TSSAH 15

Chapter 15

To briefly explain the layout of the main building, which was shaped like a wide, sprawling ‘ㄷ’ (digut), it was as follows.

The east wing, which caught the morning sun well, housed the ward and the office spaces for the Duke’s direct family.

In other words, since Killian had no wife or heir, aside from the ward on the first floor, it was mostly empty.

Meanwhile, the central section of the main building facing south had the Duke’s private quarters on the second floor, and above that were mostly public spaces like the office I’d been dragged to and the grand conference room.

The remaining west wing, similar to the center, was the workspace for the organization’s key figures, including the seven executives.

It could be seen as the subordinates guarding the central figure, the Duke of Knox, from both sides.

*’I think it was the third floor.’*

And right now, I was climbing the stairs of the main building’s west wing.

Though it was morning, work hours had already begun, so an action team member loitering around the main building was bound to stand out.

Just as I was about to step onto the stairs leading to the third floor—

“Hey, is that him?”

With no attempt to hide their voices, the source of the fairly loud speech were people standing at the corner of the second floor, staring intently at me.

Judging by the badges on their clothes, they were from the Foreign Affairs Department, which handled negotiations with other organizations.

“He said he was young and small—it’s true.”

“That guy subdued an assassin targeting His Grace?”

“Only fools believe that rumor. Look at his size.”

“Why? He might be a powerhouse who defies his weight class. You know who that is—Helena of Wickers. She’s slender too, they say.”

“This bastard’s talking nonsense again. Would someone with that kind of skill be in the action team?”

Oh, startled me.

At the sudden mention of my name, my foot almost slipped on the stairs.

“Why are you bringing up that woman’s name at this hour! So unlucky.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Pfft, he had a huge headache from her when he was in the Intelligence Department. Ever since, he reacts like that whenever he hears the name Helena.”

“If my luck is bad today, it’s all your fault.”

His grumbling was followed by some colorful curses.

Hmm, I might have been a bit harsh back then.

It was when I was trying to expand Wickers’ influence, and I completely dismantled Knox’s Intelligence Department.

Of course, thanks to that, I was able to solidify my position as Edward’s aide.

Hoping that his slightly thinning hairline wasn’t my doing, I knocked on the door of my destination.

*Knock, knock.*

A man with a very stern expression opened the door and asked.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Runnelk Ains from the action team. Could I see Deacon Gold for a moment?”

“Have an appointment?”

“No, I don’t. It’s just a quick delivery.”

“Hah, really.”

The man, apparently Deacon Gold’s aide, let out a hollow laugh and said without hiding his displeasure.

“Gold is busy. An action team member can’t just see him whenever they want.”

“I understand that, but… could you at least pass along a message?”

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

And the door closed right in front of me.

But a moment later, when the aide opened the door again, he even stepped aside to let me in.

“He’s in the inner office.”

Though his tone remained stiff, the condescending attitude had completely disappeared—something must have been exchanged in that brief moment.

“Thank you. I’ll be out quickly so I don’t interrupt Deacon Gold’s work.”

After bowing, I stepped past the already wide-open door of the office—

“Ah, Runnelk.”

“…Deacon Gold?”

Deacon Gold, half-lying on the large couch in the office, looked a bit strange.

His slightly damp, disheveled blonde hair clung to skin faintly beaded with sweat, and his blue eyes exuded a languid air.

What a disheveled handsome man.

There was a dangerous aura about him, as if I shouldn’t get too close.

When I hesitated and didn’t move, Deacon Gold asked with a puzzled look.

“Why aren’t you coming in?”

“If you’re… unwell, I can come back another time.”

“Ah, I’m currently being punished.”

He raised one arm and waved it gently, and I could see a bracelet fastened around his wrist—a wrist with masculine blue veins visible.

It was a thick, heavy, shackle-like thing that didn’t suit the delicate handsome man Deacon Gold at all.

“I was the one who introduced the Green Trading Company’s head to His Grace. It wasn’t my intention, but I made a mistake, so I deserve punishment. It’s a mana-sealing type.”

So it wasn’t just for show—it was a real shackle.

The mana-sealing type was exactly what it sounded like: a punishment that forcibly blocked the mana within one’s body.

Experts who trained by accumulating mana in their bodies freely used it in daily life, and this prevented them from doing so.

It was considered a severe punishment, equivalent to having an arm and a leg cut off.

Moreover, since the mana that needed to circulate in the body was locked away, side effects like a severe flu were common.

“The disciplinary team came last night and put it on me. This will continue for the next ten days. I’ve shown you an unsightly appearance, Runnelk.”

“No, it’s not so much unsightly as…”

It seems powerful in multiple ways.

Anyway, now that I knew Deacon Gold was merely suffering from the side effects of the mana-sealing shackle, I took a seat across from where he was lying.

“Some kind people gave me cookies this morning. I thought of Gold and brought them. I’m not sure if you like sweets, though.”

Deacon Gold was known to have a sweet tooth—he even had a pastry chef at his residence within the Knox castle to make chocolates and desserts.

According to the information I’d gathered, he was also a famous gourmet.

In any case, it meant I’d come knowing all this.

“Cookies… come to think of it, I haven’t eaten yet. When I wear the mana-sealing shackle, I lose my appetite too.”

Deacon Gold took the bag of cookies with a weak hand, smelled the sweet fragrance, and smiled softly.

“To think you thought of me and brought such a fine gift. I’m touched, Runnelk.”

“I’m glad you like sweets.”

“We’ll need some tea to go with the cookies.”

Deacon Gold said, pressing a button on the table.

“No, I can do that!”

I tried to stop him, seeing that hot water and a teapot were perfectly set up on one side of the office, but Deacon Gold firmly shook his head.

“Runnelk, you are my savior and my guest. I have an aide for these tasks. He’s not particularly capable and just eats up Knox’s precious funds without doing much, so the least he can do is make tea.”

“Oh, yes…”

I think I just caught a glimpse of the notorious Deacon Gold.

The aide, who entered with a polite knock, glanced at me at Deacon Gold’s order to ‘bring tea for the guest,’ then silently began making the tea.

I made a show of being uncomfortable, shifting in my seat a few times, but honestly, it was comfortable and nice.

Tea served by an aide—how long had it been?

“Mmm, these seem freshly baked. I think I’m feeling a bit stronger already?”

Ignoring the rustic appearance of the hand-rolled cookies, Deacon Gold quickly finished his portion.

But seeing my plate still full, he asked.

“Runnelk, don’t you like sweets?”

“No, it’s just that I’m a bit nervous…”

I rubbed my palms on my knees as if wiping away the sweat on my hands and gave an awkward smile.

“I came unannounced, and I was reflecting on whether it was proper for me to be sitting across from an executive like this, whether I was being too presumptuous.”

“Runnelk—no, Rookie. May I call you Rookie?”

“It’s just a nickname the seniors use freely… You may call me whatever you prefer.”

“Alright then, Rookie. As I said in the ward, Rookie is my savior. And for some reason, I feel like getting closer to you.”

It wasn’t a bad offer.

An opportunity for a low-level member to get close to an executive.

If I were truly Runnelk Ains of the action team, I would consider this the opportunity of a lifetime.

Of course, even from my position—having to stay with Knox for the time being, whether I lived or died—this was a card I could use.

“So if there’s anything I can help with, come find me anytime. Whether it’s inconvenience in your life at Knox, or better yet, if you come with sweet gifts like today.”

Deacon Gold winked one eye and said warmly.

…He certainly knows how to use charm.

“Thank you for saying that, Deacon.”

Addressing someone by their given name rather than surname was only possible between fairly close acquaintances.

When I called him by just his name, unlike before, Deacon smiled broadly as if pleased.

As expected of a charm-specialized talent—I stared at his face for a moment before cautiously broaching the subject.

“Well, actually, I did come here with something to tell you.”

“What is it? Do you need a raise?”

“That wouldn’t be bad… no, that’s not it. I remembered something strange about the Green Trading Company’s head yesterday.”

“Strange?”

The smile vanished from Deacon’s face, replaced by his cold, natural demeanor.

“I’m not sure, but he was perfectly fine at first and then suddenly his attitude changed. And when I subdued him, his eyes turned bloodshot, and I think the foam at his mouth had a purplish tint at first…”

This was why I’d come to see Deacon Gold right after the night shift ended.

To have Knox resolve the question that had been nagging at me like a thorn under my nail.

“It looked like the symptoms of mana-rampaging drug addiction.”