“The hunt ends here.”
Ian’s voice rang out, eliciting cheers from the knights.
“Finally, we get to go home!”
“I really need to bath!”
“Home, sweet home!”
As if the first day’s hunt was just an appetizer, the Duke didn’t allow any rest for the remaining two days.
Even in the midst of the hunt, they had to gather early for training, and except for meal times, they had to deal with the monsters the Duke drove towards them.
By now, they were too exhausted to even groan about their aching muscles, and there wasn’t a single knight who wasn’t overjoyed at the news that came just when they felt they couldn’t swing their swords any longer.
As the knights cheered, William approached Ian, who smiled faintly at the sight.
“Duke, the carriage we prepared is too small to carry all the monsters we’ve hunted.”
Usually, they caught between 5 to 10 monsters per hunt, so they had brought a small wagon.
However, the number of monsters caught this time was more than ten times that amount. No matter how well they stacked them, there were still too many to load.
After a moment of looking at the carriage, Ian spoke.
“How many do we usually take?”
“About 10 monsters per hunt.”
“Then let’s just take 10 this time too.”
“But if we leave the rest, they will rot and we won’t be able to sell them.”
“That’s the plan.”
William looked puzzled, not understanding Ian’s order. Bringing the monsters back wouldn’t benefit the Loenbaum family anyway.
The collateral relatives, like pigs, would just flock to them and consume everything. Knowing they tended to have more wasteful thoughts the more money they had, it was better to leave the surplus to rot, even if it was a waste.
“I understand.”
Seeing William accept the order without further questions, Ian opened his mouth again.
“And make sure the knights keep quiet about my combat skills.”
“Pardon?”
The knight commander, who had intended to boast about the Duke’s prowess upon returning to the estate, couldn’t contain his curiosity this time and asked Ian.
“May I ask why you wish to keep it a secret?”
“There is a right time for pig hunting.”
William hesitated briefly at the word ‘pig,’ but quickly understood Ian’s meaning and bowed his head.
“I will follow your orders.”
William swiftly relayed the command.
The squires quickly dismantled the camp, and the knights gathered the remaining monsters in one place.
Though it was a shame to waste the mountain of monsters, it was better to let them rot than to create unnecessary gossip.
“Should I put them in the inventory?”
It occurred to Ian that the inventory he used in his prime could preserve food without decay, as if time had stopped inside.
But no, using the inventory wasn’t an issue, but he couldn’t do it in front of so many eyes. If the monsters suddenly disappeared, it would surely cause rumors among the knights.
Not ready to reveal all his abilities yet, Ian forced himself to look away from the pile of monsters.
Perhaps driven by their eagerness to go home, the knights moved more briskly than when they set up the camp. Watching them, Ian felt a piercing gaze and turned his head.
The source was Claude, who quickly turned away, a slight blush on his face when their eyes met. Ian frowned instinctively.
‘Is he out of his mind?’
Blushing while looking at another man.
“Sir Claude?”
At Ian’s call, Claude’s blush disappeared instantly.
“Yes, my lord.”
‘My lord?’
Someone who never cared for manners suddenly calling him ‘my lord’ with utmost respect.
“I want to call you my lord since I’ve been knighted.”
Ian stared at Claude for a moment at his sudden change of demeanor, then turned away.
“Suit yourself.”
Claude’s previous cheeky attitude had been somewhat endearing, but Ian had seen this shift coming ever since this monster hunt.
Though he had expected Claude’s loyalty to grow, he hadn’t foreseen it would be directed at him instead of Rose, unlike the original story.
“Duke, everything is ready.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Unlike when they ascended the mountain, everyone was tired and exhausted now, but they wore bright, cheerful expressions.
Seeing them like this reminded Ian of the subordinates who used to follow him.
The talented group led by Yoon Sijun, despite his overwhelming strength, each member of that group had been highly capable. That’s why Yoon Sijun could contemplate death without looking back.
‘I hope they’re all doing well.’
***
Descending the mountain was quick. Moreover, the knight commander had sent a message pigeon ahead, so the estate was prepared to welcome the returning knights.
“Uncle!”
Ian lifted Rose, who came running in her fluffy orange dress, and kissed her forehead.
“Have you been well, Rose? Did you eat well?”
“Umm, yes!”
“Welcome back, my lord. The bathwater is ready. Young lady Rose, have you finished your studies for today?”
“Oh! Right! I’m not done yet! Uncle, put me down.”
Ian gently set the wriggling child down, and Rose dashed inside. Watching her retreating figure, Ian tilted his head.
Originally, they had planned to take a break from her studies due to the monster hunt and their subsequent travels.
“Who’s been teaching her?”
“She seemed bored and often visited Miss May. Today, they decided to start studying letters together.”
If it was May, there was no need to worry. Despite being a stranger at first, she had shown genuine concern upon hearing Rose’s past. She would surely be kind to the child.
“Have the tasks I assigned been completed?”
“Yes, everything is done. I’ll bring the detailed report after dinner.”
Before departing for the hunt, Ian had ordered Sebastian to identify which families had sent spies to the estate.
“Will you kill them?”
Sebastian asked quietly as he closed the door, while Ian was unbuttoning his shirt.
“No need for bloodshed.”
“But leaving spies unchecked…”
“We’ll deal with them for now.”
The information about his change had likely already been passed on. Killing them now would only heighten the suspicion of the collateral relatives.
Besides, they might only cut off the tail while failing to catch the head.
“Are the preparations for the trip complete?”
“Are you really going just the two of you?”
Ian chuckled at Sebastian’s loaded question.
“This doesn’t seem right, no matter how I think about it.”
It was decided that Ian and Rose would go to the capital.
Sebastian had naturally assumed he would go too.
But traveling alone with the duke’s heir, without a grand entourage of knights and a carriage adorned with the family crest, seemed unthinkable for a noble, especially from a ducal family that had been founding contributors to the kingdom.
“It would be wise to take at least a guard…”
“No need. It’s more of a hassle.”
“My lord.”
Sebastian called out desperately, but Ian was already heading to the bathroom.
Realizing that persuasion was futile, Sebastian gave up.
Sebastian sighed and handed Ian, who had just finished washing up, a bag.
Inside the bag, as per Ian’s orders, were some simple packed meals, a map, money, and a teleportation scroll.
“When do you plan to arrive in the capital?” Sebastian asked.
“We’ll arrive the day before the coronation ceremony,”
“That won’t do!”
For the first time, Sebastian raised his voice.
“The coronation ceremony will be followed by a banquet. Isn’t that where you plan to request the acknowledgment of the young lady’s status?”
“And?”
“The collateral relatives must have already spread rumors about the young lady’s birth in the capital,”
Ian knew that all the nobility, including the collateral relatives, would attend the crown prince’s coronation ceremony. However, he couldn’t understand why arriving the day before was an issue.
Seeing Ian’s puzzled expression, Sebastian sighed again.
“It means that for the young lady, this will be her debut into society. If we go unprepared, even if she is recognized as a legitimate heir by His Majesty, the other nobles might still look down on her.”
Ian understood that debuting in society required a lot of preparation. But Rose was still just a child. He thought it would suffice if she showed basic manners.
Sensing Ian’s thoughts, Sebastian continued,
“We must prepare her to meet royalty properly. She also needs to learn etiquette for interacting with the royal family.”
Sebastian’s words highlighted something Ian had overlooked.
‘I got carried away with the idea of a trip for just the two of us and missed some important details,’
Ian nodded.
“Alright then, we’ll arrive three days in advance,”
“No, you need to be there at least a week in advance.”
Ian frowned, but Sebastian was firm.
“We can’t have the young lady wear pre-made outfits.”
“Whether it’s three days or a week, isn’t it impossible to make a dress in that time?”
Sebastian smiled and replied,
“There are many skilled tailors in the capital. A week will be enough. It will be expensive, but… duchy will provide the funds.”
Unable to refute, Ian simply frowned. At that moment, Sebastian spoke again.
“Logan is here.”
Ian, having finished his drink, nodded.
“Alright, let’s see him.”
***
Ian changed into more casual clothes and headed to the drawing room, where Logan greeted him with a bow.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes. Is there something you need?”
“Is it only during times of need that we meet, my lord?”
Ian chuckled.
“What do you need to say to be so cheeky?”
“I’m just grateful.”
“Grateful?”
Just then, Sebastian knocked and announced that May had arrived.
“Let her in.”
The door opened, and May, now accustomed to Ian, greeted him with a bright smile.
“Hello, Duke! Oh, Viscount Logan is here too!”
“You’re here,”
“Have a seat.”
As May sat next to Logan, Sebastian served tea. Ian, leaning back on the sofa, asked,
“What are you grateful for?”
“For providing such a good talent,”
Ian remembered introducing May to Logan some time ago. It seemed odd to be thanking him now.
“I see, the mining has started.”
“Not just that,”
Logan said, handing Ian some documents from the table.
“Look at this.”
Ian reviewed the papers. Logan had secured a preliminary contract for a year-long exclusive deal with Gimmel, the most popular jeweler in the capital.
If the contract went through as written, it would yield at least 5 million gold per month in profit. Considering that the monthly living expenses for a commoner were about 400 silver coins, this was a substantial amount.
‘Not bad,’
When he decided to mine diamonds, Ian had researched the market prices and distribution processes. While there were some areas that could be improved, the terms were quite decent for a newly established trading company.
However, there was one major problem. The trading partner was the ‘Gimmel Jewelry Store.’
Gimmel Jewelry Store.
It was operated by the sub male lead in the novel <Garden Flower>.
