Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Belverk's Eldest Monster (2)
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One day after the mask auction house was utterly devastated by one of Mother's small meteorites.
"Young Master! Are you feeling okay?"
"I heard you were turned into auction merchandise due to that fake saintess's scheme...?"
"Boo-hoo, it must have been so scary."
Back at Belverk, I was surrounded by maids who had barged into my room, getting petted to no end.
"...I'm fine, so let go of me."
This had become a yearly ritual whenever I went out and returned, but I still hadn't gotten used to it.
"Young Master, don't hate Mother too much."
"That's right. The Duke was furious about this incident, but it's all for your sake..."
The maids weren't listening to me at all and were saying this with dejected expressions, but I knew better than anyone that Mother cherished me.
'A punishment of just one week of house arrest for that incident.'
I had deliberately become a hostage and auction item to rescue the fake saintess and uncover the Divine Church's backing.
Even though Uriel Big Sister's interrogation had exposed that the entire plan came from my head, my punishment was that minor.
'Still, I never thought she'd actually drop a meteorite.'
A massive meteorite, clearly from beyond the stratosphere, floating over the imperial slums—it hit me anew just how real it was.
I'd heard Mother's ability made it hard to control distant objects, so what method did she use?
According to Uriel Big Sister, even the eastern continent's martial world was thrown into devastation by that attack. I was starting to seriously wonder where Mother's limits truly lay.
"Hey, sisters."
"...?"
"I have a question..."
But I had something even more pressing on my mind right now, so I lifted my head to ask the maids gathered around.
"Hehe, what is my cute little brother curious about?"
"Eek."
"What is it, kid? See a monster or something?"
Instead, Uriel Big Sister and Lilien Big Sister—who I hadn't even noticed enter—were already lounging on my bed.
"Anyway, ask away if you have questions. I'm just a corpse without my knowledge."
"... ."
"...So, before I kill you all, could you please get out?"
My sisters stopped petting my head affectionately and coldly glared at the maids peeking through the door crack as they fled the room.
'Bloodstained siblings being kind only to me is a romance cliché, but...'
I liked how Lilien Big Sister and Uriel Big Sister treated me kindly now, but someday I'd have to fix their temperaments.
Of course, not now—I'd do it when I grew tall and handsome. Definitely not because they scared me right now.
"...What kind of person is Eldest Sister?"
When I asked with the most harmless expression I could muster, my sisters' faces froze instantly.
"I don't even know her name yet..."
I'd anticipated that reaction, so I asked again while gauging their moods carefully. Uriel Big Sister pondered for a moment before starting her explanation.
"Edelrasia Nox Belverk. But her subordinates call her 'liege' more often than her name."
"...There's only one liege in Belverk, yet she parades it openly."
As Uriel Big Sister began explaining, Lilien—who had been quietly watching her—chimed in too.
"I want more details!"
But I wanted more crucial information, so I urged them on with an impatient look.
"You know our world is divided into four continents, right?"
Uriel Big Sister gave a wry smile and delved into the explanation proper.
"The northern continent overrun by feral beasts and dragons. The southern continent with its kingdom alliance and merchant guild coalition. The eastern continent of martial artists and spirit beasts."
"... ."
"And finally, the western continent comprising the entire Shinehardt Empire."
I nodded, recalling Schwarz's lessons, as Uriel Big Sister held up four fingers and continued in a gentle voice.
"Each continent has candidates for the strongest."
"Candidates for the strongest?"
"The Dragon Lord of the north, the allied forces' supreme commander of the south, the Four Black Alliance Leaders of the east, and..."
I perked up my ears at the intriguing info.
"The Iron-Blooded Princess of the west, Edelrasia Nox Belverk. These four are the current consensus."
"I never knew that!"
"Yes, yes. Ask anytime you're curious."
My eyes sparkled, so Uriel Big Sister smiled with her eyes, petted my head, and continued.
"Anyway, our eldest sister, who fought in wars alongside Mother from childhood, proved her prowess after adulthood by leading subordinates to conquer three continents."
A sudden doubt arose, so I shot my hand up and interrupted Uriel Big Sister.
"Hey, something feels off..."
"Yes?"
"If she's the strongest, why 'candidate'?"
Uriel Big Sister tilted her head, then covered her mouth with a graceful smile.
"Hehe, so that's what you meant."
"Kid, you really don't know the real reason?"
But Lilien, who had been listening quietly, looked at me with pity.
"Ever since our mother, Duchess Astridje, became the 49th family head, debates about the strongest lost all meaning."
"Ah."
"Now it's just speculation about the next generation's strongest."
Ah, that made sense. With Mother as the absolute strongest standing firm, the next-gen debate was heating up.
"Anyway, the point is this."
"... ."
"The monster closest to such a mother is our eldest sister, Edelrasia."
So, how strong was Eldest Sister, who could rival Mother almost uniquely?
"Not just her personal strength, but her subordinates' abilities are exceptional too."
As I pondered, Lilien narrowed her eyes and added.
"For example, the Second Knight Order Captain, Cherhenu III, is an orc chieftain."
"Her orc troops have been infamous since the founding wars."
Second Knight Order Captain—that orc who suddenly got grumpy with me and pinned my whole body down.
Yeah, her grip strength was insane. Even with my weak stamina and Crimson Eyes, struggling was my limit.
"The Third Knight Order Captain, Karnos, is definitely a skeleton... but she always wears a robe, so not much is known."
"But her intellect rivals mine. She's a headache who always foils my schemes."
Come to think of it, the Third Knight Order Captain had communicated on behalf of the quiet Eldest Sister.
And as Uriel Big Sister said, her sharp analysis of my abilities and situational judgment screamed strategist.
"But our eldest sister, who commands these subordinates, is the scariest."
"She has no bottom line. You experienced it yourself yesterday, right?"
I nodded quietly, but yesterday's cold voice flashed in my mind, paling my face.
"I didn't expect someone who could mercilessly kill a ten-year-old to get what she wants."
As Lilien said coolly, Eldest Sister's first impression screamed rebel—radiating an aura like she'd spark civil war in Belverk any moment.
"...Kairen, you said you want to be family head."
"Yes! I will be!"
"Hehe, good that your spirit isn't broken after that."
After coming this far, how could I give up on family head?
Eldest Sister had massive influence, but I had help from many people now too...
"But by my calculations, your chances of becoming family head as is are near zero."
"Gasp."
"Above all, your personal faction is too lacking."
Uriel Big Sister, who had petted my head approvingly, suddenly turned cold with her analysis, making me swallow hard and look down.
"I have you and Lilien Big Sister..."
"I-I'm your rival?"
"Oh? You really trust us?"
Well, Lilien's tsundere act aside, Uriel Big Sister still wasn't fully trustworthy.
"Your current maids and retainers who cherish you are all Mother's close aides."
"... ."
"Lilien has no faction, and the aides I lent are technically just loaned."
Frankly, Uriel Big Sister's points were all spot-on.
Mother and the meritorious houses' heads seemed fond of me, but could I move them for family head? No.
"So, if you want to be family head, build your own faction with your own power from now on."
"... ."
"Of course, the sooner, the better."
So, I resolved.
Following Uriel Big Sister's advice, to seriously enter the family head race, I'd build my own freely movable faction.
"Hey, Uriel Big Sister."
"Hm?"
"Where's the saintess I rescued?"
First, recruit the framed fake saintess. She might not help now, but once truth emerges, she'd boost my faction hugely...
"Oh, I forgot to mention."
I asked Uriel Big Sister amid those thoughts, but her response made me bolt up.
"Mother locked the fake saintess in the underground dungeon. Want to meet her?"
No, wait—that's no way to treat the future powerhouse saintess who'll gain massive authority once cleared!
"I-I'll head to the basement quick!"
Panicking, I flung the door open and dashed down the hall before anyone could stop me.
"Hehe, be careful anyway."
"Yes!"
"Your sole rival, our eldest sister, is quite ruthless."
Uriel Big Sister's final warning trailed faintly as distance grew.
"...She'd snap your neck without batting an eye."
Even so, it chilled my spine mid-run.
'Winning Eldest Sister's affection seems impossible...?'
I'd try, but first, rescue the saintess from the dungeon—worry later.
"Haa..."
Still, I'd hoped to get along with Eldest Sister somehow. What a shame.
Meanwhile, at that time. The eldest daughter's stronghold in the imperial north.
"... ."
The eldest daughter, meditating cross-legged in her room at the stronghold with eyes closed, slowly opened them.
- *Glance around*...
She stealthily scanned her surroundings, then cautiously stood.
"... ."
She pulled something from her bosom, face cold, and headed to the bookshelf.
- *Creak*...
Pushing the shelf aside revealed a hidden space.
As she stared coldly into it—enough to chill spines—
"Liege!!! Are you inside!!!"
The Second Knight Order Captain's booming voice erupted from beyond the door.
"...!"
Realizing it, her eyes widened; she hurled the object at the wall in panic.
- *Boom!!!*
Thrown so hard, friction ignited it; it shattered on impact, scattering fragments everywhere.
"Uh? Uhh... Liege?"
"L-Liege. What in the world..."
The Second and Third Knight Order Captains, entering early for their routine report that day, witnessed it all.
"...!"
They inspected the fallen object with surprise, faces hardening.
"Liege... Forgive us."
"This is all because we're inadequate."
Kairen's charred photo lay amid glass shards from the shattered frame, burning pathetically on the floor.
"No more hesitation. I'll stake my life."
"One word, and I'll summon the orc troops and undead legion tomorrow."
Finally sensing the room's thick killing intent, the captains prostrated, sweating coldly, begging mercy.
"...Out."
The eldest daughter, back to the wall, issued a single icy command.
"Liege, then... next time..."
"P-Preparations for the greater cause are progressing steadily, so rest assured..."
The killing intent pierced their ears, sweeping their bodies; pale and trembling, fearing she'd change her mind, they hastily ended the report and fled.
"... ."
A chilling silence fell.
- *Rustle*...
In it, the cold-faced eldest daughter lowered her head, knelt, and prostrated on the floor.
"... ."
Revealed was a secret display case of cute, girly collectibles she'd hidden with her back.
'Ah...'
Only she knew why it lacked space for one photo, unlike usual.
'I went through so much trouble to get this...'
She dazedly gathered ashes of Kairen's photo with her hands, then dejectedly crouched, head bowed, lips mumbling. Only the eldest daughter did so.