The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 123

Chapter 16: Disguise: Tracking the Young Master

Arnia, South-Central Region

An Abandoned Ruin

The Twilight’s Seven Apostles gathered in the round table hall after receiving a summons from the Pope after a long time.

With the seats of Greed and Envy vacant, all other members were seated.

Gluttony, a young boy tapping on a game console.

Lust, wearing a white-gold robe.

Sloth, with a blank face and purple hair.

Wrath, a giant of a man.

And Pride, a skull lich with an eerie aura.

The Twilight Pope, whose face was hidden by a hood from head to toe, began to speak.

“I haven’t heard any good news lately.”

The meeting began with the Pope’s rebuke.

“I haven’t heard any rumors of finding the Druid, nor of finding the Golden Branch. If we don’t even have two Apostles, is there really a need to maintain the Seven Apostles?”

Kooooooo

The surrounding air vibrated intensely, and stone fragments fell from the ceiling.

An oppressive feeling that threatened to overwhelm their minds filled the hall.

The Seven Apostles were considered the strongest individuals on the continent, but the Pope’s power was unfathomable.

Wrath, sweating profusely, knelt on one knee, prostrated himself, and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry!! Pope!”

“We’re sorry.”

All the Apostles, led by Wrath, admitted their fault.

Only then did the Twilight Pope’s voice soften, as if his anger had subsided slightly.

“Good. Let’s put aside the Druid and the Golden Branch for now. Did you capture Henon Lloyd, who aided in Envy’s defeat?”

The Twilight Pope’s gaze turned to Lust.

Inside the hood, where a face should have been, was only a black abyss.

Sensing a faint vortex that seemed to draw in souls, Lust muttered, avoiding his gaze.

“It didn’t go as planned.”

“Failed?”

“I attempted to manipulate Seven Star Johann into dealing with him, but somehow Henon used some kind of sorcery and… seduced Johann instead.”

The Pope didn’t answer, his displeasure palpable.

“Pope, I have a suggestion.”

The skull lich, Pride, stepped forward.

“What is it?”

“Recently, I tried to conquer the Elven Kingdom to fulfill the Order’s long-held ambition, but I was thwarted by one person’s interference.”

“Is that person the same one Lust is targeting?”

“Yes, it’s Henon. He destroyed the Hilton family, whom I had manipulated into puppets, and even killed my disciple, Urka.”

The Pope tapped the table with his dry, withered fingers.

“Henon… I’ve been hearing his name quite a lot lately.”

“That’s right. So, now that everyone is gathered, I formally request that all the Order’s resources be used to eliminate Henon.”

Pride was proposing a formal assassination order against Henon.

Sloth immediately objected.

“That’s an excessive overinvestment. The reason the Twilight Order has thrived is because it operates in the shadows. If we mobilize all our forces to catch a minnow, the losses will be too great.”

“Sister, that’s not true.”

Lust sided with Pride.

“Johann came and told me that Henon is still young and inexperienced, but if he develops further, he could become the next hero like Kyle.”

Silence filled the hall.

The name of the hero Kyle carried immense weight for the Twilight Order.

He had fought alongside the Demon King Baal and ultimately sealed him away.

“The Paladin [Johann] participated in the final battle and witnessed Kyle and Baal firsthand. If Johann gave him such a high assessment, it suggests he possesses significant potential, right?”

Lust’s argument was logical.

Gluttony and Wrath also nodded.

The Twilight Pope seemed tempted.

Sloth stepped forward again.

“Henon’s father is Marquis Lloyd of the Seven Stars. He also has close ties with other Seven Stars. If we attack openly, the Order’s identity will be exposed, and we will be targeted from all sides.”

“Sister, that’s absurd. Whose side are you on anyway? Henon is constantly interfering with the Order’s plans, and you’re suggesting we do nothing?”

“Aren’t you simply trying to avoid responsibility for your failed operation and proposing a reckless plan in collusion with Pride?”

“Seriously, I’m speechless. I’ve been treating you politely as my sister, but you psycho can’t understand the situation and are trying to undermine me?”

“Regardless of my inability to feel emotions, my argument is more rational and evidence-based than yours. Also, personal insults are irrelevant.”

Lust unleashed her murderous intent without restraint, but Sloth remained utterly calm, showing no trace of emotion on her face.

It was the epitome of a blank expression, further fueling Lust’s anger.

Just as she was about to use her power in earnest,

“Stop.”

The Pope’s single word silenced everyone.

“I’ve heard Lust and Pride’s arguments. It’s true that Henon isn’t a direct threat to the Order, but he is certainly a nuisance. If there’s even a suggestion that he could be the next hero like Kyle, we must eliminate him by any means.”

“That’s right!”

Lust’s face brightened as the Pope sided with her.

“I haven’t finished speaking yet. Conversely, I understand Sloth’s concerns as well. We are currently strong, but there’s no need to unnecessarily reveal our identity, especially with the Demon King still sealed.”

Everyone listened carefully to the Pope’s next words.

“Therefore, I propose a compromise. Sloth, who presented the opposing view, will personally assassinate Henon. If even you fail, then, as Lust and Pride suggested, we will use all the power of the Order to destroy Henon and the Lloyd family.”

The Pope’s command was issued.

This was a final order that could not be disobeyed.

All the key figures bowed their heads in unison and answered.

“We obey the command!!”

The key figures left one by one.

As Sloth was about to leave, Lust sneered from behind.

“Try your best. Get stabbed by Henon and die.”

Sloth did not answer.

She disappeared, maintaining her blank expression.

Looking at her retreating figure, Pride chuckled.

“Sloth is an interesting woman. A precious specimen.”

“If that bitch gets caught even once, I’ll make her my toy and use her for the rest of her life.”

“Hehehe, hand her over to me after she dies. I’m also very interested in her.”

* * *

After the events in the capital, I returned to the Marquisate after a long time.

As soon as I returned, I was greeted by my father’s scolding.

“Keep in touch! If it was such a significant matter, you should have asked me for help sooner. Trying to handle everything alone is not a good habit.”

I was speechless.

I had nothing to say.

“I’m sorry.”

Still, thanks to Marquis Lloyd defending the territory, the Hilton County’s large army, which had been eyeing the Marquisate, couldn’t invade.

Currently, that army has been dismantled with the Hilton family’s collapse, and some have been absorbed into the Lloyd family.

Charlie Hilton took the remaining soldiers, but since Charlie is Rebecca’s subordinate, there’s no need to worry about that side anymore.

“You are the rightful heir to the Lloyd family. Always remember that fact and cherish yourself.”

“I will keep that in mind, Father.”

After Rosalyn and Philip’s incident, Marquis Lloyd was extremely protective of me.

Perhaps it’s because I’m the only family member left.

For me, it’s reassuring to have a Seven Star [Marquis Lloyd] and a wealthy father who supports me in every way.

Moreover, the library key I received as a gift before leaving for the capital was very useful in understanding Rebecca.

Speaking of Rosalyn and Philip, Philip, who betrayed the family and sided with the Hiltons, has disappeared.

As soon as that slippery guy sensed something was wrong, he vanished.

When I told Charlie, who had become a vampire, to catch Philip, he was already gone.

Perhaps he escaped the Elven Kingdom and fled to another country.

Philip, who betrayed Hilton, Lloyd, and even the royal family, could no longer stay in the Elven Kingdom.

“Just you wait until I catch you.”

Philip knew about the Elven invasion in advance and was guilty of causing the deaths of countless residents of the Molty territory, including his maternal grandfather, Count Molty.

I was planning to search every corner of the continent later and make him pay for his sins.

Meanwhile, Rebecca shed tears profusely when she parted with me.

If it weren’t for me, she would have been forced to watch the kingdom’s destruction without even realizing her dream.

She even promised me unlimited gratitude and material support for fighting the Twilight Order for the future of the kingdom.

Honestly, I wasn’t too worried about Rebecca.

Charlie, the head of the Hilton family, who was the most opposed to her, is now her subordinate, and Duke Arnold, the head of the royal family, is completely devoted to her.

In addition to this, Andre, whom I had saved before, decided to help her and assist with administrative tasks.

He had become a vampire following Rebecca anyway, and Andre was surprisingly quick-witted and handled things efficiently.

“Come visit often.”

“I’ll come whenever I have time.”

The teleport wormhole connecting the Lloyd Marquisate and the royal palace is working perfectly.

I promised to visit the royal palace regularly whenever I had time to see Rebecca’s face and returned to the Marquisate.

After returning, I had more time for personal training.

I sat in a lotus position and contemplated and meditated on the recent battle in the royal palace.

Unfortunately, there was no useful information to be gained from the fight between Count Hilton and the Five Fingers [an organization or group].

I decided to be satisfied with the fact that I had gathered data on how the Lich fights from Urka.

On the other hand, I gained many insights from the battle with the Paladin Johann.

The battle with Johann was the first one-on-one duel I had with a master-level expert.

Although Johann was completely off guard and I won through a surprise attack, that alone made me realize what a master feels like.

‘The battle tempo and pressure were on a different level.’

It was a world of difference from when I sparred with Sebastian, who was on the verge of becoming a Sword Master, several times.

I also deeply felt how much Marquis Lloyd, who was also a Sword Master, had been holding back during our sparring sessions.

To surpass master-level experts in the future, I must also reach a similar level.

Currently, I am constantly continuing my dual mana and domain training, but I still feel like I am navigating through a dark fog.

I decided not to be impatient and improve step by step with the Druid skills.

“Haaam~!”

It’s still the crack of dawn.

Campbell, yawning and entering the training ground in the distance, was seen.

“As expected, the vice-commander is diligent. When do you ever sleep? Do you even sleep?”

“I sleep from time to time when the time comes.”

“You’re amazing.”

Campbell, who took out his bastard sword, hesitated as he tried to swing it in the air.

“Something feels empty…”

“I know.”

Something is different from usual.

Both Campbell and I came out as usual, and the training ground hasn’t changed much.

It feels like someone who should be there is missing…

“Where is the maid?”

Come to think of it, Sion is not here.

She, the embodiment of diligence, always came out 10 minutes earlier than Campbell.

Is she oversleeping again like last time?

“She must be tired. Let’s let her rest for a while after a long time.”

“I guess so.”

Concentrating on training again for 1 minute.

I couldn’t concentrate at all, so I looked at Campbell, but Campbell was also looking at me.

“As expected… right?”

“That’s right. There’s no way that picky maid would just be late. Something must have happened.”

I put the Heavenly Demon Sword into its scabbard and ran to Sion’s quarters with Campbell.

I knocked on the door.

There was no response from inside.

I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, and it opened smoothly without resistance.

“She’s not here?”

The room was empty.

Instead, a note was placed on Sion’s bed.

I picked it up and checked the contents.

-Young Master, thank you for everything so far. I’m sorry that I couldn’t stay by your side until the end.

What is this?

A bell rings in my head.

My head is dizzy even though I wasn’t actually hit in the back of the head.

Campbell also has an expression that he doesn’t understand.

“Did the maid eat something wrong?”

Although I’m flustered, what I have to do is clear.

I have to catch the runaway maid.

Sion is the main character of my life.

A person who is perfectly shaped from skill to personality.

There’s no way I can let go of such a woman in vain.

“I’ll track her down right away.”

“Good. It’ll be a pretty fun game of tag.”

I left the Marquisate.

There is no traffic at all because it is dawn.

As a result, there were subtle traces of Sion’s passing everywhere.

“She tried to shake off the pursuit, but no way.”

Sion is also an assassin and worked in the North, so her skills in erasing traces are excellent.

But what a pity.

Campbell and I are also used to tracking monsters every day in the North.

Why else would we even eat monster poop?

We were Northern Rangers who could spot even a strangely bent branch with the eyes of a hawk.

Based on the traces she left, I continued to chase her.

After running northwest from Heinz Lake for a while, I decided to use Druid skills around here.

“Wait a moment.”

[Life Control]

[Shared Vision]

[Taming]

I tamed a rabbit and sent it far away, and used the trees nearby to scan for Sion.

When I entered a tree located on the reconnaissance limit line and looked at the field of vision, I happened to capture the sound of weapons clashing in the distance.

“I found her.”

[Wind Control]

[Haste]

It’s time to speed up.

I wrapped wind around my ankles.

I moved like flying to the place where the commotion broke out while receiving a group movement speed buff.

I quickly arrived at my destination.

Sion was kneeling on the flat ground.

With blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

“Sion!!”

I shouted in a hurry.

She looked at me and muttered with a weak smile.

“Young Master… I’m sorry.”

Sion lost consciousness.

There was a woman I had never seen before in front of her, grabbing Sion’s collar and staring at me with a blank face.

She was as tall as me and had good body proportions.

Above all, her purple hair, which was the same as Sion’s, was very striking.

“You must be Henon.”

A woman who looked unusual at a glance.

The Druid’s intuition rang an alarm.

Even the Heavenly Demon Sword warned me.

-Kid, run away with all your might. You are no match for her.