Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

6

The steward class at the Saléon family was a kind of test.

It was a place to have steward candidates stay at the mansion and identify any disqualifications.

The criteria were quite strict and unreasonable, making one wonder who would do this, but as expected of a noble family’s steward position, both the 1st and 2nd mansions where I resided were filled with steward hopefuls.

However, the majority were like me, here for different purposes, so the atmosphere was lax.

Due to the 8-week ban on outings, steward candidates who couldn’t bear the boredom started flirting with the mansion’s maids, leading to a chaotic situation.

Steward candidates spread rumors like gossiping about maids as if telling a tale, and the maids boasted about which noble’s son they were meeting.

I was a victim of this chaotic atmosphere.

“Ilaine. Will you be okay for a moment?”

“Ugh.”

How many times is this now?

As the head steward, Joanne sighed and called me over.

“What’s the matter?”

She, in charge of steward education, spoke with a stern gaze.

“I was talking to Serena earlier. What’s the matter with being called over after talking to Alisa?”

“It wasn’t really a conversation, I was just called over. I know what you’re worried about, but it surely isn’t my fault.”

I felt unjustly accused.

Being the target of teasing among the maids seemed to be some sort of achievement, as the persuasion didn’t cease among them.

Even when reading a book alone in the study or resting alone in the garden, the constant urging to chat left me exasperated.

It seemed like Joan vaguely knew about this, as she gently massaged her forehead, expressing her discomfort.

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“If that’s the case, I suppose I can’t warn you about your mischievous behavior. Understood. I’ll make sure to have a frank talk with Serena and Alisa.”

However, Joan added that she couldn’t just leave me alone.

“Starting tomorrow, the ban on going out will be lifted. It’s a good opportunity to broaden your horizons, so don’t miss it.”

“Go out of the mansion,” Joan said.

That was what I desired as well.

What had been irritating about the stewardship lessons was the restriction on going out.

For the initial eight weeks, apart from the time to attend the academy, I had to stay at the mansion at all times.

And today.

As the primary stewardship lessons ended and the selection of candidates concluded, the ban on going out was finally lifted.

To put it positively, I had gained freedom, but negatively, it meant I was practically eliminated from the stewardship candidacy.

“So, this is the taste of freedom… Reminds me of a hundred-day break.”

Leaving the mansion, I headed towards the central square, the designated meeting point.

There, Master Ilya was waiting.

“Master!”

“Hmm, you came quickly.”

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

“Well, I also received a commission from the Gransell. So, don’t worry about it.”

As my escort and guide for today, the Master was well-versed in the streets at night and the underworld, making him a suitable companion.

“How are the stewardship lessons?”

“Not very enjoyable. Well, it’s not like there’s nothing educational about it.”

There was quite a bit to learn about the etiquette of the upper-class nobility. The problem was that it was the only thing.

“Noble etiquette, huh. If the opportunity arises, I’d like to learn about it too. I’ve been encountering nobles quite often these days.”

“By the way, you mentioned you received a commission from the Viscount?”

As a mercenary, the Master was climbing up the ranks. He had now reached the highest grade, S-grade, as a mercenary.

His value had skyrocketed to the point where our family couldn’t afford his teaching fee, but thankfully, the Master continued to teach me whenever he had time without demanding extra payment.

“Yes, from the Albar Kingdom. It was a simple security duty, but as it was a security mission, appearances were crucial. No matter how loudly they shouted, I endured it.”

“I see. If you’re a high-ranking noble, you might be bothered by trivial matters.”

“Huh, if you’re okay with it, teach me later. If you teach me, I might get motivated.”

“I’d be happy to.”

I led the Master towards the back alleys of Gransell.

Our domain was small, so there were no red-light districts like this in our territory, but the big city was different.

As night fell, the streets became even busier.

Entering the streets, the faint smell of alcohol crept up, and people’s attire noticeably changed.

“But you agreed surprisingly easily. I thought it was too early to say that considering your character, Master.”

“It’s at a cute level.”

“A cute level?”

“It’s nothing compared to cities like Carten or Etera. At least there are no slave markets or underground fighting pits here.”

“It is true. They seem to focus intensively on managing security.”

Usually, when the size of the Harlem district expands, security is often partially abandoned.

They thoroughly control its surroundings but do not heavily intervene in what happens inside Harlem.

This place was not at that level. Guards were stationed in every corner, ready to intervene if a fight broke out.

Because of this, there were many entertainment establishments for the upper class here.

Luxurious bars targeting nobles, or racetracks.

“It seems like the racetrack is not operating now. We should visit during the day.”

“It’s alright. I have another place in mind. But first…”

It was necessary to conceal my face.

I was planning to buy a mask from a nearby stall, but I couldn’t find anything suitable.

Seemingly understanding my intention, my mentor pointed at a different item.

“If you need to cover your face, how about using a helmet? Since I’m here too, you can pass as a mercenary.”

“It might obstruct my vision a bit, but… it’s fine.”

I purchased a gray helmet, put it on, and decided to thoroughly survey the streets of Gransel.

* * *

I had two main purposes for wandering the streets at night.

Finding talent. And conducting experiments to increase my wealth.

Both were tools to avoid the imminent downfall in the future.

“In the end, I must strengthen my power.”

The crucial reason for Alc’s downfall was the trap set by a traitor, but fundamentally, it was due to the lack of support.

With no inherent lineage, no family influence, and no significant wealth, it was natural for me to be criticized as incompetent by my colleagues.

“If Alc had a reliable ally, the situation would have been different.”

And indeed, there were such allies.

“According to in-game knowledge, Alc’s key allies were seven.”

Even after being branded a traitor, even after escaping from prison without permission, these were the individuals who believed in and followed Alc.

In a sense, they trusted Alc more than the protagonist.

I planned to quickly win these individuals over to my side.

Building a firm position based on that, when I joined forces with the protagonist, even if the traitor tried to push me out, they wouldn’t be able to.

By identifying and purging the traitor within the faction, I could definitely avoid my downfall.

“There is a possibility of a traitor among the seven allies.”

For now, without enough evidence to make that judgment, I decided to gather them all first before considering that aspect.

“In the Karlux battle, strictly speaking, I decided to follow Alc rather than the protagonist… So, it would be good to designate the seven allies who follow Alc as his ‘Divine Companions.'”

The keywords for these seven companions in the game were as follows:

– Iron Fortress

– Holy Maiden

– Cryophant

– Wyrm

– Fierce Hound

– Enlightened One

– The Mercenary, Ilya Anfei

-???

Apart from the seven who helped Als escape, another mysterious figure appeared as an additional ally, but since I didn’t know his identity, I decided not to dwell on it for now.

“So, if we started with eight, now we have six left….”

That was the case. One of them.

A mercenary who came to help Als with the suspicion of Als’ failure, alongside the Hwiha Mercenary Corps.

Ilya Anfei was already by my side. Known as a mentor.

The moment I met Ilya, I felt a strong sense of destiny.

“Could you spare a moment?”

I visited the hint market to gather information about them.

“The Saintess, the War Dragon, the Rescue Squad, and the Master Craftsman can be naturally encountered following the main storyline, so there’s no rush, but….”

The Wild Dog and the Iron Fortress were different.

If the storyline changed even slightly, there was a possibility that the encounter event itself might disappear.

So, it was better for me to gather information in advance for them on behalf of the protagonist.

“Hmm, except for one, all these names are new to me.”

“Except for one?”

The information merchant shrugged his shoulders and continued speaking.

“If it’s about Rosenburg’s whereabouts, I know. It’s a bit old news, but still.”

“As expected.”

Rosenburg of the Iron Fortress. He has been found.

This was a significant development. With Rosenburg being a person of special circumstances, as long as the conditions were met, there was a high probability of scouting him.

“Interested in that information?”

“Please share.”

“Give me 5,000 silans.”

After paying the amount, the information merchant handed over a document in the form of a letter.

“Anything else you want to know?”

“Then, could you tell me the location of the secret salon in Gransel?”

“10,000 silans. Think of it more as an entrance fee than an information fee.”

Although the entrance fee was quite steep, I decided to consider it as an investment.

After paying the 10,000 silan gold coins and learning the location of the secret salon, I turned to the waiting mentor and spoke about it.

The mentor, looking puzzled, followed me, saying that he had no separate agenda.

The secret salon in Gransel was a kind of casino.

It had an elegant atmosphere frequented by nobles.

It wasn’t just any casino; the most high-stakes gambling there was chess.

And this was precisely why I had come here.

“Als, what on earth are you up to?”

“What am I up to? I’m here to participate in a chess match, you know?”

“No….”

The teacher held his head, complaining of a headache, but soon nodded.

“Well, this might turn out to be a good experience.”

It seemed like the teacher thought I would be humiliated.

From my perspective, even losing one round would be a more surprising event.

I recklessly entered the game, but of course, I was immediately rejected.

“Without proof of identity, you cannot participate. Please step back.”

“Tsk.”

I couldn’t just let them have their way in this game.

“Does my identity not suffice?”

“And who are you…?”

“Illya Anfei. An S-rank mercenary affiliated with the Mercenary Association.”

“Illya Anfei!”

The gatekeeper was taken aback.

There were barely twenty S-rank mercenaries in the entire continent. Especially since the teacher mainly operated in the eastern part of the continent where the Caliper Kingdom was located, Illya Anfei was quite a well-known name.

“Are you here to play the game?”

“No, the game is over here….”

The teacher hesitated on how to address me.

I quickly interjected, altering my voice as much as possible.

“I am the mercenary called Wade.”

It was the moment when the F2P god of Athena War Tales, Wade, made his appearance.

“Very well. Please state the amount you wish to wager. Then I will guide you to the game.”

“It’s 100,000 silans.”

It was an amount I had saved up over two years of no allowance.

Roughly equivalent to around 1 million won.

“If it’s 100,000 silans…. Go to table 21.”

“Thank you.”

The substantial wager of 100,000 silans was enough to be directed to a less crowded spot.

There sat a man with a fierce gaze.

Though he was wary of the teacher, upon seeing me, who was not the teacher, take a seat, he seemed somewhat relieved.

“What amount shall we wager?”

“What do you think? Naturally, the full 100,000 silans.”

“I’m not keen on that. Shall we start with 50,000 silans?”

Whether losing 50,000 silans twice or 100,000 silans in one go, it was all the same.

Well, I understand the desire for multiple chances.

“Then let’s go with 50,000 silans.”

“I’ll go for the hundred first. I sat down first, after all.”

“Have it your way.”

The man who took the initiative to start with an attack.

To avoid the trouble of fleeing after losing 50,000 silans, I played along and gained victory.

“Check.”

“I lost… Let’s start the next game right away.”

“Before that, you need to hand over 50,000 silans.”

“Damn it.”

With a thud! I caught the pouch of money he tossed and handed it over to the master.

The master, unable to believe my victory, stood there speechless, staring blankly.

After emptying the 100,000 silans from the man in front of me, I kept my initial 100,000 silans safe and searched for a new opponent with the acquired 100,000 silans.

That was 200,000 silans. 400,000 silans. 800,000 silans, and when it reached 1.6 million silans, the surroundings started to get noisy.

As the amount reached this point, my opponent for the game disappeared.

‘It’s about time for the bait to take effect.’

Just a little longer.

“Is it okay for a moment?”

It was an elderly man who seemed to be in charge of the salon.

“You seem quite skilled. How about challenging our salon’s champion to a game?”

“Of course, I’m up for it. Just playing casual games was getting boring, so this works out well.”

“A bold friend you are! I like that. Let’s prepare the game room right away!”

With him, the entire salon started buzzing.

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It felt like the long-awaited event was finally happening.

‘Alright, it’s finally happening.’

Not just a simple chess game, but betting chess.

A real gambling match was about to unfold.