Chapter 55: Return

Winter winds usually carry a chilly, dry sensation. The moment Dien laid eyes on Elder Enopoy, that was exactly how he felt.

“Nue, why don’t you head inside first?”

“Yes.”

Dien nudged Nue’s back as he watched the Elder approach.

The Elder likely had business with him, not Nue. Facing those who were unpleasant to deal with was a task best handled alone.

An indescribable gloominess, coupled with a sense of oppression, created a thick tension in the air.

As the Elder drew closer, Dien raised his guard even further. The aura emanating from the man was incredibly off-putting, like a thicket of thorns hidden within the fog.

‘Why do I hear such an unpleasant sound coming from an Elder…?’

There was something strange. A bizarre, monstrous noise was leaking from the approaching Elder and his subordinates. The sound, which instinctively made his skin crawl, caused Dien to scowl.

He had only heard such noises from the low-level creatures he had fought alongside Shilona in the past. ‘Is it possible that Elder Enopoy is a monster?’ However, the voice that reached him was far too clear for that to be the case.

“Do not be afraid. I have simply come to share a brief conversation with the Young Lord.”

As the Elder approached, the monstrous sound grew louder. Along with it, Dien’s sense of revulsion intensified.

The sound coming from the Elder was even more grotesque than that of his subordinates—it sounded almost like the screams of a human being.

“Please, speak,” Dien replied, making an effort to mask his discomfort.

“To think you aren’t intimidated by my presence. Your courage is as great as the rumors say.”

The intangible pressure he emitted was surely intentional. Although Dien felt a prickling sensation against his skin, it wasn’t particularly threatening.

Despite the comment, Dien continued to stare at the Elder with an expressionless face.

“Rumors about the Young Lord are endless. Your outstanding abilities, your character… People say you are the one who will change Delos. I wanted to see you for myself.”

Dien did not respond. Would Elder Enopoy really travel all the way to the foot of a rocky mountain just to offer a few compliments? Absolutely not. These were people whose backsides were so heavy that even King Lonas had to summon them to the mountain. There was undoubtedly a hidden motive.

“I have also read your thesis. It was quite an excellent piece of work.”

“Thank you.”

‘Did he come down here because the contents of the thesis bothered him?’

Dien was already aware that Enopoy had rejected the implementation of the policies suggested in his paper. Given that, it was strange for him to suddenly praise it.

“However, Young Lord, it is important where a person places the values they pursue. One’s future path changes depending on that choice. A person with your intelligence and insight surely knows this well, hoho…”

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying. What is it you want from me?”

Dien only wanted the conversation to end as quickly as possible. Therefore, he had no interest in listening to these vague, lofty metaphors.

“Shall we speak without pretense then? In the end, what you want is money, fame, and women, is it not? Just like everyone else.”

“Money and fame, I see…”

“Is it not so?”

Dien responded with a flat tone, devoid of any emotion.

Perhaps interpreting Dien’s indifferent reaction as agreement, the Elder’s speech grew longer.

“There is no need to try so hard. An upright official? A righteous official? An official who works for others they don’t even know? That is all nothing more than private self-satisfaction. Humans are inherently selfish. Even if they pretend to appreciate your sacrifice, they’ll only think of themselves once they turn their backs. As long as you hold money and power, humans will always fawn over you.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Dien finally felt he understood the reason why the man had sought him out.

“Are you saying I did these things for my own private self-satisfaction?”

“I heard you addressed the grievances of the people.”

“I was simply doing my job as an official of the Chancellor’s office.”

The smile on the Elder’s face slowly deepened at Dien’s words. Realizing his intent, Dien also let a cynical smirk play on his lips.

“The work of the Chancellor’s office… I suppose you could call it that.”

“Yes. That is all it is.”

“Well, whatever the case, the introduction was long. Young Lord! I actually came here to give you an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“Indeed! An opportunity to enjoy wealth and glory. An opportunity to move toward something of greater value.”

His intentions were finally beginning to take shape.

Dien, who had been listening quietly, nodded and asked a question in return.

“What do you want from me?”

“Ahem… You certainly are quick to catch on. It is nothing much. Just give us a little heads-up on what you’re doing in the Chancellor’s office… or listen to a few small requests from the Council of Elders. Those two things are all.”

“You’re telling me to become a hound for the Council of Elders.”

“I’m telling you to enjoy wealth and glory.”

To some, they were undoubtedly sweet, tempting words. However, Dien’s expression remained calm. Not a single trace of hesitation appeared on his face. Dien knew better than anyone the end that awaited officials who accepted such proposals.

“I’ve heard that many officials in the Royal Castle are connected to the Council of Elders. Did they also join hands with you in this manner?”

“They were wise people, much like yourself. They were those who realized what truly holds value.”

“I see. It’s just as I expected.”

The hidden meaning behind those sweet words was clear.

Persian Cherbil had previously mentioned that most of the aides and Secretaries in the Royal Castle were the Elder’s hounds.

‘The Chancellor was right.’

For aides from commoner families, the money offered by the Elders would be irresistibly sweet.

This was likely the secret method by which Elder Enopoy and his faction controlled the Royal Castle. The kingdom was already rotting from the inside due to their schemes.

“High-level security clearance for documents, plus the influence gained from being by Chancellor Persian’s side… That must be why you Elders viewed me so favorably. Since the Portran family isn’t particularly wealthy, I suppose I seemed like an easy target for bribery as well.”

Dien’s cynical smile deepened.

This was not the reaction of a typical official receiving a proposal from Enopoy. Sensing something strange in the cynical response that defied his expectations, the Elder’s smile vanished.

“I appreciate the effort you took to come here personally to meet me, but I’m a bit disappointed in the Council of Elders’ intelligence-gathering capabilities.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because if you knew me in detail, you wouldn’t have bothered coming all this way.”

In an instant, a sharp glint flashed in Dien’s eyes.

He already knew exactly how to reject this kind of proposal. He had received similar offers in the past.

Staring directly into the Elder’s ominous eyes, Dien spoke clearly and precisely.

“It seems the Elder didn’t realize that I am a man who already possesses a great deal.”

“We are already well aware of the Portran family’s finances.”

“You seem to be mistaken. I’m not talking about things that can be bought with money. And the things I possess were certainly not acquired through wealth.”

“What are you…?”

The Elder’s eyebrows twitched at Dien’s words.

“I have maids I get along with, a fencing teacher, and great friends from the academy. Furthermore, I have my colleagues. No, I get along well with the officials in the office, and the superior I serve is a man worthy of respect. Ah! Since the Elder has no one above him, I suppose you wouldn’t know what a blessing it is to get along with a superior.”

The Elder’s hands began to tremble. Dien’s firm rejection was unexpected, and to make matters worse, he was being mocked.

“Why would someone like me have any interest in a side job as a hound for the Elders? And isn’t a side job supposed to be done only as long as it doesn’t interfere with one’s main occupation? If I get caught acting as a spy for the Elders by the Chancellor, I think it would significantly interfere with my primary job.”

“Ahem…!”

The Elder coughed loudly.

Soon, a look of hostility began to pool in his eyes. Dien felt the murderous intent swirling around him and saw the Elder’s subordinates glaring at him. However, Dien maintained a relaxed expression as if such bloodlust was of no consequence.

“I hope you have a peaceful journey back.”

Dien turned his back, hoping his farewell would be the end of the conversation. No matter how influential the Elders were, they didn’t particularly affect his work.

Since they were destined to be enemies anyway, Dien was not generous enough to show excessive courtesy to those who were preying upon the kingdom.

‘It’s enough to make me dizzy.’

More than anything, he wanted to return to his family estate immediately and wash the monstrous sounds from his ears.

“It seems you have misunderstood. I wasn’t giving you a choice.”

The murderous intent behind him grew even thicker. Yet, Dien’s relaxed attitude remained unchanged. He was even smiling while standing right in the path of that hostility.

“So it’s a threat. In that case, I’ll take back my wish for you to have a peaceful return.”

He showed the same malice to the one who showed it first.

How many years had he spent in public service? He wouldn’t be shaken by a threat like this.

With that, Dien entered the House of Portran and began his daily life as if nothing had happened.

***

“Yes.”

The next day, Dien arrived at the Royal Castle. He entered the office with a smile on his face.

“Is everyone doing well?”

“Young Lord!”

The Secretaries rose from their seats at Dien’s pleasant greeting, and Secretary Carrick was the first to rush to his side.

“Young Lord, why are you only arriving now! I thought I was going to die from missing you!”

“Hahaha, Secretary! Are you serious?”

“Of course! With you gone, I felt like there was a hole in my heart.”

“Wow… your social skills have improved significantly while I was away!”

“I’m serious! How could you say something so hurtful? My mother even says she wants to make you a suit! You must stop by my mother’s shop with me sometime!”

“Hmm… I don’t accept bribes, though…?”

“A bribe! Please, just think of it as a gesture of her affection for you, hahaha!”

Carrick seemed truly delighted by Dien’s return. Even after the initial greeting, he refused to leave Dien’s side.

“Young Lord! What on earth happened during your tour?”

At that moment, Secretary Daisy stepped up beside Dien and spoke.

“A fellow Secretary from the Department of Education couldn’t stop praising you.”

“Haha… Is that so?”

“Yes! They said people were cheering and tossing you into the air in every village you passed on your way back!”

“That… sounds like an exaggeration.”

He had been welcomed, but being tossed in the air was a bit much.

“Anyway! Everywhere I go, people are talking about you. At this rate, the whole kingdom will be buzzing with stories about the Young Lord.”

“Hahaha…”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Dien scratched his head. Then, he gently set down the documents he was holding.

“I gathered some of the grievances from the people of the estates on my way back to the castle.”

The documents Dien set down contained the hardships of the people he had recorded during his journey, along with his own opinions on the matters.

“Good heavens. When did you have time for all this?”

“I did a little bit at a time while traveling.”

The issues were organized by which department needed to handle them. The Secretaries, each holding a page, couldn’t hide their amazement at the contents.

“Young Lord… are you trying to kill us…?”

Dien had brought more work to the already frantically busy Chancellor’s office. He looked around apologetically, but while the Secretaries grumbled, they were also proud of his dedication to the people’s livelihoods.

“Dien, it seems you’ve created even more work on your way home.”

“You’re here, Chancellor.”

Persian arrived just then. Like the Secretaries, he picked up the documents Dien had brought.

“A plan to assign doctors to rural estates… This is something that will require the approval of Elder Enopoy.”

Persian scowled, as there wasn’t a single issue that didn’t involve the Council of Elders.

“Still, we have to try. These are things the Chancellor’s office will have to do eventually. Aides, deliver each item to the relevant departments and schedule a full department meeting for this afternoon.”

“Understood!”

Persian looked Dien up and down and shook his head.

“You really… you could have just come back and rested… Anyway, let’s go inside and talk.”

“Yes.”

Now that his eventful mission was over, Dien’s day was returning to its original place.