Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Gadia Returns
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The sky was clear, and the floral scent was fresh. It was a truly fine day.
Do you know what happens when someone is truly cornered?
"Today's tea tastes especially good, doesn't it, sis?"
They become eerily calm, thinking whatever happens, happens, and their mind finds peace...
'Damn it...'
Like hell it brings peace!
Things were a total mess.
The moment I heard Alkaido's words yesterday, I'd rushed to Cain, shaken him by the collar, yelled that we should contract right away, and after we did, I'd tried to hide him...
"Tomorrow the young lady returns. Surely you don't plan to do nothing but play without giving any orders for preparations."
"I'm going to play. Can't I?"
"Yes. The young lady's return is the first official event since you became acting patriarch. If you can't even handle this properly, I might have to specially visit Grand Duke Kaiman and lodge a complaint. I'd say you're too engrossed in your new toy."
Even if he went to Kaiman and said something, he wouldn't change the acting patriarch.
But if I ran to Cain right now, it might come off as obsession or a weakness, becoming an obstacle later when I tried to support him. So in the end, I couldn't go.
And as soon as the sun rose, Gadia barged in...
"Sis...?"
Her face was white as if carved from ice. Even though expressionless, it radiated unfiltered contempt, like asking where the worm got the nerve to speak.
In the original story, fans adored her for her unwavering loyalty and mercy toward the protagonist while treating all other men like bugs. But seeing it up close...
'Whoa, this is mentally devastating.'
Averting my eyes would hurt my pride. I didn't want to look down either!
I flicked my gaze sideways from her blue eyes filled with disgust, letting my silver-blue hair swaying in the breeze take the line of sight.
"Ah, so what should I call you? Why do I have to call you 'young lady' too?"
"Don't call me. Don't talk. Don't breathe. Die."
"No thanks. Why would I listen to you..."
Suddenly, an ice spike formed in midair, its sharp tip aimed at me. I trailed off, covering it with a laugh, and took a sip of tea.
Ugh, true to the shattered-personality, communication-impossible character.
"That's..."
Gadia's eyes shifted to my left hand lifting the teacup.
I waved it elegantly, like a wealthy matron in a drama, flaunting the family ring.
"Ah, this? Haha, Father begged so much. He said he trusted only me and slipped it right on."
"...Hand it over."
Her eyes looked a bit unhinged?
A chill ran down my neck, and I trembled my lips into a smile.
I'm a tiger cub who doesn't know fear. I'm the reckless little brother who acts out because he trusts Kaiman.
"Sis, I didn't want to say this, but you know this ring is only for the patriarch or acting patriarch, right? Privately you're my sister, but officially you're my subordinate. Got it?"
At my words, focus returned to Gadia's eyes that had nearly rolled back.
"What?"
"Watch your tone, Gadia."
I absolutely couldn't back down.
We'd be in the same party later, but since she could never raise affection toward me as Adelian, I had to go all in.
Gadia was the only human among the heroines in the story.
Cain, who distrusted humans, accepted her into his party because of her blind loyalty, but also because she'd been strongly drilled in noble education emphasizing loyalty to one's lord in a class-based society.
Right now, before meeting Cain, she wasn't blinded by love yet, so even if offended or wanting the family, she wouldn't go berserk enough to chop off my head.
The best plan was to provoke her and push her out before she heard rumors and got curious about Cain, my toy in the dungeon.
I held my hand palm-up, dangling the sparkling Krueger ring at the end of her gaze.
"So... as acting patriarch, are you properly handling your duties?"
Her eyes could already stab me plenty? ...No good. I had to use any means.
I focused on her condescending eyes and activated User's Eye.
[Gadia Suren Krueger — Contemptuous Glacier Archer]
Representative Traits: [Glacier (A)] [Archery (B)]
Hidden Traits: [Agility (A)] [Gourmet (D)]
I covered Gadia's face with the trait window, finally caught my breath, then smiled brightly at the girl beyond it.
"Why should Gadia care? Father handed it over."
"...I can do better than you..."
"Ah, then Father would have given it to you."
"I... won't accept it. I'll see the patriarch and protest. You don't deserve it."
"That patriarch is right here. I'm the patriarch now."
Killing intent flooded out from beyond the trait window at my snide remark.
Ugh, better not push further.
"I'll go see Grand Duke Kaiman."
"Yeah, do that. Maybe he's at the summer villa?"
Gadia stood abruptly, toppling her chair, and strode out.
"Whew... seriously."
I caught my breath, looking at my sweat-drenched hands.
Even with buoyancy trait, it was this bad.
With Gadia's personality, she'd have some qualms but still rush to Kaiman to complain.
Anticipating that, I'd thrown out the summer villa misinformation, so even with a portal, she'd be gone at least half a day to a full day.
I had to find and hide Cain before she returned. Who knew how things would fall apart if they met.
It felt like I'd taken a time-limited quest.
'Somehow, right now...'
"Young master."
Lips chewed in anxiety, I started walking when Alkaido appeared ahead.
Irritation rose from impatience, but I forced a nonchalant face and looked at him.
"I treated sis to tea and sent her off nicely. Any other issues?"
"How long do you plan to put off duties?"
Forever, old man. Tied to that, I'd never leave this castle.
I deliberately let irritation show as I spoke.
"I thought you were smart, Alkaido, but apparently not? Think about it. Isn't it better if smarter, more creative people with traits do the work and I just manage them?"
Things would only get worse as main stream events entangled and the whole continent crumbled. No reason to drain the Krueger family.
Ah, just fix the one problem that arises later.
I swaggered like a playboy, poking Alkaido's chest.
"Fine, since you insist so much, ignoring you wouldn't make me the Krueger head, right?"
I twirled the ring's pattern with my fingertip, bringing the subspace pattern for family items to the top.
Following instinct, I reached into the air, pulled out a blank sheet of paper and a quill pen, scribbled contents, and slipped it between my fingers to hand to Alkaido like "read this."
"Young master, this content is..."
You think I'm an idiot? I have plans. You don't know the grand scheme, Alkaido.
"This could harm the family."
"Doubt it. From now on, all Krueger merchant groups under us settle goods in cash, not Krueger credits."
Kingdoms and empires had varying gold coins, so Krueger groups used their own credits among themselves.
Possible because Krueger branches spanned the continent with immense economic power, but...
In the late game, it became a problem.
With war and plagues throwing the continent into chaos, even mighty Krueger groups started failing from the small ones. No one would accept credits used only internally...
Needing goods but lacking cash led to collapse, domino effect spiraling out of control.
Dying clutching millions in worthless credits.
"Young master, this is absurd...!"
"There, my first official order as acting patriarch. Satisfied? Worked now? Of course, no complaints accepted."
Before Alkaido could add more, I snatched the paper, pressed the ring's pattern firmly on the signature line at the bottom.
With bloodline magic activatable without mana, identical documents transmitted to all major Krueger merchant groups across the continent.
Even Kaiman rarely issued all-hands orders, but I did it quick, flashed a cheeky grin, and headed to the dungeon, leaving trembling-with-rage Alkaido behind.
* * *
"Hey, Cain. Been well?"
Before opening the dungeon door, I mentally chanted 'I'm the villain, I'm the villain, I'm the villain' three times, then flung it open with an arrogant grin.
"You..."
This guy, rejecting the moment he sees my face?
No way!
I cut off Cain as he opened his mouth to say something.
"I know your birthday's less than two months away, Cain, but I can't wait anymore."
"...What are you talking about."
Aftermath later? Gadia returning and finding Cain was nearer doom.
I aimed for a scheming, vile, black-hearted image with ulterior motives, but flapping the divine contract to ensure a solid deal vibe.
"Your little brother's alive, Cain. Isn't that reason enough to get strong, no matter what it takes?"
At my words, Cain's eyes widened; one corner tore, blood tears streaming down his already fierce face.
Whoa, scary enough for nightmares...
"...Contract. Now."
No idea how he'd explode learning the truth later, but more urgent matters first.
Since Luna wasn't around—good, came right after Gadia—I personally untied Cain and poured a potion from subspace into his mouth.
Hurry, hurry. No clue when Gadia returns. If lucky, tomorrow; worst case, she bursts through that door right now.
"Sign."
I pulled out a quill, signed the divine contract first, then passed it to Cain.
The moment he signed.
Ding—
Holy aurora enveloped everything, heavenly music rang... but I'd seen divine contract effects in-game—no need!
"First, wash up. We'll talk after."
Nothing mattered; speed was life now.
Potion restored some energy—not fully, but enough. I dragged Cain up to my room.
"Ah! Welcome back, young master...? Eh?"
"No, what..."
"No chatter! Wash! I'll have food brought."
Not like emergency cash; hiding far made it hard to find, keeping close worried me too.
Like fidgeting on a Sunday clutching a lottery ticket.
To handle any issue, I needed to know immediately.
Ignoring Luna floating a hook overhead like a question mark, I shoved Cain into the bathroom.
"Get some food for him while he washes, Luna. Something soft."
"Ah! Yes, young master!"
'Oh right, traits.'
As I pushed the mouth-opening Cain into the bathroom and shut the door, I finally pulled up the trait window I'd been too rushed to check.
[Cain Rayners — Survivor with Embers Ignited]
Representative Traits: [???] [Genius (S)] [Appearance (B)] [Physique (C)] — Unmarked
Hidden Traits: [Misfortune (F)] [Tenacity (A)] — Unmarked
What, looking like that and Appearance only B? Physique C after one potion despite starvation and no sleep?
Indomitable gone, what's this new one? Why the question mark? It's the top trait—why can't I see it!
I clawed my hair messily, sighed, forced calm.
Misfortune drop probably from contracting with me. Most misfortune solvable with money.
Once he recovered and trained?
Few misfortunes unbeatable by strength and cash, so F would drop soon.
That question mark trait bugged me hugely, but unusable via User's Eye now, nothing to do.
It'd solidify by adulthood at least.
Feeling tension ease, I slumped in a chair.
"Aigoo, aigoo..."
Why so sore? Too tense and active today? Ask Luna for a massage?
"I'm back, young master."
"Yeah, back... pudding?"
I asked for soft easy food, but all pudding? 'Cause you wanted it?
Too drained to tease, I gestured to set it on the table, then Cain emerged in just a robe, so I quickly covered Luna's eyes.
"No clothes to wear. Putting dirty ones back defeats washing."
"...Wait. I'll give you some of mine first."
Seeing Cain's face somewhat decent after one wash, I thought protagonist buffs real, stood—then someone knocked.
"Who. Alkaido? Busy, later..."
"It's me. Let's talk again."
Gadia was back.