[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 143: Elder brother, You’re Making a Big Mistake
I found a spot in the corner of the banquet hall, which was still being prepared, and sat down.
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“Peter, look at that.”
Eyes from the servants were pouring in from all directions.
“Remember? Last time, they were avoiding me like the plague, trying not to get involved.”
“Yeah.”
Peter chuckled.
“They were probably afraid of getting on the bad side of the other siblings, right?”
“Exactly. But now? They’re all desperate to catch my eye, to get in my good graces.”
And that wasn’t all.
“Oh my, he’s so handsome.”
“It’s like a statue has come to life and started talking…”
“I think I just fell in love.”
“Ah, my young master on a white horse…”
“Technically, he’s a young master, not a king.”
“Quiet.”
Thanks to my heightened senses, which had developed far beyond what they used to be, I could hear the maids whispering as if they were right next to me.
“Maybe he’s here to save my life?”
“Even if he’s here to ruin it, I’m fine with that.”
“You’ve all been reading too many romance novels.”
“Girls, stop chattering and get back to work.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I listened quietly to their conversation before turning to Peter.
“Peter, do you feel the maids’ gazes lingering on me?”
“Of course.”
“Then from now on, when you look in the mirror, don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re even close to my level. This is what it’s like to be truly handsome.”
“You’re really too much.”
Meanwhile, something else that captivated my senses as much as my hearing was the tantalizing aroma of the food.
“The smell is even better than last time, isn’t it?”
“It should be.”
Olivier chimed in.
“Since His Grace the Duke is hosting this banquet personally, it’s only natural that the finest ingredients and dishes have been prepared.”
Large fish, shellfish, oysters, and various dishes seasoned with spices and butter delighted my eyes and nose.
“Can I just have one bite?”
“It’s not a problem, but at least maintain some decorum…”
“No one’s watching, so who cares?”
Just then, the sound of music began to tickle my ears. The orchestra, larger than last time, was busy setting up and tuning their instruments. The conductor was already sweating.
“They’re not going to execute him if he messes up, are they?”
“Of course not.”
“That guy looks way too nervous.”
“It’s probably because of the weight of the Black Serpent Duke’s name.”
Jeffrey smirked. Come to think of it, my father’s epithet was the Black Serpent Duke.
[Tl/N- Black Fog→ Black Serpent]
‘It’s cool.’
The Black Serpent Duke, Georg Grunewald.
…And the Black Serpent Duke, Allenvert Grunewald?
Hmm. Both have a nice ring to it.
‘Can I inherit the title too?’
Lost in thought, I turned to Olivier and asked, “This banquet hall—couldn’t it also be used as a social gathering place for nobles?”
“Of course, it’s used for that purpose as well.”
I pressed further. “Then why haven’t I seen any such gatherings since I woke up?”
“Actually, there’s a big festival coming up in a few months. Nobles and merchants from all over the Kingdom of Litvaleur will gather here.”
“Oh, so that’ll be my debutante, then?”
“Exactly.”
“Great.”
The stage is set for me, young master Allenvert, to showcase my beauty to the social tiers.
‘Attention. I crave attention.’
Having lived most of my life with a rugged face, I sometimes feel a deep hunger for attention, and now is one of those times.
‘…By the way.’
Watching dozens of servants bustling about, dozens of musicians tuning their instruments, and dozens of guards inspecting the formation, I was once again struck by the weight of this occasion.
Just how significant are the weight and privilege of being a direct descendant of the Grunewald Ducal clan?
‘Well, it is a gathering of all the direct descendants.’
Except for one person—my mother, Lusatia Grunewald.
‘…This is the last time.’
Attending a banquet without my mother.
‘I’ll bring her out of that cave.’
I understand her pain.
She had to helplessly watch as her entire family and clan were slaughtered, while her partner not only allowed it but even profited from it.
‘I wouldn’t have been able to stay sane if I’d gone through that.’
So, what must Lusatia Grunewald have felt, living through seven years of that?
‘Of course, even if I get my father’s permission today, I won’t be able to see her tomorrow.’
If it were that easy, she wouldn’t have secluded herself for seven years.
‘Is she even aware of my existence? Or has her time stopped seven years ago, completely cut off from the outside world?’
There’s no way to know.
“Young master, young master Barclava has arrived.”
Peter’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked up.
“Oh, he’s here?”
“…You’re early.”
“The ones with no clout are supposed to arrive first.”
I pointed at Barclava.
“I heard you’ve been sticking close to the Royal Guards. Looks like you’ve gained a bit of social skills.”
Barclava glared at me.
“Are you saying I lacked social skills before?”
“Look at him, glaring at his older brother. Is this how a proper young master behaves?”
“…Ugh.”
Barclava shook his head as if to say, “Let’s not argue,” and naturally sat down next to me.
“Why are you sitting here?”
“Should I sit far away by myself?”
“You should save a seat for our respected elder brother, Verdzig.”
“We’re sitting in order of precedence anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Oh? That sounded almost like a proper young master.”
In any case, I didn’t stop Barclava from sitting next to me. I distinctly remember him crouching next to his mother and brother last time, but—
Given the change in his attitude recently, I guessed there had been some shift in his mindset.
‘Maybe I can pull him to my side?’
Though he still has a long way to go before he’s fully on board.
“How’s your training going lately?”
Barclava hesitated before answering.
“…Breaking through to the 4th-tier isn’t easy.”
“Of course not.”
I nodded.
“But it’s not like you’re lacking in mana given how many spirit medicines have you gobbled up? Right?”
Barclava grimaced.
“Do you have to say ‘gobbled’ every time?”
“You’re criticizing my choice of words? What did you say to me last time?”
“…”
Barclava clamped his mouth shut.
‘Of course, if we’re counting insults, he dished out way more than I did back then.’
Anyway, I decided to impart some wisdom to Barclava.
“In short, to break through a tier, you need a proper balance of body, energy, and spirit.”
I picked up a luxurious bowl with three legs.
“Right now, you’re like this bowl—one leg is too long, another is too short, so it’s unbalanced. If you pour water into it, it’ll just tip over.”
“…I know.”
Barclava’s expression darkened.
“Then the solution is simple. You have enough energy, so you need to train your body and spirit.”
In the end, his challenge was obvious.
“Keep training your body like you’ve been doing, and delve deeper into the principles and logic of the martial arts you’re learning. You don’t need to keep consuming spirit medicines.”
“…So, I just need to keep doing what I’m doing?”
“Yes. Did you think there was some secret technique? There isn’t.”
Of course, from Barclava’s perspective, watching my absurd progress must have been frustrating.
But what can I do? I was already a genius to begin with, and now I have Karzan’s experience on top of that. Everyone starts from a different place, and that’s something you have to accept first.
“Moving forward without doubt is the path to strength.”
Even I have to admit, that sounded a bit like something an older brother would say.
But isn’t it human nature to want to offer even a small piece of advice to someone who’s struggling and working hard? This is only because Barclava has shown some signs of improvement. If it were someone like Somerset—
“Young master! Young master Somerset has arrived!”
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
‘Look at him.’
His face looks like he’s chewing on something bitter.
Not to mention, his face looks much worse than the last time I saw him. His skin is rougher, and his eyes are dull and unfocused.
‘He looks like some drunk or drugged-up thug from the underworld.’
“Third brother, welcome.”
I casually raised my hand in greeting.
“…”
But Somerset seemed extremely uncomfortable. Instead of cursing at me like last time, he clenched his teeth and ignored me.
“Oh? This is awkward. I feel so lonely. I didn’t think the bond between us brothers would grow so cold.”
Somerset sighed and retorted.
“Since when were we ever close enough for you to act so familiar?”
“Well, you know, I’ve visited your residence, and you even gifted me potion…”
“Shut up.”
He was already on edge because of the mess I caused him last time, and now that I brought it up, his irritation seemed to spike.
But I’m not the type to shut up just because someone tells me to.
“My, my, such harsh words.”
“What did you say?”
“I’m here treating you with the respect due to an older brother, and yet you’re being so rude?”
Compare that to Barclava. He still refuses to call me “brother,” that brat.
“You really should show a little more respect to your younger brother.”
“I have no intention of doing that, so stop bothering me—”
I cut him off with a pointed question.
“Why? Is something bothering you lately?”
“You little—”
The anger in Somerset’s expression spoke volumes.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Nonsense, huh? Well, I’ve been hearing a lot of nonsense lately. Rumors about you sneaking out at night to hang out with trash in the back alleys…”
“You little brat, do you have a death wish?”
Somerset’s killing intent flared up. But to me, it felt like nothing more than a gentle breeze ruffling my hair.
‘This guy’s really fallen apart.’
Before, he at least tried to hold back his provocations, but now he’s ready to explode at the slightest touch.
‘Or maybe I just hit a nerve.’
Either way, the killing intent he’s radiating is almost cute.
‘Now I see your level clearly.’
Somerset’s strength is roughly mid-5th tier. What does that mean?
‘I could beat him even now.’
Moreover, in his current mental state, there’s no way he can fight at his full strength.
“Last warning. I’m not in the mood to talk to you right now, so if you know what’s good for you…”
“I don’t see why you’d be in a bad mood at such a glorious occasion to see our father.”
I chuckled.
“Well, suit yourself. I guess your rebellious phase came late.”
It wasn’t even that offensive, but Somerset’s eyes turned bloodshot.
“You little bastard!”
Before Somerset could swing his fist, I moved first.
“?!”
I grabbed his wrist, stopping his punch mid-air. Somerset looked at me in shock.
‘He can’t even hide his intentions.’
From his expression to his body language, he was practically shouting, ‘I’m going to hit you with my right fist now.’ If I just let him hit me, wouldn’t that make me the idiot?
“Elder brother, you’re making a big mistake.”
I tightened my grip on Somerset’s wrist and spoke.
“What do you think will happen if I get hit here?”
Somerset, now furious beyond belief, retorted.
“What does it matter if a lowly half-blood like you gets hit?”
“Wow, that’s harsh.”
“Did you just curse at me?”
“Not the kind of language you should use after insulting my mother.”
“You little—!”
Somerset, now completely enraged, tried to pull his wrist free and swung a left hook at my face.
Whoosh!
But I had already read his movements and dodged effortlessly.
‘Pathetic. He’s so easily provoked that he doesn’t even hesitate to throw punches.’
I couldn’t help but feel a bit amused as I dodged his clumsy attacks.
“You threw the first punch, brother.”
I kept talking, attacking his psyche.
“And I even tried to stop you. Doesn’t that count as self-defense? Legally and logically, it’s the only conclusion, right?”
“Shut up!”
Wow, even I found myself annoying just now. While admiring my own audacity, I continued to dodge his punches like a butterfly.
His punches might have contained the essence of the Grunewald’s martial arts, but it all depends on the user.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.”
The sound of dodging is always soothing.
Using the principles of the Scarlet Cloud Ghost Path Technique, I dodged his punches and then lightly struck his ribs.
“Ugh!”
Somerset, his breath disrupted, staggered back. Even I had to admit it was a perfect counter.
“Oops, my bad.”
But he’s overreacting. That punch didn’t even have any mana behind it.
“Elder brother’s body is so soft. Have you been neglecting your training? I guess the rumors about you drinking all the time are true—”
“I said shut up, Allenvert.”
Despite his anger, Somerset’s expression calmed down a bit. He must have realized how ridiculous he looked, swinging and missing in front of everyone.
“If you’re going to do this, draw your sword. Today, I’ll teach you a lesson for that insolent mouth of yours…”
Who said you could?
I turned my back as I felt a familiar presence approaching.
“Sister, it’s good to see you.”
“?!”
From a distance, Ulbhild was walking toward us with an angry expression.
“What are you doing in the sacred banquet hall?”
“S-sister.”
Somerset’s face, which had been red with rage, instantly turned pale.
‘Tsk tsk, what an idiot.’
Ulbhild had been watching this fight from the beginning. The fact that Somerset didn’t even notice shows how lacking his senses are.
“Sister, I’m sorry.”
I quickly ran up to Ulbhild and bowed my head.
“Brother Somerset suddenly got angry and started swinging his fists. I tried to stop him, but…”
Remember this. This is how you provoke someone and then play the victim.
“You shameless brat.”
Somerset cursed under his breath, but Ulbhild was on my side.
“Somerset, explain yourself. What is the meaning of this?”
At Ulbhild’s cold voice, Somerset shrank back.
I hid behind Ulbhild and flashed a triumphant smile. Hmm, even I have to admit, that was a bit cheeky.
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]