Chapter 670
Chapter 670
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 670
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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“I hear your rumors have reached even here.”
“You must have sharp ears.”
“I heard you sided with the prince. I didn't think you were that interested in politics.”
“It's the affairs of the nation. Isn't it natural for a noble to take an interest?”
“Father said he doesn't mind, but I do. If you want to become the king's vassal, give up the succession and head to the capital. What's this about brotherly love? I'll support you.”
“Brother. Why are you doing this? The succession struggle has only just begun.”
“It's already over, for all intents and purposes. While you were kissing up to the prince, I fought over thirty battles. The enemies I've slain number at least a hundred. You've made a mistake from the start. With this gap, you'll never catch up to me.”
“Haha. Is that so? Then let's ask Father.”
I ignored Zent's words and approached Ention.
“Father. I have a question.”
Ention looked at me. I felt pressure from his stern gaze.
“I'm in the middle of talking with Princess Ailin right now.”
“It's fine with me, Count Prucus. Please speak with the baron. Ah, if it's not too rude, may I listen in as well?”
Ention glanced at me. I nodded.
“It's not some secret question, so it doesn't matter.”
“What is it?”
“You said before that you'd pass the title to the brother who achieves the most merit. I want to know who has the most merit right now.”
“I see. You have the right to know. Currently, Zent has the most. Do I need to explain why?”
Zent, standing beside me, had his lips trembling. He could barely contain his joy.
“No need. I can guess the reason. Then who is second?”
“You.”
Ention said it without a moment's hesitation. Zent's face hardened. He must have thought it was Kyle. Kyle had been staying at the main house, steadily building merit on the border.
“Third must be Brother Kyle, then.”
Ention nodded.
“...Father. Why is Eugene second? Eugene hasn't achieved much.”
“Eugene supported the army with money.”
“I know that. But fighting on the battlefield yourself can't be equated with just providing funds. Kyle will be disappointed when he hears.”
“You must not know how much Eugene contributed. Eugene provided 600 billion ner.”
The moment the specific figure was mentioned, the atmosphere sank. 600 billion ner was more than the annual budget of an average city.
“No... way.... That much money from Eugene...?”
Zent stared at me in disbelief. I flashed him a grin. Princess Ailin looked at me with sunken eyes as well.
600 billion.
It was an amount even the Korea Merchant Guild couldn't earn through regular sales alone. But I had future knowledge. I was more certain than anyone that war would break out, and I didn't shy away from illegal dealings. Over half of the 600 billion came from selling war supplies. On top of that, there were the secret funds and business intel from Duke Helbritt. 600 billion was nothing.
“Father. How much of a lead does Brother Zent have over me?”
“......”
Ention fell silent. He wasn't ignoring me; he was calculating in his head.
“Zent is ahead by about 30 percent.”
“Only 30%...!”
Zent ground his teeth.
I tilted my head.
“A 30% difference? I guess 600 billion ner wasn't enough. I'll provide more.”
“No. The funds you provided were excessive. Over 200 billion ner is still stockpiled. I didn't count the unused money as merit.”
“Wars consume a lot of money. That will become my merit eventually. If you include it all, where would I rank?”
“......You'd be at the top. Assuming Zent and Kyle do nothing more, of course.”
“That's all I needed to hear, Father. I was worried I couldn't build merit without going to the front lines myself, but that was needless anxiety.”
“In war, all forms of power count. I don't disregard wealth.”
“Yes, Father.”
Zent glared at me before composing his expression and smiling.
“Impressive, little brother.”
It would have been better if Zent had shown frustration. I clicked my tongue inwardly. In any case, it was true that Zent held the advantage in the succession race for now.
“......Only Brother, huh.”
The incident at the castle entrance spread among the nobles, knights, and soldiers. The nobles, now aware of my immense wealth, approached me with smiling faces. The knights and soldiers of Uturen Castle changed their view of me too. They had thought I was weak, but now they knew I was rich.
Rumors spread that if I became count, the knights and soldiers under me would grow wealthy. It was a rumor Yuria had spread, and it would have some effect. Everyone wanted to get rich.
While pretending to rest, I secretly met Vivi Heolis, Zent's wife. I barged into Vivi's room.
“E-Eugene, Baron?!”
“It's been a while, sister-in-law. You've only grown more beautiful.”
Vivi instinctively stepped back. I understood. It had been quite some time since we'd last met. Even if we'd shared our bodies before, not seeing each other for so long made things awkward.
Yuria stood by the door, and I approached Vivi, pulling her into an embrace. Her fresh light-green hair and snow-white skin. Her body, mixed with elf blood, carried the sweet scent of fruit.
My hands stripped off her dress and delved into her soft flesh. She was my sister-in-law, but still in her early twenties. Her skin was smooth and supple.
“Haaah! Y-You can't do this, Baron...!”
“Don't refuse. Sister-in-law. This is a sign of affection.”
Her A-cup breasts were a shame, but her long legs were exquisite. I pulled down her white panties. The light-green pubic hair, suppressed beneath, sprang up like reeds.
'Even seeing it again, that fascinating light-green pussy hair!'
I caressed her pussy with my hand. Using Sexual Sensitivity Boost, she was dripping wet in under a minute.
“Haht... Haaang. Ahng. Baron...!”
“Sister-in-law. I have many questions.”
I pulled out my cock and inserted it into Vivi's pussy.
“Haaaaaaaang!”
She gripped the edge of the table with both hands to steady herself.
“Your reaction... is better than expected. Like someone starved for days. Is your relationship with Brother Zent strained, by any chance?”
“N-No. We have sex more than three times a week... Heut.”
“Good to hear your relationship is fine. Then let me ask differently. Are you satisfied with your sex life with Brother?”
“Th-That's... Haaaaaaaang!”
I pinched and twisted her clitoris, making her pussy contract and spurt juices. Even with Sexual Sensitivity Boost, it was too easy—I let out a hollow breath. It hadn't even been three minutes since I thrust into her pussy.
“This is a sexually frustrated pussy, isn't it? Be honest. Have you ever properly felt pleasure during sex with Brother?”
“Ughhh.... No... never...”
Vivi blushed, her voice like a mosquito's buzz. I mocked the absent Zent and slapped her ass.
Smack!
“I'll satisfy your desires, sister-in-law!”
I shook my hips vigorously.
After satisfying Vivi several times, I asked about Zent and what had been happening in Uturen Castle. Even as she panted in pleasure, she answered my questions faithfully. Even without sex, as a debtor, she had no choice but to comply.
'Zent hasn't fully taken control of Uturen Castle. Of course not—the knights and soldiers, having seen a master like Ention, wouldn't easily accept someone like Zent.'
I impregnated her.
By evening, the banquet was held. Normally, it would be a lavish feast, but given the national mourning period, it was just dinner.
But a problem arose.
In the middle of the meal, a knight came rushing in, shouting.
“Your Excellency the Count! Enemies have appeared!”
Ention shot up from his seat. He glared sharply at the knight.
“Give more details.”
“We've confirmed 250 armed enemies moving from the southwest! They seem headed for plundering Balpre Village!”
“I'll lead the charge myself with the Taylor Knights. Prepare the horses.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
Before leaving, Ention looked around and said,
“My apologies, everyone. I must leave early due to this matter. Please enjoy your meal.”
“I'll go too.”
It was Marquis Petras. Ention glanced at him and nodded.
Then another soldier rushed in.
“Your Excellency the Count! Lycanthropes have appeared from the Abyss Swamp! A Lycanthrope Lord is leading them!”
Ention frowned. The Abyss Swamp—a place where monsters endlessly spawned.
Before Ention could speak, I stood from the table.
“Father. Leave the lycanthropes to me. My Golden Rose Knights and I will exterminate them without leaving a single one.”
“...Don't underestimate them. Monsters from the Abyss Swamp are no ordinary foes.”
“The Golden Rose Knight Captain is an upper-grade Aura Expert. Trust me. I'll bring back the Lycanthrope Lord's head.”
Ention wouldn't refuse. He was the one who told me to earn merit. And this was wartime—monster subjugation was a chance to build achievements.
“Very well. But no soldiers or knights for support.”
“You're handing all the merit to me. Thank you.”
Bang!
Someone shot up from their seat. Zent.
“Father! I'll lead the Lowrein Knights to subjugate the lycanthropes too!”
The Lowrein Knights were under Zent's command. Just as I had formed the Golden Rose Knights, he had his own order.
“......Competing over monsters, are you?”
“Yes. I think it's a good chance to see who's superior.”
Ention couldn't reprimand Zent. He was the one who had encouraged the brothers' rivalry.
“......Fine. But remember—no fighting among allies.”
Ention headed out. Zent and I glared at each other once before hurrying outside.
The horses galloped. On either side of me rode Yuria and Floyd in armor, holding torches. Behind, the Golden Rose lady knights closely followed.
Racing through the darkness wasn't easy, but we couldn't stop. Zent and the Lowrein Knights were running a bit ahead.
Farther back, a few knights assigned by Ention trailed us. They were monitors to ensure we didn't fight each other.
'If I could, I'd kill Zent right here.'
It was just a thought. The situation wasn't right for assassination anyway, and I was confident I could beat him in the succession race. I wanted to see Zent's despairing face when I became Count Prucus.
About ten minutes in, the horses began to thin out and lag. As I wondered why, Zent and his knights tied their horses and started running on foot.
“What the?”
Yuria answered my question.
“It's the influence of the Abyss Swamp. Animals, more sensitive than humans, sense its aura and avoid the area. It's instinct. We could force them, but running would be faster.”
“No choice. Tie the horses here and go on foot! Damn, Zent beat us to it.”
I grumbled, but I was relaxed.
We had Yuria and Floyd. Even if a bit behind, there was no reason we couldn't catch up.
We dismounted and started running. Soon, the sounds of battle reached us. The clash of sharp objects.
Zent's knights were fighting the lycanthropes. Claws met swords, sparks flying. Aura shimmered on the knights' blades, but the lycanthropes showed no fear.
I eyed the one at the back of the lycanthrope pack. Bigger than the rest, a 4-meter giant with fierce golden eyes—the Lycanthrope Lord.
'Catching one boss mob is more profitable than small fries.'