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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 105: How Much Will You Pay for This Secret?
“Allenvert.”
Verdzig said, after looking around my reception room.
“I think it would be good for us brothers to have a conversation here, what do you think?”
“I also wish for that.”
As soon as my agreement fell, the retainers of both sides quietly left the reception room.
Among them, I glanced at one of the Royal Guards who boasted exceptional aura.
‘Is that man Harald Grimarr?’
Harald Grimarr.
With a somewhat exotic name, he was said to be Verdzig Grunewald’s adjutant, serving as a key officer of the Second Battalion and concurrently acting as Chief of Staff.
'The eldest son from a military family originating from a foreign land, a talented and cool-headed individual.'
Both Olivier and Jeffrey had no disagreement about this man's skills.
‘A position that Jeffrey will only be able to reach when he succeeds in the future.’
“Well, then.”
Verdzig smiled amiably.
“Let’s have a comfortable conversation.”
“Before that, would you like some tea?”
“Good. It’s not poisoned, is it?”
“I don’t have enough money to buy anything expensive enough to work on my elder brother.”
“Haha, it seems you have many places to spend money.”
“That’s why it’s a big problem.”
“……!”
Peter’s complexion turned white at our chilling jokes. Verdzig smiled and asked.
“Then, how do you plan to earn that money?”
“Well. Should I pester the butler?”
“That wouldn’t be bad.”
I poured tea directly for Verdzig.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Unlike when I deliberately showed courtesy in front of everyone, my tone became much more relaxed.
Looking back, I had this feeling during our first private meeting as well. I waged a battle of nerves somewhere between humility and disrespect.
‘But back then, I was a bit lacking.’
It can’t be helped. There is a big difference between being dignified in front of the strong and acting recklessly without knowing one’s place.
“You should sit down too.”
Verdzig recommended, as if he were the host.
“If my elder brother tells me to sit, I must sit.”
I poured the rest into my teacup and sat facing Verdzig.
“But could you please remove that killing intent?”
Just as one’s clothes get wet from walking in the fog, the subtle and heavy killing intent that Verdzig was emitting was becoming an intangible pressure, forcing fear upon me.
‘It wasn’t just that.’
There were also things I could see because my level had become higher than before. Verdzig, through extremely delicate and high-level mana control, was directly constricting my heart and disrupting my breathing.
It was a different way of using it than the sensing that Ulbhild showed, or the physical force that my father showed.
‘If one is to be called one of the most outstanding talents in Grunewald, one must have that level of skill. How interesting.’
All of this combined to form the dangerous aura that Verdzig was emitting.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. This man's temperament, skill, genius, power, and actions. All of that combined to create Verdzig's aura.
'But I am a man who does not bow his head abjectly before anyone.'
I resisted Verdzig's technique with mana that surged like a tidal wave by circulating the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique. Verdzig sensed this and exclaimed in admiration.
“Ah, you’ve become remarkably stronger.”
“You flatter me.”
“No. Before, you barely endured by gritting your teeth and with sheer willpower, didn't you? Now you dissipate it with ease. I now know that the rumor of you reaching the 4th-tier is indeed true.”
“It’s thanks to my elder brother’s mercy.”
If Verdzig truly intended to overwhelm me, I would have no way to resist. The difference in power between us was that great.
“But my elder brother is quite mischievous, both then and now.”
Back then, I saw the face of my previous life’s adversary, the Dark King, in this man. That impression was no different now.
‘Still terrifying. A snake-like bastard.’
It was a different kind of pressure from my father, Duke Georg. Having met both of them, it was a comparison I could make objectively.
‘I must be especially careful.’
The eyes that once looked as if observing an interesting ant had now changed to those that were watching a younger brother who was seriously trying to oppose him.
“How about we skip the mutual probing and get to the main point?”
At my suggestion, Verdzig readily agreed.
“Let’s do that.”
Regardless of the difference in skill and position, we both had a knife to stab each other with. For me, it was Gemini’s matter, and for Verdzig, it was probably the matter of the underworld.
“I heard that a maid was caught trying to spy in your residence. Who on earth did such a thing?”
Verdzig said, feigning ignorance.
‘Wow. So he’s coming out like this, is he?’
It was confidence that was possible because he anticipated that I could never have gotten a confession from Gemini.
‘You won’t admit anything?’
That’s right. After all, all that exists is circumstantial evidence.
‘But you are so brazen and nonchalant, Verdzig.’
It is astonishing that one human being can so surely dominate another with only fear.
‘Even if there wasn't a restriction)magic spell cast on her, Gemini wouldn't have opened her mouth.’
Simply because she is afraid of Verdzig.
“That’s what I’m saying. She doesn’t confess easily.”
I agreed without getting agitated.
“Is that so? That must be difficult.”
Seeing me act like that even though he clearly knew he was the culprit, Verdzig showed an interested expression.
“It is difficult.”
It was a situation where each other’s daggers only cut through the air. I made a light offensive.
“I should probably ask the Head Butler or Father for help.”
“Really? That would be good too.”
Verdzig didn’t even bat an eye. I also know. That with this level of technique, I cannot penetrate his defense and cut even a piece of his clothing.
“Elder brother, is that what you were curious and worried about, that you came all the way here? Even bringing your retainers?”
Even at my subtle sarcasm, Verdzig casually changed the subject.
“I heard that you performed well on the task Venion gave you.”
“I suppose you could say that.”
“I heard that you roamed the black market to obtain information to retrieve Countess Webern’s tiara, met a collector named Mordecai, and revealed that the item was fake.”
“You know the details very well.”
“As a result, I heard that you subdued the enemy with outstanding combat power in the ensuing battle.”
“Rather than subdued, the expression ‘slaughtered’ would be more fitting.”
“Excellent.”
Seeing my reaction, Verdzig casually asked.
“How was the underworld?”
“It was indeed a dangerous place.”
“It’s not an easy place for a young nobleman raised in a greenhouse to adapt to. It’s commendable that you carried out a mission in such a place.”
“You flatter me.”
I already knew what Verdzig was ultimately trying to bring up.
“However, having been born as a Young Master of Grunewald, I cannot ignore the existence of the underworld. Because it is the shadow that naturally arises because of the light that is Grunewald.”
“Both when you went out to the docks before, and now, you are unusually interested in the underworld.”
Verdzig nodded and asked in a passing tone.
“…So, did you disguise yourself as Peter and go in and out of the underworld?”
Look at that, a sharp blow mixed in with a feint comes flying in. But I was not flustered.
“I don’t know what you mean. It’s true that Peter has been staying out frequently lately.”
Pretending not to know even though both sides clearly know the truth is not a specialty exclusive to Verdzig.
“Ah. Is that so.”
Verdzig chuckled.
“Then, you should advise Peter to be careful. Isn’t the place where that child lives a dangerous slum?”
I never took Verdzig’s information network lightly. It was actually natural that he knew where Peter lived. It was only a few days ago that he had me followed.
Therefore, what I needed to be curious about was this.
‘Since when has he known?’
Did he investigate it newly this time, or from the beginning?
“I appreciate your concern. I will take measures.”
Anyway, I replied as if Verdzig’s chilling implication didn’t reach me at all.
“Are you keeping the mask I gave you safe?”
“Of course.”
It was both a trap set by Verdzig and the best gift for me.
“You played a little trick on it.”
“Weren’t you the same?”
Verdzig laughed. He probably didn't know that I would so easily see through his trap. That was the result of two more variables being added: Ulbhild's teachings and Karzan's talent.
“It is foolish to use a gift given by others as it is. But you dismantled that trap and made it your own fuel. That is truly excellent.”
“I appreciate the compliment, but—”
I replied indifferently.
“Why are you asking that? Are you thinking of taking it back now?”
“Of course not!”
Verdzig shook his head.
“It is not the way of an elder brother to give a gift and then take it back.”
“Then, should I show you that I have it safe?”
Verdzig did not show any reaction to the tempting bait I offered.
“There’s no need to go that far.”
How amusing. I know why this man refused such a good opportunity.
‘He probably already knows that the tracking magic has been destroyed.’
What was important was the fact that Verdzig harbored suspicion.
It didn't necessarily need material evidence. Verdzig had the power to confirm or enforce his suspicion.
“Allenvert, do you remember? When I gave you this mask.”
Verdzig said.
“You said that this was an undeserved item, and that you would strive to avoid any trouble.”
“That was so.”
“Excellent.”
He continued, as if there was no need to confirm his deduction.
“It is said that nobles need secrets and shadows. You have already become a man who possesses both secrets and shadows.”
I neither affirmed nor denied it.
“But you wouldn't want your shadows to be revealed to the world at this stage. Wouldn't you agree?”
“Well, such empty stories without substance, what great matter would they be?”
I asked back.
“If all the rumors were true, wouldn't Gemini also become a spy planted by you, elder brother? Where would such preposterous and absurd slander be?”
“Hahahaha! Well, that’s true.”
Verdzig burst into laughter.
“Allenvert, I admit it. You are truly outstanding.”
Verdzig's acknowledgment was different from his father's or Ulbhild's. Because the words themselves held a chilling killing intent and poison.
“Even if this younger brother has a little talent, I am no match for you, elder brother.”
By the way, Verdzig is truly a remarkable man. Even though he was caught plotting as he pleased, he is rather threatening me.
‘He is even stabbing a rather painful spot.’
If the seed is pulled out by Verdzig before I even germinate, my plan to take control of the underworld and borrow its power to the surface will inevitably be completely nullified.
“I will ask you, Allenvert.”
Verdzig whispered, with a smiling face.
“How much will you pay for this secret?”
It felt like being forced into an irresistible deal with the devil.
“Answer me. With what price will you silence my mouth? What can you possibly pay this elder brother?”
‘…As Venion said.’
The warning that I might end up begging for mercy in front of this man was by no means an exaggeration.
A man so skilled in both negotiation and scheming is rare even throughout my previous life.
“How much will I pay for the secret, you ask?”
But I am not the one who is dragged around on a well-laid board.
“How absurd, elder brother.”
Rather, making a scene like a crazy person would be more fitting for me, Karzan.
“So what if it is?”
“What?”
I replied indifferently.
“Go out and spread rumors. I don't care much.”
“……!”
For the first time, a crack appeared on Verdzig's expression upon hearing the unexpected answer.
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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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