Chapter 340
Chapter 340
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 340
Chapter Title: 340. Reborn as the Plum Sword Guard in the Count's Family
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My attitude and tone were rude. It was blatantly not the way to treat a guest. I knew that much myself, but I had no intention whatsoever of showing respect to Gent.
'Fuck. I was in the middle of a sex party with beautiful maids in the swimming pool...!'
I suppressed the urge to raise my head and glare with murderous intent. I wanted to kick Gent out of this mansion as quickly as possible, even by a second.
And speaking of rudeness, Gent was just as bad. He'd shown up at the mansion without any prior notice, accompanied by several knights. In this world, that level of discourtesy would warrant criticism without question.
Currently, his knights were keeping an eye on me to ensure I didn't pull any tricks.
"Why the hell did you really come here?"
I asked again.
At this point, given Gent's personality, he should have lost his temper. But instead, he calmly took a sip of his black tea and spoke leisurely.
"If I said I came to check with my own eyes whether my little brother is doing well, would you believe me?"
"Bullshit."
It was thanks to Gent that I'd received my barony and become the lord of Tevra port city. If he hadn't schemed, I'd still be living in the Prukus Count's mansion even now.
Of course, looking back, I felt a bit grateful. I was enjoying a life of happiness there that I could never have imagined in the count's mansion.
"Eugene. I hear there's a strange rumor circulating among the nobles."
I could sense that Gent had grown. The old him would have already been yelling at me by now.
'Is it because of me? In the original story, Kyle was away from the kingdom, so Gent had no enemies until Kyle returned. But now, Gent sees me as an enemy.'
It could only be explained as a change brought about by my existence.
"Strange rumor?"
"The rumor that you've fallen into sodomy. Seeing your butlers up close, it seems the rumor has some credibility. What's the truth? Tell me honestly, and I'll help you."
All the butlers working in my mansion were women dressed as men. And they were all beauties worthy of the name. That was likely the source of the rumor.
It was something I'd expected, so I wasn't surprised.
"I don't know where you heard it, but it's nonsense. You didn't come here just because of some idle gossip, did you?"
"Nonsense... I thought it was true since you don't invite outsiders. Apparently not."
"Gent, bro. Let's get to the point. What do you want from me? Is it about the Korea Merchant Group?"
"I'm not interested in some merchant group."
I felt relieved. Gent's core nature hadn't changed much. Born a noble, he still looked down on merchants as mere merchants.
"I came today because I was worried about you."
"...Worried?"
"His Majesty's birthday is in two months, isn't it? With your chronic illness, I was concerned you might push yourself too hard, so I came in person."
"Ah. In other words, you want me to skip the king's birthday and hole up in the mansion?"
"Rough words, but it seems you've grasped my intent."
I glared at Gent. He met my gaze with composure.
"Gent, bro. You know His Majesty's birthday isn't just any birthday. He's turning 60, and it coincides with the 30th anniversary of his ascension. If I skip it, my reputation will plummet. No one in high society will invite me anywhere. I'll be branded an ungrateful Prukus with no honor or loyalty."
"Don't worry about that. I'll personally advise His Majesty and the nobles that day. I'll say my brother couldn't attend due to a life-threatening heart condition. So nothing for you to fret over. Rest easy here, little brother."
Words can mean one thing or another. Even a slight change in tone can alter their feel. There was no way I could trust Gent.
'Gent's scheme is obvious. He wants to eliminate my influence in high society.'
I had no intention of sitting idly by as he suggested.
"Bro, my heart condition is fine. I haven't had an attack recently."
"It's not fully cured, is it?"
"It's close enough. Even if I push it, there won't be any issues. No matter what you say, I'm going to the palace. I've already prepared a gift for His Majesty."
"Little brother, it seems you've been too sheltered to know the world. It's not a peaceful place. Travelers get eaten by monsters all the time. This is the frontier. It'll take a long journey to reach the capital. Without proper soldiers or knights, how do you plan to survive monsters and bandits? Stay comfortably in the mansion. I'll deliver the gift you prepared for His Majesty."
"I didn't know you worried about me this much, bro. I'm grateful, but it's fine. I plan to travel with Mother."
"What!?"
Gent's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard.
"You're going with that woman...?"
"That woman? Blood may not tie us, but she's my mother. Mother."
Elaine Cassirot.
The second wife of Count Prukus and the biological mother of the protagonist, Kyle. She and I weren't blood-related.
And she was also the woman I had my eyes on.
"I haven't asked her yet, but if I do, she'll surely agree. We're family. It's not like I'm asking for money—just to travel together. No reason to refuse. The main family has a knight order, so the safety you mentioned is guaranteed. Our family's knights won't fall to monsters or bandits. Or do you not trust the family's knights, bro?"
"......"
"Business done? I'll remember your concern. Now get out of the mansion."
Gent's face twisted at my words. But he quickly composed himself and called my name in a low, threatening voice, different from before.
"Eugene."
"What."
"I told you before—I'm testing you. I said I'd reveal the results when I reclaim the Prukus count title."
"Ah, right. Maybe I'll never hear the results."
I sneered at him.
"I'll give you your midterm grade right now. You failed."
"Failed. I'm used to it. I was never good at tests, as you know. I'm a bit frail."
"...I can overlook the Korea Merchant Group. But I hear you've been meeting nobles lately."
"Can't refuse invitations."
"You've been getting along well with the family's retainers. Giving them lots of gifts, too."
"They're the family elders. Someone has to look after them. If not me, who?"
"...It's not too late. I'll give you a chance to turn the results around. Stay put in this mansion."
It was a warning.
Before, I might have grudgingly heeded it out of annoyance. Gent's faction was too strong to openly clash with. I'd have played the coward outwardly, waiting for Kyle's return to stab him in the back.
But things had changed.
Yuria had reached the aura master realm much faster than I'd expected. She was low-tier aura master now, but she'd beat Ention Prukus, a mid-tier aura master.
Yuria was also an archmage, with talent surpassing other aura masters.
"Bro, I told you. No matter what you say, I'm going to the palace."
Gent sighed.
"......Fine. I didn't realize my little brother was this stupid."
I smiled. From now on, we were enemies. But he wouldn't try to kill me. We shared blood, after all, at least nominally.
Killing a brother would scare the retainers. If he killed family, they'd think they'd be next, even easier. He'd avoid the worst methods as much as possible.
"I don't know when we'll talk again... but whether we can smile at each other then, who knows."
Gent started to rise. Him leaving the mansion was welcome. But sending him off like this would give me a fit of rage.
"Bro."
"What."
"I'll show you something amazing. You'll be shocked the moment you see it. I guarantee it."
"Something amazing?"
Gent narrowed his eyes.
I extended my hand to Yuria beside me. Quick-witted as always, she placed a dagger on my palm without hesitation.
"......Eugene. I don't think you're that foolish, but..."
"No, it's not what you think. Watch closely."
I covered the blade with my other palm.
"Yah!"
When I removed my hand, blue aura flickered along the blade like flames.
"......!"
Gent's eyes bulged. He looked like a noble who'd just heard a plague had hit his territory—stunned beyond imagination.
He stared for a long while, only speaking after I extinguished the aura.
"H-how... How can you use aura...!"
"I put in some effort. Oh, I'm 17 now, so isn't this the youngest expert in kingdom history?"
I chuckled. Actually, the true youngest aura expert was Yuria, right beside me.
For reference, Gent had become an aura expert at 24.
"......"
Gent trembled, speechless. I could feel his jealousy and inferiority toward me.
If word got out that I could use aura, I could pull some of his retainers—or even neutral ones—to my side.
And my reputation in the kingdom would flip entirely. I might even be treated like a hero.
"Bro, get home safe. The world is dangerous, as you said. Next time we meet... well, what will change? We're blood brothers."
"......"
Gent left the mansion in a daze, trailed by his escort knights.
"Master. Wasn't that a bit too hasty...?"
"It's fine. It's fine. I've got you, after all."
I grabbed Yuria's cheek, pulled her close, and kissed her. My other hand delved into her bosom.
"Hah...!"
One month later.
I received word that Gent had gotten engaged to a certain noble lady.
He, who'd had no intention of marrying before becoming the official heir, suddenly announcing an engagement. It was clearly to check me.
His fiancée was Vivi Heolis, daughter of the Heolis Marquis family.
The Heolis Marquis family was a great noble in the west of the Rapelli Kingdom. One of the kingdom's top five richest houses, owners of the Hollis Merchant Group. The Hollis was under the Kozline Guild, wielding great influence.
'He got engaged to the eldest daughter of Heolis because of my biggest card, the Korea Merchant Group. Annoying bastard.'
I wanted to assassinate him outright, but that would cause chaos. The retainers might suspect me. Even if assassinating, now wasn't the time. Besides, I didn't want to beat him with such a petty method.
'No way I can't handle this one punk. And later, when I take back the count title, I want to see him clinging to my leg, begging for his life.'
I checked Vivi Heolis's portrait.
A beauty with rare bright light-green hair. According to the documents, the Heolis family had elf blood. Apparently mixed in about 300 years ago.
'Skin's pale, breasts... A-cup? Cliffs. But proportions are great. Slim arms, probably killer legs. Can't tell much with the dress... Not bad.'
I felt my dick twitch.
A porn scene was already forming in my head.
Porn or erotic novels—sister-in-law tropes were overused. And in reality, I'd seen news of affairs with sisters-in-law.
'Damn. Reminds me of that webtoon I read before. Makes me hornier for no reason.'
I thought of the king's birthday next month. Gent—and Vivi Heolis—would both be at the palace.
'And this bitch is probably a virgin.'
Engaged, but not married. High nobles valued chastity, so no relations yet. Gent was noble to the bone.
'Gotta fuck her this time. Heh heh...'
My mouth was already watering. Her pussy hair must be the same light green as her head. Maybe even smells like grass down there.