Chapter 60: Successor of the Crest 1 (2)

Chapter 60: Successor of the Crest 1 (2)

Frustrated, bewildered, and feeling the chill of the early autumn evening, Linus quickly headed towards the mansion. Passing through the front gates without being greeted by his vassals would be a disgrace as the head of the family. On the other hand, it was improper to simply wait until who knows when, while freezing in the cold.

Those who failed to present themselves would be punished later. He was not going to give them a half-assed punishment like a pay cut. He was going to flog them with a whip and then beat them. Then he would write a public notice to everybody that these servants have been kicked out. It would be a disgrace to let these servants who knew not even the basics of welcoming their master serve another family.

Linus opened the front door while fuming.

The inside of the house was dark. There were no light sources. Only the setting sun shone through the windows.

It looked just like a haunted house, but the air he breathed in was clean. This was a sign that the house has been regularly cleaned. Until recently, the mansion must have been well managed by the vassals and servants of the family. Then, why didn't they show up? It was as if the people who had been taking care of the house had disappeared just as Linus was about to return.T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

"Curses! Is anyone here?"

Linus raised his voice, but all that echoed back was his own voice. Nobody was in sight.

Not making any further progress, he grabbed the candlestick and lit it. It lit up in a soft glow.

"Follow me."

"Yes, sire!"

"............"

Linus walked slowly, staying alert for signs of life. He was followed by his faithful butler and a sulking Simone. The wife followed not because of her affection or trust towards Linus. She was simply bound by common sense that she should be by her husband's side, and reluctantly followed along.

Anyway, it didn't take too long before they ran into whoever was still in the mansion.

A room on the second floor. In one of the rooms, a dim light leaked out from the door.

"hah......"

Not only that, but he could also hear amused laughter.

The soft illumination provided by the candle revealed Linus bitter scowl.

(What's with them? Did they forget to greet their master because they were fooling around?)

If that was the case, they were completely making a fool out of him. In anger, Linus quickened his pace and paused in front of the door. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. After reining in his temper, he opened the door.

"What the hell are you guys?"

His voice was filled with anger, but it was cut off mid-sentence. It was because he was caught off guard by the scene in the room.

It was not the scene Linus had imagined, where the absent vassals were playing around, oblivious to the return of the head of the family.

"Haha. What's the matter, Count Linus Oubeniel? Why do you look so stunned?"

A noble, waited on by Linus servants, was sitting on the sofa in the reception room with a wine glass in his hand. As if to mock their original master, who was standing at the doorway, he threw a smile full of pleasure.

He slammed both fists into the table and leaned forward. Simone became more and more tense from the outburst, and distanced herself.

Not caring about that, he continued.

"How dare you break into my mansion when I wasnt present, beg for liquor, and then offer me a seat?"

He then turned his attention to the vassals who were standing beside the intruder in question..

"You too! To neglect to greet me, and to indulge in entertaining this guy, you have no idea what you're doing! Have you forgotten who your master is!"

"!?"

One of his vassals, who had been subjected to the full force of his anger, straightened her back and shrieked for a moment, but immediately afterwards hid behind the vaguely smiling Langogne.

What the heck is this situation, Linus thought with his shoulders tensing up.

His vassals were ignoring him and following the command of the man who appeared out of nowhere without warning. And the man was treating him with an attitude that could hardly be called polite.

It was as if

"Not feeling like you are being treated as a noble, are you? Linus Strein Oubeniel."

The man on the other side of the room, drinking his liquor, hit the bullseye.

Langogne was completely relaxed. Towards Linus censure, and his incomprehension, Langogne only returned a half-hearted glance.

And then, out of the blue, he said.

"By the way, if you haven't noticed yet, there must be a lot more servants in the mansion. If they were all here, the room would be cramped. I wonder where they have gone."

"......?"

"What do you mean? Count Langogne."

Simone spoke out while Linus was visibly confused.

The man replied with a worried expression.

"Oh my, oh my, I didnt want to break the news because you would be most upset...... They have left."

"Huh...?"

"I am told that all of them have quit, except for the few in this room now. Oh, how troubling it must be, really."

"How can that be!"

Linus bared his eyes wide open and slammed the table again. Even the peaceful looking Langogne frowned, annoyed this time. In his impudent expression, Linus could now sense some anger.

"How is it possible that my servants and subordinates would resign without notice? If you had wanted to make up some rubbish, at least make it..."