When the Mid-Boss Villainous Noble Recalls Memories of a Past Life and Gains Game Knowledge. I Will Never Accept a Future Where I'm Called the Jealous Earl - Chapter 26

“Tonight, Bosco and I will be stepping out for a while.”

I stood in the study, addressing the heads of the various servant roles in my household.

“This is something that only Bosco and I can handle, so I apologize for the extra burden this may place on you. Please take care of things in our absence.”

Of course, this so-called “errand” didn’t exist. It was merely part of a plan to flush out the spy.

The assembled managers looked understandably confused. Their concern was evident: with both Bosco and me gone, who would oversee the estate in our absence?

Maria had been able to act as deputy only with Bosco’s support. Managing everything alone was beyond her ability.

“I’ve decided to entrust the oversight to Mina.

Since she’s currently excused from her usual duties as a servant, I thought she could temporarily take on this responsibility. Please support her.”

“P-Please take care of me!”

Mina’s face was slightly pale.

Well, it wasn’t surprising. Being suddenly approached in her room by the lord of the estate and his steward to be asked to act as deputy would unnerve anyone.

“Deputy? I’m sorry, but I’ve never done that before…”
“We should return by tomorrow morning. At worst, I can handle anything left unfinished when I return. Just focus on organizing things.”
“O-Okay…”
“Mina, you’re capable. For the sake of the Dikaman family and Lord Caril, we’re counting on you.”
“Ugh… I’ll do my best.”

Looking back, I realize it was a rather forceful request with no room for refusal.

One day, she might stab me in the back.

If someone told me I had the day off and then, four hours later, asked me to take on new work, I’d probably stab them too.

But Bosco had vouched for Mina, saying she was unconditionally trustworthy. Given the task ahead, we had no choice but to rely on her.

“Lord Caril, I’ll do my best…!”

She whispered this softly, so only I could hear.

…I’ll give her a bonus. Maybe even one of those magical tools from the temple.

“Also, ensure no one enters my laboratory.

I trust you wouldn’t touch anything without permission, but I can’t afford to lose the magic potion nearing completion. Consider this a precautionary measure.”
“Understood.”

Now, it was time to explain the plan Bosco and I had devised.

In short, we would use my laboratory as bait.

Previously, I allowed cleaning staff to enter the laboratory. However, in recent times, only Bosco has been permitted access.

If there’s a spy, they would undoubtedly want to investigate what’s inside. However, with either Bosco or me present, they would likely judge it too risky to attempt.

So, we would create an opening.

By announcing our departure to the servants, we would hint at an opportunity.

After leaving the estate in a carriage, we would circle around to the back and wait in hiding. A simple plan, but the success rate should be reasonable.

However, this depended on everything going smoothly.

If there were more than one spy, they might choose to follow Bosco and me. If that happened, I could easily subdue them using jealousy’s power, but it would leave my laboratory vulnerable.

To prepare for the worst, I had installed explosive stones in the lab—minerals enchanted to detonate under specific conditions.

If the potion’s secrets were to be stolen, I would rather destroy it in the blast.

I would prefer not to delay production any further, but as long as the threat of a spy from the Duke’s household loomed, the Dikaman family’s future would remain uncertain.

Ultimately, regardless of how the plan unfolded, I was certain to capture at least one traitor alive.

I didn’t know how many there were, but with jealousy’s power, I would extract their secrets and memories.

“Alright, return to your posts.”

“Understood.”

The assembled servants dispersed. Now it was only a matter of time before the orders spread through the staff.

“What exactly does this ‘management’ role involve?”

“Well,” Bosco replied, “it involves organizing the reports submitted by the staff, summarizing them for clarity, approving expenses, reviewing proposals for improvements, granting leave requests, and checking for irregularities.”

As he spoke, Bosco showed Mina a notebook as an example.

“Wow…”

Her slightly agape mouth and dimming eyes betrayed her growing resignation.

She had likely realized that the complexity of the tasks Bosco was explaining was too overwhelming to learn on the spot and had given up.

I had also looked through that notebook before. It was strangely easy to follow yet inexplicably difficult to grasp.

“I’ll go prepare the carriage.”
“Alright, thank you.”

I let out a small sigh as I began preparing for the plan.

As Bosco left, Mina stood up from her chair and tried to follow him.

“Then, I’ll help with—”
“Mina, there’s no need. Why don’t you stay here and chat with me for a bit?”
“I’d love to!”

Oh…

I hadn’t expected her to look so happy at the suggestion of simply talking.

According to Bosco, Mina seemed to work better when she was close to me.

When I told her to rest earlier, it may have had the opposite effect. Despite her initial unease after being summoned, she seemed to regain energy as soon as I assigned her a task.

Apparently, Mina would gladly stand nearby with a smile until given her next instruction.

It was almost unnerving—borderline brainwashing.

Perhaps the Dikaman family’s servants were all workaholics.

It’s something I’d like to improve, but I wasn’t sure if it was necessarily a bad thing.

“Ah.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Never mind.”

Once again, I found myself lost in thought.

Ever since acquiring this knowledge, I’ve developed a habit of overthinking everything.

“……”
“……?”

…It seems I’ve also lost the ability to hold casual conversations when I’m aware of it.

“So… how have you been lately?”

In the end, I opened with the conversational equivalent of a father awkwardly trying to reconnect with his growing child.

“Well, I’ve mastered basic magic, and the other maids often ask me to use it to help them stay awake.”
“I see. It’s good that you all get along so well.”
“Yes, it’s great!”

“……”

And just like that, the conversation ended.

What happened?

Before acquiring this knowledge, I could’ve navigated such situations without overthinking. Now, even my altered personality seems to be holding me back.

“Should I make some tea?”
“Please do.”

As I sipped the tea Mina brewed, I reflected on my shortcomings while waiting for Bosco to return.