Chapter Twenty-Four
SLAM!
The door to Han's room swung open as the heavy wood hit the stone wall with a crack that vibrated through the floorboards.
[Ping!]
[Kaelen's Likability: 45]
[100 Gacha Points Awarded!]
[Ping!]
[Hans's Likability: 10]
[100 Gacha Points Awarded!]
I blinked at the floating blue screens.
How did it increase? I don't remember anything except slapping him today. If anything shouldn't it have dropped?
[Ping!]
[Maybe he's a masochist?]
Damn! Really?
[Ping!]
[You never know.]
True. True. Hey! Weren't you mad at me?
...
Are you ghosting me because I got too handsome or what?
"BUTLLLLLEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!"
Kaelen's voice ripped through the room, freezing me in my place in pure shock as it shook the foundations of the castle while at the same time vibrating the very soul of the poor woman standing by the bed.
Mrs Hans jumped so hard at the scream of Kaelen she nearly dropped the medicinal bowl. Her eyes went wide as she stared at the silver-haired hurricane charging toward the bed where Vizen was propped up against the pillows.
However, before Kaelen could launch himself like a missile and potentially snap the old man's remaining healthy ribs, I lunged forward. I caught him by the back of his collar, my heels skidding on the rug as I arrested his momentum.
What has happened to this fucker since the mountain? Did he leave his brain there or something?
"Please don't mind him, Mrs. Hans," I said, straining against the weight of a knight who was currently trying to run through the air.
He's a walking bomb with those inner circles. How the fuck is he so strong!?
"Selia, you should go take care of Elena," Hans squeezed into the room sighing as he stared at his wife with those puppy in love eyes. "And, rest a little. It's not even dawn yet."
Wow... Must be nice to have the love of your life in front of you.
[Ping!]
[You have the love of your life in front of you too, idiot!]
I do? I don't see my gold anywhere around here, though.
...
What?
[Ping!]
[Host is hopeless. The money is in the inventory. We'll tell you how to withdraw it when you're alone.]
I see. Wait! Seriously!? Fuck! I have to hurry up and wrap up with this reunion.
"Ah! It's okay, Keiran. I moved Elena to her room," Mrs Hans smiled, smoothing her apron. She looked at Vizen with a gentle smile. "Please take care of yourself, you need rest too. And Butler Vizen, if you need anything please call me."
"Thank you for your help, Lady Selia," Vizen croaked. Even with a bandaged head, the old man exerted an aura of absolute grace.
If only he was Veryon's father... Fuck. What's wrong with me?
"It was good to see you Sir Kaelen and Your Grace too," Mrs Hans added, bowing her head.
"Likewise, Mrs. Hans. I apologise from this brat's side for scaring you," I grunted, giving Kaelen's collar a sharp tug.
"Pfft, it's not a big deal, Your Grace. Excuse me." She chuckled softly and slipped out of the room, leaving the air a little lighter.
It must be nice to have someone you can rely on. I wonder how that golden hair is doing.
Do I remember her because her hair was golden like gold coins? Damn! I can't even figure out anything with this crazy money obsession.
"Thank you for taking care of Vizen again, Mrs. Hans!" I called out after her, snapping out of my thoughts.
Well, guess we have a free nurse on the run till I find some maids.
"Anytime, Your Grace."
The moment the door clicked shut, Kaelen went into full meltdown mode, making me groan. "Master! Let me go! I wanna hug Butler! It's been 2 days!"
I miss my snappy knight. Why do I have to take care of this child?
"Shut up, brat!" I snapped, tightening my grip. "I'm going to hug the oldie first. I'm the Duke. I get priority. You're second."
Kaelen froze, looking at me with an expression of pure betrayal. "How could you, Master! You're the Duke! You have the title! Let me have the hug!"
"No," I said, my face deadpan. "I did the medical work. I earned the first embrace."
Vizen watched us with a soft, tired smile. To anyone else, he was a stiff, perfect butler, but to me who has been here for only three days, he was the only reason I could feel warmth in this strange castle I somehow ended up in.
Veryon... How could you be so foolish?
"Master! It's unfair!" Kaelen wailed as I shook my head, trying to keep my tears at bay.
I let go of Kaelen's collar, thinking he might pounce on Vizen but he just stood there, pouting like a child who had been told the circus was cancelled.
Can I hug him? Even though, the warmth was for Veryon not me. Can I? Just once?
[Ping!]
[Host has done well enough to deserve a hug.]
I... I have?
[Ping!]
[Yes.]
I stepped forward, my footsteps softening on the stone floor. I reached out and gently wrapped my arms around the old man's shoulders. Vizen smelled like the clean sting of the alcohol I'd used and the faint, comforting scent of old parchment.
Thank you for being alive. And, I'm sorry I didn't come back on time.
Those were the words I wanted to say but for some reason they remained stuck in my throat. "Don't scare me like that again, Vizen," I whispered, my voice losing its sarcastic edge it has always had. "I can't run this dump without you. I can't tolerate Kaelen without you."
Vizen's hand, thin and trembling slightly, patted my back. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Your Grace. And, I apologise for not recognising the little child I've served for almost all my life. I shall endeavor to be more sturdy and useful in the future. However, thank you for heeding my words and not getting sick."
"Okay, my turn!" Kaelen barked, unable to hold back for a second longer.
I barely moved out of the way before our "Silver Reaper" or "Silver Puppy" of the Halcrest Duchy buried his face into Vizen's chest, sobbing like a toddler.
"Butler! I thought you were going to meet the ancestors! I thought I'd have to serve the Master's tea myself! It would have been a disaster! The water would have been the wrong temperature!"
"There, there, Kaelen," Vizen said, his voice brimming with fatherly warmth as he stroked Kaelen's silver hair. "You're getting tears on the fresh bandages. Lady Selia worked very hard on those."
"I don't care about bandages! I care about you! Master bullied me so much ever since he woke up! You know, he even fired me halfway on trip. If you didn't tell me it costs 3500 silver to fire a servant he would have left me to die in the cold!"
"This little snitch... Ugh!" A bone crushing pain seared through all my 108 mana points, making me stumble.
Shit. I should have formed the mana circle in that ice-cold pond. Damn it. I hurried back to solve problems and go meet Lily.
Looks like my recklessness came to bite me in my ass.
"Your Grace!?"
"Your Grace!?"
"Your Grace!?"
"Huff... It's okay... Puff... I'm just a little tired. I'll go back to my room and rest. You guys continue."
"Your Grace, let me-"
"I'm fine, Kaelen. Excuse me."
[Ping!]
[Host's Vessel Mana Circuitry is getting unstable!]
[Quest Triggered : Ascend or Die]
[Host must form his mana circle to neutral out the pressure of mana circuit]
[Reward : 200 Sacks Of Galanthus And Siberian Miner's Lettuce]
[Penalty : DEATH]