[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 144: The Mad Dog and the Mad Archmage
“Sister, there’s been a misunderstanding.”
As Somerset began to spew excuses from the start, Ulbhild tilted her head slightly.
“I misunderstood?”
“Ah, what I mean is that Allenvert is deliberately trying to mislead—”
“Don’t even think about lying.”
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No matter how unruly Somerset had been lately, in front of Ulbhild, who was both stronger and held a higher position, he was still like a mouse before a cat.
“So, there was a bit of an argument at first. His tone was so disrespectful that while I was trying to correct him, I ended up giving him a bit of a rough lesson…”
While he tried to downplay it as if it were nothing, I decided to stir the pot a little.
“You throw punches over a little argument? If other nobles found out, they’d point fingers at you.”
“You shut up.”
As Somerset growled, I hid further behind Ulbhild and scolded him sternly.
“Brother! What kind of language is that in front of our sister? You’ve been too worked up since earlier.”
“You little—”
Ulbhild spoke coldly.
“Can’t you shut up either?”
“S-sister.”
“What makes you think you can arrogantly spew curses in front of me? Do you think I’m a joke?”
“…”
Somerset’s mouth clamped shut.
“Step back. Don’t embarrass yourself further in front of the servants.”
“…Yes.”
‘Pathetic.’
I silently mouthed the words. Somerset, though fuming, held back his anger.
Well, it’s only proper to poke him one more time.
“Wow, great anger management. Selective outbursts, huh?”
“…”
His killing intent prickled my skin, but it was nothing. I picked at my ear, feigning nonchalance.
“Sister, please come this way.”
I gestured for Barclava to move aside and made room for Ulbhild next to me. Barclava, clearly intimidated by Ulbhild, quickly shifted his seat.
“You’ve been watching since earlier, right?”
“Yes.”
Ulbhild answered in a voice only I could hear.
“Did you know?”
“Of course.”
“Impressive. Your senses have sharpened.”
Ulbhild praised me.
“But why did you provoke Somerset like that?”
“To see if the rumors were true.”
At that, Ulbhild chuckled.
“You act crazy, but there’s always a reason, huh?”
“Of course.”
Thanks to that, I got a good read on Somerset’s condition.
‘He’s practically consumed by inner demons.’
His resentment and anger were boiling over. And to top it off, he couldn’t even speak up in front of sister with everyone watching.
“What are you doing? Can’t you prepare the seats properly?”
“S-sorry.”
“Tsk.”
All he could do was bark at the servants like that.
But I’m the kind of person who hates seeing that kind of behavior the most.
“Brother. A noble’s dignity lies in not venting their anger unnecessarily on those beneath them.”
At my words, Somerset looked like he wanted to curse but clenched his teeth and pointed at me.
“Don’t push it, Allenvert. I let it slide this time.”
Wow. Thanks for that.
“I let it slide too, so let’s call it even.”
“…”
Instead of a reply, I got a murderous glare, but I ignored it and turned to Ulbhild.
“By the way, sister.”
“Hmm?”
Her tone was noticeably different from when she was scolding Somerset.
“Are you planning to turn the banquet hall upside down with your beauty today?”
Ulbhild’s attire today was both beautiful and dignified.
“You’re one to talk. That outfit suits you even better than last time.”
“Thank you.”
Last time, I was just wearing my father’s clothes.
“Is it new?”
“Yes. I specially requested it to match my mother’s taste…”
“Ah, well done.”
I lowered my voice.
“Actually, I plan to ask Father today for permission to meet Mother.”
At that, Ulbhild looked at me with the eyes of someone watching a baby bird.
“You’ll definitely get to meet her.”
As our warm sibling conversation continued, Harold, Ulbhild’s adjutant, was the only one frowning.
“Why the sour face?”
“It’s nothing.”
It was obvious. He was clearly jealous of me having a cozy conversation with Ulbhild. The 2nd battalion of the Special Operations Division practically worshipped her like a goddess.
“By the way, Allen, how exactly did you take down the Nepherus?”
“It’s a bit complicated to explain.”
I glossed over the details.
“It was such a tough and massive creature that I had to peel off its scales to expose its flesh and then stab its brain.”
“!”
Ulbhild looked surprised and turned to Harold.
“Harold. This is something none of us thought of.”
“Indeed, Second Commander.”
Harold nodded, his jealousy momentarily forgotten.
“We’ve been discussing how you managed to hunt a 5th tier large-class monster.”
Ulbhild explained, noticing my gaze.
“But Your Highness. To stab the brain of such a colossal monster, wouldn’t you have to fly?”
Harold asked, clearly dying of curiosity.
“I lured it into a basin terrain where I could move around freely and used three-dimensional maneuvering.”
“Huh.”
Harold clicked his tongue.
“Luring it into a favorable battlefield and then targeting its weakness. It sounds simple when you say it, but it’s extremely difficult to pull off in practice.”
I smirked and turned to Ulbhild.
“So, how did you think I did it, sister?”
“Ah, I…”
Ulbhild answered, slightly embarrassed.
“I thought you might have been in a life-or-death situation, since it seemed impossible to win otherwise.”
“Hmm.”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should tease her or not, but in the end, I couldn’t resist and said, “Sister, you’ve been reading too many novels.”
Ulbhild poked me in the side.
“Be quiet.”
* * *
As I sat chatting with Ulbhild and occasionally teasing Harold, it wasn’t long before the next guest arrived.
“Brother Karl.”
“You’re all gathered here.”
Even Karl came over to greet us first, making Somerset, who was sitting alone in the corner, look even more isolated.
‘See, this is why you should live a good life, people.’
Unlike before, Karl and I were practically allies now. We had formed a non-aggression pact, after all.
“Allenvert, how have you been?”
“Of course. Thanks to you, ‘in many ways.’”
This was my way of thanking Karl for the information about the survivors of Eisenach, a secret only the two of us shared.
“Brother. You’ve reached a higher level than before.”
“I’ve been training diligently every day.”
Karl smiled and sat down not far from us.
‘Why does it feel so hot, though?’
A strong yang energy emanated from Karl. He had mastered the powerful Solar Flare Heart Style, and its effects were palpable even here.
On the other hand, Ulbhild, who had mastered the Snow Blossom Sword Technique, exuded a subtle coolness. So, in a way, I was being heated on the left and cooled on the right.
‘Feels like I’m being tempered.’
The reason these two were radiating such energy was obvious.
‘They’re that tense.’
This was a banquet attended by our father. The name “Black Serpent Duke Georg Grunewald” carried a weight that made even his own children nervous.
“Everyone’s here.”
A beautiful yet somewhat eerie voice rang out. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I turned toward the source of the voice.
‘Verdzig.’
Verdzig, the radiantly beautiful young master, was walking toward us, his presence almost blindingly dazzling.
‘Wow.’
I couldn’t help but be slightly impressed.
‘He’s really good-looking, huh?’
I’m a man who can admit when someone is handsome. He could almost rival young master Allenvert in looks.
“Brother Karl, how have you been?”
“Same as always.”
After greeting Ulbhild and Somerset, Verdzig’s eyes lingered on Barclava, who was sitting next to me, and his eyebrow twitched.
‘What’s this?’
I could sense a strange tension.
‘He must want to break free from his brother too.’
But it wouldn’t be easy. Verdzig wouldn’t let go of the prey he had caught.
“Brother, it’s been a while.”
I was the first to greet Verdzig.
“Haha. Has it really been that long?”
“I suppose not.”
We exchanged smiles, maintaining a facade of warmth.
It was hard to believe that this was the same brother who had tried to kill my servant and the same brother I had tried to undermine.
‘Today, we’ll once again turn our tongues into swords and clash.’
But that time wasn’t now.
“Let’s catch up later.”
“Of course.”
Verdzig returned to his seat, which was right next to the head table reserved for the Duke and Duchess. Karl was on the right, and Verdzig was on the left.
“By the way, brother, aren’t we supposed to stand up when the mothers arrive?”
At my sarcastic remark, Verdzig replied, “Today, they’ll be entering with Father, so there’s no need to do that.”
“Ah, I see. Forgive me, I’m still recovering from amnesia and am unfamiliar with noble etiquette.”
Verdzig chuckled.
“Ignorance isn’t a crime, so don’t worry about it.”
How considerate of him.
* * *
Time flew by, and evening fell. As I gazed at the darkening sky, I stood up.
“I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.”
“Go ahead.”
My retainers followed me.
“Hehe, I was just thinking of going too.”
Jeffrey whispered as if he’d been saved.
“Right? I drank too much water while waiting.”
“You must be nervous too, young master.”
“Of course. Even Brother Karl and Sister Ulbhild were tense.”
“True. I was sweating just standing near Young Master Karl.”
Olivier, who had been standing closer to Karl, admitted.
“You were unlucky. I was cool thanks to Young Lady Ulbhild.”
“Lucky you.”
As I listened to Jeffrey and Olivier’s silly conversation, I casually steered the topic.
“Maybe I should learn Brother Karl’s martial arts next? They seem versatile and powerful.”
“That might be a good idea. Though, considering your temperament, there might be more suitable options…”
Just then.
“Well, well, look who’s here!”
An old man I’d never seen before was making a scene, loudly announcing his presence as he approached.
‘Who’s that?’
His appearance was ageless, his gait carefree to the point of disbelief for someone inside the ducal estate, and his expression showed no trace of tension.
‘Weird.’
He had the air of an eccentric.
‘He seems like a crazy old man.’
But there was something undeniably extraordinary about his presence.
“Who is that?”
At my muttering, Olivier hurriedly answered, “Th-that’s Elder Geninghen!”
“Who’s that?”
“He’s one of the five members of the Council of Elders, a legendary archmage known as the Elder of Magic—”
“I can hear you, boy!”
Geninghen cut Olivier off with a hearty laugh.
‘What the…?’
Without even using any movement technique, he was suddenly standing right in front of me.
He must have used some kind of blink spell. No incantation, no warning—just as natural as breathing.
‘That’s insane.’
In my past life, I’d only met one mage of that caliber.
‘He was a court mage from Flanders.’
And, of course, a pawn of the Dark King.
“Greetings, Elder.”
I bowed respectfully to the elder of the clan, not showing any sign of panic.
“Heh. So you’re Aiden’s nephew?”
But to my surprise, he ignored my greeting and spoke to Olivier first.
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh—you look just like him when he was young. That stiff, uptight expression is exactly the same.”
“…”
I gave up on adding anything and decided to just go with the flow.
‘Definitely a crazy old man.’
Even Karzan, the mad dog of the underworld, would have been intimidated by the madness in this archmage’s eyes.
“And who’s this next to you?”
“Ah, um. I’m Wilfred, the fox hunter’s son.”
Jeffrey stammered in response.
“Ahhh! I remember now. That guy’s son!”
He referred to someone else’s father so casually—why did it feel so natural?
‘Got it. He’s done this more than once or twice.’
Well, given his status as an elder, the age gap must be enormous.
“And who’s this?”
“Ah, I’m…”
The son of a fallen noble? Allenvert’s servant? Peter hesitated, unsure how to respond, before finally saying in a pitiful voice, “Just Peter.”
“Hahaha! Just Peter, huh?”
Geninghen burst out laughing. I couldn’t help but scold Peter.
“What do you mean, ‘just Peter’? You’re pathetic.”
“Sniff, I’m sorry.”
Geninghen chuckled.
“So this pretty boy must be my descendant.”
“…”
I was taken aback again.
Calling me a “pretty boy” upon first meeting—that’s the kind of language you’d expect from some old man in the back alleys.
‘Ah!’
Then it hit me. I finally understood the true meaning behind Geninghen’s words.
‘It’s the highest form of compliment—saying I’m ridiculously good-looking.’
“Thank you for the compliment, Elder Geninghen.”
My response seemed to surprise him, and he grinned.
“Not bad. So you’re Allenvert?”
“Yes.”
“The fifth son?”
“Fourth son, but fifth among the siblings.”
“Hoh, hmm.”
Geninghen inspected my face like a fishmonger examining today’s catch.
“Your face is better than your father’s. You take after your mother. Hehe.”
Even for an elder, to refer to my father so casually—there were two possibilities.
‘Either he’s completely insane, or he’s a master who reached such heights long ago that even the Black Serpent Duke seems like a child to him.’
I’d bet on both.
Just look at those crazy eyes. How is that normal? Even Karzan wasn’t that far gone.
“So, what do you say? Since we’ve met, why don’t we shake hands?”
Out of nowhere?
“…”
I looked straight into Geninghen’s eyes. They were shrouded in some kind of mysterious magic, and just meeting his gaze felt like it was draining my mental energy.
‘Maybe he’s a kindred spirit.’
I’m a man who’s more than familiar with hiding intentions behind madness. If that’s the case, this wasn’t just a random, rude gesture.
‘He’s trying to gauge me.’
Suddenly, I found myself on the testing ground, but this was something I wanted too.
“Of course.”
Go ahead, gauge me. How deep does Allenvert appear in the eyes of this ageless archmage?
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]