The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Episode 4
Back to the past (4)
“Please wait here for a moment.”
George Hegmes nodded stiffly at the servant’s words.
And then.
Suddenly-
“Phew.”
As the servant left and the door to the reception room closed, he let out a deep breath he had been holding.
Was it because of the tension that came with the name of the palace? I felt like my lower stomach was starting to hurt.
No matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem like I would ever get used to this situation.
“… … .”
If you look around, everything is filled with gold.
The ornaments that were commonly rolling around were of inestimable value, and the sofa he was sitting on now was also far better than any chair he had ever sat on in his life.
I can say with certainty that it was a sight I had never seen before in my life.
The same was true of the luxurious clothing he received.
“Oh, sir. What the hell is going on?”
Why on earth is His Majesty the First Prince looking for me?
I’m talking about me, who was born in the countryside and lived an ordinary life.
‘No. In good conscience, I can’t say I lived an ordinary life… … .’
Rather, there were so many things that I was stabbed with that I couldn’t even guess.
It was at that time that I was having mixed thoughts.
Suddenly-
Suddenly the door to the reception room opened and someone walked in confidently.
Silver hair, red eyes, and a sleek body like that of a nobleman.
However, her beautiful appearance gave off such a strong impression that I couldn’t dare look at her, and her old-fashioned uniform matched the atmosphere of the palace perfectly.
So, even though it was our first meeting, I could immediately guess that he was the first prince.
“uh…….”
George stood up from his seat to show his appreciation, but his body froze for a moment.
Obviously, the servants must have been taught royal courtesy.
But when I met its red eyes, which were like those of a beast, my mind went blank and I couldn’t remember anything.
“That, that… … .”
The red eyes clearly shine more brightly than expensive jewels.
But if you look closely at those eyes, they are a cruel, dark red, like dried blood scattered across a battlefield.
How on earth can human eyes be so cruel?
Is this how a deer feels when faced with a lion?
Just by making eye contact, his mind was filled with thoughts that he might die.
It was a primal fear.
‘shit!’
Words like “insulting the royal family” were now a thing of the past.
Because I really felt like I was going to pass out if I kept going like this.
George squeezed his eyes shut, feeling dizzy.
* * *
‘You’re young.’
That was the first thought that came to mind when I saw George Hegmes in the drawing room.
That didn’t mean he was young.
Because Baron Vidor knew that he was the same age as I am now.
However, I thought so because his behavior was completely different from the feeling of being abandoned that I had before his return.
The appearance of a still clumsy guy.
It was hard to believe that they were the same person, but it was only natural, since 20 years is the time it takes for rivers and mountains to change twice.
‘But I can already smell a scammer.’
The reason why he ran away as if he was being driven out of the Kingdom of Esteban.
That was because he was caught defrauding the nobles.
George Hegmes really hit the lord of the estate where he lived and his acquaintances on the back of the head.
A total of eight large-scale frauds, each worth a whopping ten million gold.
That wasn’t all.
He had been secretly embezzling money from the upper echelons he had worked for since he was young, and he also made a habit of arbitrarily modifying the budget to embezzle extra money.
Even if the fraud had not been detected by chance, the amount of damage would have increased even more.
There may have been many circumstances, but one thing was certain: Esteban was a conman who would go down in history.
‘Perhaps that experience was what allowed him to rise to the top of an enemy country in an instant.’
A genius conman of common origins.
It’s obviously a risk to bring someone like that under me.
But I was confident that I could hold it in my hand and move it the way I wanted.
That wasn’t the only reason the guy ran away.
If I didn’t have confidence, I wouldn’t have pursued the project.
No need to elaborate.
“Have a seat.”
I took off my uniform coat and sat down at the head table.
Then he handed his coat to Baron Vidor, who came into the reception room with him.
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But George still just stood there, blankly.
“Can’t you hear me? George Hegmes.”
“Yes? No, I’m sorry.”
Then he sat down with an expression on his face as if he were about to cry at any moment.
But that face couldn’t hide the conman’s instincts hiding between them.
It was an intentional expression.
‘He was sure I wouldn’t hurt him.’
The change of stance is really fast for a subject that was frozen until just now.
By showing such a weak appearance, it seems like he is trying to give me the impression that he is a weak person.
But it’s all already been figured out.
A pointless fight.
Okay, so where should I start?
I slowly opened my mouth as I read the document containing George Hegmes’ personal information.
“Do you know why I called you?”
“I’m sorry, I have no idea.”
Tch.
I clicked my tongue briefly and narrowed my brows.
“Let me get straight to the point. I need a competent assistant. Someone who can fill in even the details that I don’t have time to worry about.”
“… … .”
“That is why I have chosen you as my candidate for the position of aide.”
“……yes?”
This time he seemed genuinely shocked. He spoke with a surprised expression.
“Are you talking about me?”
“okay.”
“Oh, I am a country boy who was born and raised in the countryside and has never been educated. Why do you say such things?”
The guy’s eyes roll back at the unexpected suggestion.
Even as he said that, it was annoying to see him rolling his head.
“An eye for reading trends and leading trends. The ability to triple the sales of a rural branch in a short period of time. Lastly, the ability to remain humble even in front of the prince. Are you saying that my eye for judging people is not accurate?”
“That’s not it!”
“Becoming the Prince’s aide would be a great honor even for a commoner like you. Of course, the money would come with it as well.”
George’s eyes opened wide.
Then he narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.
Perhaps he is weighing the future of becoming an aide and the future of not becoming one.
‘Is this it, money doesn’t matter anymore?’
If he were an ordinary citizen, he would have bowed his head and shed tears.
Becoming the prince’s aide meant turning one’s life around.
It was contradictory in itself that a commoner was worrying about this.
As expected, the guy shook his head and said.
“I know that even expressing my intention to refuse is not permitted. However, I dare not be a person fit to be the aide of His Highness the First Prince. Please reconsider your decision.”
“Oh. Do you really think so?”
“……sorry.”
There’s nothing I can do.
I gestured to Baron Vidor, who was glaring at George with an eagle eye.
Baron Vidor, who had understood my intention to have a private meeting, left the reception room with a reluctant expression.
So now the main topic begins.
“George Hegmes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You’re turning down this offer. You must be full from taking too much of the budget from above.”
“yes?”
Did I mishear? The bastard’s expression changed into something suspicious.
I said with the corners of my lips raised.
“I highly regarded your work-related abilities and was going to appoint you as an aide… … It’s a shame that you ended up like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard you embezzled money because your mother had an incurable illness?”
For a moment, his poker face broke and his true expression was revealed.
He had an expression of utter disbelief.
“Uh, how about that?”
“Did you think you would go your whole life undetected? From the eyes of the Kingdom of Esteban?”
“… … .”
“I heard that the healing holy water sold at the temple is expensive. It’ll take a long time to pay off that price.”
Then he continued speaking as if he was deliberately emphasizing his point.
“Assuming you don’t go to jail.”
George’s face turned into an unexpected confusion. He probably never dreamed that he would be caught.
Of course, the story about being caught by the intelligence service was a lie.
If it was that easy to get caught, I wouldn’t have even considered choosing him as an aide.
Now that we’ve whipped him enough, it’s time to give him the carrot.
“However, it is the destiny of every prince to serve his people. Even if you do not wish to become my man, I promise to create a cure, not something like holy water.”
“……remedy?”
“This is the cure that will completely cure your mother’s incurable disease.”
“Is that true?”
“It’s not my taste to use my family as bait. However, in that case, I would have to pay back all the money I’ve embezzled so far to the company.”
Towering-
The bastard’s body froze.
What is his intention? Is he really offering to give me the cure without any conditions? The question in his eyes.
Of course I was sincere.
Another reason for his migration was his mother’s death.
If I can stop him from becoming a staff member of the Carrot Federation Empire by clearing the reason for his embezzlement with that, then it’s a good deal.
‘It would be nice if I could just recruit a guy who is good at everything.’
Because I couldn’t help but covet that talent that had embarrassed me.
I looked at the sight, smiled leisurely, and took out a piece of contract.
“If you decide to follow me, I will treat you well. Of course, you will have to do more than just an aide.”
He personally thrust the contract in front of George.
Then the guy barely managed to receive the contract with trembling hands.
1. George Hegmes becomes the shadow of the first prince.
2. In return, the prince pays back the money that the merchants embezzled. Additionally, he promises an annual salary of 1 million gold.
3. This agreement takes effect immediately upon signing.
4. However, even if the contract is not signed, the 1st Prince provides a cure to cure George’s mother’s illness.
A contract with only four lines.
The meaning contained within it was also simple.
I will give you and your family a prosperous future.
“Chi, treatment… … mother… … .”
At that moment, the bag he was holding collapsed on the table and a dizzying amount of gold coins poured out.
An amount of money that a working class family would not be able to even see if they saved up for their entire lives.
I said, looking absentmindedly at the gold coins that filled the table.
“This is a deposit. Use this money to bring your family to the capital.”
“How can you… trust me? I have already embezzled money from the company I used to work for. Is there no way I would not betray Your Majesty?”
Bold.
While clearly rejoicing at the blossoming hope, you still try to play a game of wits by leaving my intentions aside in this situation.
‘But that’s all.’
An inexperienced swindler will never escape my grasp.
“Only then will I realize that my eyes were wrong.”
Either return home and live a normal life or become the First Prince’s aide.
The choice was already decided.
George calmed his spinning head and picked up the fountain pen.
“Good.”
I swept my bangs back as I watched him sign the contract.
With this, we have succeeded in securing reliable talent.
It could be seen as the first harvest after returning.
“Welcome to my people.”
“… … I will be loyal.”
For now, it’s just a facade of loyalty.
But, even though he is a conman, he is a guy who is sincere when it comes to his family.
If I could see my mother in good health, I would show my heartfelt loyalty.
I snatched the contract he had written and put it in my bosom, then called out to Baron Vidor, who was waiting outside.
Suddenly-
“Your Highness, have you called?”
“He decided to be my aide.”
“Is that true?”
“hmm.”
No, you said you wouldn’t do it earlier?
Baron Vidor’s gaze seemed to say so.
But George Hegmes, who was already dying, could not possibly answer.
“Take him and show him where to stay. And for the time being, follow me around and tell me everything an aide needs to do.”
“All right.”
“Just go out and see.”
Baron Vidor, who was depressed by the endless overtime work, dragged George out.
The guy was literally being dragged along.
Suddenly-
I was left alone in the living room, which was filled with tension.
I liked the cold silence, so I decided to stay a little longer.
I took a step and walked towards the window.
“One step now.”
The struggle to change the misaligned future has finally begun.
And this time, it will never fail.
Knock knock-
“Your Majesty. His Majesty the King has summoned you.”
I came to my senses to the voice of the maid knocking on the door.
The time was already pointing to 6 o’clock in the evening.
I had something to tell my father, and this is a good opportunity to say it.
Now that the period of self-reflection was almost over, it was time to get moving in earnest.
“Let’s leave now.”
But I still haven’t gotten used to being called around by someone.
