Chapter 530
Chapter 530
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 530
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hasent, the head butler of the main household, entered the room.
He had served as head butler for over several decades since the time of the previous family head, and could be called Yuria's teacher who taught her shadow magic. Though neither Hasent nor Yuria acknowledged it as a master-disciple relationship.
"Hasent. Did you know about my relationship with Vivi Heollis and despise me for it?"
Hasent had worked longer than I had, and he enjoyed the family head's trust. He was someone I could never treat lightly, but when we were alone, it was an exception.
"No, Young Master. I have no feelings whatsoever about your sex life. Quite the opposite—I'm impressed. She's a spy you planted. Gent Young Master has no idea that his wife is a spy."
Hasent's eyes were filled with trust toward me. He saw me as the chosen prophet. It was the result of using the original story's information.
"Hasent. You might know about me. That my relationships with women aren't clean."
"That's a good thing. The seeds of the one who will become the lord of Prucker are spreading far and wide. Among those seeds, the outstanding one will become the next lord of Prucker."
"...Kyle has returned as an Expert upper grade. Do you still think I have the qualifications to become the head of the Prucker family?"
"My thoughts haven't changed, Young Master. Martial prowess is important, but it's not an essential virtue for the head of a family. You told me that you would make it so no one could ignore the Prucker family. I've seen those words come true. Ever since you established the Koria Merchant Company, those who ignored the Prucker family have greatly decreased. The power of money is tremendous."
"Money is tremendous for everyone because it's equal to all. Kyle might become an Aura Master in a few years. Would you still follow me then?"
"I've already pledged my loyalty to you, Young Master. An Aura Master—impressive. It's the realm every knight dreams of, a transcendent state where one can face ten thousand soldiers. And you possess a sword of that realm."
Sword.
Hasent always compared Yuria to a sword.
"Did you know Yuria's level? She must have thoroughly hidden it."
"I barely noticed. Because it was perfectly hidden, I could tell."
"Well, you're the one who taught her assassination techniques and shadow magic, so it's no wonder. How does it feel knowing the sword you forged has become the finest blade?"
"It's not a sword I forged. I taught her very little. She's a sword that sharpened itself. So sharp that I'm worried it might harm you, Young Master."
Hasent was wary of Yuria.
I trusted Yuria, but Hasent still didn't fully trust her.
"It's fine. Yuria won't harm me."
Yuria wouldn't betray me. I could swear to it. If I told her to die, she would without a word of protest.
"Hasent. I called you to gauge Father's intentions before he returns in two days."
"...My apologies. I have no information on the current family head. He trusts me, but... he doesn't use me as an assassin. There's been no word lately."
"What do you think?"
"I don't know. The family head has been unconventional since he was young. Perhaps this time as well..."
I nodded. I had asked just in case.
Count Prucker, Ention, was a man of few words, and in his youth, he was often called an eccentric. It was no surprise that his retainers couldn't fully grasp his intentions.
'Something will happen in two days.'
I checked my wristwatch. It was time to sleep.
"On the day of the banquet, Prince Aiden and Princess Ailin will attend. Rumors are spreading among the nobles that they've accepted the invitation."
"Yes, I've heard. If you order an assassination, I'll stake everything to kill the princess and prince."
"You know I won't give such an order."
"Young Master. I am your sword. Not as sharp as her, but I can fulfill a sword's duty. If needed, use me as a disposable tool. Please, without hesitation."
"...There will come a day. Just not now. Your task is to monitor Prince Aiden. If he causes trouble, things will get messy. Report to me immediately if he makes personal contact with Gent or Kyle."
"Yes, understood."
"Ah, and when you leave, ask Yuria to come."
Time for another passionate night with her.
"Yes, Young Master."
???
On the morning of the banquet day, Count Ention Prucker returned early.
My family and I jumped out of bed. Feeling heavy-footed from lack of sleep, we descended to the first floor of the mansion.
The servants and retainers all stood rigidly to welcome the family head's return.
Short black hair and deep black eyes like a cave. His massive frame was packed with muscle, his skin tanned bronze by the sun. He had a chin beard, and wrinkles from the years etched around his mouth and eyes.
Just walking toward us exuded an extraordinary pressure.
Ellaine greeted him as the representative.
"Welcome back. I've handled everything you ordered."
"Mm."
It sounded like a conversation between lord and vassal, not husband and wife.
He glanced around once.
Ention's gaze lingered briefly on three people.
Gent, Kyle, and me.
"Seeing you like this, all three of you have grown a lot."
"Father. We're not children anymore. The youngest's coming-of-age ceremony was years ago."
Gent stepped forward. He usually lived with Ention at Uтрен Castle, so he was the closest to Father among us brothers.
'For all that, he hasn't secured the successor position.'
Ention's eye wrinkles deepened.
"...Indeed."
He looked at me, then stared intently at Kyle. A flicker of admiration passed through his eyes. That was all.
"Gent. Kyle. Eugene. You must attend the banquet this afternoon. No objections. This is an order."
"Yes."
After hearing our responses, Ention went straight to his room.
Ellaine dismissed the gathering. Gent and Kyle left first, followed by the retainers, and finally the servants withdrew cautiously. Once everyone's gazes were gone, I stood behind Ellaine, wrapped my arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear.
"Mother. You're not thinking of going to Father's room, are you?"
"...The family head and I use separate rooms. Nothing like what you're imagining will happen."
"Then I can go to Mother's room."
My hand caressed her buttocks.
"Eugene... Father just returned."
"Yes. That's why I must go to Mother's room even more. I need to leave my mark on you to feel at ease."
"Ah, fine. Let's go to the room quickly. I'm afraid someone might see us."
"Mother. Your blushing face is so cute, like a girl's."
"Ugh... You say the most shameless things to your mother."
I chuckled and pressed my lips to Ellaine's.
Ention had his wife stolen by his son, and his eldest son's wife was impregnated by his youngest. Just thinking about it made me laugh.
Of course, Kyle's future wasn't much different.
'No. Kyle will marry that ugly woman, so he won't have his wife stolen by me.'
All the heroines from the original story would be mine, though.
I spent the day entwined with Ellaine.
???
The banquet hall was bustling. It was filled with countless nobles. It was rare for such a crowd to gather at a count's family, not even the royal palace.
My brothers and I had been receiving guests since the banquet started because of the morning events.
Ention, the host, would enter a bit later.
"Prince Aiden and Princess Ailin are entering!!!"
The butler's loud voice echoed through the hall.
All eyes turned to the entrance.
Two figures entered the banquet hall.
A man and woman with shining golden hair. Their sapphire eyes were identical. But their auras differed.
The spoiled prince, Aiden, entered with tense steps overwhelmed by the gazes. His clothes were extravagantly flashy to flaunt his status. His eyes darted restlessly.
In contrast, the prime minister princess, Ailin, strode in confidently. Her dress was a light blue—not too ornate, nor plain. Her eyes stared straight ahead.
The difference in caliber was obvious even to those without discernment.
Princess Ailin went straight to greet the dukes and marquises, the highest powers present. Aiden looked around before heading to his usual cronies—nobles without titles, mostly poorly regarded.
'Pathetic.'
I watched Princess Ailin's movements. Soon after, I confirmed her greeting Kyle.
'...As Yuria predicted, it was Princess Ailin who put ideas in Kyle's head.'
It might be premature to judge from just a greeting, but my intuition pointed to Princess Ailin.
"Count Prucker and his wife are entering!!!"
Ention and Ellaine entered and headed straight to the front.
Ention scanned the room once and spoke.
"Thank you all for accepting my invitation. More people have gathered than expected. I invited you here to announce an important matter."
His mana-infused voice reached every corner. It was an impromptu speech not in the plans. Yet the nobles couldn't interrupt lightly.
"An important matter... This many gathered to hear your words. Even the prince and princess. Surely it's not disappointing?"
Marquis Lukman Petras spoke.
The Aura Master nicknamed the Giant of the North. His dark brown hair was slightly long. Unlike the nickname, his height was average. The origin was his weapon—a spear larger than himself.
Ention glanced at Lukman briefly.
"...Marquis Petras. Hear it and judge."
Lukman's eyes burned with fighting spirit. Ention and Lukman's relationship wasn't good. Most nobles present knew that.
Ention paused to steady the disrupted atmosphere, then spoke.
"War is approaching. We have perhaps half a year left. It could come even sooner."
The nobles murmured.
Those who had anticipated war grew serious at Ention's confident words.
Those unaware panicked.
"...Count Prucker. Can you be certain? And why announce it here instead of reporting to His Majesty?"
Again, Marquis Petras's question.
"War will break out within a year at the latest. I'm certain."
Ention was right.
Due to my intervention, perhaps. Unlike the original, the war was coming sooner.
"I've already reported to His Majesty. And His Majesty has appointed me as Supreme Commander. All of Rapelli Kingdom's armies will be under my command."
"...Is it true?"
"How dare I falsify His Majesty's decree. There's a witness. Princess Ailin."
All eyes turned to Princess Ailin. She didn't fluster.
"Yes. His Majesty commanded Count Prucker as Supreme Commander."
Marquis Petras clicked his tongue softly.
"Hah, so this banquet is to celebrate your ascension to Supreme Commander? Since I came to one, I should congratulate you. Congratulations, Count Prucker."
"Thank you, but I'll receive that later."
"More important words remain?"
"Two things. The first is for my sons, not you all. I'm saying it here because I want you as witnesses. I might die in this war."
It was chilling but true. Ention wasn't the only Aura Master. He could die on the battlefield.
"I will bequeath the countship to the son who achieves the greatest merit in this war."