Survival 31

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“Recently, it seems that Liza doesn’t visit often.”

After finishing their training, Luciana casually remarked,

But in her tone, there was a profound bitterness.

It was a clear expression of emotion, uncharacteristic of Luciana.

Given her limited social relationships, it might be because she considers Elizabeth a special friend.

“We talked about our engagement.”

We had a good conversation involving a demon in the middle.

It was about not interfering with each other.

“Ah, what happened?”

“Instead of binding ourselves as fiancés right away,

we decided to enjoy the freedom of our youth more.”

“I see…”

Contrary to her previous sigh, this time a sigh of relief mixed with contentment escaped her lips.

“Then you don’t have to go to the count’s house.”

“Yes, fortunately, Lady Frontal was considerate of my situation.”

“That’s good.”

Regardless of Elizabeth’s infrequent visits, I roughly knew where her relief stemmed from.

[Luciana’s Affection Level: 45 (Trust)]

[Current Psychological State]

[She is pleased that Hans does not have to leave the Duke’s house.]

Perhaps because her affection level increased, her true feelings were revealed once more.

“You’re too valuable a talent to send elsewhere.”

My past hardships were not in vain.

Had I not known this, I might have yearned for Elizabeth even more.

A feeling of satisfaction filled my heart.

The only question is…

Why did the affection level increase?

This time, it was solely tied to Elizabeth, and there was no significant interaction with Luciana herself.

“Are you that pleased I didn’t leave?”

“I wish you would just keep your mouth shut, but please, at least brew the black tea properly before you speak.”

I’ve become so accustomed to this kind of verbal lashing that it no longer clouds my thoughts.

“Won’t I eventually get better?”

“It’s fine. I have no expectations. You excel in other areas, including training, making you rather suitable as my attendant.”

Reflecting on the recent training, I thought about Luciana’s growth. Could it be likened to a mid-boss in a game, representing her progress?

Her swordsmanship skills kept improving day by day.

On the contrary, I was only getting weaker.

My fighting style, creating variables by hitting unexpected points, had become predictable to her. My advantage had faded due to her adaptation from countless trainings.

‘This can’t go on.’

The sudden realization of my anxiety dimmed the earlier sense of satisfaction.

It’s one thing to be defeated by Luciana; she is a true genius.

But my stagnation in growth means I might not be able to face future dangers.

Prevention is better than cure.

I need to grow to prepare for the future.

And most importantly, Luciana beside me is continuously advancing. How can I just sit idly by?

To remain by her side until the end, I must become a versatile and perfect attendant.

-Creak.

As I pondered how to grow, a puppy came to my feet.

“…Don’t you ever skip a meal? Are you a wolf, or a pig?”

The once helpless newborn could now walk on its own.

It was treated like a relic, recognizing immediately who would feed it and always following me around when hungry, which was problematic.

The creature hardly showed any signs of being a wild beast.

“What are you saying to Freide? It’s still a puppy. If it hears harsh words during its growth, who knows how it might turn out.”

A cold voice came from the real owner, whose forehead creased in worry.

As expected from past interactions, it seemed she had grown quite attached to the dog, more than just a simple hunting companion.

“I’ll watch my words.”

Such devotion.

Shrugging, I casually agreed and took out Freide’s favorite food from my pocket.

It was jerky from a guardian deity who had selflessly offered its own body even in death.

Smelling it, Freide’s tail started wagging vigorously.

“You always know how to pick the precious stuff.”

Perhaps for Freide, the guardian deity’s jerky was like a tonic.

Speaking of tonics, I’ve got a good idea.

‘There is indeed a rare elixir available only at the northern auction house.’

In any region, where there is light, there is also shadow – a timeless truth. The area where the nobility I’m involved with operates is sunny, but its underworld is rough and barren.

Thieves’ guilds, black markets, red-light districts…

A world of the survival of the fittest, yet moving according to the rules set by the strong.

Unbound by ethics and pretense, it’s a place to acquire rare items that can’t be found in the noble houses obsessed with appearances.

‘With my current status, I should never be able to step foot there.’

But there was no problem, despite their restrictions on external nobility.

[Frost Mane]

[Relations]

[Thieves’ Guild: Interest]

I have another name, after all.

With a reputation interesting enough for the Thieves’ Guild, I shouldn’t be double-crossed.

At that moment.

My vision filled with a blue hue.

“What are you pondering so deeply about?”

“I’m reviewing my spar with Lady Luciana, even thinking of ways to win.”

Luciana, who had stopped ahead, looked back at me with a slight smirk.

“You dream big. You haven’t even seen the second technique of this sword yet.”

…This cheeky little thing.

Who taught her? Her provocation has grown just as splendidly as she scratches at my patience.

No, that’s not it.

Let’s be honest.

That’s why.

‘Since she acquired that sword, she has never shown her true intentions in a duel.’

“Just you wait and see. I’ll win in a major fight.”

Unfortunately, I lack the innate talent she has.

So, I need to bolster my strength through items, as I’ve always done.

Otherwise, I’ll be nothing but dead weight.

And that’s not something I can accept.

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

Was it my determined demeanor as a loyal attendant that she liked? Luciana looked up at me with a smile on her lips.

***

Late at night, after finishing my work, I sat at my desk in the corner of my room, organizing my thoughts.

“The target is the Frostroot at the auction.”

Frostroot.

A one-time buff elixir that temporarily amplifies the user’s abilities.

It’s the same kind of one-time buff elixir I had during the battle with the guardian deity.

The truth is, Frostroot isn’t very popular.

Given the same price, people prefer other elixirs that provide a permanent increase in abilities, hence its lesser popularity.

But this time, the Frostroot appearing in the black market is of a different caliber from what I’ve had before.

It possesses abilities that would perfectly complement my combat style, so I definitely want to get my hands on it.

“The problem is money.”

I started jotting down various thoughts in the blank spaces of my notebook.

Salary, robbery, auction house raid…

Although I do have a salary from my job as an attendant, it’s nothing compared to the wealth of the big shots who frequent the black market.

Since it looks just like a regular Frostroot, the competition might not be too fierce, but you never know.

Now that this place has become my reality, I can’t predict what might happen.

Robbery or raiding the auction house are out of the question with my current abilities.

Especially now, when the security of each noble house has been tightened.

“If only I could find a way to raise funds.”

But there seemed to be no way out.

The North is famously insular.

It’s unlikely that a stranger like me could find a well-off place willing to lend money.

In the end, I had no choice but to rely on the people around me.

‘My connections are limited to Luciana, Yegor, Bathory, and Elizabeth.’

Our Lady and the Count, being traditional nobles, wouldn’t lend money for something that would end up in the underworld.

Bathory, perhaps in the Evildon Empire but here, is penniless.

“Looks like I have no choice but to approach Elizabeth.”

Being a merchant’s daughter, she probably has money. And being in the dark market, she wouldn’t be unaware of its existence.

However, my concern was something else.

– Really? A demon like you coveting such a common elixir?  That’s quite unexpected.

“Tch.”

I could vividly imagine Elizabeth, busy with her calculator, looking up at me.

Our alliance was solely based on ‘not hindering my staying by Luciana’s side.’

But for her, who’s an excellent clingy type, the current situation would still be unsatisfactory.

What if she decides to join the auction for the elixir I’m targeting, just because I let slip some information?

It would be like watching the roof after losing the chickens.

“Sigh. If only she had some business ethics.”

I don’t hold out hope.

If she had been ethical all along, how could Frontal have seized control of the North’s financial lifelines?

Back to square one.

An awkward situation to ask anyone for help.

My head started to throb.

Then,

“Do you need help?”

Was I too absorbed in figuring out how to secure funds?

A maid had quietly approached and was standing by my side, bowing her head.

“What are you doing? How dare you enter this room without my consent?”

Even among the servants of the same ducal household, there was a hierarchy.

Naturally, at the top was Yegor, the chief attendant who assisted the duke, bearing responsibility for every minor affair of the house.

Next were the attendants and maids, including myself.

How could commoners assist the noble blood of the duke?

Even if rotting, we were nobility, and attendants and maids belonged to the respected class.

And at the bottom of the hierarchy were the maids and servants like the one before me.

Coming from commoner backgrounds, they handled chores like cleaning, dishwashing, and stable work in various parts of the ducal household.

Thus, this maid entering my room without hearing my response was a breach of noble etiquette.

Surely, she must have been hired recently to fill the vacancies left by retirees.

What was her name again? Sally?

“Tch, enough. What can I say to a newcomer? Go back, and be careful next time.”

Assuming it was a simple mistake by a new recruit, I gestured for her to leave.

“But if it’s money you need, I could lend you some.”

However, I had to turn back upon hearing a voice that followed, for it belonged to a middle-aged man.

And it sounded all too familiar.

“…You sure arrive quickly.”

“Uhaha, sorry about that. There was a lot of leftover work in the West.”

The person disguising as a maid with a gruff voice was none other than Sand Mole, Perno.

He was the master who led me to the path of a phantom thief.

“It seems I got really heated up after being thwarted by the Roberk ducal house. They tightened their net so fiercely. Had a hard time shaking them off.”

The maid’s frame and face twisted, returning to the familiar form of Perno.

Grumbling, he turned to me.

“I heard about it. The notorious Frost Mane of the North, that’s you, isn’t it?”

“What if I say it’s not me?”

“Then I’d be a bit disappointed. My disciple falling behind someone unknown, that’s what it would mean.”

“Really now. If it wasn’t for Frost Mane, you wouldn’t even look back.”

Shrugging, I virtually admitted to being Frost Mane, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

“Exactly, I believed in you amidst all those wild rumors.”

“Wild rumors, you say?”

It’s inevitable for a phantom thief to be surrounded by rumors. Hearing them from someone else made me curious.

“The Thieves’ Guild has really gone downhill, huh? They say an unidentified demon entered the North, or a hunter chasing demons, or someone who killed a great spirit ruling over the mountains.”

My spine chilled.

Was the Thieves’ Guild’s intelligence network this formidable?

“…But who would believe that? They just bring strange rumors and try to extract information fees.”

Fortunately, Perno was so busy criticizing the Thieves’ Guild that he didn’t notice my cold sweat. I composed my expression and changed the topic.

“So, what brings you here? Do you finally have time to teach me more?”

“Well, there’s that. I’m planning a big job before I retire.”

Perno turned to me, forming a circle with his thumb and index finger, and waved his arm. His smile, in the hairy maid’s outfit, wasn’t exactly a pleasant sight.

“I plan to make a hefty profit on my last heist.”

“So, the loot from the West wasn’t enough for you, I see.”

I clicked my tongue as if to emphasize my point. The artifacts he had turned over must be enough to build a new hideout.

“You don’t understand. It’s a rule to gather even the smallest speck when stepping out of the game.”

“So, who’s your target this time?”

Surely not the Speda Ducal House. There had been a security gap since the guardian deity’s death, but…

Fortunately, my guess was off the mark. In his hand, he held a thin black paper that looked like a ribbon.

“That is….”

“Oh, you seem to know what this is.”

Of course. How could I not recognize the entrance ticket to the place I’m intending to go?

“The top artifact of the black market auction is a perfect ornament for my retirement party.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

A stage set by a legendary phantom thief.

“May I join as a partner in this endeavor?”

After all, don’t hog all the spoils for yourself. How about sharing a bit with your disciple?

Love flows downwards, right? Don’t you know that?

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