Treatise Of A Failed Knight

Chapter 346: Meeting Regulus

Almost a week has passed since we arrived in Bawwal.

Klein and I have left the inn every morning for the sake of finding a proper semi-permanent residence for all of us.

It’s actually not necessary for everyone to dwell in the same building.

However, considering how we all came from the same land, it’s only appropriate that we stick together. Even Ciel, who is as much a stranger to the Randalorion Kingdom as she is to Dustinville, wouldn’t want to be separated from our group.

Thankfully, after several days of diligently searching for proper accommodation, we finally stumble upon something satisfactory this particular Friday.

It’s a four-story stone residence with a symmetrical façade, tall windows, iron balconies, and a gated entrance facing a clean, prestigious street lined with similar high-status homes. A compact but manicured garden or courtyard sits within its grounds, with hedges, paved paths, and perhaps a fountain.

The environment is quiet, secure, and orderly, with a constant sense of privacy, refinement, and understated wealth.

"This house contains a total of 30 rooms, including reception halls, a few dining areas, a main library, three studies, ten bedchambers separated by floors, guest suites, and servant quarters. It is also supported by facilities such as a carriage house or garage, kitchen wing, and storage cellars..." After boldly restating what he said before, the groundskeeper finally pauses while looking at the three visitors in his master’s compound.

Our agent, Adui, smiles at me and Klein, clearly awaiting our decision as we stand outside the premises after a thorough inspection.

Everything is truly as he told us.

"I think this is it..." Klein mutters as he looks at me.

I nod in agreement.

’There’s also nothing problematic about the property.’

It’s one of the urban estates that was added to the brochure’s listing three days after we started house hunting. At first, I found the coincidence suspicious, so I did my own investigation using my Leviathan Conceptions.

However, it really is an ordinary situation.

The Noble Manor belongs to one of the major landlords of that district. The previous tenant had to leave Dustinville for an urgent business venture, making the place vacant.

It also suits all of our needs.

Not only is the borough the closest to Dustinville University, but it has a pleasant atmosphere and a quiet ambiance. This peaceful neighborhood doesn’t have many houses, but its few tenants have formed a rather lively community.

This is necessary for socializing and properly integrating into this society while also maintaining a degree of privacy.

Also, since it’s close to the University, I can easily use Tracing to commute between locations.

I’ll essentially have two places of residence.

’I can leave my dorms and appear in the house to give instructions. I can also spend the night in the house and easily teleport to my lecture hall with no difficulty.’

It makes things very easy for me.

My heart is also at ease, since I don’t have to worry about my comrades being too distant.

’Klein will likely reside in the staff residence if he gets the job at the University, but he can also easily commute from this borough to the University. He can spend the weekends in the manor and then return to the staff residence during the week.’

It’s perfect!

Klein turns to Adui after a few seconds of silence. "We’ll take it."

After concluding the transaction for the half-year lease, we spent the weekend moving and setting up the house to our taste. We also hired a few servants, such as gardeners, chefs, groundskeepers, security officials, and so on, for the maintenance of the manor.

All of this costs money.

’Sigh... so much for saving up.’ I sigh as I walk to the inn we previously resided in.

Although we have already moved out, I had to keep a spot open in case Regulus tries to contact me. After all, he isn’t aware of our new address, and I doubt sending him a letter now would do much good.

He should be close to Bawwal already, so I have no idea where to mail it.

After greeting the receptionist and checking into my room, I notice that a letter has been delivered to my mailbox. Upon checking, I confirm that it’s from none other than the person I have been waiting for.

Reading the letter has helped me confirm the whereabouts of Regulus.

He is finally in Bawwal!

’So he is residing in his family’s private residence in the city, huh? That’s good. I’ll visit him and also inform him of where we’ll be staying.’ A broad smile forms on my face.

I was right, after all.

If we didn’t find a residence before Regulus arrived, he would offer his family’s place.

’I don’t know whether to appreciate this gesture or be even more suspicious...’ Without delaying my actions, I leave the inn and permanently check out. Afterwards, I board a carriage and head toward his location.

’We probably have to purchase a few carriages for our manor.’

After everything we’ve already spent, adding this to our list of expenses won’t be too atrocious.

Purchasing a regular draft horse, which are rather common, should be 20–40 Ecliptics.

Its monthly upkeep shouldn’t exceed 3–5 Clips.

’But those are used for farming and pulling carts. They are unsuitable for carriages, especially in the environment we are staying in.’

A standard riding horse should cost twice as much, and the upkeep should be 4–7 Clips.

This is reasonable.

After all, the Nowe’arn Warhorse, which I handled as a Knight, costs 120–250 Clips, with a monthly upkeep of 8–15 Clips. The elite Nowe’arn Draft Breed should cost 300–600 Clips, with a monthly upkeep of 12–20 Clips, maybe even more.

However, there’s no need to be so excessive when considering horse-drawn carriages.

Those expensive horses are bred for specific qualities and are a Knight’s preference. They have no place in the kind of lifestyle we plan to keep.

As for the cost of a noble-grade covered carriage, it shouldn’t exceed 200 Ecliptics, even in Dustinville. I’ll have to ask Regulus about this matter. It shouldn’t be a big deal to rely on him for this, since I don’t want to appear too distant.

’He should already know I have my suspicions about him, but we can still cooperate. I can certainly seek his help on petty issues.’

.....

"Javier! My good friend!"

Regulus hugs me passionately, his wide grin and youthful exuberance remaining unchanged despite the time that has passed since our last physical meeting.

In fact, nothing about this man has changed.

His smooth white hair remains as polished as ever, and his red eyes continue to sparkle like rubies. His snow-white skin is coated with an air of luxury. And although he has a rather frail appearance, he continues to burst with energy.

Although it has never come up in our conversations, it’s clear that Regulus is an albino.

We’re also quite similar in age, although his round, cute face and his excessive smile make him appear much younger.

Honestly, he is always in an excellent mood whenever I see him.

"It’s nice seeing you again, Regulus," I chuckle as we slowly detach from the rather prolonged embrace. "I hope you have been well. How is the family? I came as soon as I saw your letter. I have no idea when you sent it, since we already moved and—"

"What? Already? Why the rush? You could have stayed here!"

’I knew it!’ Despite thinking this, I simply smile warmly. "No, we couldn’t impose. I also didn’t know when you would be arriving, so I had to make all the preparations."

"It’s not too late, right? Has the contract been finalized? Maybe you can—"

"Unfortunately, we can’t. Everything has been finalized. Although we still have certain problems with obtaining additional furniture, decorations, and other important necessities. We also require quality horses and carriages. I don’t know if you can assist me with that."

"Of course, I can!" Regulus beams before quickly urging me to step inside his abode.

Just looking at it makes my eyes twitch.

It’s at least twice as large as our current residence.

’This guy is really wealthy!’

His servants are dressed in fine materials of the best quality. None of them are in any way inferior to Adui—even the maids.

"You should have informed me about your intentions in your letter. The Heathcliff Household is well connected to a lot of establishments, including many top-notch housing agencies. The butler who manages this place could have introduced you to them. Then again, I understand why you didn’t say anything. It would already be too late by the time I responded, right? I understand... It must have been rather urgent."

I nearly roll my eyes as Regulus bombards me with unnecessary words.

It’s clear what he means when one reads between the lines.

’He is already aware that I wish to keep a sufficient level of distance between us. Why else would he bring up the matter if he already understands? He isn’t offended by this, though. He still wants to foster a relationship with me...’

If it weren’t that he suspects that I am a Leviathan, I would wonder why this very wealthy man is so invested in my matters.

He isn’t put off by my cold shoulder.

Despite having helped me many times, I still haven’t trusted him.

A normal person would be frustrated.

’Yet he is very patient and understanding. This is unlike many rich and powerful people. Even if he is more mature than his age suggests, I wouldn’t expect such acumen from him...’ Although his positive attitude should placate me, it has actually made me suspect him more.

If not that I can clearly discern whether someone is a Leviathan based on the definition of their existence, I would have long suspected Regulus of being one.

He is not a normal person.

Of course, I have no proof of any abnormalities besides his strange behavior and my instincts.

Even Ciel can’t detect anything.

Thus, all I can do is remain cautious while dealing with him.

’His intentions remain focused on the Leviathans and uncovering their mysteries. That’s what he has told me, but I don’t know the details involving this. I also can’t directly question him about it, since he can easily lie to me or refuse to answer. I’m also not entitled to a proper response, since I am also keeping a lot of secrets from him—secrets he is vaguely aware of...’ After sighing for the umpteenth time, I temporarily set aside my thoughts.

’Dealing with this man is exhausting.’

....

After some time passes, the evening sky begins to turn dark.

I start to bid my ’good friend’ farewell.

"I’ll visit you in a few days. I just have to put some things in place first," he informs me with deep sincerity reflecting in his eyes.

Nodding calmly, I respond, "Take your time."

"I’ll show you around Bawwal while we’re waiting for the University to fully process your application. It shouldn’t take too long, to be honest. Before the end of January, you should get feedback."

"Is there a chance of failure?"

Regulus smiles at me knowingly before shaking his head. "No."

"I see..."

’Does he have connections in the University?’ I wonder to myself. ’There’s no way he would admit to something like that even if it were the case.’

"I know what you’re thinking, but you have it wrong. It’s impossible to resort to such underhanded methods in the Grand University of Dustinville. Everything is won by merit. I merely smiled because I found it ridiculous for you to be so concerned about passing when you have a solid portfolio."

"What about my friend?"

"Seth Clayford, right? Well, he is not as impressive as you, but he isn’t bad either. Besides, it’s not like you two cannot afford the tuition. As for the scholarship application, you’ll have to take the required exams by the end of this month. It shouldn’t be too difficult for someone of your ’standing’, but it might be hard for Seth."

’What does he mean by standing? This guy is still going on about me being a Leviathan? Even though I am, I’m not telling you anything!’

"Okay... Thank you." After exchanging a few more pleasantries, it’s time for me to depart.

Instead of hiring a carriage, Regulus instructs one of his coachmen to attend to me. This is partly out of courtesy, but it’s also for the coachman to familiarize himself with my residence. That way, Regulus will have no difficulty getting there when he wishes to visit.

After several hours in the carriage, I finally arrive at my urban estate.

It’s already past 11 in the night, and the streets would be pitch black if not for the streetlights that give it a wonderful ambiance.

After alighting, I nearly pay the driver out of habit before realizing the situation.

"Haha! My apologies..." Laughing awkwardly and bidding him a safe journey back, I retreat to the manor.

The moment I step in and close the door, I notice a presence behind me.

"Javier..." The soft voice calls out, causing me to quickly look in the direction of the short silhouette a distance away.

His gem-like eyes glow with an azure hue.

It’s none other than Seth.

’What is he doing lurking in the dark like that? He could scare one of the servants?’

Seth smiles at me before gently approaching. "I had one of my visions...."

"Oh? Divination? What is it about?"

I remember Seth told me that he used to rely on the old Bishop anytime he had trouble sleeping or if he had any Divination in his dream. Now that he doesn’t have anyone like that, he must have been too bothered to sleep.

’But it doesn’t explain his lurking. Was he waiting for me?’

"My dream was about the scholarship eligibility test. I saw all the questions that we were asked, as well as the answers."

"E-eh?"

"It made such a deep impression in my mind that I can’t forget, even if I wanted to..."

For a moment, I can only watch in stunned silence.

’Regulus was so confident that I would pass and not Seth, but it turns out he had a better chance of passing, even without me.’ I swallow my saliva before patting his shoulder.

Then, I offer him a friendly smile.

"Tell me all about it."