The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 123: What Lurks In The Shadows

[00 Months: 12 Days: 18 Hours]

As I turned my back on the joyous family, a nagging suspicion crawled into the forefront of my thoughts.

Oswald Bertrud, the family butler. Just how much was he hiding?

'Is it just my overactive imagination, or is there something more to it?

Shaking off my suspicions as mere paranoia would have been the easy choice, but that wasn't how I operated.

I couldn't afford to let any detail, however minor it may seem, slip past me.

I decided to use <Absolute Appraisal>, but considering how much energy I had spent already, I couldn't afford it.

I decided to go with a less taxing version of the ability.

I focused my gaze on the butler, initiating the ability.

Information began flowing into my consciousness, but only in a limited capacity due to the reduced effectiveness of the Appraisal:

[Native Information]

- Name: Oswald Bertrud

- Affiliation: The Lyma Duke Household

- Level of Danger: Very High

- Alignment: Lawful Good

[End Of Information]

Reading the information, I felt my muscles relax.

'He's still incredibly dangerous, but…' His affiliation and alignment eased my worry.

He was aligned to the Lyma Family, and his moral compass was fixed in a direction that could be classified as 'good'.

Perhaps, I was overthinking this after all.

"Alright, Drius, let's head out," I said, releasing a sigh of relief.

Drius, who had been waiting patiently by my side, nodded in acknowledgment.

Even though my suspicions were allayed, the seed of doubt had already been planted.

'I should keep an eye on Oswald, just in case.'

People who were Goody-two-shoes also had their dangers attached to them.

'But for now, the immediate threat has been handled, and it's time to focus on extracting information from the captured doctor.'

As I announced my departure, an unusual thing occurred.

One by one, each person in the room turned to me, their eyes shimmering with gratitude.

The Duke, someone I never expected to go so far, bowed deeply, his stern face softened by an undeniable sense of appreciation.

'What are you doing?!' I screamed internally.

"Luke," he began, "Your assistance today... it's more than we could have ever asked for. From the depths of my heart, I thank you."

Following her husband's lead, the Duchess, still frail from her recent emotional rollercoaster, gracefully curtsied.

Her hands trembled slightly, but her voice was steady, "Your kindness... your strength... they're something this family will remember forever, Luke."

Then came Theo, the heir, his eyes filled with a mix of awe and gratitude.

"Thank you, Luke," he simply said, but the depth in his words was unmistakable.

Seraphina and the rest of the Lyma sisters followed suit, each expressing their heartfelt gratitude in their unique ways, the sincerity of their words causing my heart to flutter.

Their innocent smiles and genuine thanks warmed me more than any treasure could.

Even Oswald, the ever-composed butler, took a moment to express his gratitude.

"Sir. Luke," he said with a bow, "Your actions today have ensured the safety of this family. Your bravery and resourcefulness are commendable. I, Oswald Bertrud, am deeply indebted to you."

Lastly, Drius, stood beside me. "I don't usually get impressed easily, Luke, but you... you're something else. Thanks."

'T-these people, what are you…'

Each gesture, every word of thanks, made something stir within me.

A feeling that had been foreign to me until now - pure, unadulterated joy.

I blushed slightly, a sheepish smile creeping onto my face.

This was a side of the journey I hadn't anticipated. It felt too… strange.

Yes, I was in this for profit, but in that moment, I realized it wasn't the only reward.

The happiness I felt for the Lyma Family, the satisfaction of making a difference... it actually filled me up.

'How strange…'

********

As we made our way through the grand, ornate hallways of the mansion, I couldn't help but steal glances at Drius.

Here was a man who had been a part of the Lyma family for quite some time. If anyone knew the inner workings of this family, it would be him.

Information, after all, was power, and I needed to understand the true value of the assets of this family to properly negotiate my rewards.

As the unconscious form of Dr. Wilhelm sagged over Drius's broad shoulders, I realized that there was another pressing issue at hand - the mysterious Butler, Oswald Bertrud.

My initial assessment had left me with more questions than answers. Drius might hold the key to that puzzle too.

'I'll use <Truthful Glare> on him too. I should gather as much intel as I possibly can.'

Turning to Drius, I cleared my throat.

"Drius," I began, "There are a few things I want to know..."

It was a delicate balance. The joy and satisfaction from having saved the Lyma family gave me a warm sense of accomplishment.

But this world, this dangerous, unpredictable, and brutal world, wasn't a place for idle contentment.

I had to keep moving forward, to stay one step ahead, to prepare for any and every possibility.

There was no room for complacency.

In the end, no matter how fulfilling the task at hand, the reality remained unchanged - survival in this world depended on making progress, on gaining power, on securing resources.

And I wasn't about to be left behind.

*********

[Meanwhile…]

In a lavishly decorated room in the mansion of Eugene Lyma, the younger brother of the Duke, a menacing shadow flickered ominously.

Its presence was at odds with the serene moonlight streaming in through an elaborate window, casting an eerie glow onto Eugene, who was sitting comfortably with a glass of wine in his hand.

With a self-satisfied smirk, Eugene swirled the ruby liquid in his glass and asked the shadow,

"So, how did the assassination go?"

The shadow hesitated, a strange sound emanating from its form, not unlike the nervous shuffling of feet.

It then blurted out, "The mission failed. That man, Luke, he... he's not ordinary."

Eugene's smirk faltered as he took in the news. The shadow continued, its voice sounding more harried than before.

"He nearly killed me, shattered my bones. I won't continue the mission."

With a disgruntled huff, the shadow tossed a small pouch onto the marble floor, the chink of coins echoing ominously.

Eugene's eyes widened in shock, his gaze shifting between the discarded pouch and the retreating shadow.

"I'll pay you double!" He shouted in desperation, clutching onto his wine glass so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The shadow paused, before shaking its head.

"I'm done, Eugene. And I've lost contact with the doctor, Wilhelm. He might have been eliminated already."

Eugene's eyes widened further, his lips parting in a silent gasp. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, each beat echoing the gravity of the situation.

The shadow sighed, a sound like rustling leaves.

"Luke is no ordinary man. If you don't want to be next, take precautions quickly."

With a final warning hanging in the air, the shadow dissipated into a cloud of black mist, leaving Eugene alone in the moonlit room.

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A moment later, the glass of wine slipped from his trembling hand, shattering against the marble floor and sending red rivulets seeping into the polished stone.

Eugene was left sitting there, his face ghostly pale in the eerie moonlight, his dreams of power suddenly overshadowed by a terrifying reality.

"N-no… no way…" His voice now sounded hollow, a stark contrast to the confidence exuded not long before.

"Just who is that man? Who… is Luke?"

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[A/N]

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