CH 4.2

Name:The Duchy's Madman Author:
Undine quickly flew over and grabbed the spirit’s hand.

[Gnome! Why are you hiding in there? Come here!]

[…!]

[…No? Why? Is it because of Arthur?]

[…!]

[It’s okay! Arthur is a good person! ]

The gnome shakes his head.

Undine tilted her head in confusion at his stubborn refusal.

It was an oddly strong refusal, even for a shy earth spirit.

Arthur watched, and then, realising the situation, he smiled.

“Now I understand why I couldn’t make a contract with that spirit.”

Most spirits were very gentle and peaceful.

This was especially the case for the earth spirits.

However, his behaviour a few days ago, when he had beaten Bill, was far from that peace and gentleness.

I’m in trouble. I’m afraid he might say something useless to Undine.’

Arthur wanted to stay on good terms with Undine until he was healed, so he hesitated, then spoke up.

“If you wont come then I’ll go over there.”

The gnome was startled and scurried over to Arthur’s side.

Undine, who was watching this, wondered.

[Why is the gnome so frightened? That’s strange….]

Arthur locked eyes with the gnome and spoke in a low voice.

“What happened that day is a secret between the two of us, understand?”

“I don’t want Undine to hate me, so can you promise to keep it a secret?”

The gnome’s wings trembled at Arthur’s smile 

It was Because the smile on his face now was exactly the same smile he’d worn that day when he’d beaten that human to a pulp.

“Hey, if you don’t answer me, I might beat you up too.”

He nodded in fear, then Arthur snapped his fingers with a satisfied smile.

“So what kind of powers does Mr. Gnome have?”

[….]

“Earth spirits are very shy, so I haven’t seen many people who contracted with you guys, so if you don’t mind, can you please tell me?”

Undine, who had flown over at some point, replied.

[Gnomes can discern many things!]

“Like what?”

[Like what’s okay to eat and what’s not, and they have a great sense of smell!]

Arthur scratched his head.

“That’s not a very useful ability, is it?”

[….]

“What other abilities does he have besides that?”

Undine stammers in surprise.

[I don’t know, gnome, do you think you can do anything else?]

Gnome doesn’t answer Undine’s question, instead he just flaps his wings.

Sebastian’s voice came from beyond the doorway.

“Master. It’s time for your medicine.”

Arthur answered with a  smile on his face

“Come in!”

With Arthur’s permission, Sebastian came in with the poison, which was disguised as medicine as usual.

“How was today’s outing?”

“It was good!”

At Arthur’s answer, Sebastian paused as he was about to leave the room.

“Master, you must take the medicine.”

Arthur nodded promptly.

“Of course!”

Hearing his answer, Sebastian slowly exited the room.

Afterward, Arthur clicked his tongue and muttered to himself.

“He’s so consistent. He brings the poison every day.”

With that thought, he picked up the pill that Sebastian had brought and crushed it.

The silent gnome suddenly cried out.

[…!]

Undine, who was beside Arthur, also shouted in surprise.

[Arthur, you can’t eat that!]

“Why?”

[The gnome says it’s not something humans should eat!]

Arthur raised his eyebrows.

“Can you recognize the poison?”

[…I told you, gnomes can detect any scent!]

Undine answered, and Arthur turned his gaze to the gnome.

The gnome shivered in fear at his low gaze.

The corner of his lips lifted, and Arthur suggested.

“Excuse me, Mr. Gnome, would you like to sign a contract with me?”

* * *

The spirits’ abilities were great.

Far beyond Arthur’s own expectations.

‘They are useful in many ways’.

Undine, the water spirit, could not only heal, but also perform simple water-related magic.

Not as good as a professional mage, but just what Arthur would need at this point.

If Count Dormund decided to take action now, I was sure to be crushed.

‘Given Count Dormund’s personality, I doubt he’s in a hurry to do anything, but you never know.’

Count Kane Dormund was a man who took his reputation very seriously.

Perhaps it was due to the sense of inferiority that arose from entering the Count Dortmund’s household by abandoning his own family for success, it’s hard to say.

As a result, he was unlikely to engage in high-profile tricks, but he had plenty of low-profile tricks up his sleeve.

Poison was one of them.

He’d been disguising it as medicine and feeding it to Arthur for a while now, but after what happened last time, he didn’t know when he’d be willing to put a stronger poison in his food.

‘And with the gnome’s ability to recognize poison… Isn’t it just my luck that I’ve suddenly gotten so fortunate?’

“Thank you for accepting the contract, Mr. Gnome.”

[….]

“And thank you for keeping my secret as well.”

The gnome’s two tiny eyes trembled uncontrollably.

Just as Undine, who was beside him, was puzzled by the sight, there was a knock on the door.

“Master, it’s time for your medicine.”

It was Arthur’s Butler and traitor.

Sebastian

“Come in!”

In response, Sebastian opened the door and entered.

He set the medicine down on the desk, as usual, and asked.

“How are you feeling today?”

“‘I feel great!”

“…I’m glad to hear that, so let’s take your medication again today, okay?”

Sebastian didn’t leave the room.

Arthur scratched his head at his unusual behaviour.

‘Why is he doing this when he normally just leaves the medicine behind?’

The reason was quickly revealed

“Master. The medicine I have brought today is a special one.”

“…?”

“That’s why you should not leave it behind, or spill it.”

At these words, Arthur glared at Sebastian.

Then, withdrawing his hand, he called to the gnome.

“Could you take a look at the medicine?”

The gnome, sitting on Arthur’s shoulder, turns his gaze to the pills on the desk.

It flapped its wings in surprise.

[…!]

The gnome relayed the words to Undine, who in turn relayed them to Arthur in horror.

[You must never eat it, Arthur, it’s a very dangerous poison!]

Arthur smiles at the warning.

At the same time, he realises.

That Kane Dormund’s retaliation has finally begun.

‘I knew he was going to make a move at some point, but……. That was fast. Which makes it all the better.’

Having finished his judgement, Arthur looks up.

He looks back at Sebastian, who is looking down at him, and asks a question.

“Why are you staying, you didn’t bother to check on me before.”

“Before, I trusted you master… master?”

Sebastian’s eyes widened.

Arthur, who has risen from his seat, turns to Gnome.

“Mr. Gnome, could you please close the door?”

The gnome flies over and closes the open door.

With that, Arthur slowly turned around.

He stares at Sebastian, whose mouth is hanging wide open in shock.

Arthur grinned at the sight.

“What’s that look on your face, Sebastian? Are you surprised to hear an imbecile speak properly?”