopped killing, but it actually felt more intense.

A destructive urge surged within me, a desire to tear apart the living beings in sight, to extract their hearts and crush them.

Frankly speaking, it was a wonder that Abel hadn't completely succumbed to insanity.

'Ah, no, that's not right. He was already mad, which is why he went around doing those things.'

I shook my head and tightly shut my eyes. Then, I leaped up and grabbed onto the rod, which was taller than me.

'I cannot succumb to these mere impulses.'

If I couldn't even control my own body, I wouldn't be able to overcome Requiem's whispers either. A strong spirit resides in a strong body.

This was also preparation for receiving Liam's guidance in sparring.

"One, two, three......"

I began doing pull-ups.

'First, I need to build up my arm strength.'

Then, I'll have to improve my stamina, so perhaps I should take a stroll around the grounds.

As I made these calculations, I suddenly felt a gaze upon me. I saw Philip standing by the door, his mouth agape in a daze.

He had a look of utter confusion, as if saying,

'Why is the young master acting like this?'

And he had every reason to be. The Abel he knew was a madman who tortured people every other day.

Yet, since a few days ago, he hadn't committed a single act of violence. Moreover, he was engrossed in physical training, something he had never done before, so it was no wonder he couldn't make heads or tails of the situation.

"......"

I could almost hear the gears turning in Philip's head as he racked his brains.

But it would be a fruitless endeavor.

"Go away. I'll call you if I need anything."

I curtly tossed out the words. Then, I lowered myself from the bar, and with renewed strength, I repeated the pull-ups.

"......Twelve, thirteen......"

It's difficult. It's incredibly difficult. My arms feel like they're about to snap.

But effort never betrays you. There's no better method than consistent training.

"......Twenty."

I dropped from the bar and landed on the floor.

"Hoo, hoo."

Sweat poured down my back like rain. My palms, which had been gripping the bar, were also tingling.

"Hoo, I'm going to die, hoo."

I looked down at my palms, and the areas that had been gripping the bar were already swollen and red.

'Once calluses form, it'll be much better.'

I clenched and unclenched my hands to loosen them up, but I still felt a gaze watching me.

"Why are you still here?"

I frowned and turned around.

"Philip."

"......Young master."

Philip snapped out of his daze and looked at my furrowed brows.

"Was there perhaps some trouble in the Kader territory?"

His gaze was probing, as if trying to discern something from me. I smirked and twisted the corners of my lips into a smile.

"Do I have to report every little thing to you?"

"I was merely concerned about your well-being, young master,"

"Enough nonsense."

I turned my body completely towards Philip. He flinched, but in the end, he didn't avert his gaze from mine.

'Ah, so you're going to play it this way?'

It seemed that I had been too docile these past few days. To think he had become so reckless.

"It's not that you're worried about me."

I couldn't suppress the derisive smile that crept onto my lips.

"It's that you're worried about what kind of mischief I've been up to, isn't it?"

Philip was aware of the madness that plagued Abel. So, he must have assumed that I had been causing some kind of trouble in the Kader territory and had now returned quietly.

But for him to reveal this so openly was problematic.

"Philip."

I bared my teeth and smiled.

"How is your daughter doing?"

The color drained from Philip's face, turning it ashen white.

'It seems I need to tighten his leash periodically.'

The reason why Philip, despite his contempt for me, couldn't disobey my demands was because I held his secret in my hands.

Philip would set aside a portion of his salary each month and send it to his wife and daughter, who lived far away.

The problem arose when his daughter expressed her desire to attend the academy.

The Imperial Academy demanded exorbitant entrance fees and tuition. A mere steward of a small territory like him could not possibly afford it.

In the end, taking advantage of Diego's absence, he embezzled the territory's taxes. He resorted to manipulating the account books.

Diego, who was inept at handling finances, failed to notice this. But it was a futile attempt against Abel, who had a precise memory of the numbers recorded in the account books.

[This money, it's different from the amount I remember?]

Eventually, Abel even unearthed the original account book that Philip had concealed.

Since then, Philip had become Abel's loyal dog. As long as he held the account book, Philip would forever be bound to obey his commands.

Just like now.

"Young master, please forgive me."

Philip's back bent so low that he was practically prostrating on the floor.

"I have committed an impertinence."

The power to make a man, who was 20 years his senior, bend his back and utter such a servile voice.

Gazing at his balding head, I leisurely said,

"I thought your memory was quite sharp, but was I mistaken?"

"I am deeply sorry."

I reached out and firmly grasped Philip's shoulder.

"Don't be curious about what I do, and don't ask me why. Just follow my orders. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

As soon as my hand left his shoulder, Philip straightened his back. There wasn't a trace of any lingering emotion on his face.

"I shall take my leave now."

I merely nodded in response.

Philip turned around and vanished from the room. It was an exceedingly pleasing, submissive demeanor.

**

I spent the afternoon leisurely, undisturbed by anyone, and then enjoyed a light dinner.

As I set down my spoon, the maids who were attending to me widened their eyes.

"Are you finished already?"

"Clear the table."

I waved my hand dismissively and left the dining hall.

After sweating so much during the day, I was even hungrier now. But I deliberately stopped here.

Because I would soon be meeting Liam. It would be difficult to keep up with him if my body was heavy.

"It's time."

I headed to the spacious open area behind the stables, the place I had told Liam about.

A secluded spot where no one would pass by after 8 PM. A place with ample space to swing a sword.

Among the grounds of this castle, this was the only place where one could practice sparring without attracting unwanted attention.

I deliberately lingered nearby for a while, and then, precisely at 8 PM, I stepped into the open area.

"......"

Is no one here?

Just as I thought that,

"Young master."

Liam appeared, emerging from behind a pillar of the stable where he had been hiding.

I concealed the smile that was subtly spreading across my face.

"You've come."

Liam stared at me warily. But he soon let out a soft sigh and slowly approached me.

His steps were measured, as befitting a knight, and the sound of the sword hanging at his waist clinked with each stride.

"I have one question to ask."

The worry etched on his face revealed that the journey here had not been easy for him.

"Why...... did you choose me?"

The ensuing question revealed the kind of inner turmoil he had undergone before arriving here.

"Are you dissatisfied?"

"It's not that. However......"

Liam's eyes were calm, as if he was merely asking a question out of curiosity.

"I simply wish to know the reason. You had other options besides me, young master."

It was a valid point. I had several options.

I looked towards Liam's waist.

'He's wearing his sword even though it's not his day off.'

He was already prepared to accept the deal. Now that I had exploited his weakness, he had no other choice.

Therefore, his question was nothing more than a meaningless formality. I had no obligation to tell him the truth.

"That's not important."

I said in a voice devoid of emotion.

"I made an offer, and you chose to accept it. All that remains is to follow through."

I extended my finger and pointed towards his waist.

"Above all, it seems your answer has already been decided."

Liam's hand twitched. He instinctively reached for his waist, but then quickly withdrew it.

"You are correct, young master."

A sigh-like response escaped his lips, and soon, his gaze was fixed on me.

"It was an unnecessary question."

Liam once again placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

A distinctly different atmosphere from before. A sharp, icy aura emanated from him.

"Let's begin."

I smiled inwardly as I looked at him.

'Yes, I knew he would react this way.'

I could clearly see what he was thinking.

He intended to humor the whimsical young master, giving him a perfunctory lesson before calling it a day.

'He probably thinks that an ordinary person who has never even held a sword properly won't be able to learn anything substantial.'

I didn't bother to correct his assumptions. After all, as time passed, he would realize the truth on his own, even if I didn't tell him.

"Alright. But before that, just a moment."

I stopped him with my hand and untied the sack I had brought with me.