Gamma walked down the mansion corridor, with Richard following closely behind, heading toward a certain room.
"You were quick to find them. It's only been four days since I gave the order. Are you secretly an important figure or something?"
Gamma said, deliberately slowing his steps to maintain an elegant air.
"Please don't joke, young master. In this mansion right now, the only truly important people are you and the young lady," Richard replied with a gentle smile.
"Oh? Has my little sister returned already? In the past month, how many times has she gone out to attend invitations?"
"If we include yesterday, seven times."
"Wah… that sounds exhausting."
"Not at all. In fact, she said she enjoys fulfilling her duties as a noble."
"Do all nobles really do nothing but attend gatherings? I'd probably faint if it were me."
Richard laughed at that, "I believe you're the only noble who thinks gatherings between nobles are pointless. Speaking of which, young master—didn't you used to love being invited? I'm simply curious. You've been acting strangely lately, almost as if you were possessed by someone else."
"Possessed?"
"Yes. It's like you've become a completely different person. Everyone in the mansion has been talking about it recently. If you don't give an explanation soon, I'm afraid strange rumors may arise."
"Hm… you have a point. We'll think about that later. For now, we should focus on what's in front of us."
Richard smiled at the firm reply.
"Very well." Suddenly, he stopped and handed Gamma a sheet of paper filled with notes.
"What's this?" Gamma asked.
"The profiles of the three people you were looking for, young master. They're waiting in the guest room."
"Right. I know. We should hurry and meet them."
"Then why are you heading toward the young lady's room?"
Gamma froze for a moment, but continued walking.
Damn… this mansion is like a maze. I can't exactly say I got lost in my own house, can I?
"I just want to see her before meeting them," Gamma said, stopping right in front of his younger sister's door.
Richard smiled knowingly and quietly left, giving them privacy.
Gamma hesitated, his hand gripping the doorknob. He took a deep breath to steady himself and murmured softly, "There's no turning back."
He opened the door and found his little sister sitting inside, writing something.Silver hair reminiscent of their mother. Sharp eyes inherited from their father. And the pure beauty of a noble girl dressed in a simple cotton gown. Her name was Beatrice Hall, the youngest child of the Hall family, and Gamma's little sister.
Hearing the door open, Beatrice looked up and saw her brother. She stopped writing, smiled, and greeted him.
"Good afternoon, brother. What do you need?"
"Do I need a reason to visit my beloved little sister?"
"Of course not. Acting on impulse has always been your specialty, hasn't it?"
"Oh, my dear little sister, I truly don't understand why you hate me so much."
Still smiling politely, Beatrice replied,
"How could I hate such a wonderful and talented brother? I simply don't wish to see your face, it might make me vomit. Could you please leave and close the door for me?" Her smile faded instantly as she continued, "And stop pretending to be a good person. It makes me sick."
Having no other choice, Gamma surrendered and did as she said.
…Looks like I still have a long road ahead if I want to make peace with her. What should I even do?
This wasn't the first time ray now who living as Gamma had interacted with Beatrice. Though she'd been away from home often lately, there were still nights when the two of them were the only ones at the dining table. And it always ended like this.
Gamma decided to head straight to the guest room, though he got lost twice along the way.
I hate this mansion!
It had been four days since Richard began searching for the specialists Gamma requested. He had found three people fitting the roles, and now they stood nervously before Gamma, who had just arrived.
"Hm… so you three are the ones Richard mentioned," Gamma said as he sat down, scanning the report in his hands, "Let's see… Jay, an architect with twenty years of experience, involved in the construction of the imperial castle? Leonardo, a professional lumberjack who once worked under the Empire? Edward, a famous pianist from the capital? Eh… is all of this true?"
"That's correct! We're professionals!" Jay answered confidently.
"No doubt about it," Leonardo added.
"I'm embarrassed to admit it, but yes—I am quite famous, young master," Edward said.
Gamma froze in shock.
How did Richard even find people like this!? I was so confident I could show off the knowledge I gained from books in my previous world! This is bad. If I fail to show proper leadership, my image as an elegant villain will crumble! A good villain is never foolish. I need to outsmart this.
"Let's get straight to the point. The project I'm planning is extremely difficult. You're free to withdraw if you wish," Gamma said.
"If it were an easy job, professionals like us wouldn't be here, young master," Leonardo replied.
"That's right! Hahaha!" Jay laughed.
"You unexpectedly like joking, young master," Edward added.
Hearing their responses only irritated Gamma.
Damn it… fine. Then I'll give them a truly difficult task!
Maintaining a calm expression, Gamma continued, "This is only the initial concept. I'll explain it briefly. Jay, you will design an underground city. Leonardo, for now, focus on logging trees at the city's outskirts, while planting saplings within certain areas of the city. And Edward, since you're famous, use your connections to recruit other artists."
"An underground city?" Jay muttered thoughtfully.
Gamma felt a pang of guilt.
Sorry… I originally just wanted to build an amusement park. But a professional like you would laugh if I said that right?
"The outskirts of the city?" Leonardo looked utterly confused.
Gamma felt even worse.
Planting trees is something anyone could do. Why did I even hire a lumberjack? I'm an idiot.
"Recruiting others… ," Edward said casually.
Gamma forced a grin.
Come on. You don't want your fame exploited, do you? Just refuse that already.
Contrary to his hopes, all three answered in unison, "I have no problem with it. I can do it!"
They were more excited than ever, someone finally given complex tasks after so long to them.
Meanwhile, Gamma,utterly defeated, could only pray that they would fail and experience the same suffering he was enduring.
The planning continued for nearly two weeks, with Gamma offering assistance, though in truth, he was only increasing the difficulty with absurd conditions.
First: they were forbidden from asking why he planned all this.
Because he would die of embarrassment if they discovered how childish his original reason was.
Second: the preparations had to be done in secret.
He feared his family discovering the insane project he was attempting.
Third: his name was not to be mentioned.
He simply didn't want to be blamed when everything inevitably failed.
And so, time passed quietly, until the birthday of Gamma Hall drew ever closer.