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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 104: The Serpent of the Apocalypse Will Devour You
Instead of his compulsive martial arts training, Karl took a day off and went fishing on a small boat with a few knights.
“My heart feels refreshed.”
The calm sea off the coast of Grunewald made the powerful knight and the Young Master of Grunewald look like a fisherman blended into the scenery.
“Young Master, is this alright?”
Nicholas Winterbourne, the butler who was guarding Karl’s side, asked.
He was the second son of the Winterbourne baronial Clan, which boasted power comparable to most count families, and a talented man who was chosen as the Young Master’s retainer thanks to his reputation for careful and meticulous work.
“What is?”
“I am concerned that Young Master Verdzig might be fiercely driving Young Master Allenvert into a corner……”
“There is no need to worry.”
Karl rather showed a detached attitude. This was also thanks to the conversation he had with Allenvert in the morning.
“Even when he was weaker than now, and when his memories were not complete, didn’t he confidently confront Verdzig in a private meeting?”
Karl said, swinging his fishing rod.
“In the process, he also made excellent responses to two attacks. Just like this time.”
It was Verdzig’s style to subtly yet sharply touch people’s hearts. In that way, how many times had he made Karl, who was younger and more sensitive than now, feel anger, despair, and fear? So much so that even Ulbhild was afraid to enter and avoided Verdzig’s domain.
“Only Allenvert—”
Karl said calmly.
“He is the only one who can face him and not have his spirit broken. That is a quality from a completely different realm than martial strength or the presence or absence of talent.”
“……”
Nicholas couldn’t bring himself to ask.
Whether your heart, which is trying to avoid a direct confrontation with Verdzig and using Allenvert as a breakwater—
Is stronger than Allenvert’s heart, which is not afraid to face Verdzig. Whether you are not worried that such a difference in resolve will ultimately change the results in the distant future.
‘These are excessive thoughts, Nicholas. The Young Master is by no means as weak as others say.’
Behind supporting his younger brother and making a gentleman’s agreement with his younger brother—
There is no way there is no calculation to divert Verdzig’s checks and attention to a third party and buy time for himself to build strength and ability.
If so, he should just trust and assist Karl. Just as he always had.
“……”
Nevertheless, it was true that Karl had some goodwill towards Allenvert.
‘Truly great charisma.’
Both Karl and Ulbhild invariably took a friendly attitude after meeting Allenvert.
Perhaps Allenvert’s real strength lies in his talent for winning people’s hearts like this.
‘That is clearly the opposite of Young Master Verdzig’s way of ruling people’s hearts with fear.’
……Therefore, despite the vast difference in power.
Despite the absurd disadvantage in power.
Allenvert will gradually attract attention as a counter to the man named Verdzig.
Nicholas only hoped that Karl’s dignity would not be damaged in the process.
‘That is also my part to prevent.’
Karl quietly stared at the end of the fishing rod swaying in the waves as if looking at the tip of a sword, and Nicholas watched his lord’s silence and reaffirmed his resolve.
***
Duke Georg Grunewald sat facing Butler Count Aiden and drank tea.
“The confrontation between the two Young Masters is lasting longer than I thought.”
"So it seems."
The Duke put down his teacup.
"This is a situation worth observing carefully."
Of course, this level of infighting between brothers was not a big deal. What was more important was each other's ability to handle the situation.
"Young Master Allenvert's response was truly clever. As soon as he found out about the spy, he thought of using himself as bait to set a trap."
The butler highly praised Allenvert's ability to instantly turn the tables on the attacking side.
"It is more difficult to use a spy against them than to see through them."
The Duke knew that fact well. More than anyone else.
"The strategy of waiting in silence without leaking any rumors afterward was also clever."
The Duke sneered.
"He's an audacious fellow. He chose the same strategy as me. I don't know if it was on purpose, or if it was a choice made 'in spite of everything'."
"......"
Although there was a considerable amount of communication and understanding between the father and son—
It was only natural that a large wound that could never be erased was lodged in the boy's heart.
"Therefore, this is also a test for Verdzig."
As the Duke said, it was quite a difficult situation from Verdzig's point of view.
Since the incident in the prison had already occurred, it was impossible to silence the matter by killing the maid. In fact, there was no need to do so.
"After all, the maid Gemini will never confess."
As the butler said, Verdzig knew well how to make the spies he planted keep silent.
Then, to cut off the tail by putting forward another vassal as the culprit?
This was also something that would damage his own reputation and dignity.
"Whether he will take responsibility for the situation where his plot was thwarted and exposed, or apologize. Whether he will try to make it as if it never happened, or ignore it and remain silent."
The Duke said.
"I have a feeling that he will probably not choose any of those options."
It was an insight as a father and head of the Clan.
Rather, he had a premonition.
"Verdzig is plotting something. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I would."
What that would be was something that the two of them still only left in the realm of conjecture.
"It is clear that Verdzig suspects something. That is why he would have tried to verify it."
And when one reaches the position of Verdzig, one can create established facts with just suspicion. Among his six children, Verdzig was by far the one who used his power the best.
"Then Butler, in the end, the question we must ask is this."
The Duke said, looking at the butler.
"What was Verdzig trying to find out?"
……This question was, in fact, also the question that Verdzig wanted to put into everyone's minds.
Perhaps something that could shake and uproot all of Allenvert's arrangements.
***
"Let's go."
Finally, Verdzig headed to Allenvert's residence.
Verdzig, who came out of the large and magnificent residence resembling a mansion, walked as if a triumphant general was marching, receiving everyone's attention.
As if he would not do any collusion or secret talks, as a lion visits another lion's territory, as a lord of one territory visits another territory, truly dignified.
"It's Young Master Verdzig."
"He is truly majestic."
“Be careful, don’t stare at him unnecessarily.”
The reactions of the employees varied. Admiration, worship, fear… But it was true that everyone was bound to be overwhelmed by that man's presence.
It was not a strange thing. Because Verdzig was the one with sculpted beauty, the most likely next owner of Grunewald, the grandson of the Count of Bergen, the commander leading one battalion of the Royal Guards, and a young warrior called the greatest genius of Litvaleur.
Because all of the above were added together, this man was surrounded by an untouchable dignity and authority like an invisible armor.
“Tch.”
Allenvert clicked his tongue while observing the figure from his residence's window.
“He’s making such a fuss. Anyone would think he’s going out to greet a distinguished guest.”
“The atmosphere isn’t much different.”
“Anyway, this is also a kind of tactic.”
As if he wouldn’t play along with it, Allenvert deliberately undid one of the buttons on his shirt and then looked back at his retainers.
“Let’s go down too.”
“Understood.”
The retainers answered with stiff faces.
“Why are you all so intimidated? You’re not thinking of being pushed back in this battle of wills, are you?”
“N-No, we are not.”
Peter’s legs trembled like those of a newborn calf.
“‘No’? Goodness. You pathetic fellow.”
Allenvert rubbed his hand together.
“Captain Jeffrey. Just because there are superiors from the Royal Guards on the other side, you won’t be pushed back, will you?”
“Of course not.”
Jeffrey already had the look of a resolute soldier going to the battlefield.
“Let’s go. My elder brother must have a lot to say to me.”
And so, the two Young Masters of Grunewald finally faced each other.
***
Verdzig arrived in front of my residence, escorted by Royal Guards exuding the aura of strong men.
“Allenvert, it’s been a while.”
“I greet my elder brother.”
This was a symbolic scene. Because it was the moment when two men with god-like appearances, widely known throughout the entire Grunewald Duchy, were facing each other.
But honestly, aren’t I a bit more handsome?
‘Never mind.’
“I hope you understand this sudden visit. I came because I have something important to discuss.”
“How could there be impoliteness or suddenness in my elder brother visiting his younger brother?”
I spouted nonsense that even Peter wouldn’t believe without batting an eye.
'A stark contrast, indeed.'
In the meeting I had with Karl that morning, I saw his human side. The gentleman's agreement we made was imbued with respect as brothers.
However, as the sun turned golden in the afternoon, I stood here to wage a bloodless battle with another brother.
“I am overwhelmed that my elder brother has personally visited such a humble place.”
“This residence is also a treasure of Grunewald, imbued with a simple yet refined beauty, wouldn’t you say?”
Of course, Verdzig surely knew that this residence was the lowest-ranked one, mainly used in the past for illegitimate children, those adopted from collateral lines, or the least influential wife and her young son.
'That young son, who was born more than 100 years ago, was quietly driven out as soon as he came of age, and lived a lonely life without even being able to use the name of Grunewald, and his line died out.'
If I hadn't regained my memories from my previous life after suffering from a high fever, even if I wasn't terminally ill, Allenvert might have met such a miserable and lonely end.
Because Verdzig, who obtained the title of Duke, would not have tolerated the existence of a talented brother.
“Since I don’t have many retainers yet, this size is sufficient. I also don’t have many mouths to feed.”
“That’s alright. Won’t you have more soon?”
“I hope so.”
I said without showing any particular reaction.
“It is not polite to keep my elder brother standing outside, so I will escort you inside.”
Verdzig gave a languid smile.
“Let’s do that.”
It felt as if I was bringing a beast into my own room.
'No, that's not enough.'
I felt rather like a small boy trapped in Verdzig's huge hand, the hand of a giant that covers the sky and grasps the earth.
'Never let your guard down, Allenvert.'
Maintain humility, but also show off as much as possible. Otherwise...
'The serpent of the Apocalypse will devour you.'
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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