Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 4 : Reading the Future (1)

Reading the Future (1)

Synopsis.

In short, it was a synopsis that neatly summarized the episodes of the novel.

While it didn't provide every detail, it allowed me to infer the general flow through its main threads.

==

〈Episodes 19~32, "The Unexpected Traitor"〉

Summary: Under the orders of Kaln Vanhart, Fabian goes to the battlefield with Monet as a servant of Clay Vanhart.

At first, the tide of war favored the Talua kingdom, but an unforeseen incident turned everything upside down in an instant.

The commander-in-chief of the Talua kingdom's army, Duke Gale, is assassinated at a banquet.

The culprit is identified as Tedric Eaton, since it's revealed that his servant, Kinzel, poisoned the duke's food.

At that moment, Fabian hears something unexpected from Monet—Kinzel was once a servant of the Deoric family long ago.

Fabian had often sensed something off about Baian Deoric and begins to investigate him. Eventually he discovers that Baian is the true culprit.

In the end, once everything is exposed by Fabian, Baian flees through a secret passage near a valley...

==

The synopsis contained the story to come in the original work and summarized the future that lay ahead.

With this ability, I could surely gain a decisive advantage over others.

Of course, there was no guarantee the future would unfold exactly as it did in the synopsis. After all, the protagonist, Fabian, no longer existed.

However—

'This is enough.'

If I took the place of Fabian and achieved what the protagonist once did—

As long as I could continue the original story, this synopsis would become my absolute weapon.

'And I have to avoid destruction, too.'

My father had said this world would be destroyed now that its protagonist had vanished.

And how that destruction would come, I could roughly guess from other episodes mentioned in the synopsis.

'Well, I should handle the current matter first and think about that after.'

For now, dealing with the task in front of me came first.

It was supposed to be the protagonist's job, but with him gone, someone had to do it in his stead.

The first step had been seeking out Viscount Delmore and acquiring 'certain authorities'.

'The banquet, and Eaton's servant, Kinzel...'

If I recall, there was a likely candidate for the banquet—a gathering Delmore had mentioned just days earlier.

'And the host is Duke Gale himself.'

Morale had dropped sharply in the army as the war with the Kainzel kingdom dragged on.

To counter this, Duke Gale, the commander-in-chief, decided to personally host a banquet.

'The banquet mentioned in the synopsis must be this one.'

There was no way another banquet would be held while the war raged. No doubt, the next one wouldn't be until after the fighting ended.

'Moreover, Kinzel is said to help create the meals for this event, so it's certain.'

Kinzel, servant to Tedric Eaton, was famous for his cooking skills. Sir Eaton often boasted of his servant's capabilities; so much so, no one in the unit was unaware.

It was thanks to this reputation that Kinzel would cook the dish Gale would eat at the banquet.

With all these circumstances lined up, there was no more room for doubt: the incident would occur at this very banquet.

'If I know both the culprit and the murder weapon, it's simple.'

I was lost in these thoughts, reviewing my plan, when Monet approached and asked,

"... Young master."

"Hmm?"

"You're not plotting anything strange, are you?"

Her narrowed eyes made me flinch.

No matter how much I tried to hide it, it seemed there was nothing I could conceal from Monet, who had grown up with me since childhood.

But even if I told her, she likely wouldn't believe it—and worse, she might end up in danger.

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

"Hmm... If you say so. I just thought you've seemed troubled lately."

"Don't worry. I won't do anything dangerous."

Yes, nothing dangerous would happen.

As long as things went as I planned.

* * *

And two days later.

A heavy tension hung over the kitchen, more than on a typical day.

"Hurry up! The duke is coming, so there must be no mistakes!"

Inside the tent, the air was blisteringly hot.

"Hey! Don't just stand there—ah!"

Someone near the entrance bumped my shoulder and called out to me.

The man, having shouted arrogantly, turned pale when he finally realized who I was.

"S-sorry! I didn't realize you were Lord Vanhart."

"No need to worry. Even though I'm here as the supervisor, we're all preparing this together. If there's anything I can help with, feel free to tell me."

"How could I dare...?"

"Really, it's fine."

I patted the tense servant's shoulder and stepped further into the cooking tent.

'I really must thank Viscount Delmore for his help.'

My presence here was under the pretext of supervising the banquet's cooking preparations.

Originally, someone else would have had this role, but Delmore, using his connections, arranged for me to take over.

He had helped with my petty 'request' as if it were his own, so I couldn't be more grateful.

"Where is he...?"

After searching briefly among the bustling servants, I quickly found Kinzel.

==

〈Kinzel〉

Age: 26

Gender: Male

Role in the story: Servant of the Eaton marquis family (Minor character)

Skills: Eastern Cuisine

Notable: As a child, he became a servant of the Deoric family after Baian Deoric saved his life.

Later, upon Baian's recommendation, he became a servant of the Eaton family and earned the trust of Tedric Eaton.

While lying low, he attempts to poison Duke Gale's food on Baian's orders.

He carries a poison disguised as a spice bottle in his right pocket.

==

'Do this in one go.'

There could be no mistakes.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward boldly.

Thump!

CRASH!

"Ugh!"

I slammed hard into Kinzel as he was focused on his cooking.

Kinzel toppled over, and the potatoes and various utensils in the basket went flying, creating instant chaos.

"Wh-what's—huh?!"

Kinzel's eyes widened as he saw me sprawled atop him.

"L-Lord Vanhart!"

"Oof. Sorry, Kinzel. I tried to help but got caught up since I'm not used to this work... Are you hurt anywhere?"

Apologizing with genuine concern, I quickly patted over his body.

Though Kinzel stammered, I spoke even faster.

"Hmm, feels like there's a bump? If you get hurt, it'll be a disaster since you're preparing a dish for the duke himself, you know!"

"N-no, I'm fine."

"Really?"

Seeing Kinzel waving his hands sheepishly, I grinned and got up.

Then, as I returned spilled potatoes to the basket, I said,

"That's a relief then. If you need any help later, let me know anytime."

Kinzel only stared stiffly as I spoke hurriedly, watching me until I finished gathering the potatoes and walked away.

'Piece of cake.'

I grinned, looking at a tiny, shiny spice bottle in the potato basket.

* * *

'W-where did it go?!'

Kinzel frantically patted himself down. The poison bottle he'd had until just minutes ago was gone.

A cold sweat ran down his temple.

If someone mistook it for a spice and put it in other food, the whole plan would be ruined.

'Did it fall off when I crashed a moment ago?'

Suddenly, he recalled the man he had bumped into just as he started cooking.

Clay Vanhart. The heir to the fallen Vanhart count family.

The thought of him made Kinzel grind his teeth.

If it weren't for that guy, none of this would have happened.

'Where could it have gone?'

He looked around to see if it had dropped, but failed to spot it.

"Kinzel?"

Then, a familiar voice sounded from above Kinzel's head as he searched the floor.

"What are you doing down there?"

Looking up, the very culprit stood there—the same one he had bumped into.

'Because of him...'

There was no hard evidence, but Kinzel felt sure the collision was the cause of his trouble.

Still, he was just a servant; he couldn't complain to the child of a noble house.

"I'm just searching for something I misplaced."

As if remembering something, Clay dug into his pocket and produced an item.

"Are you talking about this?"

It was a bottle filled with pitch-black liquid.

Kinzel immediately recognized it as the spice bottle he had lost.

"Y-yes! That's it!"

"I found it in the basket. I must have put it in by mistake when I was gathering the potatoes."

"I-I see. Thank goodness. Phew..."

Clay patted Kinzel on the shoulder, then, out of Kinzel's sight, watched the situation closely.

He didn't turn away until he saw Kinzel furtively sprinkle the bottle's contents into the food.

'Baian Deoric...'

Now, that servant would die as the identified culprit who assassinated Duke Gale.

On top of that, he would try to frame Sir Eaton for orchestrating the whole thing.

'If the story were to follow the original.'

But that would not happen now.

Because what was in that spice bottle had been switched with 'something else'.

'Poetic justice.'

Clay planned to teach that lesson directly to Baian from now on.

* * *

In the wide square, rows of tables stretched out, each covered with a refined arrangement of dishes.

For a battlefield banquet, it looked remarkably grand.

"This war has been prolonged by the petty actions of the Kainzel kingdom. Even though a long war only hurts them, not us. As time goes on, our victory is assured, but the young men are bound to grow weary. That's why I organized this gathering."

The old man bellowing from the stage—

Was none other than Duke Gale, one of Talua kingdom's three grand dukes.

"I hope everyone enjoys this day to the fullest."

As Duke Gale stepped down from the platform, thunderous applause erupted across the banquet hall.

"Young master."

Monet, watching the scene, tugged at my sleeve.

"Why are you not joining the banquet? Isn't this a good opportunity to converse with other nobles?"

"Well, it definitely is a valuable chance."

The old me would have joined in eagerly, since connections were crucial for reviving my family.

Especially, a chance to speak personally with Duke Gale was exceedingly rare.

But now, there was no need.

"After all, relationships are something you build naturally."

"Huh?"

Monet looked confused, probably because my words seemed out of the blue.

Rather than explaining in detail, I simply shifted my attention forward.

It was almost time for a rather entertaining play to begin.