I Became a Sick Nobleman

‘As expected, eating meat is the best.’

My heart was filled with joy as I finally got to eat meat for the first time in a while.

The more I chewed, the more abundant the juice flowed into my mouth, the better the taste of meat prevaded.

Satisfied, I put down my fork and said, “I don’t think we’re going to have much of a big budget here.”

I can’t believe that Mineta decided to be a wasteral, spending fortunes just because he thought I would soon die.

Ruel drank a mouthful of carbonated water.

“It’s on me. I’ll take care of it.”

“You’ve got more money than you seem.”

“It’s definitely more than you.”

I scoffed, not wanting to be caught in his childish provocations.

“Really? Please use it more often from now on. There is nothing better than meat for recovery.”

“It’s nice to see you eat well, thanks to that power. It’s worth making the dish.”

Far from being disappointed, Cassion laughed like a dutiful butler.

Well, this is going to be fun.

Soon… it’ll be time to treat myself like a dog.

“Here take this.”

Cassion handed over Breath which was tied to a string.

Eyeing the rope on the Breath, Ruel noticed it looked somewhat unusual at the first glance.

“Thanks.”

Ruel was happy, Cassion was good at what he was told to do, and it was very satisfying to see that he even went beyond the initial request to add something extra.

Thinking this, if Cassion had been lost to the main character, how painful would it have been? I wouldn’t have such a considerate butler and would have to suffer even more than before.

As soon as I wore the braid chain around my neck, I immediately felt comfortable.

“Are you feeling any pain?”

“My head still hurts, but it’s bearable. I’m feeling much better than I used to be.”

Although I still had a sickly complexion, my physical condition was quickly being stabilized after gaining the power of recovery.

Still, it had not yet reached the level of an ordinary person.

Cassion said quietly while clearing the dishes.

“Then I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Yes.”

Instead of leaving, Cassion stopped at the door.

I rubbed my stomach while looking at him.

“Sooner or later, I’ll bring a proper medical doctor.”

The door closed quietly.

‘He’s quick-witted.’

I held my arm tightly. My hands trembled.

I pretended to be okay, but my whole body was horribly painful as if it were being sliced by a knife.

An hour. That’s what Cassion said.

If the condition didn’t stabilise within that time, today’s rehabilitation training was over.

I couldn’t do that.

I need to survive the next five days, I can’t chicken out now.

In order to cope with the assassination toward me and the situation of the main character, at least I needed to get stronger to the point where I could move without any help.

‘Cycle around, move more.’

Closing my eyes I urged the power of recovery.

***

Knock, knock.

“I’m coming in.”

Cassion found Ruel’s room exactly an hour later. As soon as Cassion opened the door he was alarmed by the smell of blood that came from the otherside of the door, fearing the worst he rushed in.

“Ruel-nim!”

“Good to see you.” I laughed with blood dripping from my mouth.

Cassion was speechless at this scene.

Cassion rushed over and looked at the black blood spilt on the blanket and the pale complexion of Ruel. His condition has calmed down.

“You shouldn’t be staring at it like that, but you should clean it up.” I said, showing my bloodstained hands.

“It smells different.”

“You have a dog’s nose, I just move around a little bit.”

I placed my thin hand at Cassion’s chest.

Cassion frowned.

“Who’s after you?”

“Don’t talk rubbish, just prepare for rehabilitation training. I’m ready.”

“…oh, good. You want me to live up to that expectation of yours, don’t you?”

Cassion raised the corner of his lips.

***

“…keuk!”

I clenched my teeth and reached the end of the backyard.

Immediately I fell down on a blanket laid on the floor so that I wouldn’t get hurt.

“Now that’s the 2nd round.”

Cassion raised Ruel up and made him hold the crutch.

“Ruel-nim have a strong will, so I won’t be weak either.”

“… Damn it.”

I bit my lip.

Twice in number. It was one round trip.

As Cassion said, sweat soaked my whole body.

‘What a garbage body I have. ‘

I grabbed the support and as if I was hanging on for life, I moved my twig-like, shriveled legs.

Each step was so heavy that a groan came out. It felt as if dozens of people were standing on my shoulder.

“Damn it.”

“Are you going to stand there and see the scenery?”

“Fuck!”

I know I had the will, but my body refused to move forward.

I was jittery.

My legs, my arms, and my head; my whole body was shaking. But I need to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Day 4

Little by little.

“You’re slower than yesterday. Look, the sun is already setting. I’ll give you these dumbbells, train your arms in your spare time.”

Day 3

A bit more than yesterday.

“Good job. It’s better than yesterday. But do you know how many times you slipped today? I would have been in big trouble if I didn’t catch you. Take care of your arms, too.”

Day 2

Shake it off.

I can do this. Pain was nothing in front of survival.

“I’m getting some muscles. It may be thanks to the power of recovery, but it’s quite fast. If I keep going at this pace, it won’t really be a problem for me to walk.”

That’s right, I want to live.

Day 1

“…as expected, you’ve pushed yourself too far.”

Cassion shook his head as he felt Ruel’s forehead.

Some plans don’t always go as one desires.

Rather than thinking of it as just walking, Today was the highest record set by Ruel, ten round trips.

I was angry.

Even if I knew what would happen in the future, my freaking body is obstinately hindering my way.

“Cassion.”

A laborious and a voice too difficult to hear called out.

Cassion dragged a chair to sit closer.

“No.”

“… I have to.”

“You’re doing great. You don’t have to be nervous. We still have the rest of the week left. If this situation continues, you can walk without fail, so don’t worry.”

Laughing at the easygoing fellow, I said.

“It’s tonight.”

“……?”

“Get ready.”

Eventually, the fever swallowed everything. I couldn’t fight my heavy eyes any longer.

Cassion looked at Ruel silently.

Ruel wasn’t the one to talk nonsense.

He did not know what he was preparing for, but he tried to walk even after he had fainted several times. Cassion could feel the strong will from the frail man on the bed. This feeling was as if he was burning himself to fuel his determination. If he continues on this path, he will get himself killed.

***

Cassion opened his mouth quietly, looking at the figure in front of him.

“What’s the situation?”

“The slug’ people moved. There are 30 people coming this way.”

A smile hung around Cassion’s mouth. A creepy smile that made the reporting man flinch.

Ruel didn’t know what was coming after him. A small laugh came out.

‘You thought you could do anything if you walked? Or perhaps did you want to escape by running away?’ Well it didn’t matter either way.’

“Has the master given any instructions?”

“My master needs a good rest, so no one should be allowed into the mansion.”

Cassion turned his head and looked at his subordinates.

“Tonight I’m joining too. Just leave one to look after my master.”

The assassin laughed.

****

The mansion was shrouded in silence, with its uncared yard filled with weeds and trees made it appear even more eerie in the darkness.

Then, a shadow moved, it was heading toward the mansion.

“…it’s big.”

But seeing blood suddenly spurting from his neck, the shadow trembled.

“Shhh.”

A low voice came from behind.

“My master is sleeping.”

Cassion kicked lightly.

Then he took out a dagger and swung at the next prey.

For him, the night was never an obstacle, he could see them as clear as the day. He took a moment to grasp the enemy’s position and closed an eye.

[Track]

The intruder’s bodies faintly glittered for a moment.

That was enough.

Cassion’s men were like hunters who had finally spotted their prey, they did not miss this chance to bite their target at once.

Suddenly, Cassion stopped in place.

The enemies were dying too fast.

‘They’re not my men.’

He ran, sprinting toward the source of the fighting.

Kaang!

A dagger and a sword collided, sparks sprang up illuminating the night.

Cassion and the man with the sword were surprised to see each other, but Cassion, not missing the opportunity, did not stop.

He moved his foot as if he were falling backwards.

Kaang!

As soon as Cassion moved the man slashed his sword blocking his action. Cassion twisted his body and attacked the man’s head with his other leg.

“Yipe!”

Taking the kick, the man was forced onto the ground. Cassion materialized out of the shadow of the man and placed the dagger at his throat.

“Who sent you?”

“What the heck are you talking about? Why are you attacking the mansion?”

‘Hmm? He’s not an enemy?’

Cassion looked at the man.

Leaves on the hair, clothes that were slightly torn from branches. Above all, the accent was somewhat awkward.

“Are you a Leponian?”

“You’re not going to fight anymore? My heart is burning from the blow.”

The man’s sword had a subtle glow. It was a fine weapon.

“It’s the Lord who went easy on this one.”

Cassion backed off the man and glanced at the sword. Cassion liked collecting swords, so he recognized it at once.

It’s a sword given to knights of the Cyronian Kingdom.

Cassion raised his ears to check the surroundings.

“It’s already over. It’s been a while since I used a sword.” The man put the sword down in regret.

“You think that old mansion has something to take? What’s the reason for the fuss?”

“As it appears there is nothing valuable in that mansion. Anyway, I borrowed your hand, so I’ll let you stay for a few days.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m ashamed, but I’m lost.”

“You’re lost?”

Cassion looked suspiciously at the man.

There was only one way from Masu Forest to Setiria.

T/N : Masu forest is a forest full of beasts.

“We were here with the merchants, and the beasts started attacking us. I played the part of the bait and ran around, leading myself here.”

It must’ve been quite a match given the man’s terrible appearance.

Cassion thought for a bit and buttoned up his collar considering it didn’t look like the man was lying.

“My name is Ganien Croft. It may seem suspicious, but I am a knight.”

The man took a magic item from his sleeve and showed it. His blue eyes glistened playfully.

“Look, here’s the token.”

A pendant with a lion pattern was displayed.

Cassion bowed to Ganien only after confirming that it was a token of the Blue Knights.

“I’m Cassion, who serves the owner of this mansion, Ruel Setiria, the Lord of Setiria.”

“…is the Lord here?”

Hearing this for a moment, Ganien covered his mouth with a faint glimmer in his eyes.

The Lord of Setiria is living in an old, almost depleted looking mansion.

It smelled of conspiracy.

When Ganien saw injustice, the instinct of the knight who could not resist helping the weak was roused. It looks like I’ll be needed here. Thinking this he decided.

‘Someone needs my help’

***

Thirsty…

My body was too hot, and my head continued to hurt as if someone was drilling holes in it.

I opened my eyes with difficulty while trying to breathe.

“Drink slowly.”

Cold water ran down my dry lips as I listened to Cassion’s voice. I was a little distracted.

I closed my eyes as I inhaled the Breath with my trembling hands.

“How many days … have I been unconscious ?”

“Two days.”

Two days.

Being alive despite the attack meant that Cassion did something.

However, the attack was not important now.

“By any chance…”

I stopped talking.

I belatedly noticed a man standing behind Cassion.

Don’t tell me…

“Good morning, Lord. My name is Ganien Croft, and I’ve been staying here for two days.”

I looked at Cassion with questions in my eyes.

‘Why the heck did he come here?’

“I’m sorry to have brought in outsiders. I owed him a small favor from that night. Please help me repay the favor,” Cassion said.

‘Damn it!’

I frowned.

The reason why I tried so hard to stand until the attack, was now in the same room as me.

Ganien Croft, the main character in ‘SSS-class Knight.’

He was so broad-minded that he could not pass by the weak and the injustice.

Ganien’s coming to the mansion was one of the plot settings in the novel.

I treated myself like a dog while training relentlessly so as not to fall for either, but I already met him during the attack.

‘I’m screwed. I’m fucked up!’

The moment I saw Ganien’s sparkling eyes, I swallowed, I had a terrible hunch.

Ganien had already decided to help me.