The Medieval-Modern Man with a Gamer Mindset

8. All Tickets Sold Out

There’s one fact that people surprisingly fail to realize.

It’s that insulting others is not so easy. When the stage is set, they tend to turn away. Why does this happen? After much contemplation and salary theft at the company, I came to my own conclusion.

Insulting someone when you’re alone is no big deal. But when you’re with others, it becomes a problem. The listener might have different thoughts and run off to tattle to the insulted person.

What if you did this to someone of higher status than yourself? Your life becomes harder. Especially in a class society, your life could end before it even gets tough.

Therefore, to freely insult someone, a strong consensus is needed that encompasses a wide range of ages and status differences. Only then will the voices opposing my expulsion disappear, even if reluctantly.

That’s why I shattered the glass bottles filled with wine or honey with a single swing. To instill the perception that I could smash even expensive things if they irked me. That was the intention.

But if you suddenly break a glass bottle in madness, you’re not a rascal but a lunatic. I glared with bulging eyes at the servants who covered their mouths and faces with both hands, gasping for breath.

“I ordered entertainment for my amusement.”

“I, I’ve prepared it with all my might.”

Then, a clueless servant spoke up at just the right time. Overcoming fear with a surge of injustice. However, this was not the attitude to show to someone who was ready to scold without reason.

“Who asked you to prepare such a thing!”

It’s important to act frustrated, thumping your chest. I actually pounded my chest and pointed fingers at the servants. But the wall of talent was too high. Who would be nervous about a mere twelve-year-old acting like this?

Ah… If I were truly mad, I would have subdued them all with a fierce glare. No choice. Those who lack must speak more. Humbly recognizing my insufficient talent, I glanced around.

As someone who wasn’t a genius rascal, I had no choice but to ruminate on my experiences.

“So, there’s a rumor that I’m going to the monastery! Instead of shedding tears or feeling sorry, you seem eager to send me off, preparing all these items? Despite making difficult and finicky requests!”

“Yo, Young Master. We didn’t intend that.”

“Then! How did you get these items in just a week! I haven’t caught or held back anyone, so why should I believe what you say!!!”

It’s a story I experienced during a company dinner.

After running through three rounds, the drunk manager shook off all hands and decided to call a cab. Innocent and naive, I took his words seriously and called the driver.

Without knowing what would happen the next day.

“Heh, I was startled to see a stranger holding my car’s steering wheel.”

Some say you should decline three times to save face. Accepting an offer too readily appears greedy. And our manager, who valued face, needed to decline twelve times…

Yes. From the beginning, the demand for hard-to-find items was all for this buildup. Our department head, though he takes care of his subordinates, made sure we were fed, but I am different.

Choosing only the craziest tasks, this guy doesn’t take care of us and even acts haughty. This was another method I pursued after realizing how difficult and exhausting it is to surpass medieval people with brute force.

It was indeed a rascal’s deed that leaped over the gap between the medieval otherworld and modern Earth’s civilization. I glared with veins popping in my eyes, pointing accusingly with my index finger.

One by one, meeting their gazes straight on.

“You say you brought these items out of loyalty? Good. I’ve seen your loyalty, very impressive! Such devoted people would always want to stay by my side!”

Fortunately, this time too, there was no servant foolish enough to act up. It’s normal to fear that saying ‘no’ would lead to something very unpleasant. One tried to speak up like a gasping goldfish, but it ended as a meaningless attempt.

I saw someone pinch the thigh of the one who opened his mouth with all their might, stopping him before he could make a sound. I let it pass. Thinking in line with my rascal concept, I continued.

“That request you couldn’t voice, I will certainly grant it. From today, you are exclusively mine, always by my side.”

“Your Highness, I have laundry piled up in the castle…”

“Oh, is that so? Then I shall stay by your side as you do the laundry. My loyalty will surely help you with your work, won’t it?”

“…”

A quick-witted maid looked for an escape, but to no avail. She paled, pressing her lips tightly and stealthily averted her gaze. She would later gain fame as the summoner who brought the prince to the laundry site.

But as a modern person with excellent empathy and understanding, I fully understand. Being swept away by such unreasonable demands and unable to complete their assigned tasks would be against their professional ethics.

It was my coercion, so it’s only right that I make time for the servants. I brushed off the feigned anger from moments ago and smiled as brightly as possible.

“Others must have work to do too, but they can’t say it because of the mood. Rest assured. I will consider your schedules and stay by your side without hindering your work.”

“….”

“There must have been some misunderstanding since we didn’t talk. But of course, you loyal ones wouldn’t do that. I’ll have to walk a bit, but it’s for you, so I’ll bear it! hahahaha!”

I forced a hearty laugh, thinking it was time to laugh, but there was no response. I stopped laughing in surprise and looked around at the servants. Sure enough, they were all pale as if they had just breathed their last.

I couldn’t help but feel pity as I saw them lose their laughter.

“You’ve all lost your laughter.”

“That, that’s because.”

“The events inside the castle were quite shocking…”

Watching the servants, who had been silent, start to speak up one by one, I nodded involuntarily. Indeed, it was understandable. What joy could there be under this dreary, gray brick pile?

They had lost their laughter, always crushed by hard work.

But fortunately, I had thought of a very innovative solution for them.

“Alright. Let’s suggest to father to prepare even a small bell.”

“A bell… sir?”

“Yes!”

Ah, do these uncivilized medieval people not know-.

The essence of wisdom built by modern civilization.

“Shouldn’t we just laugh whenever we hear the bell ring in the future?”

They’re talking about the ‘laughter bell’.

***

My all-out effort in playing the fool had an enormous ripple effect throughout the castle.

Leading the servants in a procession through the corridors, it was impossible not to be noticed. And with the incident in my room spreading, the act of deliberately smashing the glass bottles seemed worthwhile.

Especially since the servants, having heard the rumors, often missed footsteps due to their heated conversations. Their exclamations let me gauge my reputation.

But not all the talk was bad.

“The young master has gone mad! Have you heard?!”

“I have. They say we must laugh every time the bell rings, right? What a world.”

“That’s not all. The terrifying part is that he lies flat on his back and shakes the bell until he’s rolling on the floor laughing. He doesn’t go anywhere, just stares blankly and keeps ringing…!”

“Good heavens!!!”

Among the people, the story of the laughter revolution I caused was more widespread than the tale of the broken glass bottles. Surely, for the medieval folks, it must have felt like their worldview was shattering.

But I am a modern person from an advanced civilization. I have no obligations, but I do have the goodwill to improve their lives. Now, I was a laughter missionary for those living through harsh times.

The sound came from around the bend in the corridor.

As I appeared, the expressions of those who had been talking seriously just moments before hardened in an instant. The only exception was one servant who hadn’t seen me because he was turned away. He sighed, reminiscing about the past.

“I can guess why the young master is doing this…”

“…”

“What’s with everyone?”

“Yo, young master.”

“What?”

I steeled myself with a solemn resolve, my hand reaching into my bosom. It was time for the laughter missionary to bring joy to the grey world.

Jingle jingle.

Moments later, I headed back to my room, leaving behind the servants rolling on the ground, laughing heartily. It was a truly fulfilling task. I wondered if my daily routine could be this gratifying.

But as they say, where there’s a meeting, there must be parting, and it was time for the loyal servants to return to reality from their joyful time. It was regrettable and sad, but the moment had come to part with our faithful servants, even if just for a while.

I stopped in front of my room and looked around at the servants. Surely, because they’ve been laughing more often lately, the corners of their mouths were turned up. A small but significant change that I had initiated. I felt a surge of emotion and secretly wiped away a tear.

“Lately, everyone’s laughter has increased.”

“That’s true, young master!”

“It’s all thanks to you, young master!”

Look at their neck veins bulging as if they’re gritting their teeth. Here was the proof that they had regained their energy. I almost joined in their laughter, influenced by the positive effects of laughter therapy.

“How could I have doubted your loyalty? I am ashamed of myself. I’ve been too harsh on you.”

“Master…”

“No, Master!”

I’m glad everyone laughed along with my foolish antics. It must have been tough to play along. In the warm atmosphere, I resolved to give them ample opportunities.

“I shall give you an opportunity. I am recruiting servants to accompany me to the monastery.”

“”….””

“Take your time to think it over. You don’t have to answer right away. Everyone has their own tasks, so feel free to leave. If it’s tough, come back. I’ll make sure to bring a smile to your face again.”

“No, thank you, Master!”

The servants, energized by laughter, scattered like arrows. The crowd, easily numbering in the dozens, emptied out. That’s when my door swung open on its own.

Edwina glanced around the deserted corridor a few times before looking at me with a stoic expression.

“Master. I trust you haven’t lost your mind.”

As a devoted maid, she knows how to flatter her lord well. But such blind praise, though pleasant to hear, was too embarrassing. I waved my hands, cutting off Edwina’s flattery.

“Don’t praise me too much. I’m well aware of my shortcomings. Even if I acted the fool, to others, it might have seemed clumsy and somehow kind. It’s a role that inherently doesn’t suit me.”

“…”

Edwina chose to remain silent and avert her gaze slightly. I regretted it instantly. Perhaps I had been too harsh in cutting off her flattery. Yes, if Edwina felt it was genuine, that was enough.

Only after entering my room and flinging off my top could I finally feel satisfied.

“Anyway, thanks to you, I’ve bought a lot of time. Father will be calling for me soon.”

“Actually, someone came looking for you before you arrived, Master. They left a message to visit the office when you have time.”

“Oh.”

It’s time to get dressed again. A noble is a lonely being who can’t wander around his own house in just his underwear. I had to regain the dignity of a noble.

“But Edwina.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Why do you cover your eyes with your hand but spread your fingers apart?”

“…To prevent sweat on my hands.”

Well, if the nobility won’t nag me about dressing properly, that’s fine. I straightened my clothes and stood confidently in front of the door.

“Let’s go, Edwina. It’s time to see Father.”

***

Anyone could easily guess from my clumsy and inadequate acting, but my foolish performance wasn’t just to seek a reason to be disowned.

The act of playing the fool to draw attention was a move to buy time for Prince Aeselton. It was part of a plan to completely thwart the conspiracy hatched by Yubas and seize control.

As the sun set, Prince Aeselton’s office was bathed in the crimson glow of twilight. That alone changed the atmosphere. Of course, it might also be due to the figure standing behind Prince Aeselton.

The man had a gloomy appearance, with curly hair like wet seaweed covering his forehead and a bristly beard. The only thing that stood out in his reclusive demeanor was his gaze.

Eyes smoldering with a heat veiled like a flickering candle flame gazed at me. Just as I had scrutinized him. The Prince of Aeselton, noticing our exchange of looks, mediated between us.

“This is the intelligence officer, Obert, who led this search. He’s also a vassal who has highly regarded your opinion.”

It seems there was another reason they took the opinion of a twelve-year-old child seriously. Obert, still young, showed me an abundance of courtesy with a bow.

“…Pleased to meet you, my lord.”

“Thank you, Sir Obert. It’s hard to hide my joy at your generosity for considering the little one’s conjectures.”

“…No, it’s not that. …The concerns of the lord were also possibilities I had considered, albeit vaguely. I just lacked a concrete method, so it remained a guess. …I never imagined they would resort to such vile trickery.”

That was enough of the pleasantries. Obert silently looked at the Prince of Aeselton. Only after the prince nodded did Obert begin to explain the detailed situation.

“…Thanks to the lord stalling for time, we were able to secretly inspect the servants’ quarters.”

Obert pulled out a bulging purse from within his clothes. It was a pouch with visible stitching marks.

“These are the dubious gold coins we secured.”

It was as if all the tickets to prison for our servants had sold out.