Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 183 - Evo (IF) Side Story Chapter 3

Of course, the Duke was no fool.

He had long realized that Evo had recently torn pages from the Vibon, and that he was hiding something beneath the surface.

Once the arrangements to avoid the Imperial Family’s eyes and head to the northern three strongholds were underway, the Duke summoned Evo.

He was now ready to uncover the boy’s true intent.

“I know there is something you want from me. Speak now of your true desire.”

“Edric Denkart.”

At the sudden mention of his son’s name, Alexis raised a brow.

“I would like you to bring the young master, who is to become Denkart’s heir. I want to win his trust—completely.”

So, it was power after all.

But in any case, it wasn’t a bad deal for Alexis. It would take time for his son to become the heir, and if needed, Evo could simply be discarded after use.

Without hesitation, Alexis brought Edric and his mother to the capital.

Naturally, the retainers argued over the decision to bring a boy who could barely stand on his own.

In response, Alexis stated that he would observe Edric’s recovery for one year before deciding whether to keep him in the capital or send him to the territory.

“…Mother.”

When Edric arrived in the capital with his mother, Evo was shocked at how different he was from his memory.

The Edric he had first seen had also been thin, but not to this extent—he looked utterly frail.

And those anxious green eyes that trembled so easily.

‘……’

Evo was once again amazed to realize that it had been Lobel who had transformed this boy into the Edric he remembered.

Still, he showed nothing on the outside.

There was no need to say anything when the other didn’t remember the past. In fact, he couldn’t even be certain this was truly the past.

One scholarly paper from the Magic Tower had claimed there were parallel worlds separate from this one.

But with the tower long fallen, no one believed such things. Evo had no way of knowing if it was true.

And it didn’t matter.

What mattered was that, in whatever form, he had met Lobel again—and he wanted to make sure she wouldn’t suffer.

‘Lobel once said that for her to heal, the young master must also be healthy.’

Evo worked harder than anyone for Edric’s recovery.

He personally spent money to replace the fake medicine likely given by the Duchess with the real thing, and he brought in proper physicians.

The aides, who had witnessed Evo’s accomplishments firsthand, conveniently claimed credit for it themselves. But that didn’t bother him—none could fault him for anything.

Thanks to that, Edric could focus on recovering. He never skipped rehabilitation and gradually began to improve.

During this time, Alexis rewarded Evo for his many achievements with a seat in Elcatan. His talent as a merchant had been recognized.

As the sub-leader of Elcatan, Evo began bringing the trading companies of Velican under its umbrella.

“We need many hands to deliver the resources from the three northern strongholds. Velican has many trading companies with long-standing traditions. They’ll be very helpful.”

To Evo’s proposal, the Duke responded in his usual detached tone:

“Proceed.”

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

“At last… I can finally see Lobelia.”

Evo was overwhelmed with emotion as he rode in the carriage headed to Velican.

He had endured and accomplished countless things over more than four years in this world—unsure whether it was a dream, reality, or an illusion.

Looking back now, it was all too much—no, downright impossible.

He had made it through solely with the desire to meet Lobel again.

‘…Ha.’

Even the two aides who had initially doubted him had opened their minds and hearts.

If not for them, perhaps he would have met Lobel even later.

Of course, Evo would’ve found a way to move things along faster, one way or another.

‘…The young master has recovered. Now all that’s left is for Lobel to heal.’

Lobel.

Just thinking of those two syllables made his heart race as if it might burst.

Upon arriving in Velican, Evo kept a composed demeanor.

Rather than heading straight to the Flor Trading Company, he first visited the largest and most influential companies in Velican.

If he treated Flor as special from the start, Alexis Denkart might someday use them as Evo’s weakness.

“Welcome, sir of Elcatan!”

Having already been notified of Elcatan’s visit, the merchants welcomed Evo warmly.

Taller than his peers and standing between boyhood and youth, Evo’s calm expression made him look like a young man who had just come of age.

It helped that he had taken extra care in dressing neatly today.

Receiving the warm welcome of the merchant leaders, Evo began inspecting each company’s goods one by one.

As Velican was a vast urban area, there were hundreds of trading companies, both large and small. It wasn’t something he could finish in a single day.

So, staying at an inn, Evo couldn’t contain his restlessness and looked for a pipe to smoke.

As he stepped out onto the terrace and brought it to his lips, he froze and dropped it to the ground.

‘…Lobel?’

Even in the dark, two figures shimmered with light.

They were dressed in long robes.

One of them was uncertain, but the other—though her hood was drawn—had hair that could only belong to Lobel.

There was no one else in the world with hair that shone like that.

Evo instinctively wiped his face and nearly leaned out over the railing.

‘…Why is she here?’

He tried to stay calm rather than fall into false hope.

Given that this visit was under the name of Elcatan, Lobel likely wouldn’t know he was here.

But that assumption was soon proven wrong.

“Lobelia. Can we just go back now? I’m sleepy.”

“Brother, this is too weird. Why would someone from Elcatan randomly come to Velican?”

When he heard the words ‘Are we getting scammed?’ Evo let out a dry chuckle.

‘She… really thinks I’m some kind of con artist.’

Lobel calmly examined the carriage and crest with her older brother, then quietly turned back.

Watching from the shadows, Evo let out a groan-like sigh and slid down the wall, sitting.

‘…Looks like I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.’

Resting his forehead on his knee, a soft laugh escaped.

This too—was so like Lobel.

He realized again that their first meeting would never go as expected.

After staying up all night, he went out to resume his schedule at dawn—and finally, Evo encountered Lobel face-to-face.

He spotted her and Rober standing beside the head of the Flor Trading Company, and couldn’t help but part his lips in admiration.

‘She was this lovely even as a child…’

The only time he had seen her in a dress before was when she helped the young master practice ballroom dancing, and when he found out her secret as he reached adulthood.

So this was his first time seeing young Lobel in a dress.

A clichéd comparison, but she looked like a silver fairy. If he stared too long, he felt like he might go blind.

Then—Lobel saw him too.

She blinked in surprise and quickly tried to compose herself.

Just as he expected.

From that reaction alone, Evo was certain of one thing.

‘…You knew about me even before we met, didn’t you?’

He had once thought it strange when Lobel referred to him as “Teacher” with that odd nickname.

Reflecting on how she had given him her full trust while they lived together, he had suspected she already knew something about him.

‘If that’s true… how did you come to know about me?’

Even while exchanging greetings with the merchant leader, Evo was lost in thought—and realized something else.

She clearly didn’t have the same memories as he did.

The Lobel he remembered would’ve smiled brightly the moment she saw him.

She wouldn’t have worn such a flustered and awkward expression.

After finishing his greetings with the head of the Flor Company, Evo finally turned his attention to Lobel.

And he smiled gently. A warm, likable smile.

Only two people had ever disliked that smile—Edric Denkart and Manellano Stell.

“Greetings.”

“…Hello?”

Lobel returned the greeting despite clearly thinking, ‘Why is he here? How?’

Was it impossible for her to regain her memories?

If so, he wished he had made that his wish instead. No—was this even real in the first place?

Though plagued by such thoughts, Evo gave no outward sign. He replied smoothly:

“I’m Evo Martin, vice-leader of Elcatan. And you are?”

“…I’m Lobelia Flor. Second daughter of the Flor Trading Company.”

“She’s our second child, but in terms of skill, you could say she’s our number one.”

“Indeed! No one compares to Lobelia. She may be young, but we have high hopes for her, haha!”

“She’s essentially the heir to Flor.”

No sooner had Lobel introduced herself than her parents began to proudly brag about her.

She gave them a look that clearly said, “Mom, Dad! You can’t just say that stuff here!”

Suppressing a laugh, Evo continued.

“I look forward to working with you, Lobelia Flor. Then you must know your way around the company quite well.”

“…I—I wouldn’t say I don’t. Not just me, of course—everyone in Flor is highly capable.”

Her devotion to the company hadn’t changed, past or present.

Shaking off her earlier fluster, Lobel quickly responded with enthusiasm.

Evo smiled gently again, hiding the strange mix of regret, sadness, and joy within him.

Then—she seemed to make up her mind and spoke.

“If there’s anything you’re curious about, feel free to ask! Most of the leather in Velican is imported from Lissen, but we take extra care with storage. Flor has its own special methods!”

“I believe what I’ve been searching for all this time… is right here.”

Evo gave a faint smile and steadied his low voice.

“In that case, would you do me the honor… of guiding me yourself?”