[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 149: Why Are They Here?
“Haha.”
Verdzig burst into laughter, seemingly amused by my reaction.
“It seems even you couldn’t have anticipated this.”
“......”
After a moment of contemplation, I responded.
“I can see that I’ve missed a piece of the puzzle, but it’ll take some time to figure it out.”
“Then let this older brother teach you.”
Just like that?
I looked at Verdzig with suspicion-filled eyes.
“No need to look at me like that. I’ve already discarded that strategy.”
“Huh?”
Like a student struggling to keep up, I dumbfoundedly asked again.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.”
“Did you find some fatal flaw or risk in it?”
“Not at all.”
Verdzig raised his eyebrows playfully.
“Now, let me explain. First, try to think from my perspective.”
He continued kindly, as if teaching a struggling student.
“Today, I was given two tasks.”
He raised both hands side by side.
“One was to cripple Somerset and absorb them, and the other was to defend myself using the testimony of Evan Bergen, which you secured. Do you understand so far?”
“Yes.”
I answered obediently. I felt like a dim-witted student who needed a lot of hand-holding.
“But if you think about it, the reason you convinced Evan to change his mind was ultimately because I targeted Peter, your subordinate.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, from my perspective, there’s a very simple way to gain an advantage.”
“How so?”
Verdzig brought his palms together.
“What if I pinned the blame for Peter’s attack on Somerset?”
“......!”
I was stunned as I realized the implications of that move.
“What would happen then?”
I swallowed hard and answered.
“You could shift the blame for your actions onto Somerset, tarnishing his reputation even further, while absolving yourself of responsibility.”
“At the same time, you could expect enough uproar to overshadow Evan’s case. This would be a triple win.”
“This is......”
I felt my breath catch as I replied.
“This is such an unexpected attack that I don’t even know how to respond. My mind feels frozen for a moment.”
In my hometown, we’d say my brain had come to a complete stop.
“If it comes to this, you might retort by asking, ‘Why would Somerset do such a thing?’”
After a moment of thought, I admitted.
“I probably would.”
“My answer to that would be this: Because Somerset suspected Allenvert of colluding with the underworld.”
“Huh.”
A double trap. It felt like even if I dodged one, the next snare was waiting for me.
“Does it sound absurd?”
“Not really.”
“Good. It’s always harder to clear your name than to frame someone.”
Verdzig’s finger pointed at me like a blade.
“If I cast suspicion, you’ll have to defend yourself. All I need to do is plant plausible doubt in people’s minds.”
“Haha.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at this point.
‘This cunning bastard.’
This man truly understands the essence of scheming.
“But don’t worry too much.”
Verdzig smiled faintly upon seeing my expression and said,
“As I mentioned, I’ve decided to discard this plan.”
“Why? It seems like an incredibly effective attack.”
“If I told you, wouldn’t you feel a chill down your spine and come begging like this?”
“......?”
“I’ll cover up Evan’s case as if it never happened, and in return, you’ll let Peter’s matter slide.”
“Huh.”
He’s right.
“I could also use this to put you in my debt. It might even help when I try to recruit Somerset. I could say I showed you mercy instead of dealing a heavier blow.”
“......”
Whether I do it or not, it’s a win-win for him.
This is nothing short of a masterstroke.
“Sometimes, not drawing your sword is far more helpful in negotiations.”
“Exactly.”
I understood why Verdzig could afford to be so relaxed.
‘Even this is just one of many moves in his long game, not some desperate, last-ditch effort.’
It’s likely just one of many strategies he can deploy over the course of a prolonged battle. But each one of them could be a fatal blow to me.
‘A monster is a monster, Verdzig.’
Feeling suffocated, I honestly admitted to myself.
‘This time, I’ve lost.’
There was no need to cling to pointless pride in this situation.
“Then, what is it that you truly want, Brother?”
As if acknowledging that this question was an admission of defeat, Verdzig answered.
“Let’s consider everything that’s happened so far as water under the bridge. Think of it as a kind of gentleman’s agreement.”
“Hmm.”
“To outsiders, it might look like a draw, but in reality, this is as good as a victory for you. You could have suffered a much greater blow.”
“It’s such a favorable proposal that I have no reason to refuse—”
I said.
“But I can’t help feeling hesitant to accept it outright.”
“Haha, being overly suspicious isn’t good either.”
“Isn’t that a bit rich coming from you?”
Verdzig chuckled and then spoke again.
“If there’s something bothering you, go ahead and say it.”
“Then I’ll be direct.”
I looked Verdzig in the eye and asked.
“Do you plan to kill Evan too? Like you did with Gemini?”
At that, Verdzig let out a small laugh.
“Ah, Gemini.”
He nodded as if recalling a name he had almost forgotten.
“Is she doing well?”
Of course, he knew I had saved Gemini by sending her to Taris.
“I don’t know. And it’s not something I should know.”
If I were to know Gemini’s whereabouts, given her connection to his weakness, it would only give Verdzig a reason to silence her permanently.
“I see.”
Verdzig clasped his hands behind his back and turned away.
“But it seems you’ve misunderstood something, Allenvert. Your older brother isn’t some bloodthirsty murderer who treats human lives like flies. What matters is resolving the situation, not the act of killing itself.”
“Then—”
“Do as you please. But it’s your responsibility to keep his mouth shut.”
“...Understood.”
I had essentially been handed back the same threat I had used against him with Peter.
“What about the trial that was scheduled?”
“We can say that after hearing Evan’s plea, you appealed for my innocence, and I accepted it. The details can be handled by the stewards.”
“Clean and simple.”
“I’ll take Evan back under the Bergen name.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
There’s no way Evan would want to return to the Bergens after they betrayed him, right?
“Then will you take him in?”
Verdzig turned to look at me.
“Well, I suppose I’m in a position to do that now.”
Verdzig nodded, seemingly indifferent.
“Do as you see fit.”
Seeing his reaction, I added one more thing.
“It would be best if we both respected the line Father drew today.”
“Father’s intention was ultimately to prevent the master from being harmed by his own sword or, worse, being exploited by it, wasn’t it?”
Verdzig asked, as if the idea was absurd.
“Do I really seem that foolish to you?”
“It’s not just that.”
At that, Verdzig leaned forward, intrigued.
“What else could there be?”
I pondered the mindset of the man I understood as Father and answered.
“Father probably isn’t pleased with external forces constantly meddling in the conflicts between his sons.”
“But that’s unavoidable. It was impossible even in our era, and even in Father’s era and the eras before that.”
Yes, that’s true.
“Power is too vast and precious a treasure for one person to monopolize. To become the King of Grunewald, one must naturally share wealth and power with those who follow them.”
“And sometimes, you even need to share it with rivals and enemies to bring them to your side.”
“You understand well.”
Nevertheless.
“In the end, shouldn’t the smarter and stronger person succeed Father? Not just the one who happened to marry better.”
At my crude expression, Verdzig looked slightly taken aback.
“Did you have to phrase it like that?”
“My apologies. I couldn’t think of a better way to put it.”
Verdzig let out a small laugh.
“But I agree with the sentiment. That’s why Somerset failed.”
“Yes.”
“Allenvert.”
Verdzig’s expression shifted as he looked at me.
“Let me say this while we’re here. I acknowledge you as my competitor.”
“......!”
It sounded like a declaration of war.
“Out of my five brothers, you’re the only one who stands on equal footing with me.”
“I’m honored. But Brother Karl and Sister Ulbhild are no pushovers either.”
“You’re being modest even though you know better.”
Verdzig said.
“As you know, Somerset was never a match for me from the start.”
I recalled Somerset’s behavior—scheming behind the scenes but utterly speechless when scolded by Father.
‘What on earth is going through his mind? That idiot.’
“Brother Karl is diligent and steady, but he lacks the exceptional qualities to surpass me. I acknowledge Ulbhild’s martial prowess, but her strategic mind is somewhat lacking, and she’s remained neutral from the beginning, so she’s out of the question.”
And then.
“Barclava isn’t even worth mentioning. So, who else but you can truly stand against me?”
“Well, Barclava isn’t that hopeless either.”
Hmm. I didn’t expect to be defending Barclava.
“Thanks to you, he’s been improving a bit. I’ve been keeping an eye on him.”
When this man says he’s keeping an eye on someone, it’s never a good thing.
“Do your best. Above all, now that you and Barclava represent Grunewald, you must secure victory against Valkenhain, mustn’t you?”
“Can’t we just leave Barclava to handle things on his own?”
“You’re saying things you don’t mean.”
Verdzig pointed at me.
“Allenvert.”
“Yes.”
“Try to surpass me and take the throne of Grunewald.”
I shot back without backing down.
“I’m curious how long you’ll be able to look down on me like this.”
Verdzig smirked.
“Is that so? I think I know.”
While I felt relieved that a gentleman’s agreement had been reached, I also felt a bit overwhelmed.
‘What will we fight with from now on?’
We’re not the kind of men to believe in fairy tales about pure contests of strength and talent.
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
‘I don’t know.’
Let’s wait and see. Another wave will surely come.
* * *
The second part of the banquet began.
Father, having already addressed the important matters, didn’t bother to speak further, and thanks to that, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than the first part. We chatted and sipped wine lightly.
“Now it feels like we’re finally eating and relaxing.”
I patted my full stomach.
“Didn’t you eat well earlier?”
“Shut up.”
“Yes.”
I scolded Peter.
“Allen, what were you two talking about?”
Ulbhild asked, dying of curiosity.
“It’s a bit too much to tell you for free.”
I grinned.
“Teach me some grappling techniques, and I’ll tell you.”
“That’s easy enough. Come see me anytime.”
My plan was this: learn the techniques of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship from Venion and grappling techniques from Ulbhild.
‘Perfect.’
I wanted to solidify my foundation before advancing further in martial arts. Grappling techniques would undoubtedly be useful in many situations.
“By the way—”
I asked Ulbhild.
“Do you know which underworld organization pulled that stunt on Brother Somerset?”
“Ah, you didn’t know?”
Ulbhild whispered to me, as if she thought I already knew.
“It’s the Bisakino Brotherhood.”
“......?”
I couldn’t believe my ears.
‘Wait, what? The Bisakino Brotherhood I know?’
Why are they involved here?
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]