Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Became a Time-Limited (Not) Genius (2)
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"Enoch. My little brother. If you only had one year left to live, what would you most want to do?"
"Big bro. How many times a day do you think jerking off is normal?"
"...?"
What's with the difference in questions.
They were so far apart that I pondered for a moment and organized my thoughts.
"So... if I only had one year left to live, you're asking how many times a day I'd do it?"
"...That's not what I meant. I was asking literally what you really want to do... Ah, or maybe it's something like that you want to do?"
"Huh? No, not just for one year... Heuk! Big bro, you're saying after one year, there'll be no more reason for me to jerk off?!"
Jevella nodded as if she understood, while Yuria's eyes widened with sparkling excitement.
I didn't know exactly, but at least I got that it wasn't meant that way.
They had probably each asked different questions.
The head seat left empty as if it were mine even in my absence. A slight sense of rejection rose, but I reminded myself I had to get used to it now and sat in the chair.
Then, as the bread prepared for the meal arrived just in time, I took a big bite and spoke.
"It's a bit out of the blue... but to be serious, even if I'm told I'll die in a year, I don't think I'd do anything particularly special, sis. Even if the world ends tomorrow, there's that saying about planting an apple tree, right?"
"...I've read quite a few books, but that's a new one to me."
Ah. It's not a saying in this world. Makes sense. It was some figure from Earth who said it.
It had been a while, but since it wasn't the first time since reincarnating, I naturally made an excuse.
"It's a saying from Calypso Territory. The point is, no matter the situation, I'll stay true to what I need to do without wavering."
"Enoch..."
For some reason, Jevella clutched her chest tightly with a heartbroken expression.
It contrasted so much with her usual gentle demeanor that I worried something had happened.
"Then... whenever you feel like doing something like that, come to your big sister's room."
"...??"
Looks like Jevella was a Zahav through and through.
"Ah! Can I come watch too? Sis and big bro... Heh heh."
And Yuria was unmistakably a Zahav to anyone who saw her.
Looks like the family genes were intact even without Bloodline Abilities.
Shaking my head, I had Karen tell the kitchen to grill some simple meat to go with the bread.
I took a sip of lukewarm water and continued.
"I don't know how it turned into that conversation, but don't we have more important things right now, Jevella sis?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Cleanup."
"Don't worry about that. Luckily, the fight was in an open plaza, and the gods blocked most of the aftermath, so there are some minor damages but nothing major to repair."
"No. I'm not talking about money... I'm talking about people."
Money-wise, we'd gotten 2 million gold from Ignis this time, so we had some leeway.
I didn't know much about House Zahav's finances, but that kind of sum should solve our immediate economic issues in one go.
"People..."
"The knights killed by Shakar. And the maids and their families who suffered horribly. Ah, and the head chef almost got baked in the oven, I heard."
Remembering I'd ordered more meat grilled made me feel unnecessarily guilty.
"For now, let's give generous consolation money. And treat the survivors too."
"...You really mean that? Why?"
Jevella looked at me with surprised eyes. I flinched for a moment.
To me, it was a perfectly common-sense response, and since I'd decided to live as the head of House Zahav, I'd brought it up first.
Thinking about it, I realized this perfectly normal talk was actually uncharacteristic of House Zahav.
Shakar was scum who deserved to die... but he was also a textbook example that helped me understand what people thought of as 'Zahav-like.'
I made an excuse that was similar enough but didn't cross the line.
"You heard it when I talked with Shakar before, right? Everyone in this land is mine. My dogs that I raise. I can't let others touch them carelessly."
"...I get it. We have enough leeway for that, so don't worry. Actually, using this as a kind of propaganda could boost the territory folk's morale, so that's good."
The moment I averted my gaze from Jevella's faint smile, Yuria was glaring at her soup bowl with a thoughtful expression.
"Yuria? Aren't you eating?"
"Me. Unlike sis, my head's not that great, so I don't get why treating them is important, how much it costs, or why it's actually good."
"I see."
The things Ignis kept admiring during our conversation. One of them was that for a Zahav, I was smart and had a thirst for knowledge.
To me, it was average comprehension, a question anyone could have, yet he evaluated me that way.
That meant House Zahav was a bloodline of simple brutes. Shakar hadn't struck me as clever either.
Her skin was as pale as Jevella's, but nodding at her striking golden blonde hair and golden eyes.
She really wasn't the sharpest, and even knowing it herself, voicing it inevitably carried some self-deprecation.
So, to comfort her a bit, I spoke as lightly as possible.
"Don't worry about it. It's all settled."
"...But I get this much."
"Huh?"
"Big bro really likes pet play, huh?!"
"..."
"Mm-hm. Good thing you liked dragging me around using my hair as a leash last time!"
"..."
"Wanna do it again?"
A beaming smile. But with a somehow lecherous glint in her eyes, Yuria pulled out a long strand of her bright golden hair, wrapped it once around her neck, and offered the end to me.
Every time my fingers twitched, the tip of her hair swayed as if seducing me.
"If you're done eating, go hunt some monsters."
I wasn't particularly tempted.
What should I say. Her desires were so blatantly obvious it kinda turned me off instead.
Even if not, her blindly pushing regardless of the mood felt less lewd and more cute.
Maybe because she was saying it fully armored, planning to head straight to the dungeon after eating.
Of course, at my apathetic reaction, Yuria puffed her cheeks like she was mad.
"Ah, can't you just man up and go along once, big bro?"
"...Please don't say crazy shit with that cute face."
"Ah! Big bro. So you think I'm cute normally?"
"Just to check, in front of others..."
"Don't worry. No one but big bro really turns me on. No idea why."
Yuria tilted her head as if even she didn't understand. Then, as if realizing something, her mouth fell open.
"Ah! Is that it? Because big bro and sis Jevella aren't the type to try killing me when the mood strikes?"
"That's a pretty extreme reason... Ah."
Thinking about it, House Zahav had all its heirs die in internal strife.
Looking at dead Shakar's state, it must've been a pretty brutal family when they were alive.
And amid over thirty of those guys bickering, Jevella and Yuria were there?
Compared to that, I'd look like a fairy.
No wonder her values were a bit twisted.
For some reason, I roughly patted her crown, pressing down firmly, and said.
"Cut the nonsense. If you're done eating, wait a bit."
"Huh?"
"I was planning to lightly loosen up in the dungeon today and check various things. Might as well teach my pathetic little sister a thing or two."
"Whoa! Dungeon date...!"
"Dungeon management, you mean?"
"Right. I read in a book I borrowed last time about 'ejaculation management.' Is that really a thing?"
"...The academy must be trending some seriously shady books."
The empire's future. Is this really okay?
As I sighed deeply, I glanced at Jevella, who was still lost in deep thought.
Then I realized and hurriedly rummaged through my pocket.
Thinking back, the moment I brought back the money, all hell broke loose. Naturally, Jevella, who didn't know how much I'd earned, must be worried about funds.
For now, I pulled out a few gems I'd meant to use as secret funds and handed them to Jevella.
They were originally insurance for exiled life... but now that I'd made up my mind, they were unnecessary.
After all, House Zahav's entire fortune would soon be mine.
"Take this for starters, sis."
"Huh? What's this all of a sudden... No way, did you buy all this?!"
"No. I didn't buy them—I earned them. Did you forget why I went to the west?"
"...Ah!"
Finally realizing, Jevella's eyes shook greatly.
"I went through some hardship, but I earned a ton. Ask Karen for details. She brought the rest of the payment."
"..."
Jevella fell silent for a moment. A resolute light rose in her violet eyes.
"Got it. I promise you, Enoch. I won't waste a single coin of this money—I'll use it all for you."
"No, use it for the territory, not me."
"You're House Zahav soon enough, Enoch."
Couldn't argue with that...
Feeling awkwardly embarrassed, I stuffed some still-warm meat into my mouth and stood up.
"Anyway, I'll get going. Sorry for making you work so hard, but please keep managing the territory well, sis."
"Huh? Leaving already?"
"Yeah, well. Lying down all day made me stiff. I did overdo it, so I'll take it slow for rehab. Don't worry."
"I see... Take care. I'll wait here for the two of you."
Jevella nodded gracefully. Leaving her behind, I took Yuria, still grinning lewdly, and headed out.
Thus, heading to the dungeon across the territory with Yuria.
For some reason, the atmosphere around us felt strangely buzzing.
I was getting slightly used to the retainers thumping their chests in salute or the territory folk bowing deeply. It was the expected reaction.
There were prayer gatherings for my recovery, right?
But amid that, quite a few sent uneasy, pitying looks.
"Yuria. Why are people staring so weirdly?"
"If it's not big bro suddenly grabbing passersby to pick fights, it's probably just the rumors going around lately?"
"Rumors?"
I'd brushed it off naturally, but Karen had mentioned something about rumors before we went to the dining hall.
"What rumors?"
"Eh? Nothing much. Big bro's strong, right?"
"Yeah."
"It's like, calling you a genius or something."
"A bit grandiose, but close enough."
Most of my abilities were honed from experiment side effects, but I was at least born knowing how to fight.
As I shrugged, Yuria dropped an absurd bombshell.
"So the rumor is you're gonna die young."
"What?"
"You know, geniuses die young, right? They're worried your brilliant flame is burning you out."
"Total nonsense."
"Right?"
Yuria and I looked at each other and snickered.
Who'd seriously believe such bullshit?
That evening, after returning from the dungeon.
I blinked at the table full of foods famous for being good for the body.
"???"
Apparently, Jevella specially ordered them with the money I gave.
...What is this.