Chapter 13: Viscount Edior, gripped by fear.

Translator: Soafp

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[PoV former Viscount Edior]

“Damn you! That little boy!!”

　I exploded with anger as I returned to my mansion. The servants in the mansion looked uneasy at the intensity of my anger.

“What is going on, Master?”

　Evan, the head butler, whom I trusted the most, asked me confusedly.

“Everyone go back to work. I’ll take care of Master.”

　The servants looked uneasy, but obeyed and went back to their work.

　I took Evan with me into the office and took my seat. After a beat, Evan asked me if I was okay.

“Master, what’s going on?”

“The little Zafing boy has forced me to retire and he wants me to hand over the Viscount to Carmine.”

“Retire? Viscount to Carmine? What on earth does that mean? In the first place, why would Ghazel-sama interfere in the direction of the Edior Viscount family?”

　Evan’s question is reasonable. I myself would have protested vehemently if I had not been there.

“It’s not the Ghazel!! I’m talking about his son, Giorg!! He succeeded to the Marquis of Zafing at the age of 16!! The boy has pointed out that Ghazel assassinated the former Marquis of Zafing and that our Viscount family is involved!!”

“Ghazel-sama …… assassinated …… then what about Armada-sama?”

“She’ll be executed along with Ghazel.”

“Wha….An execution?!”

　To Evan’s surprise, I continued.

“The boy had discovered that the Zafing family’s money was flowing through Armada.”

“Wha…….”

“Damn it!! That’s where the little b*****d came in. He used that to pressure me into retirement.”

“What the ……”

“That little b*****d screwed me, and he’ll pay for it.”

“Master, why don’t you just give Carmine the title for the sake of convenience and not give up the real power?”””

“The boy said he was going to be Carmine’s guardian. He even said that he would send an assistant from the Zafing family to watch over him.”

　I said evasively. The way Giorg looked at me that time was like looking at someone infinitely beneath you. Why should I be looked down upon by that little boy? I was filled with anger.

“As expected of the Marquis of Zafing.”

　I narrowed my eyes at Evan’s words. What is this guy trying to say? I’ve never heard of him praising that little boy in front of me before.

“Viscount Edior, didn’t you find that strange?”

“What?”

“How did the Marquis of Zafing know about the use of the funds that came into the House of Edior through Armada…… ne?”

　Then Evan sneered coldly. I couldn’t yell at Evan, whose mood had obviously changed, so I just kept quiet. Of course, I was aware that Evan was calling Armada, but the fear inside me was growing so fast that I couldn’t speak.

“I was wondering how Giorg-sama would react to Elphil-sama’s death, but as expected, he is the one who will succeed Elphil-sama.”

“What are you talking about ……?”

“The fact that he decided to execute those two without hesitation and use them to take over the Viscount family is nothing short of brilliant.”

　The suspicion in me grows rapidly. Evan has been in the service of my Edior family since before I became a Viscount. I and the rest of the family had complete confidence in his loyalty and abilities. But this attitude of Evan’s lets me know that this is not the case.

“Evan ……, you…….don’t tell me….”

　Evan grinned at my question. I knew that this smile was something a lion would show before hunting its prey.

“Yes, just as you thought. …… Viscount Edior.”

　Evan moves as soon as he finishes saying that. In an instant he was behind me, sealing my mouth with his hand. Before I know it, he has a knife to my neck.

“Don’t say a word. If you do, I will kill not only you, but also your family. Raise your right hand slowly if you understand.”

　I obeyed Evan’s words and raised my right hand. Then Evan let go of the hand that had been blocking my mouth.

“The reason why Giorg-sama didn’t kill you is because he has some use for you, I suppose. As for me, I think it would have been much faster to kill you, but I guess that’s not what he had in his mind.”

“……”

“Don’t even think about it. If you interfere with him, I will kill your whole family. Don’t forget that we have not forgiven you for any harm you and your clan have done to Elphil-sama.

“……”

　I nodded my head to Evan’s words. My instincts told me that if I tried to argue, my family would surely be killed.

“Viscount Edior, any future slander against Giorg-sama will endanger the lives of your family. Naturally, you must ensure that not only you, but also your family and the rest of the household are aware of this. Marquis Zafing’s people are not only limited to myself. …… You know what this means.”

　I nodded my head again. Evan, in whom I had placed my complete trust earlier, now frightened me more than anything.

“Then, …… Master, please fulfill Marquis Zafing’s orders properly. If you mess up…..”

“I understand.”

“That’s all you need to know. From now on, you will work for the Marquis of Zafing properly.”

　Evan then gave me his usual smile, bowed to me and left the room. As soon as the door was closed, sweat began to pour out of my body.

(The Zerfing family……What kind of house is that? Evan has been serving my family for quite some time now. …… If Evan is serving my family at the order of House Zafing, it means that they are sending …… spies to all the noble houses in this country…..?)

　When I thought about it, I couldn’t speak up. I was afraid to think where the eyes and ears of the Zafing family would be.

　There was no doubt that Evan had not killed me because it was against the Giorg’s ways.

　And the reason why Evan exposed himself here as a member of the Zafing family was because he judged that he would not pose any threat if he did.

　If Evan wanted to, I would have gone cold before I even realized it. And if I tried to call for help, I was sure they would be killed before they could reached me.

“I should never have messed with him.……”

　I held my head and muttered, praying that no one would hear me, and hurriedly held my mouth.

　I finally understood the horror of the Marquis of Zafing. The only reason I am alive is because I am of use. Conversely, if I am no longer of use, I will be erased.

　I couldn’t hold back my shaking body as I realized that the Grim Reaper was sitting next to me with a smirk on his face.

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