Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Netori or Die: Make Your Choice
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Anyway, I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.
This bastard might think I'm putting on a good-guy act again or playing the eunuch.
Far from it. That's not the case.
I'm feeling both a sense of wrongness and a real crisis from my body's breakdown.
So, if this woman had really come because she wanted to sleep with me, I might have gone along with it.
But nine times out of ten, the reason she came is because of Gald's orders.
"Does the clan head have unique tastes?"
"By noble standards, I think it's normal."
Normal is normal—why bring up noble standards...
This is fucking scary.
"Why would a normal man send his wife to me?"
Gald's wife smiled.
"Don't you already have an idea?"
"Roughly, yeah. That's why I'm not interested."
I pointed my index finger toward the dark corridor beyond.
"Go home."
Whether her pride was hurt or whatever, she silently stared at me.
Silence.
A moment later, she finally spoke.
"I'll see you again."
"Sure. In the morning."
At my words implying we wouldn't meet at night, she left without much resistance.
Did Gald not order her to throw herself at me but just to test the waters?
Why did she come?
Couldn't he have sent a servant instead of his wife?
The Hart Clan was said to have a tight grip on commerce.
Even if Gold wasn't, the clan head Gald felt fundamentally like a merchant, so did he see some kind of value in me as a commodity?
Was that why he needed something more binding than just friendship and sent his own wife?
What does Gold, his son, think of this?
At the very least, Gald must think I'm worth this much effort.
Prostia.
That dragon was truly a being capable of destroying the world.
And I, who had repelled such an existence—even if it was an incomplete descent—would objectively be considered beyond specs.
I'd heard from Asita that no Outsider had ever killed, let alone defeated, any of the eight demon kings so far, so what I'd accomplished was undoubtedly a great feat.
But that was me back then.
I could win that time thanks to Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy, but without that skill now, I'd lose for sure if we fought again.
Maybe he wants to entrust me with sealing Prostia?
Suddenly, I felt a desperate need for greater power.
Not just leveling up to stop my body's breakdown—I needed to reclaim the powerful techniques I'd used in past games and raise my body to match their level.
Not up to 'Galactic Sword' or 'Absolute Sword,' but at least the tier just below them needed restoration.
Staying idle like this felt risky with unknown events looming ahead.
I didn't know what the gods wanted, but the stronger I was, the easier it'd be to handle things.
In a situation like now, where I couldn't read the opponent's intentions, strength would make it irrelevant anyway.
I might be overreacting and thinking too negatively.
But regardless of why this happened, building power would definitely help.
That's how it was 'back then' too.
Even I was surprised... the blood and screams from that time...
.....
Whatever. One thing was clear.
I was sleepy and didn't want to deal with this anymore.
So I went to sleep. A good night's rest would clear my head.
And the next day.
I blinked at Gold's attitude.
Unlike usual, he glanced at the woman beside him with a displeased face and said,
"Why are you joining us?"
"Because I'm family too."
"I have no issue with that. But I wanted to dine alone with my brother."
"It's the clan head's orders."
"Hmph. Father's orders, huh? Fine, do as you like. Just leave everything regarding my brother to me."
Gold seemed to sense the blatant recruitment attempt too.
But... is this how a mother and son talk?
I found her uncomfortable too, but wasn't this attitude toward his mother a bit much?
Gold had come to my room first thing in the morning and invited me to eat in his private dining hall, but Gald's wife showed up and sat with us.
From that moment, he'd been giving off uncomfortable vibes, and now he was outright rude.
Last night, I'd wondered why Gald would do something that might hurt Gold if he found out, but seeing this, Gold probably wouldn't care even if he knew.
He seemed to dislike his mother.
Gald probably knew that too.
But watching Gold mistreat his mother made me uncomfortable—not for her feelings, but because I worried how it reflected on Gold as a person.
"Gold..."
I'd been taught not to meddle in family matters.
I hesitated, but Gold looked at me and shrugged.
"She's not my mother. She's Father's concubine."
"Oh? Not a concubine, but a second wife?"
"Same difference. My only mother is the one who passed away."
It seemed like a settled issue between them; his tone was flat, and neither seemed dissatisfied with the titles.
I see~ So she's the second wife.
No, he sent her to seduce me, so there's zero affection there. Why marry her if he just wanted a sex friend?
"Father didn't give you any weird orders, did he?"
"Like what?"
"Like throwing yourself at my brother."
.....
Whoa, Gold... why so spot-on?
"Who knows? Why do you think that?"
"Hmph. Desperately clinging to her position as second wife. Anxious because she's the only one without a child?"
"......"
Gald's wife kept her faint smile, but I could feel her body tremble slightly.
She's pissed but can't show it.
Gold was treated almost on par with clan head Gald, even to an outsider like me, so it made sense she couldn't snap back.
And the only one without a child...? So there are other wives and kids.
Gold sighed.
"Even if you're chased out of the Hart Clan someday, I have no intention of pretending I don't know you as someone who was once family. Wouldn't it be better for you to break free and live freely?"
"Thank you for the consideration, but I'll always be a member of the Hart Clan."
"Is that so. Anyway, I'll speak to Father, so no need to force yourself into anything you don't want. Besides, my brother has no interest in women."
What?
Who?
Me?
It's not that they don't show interest in me—I've got tons of interest in women.
I'm even pondering what excuse to use to visit Repelt without it being awkward.
"Above all, my brother's schedule is packed starting today. He has to meet His Majesty soon, so he needs etiquette lessons, plus tours of the academy and floating islands. Time's short, anyway. Understand?"
"Yes. I understand."
"Good. Do as you like now."
And Gald's wife kept her smile and finished the meal with us.
Mental strength is no joke...
She tossed questions my way now and then—where I planned to pledge myself, if I had any visions in mind, that they could support me—blatant recruitment pitches.
I was on edge wondering if Gold would snap midway, but he just silently ate.
Once she left, Gold spoke.
"Such rude questions."
"Is that so."
"If she weren't family, I'd have thrown her out right here. But she's in a tough spot too. I'll talk to Father about this. Wait a bit—then we'll head to Prynar Academy, brother."
"Got it. I'll tell Lena to prepare to leave."
"Alright."
I really wanted to see Repelt, but Prynar Academy intrigued me too.
Not sure how long I'd be staying here, so better check it out myself.
Everyone I'd met had shown such admiration and hype for Prynar Academy—thinking of seeing it firsthand made my heart stir a little.
I'm a homebody by nature, so it's not the excitement of a social butterfly visiting a famous spot—more like entering a new area in a game.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hart Clan head's office.
Compared to the mansion-like estate, the office was surprisingly cramped.
Not just in appearance—the interior decor was modest too.
Only essentials for work, plus a table and sofa for occasional guests.
Gald was staring intently at the documents on the desk.
Creeeak.
Suddenly, the door opened without a knock.
In this mansion, only one person could do that.
His precious, proud son.
"Clan head."
"Heh heh. Not calling me Father means you're upset, huh?"
"You know and still ask?"
"Heh heh heh heh."
He gestured for him to sit, and the son obeyed. Instead of facing him directly, Gald sat beside and stroked Gold's head.
His spiked hair was stiffly styled as always, but Gold said nothing.
"So, you can't understand what this father did?"
"I know you sent her to gauge what kind of person Dre brother is. Most Outsiders are greedy and thoughtless, after all."
"Right. By that measure, he passes."
Gald smiled bitterly.
"But I actually hoped he'd sleep with my wife. If he wanted, I was even fine giving him another one."
"Even though she's your wife?"
Gald's bitter smile turned to a proud grin.
His son was brilliant and excellent, but inflexible in such matters.
Bound by common sense and morality.
That he voiced it only to Gald, never showing it to others or rivals, was praiseworthy... and this rigid side was exactly what Gald secretly desired.
Nothing made him happier than a son so different from himself.
"From the start, you're the only one this father truly loves besides your mother."
The others were mere cogs to keep the Hart Clan running smoothly.
Cheap disposables to acquire what's important.
"Even so..."
"Gold. Do you know this father's wish?"
Father and son stared piercingly into each other's eyes.
Finally, Gold spoke.
"Status quo."
"Yes. I don't ask for much. No desire for the clan to boom under me—just preserve what we have. Which means I'd do anything for that."
"......"
"At my age, you see things others can't. At least, you can gauge character and know who not to make an enemy."
Gald stroked Gold's head again.
"Dre, was it?"
"Precisely, Yedre brother."
"I see... Odd name. Better than that rumored 'Dragoongun' though."
Gald chuckled heartily before turning serious.
"Stay on good terms with him, like now."
"Of course. Even setting aside benefits, he's someone to emulate and respect..."
"Gold."
"?"
Gold looked up at his interrupting father, who spoke in a gentle tone.
"Don't make him an enemy."
"......"
His father's grave words.
Gold usually read his beloved father's intentions perfectly.
But now, he couldn't. It meant emotions and logic different from usual.
After a long silence, Gold nodded.
"Understood."
"Good. That's enough. You wanted me to stop yesterday's stunt, right? Consider it done. The Outsider Dre—I'll leave him to you now."
"Thank you. Then I'll take brother to Prynar Academy today."
"Mm. Ah..."
Gald paused, thinking for seconds, then continued.
"You don't plan to team up with Graize's daughter, do you? You have no idea how shocked I was hearing that yesterday."
This probably wasn't what he'd meant to say earlier.
Even knowing that, Gold didn't ask.
Instead, he affirmed his father's subtle disapproval of Graize.
"Sorry. I'll make an effort."
"Good, good."
As Gold rose, his eyes went to the desk—specifically, the documents atop it.
His eyes narrowed.
Gald groaned at his son's gaze and said,
"It's nothing."
"Yes. Understood."
With that, Gold left.
The document bore a large emblem revealing its sender.
Curious as he must be, his son knew when to withdraw—commendable.
Gald sighed deeply and sat back at his desk, eyes on the document below.
Emblazoned on it: the Graize Clan's emblem of light.
He reviewed the contents from Graize again.
[Periodic Report] 1. Prostia status report. 2. Outsider Killer Almiras has slain three high-ranking Outsiders. Currently tracking location. 3. Top ranker Outsiders Ganggeomil and White Maface have entered Entiaer Kingdom. Monitoring current status. Elf Forest remains unfindable. Request support. . . .
Usual contents.
Some pointless.
But the bottom line nailed Gald's eyes.
[Outsider Dre will be handled on this side.]
"Indeed..."
Muttering unconsciously, Gald sank deep into his chair.
Graize Clan's current head was a fearsome man.
Far superior and more aggressive than himself, who just wanted peaceful days.
The one who'd elevated the already strong Graize to lead the Ten Great Clans.
Those he targeted fell nine times out of ten.
What about Dre?
Graize's feelings toward Dre were still unclear.
But Gald's intuition told him.
An instinct honed from decades in commerce, not just as a Ten Great Clan head.
Graize knew dozens what Gald didn't—but Gald knew one Graize missed.
And it was crucial.
"Acting on emotion will backfire big time, Graize."
Gald recalled Dre.
A young man who seemed unremarkable at first glance—boyish, even.
Not looking down on him as young or green.
Gald had seen something hidden in those eyes.
Something only a madman could possess.
The gaze of one who could drag not just others, but himself to ruin.
Gald had seen such eyes once before.
From a noble being beyond human.
He seemed calm at a glance, but it was dangerous.
Gald sincerely hoped his son got along well with him.
Graize would do something anyway.
No rush to act after.
With that thought, Gald leaned forward for the next task.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Vroooom!
"Wow."
"Heh heh heh."
I marveled, and Gold let out a satisfied laugh.
What we were riding wasn't a carriage. It was a car.
A sports car, no less!
No, cooler than a sports car.
Every gear shift sent geometric patterns flowing inside.
I had zero interest in cars—hell, no money for one—but even I felt my heart race at this beauty.
"The Hart Clan's secret weapon. What do you think?"
"Amazing."
Genuine feelings.
Fast, smooth ride.
Gold said it was the priciest vehicle around—totally believable.
"How's it compare to El's car?"
This guy's competitive streak is intense.
Still hung up on El teasing him with her car before?
But with those expectant sparkling eyes, I had to say what he wanted.
"This one's way better."
"Really! Ha ha ha!"
Gold laughed heartily. Too bad Lena didn't come...
The maids said she's honing skills to serve her future master and is motivated—commendable, so I left her be.
But...
"Gold, isn't Prynar Academy inside the dragon's territory?"
The car was heading outward, not inward, which felt off.
This path led to lion territory.
"Nope."
"I see."
Our destination: Ryunar's Land.
Home of Prynar Academy.
"Which direction is Ryunar's Land?"
"Can't say a direction... It always moves."
Moves...?
"We're heading to a warp gate. No other way to reach it."
"......?"
Reading my face, Gold smugly pointed upward.
"Open the window and look up, brother."
Come to think of it, he'd pointed at the sky before too?
I stuck my head out as told.
The clear blue sky was nice.
But nothing else?
......No, not quite.
Not right above, but that tree vaguely visible in last night's sky was there.
...Tree? Is that a tree?
And what holds it up... Ah.
Ryunar's Land.
Ryunar existed anywhere in this world.
Wouldn't be strange anywhere.
Even in the open sky.
I turned back, and as if confirming my thought, Gold said,
"That's the land where Prynar Academy is located. Ryunar's Land."
...Ooh.
The school... is floating in the sky.
So. Damn. Fantasy.
My heart started pounding.