The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld-Chapter 155

[Translator - Pot]

[Proofreader - Kawaii]

Chapter 155: Verdzig's Move

I quietly listened to the argument between the dwarf craftsman and the royal guard.

“If you state your business, I’ll relay it and arrange an appointment for you. Isn’t that what I said?”

“Listen, man. Who has time to wait around for that? If you were a blacksmith who dawdled like this, you’d ruin the tempering of your swords.”

“Isn’t it better to follow procedure than to rush and ruin the sword?”

“Hah, you’ve got a sharp tongue.”

“Why do you think I’m acting like this? If you’re the royal blacksmith, you should at least maintain some decorum—”

“You don’t need to lecture me on manners.”

The dwarf snorted.

“I’ll just sit here and have a beer until His Highness arrives, so don’t mind me.”

“This is driving me crazy.”

‘Oh?’

So this man is the greatest blacksmith in the duchy?

I didn’t know his purpose, but if a man of his caliber came to see me of his own accord, it was undoubtedly good news.

“If you’re so upset, why don’t you bring your superior, Jeffrey? He owes me for the toys I made for him when he was a kid. He wouldn’t dare turn me away—”

“No need for that.”

“Huh?!”

The dwarf jumped up at the sudden voice behind him.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Allenvert.”

I deactivated my stealth technique and greeted him.

“Oh, Your Highness!”

The dwarf brushed the dirt off his pants, wiped his hands on his trousers, and extended his hand for a handshake.

“How long have you been here?”

Just this gesture showed he was a man unbound by formalities. I gladly shook his hand, feeling the calluses of a craftsman.

“I just arrived.”

“Strange. How did I not notice?”

“I just learned a stealth technique at the library and decided to test it out.”

“Hah. You fooled my eyes with a technique you just learned? Truly a genius.”

The dwarf named Baldun bowed slightly to me.

“Your Highness, I am Baldun Grashelm, the royal blacksmith of the Grunewald Duchy.”

“Nice to meet you, Baldun.”

I shook his hand lightly. He was short, barely reaching my chest, but his torso was twice as thick as an average man’s.

‘His grip is impressive.’

As expected from a blacksmith who’s spent his life hammering metal.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I actually came to discuss something urgent. But this guy here kept blocking me, going on about procedures and whatnot.”

“He was just doing his job. Don’t hold it against him.”

“Well, I suppose.”

Baldun clicked his tongue.

“But from now on, I’ll make sure you’re not stopped when you come to see me.”

“Hehe, I’d appreciate that.”

Baldun grinned without hesitation.

“So, what’s your business?”

“Hehe, straight to the point, huh?”

Baldun seemed pleased.

“I heard you defeated a Nepherus.”

“That’s right.”

“I saw the remains at the auction house. The condition was excellent. No wonder the top-grade items were already reserved.”

“Is that so?”

That’s good news. It smelled like money.

“If you could spare some of the materials you’ve kept, I’d be happy to craft equipment for you at a very reasonable price. You’ll need a good blacksmith, won’t you?”

“Hmm.”

Baldun was right. It was an offer I had no reason to refuse.

But remember, accepting the first offer outright isn’t the best negotiating tactic.

“I understand your offer, but it’s not urgent enough for me to decide right now—”

As expected, Baldun’s face showed urgency.

“Your Highness! This is by no means a bad offer.”

“Hmm. Is that so? I’m not sure.”

I crossed my arms defiantly.

“Didn’t I craft that treasured sword for you?”

“It’s an exceptional sword.”

“So, for old times’ sake!”

“I’m not sure.”

When I acted aloof, Baldun quickly made another offer.

“I’ll make you a scabbard for that fine sword, free of charge!”

“Hmm.”

I gave Baldun a skeptical look.

“For free?”

“Absolutely free!”

Baldun replied immediately.

“A scabbard made of fine wood, lined with Nepherus hide, will not only be beautiful but also sturdy enough to use as a blunt weapon or shield in emergencies.”

“Hmm.”

“And I’ll make you armor too. Though that will take some time.”

‘Oh?’

This was a tempting offer. Knowing how expensive good armor could be, it was hard to refuse.

“That’s a decent offer.”

I uncrossed my arms.

“Then let’s hear your terms.”

“Hehe, an excellent choice.”

“No need for flattery.”

Originally, I would’ve had to beg for such a deal, but here he was, offering armor on top of everything.

‘Well, it’s in the dwarves’ nature to sweeten the deal to get what they want.’

It seemed the Nepherus remains were more valuable than I thought.

‘Did Venion have this in mind when he gave me the task?’

I doubted he’d do me such a favor. He probably didn’t expect me to defeat it in the first place.

Anyway.

“While you’re at it, can I place a few more orders? Of course, I’ll pay a fair price for those.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

Baldun’s face lit up.

“What do you need?”

“Hmm, let’s see.”

I wanted to upgrade the royal guards’ equipment, and while I was at it, get good weapons and armor for Zizek and Rob. They’d need something to withstand a blind strike or two, wouldn’t they?

“I’ll send the details through the butler soon. We’ll formalize our deal then.”

“Understood. Anything else, Your Highness?”

Baldun, now in a good mood, even used more refined language. I couldn’t help but smile. I liked his straightforward and honest nature.

“Do you handle jewelry for noblewomen?”

“Ah, it’s not my specialty, but my cousin is quite skilled.”

“Then I’d like to commission a piece from him. I need a gift for my mother.”

“Ah! For something like that, I’ll make sure he crafts a masterpiece, day and night.”

“I appreciate that.”

Reading the joy on Baldun’s face, I casually asked.

“Do you know my mother, Baldun?”

“Yes. I’ve seen her from a distance a couple of times.”

Ah, look. Here’s another man who knows my mother, whom I can’t even remember.

“What kind of person is she?”

“Anyone can see she’s Your Highness’s mother.”

It was an odd expression, so I asked.

“Why do you say that?”

“She’s as beautiful and kind as a goddess.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Coming from someone who didn’t seem the type to flatter, it made me feel even better.

“Then, Baldun. Our deal is settled.”

I shook Baldun’s hand.

“You won’t regret it, Your Highness.”

After Baldun left, humming a tune, I turned to the royal guard who had been arguing with him.

“By the way, where’s Jeffrey?”

“Captain Jeffrey went to fetch Evan and hasn’t returned yet.”

“Should that take so long?”

“Ah, actually—”

The royal guard lowered his voice and whispered.

“He said he’d meet his father, Wilfred, to ask about the secret passages in the city.”

“Oh?”

It seemed the task I gave Olivier had been passed to Jeffrey.

‘Well.’

Thinking about it, a fox hunter would know more about such passages than a butler.

“They’re doing well without me having to say anything.”

It’s a good thing when your subordinates are competent.

“Then I’ll just train in martial arts until Jeffrey returns.”

I was having fun putting my newly learned stealth technique to use.

‘Good. I should mess with Peter a bit.’

Wait for it, Peter.

* * *

After the banquet, Verdzig decided to revise his strategy regarding Allenvert once more.

‘From what I saw yesterday, Allenvert’s senses have improved significantly. If I carelessly send spies, they’ll be caught.’

Thus, Verdzig withdrew his surveillance team.

‘This is a kind of trap.’

Once Allenvert realizes the surveillance has been lifted, he’ll surely return to the underworld.

‘A long tail is bound to be stepped on.’

For now, Verdzig planned to let Allenvert move freely, only to strike at an unexpected moment.

‘In the meantime, I’ll quietly search for the collaborators he’s established in the underworld.’

This was a far more cunning and covert method than overt surveillance. Moreover, it was a tightly woven strategy, combining both setting a trap and conducting a search simultaneously.

‘However.’

To carry out such a mission, he needed to deploy personnel of a much higher caliber than his current subordinates.

‘Even if he’s a bit clever, failing to handle a mere child properly is unacceptable.’

He didn’t kill the spy who had failed the mission.

After all, it wasn’t his fault that the letter in Peter’s pocket turned out to be snacks.

‘It’s better to reassign him to monitor Somerset.’

In Verdzig’s mind, Somerset’s standing had been downgraded by a notch.

He respected worthy opponents and treated them as grand adversaries, while those like Barclava and Somerset, who had shown their limits, were to be crushed and used as pawns in his chess game.

That was Verdzig’s way.

‘Of course, my greatest rival is you, Allenvert.’

Thus, Verdzig also needed a sharper blade.

“Skella.”

Verdzig’s low voice echoed in the dark room.

“Yes.”

The voice reverberated like an echo, making it impossible to pinpoint the speaker’s location.

“Show yourself, Skella Recrusa.”

From the shadows of the night, a figure slowly emerged, as if ink spreading on paper.

……Skella Recrusa simply stood there. Verdzig’s fingers lightly brushed her silver-white hair, which seemed to blend into the shadows.

“Skella.”

The serene moonlight illuminated the two. If Verdzig was the sun of the day, she was truly the moon of the night.

“You’ve grown stronger since I last saw you. Have you been training for me?”

Verdzig’s sea-blue eyes gazed down at Skella’s crimson ones.

“…….”

But Skella did not answer. She merely met his gaze with a cold, dry stare.

“Still have those eyes that look like an abyss.”

Her eyes were so dark, they seemed to absorb everything like a deep, dark well.

Yet, an invisible chain bound her pale neck. The chain was held by Verdzig’s hand, which still caressed her silver hair.

“Skella Recrusa. It’s time to use your power.”

Skella replied in an emotionless voice.

“As you wish.”

Skella Recrusa was the greatest genius of the assassination organization nurtured by the Bergen Count clan and the masterpiece of the vampire clan, Recrusa. Thus, she was the blade Verdzig desired most.

“This is my first command to you. Make sure you carry it out flawlessly.”

“You’ve waited a long time.”

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Skella spoke with icy disdain.

“Haha, I’m a man who gets what he wants, no matter what.”

Verdzig had secretly received command over her from his grandfather as a reward for resolving the Malekian incident.

“Long ago, I made you a promise. If you followed me, I would free your clan from Bergen’s control.”

“Is that so? Wasn’t that just a promise you made on your own?”

Skella retorted.

“For me, it’s just that the leash has changed hands from the Bergen Count to you.”

“You didn’t agree, but you didn’t refuse either. Your silent consent was your last shred of pride.”

Verdzig laughed.

“You thought sacrificing yourself to free your clan was the better choice. A truly rational decision.”

“…….”

“I admire your rationality, Skella.”

Verdzig grabbed Skella’s chin and lifted it.

“I value your skills more than anyone else in your clan.”

“How kind of you.”

Skella simply glared at him.

“You are mine, Skella.”

Verdzig’s hand moved down to grip the restraint collar around her neck.

“I’d rather break this collar and die.”

Skella sneered.

“I like that venomous tongue of yours.”

Verdzig caressed the restraint collar. The moment she tried to tear it off or destroy it, the collar would explode, blowing her head off.

“But that won’t happen. I’m a wicked man.”

“I know.”

“Heh.”

Verdzig chuckled and released the collar.

“Go. Use your abilities to uncover Allenvert’s secrets.”

“As you wish.”

Skella’s form melted back into the shadows of the night.

……It was a stealth technique born of innate talent, honed through extreme training and martial principles—a technique bordering on the divine.

[Translator - Pot]

[Proofreader - Kawaii]