The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 86

“Master, it’s too dangerous here. In a more bustling area-“

“No. This is fine.”

It would be troublesome if people noticed Norman getting out of a luxurious carriage. No, even if it wasn’t luxurious, commoners wouldn’t use carriages in the first place. I checked that there was no one around through the window before getting out of the carriage.

“Go back quickly.”

Thankfully, after hastily taking some medicine before leaving the mansion, I had enough strength to walk. I needed to hurry before the effects of the medicine wore off.

But my body wasn’t cooperating as well as my mind, so I was moving slowly. I grew anxious about not making it in time. The main road was fairly bright, but I had to take a detour. If I went through the alleys, I could save some time.

‘The public safety isn’t great, so I don’t want to go that way…’

However, unable to gauge the exact time, it was hard to resist the temptation of the shortcut. If it were daytime, there would be no need to hesitate, but it’s night now.

‘If I get caught by some weird guys, wouldn’t that be worse?’

Yes, no matter how urgent, let’s not do anything stupid. Just as I was convincing myself and turning towards the main road-

“Ah! I don’t know! That’s not what’s important right now!”

My ears perked up at the familiar voice.

“Young master!”

“Brother is here too. I’m saying I don’t want to quit the academy right now! This is the most important moment of my life!”

“It’s the Count’s order.”

“I came to the academy because of father’s orders too. I didn’t want to study business administration. You know better than anyone that I had a different dream.”

The owner of the voice was Adrian. Moreover, the content of the conversation was very intriguing. If I could get his help, I might be able to make it in time. I should hide and eavesdrop, then come out when it’s about to end. I carefully crept into the shadows to avoid being seen-

“Who’s there!”

Oh no. He wasn’t just a simple servant.

Despite moving carefully, I was caught immediately. An unknown person suddenly approached me and held a knife to my neck. The belated wind ruffled my hair. I slowly raised my hands to show my surrender.

“Just a good student passing by…”

“Jayden! Wait!”

Adrian, recognizing me, shouted urgently as he ran over.

“Norman? Why are you here?”

“I was on my way back to the academy, but I wasn’t feeling well, so I was considering taking a shortcut. Then you suddenly burst out of the building.”

As I spoke, I glanced at the swordsman who was still threatening me. Sort out your priorities. I was here first, after all.

“Jayden, what are you doing? Put the sword away quickly. He’s my friend.”

“Isn’t this too coincidental? He’s suspicious.”

“It’s not coincidental at all. More importantly, you’re not feeling well? Are you okay? I’m glad it doesn’t look as serious as last time…”

Adrian waved his hand dismissively at the sharp blade, as if shooing away an annoying fly. Unable to harm the young master he served, the swordsman lowered his weapon.

“For now, young master should return to the academy. I’ll briefly interrogate this person-“

“Stop talking about interrogation and just leave, can’t you? What’s suspicious about Norman? Actually, I don’t understand what you’re being cautious about in the first place.”

The swordsman closed his mouth, apparently unable to say certain things in front of me. His intensely wary gaze was quite piercing, so I pretended to be scared and stumbled back, staggering.

“Norman!”

If Adrian catches me, he’ll be able to confirm that I really have a fever. That should end the pointless argument between the arrogant swordsman and Adrian.

“You… why are you so hot?”

“I told you I wasn’t feeling well…”

“Is he still suspicious? I’m going to take Norman back to the academy, so make sure you clearly convey my intentions to father.”

“May I check him myself?”

What a distrustful person. I don’t mind him checking, but Norman would be afraid of someone who held a sword to his neck, so I tightly gripped Adrian’s arm.

“Can’t you see he’s trembling? Back off before I really get angry.”

“But young master, this person was trying to hide in the shadows to eavesdrop on the conversation.”

Wow, he noticed that? Then he might have been aware of me from the beginning. He caught me because I acted suspiciously.

“Is that true?”

Adrian’s voice was heavy, apparently trusting the swordsman quite a bit. It seemed like he was expecting a proper explanation.

“Yeah. But I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”

I immediately agreed. There was no point in denying it when I’d already been caught; it would only make me more suspicious. It was better to justify the action instead.

“Then why were you trying to hide?”

I rolled my eyes around as if embarrassed, and the swordsman readjusted his grip on the sword. As if he would cut me down at any moment.

“It’s okay. You can tell me honestly. I trust you.”

“…Actually, I recognized your voice, Adrian. That’s why I hid. The conversation sounded like your family matters.”

Adrian’s lips curved gently, seeming to understand my meaning. However, I continued speaking, intending to make it clear to the still wary swordsman.

“People usually don’t want others to know about such things, right? So I was going to pretend I hadn’t heard… but I got caught.”

I lowered my head sheepishly, and Adrian laughed pleasantly.

“It is embarrassing, indeed. I didn’t want you to see this side of me.”

“…I apologize.”

The swordsman’s voice had lost its edge, perhaps due to a cue from Adrian. It was evidence that his suspicions had been resolved, and I inwardly rejoiced as Adrian suddenly picked me up.

“It’s almost curfew, and you seem to have trouble walking. Is this okay?”

Of course it’s okay. I was about to ask for this, so Adrian offering to carry me first made him look lovely.

“Sorry… am I not too heavy?”

“You’re light enough.”

“Then can I ask for your help? Honestly, I was worried about making it back in time.”

“Just trust me. I’ll get you to the dormitory on time.”

“Thanks. I’m receiving your help again.”

I smiled shyly, and Adrian’s face turned red. It was so clearly visible even in the darkness.

Adrian chose a shortcut and walked into the dimly lit alley while adjusting his hold on me. The sudden elevation startled me for a moment, and I tightly hugged his neck.

“Next time, no matter how late you are, don’t take this path. There are a lot of guys like that even in broad daylight.”

In the direction Adrian nodded towards, there were several people gathered. These individuals, who looked like mercenaries, glanced at us and then began to follow.

…Can this guy fight? No, if we get caught up in a fight, will we be able to get back in time?

“They seem to be following us…”

“It’s okay. Jayden will take care of it.”

What is he saying when that swordsman is nowhere to be seen… Oh, I see. A dark figure blocked the mercenaries’ path, and soon the sound of clashing swords was heard.

‘This doesn’t seem to be the first time.’

It was strange from the beginning that I met Adrian in such a secluded place. It wasn’t an appropriate location for the son of a count to meet a messenger sent from his family. Especially at a time when most students who had gone out would have returned to the academy.

‘He might know some family secrets.’

With a somewhat uneasy feeling, I recalled the conversation between the two earlier. The Count’s business was to quit the academy and return home. It wasn’t uncommon, but it wasn’t a conversation that needed to be held secretly in a secluded place.

Moreover, if they had a conversation inside the building that others shouldn’t hear, it would explain why they reacted so sensitively, treating me as a suspicious person. Adrian, who defended me while restraining the swordsman, was also wary when he found out I had eavesdropped.

‘But it doesn’t seem like they’ve moved on to the ledger yet.’

I’m not sure how much Jayden is trusted by the Count, but it didn’t seem likely that he would smuggle out valuable ledgers. So the request to quit the academy and return home likely meant that they needed his brain power.

Of course, these were all speculations, so I needed to confirm the details.

‘Anyway, this isn’t something I can probe with just a few words of conversation, so let’s confirm this later.’

One certain gain was learning that Adrian had a dream he wanted to achieve. Given that this was an unexpected situation, even this much was satisfying.

‘Since things have been going wrong every time I’ve come here, it’s only fair to have some luck like this occasionally to balance things out.’

I had obtained bait to dangle in exchange for betraying the family. I’m not sure how valuable this will be, but I hope he’ll come over to my side.

If he chooses his family, I’ll have no choice but to detain Adrian until I find the ledger. If the ledger information gets into his head, I won’t be able to find evidence.

“Adrian.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“You’re finally curious about me? I’m happy! Ask me anything.”

…What is he saying? I didn’t have the energy to lift my head, so I just rolled my eyes to look up at Adrian. After quietly staring at his grinning face for a moment, I averted my gaze. It might be better to pretend I didn’t hear that.

“What was the dream you gave up?”

The brisk walking came to an abrupt stop. The gaze that fell on me was so intense it made me uncomfortable, and I wanted to ask to be put down immediately.