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 27

After regrouping, Bosco and I walked through the Earl’s estate, each carrying a large load.

“Lord Kalil, Bosco, take care and have a safe journey.”

As we passed through the more crowded areas, the servants called out to us.

This was fine. However, even though it was necessary for Bosco and me to leave the estate alone for the operation, I couldn’t shake off a slight sense of guilt at the worried expressions of the guards who spoke to us.

“By the way, what is Maria up to?”

The last time I saw her was three days ago.

Had the Duke not visited, I probably would have seen her. Maria, who frequently caused trouble and often had reports sent to me, being unusually quiet was unsettling.

**”I believe she is studying in her room.

Since you entrusted her with the role of acting head, Lord Kalil, she seems to have realized her own shortcomings. About a week ago, she began supplementing her regular studies with independent learning on territorial management.”**

“…I see.”

Maria had initially spent her free time playing after returning from the Duke’s estate. That was typical of her. Normally, one would start studying right away.

“This way.”

The carriage Bosco had prepared was an ordinary one, the kind used by mid-level merchants.

The ride would be terrible, but it was ideal for moving unnoticed.

“Shall we go?”

I sat facing away from Bosco, who was in the driver’s seat, positioning myself so we could converse without having to raise our voices.

I gave a slight wave to the concerned guards as they opened the gates, and we set off down the road, which was just beginning to darken.

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of the wheels echoed as the carriage moved slowly along the well-maintained road.

“Bosco.”

“Yes, I understand.”

There was a presence nearby, slightly off the main road.

If we continued straight for about four more minutes, we would reach the town managed by the Earl’s family. There was still a chance that the presence belonged to a resident of the town.

“Turn there.”

The presence was keeping a fixed distance from our carriage, making it almost certain that we were being followed.

The issue was—

“Your sword skills haven’t dulled, have they?”

“Of course not.”

“Then, how many can you handle at once?”

There wasn’t just one presence—there were multiple.

At first, there had been two right after we left the mansion. Later, three more joined them, bringing the total to five.

“Assuming they attack first, I can handle three unscathed in a short fight. If I’m willing to take some injuries, I could take on all of them.”

“Understood.”

Two of them had been following us from the very beginning—perhaps a spy had summoned reinforcements.

I had given an experimental order to the jealousy-born creatures roaming the estate. Excluding those guarding critical locations, they were instructed to report any suspicious behavior.

However, there had been no reports whatsoever, and the clownfish responsible for putting intruders to sleep hadn’t moved either.

Was the command too vague?

If I didn’t specify more concrete actions, they might prove useless. Wasting resources without gaining any results would be a problem.

I couldn’t modify orders remotely, so I decided to dismiss all summoned creatures except for those whose instructions remained unchanged.

“We’ll begin once the sun has fully set.”

“Understood.”

By the way, I had already informed Bosco of my strength.

I hadn’t disclosed the full details of my jealousy-based abilities, only hinting that I had a hidden trump card.

At the very least, he should understand that I wouldn’t be the one needing protection.

“From this point on, I won’t speak until the battle begins. Just stay ready to move at any moment.”

As the sun dipped lower, the presences around us inched closer, likely ensuring they wouldn’t lose sight of us in the growing darkness.

Only a little more time remained before nightfall.

I performed a final check on the magic tools I was wearing—an assassination-warding ring, a necklace that amplified magic power, and a bracelet that enhanced spell control.

Each one was chosen specifically to remain inconspicuous.

“Let’s go…”

The moment darkness fully set in, Bosco and I silently disembarked from the carriage.

While I used magic to erase my footsteps, Bosco relied purely on his own skill to move soundlessly—an ability I deeply respected.

“Water and… restraint.”

“Understood.”

For some reason, all five of them were clustered together, making them easier to trap without any escape routes.

After a final glance to confirm our timing, I signaled the start. Bosco launched the first strike.

One of the five collapsed instantly, his throat impaled by Bosco’s sword. The remaining four reacted swiftly, putting distance between themselves and Bosco.

“Who are you…?”

A sharp whoosh cut through the air as a sword swung, followed by the sound of bl00d splattering.

**”I am not someone worth introducing, but since you’ll be taking this knowledge to the afterlife, I’ll make an exception.

My name is Bosco. Former vice-captain of the Kingdom’s Special Guerrilla Unit. Now, I serve as a butler to Count Kalil Dikaman.”**

Perfect. Their attention was focused entirely on Bosco.

I slipped behind the four and raised my right hand.

In this world, magic generally required an incantation to activate, making it ill-suited for ambushes like this.

However, there were ways around that.

For instance, those who had mastered magic control could delay activation after chanting the spell name, allowing them to trigger it at the perfect moment.

As for me—

Crackle!

—I used a magic tool that allowed me to store spells in advance and activate them simply by channeling my mana, eliminating the need for incantations entirely.

“Wh—What…?!”

A surge of electricity engulfed one of them.

The preloaded spell [Electroshock: Feel the Thunder] knocked them unconscious instantly.

Now, only the remaining three—whom Bosco had claimed he could handle—were left.