A Horror Novel’s Supporting Character Wants to Live as a Human

“Stop talking nonsense.”

It’s just a silly dream.

At best, it’s like a precognitive dream.

Even precognitive dreams don’t make sense, but let’s think about it as rationally as possible.

Dreams are essentially the result of human unconsciousness.

Potential thoughts or fantasies that we were not even aware of are drawn during sleep.

Since the castle is old, it is quite possible for the decorations on the walls to fall off.

So maybe I was feeling anxious about it unconsciously. 

It’s likely that I had an absurd dream.

But Arndt completely disregarded what I said.

“No, it’s a revelation. Young master, even the Madam occasionally had such dreams.”

“Madam, you mean Aren… No, mother?”

The word ‘mother’ was unfamiliar to me, so I stuttered for a moment. But Arndt didn’t seem to notice.

“Yes, that’s right. Before the lady married the duke, she made a vow, and she used to receive these revelations quite often.”

“She had a dream like this?”

“Revelation ranges from trivial things to the distant future. It’s not about seeing what you wish to see.”

“Then?”

“It’s simply about seeing what is shown by… that person.”

As I wondered if there was some mysterious setting, Arndt’s unwavering faith ignited a spark within me.

In the original work, the figure who serves as the foundation and origin of Hartman was indeed in a mysterious setting. Although Arndt believed in it so faithfully, there is no mention of who that figure is or what kind of existence they have.

As a result, readers speculated that the figure might be a fake god or a fake friend created by Arndt. Some even suggested that since it is mentioned consistently throughout the year, it could be an important clue. However, to me, it simply felt like an exaggerated and trivial setting.

“I didn’t know that my mother had dreams like this.”

“When operating the Hartman Duchy, the revelations Madam received were of great help.”

“What kind of help specifically?”

“It’s a matter of great significance that I cannot fully comprehend. Ah, you have finally become a true member of Hartman.”

Whether I’m a member of it or not, what’s the point of this nonsense?

I let out a heavy sigh as I looked at the excited Arndt, who was carefully avoiding the matter.

“It could have been useful when the duchy was flourishing. Apart from that, it’s all pointless.”

“That is correct. Revelation always happens by fate…”

“There is no such thing as fate in this world, Arndt.”

Arndt became sullen.

If revelation is truly fate, isn’t it closer to a natural disaster?

If the deceased Duchess’ revelations had not been possible to avoid or change, she would not have said that they were ‘helpful’.

According to Arndt’s explanation, revelations are about glimpsing the future. However, considering the current situation of the Hartman Duchy, where nothing is set in stone, revelations are something that can be avoided and changed.

Even if I dreamed of a sudden fortune, it would be useless unless I acted accordingly.

Well, strictly speaking, that’s true.

“Still, it’s good to be able to prepare for accidents like this.”

“… is it?”

“Yes.”

In the current situation, where we have nothing to eat or live on, such premonitions could be quite helpful.

Who knows?

Perhaps I will dream of a revelation where money pours down like rain.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll just sit around waiting for revelations while wasting time.

“Arndt, is there any paper left in the Duke’s study? I would like you to bring it to the reception room.”

“Understood.”

Arndt hurriedly locked the banquet hall and ran into the study.

I moved towards the reception room, turning my back to him.

But was there any mention in the novel that the Duchess had a premonition?

I’ve read the novel several times, but I can’t remember.

* * *

“How was it today?”

“By afternoon, I had picked out a whole section to repair. It was badly damaged.”

“I suppose so. There would have been a lot of fighting because the opposition was fierce.”

The prey that Leandros had caught was abundant on the dinner table.

One disadvantage of the table is that it solely contains meat.

I used to fantasize about eating meat till my stomach was full when I was younger. But now that I’m in this position, it’s not bringing me any joy.

【In the future, I want to eat a lot of grilled real meat instead of canned tuna.】

… I just thought I was stuffed.

I took a quick bite of the meat that Arndt had sliced for me.

As the hot oil splattered, the strong smell and tough texture of the meat rolled around in my mouth.

“Other than that, I wrote letters in the afternoon. I got some help from Arndt.”

“Letter? May I ask the address?”

“To the vassals.”

To be more specific, to previous Hartman vassals and collateral families.

There was talk of a previous regular banquet where Hartman, at his zenith, welcomed his retainers and the hall was packed with them.

If there were that many vassals, at least one of them might be able to help, right?

At the very least, wouldn’t the surviving sidekicks be able to provide at least a small amount of money?

I should at least attempt for a slim chance.

“Has a response arrived?”

“I sent it when the sky was clear. If they got it, they’re probably still thinking about it.”

Arndt opened and closed his mouth several times, as if he were hesitating to speak.

But he didn’t say anything under Leandros’s stern gaze.

“If a response comes, what do you plan to do?”

“We’ll have to talk about it, won’t we?”

“What if they challenge Hartman?”

“I’ll think about it when the time comes.”

Leandros tells me to keep several possibilities in mind.

To be honest, it feels like everything can be negotiated except for our lives.

But in this medieval fantasy, things don’t always go as expected.

The worst-case scenario would be openly manipulating the young Duke of Hartman, and the better option might be some kind of arranged marriage.

Both options don’t really matter to me, but judging by the expressions on their faces, it seemed like I was the only one who thought it didn’t matter.

“Let’s take a break. We need a break.”

“Yes, once I get the answer, I’ll think about it from then on.”

Arndt agreed and spoke.

They are probably worried that the sick Duke, who collapsed with a nosebleed, will be uncomfortable.

I nodded and sliced the meat apart.

The following day.

“Nothing has come yet, right?”

“Yes, it will take some time to receive the letter. Because there is time to dispatch.”

“How many days will it take?”

“The closest place is probably about three days away. You will receive a full response within a week.”

“I see. It takes quite some time. I’ll have to wait calmly.”

Three days later,

“Any news yet?”

“Oh, maybe it’s because the weather has been bad recently. It will come soon. I’ll see if the postman comes.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”

A week later.

“Has the postman arrived yet?”

“I will go down to the village tomorrow and check.”

“Okay.”

A week and four days later.

“Still no news?”

“Yes…”

So for two weeks, even two weeks later… 

No.

Time had lost its meaning.

I’d spent endless nights waiting for the mail carrier, hoping for a letter or some sort of news. However, it was always in vain. Hartman was being completely ignored.

Deliberately and openly.

As if we were a non-existent family in the first place.

“My lord.”

Arndt, who had been watching me from the courtyard, appeared worried.

Certainly, no matter how low-ranking the nobility, they wouldn’t behave so rudely.

Even a formal response would be considered basic manners, yet they refused.

“Don’t be discouraged, my lord. There must be a reason for it…” 

“I’m not angry.”

“But.”

“It didn’t come.”

It wasn’t just a matter of formalities.

Even in this situation, I wasn’t angry.

That was only natural.

If I were truly ‘Arenheit,’ I would have cried and collapsed, rolling on the floor in despair.

But I wasn’t Arenheit Hartman; I was Yu Ye-Seong.

As an assistant manager for a small business in a corner of Seoul, getting criticized from above, being run over from below, and being ignored when I go to do business is now a daily occurrence.

What’s the point of not getting a reply from people I’ve never seen before?

“I was hoping it would work out, but if it doesn’t, then so be it.”

From the moment I arrived, I felt a strange atmosphere.

Giving the title of duke to a child who has just come of age and attaching only two people who served the former duke to take charge of the territory was odd in itself.

There is no mention of the confiscated property.

Therefore, it was natural for the noble families to still pretend that Hartmann was a traitor.

The royal family’s malice had not come to an end.

“Let’s write one more letter.”

“To whom this time… ”

“To the royal family. We’ll demand the return of the confiscated properties granted to the duke’s family, stating our rights.”

“Is that possible?”

Arndt asked worriedly.

I just smiled.

Arndt,

Original documents are used to exercise rights, but they are also used to retain records.

If you only work in Korea for a year, you will notice a difference.

“Write and send a brief letter with that content. And how about Leandros?”

“He said he would go out to check for traps.”

Although we depended on Leandros for every meal, we couldn’t send our precious manpower out just to hunt.

“If he’s just going for an inspection, he’ll return in the afternoon. Tell him to come to the reception room when he returns.”

“Yes. Alright.”

Arndt bowed and left.

I walked around the empty courtyard for a while before going inside to avoid becoming too cold.

With nothing else to do, I strolled around the reception room. That’s when I heard a knock on the door.

“Your Grace, it’s Leandros.”

“Come in.”

Leandros had taken off the black cloak he always wore.

With his long hair tied up, he looked much less threatening.

How nice to look at it when it’s neat and tidy!

Kids these days seem to drag their baggy pants on the floor. And their hair, all tangled like a mess.

“I heard you called me.”

“… Can’t you continue to do that from now on?”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, never mind. Just sit down for now.”

Leandros looked at me suspiciously and slowly took a seat on the opposite side.

In the dusty air, Arndt stood next to me.

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to share the fact that we haven’t received any responses from other noble families so far.”

“I see.”

“Did you expect that?”

“It’s a presumptuous statement, but yes.”

Direct and to the point.

“Do you have any plans now that we won’t receive assistance from other families? It’s disappointing, but we don’t even have the basic resources.”

“I think the Duke knows the castle’s financial situation better than anyone else.”

“That’s why I came up with a solution. Will you listen?”

“You’re not trying to ask for consent, are you? Please give me your order.”

It was refreshing to have a conversation with someone who understood everything without beating around the bush.

Is this what being straightforward means?

“Yeah, it’s nothing special; I just thought it would be nice to go hunting.”

“When it comes to hunting, I’m doing enough right now. Are you talking about the sale of leather?”

“Leather? If there’s leather, then there must be some.”

Leandros looked at Arndt.

Leandros looked at Arndt, but Arndt had no idea what he was talking about, so his face was full of question marks.

I hinted at those two people.

“Here, there’s a closed hunting ground owned by Hartman.”

Leandros’ eyes widened.

Closed hunting ground.

It might be the cheapest land among Hartman’s lands, but now it has become the most valuable land.

“You know what’s in that hunting ground, don’t you, Your Grace?”

“I know better than anyone else.”

“It’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“Well, naturally.”

Leandros took a deep breath.

“Hartman used to own the closed hunting ground, but we now have no control over it. No one who enters the ‘Land of the Demonic Beasts.’ will survive, Your Grace.”