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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 202: What Grunewald's Enemy Desires
Verdzig's expression changed, and I didn't miss it.
"Brother, have you perhaps been somewhat negligent in understanding Father's intentions?"
"..."
I was certain these words had struck his weak point.
Remember this. When switching from defense to offense, only an amateur would carelessly miss such an opportunity.
"How many things do you think exist that you know but Father doesn't?"
At this, Verdzig fell into deep silence.
I had the impression that Skella was somewhat surprised yet also felt this was deserved. Of course, her expression remained unchanged from before.
"Such things are certainly few. At least in this matter, Father knows more than you do, Brother."
"Have you met Father?"
"Of course."
Verdzig's gaze wavered.
"Father approved all this? Even knowing everything?"
I replied simply.
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
This was clearly a difficult situation for Verdzig.
'If his interference turns out to go against Father's wishes.'
Naturally, Verdzig's options would be extremely limited.
"Then."
Verdzig asked again with an incredulous look.
"Are you saying all this is Father's will?"
Hmm?
I inwardly tilted my head.
'No, that's not it. How could that be?'
He seemed to have misunderstood something.
But I decided to take advantage of his misunderstanding and responded vaguely.
"That would be difficult for me to tell you."
"Ha, haha."
Verdzig let out a quiet laugh.
Gradually, like cracks forming in an ice barrier—
Verdzig's cold mask was breaking.
'Well, look at that?'
In truth, even I was somewhat taken aback by the situation. I hadn't anticipated that Verdzig would be this shaken, or rather, that he 'wouldn't hide his agitation.'
"Father, Father."
I realized Verdzig's muttering was unusual. This seemed to be more than just a reaction to his plans going awry. No, rather—
'Anger toward Father and me.'
Or perhaps contempt.
...Verdzig was feeling contempt right now. Surprisingly so.
"I believed Father was at least a neutral and rational person. After all, the way a lion raises its cubs must be so ruthless."
Verdzig began speaking, either addressing me or muttering to himself.
"Father is a ruthless man, and I too have inherited half of his ruthlessness."
Then, Verdzig asked.
"Why? Why has Father, who was so ruthless to you, suddenly become so favorable and compassionate?"
"Brother."
"Your power, your martial might, your mana reserves—none of these ever managed to surpass mine."
Verdzig wasn't listening to me.
"Is it your talent and potential, or perhaps your soft and emotional attitude that has suddenly appealed to Father? Or has he become weak-hearted due to guilt?"
It was surprising and rare to see Verdzig display such 'emotion.'
But in reality, the feelings he was experiencing seemed quite different from mine. His heart appeared to be thoroughly filled with anger and contempt.
"It's absurd. Does the lord of Grunewald need such compassion?"
"..."
"Then why wasn't Father so compassionate toward Bergen?"
"...Brother."
Verdzig's eyes were raging like a great tempest.
"I don't know exactly what happened to your mother's clan—"
I asked.
"Is that what you've been resentful about?"
"Resentful? What are you saying?"
Verdzig sneered.
"I used that resentment and expectation to absorb most of the clan's power. If anything, I should be grateful."
That answer was terribly twisted.
"But what I cannot comprehend is this."
"What is it?"
"A ruthless politician and cruel ruler. I thought that was the kind of successor Father wanted, the qualities suited for the lord of Grunewald."
Verdzig pointed at me.
"Yet he shows such a favorable attitude toward someone as emotional and compassionate as you—that's a contradiction. Don't you think so?"
He was clearly confused. Perhaps he felt betrayed by what he had believed in.
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
Whoosh!
Verdzig's killing intent swept my hair back like a strong wind. It was truly terrifying intent and pressure. Even a knight-level martial artist would have fainted instantly if struck by such force.
"Ah, I just had a good idea."
Verdzig smiled. To me, he looked like a predator drooling in anticipation while toying with its prey.
"Perhaps it would be faster to kill you here and deal with the aftermath. Even if I gain the dishonor of 'kinslayer,' Elder Brother Karl won't be able to reject me in the end."
"..."
Half of what he said was sincere. Verdzig was that coldly excited.
"Moreover, someone like Somerset wouldn't dare covet my position no matter what I did. This seems like quite a good strategy, don't you think?"
"That's not your style, Brother."
"Hahaha!"
Verdzig laughed heartily.
"Then all the better. Consistency is maintained 'only to deceive one's enemy by betraying it just once.'"
"...Is that the imperial wisdom you've attained?"
"Yes, indeed."
In some sense, I even felt a bit sorry for this man. Where did such distortion begin?
'The cruel and cold serpent of the apocalypse.'
But I thought perhaps this wasn't his innate nature. Unlike the mad killing spirit of Ghir, that clan of assassins.
"Let me tell you one thing."
I voiced my honest thoughts.
"The throne is exactly such a position. A position that 'forces' even the wisest person to act in certain ways. Have you ever imagined what it means to sit in a place responsible for this vast principality, its long history, and the lives of countless people?"
"I've imagined it over and over."
Verdzig replied.
"Are you trying to teach me now?"
"Your imagination is wrong."
"What?"
I shook my head firmly.
"All this time, you've only seen 'Duke Grunewald,' never once seeing Georg as the human he is."
"...!"
"Perhaps that's the difference between you and me."
Verdzig fell into deep silence.
A long, long silence.
'Verdzig is a clever man.'
Perhaps because of that, it was all the more difficult for him to admit that 'my words might be true.'
"Ha, haha."
Verdzig laughed softly.
"Hahaha. Is that so? Perhaps you're right."
His expression and complexion changed moment by moment. Like the sea at dusk, turning from blue to red and then darkening in an instant.
"Allenvert."
Finally, he called my name.
"Yes."
"Allen."
"...!"
I was surprised by that form of address. Only Father, Ulbhild, and probably my mother would call me that.
"Did you just call me Allen?"
"Does it displease you?"
"Not displeased, just a bit taken aback."
"Haha."
This man's heart is incomprehensible.
But somehow I felt like I had overcome Verdzig's trial in an unexpected way.
"For now, I'll 'suspend' the threat I made to you."
"!"
"Since you've hit my weak point, I too must reconsider Father's intentions."
"...Brother."
That was essentially a declaration that he would watch the Huten affair without interfering.
"Are you serious?"
"I'm not a capricious man. I always keep my word."
Verdzig dismissed me.
"You may go now."
"..."
I blinked briefly, then promptly stood up.
"Brother, this has been a rather impressive conversation in many ways."
As I paid my respects, Verdzig also smiled lightly.
"Likewise."
The reason he called me Allen—I'd need to think about that more after I return—
But I felt that somehow we had come to understand each other a little better today.
'A mad dog understanding the serpent of the apocalypse.'
Am I drunk? It was such an absurd notion.
"Skella."
Verdzig commanded.
"See Allen out."
"..."
Skella walked to my side without a word.
"You don't need to escort me."
"Consider it a small gesture from your brother."
I didn't want to argue with that.
* * *
In the deepest, most secret chamber of Grunewald Castle.
Fishing boats catching fish while navigating the night sea, and stars looking down at the scene from above.
Geninghen Grunewald, who had been appreciating all this scenery at once, suddenly smiled.
"My, those little fellows."
Geninghen had heard everything from the beginning to the end of Allenvert and Verdzig's private conversation.
Of course, Verdzig had prepared sound-blocking magic to guard against such eavesdropping, but who was Geninghen?
He was a man who had reigned as an archmage for decades. For someone who could amplify even the sound of ants walking if he wished, such barriers posed no problem.
"Hehe, how admirable and cute."
He had found the tug-of-war between the two young men, the future leaders of Grunewald, quite interesting.
Above all, seeing Verdzig angry at his father and jealous of his brother was something even he had never witnessed before.
"That Allenvert lad continues to surprise me."
How could he understand the heart of a ruler so well?
'Is that also a kind of kindness?'
Geninghen gently rubbed his chin, which he had magically depilated, making it smooth despite being an old mage who would normally sport a luxuriant beard.
"You would never understand such feelings, even if you died trying."
"Don't needlessly persist with such nonsense."
Leszek, who had been drinking wine in the moonlight beside him, retorted.
"Hmph!"
Geninghen snorted.
"At any rate, being born poor is hard, but the minds of those born noble are also difficult in many ways."
"It's also the burden of those who have too great a father."
The elder of the sword, or the spirit of the sword.
The gaze of Leszek, a man already far removed from human hearts, stared somewhat emptily beyond the veil of night.
"By the way, those underworld folks are having quite a bit of fun this time, aren't they?"
Geninghen folded his arms.
"Especially that fellow Huten—why is the clan head just watching?"
"Leave it be. It's too imprudent for us to intervene."
Geninghen responded with astonishment.
"What's this about? I'm also an elder who participates in clan affairs and decision-making. You're the one neglecting your duties."
"That's precisely why I say this."
Leszek replied to the archmage's criticism.
"Our role is to prepare for 'contingencies.' Wouldn't it be better to leave this to the younger generation?"
After all, our time for adventure is over, Leszek seemed to say, causing Geninghen to tilt his head in displeasure.
"Alas, human life is like the fate of a mayfly—gone in the blink of an eye."
"That's why there are also things we must protect across generations."
Leszek's voice grew heavy.
'The enemy in the darkness now.'
Desires Grunewald's treasure.
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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