Archive Study

He lowered his cane as he studied Liam. His facial features certainly resemble those of House Maddach…

But the bald head, clean attire, and relaxed demeanor were confusing.

"I am, uh… Liam. Liam Maddach."

"Liam Maddach!?" Von Winsten scoffed. "I know Liam Maddach—a pig!"

He scrutinized Liam's build again.

The mass certainly matched that of the Lord of Gluttony, but Liam Maddach's mannerisms, behavior, and way of conduct had never been like this.

"You've changed your ways after hearing the announcement. Why bother, when it's already too late?"

"Uh…"

"I am Imperial Codexarian of House Maddach, Von Winsten of the Codex Imperialis! I will forget the disrespect you have shown me—for now. Now, greet me properly!" he demanded through gritted teeth.

It was common for each House to have former high-ranking Imperial officials in their service. Though still treated with reverence, these officials ranked below the House Leader.

The Imperial Codexarian, however, was different. He remained an active member of the Codex Imperialis—a current official of the Empire. Even Baron Gorath had to watch his words around Von Winsten.

Sera took a few steps back.

Liam had changed too much, too fast. For him not to retaliate… it was unnatural.

Still, she raised her hands slightly, just in case.

"Uh, I greet the Imperial Codexarian of House Maddach, Von Winsten of the Codex Imperialis," Liam said, mimicking a formal greeting he had seen in a television show back on Earth.

"Now, what do you want?" The Codexarian took a seat, recording the moment in real time.

"I need records—of me."

Von Winsten chuckled, wiping ink from his fingers. "You want to see how history has recorded you before you leave?"

"Yes."

"Don't bother. It's bad. There is nothing to be proud of."

He stood and walked toward the shelves, withdrawing two books.

He dropped them in front of Liam.

"Here. This one is yours. And this one… your future."

'That's it?'

Liam glanced at the books. The first was thin. The second—Winsten's supposed vision of his future—was at least seven times thicker.

He sat at a nearby table and opened the first book.

There were many pages, but the thin India paper made it compact.

He skimmed the first few pages, which detailed his birth and his mother's role as a consort to the Baron.

His mother had passed when he was still young, but even as a child, he had been a big eater.

That was when everything went downhill.

Liam searched for anything—any accomplishment, any redeeming quality—but found nothing.

Even commoner children and servants received formal education, yet Liam Maddach had none. He had been forced to learn to read only because of a mandate from the Baron.

And just when Liam thought it couldn't get any worse—it did.

All servants who had worked under him had suffered abuse.

Some verbal. Some physical.

Among them, Sera's name appeared again and again.

Liam continued flipping through at least a hundred thin pages, and her name was in nearly every instance.

Now, he understood the way she looked at him.

There were too many wrongs to make right.

Lord of Gluttony

Pig

The Disgraced Noble

Unworthy of House Maddach

He sighed.

Even as a hospital-bound patient, Liam Voss had accomplished more and had been liked far more than Liam Maddach.

He closed the book and pushed it aside, disgusted.

I thought I'd been through enough pain in my last life for this not to disturb me…

But holding the name of someone who did all this…?

He grabbed the other book, desperate to wash away the first.

Archive of Lord Stuart Maddach

'How is this supposed to be my future?'

Stuart Maddach had been Baron Gorath's brother. A potential heir.

Liam skimmed through the records, but many details had been redacted—only available in the original codex.

Yet as he neared the end, he saw the same fate befall Stuart Maddach.

Disowned.

He had left the House with wealth, but Imperial taxation was unforgiving to former nobles.

The last sentence of the record read:

"Stuart Maddach, former Lord of House Maddach due to [REDACTED], still lives in poverty to this day. The Imperial Codexarian has deemed him unworthy of further attention. This concludes the record of Stuart Maddach."

The Codexarian's words rang true.

'And this one, your future.'

Liam had thought that, with the wealth in his room, being cast out of House Maddach might not be a death sentence.

But if a former heir—someone raised for nobility—had fallen so low just by losing his title…

What chance did he have?

Liam, who had no experience whatsoever in this life, would surely die.

'I have to stay in this House.'

"But how?" he whispered.

***

Herbert enjoyed the warmth of the sun as he read. He had a long day preparing for the dinner tomorrow.

Everything had to be perfect, after all, the Vox Imperium would be present. 

A sudden thump interrupted his peace.

Reaching for his tea, he saw it vibrate.

He was not alone.

Liam stood at the open doorway, knocking.

'I heard he'd been walking around with a new look… I didn't think they were serious…'

Herbert wondered how Liam's knees could even handle the weight.

"Head Servant, I was told you could help me."

Putting on his usual business smile, Herbert said, "And how may I be of service?"

"I need an advisor—uhm, regarding the House Accords."

"I am not qualified in that regard. You could consult the House Calculor, but he only answers to the Baron."

"Which means I need my own."

'No noble will ever work under you', Herbert thought.

"There are resumes sent to the House. Should I call upon them?" he asked, knowing full well that no noble in their right mind would ever work under the Lord of Gluttony.

Liam didn't hesitate.

"The first person willing gets the job."

He knew no noble would risk tarnishing their reputation by working with him, but in any world, there was always at least one person desperate enough to take the offer.