Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 6

Episode 6

As I got closer, as expected, the smell of alcohol wafted towards me. The fields were still strewn with rocks, and the weeds were overgrown. Seeing the neglected state, the pungent and unpleasant smell of alcohol felt like an herb.

‘Well, that’s how it is. My intuition can’t be wrong.’

An involuntary smile spread across my face, and I nodded in agreement.

“What’s up, why are you grinning?”

“Didn’t you do any work?”

“…Well, did you imagine I’d be diligently tending to the fields?”

Faust teased with a smirk. This person… I’m starting to like him more and more!

“No! Of course, I didn’t expect you to work. You’re doing well.”

“What?”

Faust’s face twisted, and he burst out laughing. His face turned red, but I couldn’t tell if it was due to the effects of alcohol or simply anger.

“Are you mocking me now? Huh?”

“I’m not mocking you! I’m speaking sincerely. I trust you, Faust!”

As I mentioned trust, Leonel’s words echoed in my mind.

‘No, come to think of it, it’s quite amusing. Being cautious of a stranger? After three years, still being cautious. Even when no matter how hard I try, he won’t believe it!’

As my fervor was escalating, Faust took a step back. He seemed like he wanted to escape. However, I needed a place to vent, so I firmly grabbed his clothes.

“Isn’t that right?”

“What’s right?”

“If someone asked you to do something, you should trust them, shouldn’t you? That’s what’s right, isn’t it?”

“Why get mad…”

“Yes, or no?”

“W-well, yes.”

“That’s right. So, unlike someone with a chronic suspicion disease, I trust you, Faust! Just trust, okay?”

My sudden outburst seemed to catch Faust off guard, leaving him speechless. Finally, I managed to calm my excitement and returned to the original topic.

“So, please don’t change in the future, just stay as you are! Keep going, just like this!”

Yes, continue like this—don’t think about work, just drink and laze around. Please be the irreplaceable ally that I need!

I looked at him with full trust.

Faust wavered, tugging at his clothes.

“Just because you say that, do you think I’ll start working? You’ll end up regretting giving me work.”

“That won’t happen!”

Oops. The thoughts I had internally slipped out of my mouth. Well, it probably doesn’t matter. He’s resolute in ruining work in such a way!

“To be honest, I was surprised you were even out in the fields. The weather’s been so hot lately. Ah! Should I set up a tent for you?”

“W-what are you saying?”

“The weather’s hot.”

“There’s no need to go that far for a guy like me…”

“But there is! I have to!”

That way, I can claim more expenses.

Not just Faust, but also to the other farm workers, I should set up tents. This way, I can gradually increase the money spent here and there. And if the harvest is ruined, the Duke will take a hit.

“Hehehe.”

Even just imagining it, the pent-up frustration seems to be dissipating!

I laughed for a while until I realized my laughter was turning rather sinister, and then I shut my mouth.

Sure enough, Faust was looking at me with a face that had witnessed an absurd lunatic.

‘Why, what’s, what!’

Looking at his chubby face, Faust shook his head. Then suddenly, he turned his body and headed towards the village.

“Where are you going, Faust?”

“I’m done for the day, why!”

The sun’s not even at its peak yet! It’s not even lunchtime! Moreover, the estate manager is right here! How can it be that proper?

I couldn’t hide my excitement and waved my hand vigorously.

“Yes, take care!”

Faust stopped in his tracks and looked back. When our eyes met, he scrunched up his face in an annoyed expression. Roughly running his hands through his hair, he let out a deep sigh.

His emotions seemed complicated, but who cares? Whatever it is, just don’t work!

Sending off Faust in high spirits, I turned around.

For the next few days, I went to see him. Faust had been steadily improving. He would sit in the fields, gambling or drinking. Sometimes, he wouldn’t even show up for work.

I felt like praising him would make him perform better, so whenever I saw him, I waved my hand enthusiastically.

“Faust! You’re doing well! Stay strong today!”

Of course, I didn’t forget to compliment him.

His expression would crinkle up, but who cares? After all, it’s a win for me if he becomes more careless! 

‘Now, we have to pull out the weeds and till the soil to start planting. If we leave it like this, we won’t be able to harvest from the most fertile land, so this year is sure to be a deficit.’

With a satisfied smile, I headed towards the field I had entrusted to Faust. However, I couldn’t see him anywhere.

“Hehehe.”

Unconsciously, a satisfied laughter slipped out. Looking at the field with a triumphant face, I heard footsteps from behind.

I turned my head and saw Faust walking towards me from a distance.

I smiled brightly and waved my hand vigorously. Faust stopped in his tracks, turned around to look behind him, then slowly turned his body back around. It looked like he was trying to escape.

Deliberately, I called out to him in a loud voice.

“Faust!”

“Huh…”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he walked towards me like a snail.

I quite liked his lazy stride. When I looked at him with a pleased expression, he burst out, 

“What! Why are you here again?”

“Just came to see if you’re still doing well.”

I turned my head to look at the field. Seeing the luxuriant weeds, my heart felt at ease, much like how Leonel’s hair used to be. 

“You’re doing well today too.”

At my words, Faust furrowed his brow noticeably. Then, while looking at the field, he muttered something.

“What?”

Not hearing properly, I asked again, and Faust blushed a deep red and stammered before shouting, “Can you see it?!”

Can I see what? What is he talking about? 

Has he been slacking off? Did he grow weeds instead of crops? Yesterday he left work at this time, but today he came in at this time.

I’m not sure which of the three he’s referring to, but it’s obvious enough that he’s been up to something.

“Of course.”

I nodded my head. Faust lowered his head and his fist trembled.

Come to think of it, I don’t smell alcohol from him today. Could it be that he missed his drinking time and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms?

I patted his back and said, 

“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re much better than yesterday, so you’ll do even better tomorrow.”

“Ugh.”

I heard an ominous sound. I bent down and looked into Faust’s face.

He was standing there, tears streaming down his face.

What’s wrong? What did I do to make him cry?

Startled, I stepped back and bumped into something on my back. Absentmindedly turning around, I was shocked to the point of screaming and falling.

“Aaah!”

I fell over because Arette Dexter was standing there like a statue, but I had no idea when he had arrived.

“When did you get here?”

Arette looked down at me without saying a word. At the same time, wails erupted from Faust’s direction.

“Huueeeeh!”

My eyes met with Arette’s just as the crying sound reached my ears from the side.

With gazes coming from the front and crying sounds from the side, I was utterly disoriented.

“M-Mr. Arette, h-hmp, the manager, I was, pulli-hmp-ng out the, w-weeds!”

Wait, why is he suddenly mentioning me? If he explain like this, it sounds like I made him cry! I quickly grabbed Faust’s arm.

“No, it’s not what I did… Don’t cry!”

“I, I, hmp, pu-pulled out, th-the weeds… and you, hmp, noticed…”

What is he even saying? The sound of sobbing and sniffling was so loud that I couldn’t understand a thing. I need to understand to explain myself!

Frustrated, I kicked the ground with my foot, and then I felt a burning gaze on the back of my head. It was only then that I realized Arette’s presence again.

“I didn’t make him cry! I didn’t!”

Whether or not I said it, Arette looked back and forth between me and Faust. Then, like a ghost that had been exorcised, he gradually moved away.

He was Leonel’s eyes and ears. He would wander around like a ghost and report the things he discovered to Leonel. So, it was obvious that if things continued like this, I would end up being reported as the one who made Faust cry.

‘I’ve already been warned about getting close to Faust!’

If a report goes in saying that I made him cry, it’s over. They’ll call me in, and no matter how many hours I spend explaining, they won’t listen!

“As for now, Faust, I’ll leave. Calm down, and make sure to leave work for today, okay?”

Faust seemed too bewildered to answer. And honestly, I wasn’t in the state to receive an answer either.

I quickly patted his shoulder and dashed towards Arette.

“Excuse me! Wait a moment, Arette!”

What kind of person moves so fast? How can someone with that appearance and build move at that speed? Even if he looks like a statue, does he weigh as light as a feather?

No matter how fast I ran, the distance between us didn’t narrow. I was gasping for breath, but Arette had already mounted a carriage.

I stared blankly at the scene, then it dawned on me.

“Hey! That’s my carriage!”

What am I supposed to do if he takes it and leaves me stranded?

I shouted as I followed him, but the carriage didn’t stop. I was breathing heavily and finally ended up sitting on the ground.

I looked around, wondering if there was any other horse or carriage Arette had ridden, but there was nothing.

‘Damn it, Arette. How on earth did you get here?’

Even though I tried to act bravely, it didn’t change anything. I considered heading back in Faust’s direction, but I quickly shook my head.

It was already too far to turn back. Moreover, it was in the opposite direction of the estate office.

‘Do I have to walk? Really? To such a distant place?’

I wanted to borrow a horse, but strangely, there was no one passing by today.

There was no option other than walking. With no other choice, I reluctantly stood up and began walking.

‘Fine. So, it turned out this way. Even though I know everyone in here, they don’t know me.’

As I walked towards the estate office, I greeted everyone whose eyes met mine.

Perhaps because they had experiences with previous managers, most of them received my greetings with cautious faces. Some even pretended not to hear.

However, there were exceptions.

“It’s so hot today. Why are you walking around?”

“I thought I’d say hello and chat a little. Is there anything uncomfortable about your work?”

“For us, well, we just endure it.”

“Still, if there’s anything uncomfortable, please let me know. Whether it’s the burden of taxes or the need for necessary items, things like that.”

“Oh my…”

The lady looked surprised by the mention of taxes from the manager’s mouth.

“Um, in that case, could we possibly get a new pickaxe? The current one is worn out, so it’s become difficult to work in the fields…”