The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: A Little Performance

“Young Master, please stay inside from here on. It could be dangerous.”

“Very well.”

I closed the window without argument.

“It’s quite hostile here.”

I commented while peering through the gap in the curtains.

“Yes, the people in the slums tend to particularly despise nobles.”

Peter, who was far more familiar with the slums than Olivier, remarked.

“Indeed.”

How could I not understand?

The hostile gazes from the people on these streets. Or their vague admiration and reverence.

Perhaps their undefined jealousy towards someone born into the right bloodline living in luxury…

Weren’t these all emotions that Karzan, once an orphan wandering the slums, had harbored?

“How do you find the scenery?”

I responded nonchalantly to the coachman’s question.

“The city’s prosperity is truly remarkable.”

“Haha! I’m glad to hear that.”

But I hadn’t come out just to look at the scenery.

‘Yesterday, I received important information through Joseph.’

If, as he said, there were survivors of Eisenach hiding in this city’s underworld?

That’s another reason for me to infiltrate the underworld.

‘But it’s impossible to extend influence into the underworld with any significant activity right now.’

My domain is still just one tiny house, and Grunewald Castle itself is essentially a surveillance net with countless watching eyes. Breaking through all that to connect with the underworld is impossible.

The same goes for my current situation, surrounded by the barrier of guards and the coachman accompanying me.

‘Though he agreed to cooperate with my plans, Olivier isn’t completely my man yet.’

After all, this man is still a member of the Borgart Clan and a vassal of Grunewald.

Therefore—

Even my stated purpose for this outing that Olivier and Peter knew about was actually an elaborate deception.

‘The two of them probably think I’m trying to establish connections with useful smugglers to find the herbs that the survivors of my maternal family are supposedly distributing.’

Not a chance. How long would it take to find people that way?

‘But it’s enough of a pretext to deceive Olivier.’

Today, while pretending to be leisurely sightseeing, I planned to observe the smugglers lurking around the docks.

Why smugglers specifically? Think about it. Smuggling isn’t something you can do without solid backing.

‘Therefore, knowing a capable smuggler is no different from finding a bridgehead into the underworld.’

It was a perfect pretext that even I would have believed completely if I were Olivier.

But who could fully grasp my intentions? Especially without having dipped their feet into the murky darkness of the underworld.

To unknowing eyes, I’d appear as just a young noble out sightseeing.

To those watching me with suspicion, it would look like I was trying to do something suspicious.

Even to Olivier’s eyes, it would seem I was trying to make contact with smugglers.

‘But they’re all wrong.’

Hiding true intentions within chaos.

This was a technique of intrigue that Karzan had learned by observation during his time as the Dark King’s blade.

* * *

Word that Allenvert had gone out with five guards reached Verdzig’s ears.

“How unexpected.”

He wondered what Allenvert’s purpose was for venturing outside at this time.

‘Is he trying to gain a foothold in the underworld?’

If successful, he could gain some backing.

But if his trail was discovered, it could become a fatal weakness leading to his downfall.

Dealings with the underworld required that level of secrecy.

‘It’s strange that he would attempt something so reckless when he doesn’t even have people he can use.’

Verdzig stroked his chin.

‘It would be truly futile if he’s trying to bring in trash without proper lineage as his people.’

Whether in noble society or the underworld, it was impossible to gain proper collaborators without any connections.

Then perhaps there was another purpose?

From his perspective, not yet knowing about the information regarding Eisenach’s survivors, it was difficult to imagine Allenvert being fixated on underworld connections without any apparent benefit.

‘He doesn’t even have any means to connect with the underworld to begin with.’

That was the logical conclusion.

‘He didn’t even take the mask with him.’

It remained in the annex. Of course, this was information he knew thanks to the tracking magic subtly installed on it, just as Allenvert had suspected.

‘What are you trying to do, Allenvert?’

Just out for some fresh air?

It would be foolish to take that at face value.

‘That can’t be it.’

Meeting him in person, Allenvert’s mind proved quite deep.

Above all, he was the type of person whose actions were difficult to predict.

“Keep a close eye on that child’s movements and report back.”

“We are tracking his movements without any gaps.”

The response came from behind him.

“Report immediately if he does anything suspicious.”

“Yes.”

What could he be planning?

Or what was he trying to confirm?

‘How interesting.’

Verdzig walked to the window.

The annex where he stayed was itself no different from a massive mansion. Above all, it had an unobstructed view overlooking the entire city.

The distant docks came into view.

Among the people swarming like ants, Verdzig’s superhuman eyesight easily spotted a familiar style of carriage.

“Ah, heading to the docks. I wonder why?”

He felt a slight anxiety at the fact that he still couldn’t read Allenvert’s intentions.

However—

‘Little brother, whatever you’re doing, you’re in the palm of my hand.’

There’s a certain entertainment in observing what the ants in one’s palm are up to.

* * *

After crossing several bridges, we arrived at Port Grunewald. Massive sailing ships flying flags of various nations were busy docking and departing.

“Wow.”

Truly impressive. This is where goods from all continents converge.

“Woah…”

Peter gaped in amazement.

“It’s becoming quite grand.”

The sight of these overwhelmingly large sailing ships docking at the harbor and unloading cargo was truly spectacular.

The amount of cargo on just one ship was enormous. Dozens of such ships were lined up, pouring out massive quantities of goods.

“Yes, it’s tremendous.”

The place was packed with merchants in formal attire from all countries, brokers, mercenaries and sailors, laborers unloading cargo, and peddlers walking around with miscellaneous goods and food items.

It was on a completely different scale from the harbor where I lived in my previous life. Seeing this, Grunewald’s wealth and prosperity made perfect sense.

“Just imagine how much money all this represents.”

Olivier responded to my muttering.

“It’s incalculable. The value of goods moving through here in just one night is astronomical.”

Unlike Olivier, who felt pride as a vassal of Grunewald, I was thinking from a completely different perspective.

‘This means the scale of smuggling must be beyond imagination as well.’

If the men of the underworld who grew up scraping by on the crumbs of this wealth had been accumulating their power over a long time, their scale would be truly formidable. Then surely among all these goods, there must be plenty of contraband mixed in.

They would buy and sell alcohol, illicit goods, medicinal herbs and elixirs.

Also jewels, ornaments, paintings, crafts, sculptures, poisons and drugs that destroy humans, horses, cattle, and even people.

‘This is a vast sea of desire.’

Look at the sailors crossing this sea, the merchants receiving them, the men carrying cargo, the women wearing strong perfume and those selling beer, pickpockets, shabby orphans, and nobles holding fans and swords while pinching their noses from afar.

‘It’s amazing anew. Just how many people make their living from this one port?’

Meanwhile, desperate individuals who crossed over here seeking blood and money would also be quietly disembarking among the passengers.

The darkness of the city constantly draws people in, after all.

Some will be stabbed and discarded, while others will do the stabbing and climb over corpses.

‘But they will never reach the deepest depths of the abyss.’

Monsters dwell there. They each rule over their domains of the night, looking down upon this sea from their comfortable mansions as if they were nobles themselves.

‘Worthless scum.’

It’s remarkable that even they must bow before my father, Georg Grunewald.

And now, I have descended to these docks from the upper levels of that magnificent hierarchical tower. To this crucible of desire where the most base and the most noble all gather.

‘…My shadow too shall take root.’

For that, I first needed to blend in as a thorough outsider.

“Well then, I apologize but please wait here for a moment.”

The coachman glanced at the guards and Olivier.

“I’m sorry, Young Master.”

The captain spoke carefully.

“That area is too crowded for proper security.”

“But I see many other nobles sightseeing here even without me.”

I pointed to the nobles fanning themselves while holding parasols on the elevated area overlooking the docks. Some of them even descended to the docks themselves.

“That’s true, but the position of Fourth Young Master of Grunewald is special.”

“Are you saying the public sentiment is so poor that someone so special should fear unexpected attacks in a place like this?”

“…That’s not the case.”

“Let’s do this.”

I made a suggestion to the troubled captain.

“I have no intention of being conspicuous and troubling people unnecessarily. So perhaps just one or two could guard me closely while the rest provide natural protection from nearby.”

“Hmm… But our attire and arms are obviously unnatural to anyone who sees them.”

“The harbor patrol also moves around in groups, so how conspicuous could a few royal guards be?”

Moreover.

“Wasn’t the Head Butler’s order to guard me, not control me?”

“…!”

“Please correct me if I’m misunderstanding.”

“That’s not the case.”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t asked your name yet.”

“Ah, my name is Jeffrey.”

“Good, Jeffrey.”

I pointed at Jeffrey.

“Then let me ask again. Unless there are clear security concerns, is there another reason I should comply with your restraints?”

Jeffrey bowed to me.

“It is as you say, Young Master. I apologize.”

“I should apologize too, for being somewhat unreasonable.”

“…You must have had your reasons.”

Look at that? Such a probing tone.

“Not particularly. I just felt stifled after being in a cage for so long.”

I turned around with a slight smile.

“Peter, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

…How could that bird not want to spread its wings and fly when it encounters the vast sky?

‘Now then.’

Who will guide me to my beloved homeland?

I slowly walked into the sea of people in all manner of dress.

* * *

I walked slowly through the bustling docks.

For now, no one approached me. That was natural. I must obviously look like a noble’s son.

‘I’m not interested in mere peddlers either.’

Although my true purpose lay elsewhere, I still planned to speak with several smugglers wandering these docks today.

‘But most of those involved in petty smuggling are worthless scum.’

On the other hand, operating on a large scale requires proper skill and credibility.

How do you find such people?

‘This kind of thing is usually instinct.’

Who’s all talk? Who’s worthless? Who has a snake’s tongue ready to exploit others…

Those who can’t discern such things cannot survive in this land. And I am a man who survived for a long time in that realm of demons, living as a mad dog that even they feared.

‘Let’s see. Right now my posture is too guarded.’

I squared my shoulders like an ignorant, arrogant young master. Walking with a slight swagger, I clasped my hands behind my back.

Some people reveal their sense of authority through their walk alone. Moreover, with brilliant clothing and a shining face added to that, who wouldn’t see me as a noble’s precious son?

“Hey, look over there.”

“Who is that?”

I felt everyone’s gazes turn toward me. Admiration, question, curiosity, envy, greed, annoyance, fear, and…

Look. Aren’t there gazes of desire mixed in? Eyes wanting to grab hold of the thread leading to a wealthy, precious young master.

Squawk?

Even seagulls landed near me, tilting their heads. Even beasts can tell who is noble and wealthy. How much more so would humans recognize it?

“Peter, do you have any snacks?”

“Ah! Here they are!”

“Good. You’re an excellent servant.”

I walked leisurely while lightly tossing them into the seagulls’ mouths.

I couldn’t help but smile. Drawing in seagulls by giving them bait. Isn’t this a perfect metaphor for what I’m trying to do today?

Squawk!

The seagulls following me, waddling and begging for more, scattered with a flutter when kicked by passersby. How pitiful.

‘They’re not approaching yet. That shows how cautious they are.’

That’s better. If someone had approached to speak with me right away, they would most likely have been a worthless newcomer.

In truth, it was also because of the fierce expressions of the royal guards standing behind me. Even now, Jeffrey’s gaze felt like it was burning through the back of my head.

‘How warm.’

And that’s not all. Like stars twinkling somewhere, there might be eyes watching me on someone’s orders.

‘Sorry everyone. Making you waste your effort.’

Nothing could be more foolish than showing signs of having ulterior motives when everyone is watching you. Even Barclava wouldn’t do something like that.

‘Would he? Anyway.’

I exchanged glances with Olivier and Peter.

‘Ready?’

‘Yes.’

‘I am!’

‘Good.’

From now on, we were about to put on a little performance.

———