The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 4

1. Awakening of the Scoundrel

I cast an internal barrier late at night.

The employees who saw me quickly left, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire.

“Where is he going at this late hour?”

“He’s probably going to the outer district to drink. It’s not like it’s the first time.”

“For a guy like that to come back… Heaven is truly heartless.”

I ignored the whispers of the people.

What I had to do now was clear.

The voice was trying to lead me to the garden, and I had to respond to it.

[This way!]

It wasn’t clear language, but I could roughly understand what it meant.

I arrived at the entrance of the garden.

Even before entering, the fragrant scent of flowers wafted from afar.

As I was about to take a step, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared and blocked my path.

“Where are you going?”

The one who appeared was Sebastian, the head butler of the Marquisate [the Marquis’s estate or territory].

I hadn’t sensed his presence until he was in my sight.

What if that person had approached with murderous intent?

I would have disappeared without a trace.

‘As expected of Zion’s father.’

Zion Like, the protagonist of , showed outstanding physical abilities from the beginning, thanks to Sebastian, the assassin-turned-butler.

To think that such a capable assassin is working as a butler is such a waste of talent.

“It’s late, and I felt suffocated, so I wanted to get some fresh air in the garden.”

The Marquisate’s butler spoke stiffly with a businesslike attitude.

Well, I have no choice then.

I took out the answer I had prepared in advance.

“There’s a slight inaccuracy in the head butler’s words.”

Sebastian’s white eyebrows twitched at my words.

“Are you saying I said something wrong?”

“Yes.”

“I simply conveyed the Marquis’s words as they were. I’m curious as to what part is inaccurate.”

“You just said that the garden is the Marquis’s personal space, but to be precise, it’s not the Marquis’s personal space. It’s my mother’s personal space.”

As everyone knows, Henon is a Druid [a priest, magician, or member of a learned class in the ancient Celtic religions].

And in the Arnia Continent, only half-elves could become Druids.

In other words, Henon’s mother was an elf.

‘And not just any elf, but a high elf.’

Originally, in the game story, Henon, resurrected by demon worshippers, awakens as a Druid by borrowing the power of the oak tree in the Marquisate’s garden.

The soul of his elven mother was contained in that tree.

Sebastian is the closest confidant of my father, so he must have guessed this fact, even vaguely.

As expected, his eyes widened at my words.

“That’s!!”

“So, my father, who married my mother, can come and go, but it would be rude for the Marchioness [the Marquis’s wife] to enter without permission, wouldn’t it?”

I drove a wedge into him, who couldn’t find anything to say.

“And I am my mother’s son. Rather, I don’t understand why the head butler is blocking my way now. To be honest, I’m getting a little angry, so step aside while I’m asking nicely.”

It was a bit scary, but it was the timing to come on strong, so I glared at him a bit.

Surely he wouldn’t get upset and swing a sword or inflict some kind of tough love on me, right?

Even though I am a scion [a descendant of a notable family] of the Marquisate, Sebastian has enough influence to beat me up and smooth things over.

I was watching with a nervous heart, but fortunately, Sebastian stepped aside and cleared the way.

“I was short-sighted. I apologize.”

“Ahem, be careful next time.”

With a pretentious expression, I patted him on the shoulder and entered the garden.

Once I entered the garden, the whispering voice in my ear grew louder, and the fragrance also deepened.

However, I had no room to look elsewhere.

Because as soon as I entered, all my senses were focused on the oak tree that stood right in the center.

‘Beautiful.’

It’s the first time a tree has looked so beautiful.

My heart was pounding like crazy.

Cold sweat formed on my back.

This isn’t my emotion.

Henon’s body is reacting on its own.

I felt sorry for Henon, who was a scoundrel.

Losing his mother when he couldn’t even remember.

Living under the watchful eyes of the Marchioness and Phillip.

His father only keeps his distance and watches.

‘My mother constantly called Henon here to awaken him as a Druid. But Henon, who didn’t even know what he was, kept suffering, saying he was hearing hallucinations.’

Then he eventually dies and is resurrected as a spirit by demon worshippers, only to be defeated by Zion.

It’s a tragic story that even Shakespeare would take a step back from.

“Ah!”

With an exclamation, I put a hand on the oak tree.

And at that moment.

Flash!!

In the pitch-black night, a bright light shone, and consciousness moved.

“Where is this?”

A vast prairie.

Willow branches sway in the cool breeze.

It seems like a desolate space with no one, but now I can see.

This place is more vibrant than the heart of the city.

Numerous spirits fly around like fireflies, enjoying their freedom.

And.

In the distance, a woman was slowly approaching.

Anyone could tell she was a beauty.

White skin and a tall height. A slender figure. Above all, the pointed ears visible on both sides.

When I met her mysterious light green eyes, it was hard to breathe for some reason.

As I just stared blankly, my mother grabbed both of my hands first.

Her eyes, smiling brightly, were filled with faint tears.

‘Are you having a hard time?’

A clear voice like jade beads rolling.

It caused ripples in my calm heart.

‘I’m sorry.’

I wondered if my heart was broken.

There’s no way it could be beating this fast.

Before I knew it, tears were pouring from my eyes like rain.

These aren’t tears of sadness.

Henon’s body was reacting on its own.

My mother just looked at Henon, who was crying, with a sad smile.

Only then did I realize.

Henon had not left this body even after death.

He was just yielding his body to me.

In this place, I am a third party.

I stepped back and watched the reunion between mother and son.

The two mothers had nothing to say.

They just held hands and continued their affectionate eye contact for a long time.

Please, may this moment be eternal.

I know it’s an impossible wish, but I still yearn for it.

‘Take care.’

The two mothers embraced each other.

The warm and desperate heart of a mother thinking of her son was conveyed to me, shaking my soul.

In the meantime.

My mother turned her head.

Strangely, I felt like our eyes met.

And it wasn’t a delusion.

‘Thank you. Please take good care of our Henon.’

She was clearly talking to me.

With those words, the world shook.

The vast prairie was slowly collapsing from its edge.

I could feel Henon’s desperate heart wanting to stay in this space longer, but my mother just smiled and shook her head.

She knows it’s time to send her son away.

‘I love you. Son.’

With those words, all space disappeared.

Bright light disappeared, and infinite darkness took its place.

It was as cozy as a blanket.

I swam through it like a fish.

How long has it been?

Suddenly, a faint light flickered before my eyes.

The unidentified lights floated in the air among themselves and then took on a certain shape.

Surprisingly, it was letters.

[You have awakened as a Druid.]

[Would you like to view the skill list?]

[Y/N?]

As if this wasn’t a world inside a game.

A system window popped up.

Skills given to me? I didn’t hesitate to approve the viewing.

———————-

[Viewing passive skills.]

———————-

[Tenacious Vitality]

Druids breathe with nature.

You have high stamina and recovery.

Life grows even in deserts and deep seas.

You gain endurance and fortitude.

———————-

[Self-Purification]

The vast nature accepts everything.

No matter how clean, no matter how dirty.

Eventually, it is filtered and circulated fairly.

You are immune to status ailments, including curses.

You have the power of Pama (波魔) [likely a made-up term for this story, but could be related to the Buddhist concept of Mara, the demon who tempts beings away from enlightenment].

———————-

[Power of Nature]

The surrounding environment is on your side.

Exploration and tracking are possible.

You can receive help in battle.

The more you grow, the more powerful the effect.

———————-

Each time I read the letters, the letters in the system window scattered into light and permeated my body.

A familiar yet warm energy enveloped my whole body, and vitality soared.

By accepting the energy of nature, my body has grown even more.

[Awakening is complete. Good luck.]

Flash!!!

My eyes snapped open.

Before I knew it, I was lying on the floor.

When I got up, my pocket was bulging.

I wondered what it was, so I put my hand in and took out what was inside.

“Acorns?”

To be exact, they were oak tree fruits.

The appearance was similar to acorns.

There were a total of 10, and when I fiddled with them, the system window popped up again before my eyes.

———————-

[Legacy of the High Elf]

[Acorn x10]

When consumed, communion with nature greatly increases for a short time. (Skill enhancement)

Heals minor injuries and invigorates the body.

Mana affinity increases. Acquires consumable mana.

This effect only applies to Druids. (Bound item)

———————-

“It’s like an elixir [a magical or medicinal potion].”

It seemed like a tonic for a momentary spurt.

Henon’s mother gave everything for her son until the moment she left.

The oak tree had already withered and its roots were rotting, as if it had fulfilled its purpose.

It was probably a tree that had already reached the end of its life, but the soul of the High Elf was holding it back.

Although it was a place that had been left behind, I bowed my head and offered a silent prayer to pay my respects.

‘Thank you, Mother. And don’t worry. I will definitely protect Henon.’

The outlook for the Arnia Continent is not bright.

If it were bright, it would have been classified as a healing game in the first place.

The fate of the continent is heading towards destruction and doom.

In the swirling mainstream like a rapid current, Henon, who was treated as a scoundrel, must be saved.

While overcoming the protagonist Zion’s aversion.

‘Even if it’s difficult, I have to do it. That is directly related to my survival. Maybe clearing the game is the key to escaping this world.’

I made a firm resolution and turned around…

The one-legged Marquis, who had been there since when, was glaring at me with a cane!

His face was as red as a carrot, and he looked very angry.

Unconsciously, my body tingled from the murderous intent emanating from my father, and my consciousness blurred,

[Skill Self-Purification is activated.]

[You are immune to status ailments.]

The passive skill was automatically activated, and my mind, which was about to run away, found its place.

Marquis Lloyd’s eyes flashed when he saw me looking calm, and he slightly suppressed his anger.

“Explain.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What did you do to the tree?”

“I received what I had to receive.”

“That’s not an answer.”

The Marquis took a deep breath and continued.

“I’ll ask you one more time. If you don’t explain properly this time, I’ll kick you out of the castle. What on earth did you do to make the tree wither?”

“I met my mother.”

It was a calm answer, but I clearly saw the Marquis’s eyes shaking.

“What nonsense! Your mother is dead. She died less than a week after you were born.”

“That’s right. She passed away. Nevertheless, the Marquis also knew that her soul remained in the tree, didn’t he?”

“······”

“So, you decorated this place as a garden and came here every day, didn’t you?”

I felt a strange sense of pleasure when I made the Marquis speechless.

“I met my mother and had a conversation.”

“That can’t be.”

“Aren’t you curious about what we talked about?”

He must be curious.

He must be crazy curious.

Marquis Lloyd had longed for Henon’s mother all his life.

However, as a Marquis who had to maintain his dignity and decorum even in front of his children, he couldn’t show it.

So, without bothering to hear his answer, I told him first.

“Most of it was a private story between my mother and me. However, my mother asked me to convey a message to my father.”

“What is it?”

“She said thank you for everything so far. She asked me to tell you that she loves you very much.”

Of course, Henon’s mother never said that.

But good things are good.

I just made up something that the Marquis would want to hear.

And my words shook Marquis Lloyd’s heart.

Clang!

The Marquis dropped his cane and staggered.

Then, Sebastian, who appeared from somewhere, jumped out and supported the Marquis.

“Master!”

“Hena…”

So, my mother’s name was Hena.

I approached the Marquis, who couldn’t come to his senses, and said.

“Perhaps the Marquis is also feeling it, but today is the last day my mother has left. Thank you for taking care of my mother all this time.”

I bowed my head and left the garden.

I felt a tickle on the back of my head from my father’s gaze behind me, but I walked away calmly until the end.

I have awakened as a Druid, and my abilities have grown greatly.

I don’t know what will happen to my relationship with the Marquis, but I feel closer to him psychologically because of the common denominator of my mother.

‘It starts now. Although I started as a scoundrel, I have to survive somehow.’

I made up my mind.