TMLO 25

Chapter: 25

“Find someone for me.”

The person I wanted to find was none other than the man who, in the original story, survived even clashing swords with Ruth: the Mercenary King, Benesh.

In the original story, Ruth, due to the poor circumstances of his family, could not have a proper teacher and trained in swordsmanship entirely on his own.

Ruth, with his innate genius and grueling dedication, became an excellent swordsman on his own.

Yet, there was still something missing for him to be called overwhelmingly strong.

One day, by chance, he met the mercenary Benesh.

At that time, Benesh was in a state of violent rage, corrupted by magic, but his sword—according to Ruth’s description—remained “pure and noble.”

Ruth subdued the raging Benesh, and in gratitude, Benesh agreed to teach Ruth swordsmanship.

Through that encounter, Ruth broke through his limits and reached a new level in his swordsmanship.

And in just three months, he rose to become the strongest swordsman on the continent.

I wanted to find him.

If Ruth, starting at twenty years old, learned that much in three months, how strong could he become if he started at ten?

“His name is Benesh. He’s probably around forty now. His hair is sky blue. His eyes… I think bright gray? They look a bit sharp and fierce. Ah! And he has a large scar running along his left arm from the wrist. I heard it was from a monster bite when he was a child.”

“His social status?”

“Probably a commoner.”

I had never seen nobles doing dangerous work like mercenaries. In this world, mercenary work was tough, and the pay was low.

“Ah, and he has a three-year-old daughter.”

“Does he live with her?”

“I don’t know. He might, or he might not.”

In the original story, Benesh’s daughter died before meeting Ruth. Due to circumstances, they were separated when she passed, and Benesh always regretted being distant from her.

“He’s probably working with a mercenary group. If necessary, you can expand the search range.”

“What’s the budget limit?”

“I don’t care how much it costs.”

“That could run into hundreds of millions of marks. Are you okay with that?”

My hands trembled slightly.

But this time, the Duke of Summerhild had generously covered part of the cost.

Yes, they say money should not be spared when it comes to education.

If it’s to make our Ruth the strongest swordsman…!

I couldn’t ignore the prospect of a top-tier mentor right in front of me.

“Of course. Just find the person properly.”

Still, for my wallet’s sake, I hoped they would find him quickly, please.

As soon as I left the intelligence office, Butcher grabbed me to steady me as I staggered.

“How much have I spent…?”

They said they would return the remaining money, but would there even be any left?

In my previous life, the most expensive thing I’d ever bought was a cellphone, and now I had spent several times that in just one day.

Unlike my trembling hands, Treon spoke calmly.

“Still, it’s cheaper than I expected.”

“Cheaper?”

“Yes. Your family’s secret organization was not dissolved as a money-draining scheme for nothing.”

“Even so, Ma’am, shouldn’t we avoid creating a new organization?”

Butcher smiled charmingly.

…I need to earn more.

The problem wasn’t creating it; it was the operating costs.

I wonder if they found the plants the Agriculture Department requested.

“Ugh, forget it. Let’s just go buy Ruth’s gift. Lead the way.”

Thinking any longer only made me anxious.

Following Treon, I explored the shopping district.

As the Mateck territory was famous for swords, most shops sold swords.

There were also stores selling food, embroidered fabrics, and tableware.

After buying quality fabrics for the castle staff and Ruth’s gift, the carriage was full.

Still, imagining their pleased faces made me happy.

While loading the carriage, Treon asked,

“Ma’am, aren’t you buying anything?”

“Should I?”

“Of course! You worked the hardest, so you should get something too!”

Butcher eagerly agreed.

“Hmm…”

But I couldn’t think of anything I wanted.

Buying something for myself felt like wasting money unnecessarily.

I suppose years of frugality in my previous life became a habit.

Back then, even ordering chicken took serious resolve.

The day I was evicted for not paying rent, I thought I’d freeze to death on the street.

At that moment,

[Master.]

Kkamang poked me with his paw from my pocket.

“Huh?”

I lifted the pocket holding Kkamang into my palm, asking “Why?”

He pointed his paw toward a shop across the street.

[It smells delicious over there.]

The shop Kkamang pointed to was a jewelry store.

Seeing my gaze shift, Treon asked,

“Shall we go in?”

“Won’t it be expensive?”

“Since it’s a street jewelry shop, it won’t be too costly. Truly rare items are usually sold at auctions or specialized stores.”

Encouraged by Treon’s words, I stepped inside.

The jewelry store, catering to wealthy customers, was much cleaner and more elegant than other shops.

“Are you looking for any particular jewelry?”

The neatly dressed owner asked.

“Um…”

Looking at Kkamang, he said,

[I want to eat that diamond.]

He pointed to the most central diamond necklace in the display behind the owner.

Its ornate design seemed like the most expensive item in the store.

“I’d like to see that one.”

As I pointed, the owner smiled brightly.

“You have a good eye. This is the most expensive item in our store.”

The owner carefully lifted the necklace to display it.

“This diamond is from the Belrom region, designed by the famous Baron Root himself. It’s especially cut along the sides to resemble flowing water…”

The owner went on, but since I knew nothing about jewelry, it sounded like a foreign language to me.

“How much is it?”

“One million marks.”

A huge price, but considering Kkamang had eaten something worth 30 million marks before, it felt reasonable.

While I hesitated, Treon asked,

“Ma’am, may I examine the necklace too?”

“Huh? Sure.”

Treon, standing before the owner, asked for my permission first.

Is this what a real butler serving the true master looks like?

Even small manners like this were different from before.

I was amazed that Treon truly acknowledged me.

His hands, wrapped in white gloves, carefully felt the necklace.

He borrowed the owner’s tools and examined the jewelry meticulously.

“There are slight carving marks. They don’t seem to be from intentional cutting.”

“…”

The owner’s face stiffened at Treon’s words.

Treon then held the jewel to the light and said,

“The way the pattern scatters as light passes is off. Cutting that spreads light downward is not ideal.”

He put the jewel down and delivered the final blow:

“And Baron Root has never made a necklace like this.”

Treon then looked at me.

It was as if Kkamang had caught a bug and proudly brought it to me for praise.

Thanks to Treon, I could buy the necklace for less than half the price.

“Did you know about jewelry too, Butler?”

“I learned. Father told me that to serve a duke properly, I must know. To serve well, one must recognize quality. The same goes for serving you, Ma’am.”

Treon subtly displayed his usefulness and watched me for approval.

I didn’t want to dwell on our earlier confrontation, so I didn’t comment.

Once our business in Mateck territory was done, we finally got into the carriage.

Unlike before, Butcher and Treon moved to the driver’s seat because the carriage felt cramped due to the luggage.

Probably to make it more comfortable for me in the small space.

Soon the carriage moved, and I placed the necklace in Kkamang’s pocket.

Crunch, crack.

It sounded like biting a hard candy.

Though obviously much harder than candy.

‘Wait. How strong must Kkamang’s teeth be?’

Diamonds are considered the hardest jewel, but Kkamang could chew one like candy—so are his teeth harder than a diamond?

Not long after, Kkamang poked his head out of the pocket.

“Did you eat well?”

I gently stroked his white back and wings. Kkamang opened his mouth, showing satisfaction.

Thanks to the jewel, his skin even seemed to shine like it.

[Yes. I ate well.]

“Good. Kkamang, can you open your mouth?”

He tilted his head but obeyed.

His white snout opened, revealing sharp, pointy teeth.

I touched them with my finger. Cold and smooth, like touching an icicle.

Kkamang drew back but didn’t close his mouth, probably not wanting me to get hurt.

[Master?]

He murmured to me.

I withdrew my hand.

“I was curious how your teeth are because they seem incredibly strong.”

I searched his pocket for the chain he might have eaten after the jewel.

But there was nothing in my hand.

“You ate the chain too?”

[Yes.]

“The chain isn’t even a jewel you like. Can you eat it?”

[It’s fine as a treat. Even if it’s not a jewel required for unlocking, I can eat it. Like a snack for humans.]

“What about other things?”

[I like water made from pure, melted eternal snow.]

Something even harder than a jewel.

“I’ll just buy you jewels. If there’s anything you want to eat, tell me. But nothing too expensive.”

[Thank you, Master.]

He opened his mouth as if smiling.

[Thanks to you, Master, I’ve gained a new ability.]