I Became a Sick Nobleman

“No. You’re praising me for something I’m not worthy of. All I have done is for Setiria and for you, my Lord.”

Pretending to be moved by Mineta’s words, I watched Mineta shake his head from side to side.

“Please make sure to take care of yourself and get back to where you once were.”

“You must be busy, Mineta, you can go.”

I was satisfied with this meeting since I got to see whom I’m against, this occasion was inevitable, he would have come to see how I was doing anyway.

Mineta, as expected, rose from his seat without any hesitation.

“That’s true. I’m afraid you’re having a harder time because of me.”

“Go home safely.”

Although he spoke calmly, Ruel’s appearance resembled that of a patient who had only a few days left to live.

Mineta had a feeling that he didn’t have to wait much longer. What he wanted was almost within his reach. He bent down as if he wasn’t willing to leave.

“Make sure you get well.”

“Mineta, don’t worry, I’ll be coming back…to my rightful place.”

Mineta paused for a moment and looked taken back as he bowed to Ruel. As he rose, his eyes were filled with indescribable emotions that were not there earlier. It wasn’t hard to see the condescending gleam in his eyes as he left the room.

Fuu… I almost ruined my performance back then, I didn’t know what that look was, but I knew it was nothing good.

***

Mineta walked outside while lightly biting his lips.

“Mineta-nim.”

Cassion was waiting for him. Mineta quietly gestured to him and went out of the mansion to the main gate, he asked Cassion.

“What was that in there?”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“Have you gone blind?”

“… Ah.”

“Do you know something? Maybe the medicine didn’t work?”

“Those who are close to death originally have false hopes. Don’t think too much.”

Cassion looked back calmly at the restless Mineta who by now had calmed down a bit.

“But did you mix something in the medicine?”

“He’s going to die soon, so I just added something extra, fastening his condition, so there’s no concern about getting caught.”

“That’s not like what’s on my contract. It has to be me who should be killing him.”

Mineta’s flustered face had a fierce look. “It just makes him weak, so don’t think too much into it. It is your job to see if the work is done. Don’t neglect to watch him.”

“Of course, as reported, he’s gotten worse.”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

Tch.

Annoyed Cassion clicked his tongue at Mineta. His eyes were as if a viper was staring at its prey, but at this moment there was nothing he could do.

Cassion raised his hand after confirming that Mineta had left.

“Yes, sir.”

Immediately three people appeared behind him.

Cassion took the packet of medicine out of his pocket.

“Look into it.”

He’s not happy. Each assassin had their own belief and his convictions were not assassin-like.

‘I do not doubt my client.’

An assassin led a dangerous life. Dying with a blade on their neck (being betrayed) was not uncommon. But his belief was very strong. Even at death he would never change it.

This is my belief.

Cassion never doubted the medicine Mineta gave him. He was a client and it was Mineta who repeatedly broke that trust first.

The contract?

It is all over from today.

Suddenly, an interesting image came to mind and Cassion laughed.

The Lord of house Setiria, died of poison.

The killer was a certain assassin disguised as a dutiful butler.

***

Cassion almost dropped the basin containing water, only to reflexively catch it at the last moment.

That’s how surprised he was.

Until not long ago, Ruel, who had difficulty in any aspect of physical movement, was actually standing before him.

“Am I dreaming?”

“You sound like a butler who’s been with me for a long time.”

My legs were shaking, but this is how far I could go now.

My lips curled at the fact.

“I know it sounds strange, but please listen.”

“Tell me.”

I slowly moved back to bed and sat down.

It was a laborious process. My body was considerably stiff and weak due to the fact that I haven’t used my muscles for a long time and much of it has wasted away.

“Looking at this… It turns out that the tree was something that granted wishes?”

“What bullshit are you talking about?”

I was really irritated.

“After I cut the tree, something came out, and as a result, Ruel-nim is even able to walk now.”

“I’d rather have God come out of my dreams and make my wishes come true… Cough!”

“Oh, that’s not good. Sorry. It was a hasty judgment.”

Cassion showed regretful expression as he stared at Ruel.

“Excuse me.”

Cassion put his hand on Ruel’s forehead.

“Hmm… You still have a fever. Sorry I did something I shouldn’t have done to your body today. No wonder you are heating up.”

“Cassion.” I said calmly, looking at him with misted eyes.

“Yes.”

Whether it’s due to the contract or not, Cassion was now one of my people.

Even though Cassion was curious that Ruel stood up without any help, he didn’t try to pry the reason, because he knew there were things he shouldn’t ask. For Cassion, his belief is to place his trust in his client. The contract was a kind of request that Cassion would trust more than anyone else, it was also something he expected from his clients in return.

Ruel slowly explained.

“There was power sealed in that tree.”

“……?”

“I felt the sleeping power and ordered you to cut it down.” But of course I can’t reveal everything.

“That power is the power of recovery. It didn’t cure me, but… it’s true that I’m now a bit healthier.”

“Really? You’ve recovered enough to stand without help even walking, but the disease seems to be working from different points of origin. That’s too bad.”

Surprisingly, Cassion didn’t seem to be affected by the truth.

“You believe me?”

“I know better than anyone else about your condition, and with what I’ve seen just now, I have no choice but to believe it.”

“Really?”

Ruel smiled satisfactorily.

He dipped his hand in the basin handed by Cassion.

“Did you have a good conversation?”

“It was rather unpleasant.”

“If I knew beforehand, I would have told you that the medicine was poisoned.”

Despite the hesitation from Cassion, Ruel did not stop talking.

“I won’t blame you because you didn’t do it on purpose.”

“You know that you’re stupid right?” Cassion grumbled.

“You’re the one who’s stupid and now you’re serving me as my butler.”

Cassion closed his mouth with a face full of unspoken words.

“I will settle this with Setiria again.”

‘You knew about the poison even before, didn’t you?’ For a short time, Cassion’s eyes shone with light respect.

“Sure.”

Ruel soon became out of breath from talking and his breathing became fast and heavy, however, no matter the struggle his eyes were still firm.

Cassion smiled lightly.

“Is that right? I’ve followed up well with my act.”

“Because you can get an heirloom.”

“I’ve gotten myself in too deep now, it’s rather interesting.”

“So you want to give up the Turbulent Sword?”

“I never said that.”

I smirked at Cassion’s determined voice.

I tried to inhale Breath, but I showed it to Cassion.

“You’re not gonna kill me with this are you? That’s kind of cheap.”

“I’m hurt that you only trust me this much. It’s a magic tool I bought from my own money.”

“You?”

l was obviously surprised to hear this. Afterall, Cassion was an assassin hired to kill me.

“Did I look so pitiful?”

“That’s right. If one could measure being pitiful in number then you are ranked the highest. You were one of my easiest targets for the highest commission.”

“Well, good. Thanks to you, I’m still alive.”

Ruel inhaled it and passed the Breath to Cassion.

“Turn it into a necklace, I can carry it around. Also I wish there was meat for dinner.”

“…….”

“Oh, while you’re at it, bring some information on Setiria, especially regarding the financial aspect, and I’m thinking about slowly making my move from tomorrow, but you know better than I do…”

“Calm down, wait a minute!” Cassion said flabbergasted

“Why? Just write it down for me.”

“I remember everything.”

His voice became a little blunt.

I relaxed on the bed and looked at Cassion, waiting for him to speak.

Let’s take it easy.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“I want to work hard to give it back to you, and prove my worth as your Master.”

“Do you know what the person who’s been struggling all day today has just ordered me to do?”

“I mean with the power of recovery, I won’t end up getting myself killed.”

Cassion exhaled deeply.

I had no idea where to start either.

I was able to stand. However, that doesn’t mean I can immediately move my body as I want.

“This is being very loyal. The contract’s effect is good afterall.”

I laughed haughtily.

Cassion had his nose stuck up in the air, looking very condescending, but there was no turning back. He looked at his weak Master, a guy who didn’t even realize his own pitiful condition.

“The more urgent you want to take action, the slower you have to be.”

“Slower? How long would that be? After I die?”

“I understand you’re worried about Setiria’s situation. But in a few days…”

I raised my palm at Cassion.

“I’ll look at the data as soon as I open my eyes tomorrow.”

Cassion’s expression crumpled when he was told not to talk anymore.

“I’m going to rest, so get out.”

“I see.”

I closed my eyes and slowly felt the power of recovery.

The power was still coursing through me, healing everything in its path. I never liked my body as much as I did now. I smiled as I felt the power was gradually growing.

***

“…uuh.”

Every time I saw the documents that Cassion brought to me, I was aggrieved at what I saw.

‘This is just a mess.’

Setiria was a family that could never be poor.

There were six noble families in the Kingdom of Leponia, one of them was Setiria.

Its lands were fertile and farming always yielded a great harvest every year. If you dug the mine, a series of precious ore and gems would pour out and its road served as a gateway to the kingdom due to its location, so commerce was very active. In addition, due to its proximity to the Masu Forest that contained a den of monsters, the country also provided the land with support funds to fight against the monsters.

It was basically a land blessed with prosperity and abundance.

But that slug lost his mind, ruined the mine, dismantled Setiria’s proud soldiers, and cut off all the competent men who had worked for Setiria.

I clasped the paper hard.

This. I am so angry.

In particular, the worst thing slug did was that he was in debt. That explains the smoky clothes I wore yesterday.

“Ruel-nim, anger is not good for you.”

“What a great job he has done.”

“What the heck is this? Owing debt to two high lords and eight barons?”

“Yes, and that is just one of the many worst things.”

The debts owed by slug and his family were considerable.

It was much equivalent to Setiria’s two-year budget, which already made many eyes water.

He was not angry just because of the debt. It was due to the fact this was just a paving stone for the wolves hungrily staring at Setiria. In fact, after Ruel died, Setiria was split into the hands of debtors.

“Cassion, let me check one thing.”

“Please feel free to ask me.”

“Whose name is the debt under?”

“It’s the slug.”

I raised the corners of my mouth.

‘It wasn’t a mistake.’

“Any good move you’ve come up with?”

“Yeah, please relax a bit and don’t get angry anymore.”

Scowling, I folded my hands and looked at a pile of papers.

“Get rid of it.”

“You haven’t seen it all yet.”

“I already feel a headache coming.”

Today, Cassion’s eyes looked very tired. He must have worked hard to gather all this information for me. I felt sorry that I had to be unjust to him this way.

“Yes, sir.”

Cassion replied reluctantly.

He paused cleaning up the pile of papers and asked.

“Are you going to read them again?”

“No, it’s enough.”

I already checked the information I wanted to get, so there’s no point looking at the rest.

“Are there any other documents I must see?”

“None sir.”

Cassion bit his lips tightly.

Compared to the documents he prepared, there were very few documents that Ruel had looked into.

I smiled as I watched Cassion’s trembling shoulders.

“When are we going to start rehabilitation?”

“You seem to have gotten sick again.”

“I want to start today.” Ruel replied.

“You said you had a headache. You might have a fever again.”

Maybe it was because of the documents, but there was emotion in his voice.

“I’ll take care of it.” I said pointing at my chest.

“It was you who said that the power of recovery would not cure the disease.”

“Don’t be mean.”

Cassion’s eyes grew wide for a moment, but soon, he said with a big smile.

“Okay, Although it’s not my body, I’ll do my best to take care of it.”