Chapter 73: Chapter 73 : Condition

Arthur suddenly leaned back and laughed lightly. “Don’t worry… I’ll personally go to the auction today and capture those bastards for you. You don’t have to worry.”

Silence followed.

Yuichi slowly turned his head toward Arthur.

Arthur met his gaze.

For a brief moment—

The two stared at each other.

The air between them felt heavy, like an unspoken challenge had just been issued.

Then—

Yuichi smirked.

“Kid… I don’t doubt your skills,” he said calmly, “but my daughter’s life is at stake here.”

His tone shifted slightly.

“And that’s why I want Yuna involved in this matter.”

He looked toward Yuna.

“You’ll help me, right… sis?”

Yuna smiled warmly.

“That’s not even a question I need to answer, Yuichi,” she said. “Of course, I will help you.”

Yuichi and James both relaxed slightly.

A small smile appeared on their faces.

But before they could say anything—

Yuna’s voice cut in.

Calm.

Sharp.

“But…”

The room froze again.

“If you doubt my disciples…” she continued, her eyes narrowing slightly, “then you’re doubting my skills and my teaching.”

A pause.

“And that seriously pisses me off.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

A faint pressure filled the space, subtle—but suffocating.

“So I’ll help you…” she added, “on one condition.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“You let Arthur and Julia handle it.”

James’s eyes widened. “What? But—”

Arthur raised his hand slightly.

“My master has spoken,” he said calmly. “So that’s the end of the discussion… unless you want us to leave.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Yuichi and James looked at each other.

No words.

Just a brief exchange of looks—

Then both nodded.

“We accept the condition,” Yuichi said. “But in return… make sure Sakura and Himari come back safely.”

Arthur looked at him.

Then smiled slightly.

“I swear on my name… if I fail… I’ll work as a butler in this villa for the rest of my life.”

Silence.

Everyone froze.

Even the servants nearby stopped moving.

’…What did he just say?’

Yuna leaned slightly toward him and whispered, “Are you getting cocky… brat?”

Julia stared at him. “Have you gone insane?”

Arthur’s mouth twitched.

“You guys don’t have even a little trust in me… do you?”

Yuna and Julia replied instantly—

In unison.

“No. We don’t.”

A vein popped on Arthur’s forehead.

“What an unlucky guy I am…”

He sighed.

Then—

His expression changed.

Completely.

Serious.

Sharp.

The playfulness disappeared as if it had never existed.

He looked toward Yuichi and James.

“But…” he continued, “if I succeed… I want something in return.”

Their expressions tightened.

Arthur leaned forward slightly.

“You will provide me whatever I need… whenever I need it. No questions asked.”

A pause.

“Even if I decide to go to war with someone.”

Silence.

The weight of his words settled heavily over everyone present.

Arthur smiled faintly.

“So… what do you say? Do we have a deal?”

Yuichi and James were stunned.

Completely.

James immediately spoke, “Father, we need to think this through—”

But before he could finish—

Yuichi stood up.

And grabbed Arthur’s hand firmly.

“I accept.”

The room froze again.

“I will forever be grateful… if you bring my family back safely.”

Arthur looked at him.

Then nodded once.

“Just believe in me,” he said calmly. “I’m the most honest guy you’ll ever find in this world.”

At that—

Yuna and Julia both opened their mouths—

Then stopped themselves.

’…That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard.’

James exhaled slowly, clearly overwhelmed.

Then he stood up.

“I’ll show you your rooms,” he said. “Come with me.”

The tension lingered in the air—

As things had just escalated far beyond a simple rescue.

James led them through the vast corridors of the mansion, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors.

The deeper they went—

The more luxurious everything became.

Paintings lined the walls, each looking like it belonged in a museum. Golden frames, rare artifacts, soft carpets beneath their feet—everything was excessive, yet perfectly arranged.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air, something subtle yet refined, as if even the atmosphere here had been carefully curated.

Soft lights embedded along the walls cast a warm glow, giving the entire corridor an almost unreal elegance.

Arthur glanced around.

’Yeah… this place screams money.’

But beneath that thought, his eyes lingered just a bit longer on certain details—the positioning of guards, the blind spots between corridors, the distance between exits.

’…And security.’

They stopped in front of a large door.

James opened it.

“This will be your room,” he said calmly.

Arthur stepped inside—

And paused.

’…Alright, this is ridiculous.’

The room was massive. A king-sized bed sat at the center, covered in smooth white sheets. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a beautiful view of the estate outside.

A chandelier hung above, while a sitting area, study desk, and even a private bath could be seen further inside.

Everything looked untouched.

Perfect.

Expensive.

Arthur walked a few steps in, running his fingers lightly over the surface of a nearby table. Smooth. Polished to perfection.

Not a speck of dust.

Not a flaw.

Julia and Yuna were shown their own rooms earlier—each just as lavish.

James turned slightly. “If you need anything, just let the staff know.”

He was about to leave—

“Mr. James.”

James stopped and looked back.

“Yes?”

Arthur leaned casually against the wall. “Can you tell me one more thing?”

James gave a small, polite smile. “Of course.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Is Miss Sakura… from this country?”

James paused.

Just for a second.

Then his expression shifted slightly.

“Why do you ask?”

Arthur smiled faintly. “Just curious.”

James studied him carefully.

Then answered.

“No… she is not from this country.”

A brief pause.

“Do you want to know the reason?”

Arthur shook his head lightly.

“No need. I got what I needed.”

He turned toward the bed.

“I just want to rest for a bit. We have an auction to attend this evening.”

James nodded slowly.

“Very well.”

He stepped out.

The door closed behind him.

Silence filled the room.

Arthur stood still for a moment.

Then exhaled slowly.

“What a messed up family…” he muttered.

A faint smirk appeared on his face.

“Almost reminds me of my own.”

——

A/N:

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