Mastermind
Copyright© 2026 by FantasyTranslater
Chapter 11
It had been four months since hearing the news that Roria had become the Duke of Altia. Now, only five years remained until the original story was set to begin. The world, once blanketed in white by winter, was gradually transitioning into spring, a season that brought with it a lethargic drowsiness to all living things.
“Young Master—no, perhaps I should call you Count now?”
“I haven’t had the succession ceremony yet.”
Although Alon hadn’t formally held the succession ceremony, he had begun to use the title of Count Palatio for himself, rather than the heir to the Count’s family.
“Even so, you’re effectively the Count now, aren’t you? It’s quite emotional to see you become the Count.”
“Is that so?”
Alon gave a faint smile—a bitter one at that. ‘It’s something I never planned for, actually.’
Alon’s original intention was not to become a Count but to live a leisurely life as a noble, with the title serving only as a means to an end. However, due to the unexpected assassination of Leo, who was supposed to be the Count, Alon found himself in this position.
‘My goals have changed, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.’
For Alon, spending his time in Rodmill dabbling in magic research and baking bread wasn’t a bad life. Still, being a Count came with its own perks. The title of Count allowed him to enjoy the peaceful noble life he originally envisioned in a more detailed and luxurious manner.
Of course, with the increase in the quality of life came added responsibilities, but having dealt with minor tasks as the heir of the Count’s family over the past six months, Alon found his work-life balance to be quite satisfactory.
‘I never thought being part of a rogue noble family would be so helpful.’
Typically, nobles are busy due to the territories they manage, but politics play a much larger role in their hectic lives. However, in the case of Count Palatio, since the family had not involved itself in politics, they could lead a leisurely life unless something urgent arose. Furthermore, while the assassins who dealt with Avalon had indeed taken care of them cleanly, they left behind all the money they had accumulated. This meant that unless he indulged in excessive luxury, the wealth they had amassed would be enough to last for five years.
“Ah, by the way, have you found any new information?”
“If you’re referring to information about the assassins who killed Leo...”
When Alon nodded, Evan shook his head.
“It seems even the Information Guild is taking this matter seriously, as they’re conducting a meticulous investigation, but nothing has been uncovered yet.”
“I see.”
At Evan’s words, Alon clicked his tongue in slight irritation. He wasn’t investigating the assassins to exact revenge on Leo’s murderers. The reason he continued the investigation was that the past he knew was gradually diverging from what he remembered.
‘The butterfly effect ... I suppose I should call it that. I had anticipated some changes.’
Alon had already expected that the past would change due to the actions he had taken. After all, he had intervened here and there to prevent the occurrence of troublesome events in the future, as well as to secure the Five Sins. Even a small flap of a butterfly’s wings can create a storm, and the things he did were on a scale far greater than the flap of a small butterfly’s wings—they were enough to create a hurricane.
‘It’s only natural that the past would change ... though there are some changes I don’t fully understand.’
Aside from the fact that he officially became a Count, Alon recently recalled one significant change in the future. Roria—who had become the Duke of Altia six months ago—was originally supposed to be dead. Yet she not only survived but also became the Duke of Altia, and her influence in the underworld was growing rapidly.
Alon wondered which of his interventions had caused this change in the future, where she was supposed to die but instead lived and rose to power. After pondering for a moment, he shrugged, realizing it was pointless to think about it any further. Instead, he shifted his focus back to the assassins who had killed Leo.
“ ... That’s enough. Stop the investigation.”
“Is that really okay?”
“There’s still some curiosity that hasn’t been satisfied, but if the Information Guild can’t uncover anything, then there’s no point in continuing.”
There was another reason why Alon decided to stop the investigation he’d been pursuing for nearly a year.
‘In this world, some knowledge is better left unknown. Besides, things seem rather ominous.’
The Information Guild in this world holds at least a little information on everything, largely because its owner and Guildmaster is the leader of the ‘Night’s End Darkness.’ As far as Alon knew, only a few organizations could escape the Information Guild’s network. Knowing this, Alon realized that there was nothing to gain from uncovering their identities. After all, the more you dig, the more assassins would come to silence you.
In the end, Alon decided to abandon his search for information. His goal was to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, but he realized there was no need to bring more danger upon himself by acquiring knowledge that would only increase the threat to his life.
‘Besides, if Leo was attacked by a group that the Information Guild couldn’t even identify, then they wouldn’t likely target me.’
Secret organizations usually don’t make a move unless their identity is exposed or someone directly interferes with their activities. They were excessively obsessed with maintaining secrecy.
“Understood.”
Evan nodded, turning to leave the office. However, as if suddenly remembering something, he returned and handed Alon a letter.
It was a letter from Yutia.
“I brought it with me to give you a report as well.”
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