The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 16

Conspiracy: Lloyd the Scoundrel

Marquis Lloyd reacted with unusual intensity to the news of the black magician’s appearance.

“Is that true?”

In situations like these, seeing is believing.

It’s more effective to show you directly.

“Take a look at this.”

I gestured towards the cart I had brought into the inner courtyard of the castle and removed the covering.

Piled there were the corpses of ghouls, recovered from the necromancer’s battle.

“Do you recognize these creatures?”

“Hmm…”

The Marquis, one of the Seven Stars [a title denoting high-ranking nobles or powerful individuals], couldn’t possibly fail to recognize the ghouls’ corpses.

His brow furrowed deeply.

“What happened?”

I gave a concise account of the events at Cave Manor.

From my initial suspicions regarding the serfs’ words and actions, to deliberately allowing myself to be captured, encountering the black magician, and finally, hunting ghouls and chimeras.

Marquis Lloyd listened intently to my story, his expression grave, not missing a single word until I finished.

“I heard he was once a member of Twilight [a shadowy organization or cult]. I never knew that the shadowy forces I only heard rumors about actually existed.”

Marquis Lloyd fell silent, lost in thought.

I couldn’t discern what he was thinking.

He was the one who directly fought against the Demon King’s army during the final battle and lost a leg in the process.

Since he’s also responsible for the Marquisate, he must have a great many concerns.

After a long silence, the Marquis belatedly realized that he had kept me standing for too long.

“Well, go inside and rest. And…”

“You mean keep it a secret? I won’t even mention the ‘black’ in black magician.”

“Good, you understand.”

I turned to head towards my lodgings.

I was exhausted from the extended time spent outdoors.

I was looking forward to a bath as soon as I arrived when,

“Henon.”

The Marquis’s voice called out from behind.

“What is it?”

“That… good work.”

The words ‘good work’ coming from Marquis Lloyd’s mouth caught me off guard.

Slightly surprised by the unfamiliar phrase, I bowed my head.

“It was my duty as a member of the Marquisate. Should a similar situation arise in the future, I will act in the same manner.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll go in now.”

As I returned to my lodgings, I felt Marquis Lloyd’s gaze on my back.

For some reason, my back prickled.

* * *

After Henon withdrew.

Marquis Lloyd limped as he examined the ghouls’ corpses one by one.

The sight of the grotesque chimera caused him to sigh deeply.

“It seems they have indeed appeared.”

It was the old butler, Sebastian, who had arrived unnoticed.

“I heard he was a fugitive from Twilight. It seems he wandered around and ended up here.”

“Those cockroach-like guys never truly disappear, no matter how many times you catch them.”

“Because the main body remains intact.”

Sebastian, after a moment of hesitation, changed the subject.

“If we had made a mistake, it wouldn’t have ended with just one or two manors. The entire territory could have been devastated. It’s a great relief that Young Master Henon handled it so well.”

The Marquis was also inwardly surprised.

He’s his own son, but Henon, the scoundrel he had all but given up on, had seemingly been reborn and continues to reveal new aspects of himself.

It’s easy to say, but how many people in the Arnia continent would possess the courage to face a black magician and overcome their fear?

Henon proved that he is among those few.

“That’s not all. Young Master Henon’s recent growth is remarkable. His swordsmanship seems to closely resemble the master’s.”

In addition to that, his own martial prowess is also increasing.

Marquis Lloyd felt a sense of frustration.

He had no such worries before.

Phillip was the obvious successor, and Henon was simply a source of irritation.

But now, he was unsure who the real problem was.

‘What if it had been Phillip?’

The Marquis shook his head.

It’s pointless to speculate about what might have been.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t stop thinking about Henon.

If it were a peaceful era, he would have handed over the succession to Phillip without creating unnecessary conflict.

That would be best for the family and the territory.

But the current situation on the continent is far from normal.

The weakening royal authority.

The empire’s ambitions.

Even Twilight lurks in the shadows.

In times like these, is it right to prioritize legitimacy over talent?

“Master, how do you intend to handle the Marchioness’s matter?”

Come to think of it, there was that issue as well.

Henon had barely survived his encounter with the necromancer, and in the meantime, he also survived an assassination attempt orchestrated by his stepmother.

His wife, Rosaline, vehemently denied any involvement, but the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.

“Henon directly beheaded the mercenary captain. He indirectly indicated that he would bury the matter.”

“I saw Young Master in a new light after witnessing that.”

Normally, he should have been outraged and denounced the Marchioness.

Even though she’s a stepmother, she openly attempted to have him killed by hiring an assassin.

But Henon, on the contrary, beheaded the mercenary captain and defended Rosaline.

What if Henon had continued to press the issue?

Rosaline, cornered, would have resorted to any means to fight back, and the result would likely have been Henon’s downfall, as he lacked support.

“Young Master is not only growing stronger. He also possesses the ability to assess situations and the composure to endure when necessary. Now that I think about it, his scoundrel-like behavior may have been a carefully crafted act.”

“No, Henon is a scoundrel. That can’t be an act.”

“Is that so?”

“However… he must have come to his senses and matured at some point.”

In the end, the Marquis conceded.

Sebastian, who had been observing from the side, offered a cautious suggestion.

“Master, it might be wise to grant Young Master Henon some authority.”

“That’s unlike you. I thought I always told you to remain neutral.”

“That’s usually the case. However, this time, the Marchioness crossed the line. If she hadn’t been caught, it would have been different, but being caught means she has already lost by default.”

“Henon won the competition, so he deserves to be rewarded for it?”

“That’s the opinion of a humble old man.”

Dark clouds were gathering.

There was much to be done before the storm broke.

The Marquis, leaning on his cane, slowly entered his office and muttered softly as he passed by.

“Alright. I’ll consider it.”

* * *

It had already been a week since I returned from the mission.

As promised, I kept the necromancer incident a secret. I also ensured the silence of everyone involved.

The Cave Manor incident was officially attributed to the actions of a deranged mercenary group that had lost its way.

Nevertheless, the atmosphere within the Marquisate was tense.

Too many people had overheard the confession of the mercenary captain Gavin in the inner castle on the day of my return.

Everyone was quiet in my presence, but behind my back, rumors circulated that the Marchioness Rosaline had orchestrated the murder of the scoundrel Henon.

Regardless.

Today, I was running laps around the training ground, practicing my swordsmanship as usual.

Sweat poured down.

Tough calluses had formed on my palms.

The dance of the Heavenly Demon Sword [a specific swordsmanship style], slashing through the air, was now quite convincing.

“Hoo, refreshing.”

After finishing my sword training, I sat cross-legged on the floor (the posture was uncomfortable at first, but once I got used to it, there was no better posture) and meditated.

In my mind, I replayed the life-and-death struggle with the mercenary captain Gavin, like rewinding a video.

‘He was strong. Could I have won if I didn’t have the Druid’s ability?’

No matter how many times I simulated it, the outcome remained uncertain.

There are many strong individuals in the Arnia continent, and the mainstream is approaching rapidly.

In this situation, it would be problematic if I couldn’t even defeat an upper-level user, let alone an expert.

‘I need to get stronger faster and more reliably.’

The road ahead is long.

Still, I learned something from that battle.

Should I say I found a clue?

When I tricked Gavin and launched my counterattack, his flexibility was so bizarre that I almost failed to land the blow.

At that moment, the passive skill Power of Nature activated at the perfect time, and the tree trunk ensnared his ankle, allowing me to barely manage to kill him.

Looking back, I believe I consciously controlled the tree trunk.

When Gavin attempted to flee, I momentarily imagined the tree trunk rising up and binding Gavin’s ankle.

Then, the tree trunk actually rose from the ground and restrained Gavin.

The sensation was different from when a stone had fortuitously risen during my sparring match with Phillip.

‘Until now, passive skills activated automatically, regardless of my will. There was no way for me to influence them. But what if I could use important skills that alter the surrounding environment in the way I want, when I want?’

That alone would be an absurdly overpowered ability.

Wasn’t that proven in the battle with Gavin?

First, let’s verify my assumption.

I opened my eyes and stared at the ground.

At the same time, I imagined a tree trunk rising from the ground in my mind.

Cheonma [likely a spirit or entity bound to the sword] was puzzled and asked as I stared blankly at the floor.

-What kind of bizarre behavior is this this time?

“I’m conducting an experiment.”

-Experiment?

“I was wondering if a sprout would emerge if I stared at the floor.”

-You stupid bastard. You’re becoming increasingly insane.

One thing I’ve learned from spending so much time with Cheonma is that the old man holds grudges.

I’ve met quite a few people in my life, but he’s one of the worst.

He’s still sulking about the prank I played on him earlier.

“Cheonma, shall we make a bet?”

-What kind of bet are you proposing?

“If a sprout sprouts simply because I’m looking at the ground, you’ll let go of your anger and tell me the valuable information you mentioned before.”

-Heh heh heh, it’s a bet I’m guaranteed to win. What will you wager if you lose?

What could I possibly offer Cheonma, who is sealed within the sword?

Nothing comes to mind.

“Is there anything else you desire?”

-Isn’t there a maid who always follows you around?

“Are you referring to Sion?”

-I don’t know her name. Anyway, leave the sword with that purple-haired woman for a week. Tell her to train with the sword as well. Hehehe…”

What a senile pervert.

He’s completely obsessed with women.

I’m relieved that Cheonma is trapped inside the sword.

“Okay.”

-I’ll give you 10 minutes. Try it.”

“That’s too short.”

-15 minutes. I can’t give you any more. I’m bored of waiting.

I can’t argue with that.

I crossed my arms and stared at the ground as if I intended to kill it.

Five minutes passed, but nothing happened.

“Ugh! Why isn’t it working?”

I squirmed like a puppy about to relieve itself.

There wasn’t even the slightest sign.

Was it just a coincidence then?

Was I mistaken?

‘No. I definitely controlled the surrounding environment according to my will at that time.’

I considered the differences between then and now.

The difference was clear.

During the battle with Gavin, I was focusing all my nerves in a tense, life-or-death situation.

It was a state of hyperfocus.

But what about now?

A bet with Cheonma.

My position within the Marquisate.

My relationship with Sion.

Worry about the upcoming mainstream.

I had too many distractions.

‘Forget it. I need to forget everything.’

I unfolded my arms and sat cross-legged once more.

I closed my eyes to block out the information coming in through my sight.

I quietly contemplated my inner self.

I attempted to harmonize with nature, just as I had when I heard the voice of the oak tree before.

There’s a saying called Hojupjimong [a state of transcendental perception where one loses the distinction between self and the external world, often used to describe a dreamlike or meditative state].

It means that I don’t know if I’m a butterfly or if a butterfly is me.

I continued to sink deeper, recalling the time when I communicated with nature.

My inner self was like a deep sea of unknown depth, and the deeper I went, the more I felt like I could see the outside.

No.

It wasn’t a delusion.

I was definitely heading down.

Before I knew it, I had become a dolphin struggling to breathe outside the surface of the water.

Now that I see it, the sea in this bizarre illusion had no bottom. The top was also the surface of the water, and the bottom was also the surface of the water.

Is it very cold outside?

The boundary between seawater and air was covered with a thick layer of ice.

It was like a closed ceiling, trapping me and suffocating me.

It was then.

My voice whispered to me.

‘Don’t struggle to go out, stay here in this warm place.’

The subconscious mind, seeking comfort and complacency, attempted to restrict, confine, and limit myself.

It constantly threatened and coaxed me, saying that I would die if I went outside.

I was unknowingly being persuaded.

Just as my consciousness was about to fade,

‘Young Master.’

Why?

Sion’s face came to mind.

Her appearance in the carriage immediately after the battle with the necromancer.

‘For the first time since I was born, I thought Young Master was a little cool!’

Her face was as red as a ripe tomato, and she was shouting with her eyes tightly closed.

It would be a lie if I said it wasn’t cute.

That memory, which left a strong impression, was gradually fading.

The rotting water of the Dead Sea, trapped in the ice, was polluting and defiling the memory.

‘I can’t allow this.’

Only then did the reason why I came here become clear.

I came in to take a new leap.

I almost lost my way for a moment, but I regained my direction.

I took a deep breath and kicked my fins.

I imagined in my head.

I jump up vigorously while receiving sunlight.

I decided to make the imagination a reality.

So I hit the ice screen with all my might.

Thump! Ku Kung!

I felt a slight pain along with a tingling sensation in my frontal lobe, but I ignored it.

I stepped back again and rammed my head again.

Kuuuuung!!

I rammed it mercilessly, feeling like I had become a charging vehicle to break through the castle gate.

The pain intensified and I was suffocating, but I didn’t care.

And…

Cracks began to appear in the ice.

The cracks, which I didn’t even know existed at first, gradually became clearer and soon became large cracks.

The last step.

I stepped back.

I kept stepping back.

Before I knew it, I had returned to the surface of the water where I had first fallen into my inner self.

From here, I prepared to run.

And I swam with all my might towards that deep place.

‘Huck, huff, huff!’

I moved my fins so hard that I was out of breath.

The ceiling that was blocking me was approaching quickly.

I didn’t stop.

I kept running.

Finally, at the moment of facing my own limits,

Quack quack quack quack!!!!

A roar that shook the heavens and the earth.

Lightning flashed before my eyes.

A clear sky.

The red dawn announcing the dawn.

The vast sea unfolds below.

Information that is difficult to explain in my head pours in like a flood.

At the same time, a letter popped up in front of my eyes with a ding!

———————-

[Congratulations.]

[You have become a beginner Druid.]

[Buff existing skills.]

[Acquire new skills.]

———————-

[Skill Upgrade!]

[Awaken the element ‘Wood’.]

[Passive skill Power of Nature is converted to active skill.]

[List of acquired active skills.]

1. Wood Control

2. Locked

3. Locked

4. Locked

5. Locked

———————-

[Active Skill: Wood Control]

Control trees.

It becomes stronger in proportion to the empathy.

Can be used for various purposes.

———————-

[Passive Skill: Upgrade]

Become a higher-level Druid.

When upgraded, all skills and stats evolve one step.

You will acquire new skills.

Good luck.

———————-

Flash!

I opened my eyes.

How much time has passed?

It felt like almost a month had passed.

Looking around, it was still the training ground.

Cheonma, who was confident of victory, was chuckling at my waist.

-Heh heh heh, you brat. There’s less than a minute left. Accept defeat obediently and entrust this seat to the maid.

I see.

That long time seems to have been only about 10 minutes in reality.

Unknowingly, a smile formed on my lips.

“Then I’ll try.”

-Hmm?

I stretched out my hand into the air and made a motion to grab the floor.

-Nothing happens…

[Wood Control is activated.]

The system window popped up with a ding!

The ground shook where my fist was pointing.

Then, a small sprout emerged through the dirt floor!

I heard Cheonma’s astonished voice.

-How can this be!! You really made a sprout grow!

I tried to use more power.

My head was spinning, but I tried to hold back.

Then, the sprout became a thick tree trunk and tangled up.

It soon became a small sapling that could reach my waist.

“How is it? Is it amazing enough?”

Cheonma had his mouth open and couldn’t say anything.

He probably didn’t believe I would actually do it.

Greatly shocked, he muttered to himself.

-This doesn’t make sense… it really doesn’t make sense… the brat is starting to resemble that guy…

I thought he didn’t seem to be in his right mind, so I decided to give him some time alone.

After easily winning the bet, Sion came to me when I was about to swing my sword again.

There are so many factors that interfere with training today.

As soon as she arrived, she tilted her head to one side, looking at the sapling standing in the middle of the training ground.

“What is that tree?”

“Say hello. This is Groot, who was born today.”

I gave the tree a cute nickname, Groot.

If it feels like a familiar name you’ve heard somewhere, it must be a delusion.

Sion looked at me with a face that said, ‘That scoundrel has been quiet lately, but he’s starting again,’ and matched my rhythm.

“The tree is very cute, but it’s not a child that suits this place.”

“I think so too. So you move it to the forest.”

“I understand. And there is a message to deliver.”

For some reason, I think I know why Sion came.

“The Marquis is calling for you.”

“Is it another breakfast?”

“Yes. You will be attending every day from now on.”

“Annoying.”

Still, I have to go because my father called me.

I picked up the Cheonma Sword, which still seemed to be out of its mind, and stood up.

* * *

It was a short walk to the dining hall.

When I came inside, all the family members were already seated.

The Marquis, who was eating bread at the head of the table, said nonchalantly.

“You’re late.”

“Training took longer.”

“Everyone here is busy. Managing time is also an ability.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Make sure you’re not late next time.”

“Yes.”

From ancient times, it was said that hateful children are given rice cakes and beautiful children are taught with sticks [a proverb suggesting that those who are disliked are treated kindly to appease them, while those who are favored are disciplined more strictly].

It was definitely very different from the Marquis when he was completely indifferent.

Looking to the side, Rosaline and Phillip were cutting their steaks with grim expressions.

“Good morning. Marchioness, and brother.”

There was no answer.

I wasn’t expecting an answer either, so I sat down and started eating.

For a while, the desolate dining hall was filled with only the sounds of chewing.

When the meal was almost over, Marquis Lloyd put down his knife first and opened his mouth.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time everyone has gathered together since Henon returned from his mission.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the Marquis.

“That’s right.”

“Henon, you saved several territories with your performance this time. Your contribution is truly great.”

“You flatter me.”

“No. If the mercenary group had been left unchecked, they would have wreaked havoc throughout the Marquisate. As your lord, I formally express my gratitude.”

With each word of praise, Phillip and Rosaline’s faces grew more contorted.

In particular, Rosaline wanted to object, but she couldn’t say anything because it was she who had hired the mercenary group.

I was so amused by their contradictory expressions that I savored the moment, using the Marquis’s words as a side dish.

“In that vein, I was wondering if I could grant you one thing you desire. Is there anything you’ve been wanting?”

“What do you mean by wanting something? I simply did what was expected of me, so I’m embarrassed.”

It would be unseemly to accept immediately, so I declined once out of politeness.

The Marquis continued, as if he knew I would respond in this way.

“Then I’ll decide and give it to you at random.”

“Yes.”

Rosaline and Phillip were on edge.

I was also curious.

What kind of gift would my father give me?

He gave me the Cheonma Sword as a weapon, so he wouldn’t give me another one.

Would he grant me a territory the size of a small manor?

Perhaps he’d appoint me as the head caretaker of the Marquisate?

While I was making several assumptions, the Marquis said.

“I bestow the Lloyd surname upon you. From today onwards, your name is not Henon Tris, but Henon Lloyd.”

Henon Lloyd.

A reward far greater than expected.