Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 7

Episode 7

The villagers worked on the land owned by the duke for a certain period without compensation. Occasionally, there were a few cases, like Faust, who had contracts and received compensation for cultivation, but they were in the minority.

While the common villagers received enough crops to last through the winter during harvest season, that was about it. Even the farming tools and equipment used during the unpaid labor period were all owned by the duke. So, it was only natural that if something broke, the manager would replace it.

“Of course! I’ll look into the blacksmith’s and get it replaced.”

“Well, now we finally have a proper manager! Just wait a moment.”

The previous managers didn’t do this obvious task. The old lady joyfully dashed somewhere and soon returned holding a potato.

“I brought this to eat when I get hungry, but you can have it now.”

“Oh no, it’s alright.”

“It’s my way of saying thanks! Have one quickly.”

“Thank you.”

With a pleased expression, the old lady watched as I took a bite of the crunchy potato. After exchanging pleasantries, I continued walking.

People I met on the way, noticing that the manager was personally taking care of the estate, praised my hard work and offered various things. However, as I got closer to the management office, the more aloof the people became. They didn’t even greet me properly.

The fleeting sense of contentment was soon replaced by anger at Arette’s deeds, who had stolen my carriage once again.

After walking for a long hour like that, I arrived in front of the management office. My legs were wobbly, and I felt like I was about to lose all my strength.

‘Arette, just stay still!’

Saying this, I forcefully opened the office door. As I gasped for breath and sat down on the spot, Sophie looked up at me.

“Manager?”

“Sophie… Water… Just… a glass of water…”

“For now, please sit here.”

Sophie quickly helped me sit on the sofa.

Sophie, you’re strong. I thought to myself, amazed. After a short while, Sophie brought me a glass of water.

I gulped down the water in one go and placed the cup down with a thud. Sophie sat beside me and asked, 

“What’s going on?”

“Arette… Hufgh… Arette, you… bastard…”

As I gasped for breath and muttered, Sophie nodded her head and sympathized in a low voice.

“That person is quite a bastard… Huh!”

Suddenly, she closed her mouth and looked around anxiously. I also turned my head around, wondering if Arette might be nearby.

But unfortunately or fortunately, Arette was nowhere to be found.

“I’m sorry. During training, he always used to curse from behind.”

Training? I tilted my head and recalled something I had heard before.

‘Come to think of it, all three of them quit being knights due to injuries.’

When I turned my head, I saw Tom and Gerald sprawled in a corner of the desk, looking like damp towels. How could they, knights retired due to injuries, be loafing around like this? This can’t go on. 

Regardless of the budget constraints, I’ll need to seriously consider adding more personnel!

* * *

Three days had passed since Faust suddenly burst into tears. It’s strange, really strange. 

I’m sure Arette must have told Leonel that Faust was sobbing uncontrollably. So why hasn’t Leonel said anything? Moreover, my requests for tent installations, agricultural equipment replacement, and an increase in supervisory staff were all approved.

‘Even when I went to submit the reports, there was no word from him.’

With a nagging feeling, I boarded the carriage. Instead of stopping by the management office, I headed straight for the fields entrusted to Faust.

‘At least he hasn’t shown up in the fields since his crying episode. That’s somewhat fortunate.’

I worried that he might have turned over a new leaf and started working diligently.

As I let out a sigh of relief, an unusual scene caught my eye through the window. On the expansive 5000-square-meter field that was overrun with weeds just yesterday, there were now evenly spaced trenches dug.

“Stop, please!”

I shouted out the window, and the carriage gradually came to a halt.

I immediately opened the door and dashed out. I rubbed my eyes and pinched my cheeks, but it only hurt. The field still seemed ready to grow crops at any moment, as if nothing had happened.

“What, what is this? How did this happen?”

When I turned my head, I saw Faust drenched in sweat. Beside him were four individuals, notorious troublemakers in the village, flopping around like rag dolls. Their limbs and bodies were a mess, but their gazes were clear. With proud faces, they looked up at the sky, taking deep breaths or shedding tears.

‘Why are they crying, why!’

Is there some sort of magic here? Could the mechanism be faulty? Is this the mechanism to reform troublemakers?

I looked at Faust with disbelief. He awkwardly chuckled and patted the back of his head. But when I saw his smile, as if the darkness had lifted, a sense of unease crept in.

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“It’s surprising in more ways than one…”

I felt deflated. So, this is what I’ve been cheering for every day, telling him to work hard? If he prepares the field like this, won’t the crops grow well?

‘And what about my revenge? What about my revenge!’

Oh, vengeance! Where did you go, my revenge!

I wanted to cry. I held back because I was too old to cry like a child, but my nostrils were stinging, and tears were welling up. As I stood there, gritting my teeth, I heard a voice next to me, flustered.

“Why are you crying?”

“…Why have you changed so much, Faust?”

You were such a great ally. You didn’t show up for days!

With resentful eyes, I looked at Faust, and he scratched his head awkwardly.

“Why, why is it? Thanks to you, Manager.”

When I gave him a puzzled look, he blushed and clenched his fist, his face turning beet red.

“It’s embarrassing.”

This, well, it’s that kind of atmosphere. The atmosphere for a confession!

In an attempt to change the subject, I looked around for something to say. However, before I could bring up another topic, Faust started speaking.

“After losing my wife, I lived like a complete failure. Then, belatedly, I tried to get my act together and find work, but it didn’t go well.”

“Uh, I see. Haha. That’s…”

“Even when I got work, I kept losing my temper. So, I felt like I was utterly useless. That’s why I just lived carelessly.”

I tried to play along and steer the conversation in a different direction, but Faust seamlessly interjected.

“It’s better to not put in any effort at all. That way, I wouldn’t feel the frustration of being utterly helpless.”

We aren’t exactly close enough to be sharing such inner thoughts. It’s kind of overwhelming!

I shook my head, indicating for him to stop. In response, Faust’s eyes became moist. He touched his forehead and chuckled.

“Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t have lived like that.”

“I didn’t shake my head with that meaning…”

“At the very least, I shouldn’t have disappointed you, Manager, who believed in me and gave me a chance. I felt so embarrassed on the first day.”

I realized. This person is so absorbed in his own emotions that he’s not even listening to me.

“Last time, I tried to do something and came early, but I didn’t have the motivation. So, I just pulled out a handful of weeds, and you noticed that and… haah…”

“Me? When?”

“No need to pretend you don’t know!”

It’s not pretending. I really don’t know!

“You kept supporting me, even when I didn’t have the energy. Even when I drank or slacked off! You’re the first person who’s believed in me so consistently.”

I didn’t believe in you like that!

I stamped my foot in frustration. But Faust’s words didn’t stop. To top it off, the rag doll-like figures started crying too. Why are they crying? I’m the one who should be crying!

“Actually, it’s not like that…”

I couldn’t possibly say, “I wanted to get revenge on Leonel.” I had nothing to say. I don’t know how to handle this situation.

All I could do was give a feeble smile.

“Heh heh.”

As I stood there dazed, Faust wiped away tears with his overflowing sleeves.

“So, for the past few days, I’ve been trying to persuade these guys.”

Faust gestured to the disheveled troublemakers.

“Why did you do that? Why…”

“I thought it would make you proud if people like me got their act together.”

Faust laughed brightly.

“I’ll take responsibility and cultivate this field from now on, so don’t worry!”

Don’t smile so confidently! I’m not asking you to take responsibility!

Whether I protested internally or not, Faust was resolute. He firmly grabbed my hand and shook it several times. Then, leading the troublemakers, he entered the field.

I couldn’t bear watching him work hard in front of me, so I wiped away tears and got on the carriage.

‘Now what?’

If I leave it like this, the cultivation will undoubtedly succeed. It will bring an immense profit that can’t be offset by expenses like tents or supervisor salaries.

‘Am I just supposed to watch Leonel thrive like this with my eyes wide open?’

I can’t do that. I have to find a way to stop Faust’s cultivation, even if it means doing something drastic. What should I do? Should I fire Faust?

Given his behavior so far, there wouldn’t be much to say even if I did fire him.

‘But still, it stings to turn the praise I gave him into a criticism.’

Well, then I’ll have to find another reason to let him go. What could that be? While pondering this, the carriage came to a stop.

As I was about to get off and head to the management office, I saw a child. The child was hesitating in front of the entrance, as if unsure about entering. He was looking for someone.

“Hey.”

The child was startled and turned around.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Hello! My name is Jerome. I’ve come to find the new manager.”

“Me?”