The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 87

“Mmm~ My dream was to wander the world with the person I love. Why? Are you offering to do it with me?”

“…Forget it.”

“Huh? You don’t believe me?”

Would you believe yourself? Before answering, I saw your eyes sink with bitterness. Your real thoughts must have surfaced then.

Come to think of it, this guy is just like me now. He’s probably hiding his true feelings behind an air of utter frivolity. So how could I believe anything he says? It didn’t matter anyway, since I hadn’t expected an honest answer when I asked.

“It’s too cheesy, so could you stop looking at me like that?”

“How cruel. I was just filling my eyes with love.”

“Just put me down already.”

“You’re so cold.”

Adrian started walking again. When I shut my mouth, he didn’t speak first after that. I peeked at Adrian, whose expression had vanished as if lost in thought, then closed my eyes. It seems the effects of the medicine are wearing off earlier than expected. I had no strength left to endure.

* * *

Adrian delivered me to the academy in good time. When I returned to the dormitory in a half-dead state, my roommates jumped in surprise.

The fever didn’t break even the next morning. Everyone tried to hold me back saying I should rest, but I stubbornly headed to the lecture hall with my textbooks. My original plan was to collapse after the lectures ended, but I fainted midway through.

When I came to, I was in the infirmary. I took medicine personally prepared by the professor for two days. Thanks to that, I recovered fully, but my roommates kept treating me like a patient for the entire week.

Because of that, I didn’t hear any new rumors about myself. They kept quiet among themselves, not telling me anything, saying that recovering my already recovered body was the priority.

‘I’ll have to ask them when I get back.’

Unlike last week, all three of them were up, watching me with concern as I packed my bag. On top of that, they suggested it might be better to rest in the dormitory this week.

They should worry in moderation; I was completely fed up with it.

“I’m really fine, I tell you! I’m heading out! See you tomorrow night.”

I escaped from the dorm room, avoiding their attempts to hold me back, and headed for the mansion.

I was about to call the head servant to ask if the gardener had arrived, but there was no need. A strange man trimming branches on a ladder next to the main gate was waiting for me.

Before I could call him, he nimbly jumped down from the ladder. The man who stood before me placed his wide-brimmed hat on his chest and bowed.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Linder, the gardener.”

“Follow me.”

I took Linder to the study.

“I’ll ask directly. How much do you know?”

“This was originally my assignment.”

They said they’d send a capable gardener, but did they send one of their close aides? If so, that’s good for me since I won’t need to explain or test his abilities.

“Then I’ll tell you what to do. First, investigate whether there are underground spaces here and at the Count’s Opera House. If you confirm an underground area in either place, check for the ‘Pitiful Flower’ too. If there isn’t one, create a convincing fake. The underground space doesn’t need to connect to the theater, but it should appear to.”

I never intended to search for a slave auction house whose location I didn’t even know. It’s natural to try the easy way first, since I’ll find out automatically once Adrian comes to my side. If that fails, I’ll search then.

“You mean there’s someone to deceive?”

“That’s right. I’ll leave the method up to you. If it’s difficult to find people, I can look into it.”

I had the Kans in mind, but Linder lightly shook his head.

“People won’t be a problem. However, if neither place has an underground area, it will take quite some time. We’ll have to create a new space while avoiding people’s eyes.”

“Is it possible within a year in the worst case?”

“That’s more than enough time.”

“Then that’s fine. Also, investigate one building.”

Recalling the building where Adrian had a secret meeting with the prosecutor, I explained its location. I also advised caution in case the sharp-sensed prosecutor might be there.

“Report immediately when the investigation is complete. The last subject to investigate is Honorary Duke Cromwell.”

“What extent of information do you need?”

I was satisfied with his attitude of not asking for reasons, probably because he’s close to the Second Prince.

“Everything from childhood to present, without missing anything. The more detailed, the better.”

“Understood.”

“Luwen will come in the afternoon. I’ll change your identity from gardener to free knight.”

It was because I needed a guard to show Luwen, but he seemed oddly disappointed. He might have been genuinely passionate about plants, but he shouldn’t have any complaints since he didn’t come here to heal.

“Understood.”

“That’s all I have for you to do right now. Now I’ll tell you what you need to be cautious about.”

“Please tell me anything. I’ll listen carefully.”

He didn’t question the change in my hair color. He recognized me and greeted me naturally, as if he had known from the start.

In other words, Linder knows my face. If not, he would normally only be certain after I revealed my identity or changed my hair color back, distinguishing me by characteristics.

“You didn’t hide that you finished investigating me, right? I don’t mind if you tested me, and I don’t mind if you report to him, but you need to be careful not to let my sister find out.”

He’s the Second Prince’s right-hand man from the start. I thought he might test me to some extent, considering he might view running errands for me as a demotion. Anyway, I could overlook this much since I would ask for a replacement if he couldn’t do the job properly.

“I wasn’t testing you. It’s just that my caution was lacking-“

“Don’t lie. That picky person wouldn’t keep someone so careless as a close aide. I said I don’t mind, so let’s drop that subject. Just be careful about what I warned you about. If my sister finds out, I won’t be able to attend the academy. Then your mission fails too.”

He probably knows that I’ve made contact with Adrian, and who the target to deceive is on the stage I requested.

“…I’ll keep it in mind.”

Fortunately, Linder’s attitude changed to serious immediately without needing further discussion. With that, the conversation ended. I dismissed Linder and prepared to welcome Luwen.

* * *

It was the most comfortable and leisurely weekend since entering the academy. It was generally peaceful, except for Luwen’s doubts about whether I was resting properly, saying my complexion didn’t look good. I felt especially reluctant for this relaxed and easygoing time to end today.

‘If I could just get rid of all the annoying things, I could spend every day like today.’

I walked, calmly reviewing the plans I needed to follow to avoid rushing and messing things up. But I sighed as soon as the academy’s main gate came into view.

After a few more steps, I saw a doll-like figure pacing inside the main gate. Though I couldn’t make out the face due to the shadows, the build noticeable even from afar, the small shadow beside it, and one person standing a bit apart were distinctively recognizable.

‘Why are they there?’

I thought they might be returning from an outing together, but little Norman, who spotted me, raised his voice.

“Oh! It’s Norman! Norman!”

As little Norman waved both arms vigorously and hopped around, the other two turned towards me in unison.

“Norman! Are you okay today?”

I paused briefly at Nadian’s booming voice. Should I say it’s fortunate? There were hardly any people around except for the guards at the academy’s main gate.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick? Can we go out for a moment? We just want to bring our friend in!”

Nadian’s voice was clear, but I couldn’t hear the guard’s reply.

“What? Why not! It’s really just for a moment. He was sick last week!”

If you’ve been rejected, just give up, really. Just because it happened last week doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. I hurried my steps that had paused. While I can’t help the rumors currently circulating, I’d rather not become the subject of gossip over something like this.

“Why are you guys here?”

Having walked faster than usual, I smiled broadly, appearing very pleased.

“Why? Of course we came to greet you. You’re sick, aren’t you?”

No, I’m not sick anymore. When will you finally believe me? Just forget it already. Haven’t you ever seen someone collapse before? In life, people faint, get fevers, that sort of thing happens, you know?

“I’m fine now. Thanks for worrying.”

Did I get the Norman concept wrong? Am I being treated like a dandelion seed that flies away at the slightest breeze because I seem too much of a pushover?

“By the way, Norman, why do you go out every weekend?”

Little Norman scampered over like a squirrel. Then he positioned himself at an angle that wouldn’t interfere with my walking, maintaining a perfect diagonal.

“My circumstances aren’t good, so I have to work on weekends.”

“Ah… I’m, sorry…”

“Huh? Why are you sorry?”

I was genuinely surprised as I didn’t expect an apology. I thought it was natural to be curious about such things.

On the contrary, I had already coordinated with the head servant in case they became curious about where I work. So they could ask as much as they want, but why are they apologizing?