Restart:Untalented Man-Chapter 474: Reinforce the Estate

Back at the mansion, Dunn removed all traces of their plans to prevent them from falling into Percival's hand.

Due to time constraints, Johann was unable to do it by himself and entrusted it to Dunn instead.

Thanks to his continuous effort, Dunn gained Johann's trust— enough for that old noble to let him stay in his office.

He gathered most documents into a pile and tossed them into the roaring fireplace. The flames hungrily consumed the papers, turning them into ash.

From within Johann's office, Dunn could hear the shouts and the clash of swords growing louder.

Percival's knights were making progress, but he had to trust Johann's men in buying time. After all, their master had a long way to reach the gate.

As for him, he should be fine. It will take some time before the knights rush into this place.

Next, Dunn carefully dismantled maps, removed pins, and threw them into the fire.

He intended to leave nothing behind.

Even hidden compartments were emptied as a precaution.

With the last of the evidence destroyed, Dunn took one final look around the office.

Aside from the pile of ashes in the fireplace, the office looked undisturbed, as if nothing out of the ordinary had ever taken place here.

Satisfied that he had done his job thoroughly, he began to make his way out.

The battle was also concluded.

As expected, Johann's knights were defeated. Some were restrained by Percival's knight, some died in battle and some ran away.

They never stand a chance to begin with.

With the defeat of Johann's knights, a portion of Percival's knights began to breach the mansion while the rest continued chasing after Johann.

The sound of their heavy footsteps reached Dunn's ears, followed by the screams from the servants who remained in the mansion.

Dunn can imagine how chaotic the situation is. He quietly made his escape before it was too late.

He avoided the main hallway, knowing it would be the first place the knights would raid.

Instead, he took the back routes and hidden passages that had been abandoned for years.

Perhaps he might be the only one who knows about it. The passage was covered in vegetation, making it hard to find.

The knights probably had their minds filled with securing evidence right now.

They wouldn't think to check in every nook and cranny. This gave Dunn the advantage he needed.

"You people wouldn't find anything even if you turn the mansion upside down," Dunn muttered before he disappeared.

....

"What? They escaped?" Percival shouted.

Unbelievable. His ears simply couldn't accept what he just heard.

Despite moving his knights hurriedly, the three most wanted men had managed to escape.

Standing on the opposite side, the captain couldn't even look Percival in the face.

He was truly ashamed.

This, without a doubt, will leave a bad mark on his track record.

"Your Grace, they definitely have spies lurking here. If not, how could they know we're coming for them so quickly?" the captain said.

He tried his best effort to justify the reason for his failure.

Percival slammed his fist onto the table, "Spies, you say? Of course, I know that, you dumbass! Why do you think I urged you to arrest them quickly, you incompetent piece of shit?!"

The duke's response struck like a thunder.

The captain, who was visibly scared, didn't dare utter another word anymore.

Percival turned to his butler, who remained calm amid his rage. "Check who's missing among our servants. The one who disappears is most likely a spy."

The butler bowed slightly. "At once, Your Grace."

He left the room with a steady pace, leaving the captain rooted to his spot.

Percival asked again, "Did you find anything in his office?"

"N-No," the captain trembled.

He's well aware that the words he's about to say will made the duke angrier.

"There's nothing. Upon scrutinising the space, we conclude that Sir Johann had ordered everything to be burned. Judging by the temperature of the ashes in the fireplace, we're one step late."

"Fucking useless!" Percival roared. "You can't accomplish a single thing! How hard the task is? Do I ask you to turn a pile of stone into gold?"

The anger that was cooling down rose again.

The captain flinched but remained silent.

He still treasured his head and didn't wish to see it separated from his body.

Meanwhile, Percival paced the room.

Without concrete evidence, how could he justify his action?

The rest of the people in the estate would thought he could raid anyone's house without proper justification.

This would undoubtedly sow the seeds of fear and distrust toward him.

Will they still choose to remain close to him? Aside from a few of his loyal pets, the answer is no.

Moments later, the butler returned with a list in hand.

"Your Grace, this is the list of servants who are currently missing from their posts."

Percival took the list and scanned it.

There were only three names. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Why is this 'Dunn' highlighted?" Percival asked.

"Oh, that's... he's a bit problematic," the butler replied.

"Problematic? How?"

"He is always missing and slacking off," the butler explained.

"Then why don't you fire him?"

"Well...," The butler hesitated before speaking. "His gardening skills are excellent. We feel a bit wasted to dismiss him."

"There's no point in retaining an employee with that attitude. If he doesn't want to work, kick him out. We need someone who does the job. Anyway, don't forget to interrogate them."

The butler bowed, accepting the instruction.

Percival turned his attention to the captain, who stood like a statue in the room.

"I'll give you one more chance. Strengthen the estate's defences immediately. We can't afford any more lapses in security. Double the guards at all entry points and increase patrols."

"Understood, Your Grace."

"Also, begin conscripting people from the surrounding areas. We need more manpower. Make sure they're properly trained."

Knowing Johann's goal, that old man will definitely return here to fight him.