How to Catch a Big Fish (3)

The next morning.

Leonardo and Vittorio were busy mashing boiled potatoes at one side of the kitchen, pressing them down into a round bowl. They were preparing breakfast for the day. Watching their calm, focused expressions, I couldn't help but let out another yawn.

"Yawn."

"You look tired."

Leonardo, as usual, approached with a fresh and lively face, holding a metal tray of evenly spread mashed potatoes. Where had the person who'd endured that hellish night with me in the cellar gone? Leonardo was back to wearing his health inspector's role like nothing had happened.

"Did you get enough sleep?"

"I stayed up all night in the cellar. I still have some residual fatigue, but I slept well."

The truth was, I hadn't slept a wink.

While I was going over the plans for what's ahead and all the other concerns that were weighing on my mind, the dawn had already crept up on me. Leonardo, suspicious as ever, kept hovering around me, but when I pushed him to go roast some potatoes in the oven, he couldn't resist and backed off.

That's when someone knocked on the back door. Judging by the sound and position, it was one of the street kids. When Vittorio opened the door, a ragged-looking boy with chestnut red hair peered in.

I recognized the kid immediately, as he'd been clinging to Vittorio the first time we'd run into him in the alley. The street kid greeted Vittorio warmly and then ran up to me, saying:

"The one with the bracelet showed up in the alley and left a note. Here."

"Thanks for bringing it. Since you're here, why don't you stay for breakfast? You can play with Vittorio, too."

"Okay!"

The kid joined Vittorio, and the two of them started watching the potatoes cook in the oven, bustling around Leonardo's feet. As they fidgeted, Leonardo's posture became awkward as he tried to keep an eye on the kids.

Watching his clumsy movements, I quietly lowered my gaze to read the letter.

How have you been, my dear brother?

As I mentioned before, I am staying in Sinistra. Recently, I even went hunting with the Baron.

During our hunt, I came across a wolf, and with your birthday approaching, I thought it would be perfect to make a new cloak for you from its pelt.

It was quite a struggle to catch the beast, but I managed to skin it without damaging the fur, and I've sent a small portion of it along. Doesn't it look magnificent?

I hear you'll be spending this birthday at the palace, so I plan to send the gift there.

One of the merchant caravans passing through Sinistra is a client of yours, so I'll have them handle the delivery.

Once the gift arrives, please confirm that you've received it.

It was a letter from Viscount Lopez to his brother, detailing how he had sent the message and what it contained.

"Leonardo."

I called Leonardo over and shared the contents of the letter.

"We've received the Viscount's letter, which means the Count of Bermont will be sending his lackeys soon. Our plan is to intervene along the way."

By providing Leonardo with this information now, I knew that the plan I had been thinking through while sleepless would begin to take shape in the scenario notes.

After reading the letter, Leonardo nodded, and the smell of roasted potatoes filled the kitchen as they browned in the oven. By the time we gathered around to start eating, the smell of the crispy potatoes had already spread.

The mashed potatoes were roasted in the oven, giving them a crispy texture. A light seasoning of salt was all they needed—just biting into them was delicious, with the crunchy outer layer giving way to the fluffy inside.

But of course, I didn't stop there. I dipped the potatoes in the tomato stew that had been reduced to a thick sauce. The long-simmered vegetables had softened and melded together, giving the stew a smooth texture.

Next time, I'd have to be more careful with the portioning when making the stew. How many meals could I get out of it, after all?

I enjoyed my breakfast, listening to the children, the street kid and Vittorio, talking in the background. Finally, I finished off the pot of tomato stew that never seemed to get smaller. It was delicious, but I had a feeling I'd had enough. When I took a sip of cold water to cleanse my palate, words began to hover in front of me.

[Waiting time expired, a new scenario note has been assigned.]

Take 1. Inn (Day/Inside). Leonardo looks towards the direction of the underground waterway. His face is hidden in the shadows.

Leonardo: "(Inner voice, coldly) The Count of Bermont. I know the previous Count, but he was elderly. After his death, the current Count must have inherited the title. …Probably."

Leonardo: "(Sigh) I haven't cared about the workings of the nobility for so long, I don't know anything."

Take 2. Inn (Night/Inside). The Count's lackeys, who have come to recover the body, stay at an inn in Sinistra.

Guest 1: "You all must have come to do business, taking advantage of the night market opening?"

The Count's lackeys exchange secretive glances.

Take 3. Sinistra's Underground Maze, 2nd Floor (Night/Outside). After luring and defeating the Count's lackeys, Leonardo recovers the body of Leovald.

Leonardo: "The key now will be how far the Count is willing to go to risk everything for the body."

Main Characters: Leonardo, Count of Bermont 

Scenario Clear Conditions: [Leonardo successfully recovers Leovald's body. The Count of Bermont's anger level increases. (Minimum required: 250 points)][Viewing personal information]

Rank – Minor Character (Scenario weight: 12.01%)

Role – Suspicious Innkeeper of Sinistra

Script – [Leads the Count's lackeys to the inn.], [Mentions the night market.]

Dialogue – "It's a good night, isn't it? Quite lively."

In this scenario, my role doesn't seem to amount to much. Aside from providing the location, it feels like I don't have much to do. The dialogue or script about the night market seems like a background explanation for the audience.

Sigh, my importance is already in double digits, but when will I be promoted to a supporting role?

Anyway, the night market. Since the Count is sending his subordinates disguised as merchants into Sinistra, it seems like this serves as a good excuse or setup for that. While listening to Vittorio and the street urchin chatter, I also threw in a question now and then.

"The night market will be opening soon. You're not too busy with work, are you?"

"I'm super busy! Especially around the port, where they're setting things up and moving stuff around. It's all chaos!"

The main location for the night market seems to be the port. That's convenient. The entrance to the underground tunnels is in a secluded part near the port, so the bustling atmosphere might help us blend in and make access easier. I can also take this opportunity to move Leovald's body from the underground 2nd floor to a better location.

While chatting with the street urchin about the night market, the kid suddenly looked over at Vittorio and asked,

"But Vittorio, is your leg all healed?"

"Huh?"

"You know, the other kids are starting to look for you."

Hmm. Now that I think about it, the main reason we're protecting Vittorio is because of his injury. The bruise on the kid's knee was nearly gone—just a faint yellow mark left. 

Before I could even open my mouth, Vittorio slowly nodded.

"Well… yeah, I'll need to head back soon. Everyone's waiting for me."

"Really? That's good to hear. Well, I'll let them know. Ah, I've got to get back to work now. Bye, Vittorio!"

The little kid with the chestnut-coloured hair waved his hand as he left.

Vittorio is the leader of his gang. He's got a group, and a life on the streets. I know that, of course, but I've somehow grown fond of him.

I could feel Leonardo glancing at me. He knows that, last night, I added the inn, Leonardo, and Vittorio to the list of things I might lose. 

Vittorio got up. I called out to him.

"Kid."

"Mm?"

"I've been thinking… It's pretty tough to run the inn with just two people. I need another employee, someone smart who can help not just with the inn but also with the information trade."

I crouched down, making eye contact with the kid, and smiled.

"Would you help me out? It'll be late when you finish, but since the business starts in the evening and ends past midnight, you can sleep here at the inn at night and go back to your friends during the day. If you, the leader, are with me, the cooperation between my little workers and my inn will be stronger."

After all, Vittorio is a supporting character. Giving him more significance makes sense and shouldn't be an issue with the script. Instead of keeping him around as the "poor kid I picked up," it would be better to give him a real reason to stay, adding to the plot's richness.

I added more reasons, trying to make my offer sound more appealing.

"What do you think?"

Vittorio hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"It sounds like a good idea…"

Relief washed over me. Before that inner feeling became too obvious, I stood up and clapped my hands.

"Great! Well, from now on, I'll be counting on you!"

"Yeah… I'll do my best."