Chapter 8: I will help you for sure
Ethan replied to the butler's question, "Was there a fire in the palace? When, where, and how?"
The butler said, "Young Master, don't try to change the question. Do you know anything about it? Three people burned to death in the fire, and all three were your guards. Are you saying you really don't know anything?"
Ethan said in surprise, "Then why are you asking me this question? Do you think I started the fire? If you think so, then you're absolutely right—it was my doing."
The butler, shocked, exclaimed, "What?" Ignoring his expression, Ethan continued, "Is that what you wanted to hear from me? Are you out of your mind, old man? I know nothing about this! Why did you even ask me this question?" Ethan glared at him angrily and added, "Know your place!"
The butler said, "Forgive me, young master. I just found it strange that over the years, more than half of your guards have died in various accidents. That's why I asked."
Ethan stared at the butler, thinking, "Exactly, my question is why most of my guards turn out to be killers; otherwise, they'd still be alive." But Ethan didn't voice this thought.
He said, "Forget about that. Quickly make an announcement across the state that I need to hire some personal guards." The butler shook his head and replied, "Absolutely not. Marques will never permit this. It will be quite expensive, and Marques certainly won't agree."
Hearing this, Ethan replied, "Who's asking him? I don't need his permission. I'll handle the expenses myself, okay?"
The butler asked, "But why do you suddenly need personal guards?" Ethan looked at the butler and said, "Honestly, you should know more about this than I do."
The butler, surprised, asked, "Are you really hiring personal guards to prepare them for a duel?" Ethan replied, "Exactly. According to the rules, only those under my command can participate."
Ethan thought to himself, "Winning the competition against my knight is not just difficult but impossible. So, I had to figure something out. And with this plan, I'll kill two birds with one stone—win the competition and hire some trustworthy people."
"And yes, I'll conduct the interviews myself." The butler said, "There's no need for you to trouble yourself. I'll handle the appointments properly."
Ethan laughed and said, "You already work too hard, so there's no need for you to trouble yourself any further. I'll handle this myself."
However, Ethan had something else in mind. He thought, "Last time, you people hired the guards, old man. Why should I pay killers to kill me?"
Taking out a pouch filled with gold coins, Ethan said, "I think this much should be enough for the advertisement. And yes, it must be done as soon as possible."
By the next evening, Ethan went to the garden, where several servants were draining a well together. Everyone was working tirelessly. The garden was covered in water, and the mud had ruined the servants' clothes.
Ethan called four servants from the crowd and said, "Hey, listen." The four came over and said, "Young Master, we're all looking for your ring, but don't forget about our reward."
Ethan laughed hollowly and said, "Reward? Ring? Oh yes, I forgot to tell you all that I had the ring in my pocket and just forgot about it. I thought it had fallen into the well. So, you all emptied the well for no reason, and now you'll have to refill it. Also, fix the mess you made in the garden."
The four servants stared at Ethan in shock. Ethan was about to leave when one of them shouted, "Young Master, what about our reward?" Ethan replied, "What reward? Did I say anything about that?" He walked away after saying this.
He thought to himself, "How dare you talk behind my back about my mother and me?"
After hearing Ethan's words, the four servants wanted nothing more than to throw him into the empty well.
One of the other servants overheard this, slammed his bucket on the ground, and said, "Where are my gold coins?" He grabbed one of the four by the throat.
The nearby servants and maids approached, having heard Ethan's remarks. They began to surround the four. Terrified, the four said, "We don't have any money."
Suddenly, a maid covered in mud hit one of them on the head with her bucket and said, "Look at what you've done to me because of you! We didn't even get a reward, and now we have more work!"
The servants and maids ganged up on the four, beating them so badly that they could barely recognize one another.
A while later, the four were lying on the ground in terrible condition when a man with a thin mustache approached them and said, "You all look worse than dead mosquitoes. I think a few of your bones might be broken."
"But don't worry; I'll cover your medical expenses." The four looked at him as if he were an angel. One of them weakly asked, "Sir, who are you?"
The man introduced himself, saying, "What's the use of knowing my name? I'm from the Donkey Labor Union." Hearing this, the four exclaimed, "We don't need your help!" and tried to run away.
The man grabbed them and said, "But I insist on helping you. Master Ethan's orders." He laughed loudly, and fear was evident on the faces of the four servants.