The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld - Chapter 64
Chapter 64: The Hour of the Mad Dog
Peter used the money Allenvert had given him to buy a cake in celebration of his mother’s birthday.
“This… this is so precious…”
His mother, who once enjoyed the finest delicacies as a baroness, now seemed pitiful and frail, startled by even the smallest luxuries after being worn down by years of poverty.
“It was the young master who made it possible.”
Peter said, tears welling up as he held his mother’s hands.
“He said, since your birthday is approaching, I should go while I had the chance.”
“…He’s truly a kind person.”
“Absolutely. He’s incredibly kind.”
Peter said with conviction.
Just then, his youngest sibling hesitated before asking.
“Brother, are you sure you’re okay? Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”
“I’m fine.”
Peter said, patting his younger sister’s head.
“You’re keeping them safe, right?”
“Yes.”
The two gold coins Allenvert had given them. They were the family’s last line of defense, meant to protect them when Peter wasn’t around.
“Still, spending money on my birthday…”
His mother said, her tone heavy with guilt.
“That money could buy bread to feed us for several meals…”
“Please don’t say that, Mother.”
Peter replied, his voice tinged with frustration at her weary perspective.
“The young master said he would even raise my salary! He told me that if I follow him faithfully, our family can live comfortably.”
“That Allenvert…? The young master?”
“Yes, Mother, please trust me. The young master is truly a remarkable person.”
Peter said with unwavering certainty, feeding her a piece of cake.
“How is it?”
“It’s delicious.”
She said, wiping away tears.
“So sweet… It’s been so long since I’ve had something this sweet and soft…”
“Hehe. You’ll get to enjoy it more often from now on.”
Peter said with a foolish grin as he offered the cake to his siblings.
“Here, you should try some too.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks, brother. I’ll eat well.”
As they nibbled on the cake, tears filled their eyes.
“This is amazing, big brother.”
“Wow…”
Watching them, Peter thought to himself.
Even if I can’t throw myself into a blazing inferno for the young master, I’d gladly stick my bare hands into a scorching oven to pull out bread if it meant helping him.
‘What nonsense am I even thinking?’
He wondered, scratching his head with a clueless expression.
‘Still… I wonder if the young master is doing well?’
…If anything, I wish him good luck.
***
Olivier quietly observed Allenvert as he casually conversed with the servants.
‘Unbelievable.’
Even to Olivier, it seemed flawless—completely natural, without the slightest trace of awkwardness.
‘Unless they were someone of Young Lady Ulbhild’s caliber, no one would even suspect a thing.’
Olivier was impressed. Was it because of Allenvert’s performance, so convincing that it defied even the sharpest physical senses?
No. What truly struck him was Allenvert’s attitude—the audacity to accept conditions so brazenly imposed by a mere butler and the earnestness with which he worked to prove himself.
‘All this just to persuade me…’
Who else would go to such lengths for a servant? It was only natural for Olivier to feel a deep sense of gratitude and admiration welling up within him.
‘…But still, going into the underworld alone?’
That worry was something he couldn’t easily shake.
However, Allenvert was no helpless child wandering by a riverside, nor was he an inexperienced young master in need of constant guidance.
‘If I don’t trust him, who will?’
Even as Olivier reminded himself that trust was the butler’s duty, a part of him remained conflicted. Was it truly right not to report this? A matter of this magnitude?
‘But if I do report it, I’ll be betraying the young master’s trust.’
And so, it became a question Olivier had to answer for himself.
What does loyalty mean?
‘…The answer is clear.’
Olivier decided to follow Allenvert’s wishes.
***
As the sunset painted the sky, Peter returned.
“Did everything go well?”
“Yes.”
He replied.
“Anyone suspicious seem to take notice?”
“No, none.”
“Thought so.”
“And how was the young master?”
Peter turned his attention to Olivier, who answered in his stead.
“Utterly flawless.”
“Wow, really?”
Peter exclaimed in admiration.
“The young master truly is capable of anything.”
Of course. I smirked.
“Alright, let’s get down to business.”
I said, clapping my hands to draw their focus.
“When the night grows deep, I’ll be leaving the annex. In the meantime, Peter, you’ll stay in my room, and Olivier, stay on alert just in case anything unexpected happens.”
Both of them replied with reluctant acceptance.
“Understood.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“For the record, I’ll be back by tomorrow morning.”
“What?! Morning?!”
“Yeah.”
“Where will you sleep then?”
“Listen. I’ll sleep when I get back.”
“Wow, you’re going to be exhausted.”
Peter muttered, sounding half-dazed.
“And what if someone asks where you were or if you’re still asleep at this hour?”
“Just say I was practicing mana cultivation techniques or something.”
I said dismissively.
Who would question me? After all, I’m already a prodigy who learned the martial arts from Young Lady Ulbhild herself.
“If anything urgent happens, wake me. Missing a night of sleep won’t kill me.”
There were plenty of times in the past when I went days without rest. And when I was younger, hunger kept me awake countless nights.
“…”
Those sleepless, hungry nights. The memory of my grandfather surfaced, making my mood dip slightly. It wasn’t just the overcast weather that dampened my spirits.
“Will it rain tonight?”
“It looks like it. You should at least bring an umbrella…”
Peter suggested.
“What are you talking about? Do you think this is some leisurely stroll?”
I chuckled, then turned to him.
“Let’s swap clothes. And next time, stock a few spare outfits in my room.”
“Ah, yes. But won’t going home twice in one day seem suspicious?”
“They’re watching me, not you.”
I said plainly.
Besides, I know better than anyone how tedious surveillance can be. Staying on high alert every second, even on quiet nights when the world sleeps? That’s unrealistic.
‘And I already have the means to detect any pursuit or surveillance.’
I really ought to thank Ulbhild again for that.
“Being too cautious at this point would be excessive. It’s not the time for hesitation—it’s the time to act decisively.”
With that, my decision was final, and Peter stopped voicing any concerns.
“Understood.”
“Good. Still, we should scout out some escape routes, like a hidden passage, just in case.”
“I’ll look into that.”
Olivier offered.
“If Olivier takes charge, we’ll be in good hands.”
Leaning back into the chair, I gazed out the window.
“Alright, everyone, relax until night falls.”
The crimson-streaked sunset was being swallowed by the sea.
‘The hour of the Mad Dog is about to begin.’
That hazy twilight hour when it’s impossible to tell if the approaching beast is a dog or a wolf lurking in the distance.
‘The hour of the mad dog has truly arrived.’
Once that sun is fully submerged beneath the sea, my night will finally begin.
‘…I’ve waited so long for this.’
Tonight, to that dreary yet nostalgic underworld—
I will return.
***
Just before the eagerly anticipated night of Grunewald arrived, a man visited the Duke’s study.
“Patriarch, I’ve arrived.”
“Take a seat.”
Duke Georg Grunewald replied.
The Duke cast his gaze at the man, whose demeanor seemed at odds with the refined elegance of a noble household.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, but I’ve been keeping up with the news. It’s been a long time since the castle has been this lively.”
“It’s quite the commotion, I’ll admit.”
“I never imagined you’d assign me to Young Master Allenvert.”
The man grinned.
“You seem to have great expectations for him.”
Duke Georg offered no reply.
“Is it because of his remarkable talent in martial arts?”
“That’s not the only reason. You know that.”
“Hmm.”
The man rubbed his stubbly chin, evidence of days without shaving.
“Ah, pardon me. I came in such a rush, I didn’t have time to tidy up my appearance.”
“You wouldn’t waste time grooming yourself even if you had the time.”
“Haha, fair point.”
It was rare for anyone to speak so casually with Duke Georg, a figure so imposing that even Count Aiden, the head of a prestigious vassal family, tread carefully around him.
“I picked up some interesting stories on my way here.” The man remarked.
“Let’s hear them.”
A flicker of curiosity flashed in Georg’s eyes as if genuinely eager to know the man’s thoughts.
“Well, there’s the rumor that Jeffrey from the Royal Guards has decided to swear fealty to the fourth young master. That alone caught my attention. And the impression the young master left at the banquet wasn’t bad either.”
“And?”
“There’s also the story of how Keseg fell for the fourth young master’s provocation and ended up humiliated, and how even that overbearing Special Operations Division seems to have acknowledged him. Fascinating tales all around.”
The man spoke with an amused grin.
“But above all, what intrigued me the most was your decision to appoint me as the fourth young master’s swordsmanship instructor. Have you finally found a suitable candidate?”
“That’s for you to decide.”
Georg replied curtly.
The man’s grin didn’t waver, even in the face of the Duke’s stoic demeanor.
“I was curious anyway. I’ve wanted to see it for myself—can someone really change that much?”
On this, Georg silently agreed.
“At the very least, there’s no denying his martial talent. Can I train him in the way I see fit?”
“Do as you please.”
After all, that wasn’t what truly mattered.
“And what level of authority will I have…?”
The Duke’s response was straightforward.
“As you wish.”
“Oh, really? That might be a bit risky.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, this is surprising.”
The man said with a grin.
“To think you would hold him in such high regard.”
“It’s still too soon to say.”
“You’re as tight-lipped as ever. A father’s silence isn’t always a virtue, you know.”
The Duke retorted coldly.
“Spare me the presumptuous remarks.”
“My apologies.”
The man replied with a sly smile as he rose from his seat.
“I can’t make any promises. My standards are quite high.”
“They should be. Will you meet him right away?”
The man shook his head.
“No. I think I’ll observe him casually for about three days.”
“Very well. That’s like you.”
Georg said, dismissing him with a nod.
“Do whatever you want.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll take my leave.”
Creak.
The office door closed behind him. As he walked down the hallway, the man paused before a mirror.
‘Hm.’
He adjusted his facial muscles with meticulous precision, altering his expression.
His previously distinguished appearance melted away, transforming into that of a completely unremarkable, forgettable man.
‘This should do.’
From the stories he had pieced together, this fourth young master seemed to be quite the troublemaker. It was an amusing change compared to the timid boy he remembered from the past.
‘If it’s all part of a calculated act…’
It would mean that the seemingly weak boy had a mind far deeper than anyone had imagined.
‘Interesting.’
But he wasn’t going to get his hopes up. It would take a lot to surprise him.
Ssshh…
The man’s figure dissolved into the shadows, vanishing completely as though he had never been there.
———-