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 6

Voices reached me as I drifted from sleep, words carrying hints of argument.

“—should we?”

“But—”

I forced my eyes open to see what was happening. The low voices belonged to Mina, the maid, and Lio, one of the male servants.
“What’s going on?” I muttered, my voice still hoarse from sleep.

“Count Karyl!” they both said in unison, surprised by my sudden awakening.

“Keep it down… my head aches.”

They quickly apologized, their voices lowering to quiet murmurs. I realized I had been lying down in the carriage for quite a while—long enough that it was now night outside.

“My apologies, my lord,” Mina said, bowing her head. “You haven’t eaten since you first rested, and when we couldn’t wake you, Lio and I were debating whether to turn back.”

“I see. Thank you for your concern.”

Both of them visibly relaxed, relief softening their features. They informed me that they would prepare a meal.

“I’ll eat outside with the others.”

Slowly, I sat up, feeling the stiffness in my body from lying down for so long. Stepping out of the carriage, I inhaled the cool, crisp night air, letting it clear my mind.

“Count Karyl! You’re awake!”

The three carriages of the Count’s House, along with the escort team, were stationed not far from a small clearing where a campfire crackled. The guards looked up from their posts, expressions of surprise and concern etched on their faces as I stepped into view.

“I am, and I apologize for causing worry,” I said, nodding in acknowledgment.

Their genuine concern reached me, warming me in a way that I hadn’t felt in a long time. It felt strange, realizing how much trust and respect I had gained from these people.

As the initial commotion died down, they asked if I was sure I didn’t need more rest.

“I’m fine. More importantly, food,” I said, deflecting their concerns.

“Right away, my lord,” Mina said, appearing at my side and handing me a plate with a hearty meal—bread, soup, meat, and vegetables. It was a luxurious fare for an outdoor meal.

“Eat well, Count. You’ll need your strength for the duchy,” she said, worry creeping into her voice.

“You’re worried I’ll fall ill, aren’t you? It’s unnecessary.”
“But… the former lord…”

“Speak plainly. My father fell victim to that illness because he exhausted his magic trying to heal others,” I explained, taking a bite of the food.

The Red Stone Disease only affected those whose internal magic reserves were outmatched by the ambient magic they absorbed. My father had drained himself supporting patients’ recovery, unknowingly becoming vulnerable.

A tense silence followed as I stared up at the night sky, the firelight casting shifting shadows around us.

“Listen up,” I said after a moment. “Wear one of the magic-sealing stones close to your heart. It will help prevent infection. But remember, it’s not foolproof. We’ll only stay in the duchy until we confirm the treatment’s efficacy. We’re not here for a long visit.”

“Will you be greeting the duke?”

“I have too many tasks at hand. Someone will deliver my report, but I don’t plan to meet him personally.”

“That’s… understood.”

It was a breach of etiquette, and anyone could accuse me of disrespect. However, avoiding a meeting with the hero’s descendant was worth any slight to my reputation. Besides, I had contingencies in place should the Duke’s House protest.

“Rest up, everyone. Mina, Lio, you two as well,” I said as I finished my meal and returned to the carriage.

Once inside, I reached into the Item Box for a lamp—an artifact from the Shrine of Jealousy. Its effects included warding off monsters within a certain range and enhancing physical recovery. It was more of a protective charm, nearly worthless compared to the other items, but useful nonetheless.

I leaned back, studying the mark of Jealousy that now adorned my right hand.

“Jealousy…”

It was the most uncertain element in my arsenal. The power of envy was vital to my plans. If a confrontation arose, possessing this strength could mean the difference between survival and death. Yet the voice at the waterfall had made it clear—I wasn’t a true bearer of envy. I had only been temporarily acknowledged, and that power could be stripped from me if a more fitting host emerged.

“The other Sins…”

By the time the main story began, all the bearers of the Seven Sins would be in place. Pride, Greed, Sloth, and Jealousy were almost certainly accounted for, while Wrath, Lust, and Gluttony might still be vacant.

If the voice from the shrine was to be trusted, then perhaps, like envy, the other Sins could be claimed if I earned their favor.

“Should I try for them?”

The closest shrine was Gluttony, but it had its own problems. Its bearer wasn’t human but a powerful monster, one of the hidden bosses in the series—nearly impossible to defeat.

“Even with all this knowledge, nothing goes as smoothly as I’d hoped.”

The other shrines were far away, some beyond the borders of the kingdom and others in unreachable locations. Pursuing them would have to wait.

“Maybe I’ll inspect one more item and then sleep…”

Despite the sleep I’d gotten earlier, I felt restless. The best way to tire myself out was to focus on appraising an accessory until exhaustion claimed me.

Two days of travel passed in this way, marked by sleepless nights spent studying magical items and moments of anxious quiet. Finally, the carriage wheels rolled over the cobbled streets of the duchy’s town. We had arrived.