Chapter 29: Lynn’s understanding of borrowing was very advanced

The moment Lynn stepped into the projection, the boundary began to ripple like water.

Immediately after, a surge of powerful energy burst out in all directions, astonishing everyone present.

“What happened?”

“It looks like someone went in!”

“The Adventurer Party got here this quickly?”

“No, that should be… a Second-tier Magus.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd fell into a deathly silence.

They looked at Lynn’s back, their eyes filled with pity.

Once Lynn went in, the Engraved Stone would generate a magical force field at the boundary of the projected secret realm.

At that point, unless an external force strong enough broke through, no one could enter.

Not until Lynn cleared the projection of the secret realm.

Or…

Died inside.

Clearly, no one thought a mere Second-tier Magus could clear a projection of this level, nor would anyone trouble a powerful figure over such a low-level Magus.

So, this guy was as good as dead.

“Excuse me… what’s going on here?”

Livia, just back from the Witch Academy with a bag of apples, walked past the checkpoint and glanced curiously at the world within the projection.

She had assumed the Adventurer Party responsible for handling the projection had entered the secret realm.

But judging from the grim expressions of the Royal Guard, things didn’t seem so simple.

“So, it’s a witch…” Sensing the strange aura from Livia, a trace of disgust flickered under the soldier’s mask.

“Nothing much. Just that a Second-tier Magus somehow snuck inside, that’s all.”

“What a hassle, we’ll have to collect his corpse later.”

Hearing his impatient tone, Livia’s right eyelid twitched uncontrollably, and an ominous feeling began to rise in her heart.

She slowly walked to the edge of the projection.

When she saw that familiar figure in the secret realm, Livia’s pupils shrank.

Unknowingly, the bag of apples in her hand slipped and scattered all over the ground.

Why would Mr. Lynn appear there?

…

Lynn felt like he had been walking for ages.

He looked around at the desolate landscape, sighing helplessly.

If he didn’t know a thing or two about this secret realm, he’d never have guessed that this wasteland beneath his feet was actually a lord’s domain.

Damn it, Lynn thought even a bandit gang would have to leave the lord some seed money after seeing this bleak scene.

How could it be this barren?

To be honest, he’d expected there’d be villages or households along the way where he could rest—or at least find some useful information.

Now, it seemed he’d been thinking too much.

This was nothing but a godforsaken wasteland.

Under the scorching sun, he pressed onward for a while longer until a massive estate gradually came into view.

At a glance, it had everything—courtyard, garden, all the amenities.

The lavish sight was completely out of place amid the surrounding desolation.

It wasn’t hard to imagine that Lord Nibelung must have been a decadent vampire who lived in the lap of luxury.

Ah, the evils of this feudal society.

Lynn shook his head helplessly.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

A deep voice interrupted Lynn’s thoughts.

Looking up, Lynn saw that a middle-aged man in a suit had long been waiting at the manor gate.

“I’m the estate’s butler. You may call me Joel.”

The man gave a deep bow, his manner elegant and impeccable, flawless in every detail.

“No need for all the formalities.”

Lynn waved his hand impatiently.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

“Very well.”

With that, Joel took out a prepared will and contract from his pocket.

“As long as you sign this contract, then according to Lord Nibelung’s wishes, you’ll become the new master of this land.”

“If you can restore prosperity to the domain within the allotted time, everything within it will be yours.”

“But if you fail to meet the goal within the time limit…”

Joel paused, his gaze at Lynn filled with murderous intent.

“You’ll likely be in mortal danger.”

“Fine.”

Lynn signed his name on the contract without hesitation.

Afterward, Joel quietly put the contract back in his pocket.

“Mr. Lynn, if you need anything, please call for me. As your butler, I’ll do all I can to serve you.”

Lynn nodded, then went straight into the manor and found his bedroom.

After locking the door, Lynn let out a long breath.

To be honest, being around Joel made him uncomfortable for some reason.

He slid open the glass balcony door and stood outside, taking in the barrenness of the land.

“Days remaining: 3”

“Target sum: 0/100,000 gold coins”

These small lines of text slowly appeared in his field of vision.

The meaning was obvious—

Lynn had only three days to gather one hundred thousand gold coins and restore the domain’s prosperity.

Clearly, this was an impossible task.

However, Lynn wasn’t too worried.

There must be some mechanism in this secret realm he could exploit.

“Lynn… Lynn…”

Suddenly, Felica’s voice echoed in his mind.

Her voice was choppy, and it took a while to become clear.

“Lynn, how’s your situation?”

“Not bad.”

Lynn replied, sprawling on the huge bed that could easily fit three people.

“At least the bed’s nice and soft.”

This guy…

Felica smiled helplessly.

He was always so calm and composed, unhurried and confident.

“Ahem.”

Felica cleared her throat.

“According to the records left by predecessors who cleared this secret realm, that butler named Joel seems odd. You might use him as a breakthrough point and start your investigation with him.”

Before Lynn could reply, an urgent knocking suddenly sounded at the door.

“Mr. Lynn, are you inside?”

The knocking grew more and more frantic and heavy, almost as if the door would be broken down.

“I’m here.”

Lynn answered casually.

“You haven’t been secretly discussing anything you shouldn’t with others, have you?”

Outside, Joel’s voice slipped through the crack like a demon, flooding into the room.

The oppressive weight in his words was almost tangible, echoing in the small space.

Almost as soon as these words were spoken, Felica cut off her communication with Lynn.

“Hmph…”

If it were anyone else, they’d probably be pale with fear by now.

But for Lynn, it only made him angry.

With his hands behind his back, he strode unhurriedly to the door.

Then, with an impatient yank, he flung the door open.

Joel’s face was still plastered with his professional fake smile.

But behind the mask, Joel was sweating profusely.

He’d almost let Lynn discover his true nature…

Still, this man was strange.

He’d clearly sensed traces of communication magic.

Ordinary people, faced with such intimidation, would be trembling with fear.

Why could this person confront him so shamelessly, as if nothing had happened?

“What are you making a racket for so early in the morning?”

Lynn’s tone was full of impatience.

Lynn’s sudden change in attitude caught Butler Joel off guard.

“According to the contract, I’ve temporarily inherited Lord Nibelung’s domain, which means I’m your master now.”

“Yelling at your master—is that how a butler should behave?”

“If I weren’t so short-handed, I’d have exiled you to clear the wasteland already. Instead of kneeling in gratitude, you actually dare to overstep your place?”

Under Lynn’s deadly string of questions, sweat began to bead on Joel’s forehead.

The pressure Lynn exuded was just like facing Lord Nibelung himself…

Most importantly, every word Lynn said was perfectly reasonable.

Even if he was annoyed, he couldn’t refute it.

“S-sorry, Mr. Lynn…”

“What did you call me?”

Lynn’s gaze turned icy.

“M-master.”

Joel nearly ground the word out between his teeth.

“That’s better. As a servant, you should have the awareness of a servant.”

Lynn nodded with satisfaction.

Damn…

An unprecedented sense of shame swept over Joel.

He swore, in three days, he’d tear this damned bastard to pieces.

“I’ll take my leave, then…”

“Wait.”

Lynn stopped Joel.

“Tell me, how much is this manor worth?”

Joel froze.

Apparently, no one had ever asked him that before.

“About… one hundred fifty thousand gold coins, I suppose.”

Joel tilted his head and thought for a long time before offering a rather conservative number.

“Good.”

Lynn nodded with satisfaction.

“Then, next, I order you to use this manor as collateral and get a loan of two hundred thousand gold coins from the bank.”

“Don’t ask why it has to be two hundred thousand. If you must know, that’s for the lord to decide.”

Lynn’s tone brooked no argument.