TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 14
Imperial Knight Commander.
Histania Rowen.
In the novel, he appeared as Mikhail’s mentor. Overflowing with affection for Mikhail to the point that it was hard to imagine him as a neglectful Father who couldn’t even celebrate a birthday, and he was portrayed as a kind character who cherished and adored the Heroine like his own Divine Healer daughter.
He was quiet and not very talkative, but I remember him as a reliable supporter of the Heroine. In the novel, it was mentioned that he cared for the Heroine because she resembled his deceased Divine Healer Youngest Daughter.
I liked him quite a bit too.
It was heartbreaking to hear the story of the strongest Knight who lost his beloved daughter, yet it also helped me understand how much he cherished the Heroine.
In the story, there were no mentions of Hanna. The only time she was briefly brought up was when the Knight Commander, saying “It was my fault…,” received comfort from the Heroine.
I thought he was a somewhat kind Father, but honestly, he was just a man who came to regret things far too late.
Like an Alcoholic.
He behaves like a dog when drunk, then sobers up and begs forgiveness upon seeing the mess he’s made, much like an Alcoholic. While I think anyone can express regret, perhaps because he directly influenced Hanna’s death, I couldn’t bring myself to feel sympathetic.
Honestly, it’s just meaningless whining.
No matter what judgment I make about him, nothing will change.
I can’t exactly go confront the Knight Commander or tell him, “If you continue like this, your Youngest Daughter will die.”
But something felt missing.
A Father who ignored birthdays.
A daughter who visited the Villainess’s House through a downpour.
When I recall her crying her eyes out over a simple dish of Tteokbokki, it’s hard to view the Knight Commander in a good light.
How could I give that man a taste of his own medicine? While pondering over what would be the greatest and most meaningful Birthday Gift for Hanna, I came up with one idea.
-From now on, Miss Hanna will train at our mansion until the school term starts.
-What?
-You must defeat Mikhail, after all.
Helping her achieve a level of growth that would astonish the Knight Commander.
And coldly rejecting her Father, saying, “I don’t need the help of a Divine Healer,” and committing a brief act of unfilial behavior would likely be the best way to strike the Knight Commander’s heart. Hanna has been a devoted daughter up until now, so a little unfilial behavior could be excused. If she gets kicked out of her house, we can always hire her as a Maid in our mansion.
Of course, her salary would be stingier than salt.
It was an extreme conclusion, but I was certain there was no better gift than this.
A week passed quickly.
During the week she stayed at the mansion, while she fought and bickered with the Young Lady a lot, they grew quite close and developed into friends.
-Beggar!
-Who are you calling a beggar!
-If you’re not a beggar, then what are you? You’re not even going home!
-I-I-I do have a home!
-Then go to your home!
-…Sniff.
Although the Young Lady put up strong resistance, it was still a meaningful time.
For Hanna, the week might have been a time to practice swordsmanship alone, but I think the week she spent with us allowed her to grow both mentally and technically.
-A Birthday Gift?
-I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I just brought what came to mind.
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Potion of Strength [A]
◈When consumed by a target with a Physical Strength stat of ‘+30’ or lower, increases Physical Strength stat by ‘+10’.
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-You’re giving me something this precious? This is… impossible to buy even with money. It’s a Potion you can’t even get in the Black Market.
-Think of it as an investment.
-No, it’s too much for me. I do have some shame, you know. How am I supposed to repay such a favor? I absolutely can’t accept it.
-Take it.
It’s a Potion I’ve made countless times using knowledge from the original work. I’ve given it to the Young Lady and even taken it myself; it’s a kind of tonic.
It’s easy to make, but I didn’t sell it on the Black Market because I thought it might jeopardize my life. This time, I saw it as an opportunity to conduct human experimentation while also saving money on a Birthday Gift, so it worked out well.
Of course, Hanna cried her heart out while holding my hand back then.
-Why are you being so good to me? I’ve always treated you harshly and cursed you in my mind, calling you a useless person.
-You cursed me in your mind?
-…No.
-That’s understandable. I am pretty annoying, after all.
-Butler, you really know how to ruin a touching moment.
-That’s one of my talents.
Unlike the sorrowful smile she showed at the mansion, this time, her smile was mixed with genuine happiness, and it was a pleasant sight.
Hanna had grown stronger.
The Potion helped a lot, but the effort and time she put in at the mansion were enough to allow her to grow on her own.
And so, today marked the end of the week.
Hanna and I were preparing for the finale.
‘Quest.’
[Q. The Doomed Extra ‘Hanna’]
She, neglected by her Father and disregarded by the Servants, always resented her own lack of talent as a Divine Healer.
She is starved for Praise.
·
·
·
1. Give her Praise to boost her Self-esteem.
(9/10)
2. Raise her Favorability to ’40’ or higher.
[Favorability: 51]
3. Defeat the ‘Elite Orc Gladiator.’
(0/1)
Reward: Swordsmanship Lv. 6, Strength +3 Increase.
Hanna: Swordsmanship Lv. 4, Beginner Aura (C).
Failure: Death of Histania Hanna.
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The Quest was nearing its end.
I diligently boosted Hanna’s Self-esteem with Praise and built up a lot of Favorability during the week.
A Favorability of 51, to be precise.
While it wouldn’t guarantee anything, it was akin to borrowing 3 million won from a fresh graduate’s wallet without much fuss.
Favorability of 60 signifies a close friend.
At that level, you might be able to borrow around 10 million won. I wasn’t entirely sure, as only a few people had ever raised Favorability beyond 60.
Favorability of 70 or higher… No one had ever achieved that, so I didn’t know. What I was sure of was that the Favorability score of 51 between Hanna and me was by no means insignificant. On the contrary, it was quite high.
Feeling reassured by the high Favorability score, I bowed my head to the Young Lady, who was pouting as she glared at me.
“I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be back.”
Two people bowing politely.
Hanna and I.
And the Young Lady, who nodded like a queen from her bed, raised her chin proudly and said,
“Don’t go. Play with me.”
Her enchanting voice tempting me to join her in unemployment. For a moment, I considered unfastening the sword at my waist and embracing the life of a freeloader, but the weight of my responsibilities barely held me back.
Was this the power of a professional freeloader?
Her alluring voice was frightening.
Hanna, watching this, let out a deep sigh.
“Butler, please stop indulging her. It’s because of you that the Young Lady keeps whining to you.”
“I’m allowed to.”
Olivia crossed her arms arrogantly. At the genuine Provocation of the Villainess’s defiant smile, Hanna clenched her fist tightly.
“Why are you allowed to? Is the Butler yours?”
“That’s right. Ricardo is mine.”
“What?”
Hanna looked at me.
I gave a small nod, as if answering her question.
“Actually, I signed a Slave Contract that disregards human rights 13 years ago. Of course, it’s been 12 months since I last received a salary.”
That’s a lie. I’ve never signed a Slave Contract or even a salary agreement. The only thing between the Young Lady and me is a verbal agreement built on trust. But it surely must have hurt her thick pride.
“Ugh…!”
Sure enough, a strange scream came from the Young Lady.
“Pfft.”
Hanna sneered at Olivia with a victorious smile.
“An employer who can’t even pay!”
“A homeless beggar!”
They didn’t seem to get along, yet they weirdly clicked in strange ways. Two people who didn’t seem like they’d ever become friends, but at some point, they were sticking together. Perhaps it’s because they like the same person.
I really hope they become close.
They might even go to the Academy together….
In truth, I have a small favor to ask of Hanna.
If the Heroine graduates and Hanna takes the position of president at the Academy, I hope she could create an opportunity for us to re-enroll. That’s part of why I’ve been treating her so well.
I feel sorry for asking this, but once she defeats the Elite Orc Gladiator this time and then Mikhail, I plan to carefully bring it up.
If she refuses, it’s fine. I won’t think badly of her and will look for another way.
Hanna and the Young Lady are still arguing fiercely. It was impressive how they insulted each other without crossing the line.
Especially Olivia.
“Does the Young Lady even know how amazing the Butler is!?”
“I know! He makes Tteokbokki! And Fried Chicken!”
“That’s not what I mean!”
“Then what’s so amazing about him!”
“Ughhh….”
Hanna glanced at me.
“He’s kind, strong, and just… amazing in every way!”
“I know!”
It was touching to see how much the Young Lady’s language had softened in such a short time, to the point where she didn’t even curse. Normally, Hanna’s hair wouldn’t have been spared.
Hanna has improved a lot too.
The atmosphere at the estate has brightened recently. The late monsoon has ended, and now, only the final hurdle remains.
Watching the two chatter away, I said my goodbyes.
“I’ll be back.”
***
Inside a grand estate.
In a dining room densely decorated with Decorative Swords on the walls, a Middle-Aged Man spoke with a relaxed smile.
“How long do you think it will take for the Eldest Sibling to reach Aura?”
“It seems they’ll be able to use Beginner Aura in about three months.”
“Hmm…”
The Middle-Aged Man smiled in satisfaction.
His name was the Sword of the Empire.
The proud Head of the Histania Family.
Histania Rowen.
Rowen, with his bright brown Hair.
Even during meals, he wore a Sword at the Waist, showing just how obsessed he was with swords.
Rowen scanned his children with his dark eyes, one by one. They were well-raised children with striking Appearances that resembled him and his wife.
They had Late Bloomer Talent among their peers, talents so remarkable that he could proudly call them his Divine Healer children.
While they still had a long way to go to reach their Divine Healer potential, they weren’t so lacking as to fall behind.
Clearly, his Divine Healer son would one day become the Royal Knights Commander of the Empire, wielding its Sword.
And his daughter would take over the Household Knights, elevating the Histania name to even greater heights.
The only thing that weighed on his mind was the Youngest Daughter, who wasn’t present. Out of his three children, the one with the least Talent.
Despite telling her countless times that she had no Talent for the Sword, Hanna, the only stain on the family, refused to put it down, becoming Rowen’s greatest concern.
With such insignificant Talent, if she kept Swinging a Sword, it was clear she’d one day tarnish the Histania name, which is why Rowen was always dissatisfied with her swordsmanship.
The image of his youngest from a week ago lingered in his mind.
-Father, today is my Birthday. If it’s not too much trouble, could we have a Duel?
-I’m busy right now.
-It’ll only take a moment.
-Didn’t you hear me say I’m busy?
Rowen wished Hanna would put down the sword.
Not out of warm paternal love, fearing the dangers of learning swordsmanship, but simply because he wanted his talentless Youngest Daughter to face reality.
He pushed her harder, scolded her more, and even humiliated her in front of friends.
He ignored her among family members too.
Others might call him cruel, but Rowen believed he wasn’t wrong.
Even his Divine Healer siblings had been Neglected and compared by their Father, forcing them to face reality and find their paths to Success. Rowen himself had succeeded thanks to his Father’s education, so he was certain Hanna would succeed if taught the same way.
After all, wounds make people stronger.
Yet, for some reason, Hanna’s last image lingered in his mind.
-Why! Why are you only like this to me? Did I say I’d take over as Head of the Family? Did I ask you to teach me the Household Swordsmanship? I didn’t even make any difficult requests…. Can you please, just once, treat me like you treat Older Sister and Older Brother?
The image of his Youngest Daughter shouting with Resentment echoed in his mind.
‘I should look for her.’
He’d heard from the Servant that she’d Runaway, so he contemplated hiring someone to search for her. After all, this time, she’d been gone for a whole week.
‘When she comes back, I should have a stern word with her.’
At that moment.
“Father, is your visit because of Hanna’s Birthday this time?”
The Eldest Sibling broke the Silence cautiously, speaking up. The Divine Healer son, with a haughty expression and exceptional Talent.
Though Rowen worried about his Arrogant Personality, he thought such confidence was better than the timid Youngest Daughter.
Rowen Shook His Head as he replied.
“No.”
“Then, what brings you here?”
“I received a report about disappearances in the Hamel Mountain Range. The Emperor ordered me to investigate, so here I am.”
“The Hamel Mountain Range?”
For a moment, the Eldest Sibling’s expression cracked, breaking his composure. Rowen didn’t like this sight. A Knight should know how to hide their emotions. Acting like this out of fear of a disappearance case was unbecoming.
‘Still far from ready.’
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Rowen continued answering the Eldest Sibling’s question.
“They say A-Rank Adventurers have been going missing in the Hamel Mountain Range. The Emperor told me to take care of it while also taking some time off.”
“I see.”
“Exactly. Especially since the Adventurer’s Corpse found near the Orc Encampment was grotesque… Why do you look like that?”
At the mention of the Adventurer’s Corpse, Rowen noticed the Eldest Sibling’s expression twist. He briefly set down his Fork.
A frown formed between his brows.
This was the Second Time. Such a lack of composure was deeply displeasing. However, the words that came out of the Eldest Sibling’s mouth left Rowen speechless.
“Actually, there’s been a report that the youngest has recently been working as an Adventurer… and her main activity area is said to be the Hamel Mountain Range….”
-Ding.
In that instant.
A clear, ringing sound pierced Rowen’s mind.
Rowen couldn’t regain his composure.
Before him, the Blue Window displayed an unbelievable message.
Something he couldn’t accept.
Something he must not believe, leaving Rowen frozen in place.
[Today is the Death Anniversary of Histania ‘Hanna.’]
[Quest ‘Sinner’ achieved.]
[You have gained the right to view A Portion of the Original Work.]
[You may now view A Portion (Histania Hanna) related to her Death.]
In that moment, Rowen’s blood ran cold.
[Would you like to proceed with Viewing?]